Chapter 33: CHAPTER 33
Niikaz wiped her hands on a kitchen towel, her expression calm yet focused. With a practiced motion, she placed the last dish on the table. The aroma of freshly prepared food filled the room, drawing everyone's attention.
"Wow…" Nishinoya was the first to break the silence, his eyes wide as he took in the spread before them. The mismatched dishes they had scavenged were now unrecognizable, transformed into a feast that seemed impossible in their dire circumstances.
"Are we sure this is even real?" Takashi muttered, leaning closer to inspect the food. "This doesn't look like it came from cans and scraps."
"Yeah, even when I'm helping Niikaz, I didn't realise that all the food is comes from canned food" Saeko also feels amazed.
"It smells amazing!" Okada exclaimed, already reaching for a plate. He picked up a piece of what looked like roasted meat and took a bite. His eyes widened immediately.
"Oh my God…" he whispered, his voice trembling with disbelief. "This… this is incredible!"
"Wah, it looks delicious! Papa, are we allowed to eat this?" Alice's excitement was evident as she turned to her father, seeking permission.
"Yes, we can. Here, say ahh~" Marikawa-sensei, sitting beside her, gently pushed a piece of hamburger steak into Alice's eager mouth.
"Hmmpf!!!" Alice's eyes sparkled with delight as she chewed, her legs kicking happily in the air.
Maresato watched his daughter, a soft smile on his face. Despite the chaos outside, seeing Alice enjoy something so simple brought him immense relief. "Thank you, Marikawa-sensei, and to all of you for letting us stay here. If not for your kindness, we'd still be on the streets," he said, his gratitude heartfelt.
"It's no trouble at all," Marikawa-sensei replied warmly. "But, if you don't mind me asking, where are you two from?"
Maresato shifted slightly, his expression turning thoughtful. "I'm a newspaper reporter. We used to live next door to Imamura. When the outbreak came, our home wasn't safe anymore, so we left, trying to find somewhere secure. That's when I met Niikaz. She saved us."
Alice, her mouth full, added cheerfully, "We were going to meet Mama!"
At those words, Maresato's expression darkened. His jaw tightened, and his lips trembled as if holding back tears.
Rei, Saeko, Takagi, and Naomi noticed the change immediately. Takagi hesitated before asking softly, "What about Alice's mother? Where is she now?"
Maresato didn't respond. He bit his lip hard, his gaze dropping to the floor. The sorrow in his eyes was unmistakable.
Alice, oblivious to the atmosphere, continued eating with gusto, her focus entirely on the delicious meal.
Understanding dawned on the women. The unspoken truth was clear: Alice's mother hadn't survived.
Marikawa-sensei broke the silence, her voice gentle and soothing. "Alice, don't worry. Your mother is in a nice place now, waiting for you. You need to be strong so you can see her again one day, okay?"
Alice looked up, her cheeks puffed out with food, and gave a firm nod. "Hmm!" she mumbled through a full mouth, her determination shining.
The girls smiled softly at her innocence, and Maresato wiped at the corner of his eye, offering Marikawa-sensei a grateful smile. "Thank you," he said quietly.
Marikawa-sensei gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "We're all in this together. Let's make sure Alice stays happy and strong."
With that, the mood lightened, and the group returned to their meal, each silently resolved to protect the little ray of hope Alice brought to their lives.
As everyone dug in, the room was filled with sounds of delight and amazement. Even Takagi, who usually maintained a critical air, couldn't help but let a small smile slip as she tasted a spoonful of stew.
"This is beyond good," Nishinoya declared, his mouth full. "Niikaz, you're some kind of miracle worker!"
Niikaz smiled softly but said nothing, continuing to arrange the utensils for them.
Okada wasn't done. Laughing as if trying to make sense of the impossible, he set his plate down and gestured around. "Hahaha! The food's amazing, but… how is this even possible? With all the food we've had—canned soup, dried noodles, random junk—we've never eaten like this. And the living room! Look at it—it's huge!"
He gestured again, his bewilderment growing. "How can all of us fit in here so comfortably? This place was cramped when we first arrived!"
The others paused, their curiosity now fully piqued.
---
Flashback: Earlier That Evening
The men were huddled near the bathroom, waiting their turn. Alice and Naomi had just finished their showers, leaving the bathroom faintly steamy but spotlessly clean.
"It's finally our turn," Nishinoya groaned, scratching the back of his neck. "But there's no way we can all use this bathroom. We'll be stuck here all night."
"It's either that or stay sticky and gross," Takuzo replied, glaring at him. "Pick your poison."
"I can't take it anymore," Hisashi muttered, stepping forward. "I'm going first."
Just as Hisashi reached for the door, Niikaz walked into the hallway, carrying a bundle of clean towels. She moved gracefully past them, her calm presence making everyone pause.
"Niikaz?" Hisashi asked, stepping back. "Are you going to take a shower first?"
Before Niikaz could answer, Okada smirked, leaning in with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Niikaz, you wanna join us?" he asked, his tone deliberately playful, borderline perverted.
The hallway fell silent.
"Idiot." Kazu didn't hesitate, smacking the back of Okada's head. "What the hell's wrong with you?"
Niikaz, unfazed by the exchange, walked forward and stopped in front of the bathroom door. She raised her hand, placing her palm flat against the wooden surface. For a moment, nothing happened.
Then her hand began to glow.
The men froze, their confusion quickly giving way to shock as Niikaz tapped the door twice. The glow spread like ripples on water, and before their eyes, the bathroom began to expand. The walls shifted outward, the ceiling lifted, and the floor stretched until the once-cramped space transformed into a luxurious public bath, complete with a large soaking tub and multiple showerheads.
"What the hell just happened?" Nishinoya blurted, his voice high-pitched with disbelief.
"How did she do that?" Hisashi added, his eyes darting between Niikaz and the newly enlarged bath.
Niikaz turned to them, her expression as serene as ever. "Problem solved," she said simply before walking away, leaving the men standing there in stunned silence.
As she passed through the kitchen, Niikaz paused and looked toward the connected living room. She stomped her foot twice, light glowing beneath her as the floor stretched outward. Chairs multiplied, and the table expanded until it became a grand dining setup capable of seating everyone comfortably.
"Well, since I planned to tell you guys anyway, it's not a secret anymore," Niikaz said playfully, her tone teasing.
The entire group stared, their jaws slack.
---
Back to the Present
"Magic," Nishinoya said dramatically, gesturing wildly. "She's a freaking wizard!"
Niikaz, who had been quietly cleaning up, finally spoke. "It's not magic," she said, her tone calm yet firm. "I'll explain everything soon."
Her words only deepened the mystery, but no one pressed further, too overwhelmed by everything they'd experienced.
As they returned to their meals, a sense of awe lingered in the air. Niikaz's secrets remained elusive, but one thing was clear: she was far more extraordinary than any of them had realized.