They hurried into the storage area beneath the cabin — a cool space filled with crates, jars, and old supplies they had cleaned out days before. Shelves lined the walls, stacked neatly with whatever the old man who once lived there had managed to preserve. Sid crouched down, running a hand along the labels.

"Alright, pick your poison. There's canned soup, dried rations, jerky, beans… your choice."

Evelise's eyes landed on a familiar can. She reached out and held it close, smiling faintly.

"This one. The canned beans. I picked it up last time, remember? I want to taste it again."

Sid chuckled. "Beans, huh? Classy. Alright, I'll grab something to match that — maybe this old canned stew."

They also took a bottle of clean water, a small tin of crackers, and a bit of salt from the supplies. Once they brought everything up, Sid scratched the back of his neck.

"You know… we don't actually know how to cook these. I mean, I still haven't unlocked that part."

Evelise waved him off with a small grin.

"Don't worry. These aren't for cooking. They're apocalypse-grade rations— just open and eat. No effort needed."

Sid chuckled, opening one of the tins.

"You're right. Still, I think I'll make it a little less boring."

He rummaged through his crafting kit and pulled out a few pieces of polished wood from the corner. His hands moved quickly as he started carving. Small flakes of wood fell to the floor while Evelise watched curiously from the side.

Minutes later, the faint chime returned.

[SYSTEM MESSAGE!]

[Crafting Complete!]

[Item Crafted: Wooden Spoon x2]

[Item Crafted: Wooden Fork x2]

[Item Crafted: Wooden Bowl x2]

[Item Crafted: Wooden Cup x2]

Sid leaned back, admiring his handiwork.

"There. If we're going to eat like humans again, might as well do it properly."

Evelise smiled softly, brushing her fingers along one of the bowls.

"You really put effort into small things, don't you?"

"Well, it's not every day a zombie girl asks for lunch."

Evelise rolled her eyes but laughed.

"Fair enough. Now open the can already — I'm starving."

They sat down by the small table near the fire, their new wooden bowls filled with beans and stew. Sid opened his can first and handed a spoon to Evelise.

"Alright, moment of truth. Take it slow, okay?"

Evelise stared at the beans, her hands trembling slightly. The last time she tried to eat, it had ended in pain, bitter metal on her tongue, a taste like rot that made her sick to her stomach. But now… something felt different. She scooped a spoonful, brought it close, and hesitated. Then, slowly, she took a bite.

The flavor hit her instantly, soft beans soaked in salty broth, warm and rich. Her eyes widened. It didn't taste like poison. It tasted real. It tasted alive.

"I… I can taste it,"

She whispered. Her lips quivered, and before she could stop herself, tears started to fall.

"Wait, hey — you okay?"

Evelise nodded, her voice breaking between sobs.

"It's good… it's really good… It tastes like what I've been craving since my past life."

She laughed through her tears and took another spoonful, then another, devouring the food as if afraid it would disappear. Sid just watched, smiling softly as he pushed his own bowl toward her.

"Here. You can have mine too."

Evelise shook her head mid-chew, but he insisted, sliding the bowl closer.

"Eat. You've earned it."

She hesitated for only a second before digging in again, eating with a hunger that wasn't just from her stomach — it came from her heart. She ate until her hands shook, until her breath hitched between bites, and Sid had to hand her some water before she choked.

"Slow down,"

He said gently, smiling as he wiped a bit of broth off her chin with his thumb. She drank the water, still sniffling, and finally looked up at him. Tears glistened in her eyes, but there was no sadness — only joy.

"Thank you… Sid."

Sid froze for a second, blinking in disbelief.

"You… called me Sid. Not HUMAN!?"

Evelise laughed weakly, brushing her tears with the back of her hand.

"Yeah. Guess you earned it, too."

For a moment, he couldn't speak. He just smiled — a quiet, genuine smile that reached his eyes. Seeing her eat, seeing her alive like this, filled something in him he hadn't realized was empty.

[Task Completed: The Taste of Life]

[+15 Bond Points gained]

[Current BP: 65/100]

[Heart Status: Violet]

Sid leaned back, exhaling softly.

"So… that's it, huh? Guess that meal meant more than just food."

He stared at the glowing interface, watching the heart symbol pulse faintly.

"These tasks are kinda tough, but the bond points come in fast. At this rate, I might advance her heart again soon… wonder what color it'll be next, huh."

After they finished eating, Sid stood by the water pump, the late afternoon light gleaming across the metal handle as he rinsed the last of their wooden bowls. The water splashed softly, carrying away bits of broth and soap. He worked slowly, humming under his breath. For once, he didn't mind doing chores. Every sound around him— the rustle of trees, the creak of hanging laundry, and the distant hum of wind— made him feel alive.

A few feet away, Evelise stood in the open air, her face tilted toward the sun. Her silver hair shimmered as it blew in rhythm with the clean clothes swaying on the line. She took a deep breath, letting the warmth soak into her skin.

Sid looked up from the pump, watching her quietly. The way she stood there, glowing in the light, made her seem almost human again. He smiled faintly.

"She looks… happy. Makes me rethink how NPCs are actually coded. She's been acting strange lately— better, even. It's like her attitude got patched by the devs or something, haha."

Evelise turned to him, her lips curving into a small grin. She stepped closer.

"And I've decided something."

Sid tilted his head, drying his hands with an old rag.

"That sounds dangerous. What now?"

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