Vol. 1 Ch. 1 Ep. 18: We're Not Their Friends!

We're here! Time to carbo-load!

And we each get our own bowl. How luxurious.

You're friends of those Abydos kids, aren't you? Let me know if I can get you anything else.

...?!

This ramen is so good. How does this shop not get more customers?

Maybe they need to move to a better location? They're right next to a failing school after all.

I guess so. Not that I really care as long as the food is good. Let's eat...

We're not...

Hmm?

We're not their friends!

What?!

You know what my problem is? I've figured it out. It's this shop! That's what my problem is!

...?!

What has gotten into you?!

We're here to work, right? Dangerous, hard-boiled, rough-and-tumble work! Like outlaws!

But what's this place? A little shop that feeds you when you get hungry! It's cushy, warm, and the people here are nothing but nice to you! They even have the nerve to start polite conversation!

We're going to be friends and regulars if we keep coming here like this!

And...? What's wrong with that?

It's ruining everything! How am I ever going to be a real, true-blue villain if I keep coming to a heartwarming hole-in-the wall like this?!

What I need right now is cold-blooded ruthlessness and steely determination! Not this load of sweetness and fluff!

Geez, you don't have to be so serious about it...

...

So...you're saying that this shop needs to go, Aru?

Huh?

*scooch*

I'm so glad. Now I can finally be of assistance to you.

Hey, what are you doing with that detonator?

Haruka! W-Wait a sec!

*click*

...

Eh...?

An explosion has been detected within a ten-kilometer radius!

Ten kilometers? Isn't that downtown? Is it an ambush?!

It looks like the shockwaves were set off by a chain reaction of C4. It doesn't seem like any sort of bombardment, but I'll try to find out more!

The explosion WAS downtown! The exact location is...

Shiba Seki Ramen?!

Shiba Seki Ramen has been completely obliterated!

What?! N-No way! Why would that place be a target for anyone?

It's not a strategic location, and it's not part of a major transportation route. Why would someone...?

No way... Could they have been targeting me?!

We can try to guess what happened later. We need to get moving!

She's right! Now's not the time! Let's head over right away!

I'll send word to Hoshino. C'mon, let's go!

I-I can't believe it! I really hope Master is all right...

*cough* Wow, will you look at that? The entire building's been leveled.

*cough* *cough* What in the world...?

*dazed*