The Healing Butterflies dispersed as Zed led Erina and Hisako into the bustling streets of the Healing Country. Patients in medical gowns shuffled beside tourists snapping photos of bioluminescent flora. Erina's nose wrinkled at the clash of antiseptics and street food aromas.
"Your bodies still have minor issues," Zed remarked, noting the lingering blue butterflies. "Nothing critical, but we'll get you checked."
Hisako frowned. "Why are there… sightseers here? This is a medical city, right?"
"It's both." Zed gestured to a group laughing by a Nectar Fountain, its waters glowing faintly pink. "The Healing Country's spa resorts are world-famous. Recovery doesn't have to be grim."
Erina's gaze drifted to a couple sharing a Mellow Mochi, their fingers brushing. She stiffened when Zed turned abruptly.
"There's something I need to ask." His tone shifted, uncharacteristically formal. "Will you be my temporary partners?"
The word hung in the air.
"P-Partners?!" Hisako's cheeks flushed crimson. In Toriko's world, "partners" implied lifelong bonds—intimate, unbreakable.
Zed raised a placating hand. "Temporary. A trial. You're chefs; I handle ingredients. Synergy matters."
Erina's God Tongue tingled, but not from food. Memories surged: Zed shielding them from millipede shrapnel, his calm explanations of Gourmet Cells, the way his fingers lingered when adjusting her ID photo. Like a shoujo manga…
"I—I'll follow Erina-sama's decision!" Hisako blurted, loyalty overriding fluster.
Erina straightened, channeling her Totsuki regality. "Define 'temporary.'"
"A trial period. We assess compatibility. No obligations."
Liar, she thought. Even in this world, partnerships were sacred. But his eyes—sharp yet earnest—held no deceit.
"I accept."
[Partner System Activated.]
Zed's breath hitched. Golden text flickered in his vision, visible only to him.