At the beginning of their partnership, Akira was content to work through the times when Amon went to eat, and go to the cafeteria after he came back. But a few days ago, he had invited her to have her meal with him. And somehow that became a common thing for the two of them.
Akira was used to eating alone, but surprisingly, she found that she liked this new routine. There was a sense of company in eating with someone else even if no words were shared, and it felt nice. Although, to be honest… just being around Amon felt nice.
She had already gotten her curry rice from the cafeteria, having reached there a few minutes before Amon, and was waiting for him. When he appeared, she had to admit to a slight exasperation with his choice.
"Mild curry again, First Class?"
She had been suggesting to him for days that he should try the other one, but he had been adamantly against it. Dad had told her long ago that his partner wasn't a fan of spicy food and to each their own taste, but even so, trying it once in a while wouldn't hurt anybody.
"I don't like spicy food," Amon calmly replied for the umpteenth time as he sat down beside her.
An impulse came to her.
"Trying new things is an experience. That includes spicy food," she said and, without warning, scooped a spoonful from her plate into his mouth.
Amon blinked. And then he choked, making a sound like he was dying before starting to pant heavily. It wasn't that spicy, though. How could just a taste have him so red? Maybe she should give him her family curry one day and see his reaction.
"W-water!" he managed to speak at last, taking his glass of water and gulping it all down. After he was done, he asked, "Do you always take it this hot?"
"Of course. A little bit of spice is good for your metabolism. It keeps you warm."
"A little bit?!"
His eyes were wide and disbelieving, and his expression… she couldn't control her laughter any longer.
"That face…" she choked out. "It's a masterpiece."
"Don't tease your superior," Amon told her, but the slight hoarseness to his voice and the resigned look on his face only set her off further, and she had to press a hand to her mouth to muffle the sound.
How long had it been since she had laughed so freely? The sense of lightness and relief she was feeling at the moment was almost foreign to her.
Still chuckling, she faced him and said, "I'm sorry."
Amon became even redder than before for no reason, his eyes solely on his bowl of curry as he murmured, "It's fine."
He looks cute, an unwarranted observation flashed through her mind, and Akira found herself focusing on her own bowl, her thoughts taking her by surprise.
The rest of their time in the cafeteria passed by silently.
