Rations

Vergilius decided it would be a good idea to treat the sinners to a nice restaurant.

I'm...really not sure what the occasion was, but maybe we did a good job after all? Regardless, since I'm unable to eat anything, I decided to excuse myself and sit outside.

Watching the sinners celebrate was, frankly, enough for me.

...Though, between all the identities dining happily, I noticed something was a little off.

Gregor and Outis were nowhere to be found.

Dante Executive Manager

(That's...weird. I should go check on them.)

The first place I could think of from the top of my (clock) head was the Bus itself, so I entered it.

Even Charon wasn't by the driver's seat. Sure enough however, I found the two by the bus seats. They currently had their G Corp identities overlapped, but...

Outis G Corp

Come on, soldier. You have to open your mouth and try!

Outis G Corp

Haah...Haah...

I was under the assumption that the two just weren't hungry, or that maybe they needed some alone time. Instead, I found Outis feeding Gregor some canned food. Some kind of corn?

Dante Executive Manager

(Uhh...Guys?)

Outis sharply turns her head towards me. Gregor, on the other hand, awkwardly takes the spoonful and chews.

Outis G Corp

Speak, Manager.

Dante Executive Manager

(Why aren't you inside with the others? There's lots of good food in there, I think...)

I wasn't certain with that for obvious reasons...

But Outis did not seem to like the offer. She puts down the canned corn next to Gregor and faces me with crossed arms.

Outis G Corp

Did you not see it?

Outis G Corp

The way those slackers looked the two of us?

Now that she mentioned it...

I can't deny that there may have been expressions of the sort.

Dante Executive Manager

(Come on, Outis. I don't think it's that bad. Nobody's denying you service—)

Outis G Corp

Bullshit.

Outis G Corp

Regardless of whether the workers there tolerate us, it would not exempt from the fact that those we work with are not as accepting.

Outis G Corp

Furthermore, the accommodations are inadequate! In such a cramped space, our hero would struggle to eat with his two arms. And my pincers are quite notably causing a disturbance.

Outis G Corp

It is for this reason that we have decided to stay here and feed ourselves.

Outis G Corp

Mmmm....Mmhm...

Outis gave a long explanation, and again I can't really deny that maybe some sinners felt that way. Though, leaving doesn't really fix anything, does it?

I should've stayed with the sinners and encouraged them...

...No, this can still be fixed.

Dante Executive Manager

(I understand the sentiment, I do.)

Dante Executive Manager

(Still, it would be a shame if you missed out...!)

Outis G Corp

And why is that? You are fully aware of the disgust they feel towards soldiers like us, so why bother trying to negotiate?

Dante Executive Manager

(Because, as your Manager...)

I paused.

Then, I turned my head towards Gregor, whose head has been kept down the whole time.

Dante Executive Manager

(...I do care about all my sinners.)

Outis G Corp

You speak as if you care, but you've been keeping your distance too.

I could feel the flames on my head perking up at that, as if sensing that maybe...she was right. The whole time, I've been a short distance away from them. But I thought I had it for everyone. How did she notice when I couldn't tell myself?

Outis shook her head, scoffing at me.

Outis G Corp

Frankly, Manager, I do wish to believe you. But the fact is, we simply have different views on the matter.

Outis G Corp

I am already sensing from my head of their repulsion, and these are people I expect to die easily on the battlefield.

Outis G Corp

What more...

Outis G Corp

....

Outis G Corp

What more, with those whom I do care about? What could they possibly think if they were to see me in this terrible form?

Outis G Corp

Those I love...will surely stay away...

There wasn't anything I could say that would make her feel better.

Or anything that would help the situation at all.

When she talked about it, I realized something.

Was it my fault the whole time? How many sinners have identities they wish not to think about, but don't say anything? Looking up and down at the two soldiers, I thought about it without trying to argue back.

Maybe it was like that strange Demian said, it really was...a cruel technology.

And I had no right to speak as its main utilizer.

For a moment, she looked hurt. There was something she should not have said at all.

Outis G Corp

.....

Dante Executive Manager

(.....)

Outis G Corp

....H...Hungry...

Then, the look on her face quickly faded, and she picks up the can and spoon once more.

Outis G Corp

...All we ask is that you respect the decision, Manager. We simply do not wish to disturb. Do you understand?

Dante Executive Manager

(Alright. If you insist.)

Who was I to argue against it? I turned around to leave, and gave my final words.

Dante Executive Manager

(...Do know that if they won't accept you both, I certainly will.)

All I could really do now was go inside and hang out with the others, try to tell them about the two who had been left behind.

What would that do? I'm not sure myself.

I'll do my best, but some problems cannot be solved so easily.

In the end, maybe I messed up somehow.

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Rations