Chapter 46: Vegapunk's Laboratory (Part 1)
"Thanks to Kurumi, we managed to capture several mechanical beasts completely intact." Eric reached out and patted Kurumi Tokisaki on the head.
"Hmph, you're going to mess up my hair…" Though she said no, her body betrayed her words—she tilted her head obediently under his hand, like a kitten basking in affection.
Eric and Chiron dragged the captured mechanical animals on a large sled, and the group arrived at Vegapunk's research facility.
"This was Vegapunk's old lab, but it's been sealed off by the World Government. First, we'll need to disable the alarm systems."
With Eric 's lightning powers and Da Vinci's intellect, they easily dismantled the Navy's alarm setup and made their way inside.
Since the facility was quite large, the seven of them split into three teams:
Eric and Kurumi searched the first floor; Chiron and Porche took the second floor; Akame, Da Vinci, and Cricket handled the third.
"We'll regroup at the main gate in two hours. Be careful not to touch anything strange. If you find a room that stores important items like blueprints, mark its location. Alright, go."
"Eighth Bullet!" Kurumi used Zafkiel to summon ten clones. "Let's leave the work to 'us.'"
"No problem, 'me.'"
"Leave it to 'us.'"
"Oh my, such a loving couple, 'me.'"
Each of the ten clones responded differently before dispersing to search the floor.
"Hm? If the clones are doing all the work, what are we supposed to do?" Normally one to sneak in some rest when he could, Eric didn't expect a chance to slack off openly.
"Of course we're going on a date!" Kurumi locked both arms around Eric 's right. "The ship's always crowded, and there's never time for us to be alone while sailing! And that Da Vinci lady keeps pulling me into her research projects—so unfair~"
"That's because you're clever and good with your hands. When I tried helping, Da Vinci said I was clumsy. Now, aside from when she's researching my lightning powers, she doesn't ask me for help at all."
"Hmph, is that so? Sounds like you were faking it to get out of doing research, huh?" Kurumi narrowed her eyes in mock suspicion.
"You're too sharp. I can't hide anything from you," Eric scratched his head with an embarrassed smile.
"Da Vinci- saw through us both, which is why she's always calling me over," Kurumi pouted as if displeased, but she was actually pleased that someone relied on her. Perhaps Da Vinci knew their true natures and assigned tasks accordingly.
"You're my other half, aren't you? If you help out, it's like I'm helping out too," Eric replied, referencing how Kurumi introduced herself earlier. Her cheeks turned pink, and she looked away—but didn't let go of his arm.
"Also, try not to use Zafkiel too freely. It's powerful, but it consumes too much time, and right now you can't replenish it. Just wait a bit—I'll catch some criminals for you."
"Mhm." Kurumi replied softly, her heart filled with joy. 'He really is thinking of me…'
At the designated time, the group reconvened at the entrance.
The other two teams had found nothing and shook their heads. Meanwhile, the "lazy" pair had discovered both the vault containing all of Vegapunk's blueprints and a passage leading to a hidden research lab—thanks to Kurumi's clones, of course.
"Kurumi, you look like something good happened. Tell Big Sis so I can be happy too~" Da Vinci teased.
"Oh, it's just that the cold wind outside had my face pale, and the warmth inside the lab brought the color back," Kurumi replied calmly. No way she was going to admit she'd spent two hours on a date with Eric .
"..." Da Vinci smiled knowingly and said no more.
"A true genius. Some of these designs can't even be completed with today's tech, yet Vegapunk managed to create them. Amazing." Da Vinci flipped through the blueprints, one after another. "I'd love to meet him."
"Mhm…" Eric pretended to understand while staring blankly at one of the drawings. "Really amazing!"
"You don't understand any of it, do you?" Akame's blunt honesty left Eric speechless. 'Geez, give your captain some face…' he thought.
Kurumi covered her mouth and giggled like a lady of high society. "You should give boys some face, Akame-chan." Ah, now we're sorting people by age.
Akame stared back. "How old are you?"
"I'm sixteen~"
Akame paused. "I'm fifteen… Kurumi-nee."
"Aww…" Kurumi was just about to celebrate when—
"Uh, how about we not get so hung up on age? Because if we do, then Da Vinci's age…" Eric dragged someone else into the mess, the more chaotic the better.
"My age, Captain Little Brother~?" Da Vinci's tone was teasing as usual, but it seemed to carry a hint of murderous intent.
Never bring up age in front of older women! Important things must be said three times!
"N-Nothing! This storage room holds inventions to improve everyday life. Let's sort them by feasibility: what Da Vinci can build soon, what we can build within five years, ten years, and those we should just store away for now." Eric quickly steered the conversation elsewhere like a pro.
His real objective was the weapon designs hidden deeper in the lab.
"Let's finish organizing. The contents of the hidden lab are the real prize."
"Understood." "Got it." "Roger, Boss." The crew responded.
"We'll probably be living here for a month or two, so we'll need supplies. Uncle and I will head out to buy what we need. Let me know if you want anything."
"…Um, I'd like to come with you." Kurumi hesitated, then spoke up. She didn't want to be separated from Eric right now.
Eric smiled and gently patted her head. Kurumi closed her eyes contentedly, like a kitten. "It's cold outside. Let me and Uncle suffer through it."
Cricket grumbled nearby. "So it's fine if I suffer, huh, kid?"
Kurumi watched Eric walk away, her gaze following him until he vanished around the corner. She sat down quietly—just like a little cat left home alone.
Until—
"I'm back!" Eric returned, snow swirling around him and Cricket as they carried bags of supplies. Kurumi rushed over and wrapped herself around Eric —just like a kitten waiting for its master to return.
(END CHAPTER)
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