Chapitre 51: Chapter 51: FoodxTrust
Two hours pass quickly, and before I know it, I'm back on the 231st floor, standing in the giant hallway. The kids are all settled in, and their excitement has only grown since they arrived. The anticipation of the upcoming training seems to have been tempered by the prospect of the food that's on the way. I can already hear their whispers, the quiet energy building as they wait to eat.
Hanzo, ever the reliable right-hand man, is sitting in the lounge area, watching the children while they chat amongst themselves. He raises an eyebrow when he sees me enter, an amused smirk spreading across his face.
"You made it," Hanzo says, standing up. "And I see you didn't take your time."
I chuckle. "I was confident they could handle the challenge. But it's a good thing I ordered it for delivery, or I'd still be waiting."
"Yeah, 'Yakiniku Q' is pretty legendary. You didn't go easy on them, huh?"
I shake my head. "Not at all. If they're going to be training hard, they need to eat well. Let's see if they can keep up."
I walk over to the speaker booth, where I've already instructed the delivery service to bring everything to the Arena floor. The anticipation is palpable as the kids, most of them still not fully acclimated to their new environment, stare curiously at me, their eyes widening when I turn to look back at them.
"You guys ready for some real food?" I ask my tone light but with a hint of excitement. "If you've got an appetite, now's your chance to put it to the test."
At my words, their eyes sparkle. They've heard rumors about the food I ordered. The scent, rich and smoky, wafts through the air as the elevator doors open. The delivery man enters, pushing large metal carts piled high with platters of grilled meats, vegetables, sauces, and more. The sheer quantity is enough to make anyone's stomach rumble.
I watch the kids' faces transform. Their previous nervousness, their reservations, they all disappear as the aroma fills the room. Hanzo steps forward to help direct the elderly gentlemen, ensuring everything gets arranged quickly and efficiently.
The kids stare in awe as the man begins to unload the dishes. I gesture for everyone to grab a seat.
"Come on, eat up. You've earned it," I say with a smirk. "But remember this is just the beginning. Get used to eating like this, because from here on out, if you want to get stronger, you'll need the fuel."
With a hesitant but excited energy, the kids approach the tables. At first, there's a brief moment of awkwardness. They aren't sure how much to take or where to begin. But that hesitation quickly fades as they dive in, grabbing plates and loading them with meat and vegetables, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
I step back, observing them. I notice that the younger ones, are particularly careful, looking to Hanzo or me for permission to take the next piece. Meanwhile, the older kids seem less reserved, diving in with gusto, tearing into the food as if they'd been starving for days.
I sit down at the far end of the long table, making sure to keep my posture relaxed and nonchalant, as I begin to eat. The first bite is perfection the meat is juicy, tender, smoky, and just the right amount of seasoning. The balance between the sweet, savory, and spicy flavors is exquisite. I close my eyes for a moment, savoring the taste before I take another bite. This is the kind of food that makes everything worthwhile.
As I eat, I catch glimpses of the kids' reactions. Every child is savoring every bite, while the others are wolfing down the food, clearly hungry after the travel and excitement. But slowly, I start to notice something else there's a shift in their demeanor. The earlier tension that had lingered in their eyes is beginning to melt away. The nourishment, both physical and emotional, is working its magic.
I turn to Hanzo. He's watching the kids, his gaze flicking between them and the food with a subtle nod of approval. "They're looking better already," he mutters. "You can see it in their posture. A good meal does wonders for morale."
I nod, watching as one of the older boys, a lanky kid with sharp eyes, takes a second helping and looks around at the others, his confidence rising. Another girl, who had been quieter earlier, is now engaged in a halfway decent conversation with a few others, her face flushed with warmth and energy.
"Looks like they're starting to trust you more," Hanzo adds, his voice quieter now.
I glance at him. "It's a start. But this is just a meal. They're not fully invested yet."
I pause for a moment, studying the kids. Some are still eating, but most are done now, and they're talking amongst themselves. There's an air of camaraderie beginning to form, a spark of something that could grow into trust. They're starting to understand what this place is about not just the training, but the purpose behind it.
"They're getting there," I finally say. "It'll take more than food to build real trust. But this? This is a good step. It's not just about feeding them, Hanzo. It's about showing them that I'm not just some stranger telling them what to do. I'm here to 'help them' grow. I'm here to push them. But I'm also here to make sure they respect and follow me."
Hanzo nods, his eyes thoughtful. "You've got the right idea. They'll respect you more if they feel like you're on their side. Keep feeding them like this, and you'll soon earn a good bit of their trust."
"Yeah," I mutter, staring at the empty plates and contented faces. "But next time, I might just have to ask for a bigger order. They eat like they haven't seen food in weeks. To be honest living in Meteor City I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't."
The sound of laughter fills the room, and for a moment, everything seems to fall into place. The kids, despite their previous fears and doubts, are starting to relax. They're beginning to look a little healthier, too hunger being a real problem for many of them before they got here. And in just this short time, I can already tell their energy has shifted. Their bodies are responding to the fuel they've received.
I take another bite, content for now, and let the peaceful atmosphere settle around us.
"Alright," I say, leaning back in my chair as I finish my meal. "We've got a big day tomorrow. You all need your rest. So get to bed early, and make sure you're ready to start your training with everything you've got. I expect no less than your full effort. Understood?"
The kids look up at me, their faces a mix of exhaustion and excitement, but there's something new in their eyes respect. They nod in unison.
"Yes, Boss," they all say.
I give them a small, approving smile. "Good. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow."
As they finish eating and begin to clean up, I can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. It's only the beginning, but I'm making progress. Slowly, but surely, I'm earning their trust. And that's worth more than any meal, no matter how good it tastes.
"Hanzo, not you, we're going to train right now. I have neglected the last bit of your training for the past few days and now it is time to get back on track to making you a top-tier fighter."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone