Reborn as an Evolving Space Monster: Harem Of Otherworldly Beauties-Chapter 378: Cooked

Cero remained with Nolan for a bit longer.

Firstly, because the conversation was interesting and, secondly, because Roka seemed to be going at it with the twins outside the command room.

On a mission involving weeks of space travel, it was important to keep a schedule and maintain a sense of time. Of days, weeks, and their passing.

The crewmates needed to keep their routines as close as possible to the way they were on Wor.

Currently, this meant that dinner time was approaching, and that lights out was three hours away.

Cero was convinced that, as far as the Prime Minister was concerned, cooking was a duty left to the twins, Gina and Tina.

However, the sisters had other ideas, just like they had taken one room for each of them rather than sharing the one with two beds, as they were supposed to.

Roka and the twins had history, not the pleasant kind as far as Cero could tell, and he didn’t feel like meddling... Not yet.

"I’m not sure," Nolan shrugged. "I mean... It is part of my culture and upbringing or whatever, but I’m not too hung up on it," He explained. "To be fair, I am a bad example when it comes to how we Jinx are. I spend most of my time traveling from one place to the next, so the culture never really seeped into me. The idea that people get imprisoned for showing affection to one another in public is ridiculous, but I guess it did look strange to me when I was younger." The Navigator held his chin as he thought back. "My biggest problem with it is that the same rules apply to foreigners, I think that’s pretty fucked up, you know? Though... I don’t like the fact that I need to abide by those rules just because I was born there, you know?"

"Do you think that the average person on Jin would call the cops on me for... Showing affection to someone in public?"

"The average person, maybe not. They likely wouldn’t care enough, since you are a foreigner. Officers and government officials might not be so clement. The same is true for rich people in high places generally."

"The richer they are, the less forgiving?"

"So I’ve heard." Nolan nodded with a shrug.

"Karens, huh?"

"Uh, sure..." Nolan muttered, agreeing out of politeness. "We’ll only be on Jin for two days or so anyway. I’m sure you can go without publicly... Showing affection for a couple of days, right?"

"Of course." Cero answered.

There was no one to show affection to anyway... Well, for now.

Cero left his seat a minute later.

"Can you have them bring my food here?" Nolan whispered, scratching his cheek.

"Prefer eating alone?" Cero shrugged. "Sure."

Nolan nodded, and Cero walked out of the command room.

’I’d rather not spend more time than I must with those twins,’ Nolan sighed. ’They creep me out a bit.’

***

With the arguing dying down, Cero decided to step out, and the grumbling he could overhear made the conclusion of the argument that had taken place obvious.

"They got you cooking, huh?" Cero muttered, leaning against the door.

"J-Just for now," Roka stuttered, visibly struggling. "We’ll be switching every day," She gulped. "Yeah, we’ll switch..."

’Is she trying to convince herself?’ Cero scratched his head. "Need some help?"

"No! Of course not! These are dehydrated food rations. W-Who could struggle cooking something like that?"

"Right..."

***

Eventually, dinner was cooked, and served.

"Thanks," Nolan nodded as Cero brought him a tray.

"Yeah," The latter answered and walked out of the command room.

’Can’t say I like this type of food but...’ The Jinx shrugged and dug in. "OW!" He shouted, throwing the spoon away. "WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!"

***

Tina and Gina had waited for Roka to finish cooking before stealing most of the food and locking themselves in their room.

"Those bitches..." Roka cursed under her breath. "There’s barely enough left for one." She gulped, before pushing the tray forward.

She and Cero were seated at the table in their shared room.

"You should eat." Roka nodded selflessly.

"We can share."

Chew- Chew-

"So?" Her wide eyes blinked repeatedly. "W-What do you think?"

Swallow-

Staring into Roka’s eyes, Cero couldn’t help but think back to the time before Wor.

Back then, he couldn’t fully appreciate it, as he was usually feasting on the freshest cuts of Graniliths, Giganto Zillas, or Wizzos.

Still, there were times when he would partake, despite one measly tray being far from enough for his stomach to even feel it.

’All this time, I’ve underestimated your contribution...’ Cero thought, tears almost rolling down his face. ’I’m sorry for underestimating you all this time, Kris. Without your cooking, we might end up starving before getting to Jin.’

Roka’s eyes narrowed as she studied Cero’s facial expression, which seemed to be one of absolute spiritual awakening.

"It’s so good..." Cero muttered through clenched teeth. "I might just ascend to the next realm."

"Really?! That good?!" Roka shouted, eyes flickering, supremely excited.

"Absolutely... Heavenly."

"Oh, yay! Let me try it!" Roka immediately stole the spoon from his hand.

"W-Wait-"

She chewed and swallowed before he could warn her, and Cero froze completely.

Lying is usually a dumb move, especially when the person being lied to can seek out the truth so easily.

Cero closed his eyes and massaged his forehead. ’I’m cooked...’

When,

"I see what you mean!" Roka said suddenly.

"Huh?"

"It is really good!" She nodded repeatedly. "I guess we got a really good batch."

"Y-Yeah, that must be it."

"Split it down the middle?" Roka asked with a gulp.

It was fairly obvious that, deep down, she didn’t want to share.

"You know... I’m not too hungry..." Cero muttered while scratching his head, unsure how to get out of this one.

"Really? So I can have it all?"

"Yes!" Cero coughed. "I mean... Sure."

"More for me, I guess." Roka shrugged and took another spoonful.

Cero closed his eyes and massaged his forehead again.

’That was a close one.’ Sigh. ’Thank god.’