Something about Minerva has always seemed wrong to me, as if the organization were hiding important information from the public. It seemed as if Minerva often covered up information, tearing it apart like fragile paper.

It was as if secrets had a natural ability to come to light, like the sun poking through a cloud. But I need to find them without delay before someone purges them, making them unreachable.

***

1800 hours, 27 June 0145...

EarPods Music: Kyrolis - Authonoids Must Die!

It seemed like an age had passed since the daring mission to take down the three powerful infected androids at the deserted sugar plant and repel the infamous Forsaken Emperor back into its own place from chasing us even further.

The environment may still be the same, but at least we can now relax since the tragedies we've endured are behind us.

The medical team's decision to replace Scott's older, broken virus filter with a new, much stronger one cleared him to go back to his regular activities once he had fully healed.

Strangely, he was able to make a speedy recovery despite his worsening infection on the final mission after his encounter with Florent.

The scent of boiled meats, fats, and vegetables fills the cafeteria's kitchen as I prepare the broth for a simple tonkotsu ramen's pot. It's such a shame that we had to postpone our dinner party yesterday since the cafeteria was so busy at that time.

But since there was no one else in the café, I was lucky enough to whip up a delicious dinner for my companions.

While the ingredients simmered in the pot, I carefully removed any scum from the meat to ensure its clarity.

However, one persistent question lingered in my mind about the aftermath of our battle against the invading Forsaken Emperor and its Stonehedglers' henchmen. What does Sergeant Adipati mean by going after me and Scott? Does either of us have anything to do with the enraged, forsaken Emperor?

My head can't stop overthinking these schizophrenic questions. I turned around to see Scott's voice beckoning to me from just outside the kitchen door, suddenly regaining my senses in the mortal realm.

"Hey, Tsuyuki! Why don't you make the chashu pork?"

As I looked up at him in surprise while stirring the broth in the pot with the ladle, I then responded while glancing back at the pot.

"It's taking a long time. I'd rather make everything quick for you guys."

With just a nod, Scott then took a seat with the latter of my friends as the aroma of simmering broth filled the dining room.

When I heard the soft, bubbling sound from the boiling water next to the pot of simmering tonkotsu's broth, I set the temperature to medium as I added the eggs and the ramen to the pot.

While waiting for the ingredients to cook, I pumped myself up by listening to my favorite metal music on my EarPods. Subtly humming along with the words, I rhythmically banged my head to the music.

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I could see the water boiling after exactly 2.5 minutes from my phone's timer as I strained the ramen before straining the eggs. Using a strainer and tongs, I divided the strained ramen into six bowls.

The alarm from my phone's timer went off as soon as the soup finished cooking, startling me as I turned off the music. As soon as I lifted the cover, the enticing fragrance of the tonkotsu soup wafted through the kitchen, taking me aback by its rich and flavorful perfume.

I transferred the broth to a separate, larger pot and strained it into it. Then, I heated it slowly over low heat.

As I carefully transferred the eggs from the pot of boiling water to the basin of icy water, I could hear a gentle cracking sound as I cracked open the shells with a spoon. After I removed the shell, I sliced it in half and saw the creamy yolk seep out.

When I had finished seasoning all six bowls with aromatic oil, I used a laddle to ladle the broth into them. I topped the dish with half-cooked egg pieces, crisp nori seaweeds, and delicately sliced shiitake mushrooms to top it off.

As I placed the six steaming ramen bowls on the serving platter, the aroma of the dinner filled the room, buzzing with nervous energy as Axel probed me at the table.

"Is the dinner ready yet?"

With the clink of cutlery resonating across the room, I brought the tray of ramen bowls to my friends' table, sharing each bowl with each of them in confidence.

"Here you go, guys. Dinner's ready."

"Simple tonkotsu ramen."

With a clatter, everyone picked the soup spoons and chopsticks off the dinnerware. As I sat with the latter, I set the jar of chili oil in the center of the table as I pointed with a slight trepidation, throbbing in my chest.

"And here's the chili oil, if you want to make it spicy."

"To be honest, I was planning on making chashu pork to complete these toppings. But it'll take too much time."

"And I hope you'll like it."

But as Axel was about to taste the broth, Christine suddenly warned everyone with a sudden hand gesture that surprised the dining table.

"Wait, guys! Let's have a prayer first!"

"Oh, my bad."

With that, all of us halted ourselves to pray before eating. Perhaps Christine's strong religious beliefs led her to always suggest that we pray before eating, seeking blessings for our meal.

After the praying with simultaneous "Amen," spoonfuls of broth filled the air as everyone raised their spoons to their lips. Their expressions of astonishment were priceless as they savored the soup as if it were an entirely new and extraordinary flavor.

As he gushed over the flavorful ramen soup, Axel's mouth dropped open in astonishment.

"Oh my god, this is astonishing!"

After tasting the ramen's broth, Veronica's voice rose in awe, her eyes widening in surprise.

"No freaking way! This is so out of the world!"

A blush crept down my cheeks as my friends praised my cooking. And I could only answer timidly, scratching my right cheek slightly.

"Not really. If I had more time, I could make it better."

The spicy perfume wafted through the room as Veronica drizzled chili oil into her ramen bowl; she then prodded me once more with praise.

"What are you talking about? This is more than perfect!"

Scott gulped down every last drop of broth from the tonkotsu ramen. As he set the bowl down on the table, his relief palpable, he blurted out.

"Ahh, I feel wonderful! I've never eaten such deliciousness in my entire life!"

Knowing that my ramen was a much healthier option as they devoured it down on gave me immense satisfaction. Being a cook at Minerva is too demanding for most of the crew, and the food quality suffers during rush hour. Even with the professional chef, the military's rush hour is different from the civilians' rush hour.

The spicy scent engulfed my senses as I savored my bowl of ramen to the very last drip of broth. Quickly finishing my bowl of ramen, I got up and spoke to everyone at the table.

"Uh, guys, I wanted to add another portion."

Axel passed the bowl to me with a questioning look.

"Tsuyuki, can I get more?"

I could sense the anticipation in the air as they handed me their empty bowls of ramen, ready to re-savor another bite. After collecting all of the empty bowls, I set them on the tray and spoke.

"Alright. If that's what you want, wait a second."

I hurried into the kitchen and could see the steam coming out of the ramen pot. As I delicately balanced the hot ramen soup and noddles in my hands, I placed them in the middle of my friend's table and spoke.

"Here's another round for you guys! Considering I've made it too much!"

"Alright, it's devouring time!"

We then relished each piece of the ramen until we squeezed the pot dry to satisfy our hunger.