Koko and Maxim exchange smiles before rushing over to the table and taking a seat. Loliel puts a hand on Adalae’s back and ushers her to a chair, with Kymayo setting herself at the far end of the table.

Ashihei looks down at his reflection within his whiskey glass, he then looks up to Vivi swiping it away and exchanging it with a wine glass holding a mauve-colored liquor.

“Come have dinner hun, and no running off to your lab for research.” Vivi then inches closer to his ear. “It’s important that as adults, we’re brave for ourselves and our children. They look up to us for guidance, we mustn't become let down due to news, it’ll all work out in the end. I promise.”

Ashihei accepts the glass and nods his head. “But how… How do you know—“

“Shhh.” Vivi puts a hand over his lips. “Eat and you’ll find out the secret.”

She then takes his hand and guides him over to a seat and sits along beside him. Vivi gazes over to Miya with her back pinned to the wall, her mechanical chair then slides over and makes another bare seat between her and Ashihei.

“Would you like to have dinner with us?” Vivi pats the vacant chair with a warm smile.

Miya crosses her arms with a hesitant gaze toward Adalae and Loliel. “I don’t know… I have someone waiting for me—“

—Guurgh

Miya holds her stomach emitting a hungry growl and nods her head. “W-well, I guess I can do some research on this planet’s delicacies.”

She then scurries over to the chair beside Ashihei and sits down, looking at the glistening buffet in front of her.

“Thank you for the food!” Everyone chants before starting to dig into the wide arrangement.

Miya squirms in her seat, continuing to look at her table’s occupants pass plates and consume the fine banquet.

Maxim takes a fork of smoked salmon from his plate and shoves it in his mouth, the seafood platter literally melting whilst he invokes the savory butter and garlic residue as he gulps. “Vivi, you’re food is always perfect! Five stars!”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it!” Vivi beams.

Adalae takes a bite of a clump of soft potatoes topped with cream-colored grated cheeses and parsley and moans in delight. “Dr. Schwerner I’ve never tasted anything like this! What is it called?”

“Gratin Dauphinois, also known as gratin potatoes. My mother use to cook it for me all the time, I’m glad I’m living up to her standards.” Vivi answers.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Loliel takes a sip of her violet wine and then indulges in the porcelain bowl pertaining a French chicken stew, full of stout vegetables and enticingly-plump meats. “Oh wow…! The wine enhances the flavor by a ton! Koko try this with the wine!”

“A-aah!” Koko opens her mouth and takes a spoonful of stew. “Mmm! It does make the flavor come out!”

Ashihei, the only one at the table utilizing chopsticks, takes a bit of his Salmon Tartare, similar to sushi but having a round shape and mixed with chives and ground peppers; He then advances his hand to Miya.

Miya sniffs the forkful and then slightly opens her mouth, allowing the crisp salmon filet to rest on her tongue.

“Ah! T-this is good! And what did she say, that I should have some of this liquid too—“

Vivi pours a white wine into her glass with a smile. “Oh no, the taste of fish is rather nuanced so don’t drink red wine. Try this instead.”

Miya drinks from her glass and nods her head several times with a smile. “The entirety of the meal’s deliciousness is coating my mouth! A-ah! Fascinating!”

Vivi then takes a fork full of simmering white beans and sliced sausages, topped with bay leaves and garlic. “Try this! Try this!”

Miya opens her mouth once more and moans in pleasure. “W-what is this now called? I’ve never tasted this sort of sensation before!”

“It’s named Cassoulet dear, don’t forget to try a helping with some duck confit legs and top it with some stock,” Vivi instructs.

Miya takes several helpings from the red pot and pours it onto her plate with a determined look. She then places a hand above her food with a lick of her lips, her eyes catching both Ashihei and Vivi looking at her with pleasing smiles.

“You’re kind of making me uncomfortable… What? Am I eating it wrong?”

Vivi widens her eyes and shakes her head in a short motion. “Uh, no! It’s just… It’s been so long since we’ve had someone so young at the table, haha! Would you like for me to show you how to use a utensil?”

“Baah! Forks… Quite westernized if you ask me. Don’t you kids want to use something of more stature, like these kuazi.” Ashihei boasts with his head tilted upwards.

“You mean the wood sticks? No thanks mate, I’ll stick to the westernized way.” Maxim counters while taking another bite of his meal.

“I tried those things, but they’re too hard to use. All I have to do with the forks is stick em’ in whatever I want!” Adalae asserts while waving around a pierced piece of beef.

Ashihei puts on a set of puppy eyes and looks toward Loliel. “You… You want to learn how to use them right?”

Loliel cheeks bulged with food, continues chewing while nodding her head. “Nwo…”

“Hmph!” Ashihei pouts while picking up another piece of his salmon. "Saikin no kodomo-tachi wa, tsuneni kantan'na hōhō o sagashiteimasu."

Vivi chuckles and takes another sip of her red wine. "Vous parlez comme un vieil homme en ce moment, vos morceaux de bois sont un peu bizarres."

Ashihei smiles but it soon fades as he takes a sip of his wine glass. “Je n’arrive pas à croire que nous sommes si loin... C’est assez remarquable mais effrayant, une émotion inconvenante que je ne peux pas décrire.”

Vivi locks into his gaze and smiles. “Mais nous serons toujours ensemble en famille. Être dans une galaxie étrangère ne changera pas cela.”

“Pensez-vous qu’elle sera capable de comprendre ce qui lui est arrivé ce jour-là... Je ne suis toujours pas sûr, elle a parlé de tant de choses.” Ashihei inquires with a sorrowful look.

Vivi puts a hand on his back and caresses his shoulder. “Je ne sais pas, chérie... Je ne sais pas...”

“Votre jeune fille, Valérie, n’est-ce pas? Si vous voulez, je peux en savoir plus sur ces chronosystèmes ou quoi que ce soit. Peut-être qu’ils ont quelque chose à voir avec cela, ou peut-être que je pourrais même trouver des journaux avec elle—“

Miya looks up from her plate to the entire table staring at her with shocked expressions.

“Quoi? Did I mispronounce something?”