At the dorm dining table of Penguin Logistics.
Texas and Exusiai, still wearing their work clothes, were sitting together with Croissant, who had already changed into clean clothes, sweeping through the feast laid out before them.
"The taste is pretty good."
Exusiai casually picked up a few dishes. It had been a while since she had eaten takeout and it felt quite refreshing.
"It is good but somehow it feels a bit strange."
Texas also took a few bites but for some reason she felt there was an uncomfortable scent and atmosphere in the room.
Was it just her imagination?
"Is there really a problem? Did Shirou not say the shop had good hygiene?"
Compared to Texas's serious expression, Croissant did not think much of it. She assumed Texas was just not mentally over it yet.
"No, not that. How should I put it… it feels like a familiar scent?"
Texas did not mind it too much. After all, Shirou had said the shop had been open for a long time without any issues and the owner handled things well.
It was just that the smell lingering in the air made her feel physically uncomfortable, almost like she could not breathe properly.
"A scent? Did you two not shower?"
Hearing Texas, Croissant looked at them with disgust.
The two of them had returned from work, saw the table full of food and chose to eat immediately instead of washing up.
You should know they had run into some trouble today. Shirou was still in the bathroom running water, preparing to soak their uniforms first.
Mainly because they were covered in mud. If they were thrown directly into the washing machine, they might not come clean.
Shirou planned to soak them first and then scrub by hand, at least removing the surface dirt before putting them into the machine.
He was already familiar with this process and had even bought special stain removers.
"Does it really smell that bad? I think it is fine."
Exusiai grabbed her own collar and sniffed it, then grabbed Texas's collar and sniffed that as well. Unfortunately, she smelled nothing, mainly because the aroma of the food overwhelmed any other odors.
"It is not that smell… although, to be fair, it is a bit pungent."
Seeing Exusiai like this, black lines appeared on Texas's forehead as she pushed her head away.
Even if Exusiai could not smell it, Texas could. She was simply choosing not to mention it.
"Hm? What are you all talking about?"
Shirou walked out of the bathroom, his hands still damp. He grabbed some tissues to dry them and asked.
The moment he came out, he saw Texas pushing Exusiai away with a look of disgust, which made him curious.
"Nothing much. Texas says she smells something that makes her uncomfortable but I cannot smell anything."
Exusiai replied after being pushed back.
"An uncomfortable smell…? Oh, I see."
Shirou was briefly puzzled but after noticing Texas's somewhat restless Lupo ears, he seemed to understand.
"You know the reason? Come on, tell us!"
Croissant said excitedly, her love for gossip fully revealed. Even Exusiai and Texas looked at Shirou with curiosity.
Especially Texas. She really wanted to know what it was.
"This concerns Texas's personal matters. I need to ask for her consent first."
Seeing their curiosity, Shirou did not intend to reveal it outright.
After all, it was Texas's private matter. Using it to satisfy others' curiosity would not be appropriate.
In simple terms, he had to confirm with the person involved first and then see whether she was willing to share.
"My personal matter?"
Hearing this, Texas felt that the situation was not good.
Aside from Penguin Logistics, she had no acquaintances in Lungmen. That meant… people from her past?
That should not be possible.
No… could it be that person?
Suddenly, Texas thought of a certain silver-haired Lupo. She was the only one who would relentlessly pursue her.
With hesitation, Texas asked:
"Is it Lappland?"
"Yes."
Seeing Texas's troubled expression, Shirou felt relieved he had not spoken carelessly. It seemed their relationship was indeed unusual, likely with some history behind it.
"So it really is her…"
After receiving confirmation, Texas immediately lost her appetite. She leaned back in her chair, her eyes filled with complexity.
Had her past finally caught up to her?
"…"
Seeing her like this, Exusiai and Croissant also lost their playful mood. They exchanged glances and Exusiai was the first to break the awkward silence.
"About that Lappland… Shirou, where did you run into her?"
Although Exusiai felt it might not be appropriate to bring that person up, she had to ask.
After all, Texas was someone who would not even blink if she accidentally snapped the boss's treasured vinyl record in half.
And now she was showing such shock and confusion. That meant the situation was truly serious.
"Uh… in the slums. When I saw her, she was being chased and then she led those people straight toward me."
Shirou first glanced at Texas. After receiving a nod from her, signaling him to continue, he briefly explained how they met.
"…That is quite a strange encounter."
Listening to how Lappland met Shirou, Croissant felt it was almost surreal.
Normally, should it not be something like a chance meeting where someone drops something?
Like how Shirou practically dropped himself from the sky and got picked up by them. That was the proper opening, right?
"Are you alright, Shirou?"
After recalling what Lappland was like in battle, Texas stood up and walked over to Shirou, circling him and carefully checking for any injuries.
Most of what she smelled was food and detergent but she could still faintly catch Lappland's scent.
They had definitely come into contact. And judging from Shirou's description… that was exactly the kind of thing Lappland would do.
It was very much her style.
"I am fine. Are you alright?"
Seeing that Texas seemed a bit more composed, Shirou asked about her earlier state.
"I am fine. I was just thinking about something. But more importantly, did Lappland do anything to you?"
Noticing that everyone seemed worried about her, Texas shook her head and explained her moment of distraction.
