It took 2B quite a while to recover from the flood of information she'd just absorbed.
When she looked at Ethan Chen again, her gaze had changed especially when it lingered on his lips.
It was just a simple contact between lips, yet it had made her black box system unstable.
So this... was the power of humans?
And even though she'd finally calmed down, there was a faint yearning to experience that contact again.
As Ethan turned toward her, 2B quickly averted her gaze and slipped her visor back on, obscuring her eyes to stop her thoughts from running wild.
It worked. With her eyes shielded, she slowly settled, returning from the confused, love-struck girl to the cold, poised warrior she was meant to be.
"Is there something on my face? Why were you staring at me like that just now?"
"No. I was simply observing the differences between you and us androids."
2B wasn't lying. She had been analyzing the distinctions between them. She just hadn't said which parts, or what conclusions she'd drawn.
If he asked, she'd answer.
But Ethan didn't press the issue. He stood up, gazing at the sky dyed in red as smoke curled gently from chimneys across the village.
"You feeling better? Want to grab something to eat?"
Money was tight, but the navy would be delivering the bounty in a few days assuming they kept their word. As the village's savior, he could probably run a tab without trouble.
"I'm an android. I don't require food."
"Right. I almost forgot." Ethan scratched his head. Aside from being beautiful and perfectly sculpted, her reactions hadn't been much different from an ordinary woman's. He'd just naturally overlooked that detail.
"Well, come with me anyway. Just in case anything happens."
"Understood."
The support drone interjected, "Reminder: due to the current lack of energy supply, it's recommended that 2B consume nutrients to maintain basic operational functions."
2B nodded obediently. "Acknowledged."
"Any foods you need to avoid? Certain types of fish or whatever?"
Ethan vaguely remembered that in the game, eating pufferfish could cause an android's bodily fluids to crystallize and their muscles to lock up, leading to a very specific kind of death.
"There is," 2B answered thoughtfully. "There's a rumor among androids that the oils from pufferfish can interfere with our neural conductivity. It might even be fatal."
"That's just a myth," the drone chimed in. "An android's digestive system can break down all organic and inorganic matter into usable energy. There's no scientific data supporting the claim that pufferfish oil poses any danger."
"Still," Ethan said, "lack of data doesn't mean no risk. Better not tempt fate. Let's go with something else grilled eel rice. It's the local specialty. Should be good."
The thought of grilled eel rice made Ethan subconsciously lick his lips. He'd never had it before.
Every time he saw it in cooking videos those glistening, golden-brown fillets lacquered in sauce, laid over fluffy white rice it made his mouth water.
But growing up in a small city, he never had the chance to try it. It remained one of those small, lingering regrets.
The two of them left the inn and wandered through the village. Many shops were shuttered due to the pirate attack casualties, damaged homes, the whole ordeal.
Only one place remained open: a tavern near the plaza. It was the kind of spot pirates loved loud, lively, and always stocked with booze. Ironically, it was the only place that hadn't been torn apart.
Inside were a few patrons. The tavern owner, who also doubled as the bartender, bowed deeply as they entered.
"Saviors, are you here for a meal?"
"Yeah," Ethan said, taking a seat with 2B. "But let me ask first can we run a tab? The navy's supposed to bring the bounty in a couple of days."
"No need for that," the owner said with a wide smile. "As long as you're staying in the village, your meals are on the house. It's the least I can do to thank you."
"Appreciate it. Then I won't be polite."
"Please. What would you like? I recommend the eel rice. It's our specialty."
"Sounds great. We'll take two."
A short wait later, the much-anticipated dish arrived. A massive bowl of grilled eel rice, with sides of roasted eel, crispy eel bones, assorted pickles, and two tall glasses of barley fruit soda.
It looked fantastic. The taste? Tender, rich, and just the right amount of smoky. Not quite the transcendent experience Ethan had imagined, but still very good.
Then he looked at 2B.
She sat frozen, staring at the food like she'd just eaten pufferfish and her systems were locking up.
"You okay?" Ethan waved a hand in front of her face, then gently shook her arm.
She slowly blinked out of her daze.
"You alright?" he repeated.
"I'm fine." 2B turned back to her bowl. "It's just... this tastes so good. It's like my fluids are congealing and my muscles are hardening."
Ethan chuckled.
2B scooped up a mouthful of rice and eel and took another bite, then another. She was eating with real appetite.
"If you like it, have more," Ethan said, picking a piece of eel from his own bowl and placing it in hers. He added some seaweed and pickles on top. "Mix it all together. It'll taste even better."
"Thank you," 2B said. She did as instructed and found the flavors even more layered, more satisfying.
After they finished, 2B's eyes landed on the golden-hued barley soda.
"What is this? Fuel?"
"That's barley fruit soda. It's got a fizzy kick to it." Ethan took a sip. "Before you drink it, just to be safe how's your alcohol tolerance?"
He recalled that 2B's weight was somewhere around 150 kilograms roughly double his own. Despite her sleek, curvy build, she was solidly a heavyweight.
If she got drunk, there was no way he'd be able to carry her back to the inn.
"Don't worry. For androids, alcohol acts as an effective energy source," the support drone explained. "You won't need to worry about her getting drunk."
"Good to know."
Hearing that, 2B took a sip. Then promptly choked on the carbonation.
"Apologies. The taste and texture are strange. I'm not used to it."
"No worries." Ethan handed her a napkin to wipe her lips. "It's the bubbles. That fizzy sensation comes from dissolved carbon dioxide. It's normal to feel weird the first time. You'll get used to it. Everything's like that at first."