[ MC POV ]
I heated the pan, then seared the meat in batches, letting each piece brown evenly before setting it aside.
Once the last batch was done, I added the onions, carrots, and potatoes to the same pan, cooking them until they began to soften and release their aroma.
A splash of water and the roux I'd prepared earlier went in next.
I stirred until it thickened into a rich, dark sauce, coating the vegetables perfectly.
The meat went back into the pan, joined by a few more vegetables, and I let everything simmer, the warm, savory scent filling the room.
Svetlana paused her portioning of the rice and looked up.
"Alright… what are you making? That smell… it's amazing."
I stirred without glancing up.
"Chicken curry."
"Chicken curry…?" She frowned slightly, uncertain. "Can I ask what's in it?"
I tilted the pan gently, letting the sauce coat the ingredients.
"Chicken. Onion. Carrot. Potato. Curry roux. Water. That's it."
She blinked, intrigued.
"Can I… taste it?"
I shrugged. "Sure."
Svetlana set down the rice and stepped closer, spoon in hand. She dipped it into the curry and brought it to her lips.
"Wow… this is good. Where'd you learn to cook like this?"
"Thought myself."
Honestly… I just watched it in an anime. Somehow, it worked.
Svetlana grinned and held out a spoon.
"Isla, here—you've gotta try this."
Isla hesitated for a moment, then took a small bite. Her eyes widened, and she gave a quiet, approving nod.
Svetlana smirked.
"See? Told you."
She turned her gaze back to me.
"Where did this come from?"
"Japan," I said flatly.
Her eyebrow arched.
"Oh? Are you… Japanese?"
I nodded.
Isn't that obvious?
"Really? Huh… never thought we'd eat Japanese food out here," she said, shaking her head in mild surprise.
I ignored her, eyes fixed on the pan as the curry simmered.
She nudged my arm with her elbow.
"Hey… quit being so distant. Say something."
"Like what?" I asked.
She paused, thinking. Then she tapped her palm lightly.
"How about… you share a bit about yourself?"
"What do you want to know?"
"Like… your interests, your family—"
"Dead. All of them."
Her eyes flickered, a shadow of regret crossing them.
"I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean—"
"No need. It's past."
Yeah… it's true. I was an orphan, forced to survive alone. Even in Madara's memories, he was too—left to the world, forgotten. So yeah… we're the same in that regard.
Svetlana paused, letting my words settle.
She didn't press further. Instead, she gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, her expression softening before she returned to the counter.
"…Alright, let's focus on the prep," she said quietly.
Isla tapped my shoulder once before resuming her work.
I shrugged. Fine by me. Sympathy changes nothing. I stirred the curry, the rich aroma curling upward.
...
When the meal was ready, Svetlana slipped off her apron and came over.
"Kid, I'll get Pops and the others so we can eat," she said.
I gave a brief nod.
Before turning, she ruffled my hair and smiled warmly.
"Sorry, kid. Didn't mean to overstep. But… if you ever need anything—or just want to talk—I'm here. Got it?"
I said flatly,
"I am no kid, woman. Call me Madara."
Her chuckle was soft, amused.
"Yeah, yeah… if you say so, Kid."
Then she walked out.
I watched the door close, expression unreadable.
She was persistent… genuine… and annoyingly so.
A faint smirk tugged at my lips.
...
[ Vladimir's PoV ]
The door creaked open and my men filed in one after another.
"Evenin', Pops," John said.
I gave a nod. The others followed, taking their seats. Edwin came last, offering only a short nod.
Still upset. Can't blame him—nearly losing his wife, putting a fist in my face was the least he could do.
"Idris," I rumbled. "Svetlana and Isla—where?"
He leaned back, pulling a chair closer. "Kitchen, old pops. Busy with supper. Thought I'd give 'em some space."
"And the kid?"
"You mean the wildcard? He's in there too. Helping out."
…Hnh. Didn't see that coming. Interesting.
I straightened, my voice carrying like gravel.
"Listen up, lads. What I'm about to lay down ain't just words. It's the kind of truth that changes the path we walk… maybe forever."
Kevin frowned. "Hold on… weren't we on our way to the CDC?"
"Plans changed," I said flatly, fingers running through my beard.
"So we just hole up here?"
"No. But—" I said, sharing what happened. "The kid made an offer. Says he can guide us, help us through this mess. Might be true, might be suicide. I won't decide blindly. I need all of you to give me your thoughts."
The room held its breath, waiting for someone to speak.
Slade cleared his throat. "So… what's it gonna be, Cap? Your call?"
"Not this time," I said. "Every damn one of you speaks tonight. Then we decide."
Pierce leaned back, smirking. "Doesn't matter, captain. Your call—we follow."
Gibson nodded sharply. "Agreed. Splitting up isn't an option."
I nodded once, slow and deliberate, before fixing my eyes on Edwin.
He met my gaze, steady and unflinching. "I'm in. I owe that kid. Wherever he goes, I follow."
Brick rubbed the back of his neck, eyes darting. "B-but… this is suicide. We don't—"
Idris's voice cut through, calm but hard.
"You're missing it, Brick. The kid's got the cure."
Silence hit like a hammer.
Edwin nodded in agreement. "Idris is right. Even with my wife… even with the CDC lab, there was no guarantee we'd ever find a cure. We tried everything. Failed. A month of relentless work… and all we got was half a percent progress. Half a percent. That's how impossible it was."
Duke leaned back against the wall, scarf loose around his neck, voice low and rough. "I have to disagree."
All eyes snapped to him.
"Sorry, Pops," he said, "but I have to agree with Brick. If he's got the cure, we can snatch it, right?"
I shook my head, cold and steady.
"No, Duke. We can't. He saved us. We owe him our lives."
Duke straightened, voice sharper.
"Then I demand a trial—same as our ritual. We don't hand our trust to just anyone."
The others nodded, murmuring in agreement.
I nodded slowly. "Fine. He'll face the trial. Pass it, and our trust is his.
Fail… and the rules don't change."
Edwin gulped, the tension visible in every line of his face.
I leaned forward, voice cutting through the quiet. "Then it's settled. We move together. No split teams."
John's reply was immediate.
"Copy that, Pops. Full team."
Kevin gave a sharp, decisive nod.
"Understood. No exceptions."
I let my final words fall like stone. "Then we're agreed. The CDC can wait. From now on, our path follows that kid."
I let my gaze sweep the room, letting the weight of the decision settle.
Idris gave a dry whistle. "Damn… never thought I'd be facing that kid in the field… but better that than watching the world rot."
Tank leaned back, arms folded, eyes sharp.
"Tch. Don't trust the brat—but if he's the key, I'll play my part. You lead, Pops. I follow."
The room fell silent. Every pair of eyes locked on me. Their decision was made.
And then, the door eased open.
"H-hey, guys?" Svetlana peeked in, eyes darting between our stone faces. "Why so serious?" She tried a smile, then added, "Anyway… dinner's ready. You'll be surprised what we managed to throw together."
For a beat, nobody moved. Then Idris chuckled under his breath. John smirked. Tank even let out a low laugh.
I stood, shaking my head. "Come on, lads. Let's eat before it gets cold."
Svetlana tilted her head, still curious.
"Seriously… what's going on with you guys?"
We didn't answer. Just shared a look that said enough.
---
🔍 Did you know?
Madara's dream of the Infinite Tsukuyomi was to trap the entire world in an illusion to force "peace," no matter the cost.
🐧