They thought that cooking instant noodles would suffice, but they instantly acknowledged that they would expend more water than usual. Unless their water supply was guaranteed, they decided to settle for fried foods first.
In addition, Samantha supported that cooking eggs early was a better option than instant noodles that have years or months of expiry date. Coupled with cans, they managed to cook a supper that should be just enough to fill their stomach.
Everyone worked together. The boys cooked, the girls helped them while preparing for their supper. Instead of using the gas, they had chosen to light the charcoal, as the girls' actually had a sack of them.
As Nicholas was fanning the charcoal to intensify the radiating heat, he grumbled. "I just heard he was now doing an exercise. Should he not help us, instead?"
"Are you jealous of him?" Axel stared at him. "Why are you being hostile to him?"
"Am I really?" Nicholas shrugged. "I'm just thinking of fairness."
"Say that once you encounter another big zombie later. Was he thinking of fairness, when all you did was watch on the sidelines?"
Nicholas was furious. "What do you want me to do? I am not blessed with fighting power like him. I am not all brawn."
"So, you are saying he is all brawn but no brain?"
Nicholas shrugged and did not say anything.
Axel grinned. "I admit it, not everyone studying in our university is smart, but he is not dumb, at least. Why did he confidently claim he could kill that massive zombie if he is as dumb as you, cowering in the corner?"
"Are you trying to pick a fight with me?"
Axel snorted and sarcastically said, "As if you have that 'all brawn!'"
Nicholas was so incensed he ended up throwing the fan in the charcoal stove and walked away.
"Wait a minute!" Axel grabbed the part of the shirt below his nape.
Nicholas glared at him.
"Do you think you could get away like that after trying to pick a fight with me, huh?"
"W-What is happening?"
Andrew, who noticed the commotion after he left the house once he finished helping the girls to prepare the supper at the table, walked towards them in a slight panic.
"This guy!" Axel pushed Nicholas forward and continued, "He is being hostile to our dear Emperor. What do you think we should do to him?"
Andrew stared at Nicholas and saw the latter's face fuming in anger. Nicholas glared at him and Andrew was taken aback. He was a bit scared of Nicholas' hostility, so he stammered.
"I-I…"
Axel said, "Do you think I have forgotten you struck me with a baston? I knew you were not trying to help me. You just want to hit the Emperor. What has he done to you for you to be so hostile to him?"
Nicholas shouted, "Stop spouting nonsense. When have I ever been hostile to him?!"
"So, you are denying it now, huh?"
Axel grabbed Nicholas' collar and was about to punch him with his right hand, when Andrew grabbed it to stop him.
"S-Stop!"
"Don't stop me. I will beat the shit out of this guy!"
"Try me."
"Stop!"
This time, it was a feminine voice who shouted. They simultaneously turned their heads and noticed it was the pretty Zoe, staring at them with solemn expression.
One by one, girls and boys left the door after hearing the commotion and were stunned to see the sight in front of them.
They did not say anything, waiting for Zoe to settle the disputes.
Axel was about to say anything but under the gaze of Zoe, he slowly retracted his hand and calmed down.
Zoe did not ask what happened but said, "Finish the task. I will report what happened to the Emperor."
She then left without saying anything and everyone followed. Axel, Andrew, and Nicholas were left.
Axel stared at Nicholas with bloodshot eyes and snorted. He turned around and continued his task of basically observing the vicinity outside the gate, reporting for any activities he would notice.
Zoe considered that there might be other people wandering outside, or running away from a zombie, so if Axel, who was as strong as Jasper, would be ready on the pink gate to save them, then the Empire would acquire another manpower.
Meanwhile, Nicholas' only task was to cook the rice. In fact, once he was done, then the supper would start at any time. Basically, once Nicholas was finished with his task, so was Axel and could finally eat.
Who would have thought that Nicholas would obtain his ire?
Seeing Axel finally stand on the gate, Andrew heaved a sigh of relief. However, Axel grumbled.
"If only you are quiet and stop complaining, there will be no conflicts. Honestly, you should just leave. Aside from spouting nonsense, you are not needed, to be honest."
Nicholas was enraged. "What did you say?!"
Thankfully, instead of stopping what Axel was about to say, Andrew walked closer to Nicholas to stop him from trying to physically attack Axel.
Axel shrugged. He knew that Nicholas was being all verbal. As if he can do anything to me. He shook his head and admired the view outside, even though all he saw was the creeping darkness.
Nicholas, on the other hand, was puffing in anger. Andrew tried to calm him down by patting his back, but Nicholas slapped his hand away and focused on fanning the rice.
I swear I will eat all the rice. In fact, the rice was certainly not enough for nine people to be full, but it should suffice in filling their stomach as long as it was divided correctly.
As Filipinos, rice was everything, so eating less rice than usual would indeed be unappealing. However, since they were in the apocalypse, further complaints would only do more harm than good.
Seeing that Nicholas went to focus on his task, Andrew stared at him for a while and sighed.
He entered the door and hoped there would be no more commotion later…