The biting cold was like an arctic storm, making me feel as though I was in the middle of a blizzard.

I want to wake up and reflect on my dreams. But I worried that if I moved, the tranquility of my environment might wake me up from my restful sleep.

A minute of complete detachment from reality passed, and then I heard voices that sounded familiar as they suddenly penetrated my ears.

"His parents engaged him with me because they wanted to use my Divinocchi's frantilos element, considering the recent Cleanser Squadron's low morale due to the sheer infection of the Scorching Virus in that city."

"I have a problem with it. It just… I'm afraid that I'll end up in massive trouble if I dare to stand up."

"I wanted to do it, but what do I expect from that powerful cult?"

"Even if I were standing up against it, I would drag myself into their pitfall traps instead."

From the start, it was evident that Pope Enzio Busso and Antonio were leveraging Divinocchi to enhance his governor's election campaign and enforce legislation that would infringe upon the rights of Grande Maria's citizens and the entirety of San Martino.

The voice suddenly transitioned into Pope Enzio Busso's words, which caught my attention.

"We are aware of your concerns, Mr. Tsuyuki. However, you always put the needs of others before your own. Giving to the less fortunate is, in fact, a common charitable activity. But not everyone is in dire need of assistance."

"We will undoubtedly assist someone who finds himself in a difficult situation. But if someone can manage on their own, why bother helping them?"

I pondered if this marked merely the inception of their deceitful schemes. Their concealed motives and actions, buried deep within this ominous world, hinted at a web of malevolent intentions and hidden agendas.

After a few walls of silence, a soft girl's voice whispered through my ears.

"Tsuyuki… wake up…"

But despite my best attempt to ignore it and keep indulged in my peaceful slumber, still, it's the same voice.

"Tsuyuki, the dinner is ready."

My stomach let out a loud gurgle as soon as she mentioned dinner. Slowly, I opened my eyes and took in my surroundings.

I observed as Christine drew nearer and took a seat on the edge of my bed on my right. By her expression, it was as if I suspected her of engaging in some obscene activity during my sleep.

With a mix of exhaustion and annoyance, I asked her, as my eyes were still heavy.

"What are you doing in here?"

While responding in a slight hurry, she slightly jerked my right shoulder.

"Tsuyuki, it's already 6 PM! The dinner is ready, and everyone was gathering in the dining room."

I quickly got up from the bed and frustratingly responded.

"Ok, ok! Let me go to the restroom first."

But she teased me while chuckling a bit.

"Make it quick, Tsuyuki. You don't want everyone to steal your dinner."

I then let out a slightly frustrated sigh as I entered the restroom before going down to the dining room.

***

1815 hours, 2 July 0145...

Jukebox Music: Luciano Pavarotti - E'll Sol Dell' Anima

As I made my way down the stairs and into the dining room, I could hear my friends' lively chatter and the classical opera music playing on the jukebox. They eagerly anticipated the arrival of the special dishes at the table.

Sitting between Axel and Nolan as we waited for dinner, Axel made a surprising comment.

"Tsuyuki? You've finally awakened."

I stifled a yawn with my left hand before giving a response.

"I've just taken a nap."

Seated on my right, Nolan poked my back and burst into uncontrollable laughter with his joke.

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"Had a wet dream 'bout sex with girls?!"

I couldn't hide my frustration as I responded to his stupid joke with a sharp glare.

"Go fuck your dick, bitch!"

Coming out of the kitchen, Christine and Leonid brought hot platters to the table. Smelling all those delicious dishes made it hard for me to choose just one, as all of them should taste good based on how they look.

With a smile on his face, Leonid set each dinner plate on the table, ready to share his delicacy with us.

"Dinners ready."

"Classic Polenta, Arancini, Piadina with Pesto Sauce, Shrimp Risotto, and fresh Mango Panna Cotta out of the fridge."

With a hint of astonishment, I ask Leonid how he managed to prepare such a great quantity of these things so effortlessly.

"Did Mr. Martinez cook these foods all by yourself?"

Seated next to Christine, he responded with self-assurance, shaking his head slightly and letting out a chuckle.

"Nope. Christine, Kyouko, and Commander Marisa helped me. And you could add another portion if you're not satisfied yet."

As Lisabelle voiced her thanks upon seeing the appetizing appearance of the dinner, her eyes widened in astonishment.

"Wow, it looks so delicious! Thank you so much, Mr. Martinez! We sincerely apologize for further complicating your life."

While passing the glasses of wine to the latter, Leonid reacted to her comment with a short laugh and crinkled his eyes.

"Believe me, you Authonoid kids need to replenish your energies before engaging against the invading infected."

