"Yes, let's hit the road." Makoto waited for Kenshin and Larry at the door. "Are you sure about this, Larry?" Kenshin was still hesitant about dragging Larry into this. Spending a few weeks together had allowed them to get to know Larry a bit better. Larry seemed like someone who truly wanted a real friend. While Kenshin was pleased about that, he didn't want Larry to get involved in this mess. Despite Larry having gotten his hands dirty before, Kenshin didn't want to see him do it again. "Yes, I'm sure, Kenshin. Please don't worry about me."
"Ah... alright then." Kenshin tried to convince Larry otherwise, but he knew it was futile. Larry couldn't be deterred.
"Come on, kids. There are other children to be rescued." Makoto had done her usual research during the past few days.
"We're coming, Makoto..." Kenshin wondered what would happen next.
"We're on our way."
"Now, our plan is simple. We need to catch the attention of that child hunter woman. And since we are kids, we can do that easily. The only issue is that this place is in the middle of the city. We'll have to deal with her inside."
"Understood, Makoto. So what do you think we should do?"
"I think the three of us should directly approach the woman. She'll lead us down to the secret basement in this shop. We'll rescue the children there and take care of the woman's business."
"But Makoto... isn't that risky?"
"Don't worry, Kenshin. We always get the job done successfully. You know that."
"Yes, we get the job done successfully, but..." Kenshin couldn't voice his concerns with Larry around. He held back his words, knowing that involving Larry in this would create risks. But now, there was no turning back. He would protect Larry at all costs.
"Yes, Kenshin, we always succeed. Don't be afraid."
"Alright then, let's get this done."
"That's the spirit, Kenshin. Don't worry, we'll succeed as always."
"Excuse me, ma'am. Could you perhaps help us?"
The woman sitting at the counter looked up from her daze and saw the three children. All her fatigue vanished at the sight. "O-of course, my children. What seems to be the problem?" She stood up and crouched down next to the three children. "I'm listening." She smiled at the children. Makoto stepped forward and placed her hand on her stomach. Kenshin and Larry mimicked her gesture. "Could you... help us?"
"Hmmm..." The woman tapped her finger on her lips as she began to think. "Of course, darlings. I couldn't possibly turn down such adorable requests for help. That would be my shame." She stood up. "Follow me then. I'll prepare a wonderful meal for you."
"Um... ma'am, we just need some food. A few things would be enough for us."
"Ah, I see. You were afraid to come with me because I'm a stranger." The woman crouched in front of Makoto again, stroking her hair. "I'm Catie, sweetheart. So, what are your names? Let's get to know each other and get rid of this strangeness." She reached out her hand towards the three children.
"I'm Makoto."
"A- and I'm Kenshin."
"I'm Larry."
Catie nodded. "Very nice names. Let's shake hands and get properly acquainted."
One by one, the three children shook hands with the woman. "Now you've earned the right to have a nice meal with me, children. Come along." Catie stood up and walked towards the gap behind the shelves. "Come on, children, follow me. We'll have a wonderful meal together, I promise."
"But but..."
"Come on, Makoto, it's obvious these two boys are following you. Lead them and come over here."
"O-okay." Makoto walked slowly towards Catie. She needed to maintain this fearful child image as much as possible. "Come on, Kenshin, Larry, join your friend here. Trust me, you'll taste flavors you've never experienced before in your life."
Kenshin and Larry started to follow Makoto slowly.
"Now it's feast time." Catie walked a little further through the gap and gestured towards the door. "This is my home. Welcome, children."
"W-welcome." The three said in unison.
"Now come on in." The woman opened the door and invited the three inside. Makoto went in first, followed by Kenshin and Larry.
"Now continue to sit at those tables. I'm preparing something wonderful for all of us and I'll be right back." Catie smiled as she walked away from the table.
"It doesn't seem like Makoto's here, does it?" Kenshin whispered to Makoto.
"It looks like it. Maybe we need to eat this meal to be invited over there."
"Hey, kids, this is so exciting." Larry hugged them both from behind.
"Step aside, Larry. We need to be careful."
"Okay, I'm stepping back, sorry, Makoto." Larry nodded and quickly sat back in his chair.
