Warfare Augmented Intelligent Frame Unit

Chapter 32 - Casino Date

Chapter 32 - Casino Date

It's already lunchtime, and today's menu holds a familiar delight: Sammelplatz Pizza—Myrrh's absolute favorite. The pizza arrived piping hot, filling the air with the rich scent of melted cheese, pepperoni, and a hint of herbed crust. Myrrh's eyes sparkled as she picked up a thick, cheese-laden slice, the melted cheese stretching with each bite.

"Mmmm! This is the best! Sammelplatz Pizza is my one true love!" she declared, her voice lilting with delight as she sank her teeth into the cheesy, meaty slice. Each bite was accompanied by a muffled sound of satisfaction, her face glowing with contentment.

I, on the other hand, only had a single slice on my plate. The rich sheen of grease glistening on the surface seemed to glower back at me, daring me to take a bite. I could almost feel my arteries protest as I watched molten cheese ooze like lava over the crust. Meanwhile, Myrrh was happily tackling her third slice—this being her "handicap" since she was trying to lose weight, or so she claimed.

At least we didn't splurge on a full family-sized pizza this time.

The diner itself was alive with energy. Jazz music floated through the air, the gentle plucking of acoustic guitars blending with the murmur of patrons. In the corner, a live band was performing, the lead singer—a blue-haired woman in a shimmering white dress—captivating the crowd. Her voice was smooth, velvety, wrapping around the jazz ballad like a lullaby, while the musicians behind her played a mellow waltz rhythm.

"Hey, isn't that Dianca?" Myrrh said, her eyes widening as she glanced at the singer.

"Dianca?" I echoed, tilting my head in curiosity.

"Yeah, Dianca Fritz," she clarified, her voice tinged with excitement. "She's a famous online game streamer. She sings while she plays—can you believe we're seeing her live?"

"I'm not really fond of online game streamers," I said, shrugging. "They annoy me."

"Dianca is a cut above the streamers you're used to," Myrrh retorted, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Her content's actually wholesome, unlike... well, unlike some girl streamers who just show off their... ahem, assets." She cleared her throat, but the embarrassment lingered as she broke into a soft, awkward smile. "Anyway, I heard she's studying at Orbital Tech too, in our year—a WAIFU, like us. Too bad she's not in our class, huh?"

I turned to get a closer look at Dianca Fritz. She looked ethereal under the stage lights, her green eyes like glimmering emeralds, and her blue hair catching the glow like polished sapphire. She moved with an easy grace, fully immersed in her song, her voice capturing the entire room. Seeing her perform, I could understand why Myrrh admired her; Dianca seemed both radiant and grounded, like she belonged there.

As her song ended, the restaurant erupted in applause. Dianca gave a small, gracious bow, her smile calm yet appreciative. Then she gracefully descended from the stage, strolling through the aisle while patrons scrambled to snap photos, their phones popping up like flowers after rain. With a final wave, she exited the restaurant, leaving a trail of whispers and excited murmurs in her wake.

I glanced back at Myrrh, who was still engrossed in her last slice of thick, cheesy pizza, savoring each greasy bite with a contented smile. I couldn't help but smile too. "I didn't know you were into online game streams," I said, teasing her a bit.

"God forbid a proper lady like me has hobbies," Myrrh huffed, pouting.

"I thought your hobby was insulting people and being an arrogant little bitch," I shot back with a smirk.

Myrrh rolled her eyes, but there was a playful spark behind them, and a small grin tugged at her lips. "You wish," she muttered, taking another triumphant bite of her pizza.