Nolan was about to reach for his silverware when Christine's abrupt warning stopped them in their tracks.

"Wait, guys! Let's take a prayer first before enjoying our food."

The religious traditions of this nation strongly encourage the natives to pray before each meal to maintain God's order.

After taking a few seconds to pray, I put a piadina on my plate and drizzled pesto sauce on top.

I put three arancini, some creamy polenta, and a little risotto on my plate. If it turns out well, I'll add more later.

A rush of pleasure washed over my face as I savored the arancini. I was astounded by the depth of flavor that the dish had, and it well outstripped my expectations.

The flavors were just out of this world. Christine and Leonid poured their hearts into these meals, serving as a poignant reminder that kindness can exist even in the midst of hurt. Their kindness warmed my spirit and eased my blackened worries with millions of thanks.

After finishing the plate in no time, I pointed at the big bowl and asked Leonid for another portion.

"Mr. Martinez, can I?"

His hand gesture conveyed confidence as he answered.

"Go ahead!"

Filling my empty stomach, I added another portion without hesitation and loved the flavor of the native's traditional cuisine.

***

After indulging in the delicious traditional home-cooked meals, I was astounded by how fast thirty minutes went by.

Lisabelle wiped her lips with a paper towel after eating her mouthwatering dinner and finished her glass of wine as she complimented Christine's cooking skills.

"Wow, I didn't realize you're such a delightful cook, Christine."

Christine timidly smiled after finishing her meals, gently touching her cheek before replying.

"Well, not really. I used to help my father since I was a child."

As Nolan sipped the last of his wine, he shocked everyone in the dining room with his self-assured compliment.

"I think you could be a genuine housewife with these recipes. Because you have an outstanding responsibility for your family!"

His compliments took Christine aback, causing a flush of redness to spread over her cheeks. She hurriedly emptied her honey lime juice and bolted to her bedroom, assuming that Nolan's remarks were to blame for her fluster.

As she headed up the stairs with a slightly loud thud against the wooden staircases, Nolan suddenly queried her in confusion.

"Christine? Where are you going?!"

She took a step up the stairs and responded distantly from above.

"Just wait a second, guys! I've had photos of my mother!"

Amidst the lively chatter in the dining room, my mind remained consumed by the recent events, their weight pressing down on my thoughts like a heavy shroud. Although I wanted to share my experience with this advantage, it still worried me if they would gaslight me as an overthinker.

Leonid animatedly explained his message to the group, using sweeping hand gestures to underscore his key points and draw everyone's attention to his message.

"If you don't know, Christine visits her mother's grave every night at 7 PM, as it marks the precise moment when her mother passes away."

The room fell into a solemn silence as empathy washed over their once-cheerful faces, signaling a deep understanding and shared sorrow among us all.

Kyouko glanced across at him and asked with a trace of sadness, sharing Christine's anguish at her mother's leaving.

"Mr. Martinez? Can we visit her mother's grave together?"

Leonid glanced at her as he solemnly nodded and answered with a soft tone.

"Well, ask her."

With a firm grip on her memo book, Christine swiftly walked down the stairs. She walked over to the table and opened the book, which had the wealth of her childhood memories. She regaled us with tales from her past as we looked on in awe.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, guys. Here's the photo of my mother, Hilda Kaliglia."

Her memo book is a precious trove of memories, with each page taking us to a portal of different moments from her childhood and her family's storied past. She captivated us by revealing her parents' treasured photographs, showcasing the stunning youth of Hilda Kaliglia and Leonid Martinez.

Hilda radiated an unearthly beauty reminiscent of a fairy tale princess, her long golden hair flowing down her back and her turquoise eyes sparkling with wisdom.

Gazing at Hilda's breathtaking beauty, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness, knowing that Christine would be heartbroken by her unexpected departure. Had she been alive, Christine's mother could have shielded her from the relentless demands of the Cleanser Squadron and prevented her involvement in Antonio's engagement, offering a protective influence.

With a touch of sadness in his voice, Axel turned towards Christine, gently patting her shoulders as he addressed her with a mixture of empathy and concern.

"Christine, are you about to visit your mother's grave later on at 7 PM?"

She gave a solemn nod in response.

"Yes."

He continued to ask the same question, utterly bewildered.

"Can we visit it with you after that?"

And Christine did nod once more, uttering but a single word.

"Go ahead."

Following in her footsteps, she led us to her mother's grave, which was only a short distance from this modest home.

And I'm eager to learn more about her late mother's pivotal position in the Cleanser Squadron and her enigmatic history. I need to find out more about this squadron in order to get the illusive clue.