The table was quite large. For a house where only one person lived, it was very grand. Even though the children weren't there, it was clear that this table had hosted a crowd before.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, children, it took so long. I wanted to do something extra for you. Now I'm serving everything to you, and we'll eat together. I'll make it up to you with my cooking skills. Trust me, these dishes will be finger-licking good."
"It's okay, ma'am, after all, you've gone through so much trouble to help us. We really appreciate it."
"Aww, sweet Makoto, I'm always here to help you whenever you need it. No need for thanks. Also, don't call me 'madam' anymore, okay? We're friends now, so you can call me Big Sister Catie, kids."
"Okay, Big Sister Catie."
"That's my dear. Now, what about you, kids? Kenshin, Larry, let's hear from you too."
"O-okay, Big Sister Catie." They said together. Kenshin wanted to find the children and get away from this woman as soon as possible.
"Well done, well done, kids. Now it's time for serving."
The woman began to set the table. There was a variety of dishes on the table: spicy, sweet, sour; there were many kinds of food, both liquid and solid. All three of them couldn't help but salivate. It was impossible not to be affected.
"Let's enjoy the meal, children."
"Bon appétit, Big Sister Catie."
Catie smiled and looked at Makoto, waiting for the three to start eating. Larry began to devour the food under Catie's gaze, his eyes sparkling. "THIS IS AMAZING!"
"Hehehe, I told you so, kids." Catie turned her gaze to Kenshin and Makoto. "Come on, kids, look at your friend enjoying his meal. Don't fall behind." Makoto slowly took her first bite, her eyes also sparkling. "This is truly amazing." Like Larry, she quickly started to enjoy the food on the table. "Come on, Kenshin, I'm waiting for you to join us for dinner. Enjoying the meal together is a very important matter."
"Okay, Big Sister Catie."
"Well done, my dear. Bon appétit." Catie clasped her hands together, forming a big smile.
Kenshin shivered when he saw Makoto sitting next to him and Larry on the other side. What was in these dishes? But now he couldn't refuse to eat. There was no turning back from here. They had to explore where the children were. He picked up a piece of food and brought it to his mouth. It was necessary to save those children. And he took his first bite. Tremors filled him. A surge of energy awakened inside him. "T- this is delicious..." He, too, couldn't stop himself from digging into the food, just like Larry and Makoto. Catie also joined them with pleasure.
"Alright, kids, now I have one last surprise for you, please wait for me." The table had been cleared. Catie removed the empty plates from the table and stood in front of the three. "Okay, Big Sister Catie," Makoto responded with a dreamy smile. "We're eagerly waiting for your surprise, Big Sister Catie." Kenshin also acted similarly to Makoto. "Okay, kids, wait for me here, I'll be right back." Catie quickly left the room, with a very cheerful demeanor.
"Do you think it's going to happen now, Makoto?"
"I think so, hehehe."
"I love you, my friends." Larry hugged their necks again from behind, but this time the hug was firm and uncontrolled.
"L- Larry, let go," Makoto tapped Larry's arm.
"Oh, sorry hehehee." Larry realized a bit late and withdrew.
"Take his place, Larry, we need to be careful."
"Okay, Makoto." Larry hopped back into his seat.
"Makoto, do you feel weird too?"
"Y- yes, definitely, there's a sense of happiness bubbling inside me, but don't worry, Kenshin, compared to the joy and happiness I feel when I sleep with you, this is nothing."
Kenshin blushed and brought his hand to Makoto's mouth. "Makoto, now is not the time for such talk. I think this woman is hunting children like this. With these dishes... we need to be careful."
"Yes, you're absolutely r- right." Makoto removed Kenshin's hand from her mouth and leaned her head back against the chair. "But we'll find a way, don't worry, hehehee."
"Yeah, we will, won't we? You're right."
"Exactly."
After a few minutes, the room was surrounded by children. Children who quickly filled the room after bursting in.
"What's going on, Makoto?"
"I have no idea, Kenshin."
"Kids, I'm scared..."
Catie entered the room after surrounding the table with all the children and their weapons. "Hello, little heroes Kenshin and Makoto, the two little heroes trying to break our family bonds." Catie's smile wiped out all the relief that had built up inside Kenshin. This plan had failed. Catie knew them.