[Congratulations! You've acquired the Cooking Talent! (Grade: Professional)]
Hiro was surprised and walked out of the room, grabbing his Comms and Black gloves, he stuff the Black gloves into his pocket along withy the Comms and followed a woman across the Plantation as he talked with Clank in his mind.
He asked "Clank, what's the highest grade for the Cooking talent? Shouldn't Cooking be a skill?" Clank replied with an arrogant tone "Oh? Don't know this one??" Hiro rolled his eyes and replied "I'm assuming the Cooking Talent had to do with God Tongue, Super sense of smell, etc? As for the grade is the highest level Orgasmic?"
Clank made a gear grinding noise and Hiro smiled to himself, walking behind the woman named Nana. The mother figure of the kids and his as well. Though he felt nothing of the sort, treating her as though she was a stranger, which made her somewhat uncomfortable.
Hiro couldn't care less how it made her feel, there was only one person that made him happy. Clank finally responded with a grinding voice "I hate you. You currently have God's Tongue and Acute sense of smell. The highest level of the Cooking talent is Orgasmic. Once this level is reached, the talent will change to Cooking God and you will have all the Special Abilities."
Hiro was pleased and didn't speak anymore.
He followed Nana outside and stood next to her along with an old man with robotic parts. This old man was named Dr. Franxx. He was the creator of the Franxx and the scientist who made all the humans Immortal via injecting them with Magma energy.
Hiro suddenly asked "Clank, if I get Magma Energy can you make me Immortal?" Clank said with disdain "You think they're truly Immortal? What a joke. The Klaxosaur life energy will prolong life at the cost of reproductive organs but to become Immortal? You think just ANYBODY can become Immortal? And with a simple surgery no less."
Hiro replied "Obviously. Can you fix the Magma to keep my reproductive organs and extend my lifespan is what I'm asking. If he was truly Immortal, he wouldn't look like an old man at any rate. Not to mention having to replace his human parts with cybernetic implants to keep himself alive..."
He paused and pursed his lips as he added "Living without the ability to reproduce... Is there even a point in life?" Clank said simply "Of course I can. It's a very simple thing for me to do." Hiro narrowed his eyes and said slowly "Is that so..."
He looked at the Franxx being piloted by the other cadets from the orphanage. If he wasn't wrong, today was the day he started mixing with them again. His lips drew an unnoticeable smile, the time to test his acting skill was coming...
Dr. Franxx said "Excellent!" after watching the Franxx's test runs. Hiro decided to take a gamble and said meekly "Dr. Franxx..." Dr. Franxx turned to look at him and said "Yes, 016?" Hiro said respectfully "Do you think it would be possible to get a new uniform like the girl with the horns?"
Dr. Franxx rubbed his chin and laughed as he said "You would like to wear the same style as, 002?" Hiro blushed as if he had been found out and nodded embarrassingly. Dr. Franxx smiled and said "Sure. I think it's an excellent idea! Do you have an idea in mind?" his eyes narrowed slightly, testing Hiro.
The main reason the children are able to pilot the Franxx is due to emotions and the bond between Stamen and Pistil. As far as he was concerned, them having wants, needs, and emotions would only make them better so it should be encouraged.
Hiro put on an elated and excited face before taking out his Comms and showing him a picture.
Dr. Franxx looked at the picture and said "You drew this? You have quite the Talent!" Hiro looked down with a happy smile. Dr. Franxx smiled and touched the Comms device with his own, taking the picture and saying "Within a few days the uniforms will change. Nana, get the Cadets' favorite colors. We'll personalize their uniforms as well. It will be fun!"
Nana saluted and said "Yes sir." Dr. Franxx waved "So dramatic... 016 what color would you like?" Hiro said joyfully "Black, Dr. Franxx!" Dr. Franxx said "No problem. If you have anymore ideas, let me know!" joyful that the test subjects are developing nicely.
