It's... Common Knowledge...

«⟨ It's… Common Knowledge… ⟩»

“Uh… You know I don't have money… right?...”

“I'll pay for it later, just take your order,”

“.....i-i’ll have lunch set A…”

The three of them were now at a nearby local cafe. It was after Hazel suggested a quick break after hours in the archive room that they went to a well-known avenue of Sakura Street.

Man… I must look really lame here…

It wasn't a date or anything. But having a girl; which is your colleague; which technically is also your subordinate–having to pay for your lunch on the first day into the job, had to be the most minus point Chitose had ever gained in his life.

“I'll have the mushroom aglio olio and latte with less sugar, please.” Hazel said to the waitress.

“Understood. And you sir?”

The waitress turned to Chitose, waiting for his order.

Whatever, my pride's already been shattered, might as well grab some snacks while at it.

“I'll take the grilled cheese sandwich and… a glass of water.”

“Understood. Is that all of it?”

“...Yes.” Hazel said.

“Alright, please wait for a moment.”

The waitress left and went past the door into the cafe.

Cling~

They were sitting at the cafe patio–white round table with three bentwood chairs–just under a black parasol. Being a corner shophouse, the four way intersection can clearly be seen from where they were seated.

A leisurely noon with not much going on.

“Girlled cheese and a glass of water?” Hazel said, raising an eyebrow.

“W-What?...”

“I'm not that stingy, you know.”

“I didn't mean it like that, okay,” he continued, “just… holding myself, that's all…”

“Hm……”

Hazel only gave him a side-eye, all while Fryd just sat next to her, eyeing around the cafe in silence.

Now that I think about it…

“I didn't know that automata eat human food…” Chitose said.

With those words, the two instantly gave him the most dismissive glance.

Eh? W-What?... Did I say something bad?...

“You really are retarded…” Hazel pinched her temple.

“What?! Why?!”

“Of course we ate human food. Everyone knew that…”

“....t-tactless….” Fryd muttered.

Eh?? Really???

“You must be thinking ‘They’re robots, so they must be drinking engine oil’, right?”

“Eh? You don't?”

SMACK!

A single thud stung his head–it was Hazel's saya(scabbard).

“OOOUUUUCHHH!!!!!!”

Chitose profusely rubbed the part where it struck all while rolling on the brick floor. It caught the attention of others at the cafe–but that's the least of his concern.

“What the hell?! You don't need to hit me!!”

“Imagine if someone walked up to you while eating, and said ‘Oh??? I thought monkeys eat bananas???’.”

“..F-Fair point……”

Chitose went back to his seat after his public performance on the patio.

“Well… it can't be helped when you don't know something, right?” He reasoned.

“Yes, I truly think it's hopeless if a person lived under a rock — And in your case, a giant boulder.”

Ouch….

Hazel let out a deep grunting sigh, “Do you even know what we're made of?...”

Huh? Metal, right? Maybe even gears?... And thise bolts and nuts?...

Despite having an answer in mind, he felt like he would get a second hit from Hazel if he were to say it out loud.

He opted to just give an awkward smile and slowly shrugged his shoulders.

= = = =

How the hell did he not know something so basic???...

Hazel gave herself a head rub.

She had thought of the guy as having a potential to lead the squad. It was the only saving grace for him that made her offer a hand in the first place.

The fact that he was able to break out her fight with Lena just now–albeit weirdly; how he had shown sincerity to work–despite declaring ignorance on her fellow automatas; and even able to show comprehension to the reports in the archive room–which, he still got things wrong from time to time.

But even then, potential is potential. And that's the only important thing for Hazel as of now.

So how come he didn't know anything about automatas?...

Our existence itself is no different from humans, right?…

It should be common knowledge for people to know something basic like what we eat and what we're made of…

Hazel recalled one time even some kids at a local convenience store could instantly recognized her as an automata. They even thanked her for her work–really nice kids.

It really made her wondered how this guy even need to ask Hazel and Fryd whether they're automata or not in the first place.

What about police forces, fire departments and medical services??... Surely he knew of those, no??...

Was it a mistake to think highly of this guy?...

This was the first time she was able to made a deal with a leader where she could have more control over the station management. But even then, those previous leaders knows the basics regarding automata more than him.

Okay… Let's think about this for a bit…

At least this guy knew automata exists…

And knew at least a little bit about A.P.S…

Even none of his questions regarding the report we just did sounded dumb…

But then…

How come when it's related to automata as a being, this guy got brain dead?...

Hazel squeezed her brain to come up with valid reasons for his ignorance. Alas, not much comes to mind.

Maybe he came from somewhere else??... Where topics regarding automata was somewhat rare??...

Having a leader with no common knowledge regarding the very work he would be put in-charge of would be way too risky. If push comes to shove, Hazel would have to teach him the basic from A to Z herself.

I wonder what he would do if any of us got injured in combat…

The thought of the guy calling an ambulance to carry over an automata to a hospital somewhat cringed her heart.

Hazel looked to her right–where Fryd was seated–and even she herself seemed mildly upset about it.

Hazel stop massaging herself; linked her fingers to the chin; and raised an eyebrow.

“What do you even do before this?” she asked.

= = = =

Uhh…. They really looked pissed right now…

Chitose caught himself by the intense gaze of the two girl across him.

Note: It wasn't romantic.

Now… how do I answer her question here…

His past wasn't something he was fond of. And if he would be working with these two for the time to come, then he got even more reason to avoid her question.

Should I just lie about it?...

BEEP!! BEEP!! BEEP!! BEEP!!

Huh?!..

The sound came from Hazel–it was her phone.

“What is—”

By the time Chitose was about to ask her about it, both Hazel and Fryd had already stepped away from their chair.

“COME ON!! WE GOT A JOB!!”

Hazel–already broke into a run–shouted to Chitose who was still seated.

“HUHH?!?! WHAT ABOUT THE FOOD?!?!”

“I'M GONNA KILL YOU IF YOU DON'T HURRY YOUR ASS UP!!!”

CRAP!!..

Chitose immediately got off his chair–stumbling himself to the ground.

“DAMN IT!!”

He pushed himself up and gave chase to the two who had already crossed the intersection.

DAMN IIIITTTTT!!!!!!!