[inside the truck]
After saying our goodbyes, we together with the 3 adults went inside of their truck.
Des was the designated driver while Jake rode shotgun, Ken rode with us in the back while
"Could you two just stop it already, what do you think getting in a fight here would accomplish?" (Des)
"He started it, trying to make a first move on Teresa!" (Jake)
"!...Teresa? aren't you being overly friendly calling her without hono? she probably hates your guts after that stunt you pulled! (Ken)
"!.. shu shut up! At least I left an impression! All she knows of you is the fact you puss*ed out after she pulled out her gift, hahahhahahahah!"
"!!!"
"…"
"…"
As if they both took damage the truck went silent. Wanting to let out their frustrations they decided to ask for the opinion of the children.
"Hey pretty boy, between the two of us which do you think has a better chance?" (Jake)
"I would like to know as well."
"Pretty boy? You talking about me?" (Jericho)
"Who else, anyway your answer?"
Although no one noticed, Fred flinched a little to Jack's response
"hmmm… if I was to say who it is…."
"Who?" (J and K)
"…No one?"
"…huh?"
"The both of you lost to her despite fighting 3 vs 1, left a bad first impression for trying to fight it out with her, and the most important reason… you guys do realize that she's a nun, right?"
"…"
This was the final draw, looking completely defeated the two had lifeless looks on their eyes.
"What are they talking about?" (Fred)
"Oh, just another addition to the list of people who fell in love with sister Teresa." (Jericho)
"again? Whistle*… the list should be over 3 pages now, and that's a lot considering sister never leaves the town." (Millie)
Shrugging at their words Jericho decided to just stay quiet for the remainder of the trip, he couldn't get any sleep yesterday due to the adrenaline so he was quite tired. Just when he was about to fall asleep a sudden smell woke him up completely.
The smell came from the beef jerky Des was munching on, yes beef, an extremely rare and expensive item now that animals all over the world collapsed, unable to be awoken.
Noticing the gazes of the 3 children, Des offered them a bite.
"Oh, you guys want some?"
"ho-how do you have meat, only those rich guys should be able to afford them?" (Millie)
Nod nod* (Fred)
Handing them meat, Des smugly replied
"Hm? Didn't we mention it before, our organization is very strong, and due to that we have quite a bit of power. Although it's true that meat is very rare right now, that doesn't mean we can't get any of it."
"Now that I think I about it, what's happening to the animals right now? Is it really true that every animal was effected?"
"Yes, every animal is in this strange unconscious state. Although if this is the only case then meat should still be procurable, but for some reason a strange electrical barrier repels all attacks coming to the animals. Due to this the only meat we can eat right now are those that were already processed before that phenomenon."
"Then it's only a matter of time, right? Before they awaken."
"…Yes, but we would actually prefer it to rather not."
"?"
"Why?"
"Although we can't guarantee the results, it is observed that some animals are actually changing."
"changing?"
"Yes, a cat that right now is as large as a tiger, a snake that is growing 3 more heads, and all sorts of stuff. Even at a first glance you can tell that they became more dangerous, if they wake up right now the chaos they would bring is a headache to think about."
"!?"
"Then shouldn't we stay at the orphanage?!" (Millie)
"Don't worry, they have sister Teresa you know. We are actually quite strong, but despite ganging up on her we still got dominated. She alone can probably take care of the entire town" (Ken)
"And besides, rather than help, you guys would probably only end up as a burden if you stay as you are now." (Jake)
"But" (Millie)
"That's why you should use this opportunity properly, not many can have the fortune to say that they were trained by professionals after all. Use the time you'll spent in the organization to strengthen yourselves, so that during situations like this you can actually go help her." (Des)
"…"
"…"
{It's true, nothing would change even if we were to stay} (Jericho)
"And besides, if the animals really go rampant, I'll immediately go to the orphanage and help protect them!" (Jake)
"As if you can do that when at that time the organization will need you more than ever. But don't worry kids, despite my strength, due to reasons I only have a small position in the organization. If that calamity were to really happen you can count on me to go there." (Ken)
"You…you…ASSHOLE!!"
"Sigh* and just when it was quiet." (Des)
While listening to them arguing again, the kids ate the Beef jerky with joy. It has already been 3 months since they last ate some, so despite tasting quite bland, they were enough to let a tear come out of Fred's eyes.
Raising her hands, Millie suddenly asked a question.
"I've been wanting to ask this, where are we going actually?"
"To our main base, the situation is quite sensitive right now so we've decided to run the program in the safest place we know."
"And where is that?"
"In the highest peak of the world, Mt. Everest."
"Eh?" (Millie and Fred)
"No way." (Jericho)
"Heh, I was hoping for those reactions! Hahahahahahaha."