Hiro smiled and said "I will. Thank you!" before bowing 90 degrees, Dr. Franxx laughed and the group left. Hiro went back to the Garden with Nana and a joyful expression, but he was having a conversation with Clank "You've hid the apps that aren't supposed to be there, correct?"
Clank replied "Relax. Unless I want them to see, even those Apes at the top won't be able to see it." Hiro said "Good. You didn't disappoint me." Clank was disgruntled and said "What is that supposed to mean?" Hiro chuckled "It means exactly what it sounds like. I'm keeping you around after all."
Clank shouted "YOU!" Hiro just smiled and ignored Clank's shouting of 'System Rights' as he went back to the garden. Nana left him alone before going to Hachi to carry out Dr. Franxx's orders. Hiro decided to clean up his Daily Quest for the day and went on a run around the forest.
A while later
He came back to the residence to see Ichigo (Code: 015) playing with a cat. Coincidentally she was one number lower than her, Hiro didn't care about the numbers but from the wiki he read that all have hidden meanings. Anyway, he walked over and said "Ichigo?"
She stood up and said "H-Hiro!" Hiro looked at her nervous expression and said "Please don't tell me you weren't sitting out here waiting for me..." Ichigo played it off and said "Yeah, I was! You shouldn't run off first thing in the morning! I understand it may be awkward for you, but this is your home now. So you should try and settle in."
Hiro nodded and walked to the door, he was sweaty and wanted to take a shower. Plus he had an Impurity Cleansing waiting for him, he really, really, didn't want to shoot the shit with Ichigo right now.
He walked by and Ichigo said "Did you hear? They took Naomi to the hospital." Hiro grunted and continued walking, Ichigo said quickly "We're you the one piloting that Franxx?" Hiro stopped and said "Yeah. I'll ride it again." Ichigo said "Again!? You do know that girl isn't part of our squad."
Hiro looked up to the sky and sighed "I don't care..." Ichigo turned around and said "I've heard rumors about her. They're awful. Like how she's never had a partner that's been able to ride with her for more than 3 times... Do you know why that is? Because they don't make it out alive! I don't know if that's true or not, but I think it would be best if you stayed away from her."
Hiro looked over his shoulder with a cold glance as he said "I should stay close to you? Is that what this is about?" he turned back and said "I'll ride with whomever I please, thanks for the concern." as he stepped away, Ichigo shouted "You'll die!"
Hiro waved over his shoulder and said "That seems to be my business? Maybe I'm wrong, but are you telling me not to ride?" Ichigo said "I didn't mean that. I just don't want you to die. How is that so hard to understand?!" Hiro replied "If I don't ride, I'm as good as dead anyway. Also, in case you cannot count, there's only 9 members of our squad, including myself. So please tell me, who am I going to ride with if not her? Are we going to switch out? Rotate partners?"
Ichigo was speechless and stammered "B-B-But that's no-" she was interrupted by the front door opening. A boy with blonde hair and glasses said "Uhh you guys need to get in here... That weird girl's in our mess hall." Hiro looked at the boy, who's name was Goro (Code: 056), and asked "Horns?"
Goro nodded and Hiro walked inside. He passed the mess hall before going to his room and showering. He stood under the water and said "Activate Impurity Cleanse (Basic)" suddenly he felt his entire body relax as awful smelling black gunk was being pushed out of his pores.
He groaned in comfort as the hot water rained down on his skin, washing away all the Impurities on his body. The Black Gunk came out of his body in tides as a layer of skin peeled off, revealing a fresh one underneath.
Everything was washed away down into the drain, all the black gunk and dead skin even hair that was replaced with thicker, shinier, longer, and stronger hairs. It was a really good thing this shower drain was an Ultimate Shower drain that incinerated everything that came down it or it would surely clog.
A while later
Hiro stepped out of the shower and looked at himself in the mirror. He looked at his slightly muscular body and mumbled with narrowed eyes "Much better..." his skin was as smooth and soft as a baby's and it was white and fair. He was a bit disgruntled but he didn't look too bad.
