Chapter : 38 Aftermath

[Night Raid Base's backyard]

Bulat savoured the strong alcohol, then turned to Lubbock with a grin. "You know, Lubbock, having muscles, alcohol, and protein-filled meaty food is the only way a real man can truly enjoy life. Don't you think so?"

"Don't talk to me while I'm eating, Bulat. My mood's down because I had to kill such a beautiful girl. It's the only thing I hate about this profession - why do I have to eliminate those beautiful flowers?" Lubbock spoke gloomily as he stuffed kebabs into his mouth.

"Cheer up, Lubbock. You'll find your own girlfriend someday, if you can stop chasing after girls like a pervert and stop looking at them like a hungry wolf." Sheele chimed in with a light-hearted comment to cheer up Lubbock. She then took small sips of beer in between her words.

Lubbock clutched his chest as he reacted dramatically to Sheele's comment. "Gahh! Your words hurt, Sheele. I can't tell if you're comforting me or poking fun at me." He paused his acting and leaned in, saying with a creepy grin, "But I can forgive your mistake if you agree to go on a date with me tomorrow at Soviet Street. Don't worry, you'll have a great time with me."

"Stay away from Sheele, you dirty, creepy pervert," Mine interjected, throwing a bone at Lubbock's face, which he deftly dodged. "If I catch you watching Sheele or me while we bathe, I'll blow your head off with a pumpkin," she threatened Lubbock firmly.

"Why would I even bother watching a flat board with no curves? Even if I don't have a girlfriend, my days aren't that bad that I have to resort to watching someone like you."Lubbock said with a smirk to the pink-haired girl.

'Ooh, he is dead!' Everyone thought.

Mine's face instantly reddened, her pink hair also turned red along with her face resembling that of a demon, while Sheele tried to calm her down.

But Mine's face quickly calmed, and she patted Sheele, indicating that she was okay. With a beautiful smile, she said, "Okay, it seems like you've decided the day you'll die, you bastard. I kill you by blowing up your head with my pumpkin." Mine wasted no time and started throwing kitchen utensils at Lubbock, who deftly dodged them while running around for his life. 

"Ahh!! Someone save me, Mine, I was just joking. Please forgive me as your chest is not flat, they are of B-Cup sizes." Lubbock said while running, as he evaded various objects.

His pleas were met with more aggressive forgiveness as the items which were thrown at him increased by a large margin.

"Ha.ha, hunt that pervert Mine." Leone said as she chuckled heartily while taking generous sips of her drink.

'....'

"...Are they always like this?" Bane asked speechlessly while enjoying roasted ham and observing the chaotic scene unfolding before him.

"Ha.ha, you don't have to worry Bane. It is their own way of relaxation while showing a little of their companionship," Bulat reassured Bane with a laugh.

'But where is relaxation and companionship in this?' Bane wondered silently as he resumed eating his meal.

"Do you want this?" Akame asked, poking Bane with her finger while calmly eating a large meaty leg piece. She seemed unfazed by the chaos, as if it was a normal occurrence for her.

Bane replied, "I would consider eating it after finishing my own food," as he continued eating. Akame nodded her head, unfazed, and resumed chewing her food.

'Does she also have a large appetite because of danger beast blood like me?' Bane wondered, observing Akame.

However, after looking at the cute hamster's face for some time, he concluded, 'No, she is just a foodie with a large appetite.'

"Bane, would you like to challenge me to an alcohol drinking contest between men? Ha ha! If you win, I will grant you one of your wishes. But if I win, you have to get a stylish haircut like mine," Bulat proposed, pointing proudly at his heart-shaped pompadour. "Of course, whatever we wish should be within our limits," he added, flexing his muscles as he issued the challenge.

Bane almost wanted to thank Bulat for not misinterpreting his gender, but he composed himself and, after some thought, he accepted. "Hmm, okay, I accept."

Bane agreed to the duel for two reasons: first, he had no hair, which conveniently solved the problem of keeping his end of the promise, and second, he could use this wish to get Bulat's help for one time who is a bona fide powerhouse.

He could also use this wish to ask for a spar as until now, his opponents had mostly been low-level soldiers or experienced assassins. If he can get a measure of his strength, then it would be very good for him.

"Alright, I'll be the referee for this drinking contest," Leone chimed in, clearly excited about the upcoming match.

Some distance away from the lively gathering, two figures were currently engaged in a discussion about the analysis related to the recent battle.

