For once, things felt almost normal.
No curses screaming in the distance.
No reality-breaking arguments about ranking systems.
Just a group of exhausted sorcerers standing around after paperwork that nobody wanted to read again.
Then Takeru clapped his hands.
"Food break."
Yuji's head snapped up immediately.
"…Food?"
Megumi blinked.
"…That's suspiciously normal."
Nobara narrowed her eyes.
"…Why do I feel like this is a setup."
Hakari was already smiling.
"…I support this decision."
Kirara sighed.
"…Of course you do."
Takeru was already walking.
"Pizza."
A pause.
"Everyone gets one. Or more."
That alone was enough to get movement.
Within minutes, they were at a place already conveniently supplying absurd amounts of pizza like the world had been waiting for this exact moment.
Boxes stacked.
Slices everywhere.
Zero questions asked.
Yuji was already halfway through a slice.
"…This is actually amazing."
Megumi sat down cautiously.
"…I don't trust how easy this was."
Nobara grabbed two slices immediately.
"…If it's cursed, I don't care anymore."
Hakari leaned back, satisfied.
"…Perfect recovery meal."
Kirara quietly ate while watching everything unfold.
Takeru, meanwhile, was casually stacking boxes like it was inventory management.
Crunching an orb between bites of pizza like it was completely normal behavior at this point.
Geto sat nearby, eating slowly.
"…This is strangely peaceful."
Takeru nodded.
"…Necessary reset."
Then—
someone finally looked around.
Yuji paused mid-bite.
"…Wait."
Megumi glanced up.
"…What."
Yuji blinked.
"…Where are Ryu, Kashimo, Aika, Reina, Yorozu, and Hana?"
Silence.
Everyone looked around casually.
Nothing.
No answer.
No reaction.
Nobara shrugged immediately.
"…Probably doing something else."
Hakari nodded.
"…Yeah, makes sense."
Kirara didn't even look up.
"…They'll show up later."
And just like that—
the question was dropped instantly.
Not because it was answered.
But because somehow, it just didn't feel important enough to interrupt pizza.
Takeru tossed another slice onto his plate.
"More for us."
Geto nodded calmly.
"…Efficient distribution."
Yuji leaned back, still eating.
"…I feel like we skipped something important."
Megumi stared at him.
"…We always do."
And the group continued eating—
completely unaware that certain absences were more meaningful than anyone was willing to admit.
But for now…
pizza was winning.