His facial features were sharper than before, losing some baby fat on his 15 year old face. All in all, much more handsome now. He tied his hair up in a messy bun again and got dressed in the unfortunate looking uniform, feeling thankful that it would only be a few more days.
When he was finished he walked out into the mess hall to hear "Someone of your skill deserves much better than having that wuss in a Franxx." Hiro looked at the group with half opened eyes, full of boredom. He ignored their gazes and sat down at the table next to Goro, before eating.
He tasted the food, sure enough. It was awful. It tasted okay. His God Tongue was so much a blessing as it was a curse. He looked up to see everyone looking at him with wide eyes, he said "What."
Miku, a girl with orange hair in pig tails (Code: 390), said "What happened to you!?" Hiro said "I took a shower, went for a run, etc. Does it matter?" he rolled his eyes and got up to leave, Zerotwo grabbed his sleeve and smiled, Hiro's mouth twitched into a smile and he grabbed her hand as they left the room.
The rest were stunned, Ichigo clenched her fist.
Hiro brought Zerotwo to the kitchen and said "What do you want, Angel?" Zerotwo hopped on the counter and crossed her legs as she said "You can cook, Darling?" Hiro grinned and said "Only everything in the world." Zerotwo giggled and said "Something sweet~!"
Hiro opened the supply shelf and mumbled to himself before sniffing and picking out several things. Namely, boneless porkchops, oil, garlic, honey, and bunch of spices. He laid everything out on the counter and started cooking, testing his cooking talent.
Zerotwo watched with wide eyes as he tasted, smelled, and cooked his way to the most amazing smell she had ever smelled in her life. Her mouth watered slightly and she licked her lips, stretching out her hands to the pan, Hiro slapped her hand and she took it back.
He looked at her and she pouted cutely, he chuckled and said "It's not done yet. You want it to be sweet no?" He took out 3 porkchops and poured Honey-Garlic glaze over them before giving the plate to her. He took out the rest of the porkchops and ate them before frowning and muttering "Not good enough..."
He went through the cabinet and took out a few more spices, when he came back, Zerotwo was looking at him obsessively. He blinked and said "Is it not good?" she lunged at him, tackling him to the ground and kissing him fiercely.
Hiro was stunned but naturally didn't mind. He held the spices in his hands and closed his eyes, the sweet taste of her lips was better than any food he could possibly ever make. He squeezed her ass, making her mouth open in surprise, a fatal mistake.
He slid his tongue inside her mouth and licked the lingering honey from her tongue.
Their lips separated and Zerotwo hand her hands on his chest, looking into his eyes. Hiro licked his lips and said "Sweet~" Zerotwo's eyes brightened and she said immediately "You're mine, Darling. Nobody else's." Hiro blinked and nodded, somewhat in a daze.
Zerotwo suddenly pouted and said "Can I have yours too~" He laughed and got up saying "I'll make it better, hold on." her eyes lit up and Hiro played around with the spices before taking half a porkchop and eating it. He smiled and said "Good!"
Zerotwo devoured the porkchops and looked at him with full cheeks and honey left on her face. Hiro laughed and licked the honey off her face, she was rooted on the spot and Hiro licked his lips before saying "Tasty."
Zerotwo swallowed her food and looked at him in a daze. Hiro felt his heart beating faster as she looked at him, they were interrupted by Nana, who walked in saying "002, you know you're not supposed to be here. Let's go."
Zerotwo looked at Hiro unwilling to go, he said "We'll ride together again, trust me." Zerotwo smiled and Nana said "That's up to Papa to decide, not either of you." Zerotwo was a bit disgruntled and left with Nana, looking back at Hiro, who was getting smaller and smaller in her eyes until she couldn't see him anymore.
Hiro watched Zerotwo leave and suddenly felt empty. It was a very uncomfortable feeling. Like something was missing in his life, it left him in a bad mood. He cleaned the dishes without saying a word and went with the rest to go to Pistil and Stamen training.