"You did well in your first battle, Tatsumi," Najenda remarked between bites of her food. "But there are some serious issues you need to address to survive in this line of work. Don't worry, though—I'll assign you to someone who can help you overcome these challenges."

Tatsumi nodded, clenching his fist in determination as he listened to Najenda's assessment of his recent battle. Learning about Teigus from Bulat had opened his eyes to the world of powerful weapons, and witnessing Bane summon his Teigu to treat Ieyasu had reinforced the gravity of their responsibilities.

With his choice to join the Night Raid, Tatsumi was confident in his ability to carry out his duties and eliminate targets. Nonetheless, his recent struggle highlighted his vulnerability as he hesitated to end a life in a critical moment. Acknowledging Akame's intervention, he became grateful and motivated to enhance his skills, knowing how close he had been to death.

"So, Tatsumi, in order to learn about survival and other basic requirements needed in this business, you'll team up with Akame and learn under her guidance," Najenda said with a smirk. She then turned to Akame and asked, "Got it, Akame?"

"Uh, ahh, what?" Akame said, while tilting her head.

"You can cut him down if it seems he will get in the way." Najenda said again with a smile to Akame.

"Got it," Akame nodded her head.

'How is this possible?' Tatsumi internally screamed.

"See, Tatsumi, you're so lucky to be taught by a cute girl. So, do your best to not get killed, okay?" Najenda said, turning her head towards Tatsumi.

Tatsumi paled instantly as he looked at the beautiful black-haired girl. But seeing Bane at a distance, gulping alcohol with Bulat, he quickly slapped himself and nodded.

"Let's go and see what they're doing," Najenda said with a smile to Tatsumi as they headed towards the gathering. As they neared, they heard loud noises.

"CHUG IT DOWN!! CHUG IT DOWN!! CHUG IT DOWN!!"

Leone, Sheele, Mine, and Lubbock shouted excitedly as they watched Bane and Bulat standing on their respective chairs, each with a drinking mug in hand, chugging alcohol nonstop.

"What is happening, Leone?" Najenda asked.

"Ah, they are competing, boss, and it seems that Bane is winning the match, as I can see that Bulat is becoming more and more intoxicated by alcohol but I am not sure as his opponent Bane has his mask on, which prevents us from seeing his intoxicated state," Leone explained. As she finished her explanation, a thud sound resounded behind her.

THUD

This sound was produced by Bulat, who was lying as he was knocked down on the dining table.

"'WOOOAAAHHH!!!'" Leone, Mine, Sheele, and Lubbock shouted together after seeing the end result.

"'BANE HAS WON THIS FUCKING COMPETITION PEOPLE, AS BULAT HAS BEEN KNOCKED DOWN, HE IS THE FUCKING WINNER OF THIS DRINKING CONTEST!!! UNBELIEVABLE!, ASTONISHING!, HOW CAN THIS SMALL PERSON EVEN BEAT THE HUNDRED MAN SLAYER IN DRINKING CONTEST" Lubbock shouted in shock as he commented the result of the match like an excited commentator.

But what was even more astonishing was that the other competitor was still holding onto the large barrel of alcohol, chugging down its contents, while alcohol was spreading on his clothes.

"Puahhh!!" Bane exclaimed as he flung the empty barrel aside, Bane's black coat became soaked with alcohol, but he paid it no mind.

"BURP!!" Bane let out a loud burp after some time.

"Where is the food?" Bane asked Akame, who nodded her head and handed him chicken drumsticks, which he eagerly started to eat.

'Is he a lost relative of Akame?' Everyone collectively wondered as their jaws dropped at Bane's voracious appetite, reminiscent of Akame's.

Bulat, who lost the duel, was unable to witness this scene, as he was in a deep sleep after drinking so much alcohol.

As Leone observed Bane's astonishing eating speed, a thought crossed her mind. "Hey Bane, aren't you immune to poisons?" she asked, recalling Bane's abilities.

"Yes, but it's his mistake for challenging me without considering my abilities who is his opponent," Bane replied casually, not missing a beat with his eating.

'What he said is true' Leone, Lubbock, Mine, Sheele, and Tatsumi collectively agreed with Bane's statement.

Najenda smiled and commented, "It appears that in matters of love, war, and food, all is fair," as she grabbed a mug of alcohol.

"You should also enjoy the food, Tatsumi, as from tomorrow onwards you'll be responsible for preparing meals alongside Akame and Bane." Tatsumi simply nodded in agreement as he joined the gathering.