Chapter 311: Have You Ordered Food?

"Good, you've cleaned up?" Aoki asked, slightly surprised to see Mei and Ajisai already dressed—smoothly combed hair, clean clothes, fresh faces, as if no trace of sleep remained.

"Of course," Mei replied, crossing her arms.

"You go get ready. Ajisai and I will go down first. We'll order food and drinks. Just like last night, okay?" Mei said, looking Aoki straight in the eye—a calm gaze, yet one that implied something deeper.

"Yes... just like we ordered last night," Aoki replied quietly, then nodded slightly. Aoki's answer was brief, but there was a slight pause before he opened his mouth—as if his mind wasn't fully there yet.

At that, Aoki turned and walked back into his room. The door closed and locked from the inside with a soft click, almost drowned out by the silence of the corridor. Inside, Aoki waited for Tetsu, who was still in the shower.  Only the sound of running water from the bathroom and the ticking of the wall clock accompanied the silence.

Meanwhile, Mei and Ajisai began descending the inn's stairs. The old wooden stairs creaked gently under their feet, like a soft complaint. Ajisai walked lightly, while Mei descended the steps with calm, yet steady steps.

The first floor was much livelier than the previous afternoon. The humid morning air brought with it the quiet hustle and bustle of the waking harbor. Several guests were already seated at the dining table, eating their breakfast. A soft chuckle could be heard from near the window, and from the kitchen, the aroma of burning wood and fried spices permeated the air.

The morning sunlight filtered through the large window at the front of the room, illuminating the dust particles floating in the air, shimmering for a moment before disappearing.

Mei stepped up to the table of the innkeeper, an elderly man with white hair tied back neatly and dressed in shabby but clean clothes. The old man's face always held a friendly smile that seemed to never truly fade.

"Same as last night, sir. Four fried chickens, two iced teas, and two iced milks," Mei said.

The old man simply nodded gently, not bothering to take notes. "Okay, kid," he replied, then walked slowly to the kitchen, his wooden sandals clicking lightly on the wooden floor.

Mei and Ajisai chose to sit at the same table as last night. A small, round table placed near the window, from which they could see the docks.

The ships were beginning to prepare; several crew members were moving back and forth carrying crates, winding ropes, and shouting to each other.

The sea breeze blew in through the slightly open window, bringing with it the scent of salt and water. Ajisai's hair fluttered gently, making her squint and tuck a stray strand behind her ear.

Shortly afterward, Aoki and Tetsu descended from the third floor. Their steps were quick, but not hurried. They looked clean and tidy; Aoki was wearing thin, dark clothing, while Tetsu was still rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand, the sleep still lingering on his face.

But Aoki... looked different.

His steps remained calm, but his eyes held tension.  Not anger, not anxiety—more like a silently held determination. The look of someone who knows something is about to change, and can't stop it.

"Have you ordered your food?" Aoki asked as he sat down, his voice calm but slightly hoarse.

"Yes," Mei replied with a slow nod, her eyes lingering on Aoki for a moment before turning to the window.

Conversation flowed slowly between them. Not too loud, not too quiet. Just a light chat filled with small talk and chuckles.

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