The Resort Restaurant is located just above the Service Center.
Yuehai Resort had prepared a buffet for the group.
However, since there weren’t many guests, the variety of dishes wasn’t particularly extensive.
Still, the quality of the food was assured—coconuts, roasted meats, seafood (including squid), fresh fruits—such fresh ingredients might not be easily found even in Central City.
Looking out from a high vantage point, one could enjoy delicious food while gazing at the night view of the beach.
“This resort really has nothing to complain about when it comes to the environment~”
Even Fran couldn’t help but praise the resort’s setting.
“I just took a stroll by the sea earlier. They really raise seafood in that artificial sea, release animals into the jungle, and even have insects… The design of this station is truly ingenious, practically a biosphere on the Moon.”
No wonder the ingredients are so fresh—turns out they’re sourced right on-site?
[There are live squids in the sea.]
Nix suddenly reminded Clara in her mind.
Huh? Why are you telling me that?
[I thought you’d like your own kind.]
But I’m not actually a squid…
Clara pulled at the corner of her mouth. Her inability to eat squid was just a flaw of her modified monster body.
Lucia, however, was complaining while holding her newly purchased phone.
“It’s a bit too close to nature! There’s not even any cell signal—what is this, a deep mountain forest?!”
Fran, smiling, explained:
“It’s not the station’s fault—the solar storm is raging right now. Unless you’re in Central City, there’s definitely no signal… This station really is a ‘Blizzard Manor’ now, isn’t it?”
Clara frowned and scolded her:
“Pfft, enough! Just shut up already!”
As the three were eating, a “Dragonfly” drone flew up from the balcony and landed on their dining table, its insect-like compound lens aimed at the trio, recording.
Next, the Sigma Hero staff group also followed the drone into the restaurant.
Since Okada Daruma was in the infirmary, their group was also down to three.
“Dream Witch Team, you sure arrived early~”
The one greeting them at the front was a stylish blonde older sister—a mechanic, wearing a trendy color-blocked baseball cap, now changed into a cool short-sleeved work jacket with a cropped waist. She was in charge of maintaining the Sigma Series exoskeleton armor, working in the same field as Lucia. After journeying together, they’d already developed a friendly rapport.
The photographer was a woman with a rather gloomy look, her dark purple bangs nearly covering her eyes. Even so, from the lower half of her face, one could tell she was quite attractive.
The last was a stylist, black-haired with sharp eyes, looking proud and with the tallest figure among the three, dressed in a sparkling tight outfit, somewhat like a stage performer. Her alluring makeup somehow didn’t make her unpleasant—in fact, it fit her role as a stylist.
“Anya, good evening!”
Lucia responded, only to have the woman in the cap ruffle her hair, smiling as she offered an invitation.
“Lucia, come help me maintain the exoskeletons later, will you? All four of our dummies’ suits have broken down.”
“Huh? You want me to repair Sigma’s exoskeletons?!”
Lucia was first surprised, then whispered, “Is it really okay to let an outsider handle such confidential stuff? I’m still just an intern, and these things are way too advanced…”
“No worries! Sigma’s tech isn’t so behind that an intern could steal it with a glance! Besides, this is a good learning opportunity for you. Want to give it a try?”
The Sigma mechanic leaned back in her chair, resting her chin on Lucia’s head.
“You’ll just be handling some simple repairs. If you really had the ability to steal the tech, then maybe my company should consider poaching you!”
Actually, there really was such a possibility.
But not because Lucia was that clever—rather, it was thanks to the equipment Fran had brought.
As long as they could access the exoskeleton system, not only could they learn about its structure, but they could also find out the capital behind Sigma Corporation. This was a good opportunity for Fran and Lucia.
After all, their purpose in coming with Clara was to steal Sigma’s technology from this company disguised as a hero outfit with a villainous core.
Clara interjected from the side, “No way! Lucia’s not going with you!”
Sigma was a big corporation, and Clara was worried Lucia would accept this olive branch.
The stylist, who’d met Clara once backstage at the Expo Center, also extended an invitation.
“Clara, you could come develop at our company too! Sigma Heroes won’t only have male hero projects. Creating a magical girl group for you wouldn’t be bad, right?”
“Th-that’s impossible!”
Clara flatly refused, eyes shut tight. Fran also chimed in, “Hey now, trying to poach our partners before the collaboration even starts? Even as a joke, that’s not okay!”
She knew Anya was only half-joking, but Clara and Lucia weren’t the type to stand up for themselves—they felt like they were always being led by the nose.
At times like this, you could only rely on yourself.
She glanced at the drone on the table, worried that her words might be edited out of context, then said to the photographer,
“Miss Photographer, now’s not program-recording time. Sigma’s team is back in the med bay, so could you maybe keep your drone from constantly filming us? We do have portrait rights, you know…”
Fran’s words prompted the dragonfly to fly back to the photographer’s shoulder, folding up its four delicate wings.
Sensing the atmosphere stiffen, Lucia forced a wry smile to break the ice.
“Well, we’re all just here to eat—no need for such a hostile atmosphere~ We still have a week together! Let’s get along, okay?”
“Sorry, my joke got a bit too serious.”
Anya, the mechanic, apologized, then praised, “Still, Lucia really is outstanding. Even though her graduation project isn’t finished yet, it’s already better than what many veteran mechanics have designed. It’s hard to believe she’s just an intern.”
Faced with such high praise, Lucia felt a little embarrassed and modestly said with a sheepish smile,
“I-I just pieced together other people’s technologies, that’s all.”
“That’s your talent.”
This friendly rapport between the two eased the previously tense mood.
“Well, we’ll go grab some food first. Won’t disturb your meal. See you tonight?”
“Mm, see you tonight.”
After dinner, there would be a meeting to finalize tomorrow’s program schedule. Okada Daruma had everyone gather on the beach—a simple way to know what to expect the next day.
Even though they’d come to this resort, it wasn’t really for a vacation, after all.
Watching as Anya and the others left, Clara slumped over the table.
“Sigma’s people may seem friendly, but none of them are easy to deal with.”
“Everyone has their own position~ When you need to refuse or be tough, don’t hold back.”
Fran seized the chance to give some advice, and Lucia nodded in agreement.
Clara, however, continued to lie flat on the table.
“Starting tomorrow, I have to play Clara in front of the cameras.”
Playing someone who isn’t really yourself, always being careful not to slip up—no matter how you look at it, it’s not easy, and to keep it up for a whole week…
She also had to wear a gas mask all day—after all, she couldn’t let the Azure Cavalry see her true face, unless Nix could modify her appearance again…
Maybe, because of this, the viewers in the livestream would end up labeling her as socially awkward?
The stress of an actor, I guess!