It had just come too suddenly and she had not been mentally prepared.
Her mental resilience was strong. She quickly adjusted. After all, it was just Lappland catching up to her. Not a huge problem.
Now she was more concerned about Shirou, who had interacted with Lappland. From what he said, he had seen her in combat.
Lappland was completely different in and out of battle.
Outside of combat, she was polite, though her words carried a sharp edge enough to sting but nothing more.
In battle, however, she was a full-fledged maniac who was completely unconcerned with her surroundings.
Although Texas did not doubt Shirou's abilities, there was always the chance he might treat her as an ally and get accidentally hurt.
"That did not happen. She just treated me to a meal and talked for a bit. Though, most of the time I was just listening to her chanting 'Texas, Texas.'"
After confirming that Texas was mentally fine, Shirou finally relaxed and spoke in a teasing tone.
"Tsk, tsk. Who would have thought?"
Hearing Shirou imitate Lappland, Croissant immediately teased Texas.
Half out of playfulness, half sincerely. She had already felt that the three members of Penguin Logistics, aside from herself, were unusually close but she did not expect Texas to have such a close friend in her past.
If she told Sora about this, it would definitely be interesting.
Of course, ever since Shirou joined, he had become the center. After all, you had to keep the one who cooks happy, unless you wanted to survive on bread alone.
And Croissant definitely did not want to go back to that life.
Besides, Shirou took good care of everyone, had no strange intentions and was especially easy to tease, so they naturally grew closer.
That was not even mentioning his extraordinary combat ability, just as a homemaker and friend, he was already excellent.
"Texas really is popular. But I am not bad either. When I left Laterano, everyone came out to see me off!"
Exusiai nodded in agreement.
"Seriously?"
The other three looked skeptical.
"Really! I even remember banners celebrating my departure to Lungmen!"
Exusiai nodded vigorously, trying to convince them.
"Celebrating your departure to Lungmen? I get it now. They were not seeing you off, they were celebrating you leaving, right?"
Croissant connected the dots and arrived at what she believed was the truth.
Considering how Exusiai had blown up parts of her school and even areas of Laterano multiple times, Croissant felt her conclusion was far more likely.
"Mm."
Shirou and Texas both seemed to agree.
"Hey! That is too much, you guys!"
Seeing how little they trusted her, Exusiai felt a bit hurt.
Even if, possibly, maybe, it was exactly as Croissant said… they did not have to say it out loud!
They could have phrased it more gently!
Grabbing a cushion from the sofa, Exusiai charged at the three of them and the earlier heavy atmosphere instantly disappeared.
At least for now, Texas was no longer dwelling on Lappland. Instead, she was figuring out how to use Croissant as a human shield.
"There is apple pie in the fridge!"
Meanwhile, Shirou brought out an apple pie.
Dealing with Exusiai was simple, just bring out apple pie and it was instantly settled.
"Hmph! I will let you off for now!"
The moment she heard there was apple pie in the fridge, Exusiai stopped what she was doing, tossed the cushion back onto the sofa and rushed straight into the kitchen.
"Is she really that easy to appease?"
From the moment Shirou mentioned apple pie to Exusiai charging into the kitchen, not even five seconds had passed.
Watching this, Croissant could not help but complain.
If it were her… she could at least hold out for ten seconds!
"This is just playful messing around. Exusiai was only joking anyway."
Shirou picked up the cushion Exusiai had casually thrown aside, patted it and placed it back properly.
He often said that the members of Penguin Logistics could be appeased with food but that only applied among themselves. If someone outside tried that, they would probably get hit with a few rounds of Originium bullets, light swords, or a hammer instead.
"…Thank you."
Recalling what had just happened, Texas suddenly spoke.
Shirou had said those things to stop her from dwelling on the issue and Exusiai and Croissant had cooperated perfectly with him.
Although Exusiai definitely had not intended that effect when she spoke, Texas did feel less burdened now.
Her past would eventually catch up to her but she still had the present and everyone at Penguin Logistics.
"No need. Hurry and eat. I do not know what happened between you and Lappland but if they are bad memories, then do not dwell on them."
Seeing Texas like this, Shirou lightly bumped fists with Croissant beside him, their coordination had been quite good.
At the same time, he offered a simple bit of comfort.
Shirou knew Texas would be able to move on quickly, even without the three of them distracting her.
Still, there was a difference between struggling alone to escape a painful past and having someone pull you out of it.
"Mm, I understand. As for Lappland… I will sort out my thoughts before facing her."
Texas nodded, indicating she understood.
She wanted to protect the life she had now, so she would find a way to overcome her past.
Lappland was only the first step.
"That is good."
Seeing Texas return to her usual self, Shirou was not sure whether she had truly taken his words to heart.
He could only offer some encouraging words for now.
Everyone had things in their hearts they did not want to talk about. Even someone as optimistic as Exusiai had her own concerns.
Yith had once let it slip that Exusiai left Laterano to find someone, who was currently on a long-term assignment with Penguin Logistics.
That was why Exusiai joined them.
As for Croissant… her reason was simple: the pay was good.
As for why Sora and Texas were in Penguin Logistics, Shirou did not know, nor did he ask.
Because now, they were all members of Penguin Logistics.