Chapter 90: Parting Gift

John stepped back toward the center of the office and slipped his hands into his pockets. The heavy tension in the room seemed to lift slightly, even if Daniel still looked pale and furious.

"Before Vance escorts you down to the docks, there is one more thing," John said, looking between Ayanokoji and Miyuki. "You’re not leaving on an empty stomach."

Miyuki blinked, clearly confused by the sudden change in topic. "Food?"

"Yeah, real food," John said with a faint smile. "Military field rations are fine for transit, but I figured you two haven’t had a proper meal from home ever since we got summoned. The empire’s roasted meats, stale hardtack, and bland stews probably get old pretty fast."

"That is true," Ayanokoji admitted calmly. "The imperial cuisine lacks variety, especially when it comes to standard seasonings and preparation methods."

"Exactly," John replied. "Back on Earth, our trip was in Japan, but I never actually got the chance to try authentic local food before that goddess pulled us into the cathedral. Since I set up our logistics and cold storage lines here, I had my kitchen staff prepare something special once I knew you were coming aboard."

John turned his attention toward Captain Daniel, who was still glaring at him with tight-lipped hostility.

"Tell the captain he can join us too," John said to Ayanokoji. "He looks like he might pass out from those ribs, and I’d rather he didn’t starve before he can deliver my message to his emperor."

Ayanokoji switched to Solarian. "He is offering you food before we depart. You are permitted to eat."

Daniel sneered, his posture stiffening despite the pain in his chest. "Eat? With an iron-clad barbarian who mocks Her Divinity? I would rather starve than let poisoned foreign slop touch my tongue!"

Ayanokoji translated flatly: "He refuses. He suspects poison."

John let out a short laugh. "Suit yourself, Captain. You can stand in the corner and watch. Follow me."

John led them down the carpeted hallway and into an adjoining dining room. The space was bright and simple, lined with wide windows that overlooked the bustling gray harbor below. A marine guard stood at ease by the far entrance, while two mess cooks in clean white aprons were just setting covered ceramic dishes onto a long wooden table.

When the cooks lifted the lids, steam drifted up, carrying an unmistakable aroma.

Miyuki stopped in her tracks. Her eyes widened, her mouth slightly open.

Set before them were large bowls of steaming ramen. The broth was a deep, golden tonkotsu, topped with thick slices of pork belly, soft-boiled eggs with runny yolks, seasoned bamboo shoots, and finely chopped green onions. Beside each bowl sat a clean rectangular tray arranged with fresh sushi—neat cuts of salmon, bright red tuna, and small rolls of nori-wrapped rice, paired with small dishes of dark soy sauce and wasabi.

"This is..." Miyuki whispered, her voice shaking. "Ramen... and real sushi?"

"Fresh catch from the local bay brought in two days ago, and the rest comes straight from our dry goods inventory," John explained, pulling out a chair at the head of the table. "I’m no cook, but the galley staff followed the manual. Sit down. Eat."

Miyuki took a seat, her hands trembling as she reached for the wooden chopsticks. After months of hard bread, boiled cabbage, and dry salted meats, the smell alone was almost overwhelming.

Ayanokoji pulled out the opposite chair and sat down smoothly. He picked up his chopsticks, examining the cut of the fish with a practiced eye.

"The preparation is quite accurate," Ayanokoji said. "The vinegar balance in the rice is correct, and the cuts are clean."

"Good to know," John said. He picked up his own chopsticks, holding them with an awkward grip. "Back home, I mostly had grocery store California rolls. I never got around to having the real deal in Japan. Figured I might as well see what it tastes like."

Daniel remained by the entryway, his back pressed against the wall. He stared at the platters of raw fish with open disgust.

"Raw sea meat..." Daniel muttered under his breath in Solarian. "They eat uncooked monsters from the brine... Truly, these people are barbarians."

Ayanokoji ignored the captain’s muttering. He dipped a piece of tuna into the soy sauce, placed it in his mouth, and chewed slowly.

"It is well made," Ayanokoji said. "It matches standard restaurant quality back in Tokyo."

Miyuki pressed her hands together softly. "Itadakimasu."

She lifted the ceramic spoon, took a sip of the warm broth, and let out a quiet breath. The savory flavor filled her mouth—warm, rich, and deeply familiar. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she quickly took a mouthful of noodles.

"It tastes just like home," she said, blinking back tears as she swallowed. "I didn’t think I would ever taste this again."

John took a sip of his own broth, nodding to himself. "Yeah, that’s definitely heavier than chicken noodle soup, but the flavor hits hard. I can see why people back home loved it."

He used his chopsticks to grab a piece of salmon, dipping it in the soy sauce before eating it whole. He chewed for a second, his eyebrows lifting slightly. "Not fishy at all. Actually pretty good."

"Proper refrigeration and fresh handling prevent any bad odor," Ayanokoji said, continuing to eat his noodles with calm precision.

For the next ten minutes, nobody talked about fleets, declarations, or battles. The only sounds in the room were the faint clatter of chopsticks, the quiet slurping of soup, and the distant hum of machinery outside the glass.

Miyuki finished most of her bowl, setting her spoon down and looking across the table at John.

"John," she said quietly. "Thank you for this. Really."

"Don’t worry about it," John said, setting down his cup of ice water. "We’re going to be enemies in about forty-eight hours, but that doesn’t mean we can’t share a decent meal first. Think of it as a parting gift."

Ayanokoji wiped his hands with a napkin and set his chopsticks across the ceramic rest. "You are remarkably relaxed with people who just rejected your offer."

"I have no reason to be nervous," John said plainly, leaning back into his chair.

John pushed his chair back and stood up. The mess staff moved in to collect the bowls, while the guard by the door stepped forward.

"Meal’s over," John said, looking at the two students. "Your transport is fueled and loaded at Pier Four. Captain Vance will walk you the rest of the way."

Miyuki stood, smoothing her skirt. "Goodbye, John."

"Take care of yourself, Miyuki," John replied.

Ayanokoji rose from his seat. "Until next time."

"For your sake, hope there isn’t a next time on the field," John said with a faint smirk.

The doors opened, and Captain Vance stepped in from the hall, signaling toward the exit. Ayanokoji and Miyuki stepped out into the corridor, followed by a silent, scowling Daniel.

Behind them, the silent silver-haired bodyguard remained stationed at John’s side, watching their backs disappear down the hall until the heavy doors sealed shut.