Bulat raised his mug high, the rich aroma of alcohol wafting through the air. "Ah, nothing beats this, Lubbock! Muscles, strong booze, and protein-packed meat! That's the true essence of a man's joy!"
Lubbock, munching on kebabs, responded gloomily, "Spare me, Bulat. My mood's shot after killing that gorgeous girl. Why does it always have to be the pretty ones? I hate this part of the job." He sighed dramatically.
"...Cheer up, Lubbock," Sheele said gently, taking a delicate sip of beer. "You'll find a girlfriend someday if you stop acting like such a pervert and, you know, look at women like actual people instead of prey."
Clutching his chest, Lubbock leaned toward Sheele with exaggerated theatrics. "Sheele, you wound me! I can't tell if you're comforting me or roasting me alive!"
He dropped his act briefly, grinning mischievously. "But hey, I'll forgive you if you agree to go on a date with me tomorrow. Soviet Street, my treat."
Before Sheele could reply, Mine hurled a bone at Lubbock's head, which he narrowly dodged. "Back off, creep!" she growled. "If I catch you snooping around while Sheele or I are bathing, I'll blow your head off with Pumpkin!"
Lubbock smirked. "Relax, Mine. As if I'd waste my time watching someone so... flat."
"......"The backyard fell silent as everyone froze.
'Oh no, he's dead,' everyone thought collectively.
Mine's face turned crimson, her pink hair almost glowing with rage.
But to everyone's surprise, she forced a smile. "Oh, Lubbock... it seems you've chosen the exact day and time you'll die."
The next moment, utensils, plates, and even a roasting skewer flew toward Lubbock. "Mine, stop! I was joking! Your chest isn't flat—it's at least a B-cup!" he shouted, weaving desperately between projectiles as Mine pursued him with murderous intent.
Leone laughed uproariously, her drink sloshing as she cheered. "Hah! Get him, Mine! Teach that perv a lesson!"
--------
Bane sat quietly at the edge of the commotion, watching the chaos while chewing on a roasted ham. "Is it always like this?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Bulat clapped him on the back with a hearty laugh. "Don't sweat it, Bane! This is just how we bond. Relaxation, companionship, and... well, a little violence thrown in for flavor."
'Where's the relaxation in any of this?' Bane thought, shaking his head as he took another bite.
Akame poked him with her finger, her crimson eyes fixed on him as she gnawed on a large drumstick. "Do you want some?" she asked bluntly, holding up her food.
"No, thanks," Bane replied. "I'll finish my plate first."
She nodded in understanding and continued eating, her focus unshaken by the chaos around them.
'Does she also have a danger beast's blood in her like me?' Bane mused, studying her for a moment. But after observing her carefree chewing, he concluded, 'No, she's just a natural-born foodie.'
Bulat suddenly pointed at Bane with a grin. "Bane, how about a drinking contest? Man to man! If you win, I'll grant you a wish—within reason, of course. But if I win, you've gotta get a stylish haircut like mine!" He proudly patted his heart-shaped pompadour.
'But I don't have any hair.' Bane replied internally.
He hesitated, almost wanting to thank Bulat for not mistaking his gender. After a moment, he nodded. "Alright, I accept."
The decision was quick. Bulat's strength and combat experience made him an ideal sparring partner for Bane to test his limits in the future.
If he won, he could use his wish to arrange a private duel. And as for the haircut? No problem—Bane didn't have hair.
Leone leapt to her feet. "I'll referee this! Let's see who goes down first!"
---------
Meanwhile, at a nearby table, Najenda observed the antics from a distance. Beside her, Tatsumi sat nervously, clutching his drink.
"You did well in your first battle," Najenda remarked, her sharp eyes on him. "But you hesitated to kill. That hesitation almost cost you your life. You need to fix that if you want to survive in this business."
Tatsumi nodded, determination burning in his eyes. The weight of his decision to join Night Raid was clear, and the battle had taught him the harsh realities of assassination.
"To help you adjust," Najenda continued, "I'm assigning you to train under Akame. She'll teach you survival, combat, and everything else you need to know."
Tatsumi paled. "Akame?! But she—she nearly killed me during that fight!"
Najenda smirked. "Exactly. If you mess up, she'll finish the job. Isn't that right, Akame?"
Akame, still chewing, paused briefly to nod. "Got it," she said simply.
Tatsumi's face turned white as Najenda patted his shoulder. "You're in good hands. Just try not to die, alright?"
---
Back at the gathering, the drinking contest had reached its peak.
Both Bulat and Bane stood on chairs, massive mugs in hand, chugging alcohol as the crowd cheered.
"CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!" shouted Leone, Mine, and Lubbock, their enthusiasm infectious.
Najenda and Tatsumi approached just as Bulat began to sway. "What's going on here?" Najenda asked Leone.
"It's a drinking contest between Bane and Bulat! Wanna bet who is gonna win!" Leone replied with a grin.
As if on cue, Bulat wobbled and collapsed onto the table with a loud THUD, spilling his drink.
"WOOOOO!!" The crowd erupted in cheers.
"BANE WINS!" Lubbock hollered, acting like a sports announcer. "HE'S BEATEN THE HUNDRED-MAN SLAYER IN A DRINKING CONTEST! UNBELIEVABLE! ASTONISHING!"
But Bane wasn't finished. He grabbed a large barrel of alcohol and began chugging it directly, the liquid soaking his coat.
"BURP!" Bane exhaled loudly, tossing the empty barrel aside. "Where's the food?" he asked Akame. Without a word, she handed him a drumstick, and he began devouring it.
'Are they secretly related?' the others wondered, watching in stunned silence as Bane's appetite rivaled Akame's.
Leone leaned toward him. "Hey, Bane, aren't you immune to poison? Doesn't alcohol comes in the same category. Isn't this cheating?"
"Yes," Bane replied bluntly between bites. "If he didn't consider that, it's his problem."
Everyone nodded in silent agreement.
Najenda raised her mug. "Well, in love, war, and alcohol, all's fair. Eat up, everyone. Tatsumi, you'll need your strength. Tomorrow, you're on kitchen duty with Akame and Bane."
As Tatsumi joined the group, the camaraderie of Night Raid shone brightly, even amidst the chaos.
For a moment, the shadows of their deadly profession faded, replaced by laughter, teasing, and the warmth of shared food.