Chapter 1097 Clash
At the appearance of the two former members of Sternritter, Keigo became very nervous. Although he knew that there was a 'Non-Aggression Pact' between Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and the surviving members of the Wandenreich, he knew from his previous encounters with them that they could be a bit unreasonable at times.
Liltotto's attention was on Uryu first but she saw other people eating, "...I thought this was a gathering place for those spiritually aware?" Since Liltotto couldn't feel anything from them, she and Meninas behind her thought that they were normal people, "We can't talk like this. Meni, knock them out for now."
"Yes~~~!" Meninas energetically answered.
Seeing this, Ichigo and Uryu simultaneously shouted, "Wait!"
But even if Ichigo's group wanted to stop them, the pink-haired girl was faster with her Hirenkyaku (Flying Screen Step) and arrived behind her first target, the blue-haired girl still in the middle of slurping noodles.
Meninas made a knife hand and immediately swung it towards the back of the blue-haired girl with enough force to knock a normal person but not hurt them. She intended to move to her next target after the first one but found herself unable to do so when she tried to pull her hand away and couldn't do so.
Meninas looked back and her eyes widened when she saw the blue-haired girl looking at her, still chewing her food, and caught her hand using the chopsticks.
The 'well-mannered' Tanis couldn't speak with her mouth still full of food but it was obvious from her expression what she wanted to say, 'What are you doing?'
Naturally, Meninas found the situation strange, but instead of consulting with Liltotto, she increased the strength behind her hand because her warrior spirit was challenged. She wondered how the seemingly ordinary pieces of wood could remain intact and was curious for how long.
In response to Minenas releasing her Reiatsu, Tanis' Ki flow picked up speed, strengthening the chopsticks she was holding and accurately countering the strength the pink-haired woman was putting in.
Silence covered the whole establishment with Meninas further increasing her Reiatsu and the chopsticks on Tanis' hand began splintering.
Ichigo, Uryu, and Chad stood up to stop Meninas but before they could do anything, Meninas' hand caught in Tanis' chopsticks suddenly caught on blue fire, "!?"
The blue fire is not something that could easily hurt her, however, Meninas doesn't know how or when it came so that reason is enough for her to pull back with Hirenkyaku, arriving beside Liltotto. Even then the fire didn't stop burning and actually spreading to the rest of her arm.
Meninas hurriedly used her Blut Vene to snuff out the fire but that took some effort because it's a weirdly 'sticky' fire.
Thankfully, everyone except for the clueless Keigo had an idea where the fire came from because the golden-haired girl discharged her killing intent the moment the fire appeared. When Meninas followed the killing intent, she saw the golden-haired girl glaring at him with her matching golden eyes but with vertical slit pupils.
'Not a Human?' That is what everyone who looked at her thought.
But soon, that killing intent disappeared when the gray-haired girl reached out and held the golden-haired girl's hand, "Kunou, it's okay. Look. Tanis is fine."
The Tanis also turned to the one called Kunou and waved her hand, gesturing that she was just fine, though she still couldn't speak because there was still food in her mouth.
"...But... Claire... Aren't you angry?" Kunou protested in frustration.
Claire chuckled but her words didn't match her smiling face, "Of course I'm angry."
Claire then turned to Meninas. With a smile that didn't reach her grey eyes, she continued, "Who wouldn't get angry when you're suddenly attacked in the middle of a meal?"
'...I'm not angry, though?' Tanis wanted to raise her hand but the serious atmosphere didn't allow her to do so. Without much choice, she pretended to be angry.
Meninas stared at Claire, thinking of what to say back, when she felt something weird on her burnt arm. When she looked down, she saw the faint blue pattern that was tracing her veins under her skin suddenly start retracting, "My Blut!?"
"!?" Liltotto was also appalled because she knew that Meninas wouldn't retract her Blut Vene right now, 'Forcefully dispelled!?' She doesn't know what exactly happened nor how something like that is possible, but she knew for sure that she didn't want these unknown people as their enemies.
Immediately stepping in front of Meninas, Liltotto addressed Claire because she had a feeling that she was the group's leader, "We're sorry about that. As you've heard, we only intended to knock you out because we thought you were ordinary people. Because of Meninas and her reckless, competitive spirit, she attacked your friend more than necessary."
And she's correct. Although Kunou is usually the one reigning in the two 'wild dogs', Claire is undoubtedly the one who has the final say, and both Tanis and Kunou respect that.
Liltotto elbowed Meninas' stomach and urged her to apologize. She was not convinced and satisfied but Meninas still listened. Slightly bowing her head, Meninas said, "I'm sorry."
"As proof of our sincerity, your meal is our treat." Liltotto was immediately added.
"What!? But this month is-"
Liltotto blocked Meninas' mouth, 'It's tight, I know... But Uryu is here. He should be able to lend us.'
"Really!? Can I order more?" Tanis excitedly asked.
The corner of Liltotto's brow twitched but she could only give one answer, "...S-sure."
"Yay~! Owner, a bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen and a plate of gyoza and fried chicken each! Ah, and please add another chashu (Marinated Braised Pork Belly) to my ramen."
"O-oh! Coming right up!"
Thanks to Tanis's cheerfulness, the heavy atmosphere was instantly defused.
Kunou sighed with a wry smile, letting go of her killing intent while Claire only chuckled and said, "Apology accepted. And thanks for the treat."
After that, the group began another round of orders, and each time Liltotto and Meninas heard this, they could feel something akin to someone stabbing their hearts, "U-Uryu..." Liltotto approached and weakly called out to her fellow Quincy, "It might take some time but we'll definitely pay you back... So lend us some money."
Unbeknownst to the poor Liltotto and Minenas, they'll be borrowing way more than they are expecting.
Claire's group, on the other hand, was pretty happy. Although they had money, nothing beats eating on someone else's cash guilt-free! Who asked them to attack their group and offer their wallets?
Nevertheless, the happiest of them all is actually Serafall. After this instance, she's confident that she can leave these three girls at their own devices.
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