Dear Diary,

We spent today playing poker. It was fun! We haven't spent a day just hanging out playing cards in forever.

Mika is better at the game, but Kimi’s unreadable poker face continues to be unreadable. Even Y couldn't always guess when she was bluffing.

We all won a decent number of hands, so no one got depressed about losing.

For chips we used paper strips with numbers drawn on them. Before playing we spent like an hour making the “money” as fancy as we could manage.

It was good. Today was a good day.

Y is almost back to normal. He… He has a few new scars on his fingers, but it’s not too noticeable. I wouldn't have noticed if he hadn't acted self-conscious about his hands. Which is kinda ironic.

I’m still sad about losing all my food. I don't think that’ll change any time soon. But it doesn't mean I can't cook with the things everyone else has. So it’s ok.

Avi kinda suggested I take a vacation from cooking. I understand where he was coming from, saying that I don't need to make everyone three meals a day. But that’s like… like taking a vacation from breathing! What else am I supposed to do? Die? Being a chef is my job, class, and hobby! I can't just not cook.

If Mika had told me that, I’d assume she just had a fundamental misunderstanding of who I am. Somehow. But Avi saying it makes it more… He knows what suggesting I stop cooking means. He wouldn't say something like that unless he really thought I should.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Which I appreciate. But I can't. Even if it’s just rearranging sushi into different shapes, I have to do something. I won't say my self-worth is tied to giving people food, but it's close.

Anyways, I need to write to Samurai for more gossip.

Goodnight, Dungeon!

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Athena read and re-read her letter to Admin 6, making improvements each time. Samuel had told her all messages to him went through the Director, so this should stir the pot. Even if Sam lied for some reason, it should get a reaction.

She’d held off on using this card, wanting to find a better one, but nothing had appeared. Athena didn't know what the consequences would be, but they would be something.

From: Athena To: Admin 6 Subject: Thank you

Hello!

I just wanted to say thank you for helping make the party three cycles ago an amazing event. I appreciate having an Admin around who knows the importance of fun and relaxation.

Not like Admin 3 and the Director, who have sticks so far up their asses they probably wouldn't know fun if it slapped them in the face.

Seriously, what is their deal? Especially the Director, yikes. Like, at least Admin 3 appreciated the alcohol.

Anyway, let me know if you want to throw another party sometime!

Love,

Athena

She hit Send and sat back, smiling in the darkness.

Now all she had to do was wait.