Story Reader / Event Story / Stellar Narratives / Story
I knew you'd be here. I came straight over after leaving the Science Council.
A familiar cold voice sounds behind you. Turning around, you see the expected figure in red.
About halfway, I'd say. But I managed to finish all the important parts in time for the Double Seventh Festival.
The rest of the lifestyle modules still need fine-tuning. It can't all be set up in one go... This frame is still too focused on combat.
Vera suddenly crosses her arms, looking intrigued.
Still, since you insisted, I upgraded the taste module first.
Installing such high-sensitivity sensors was one of the most extravagant things I've done in years. Thanks for sponsoring it. I'll consider it a gift from you.
So, what's your real plan?
You pull out a stack of colorful vouchers from behind your back.
Let me guess, you want to test how well the taste module's working?
Vera narrows her eyes and flicks a finger lightly against the stack of vouchers.
Fine. Since I'm in a good mood today, we'll test as we walk.
You lead Vera to the nearest food stall and exchange a voucher for a small box of Lovers' Delights. She picks up two and pops them into her mouth.
(Chew)
This is supposed to be mild? The taste module is really amplifying everything.
Soft dough. Classic Kowloong-style. One's salted egg yolk, the other sweet cheese. Nothing special. I'm not big on sweets.
You hand her a bag of puffed snacks.
Strongly sour. Some kind of pickled... kimchi-flavored chips? I remember this taste from the Military Academy training.
Buy a few extra bags. I want to bring them back to Cerberus.
As she says that, her gaze shifts to the nearby drink stall. The mechanoid vendor shrinks back into the corner under her piercing stare.
You sell coffee?
Y-yes, we do. Only plain black coffee though...
Perfect. No sugar. Bring me a cup.
The vendor quickly hands her a small paper cup. Vera takes a sip and finally looks satisfied.
Hah, bitter coffee really is the best. Helps keep you sharp. Way more interesting than the soft flavors earlier.
The familiar bitterness intensifies on her tongue, and the sensation pleases her.
You spot a stall with a banner: "Latest Electrolyte Flavors." One label catches your eye, and you hand the product to Vera.
Electrolyte drink... seawater flavor? Your creativity has officially crossed into absurdity. Alright, I'll try it.
She says "try," but Vera promptly takes a large gulp.
Then, she pauses.
...
Vera wipes her mouth.
...Hah. Before I became a Construct, I'd never even seen the sea. Since then I've swum in it plenty of times... but this is the first time I've actually tasted it.
So that's what it's like... a harsh mix of salt and bitterness—overpoweringly salt, to the point of being foul.
...
Vera's expression softens suddenly, as if remembering something.
Before the Punishing outbreak, eating was just another chore to me—just a way to refuel. Maybe it was to punish me. After becoming a Construct, I lost the ability to really taste anything.
Sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, salty... It's been so long. But I've finally tasted all five again.
Still, it feels completely different from back then.
Vera looks at you again, directly into your eyes.
You really are impossible. Always causing trouble, always giving me a headache.
But for this, thank you.
Without warning, she steps forward, grabs the back of your neck, and leans in. Her lips brush your ear.
There's one last flavor I want to try.
Her sharp canines catch your earlobe, then bite down hard.
A thin trail of blood trickles from between her teeth.
Salty, metallic, not too different from seawater. Just as I thought.
Doesn't matter. This street is long, with plenty more tastes to try. We can test as long as you like. I'll stay until you're satisfied.
Little Commandant, from now on, your time belongs to me too. No objections, right?
Ooh, that's some sharp teeth.
Touching the bite mark on her ear, Vera suddenly bursts out laughing.
Seems you're also quite interested in these strange flavors.
Then, let me accompany you to try more. How does that sound?
