Another day in City-Z, everything returns to normal. Washuwamido and Mr. GON are still in the hospital, recovering from their injuries. Meanwhile, Yuri is in a special facility, attempting to regain his lost sanity.

Most of the MonsterTamer executives are displeased with what happened. No monsters fell under the guild's custody, as all the tamed monsters were used against Fat Man.

While I was busy serving patrons at my food cart, I noticed Alice standing in line, wearing a hoodie, sunglasses, and face masks. When it was her turn, I greeted her.

- Good morning, why are you covering your face? -

To my surprise, she responded in a deep tone, pretending not to be Alice.

-- Whose Alice!? I'm a man, can't you see!! --

- Okay, Mr. Here's your curry -

I said, trying not to laugh at the disguise.

As I handed over the curry, her sunglasses fell, revealing her eyes that were glowing with excitement to taste the food.

While I was serving at the food cart, Sarutobi approached us.

--- Hey Hiro, Alice, I need your help, both of you --- 

he said.

Alice was surprised that someone recognized her for the second time despite her disguise.

-- I'm not Alice! --

 she retorted in a deep, manly voice, and then she punched Sarutobi in the face. Sarutobi was sent flying through the street, and Alice quickly ran behind an establishment.

Then she returned without her disguise..

-- Hiro, Sarutobi, what a coincidence. --

 She greeted us as if nothing had happened.

Sarutobi and I exchanged glances before bursting into laughter. 

As we sat down at the table, Sarutobi explained why he needed our help. He was scouting a potential A Class tamer, but something about the person made him suspect that they possessed the ability to vanish. He wanted both of us to follow the mysterious individual discreetly and place a tracker in his jacket. Sarutobi had already deployed hidden cameras and drones to support our mission, and he would guide us from a safe distance.

-- I refuse. I don't see anything that will benefit me --

Alice responded firmly.

Sarutobi raised an eyebrow, teasingly reminding her.

--- Well, I'll forget that you pretended to be a different person just to eat Hiro's gourmet. ---

Alice's face flushed with embarrassment, realizing her disguise didn't work as well as she had hoped. 

-- Okay fine, I'll do it! --

 she relented.

Then Sarutobi handed us earphones.

 --- Come on, wear this. We'll stay connected throughout the operation. ---

So the operation has begun, Sarutobi pointed out a Man, wearing a gray hoodie. Sarutobi then left to return to headquarters, where he would closely monitor the man's movements.

Alice and I trailed behind the man, waiting for the perfect opportunity to place the tracker on him. We moved with caution, trying not to draw any attention to ourselves. Suddenly, the man vanished out of sight, leaving us puzzled.

--- Hiro, Alice, there's a nearby ocean park to your left. I saw him go inside, follow him ---

Sarutobi's voice sounded through the earphone 

Without hesitation, we sprinted towards the ocean park. As we entered, the vast and fascinating world of sea creatures unfolded before our eyes. Large glass tanks were filled with an array of aquatic animals, mesmerizing Alice.

We navigated through the enchanting exhibits,  captivated by the underwater wonders. The park's serene ambiance contrasted with the excitement of our mission.

As we continued to roam the ocean park in search of the man, our efforts appeared futile. The man's elusive nature made him challenging to track. Just as frustration started to set in, Sarutobi's voice sounded through the earphones, breaking the silence.

--- Alice, Hiro, he's at the mall!! ---

We wasted no time and immediately sprinted towards the mall, The munchies transformed into agile dog-like creatures, eagerly following the scent of the man. 

As we walked through the mall, Alice's eyes lit up with excitement, like stars shining in the night sky.

-- There are so many stores --

she said, her voice filled with wonder.

I couldn't help but tease her

- Wait, is this your first time inside a mall? -

Her face instantly turned red, and she stammered

 -- Of course not!! --

I knew she was definitely lying, but I decided not to press further. It was endearing to see this side of her, embracing the joy of exploring the bustling mall for the first time.. 

As we continued our search for the man, Alice's eyes continued to glimmer with curiosity. She seemed fascinated by the diverse array of items displayed in various stores. At each turn, she would pause to inspect and admire the products, her excitement palpable.

In the midst of our mission and the tension surrounding the hunt for the elusive man, Alice's childlike wonder brought a sense of lightness to the moment.

As we continue walking, I saw a red ribbon that I thought would suit her, I couldn't resist buying it, even though I felt shy about giving it to her. Perhaps I'd find the right moment another time.

Then Alice walked swiftly towards me, she pulled me along and asked for my opinion on the clothes she tried on. I agreed, trying to hide my nervousness.

She moved the curtain in the dressing room to reveal her first dress—a purple one that made her skin look even more radiant and glowing. My heart skipped a beat, and I wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked, but my nerves got the best of me. All I managed to say was, - - Well, not bad. -

Next, she tried on a red shoulderless dress, and though it was a little short, her legs looked stunning. My thoughts started to wander in an inappropriate direction, and I quickly shook my head to refocus.

- That suits you, Alice -

 I managed to say, my cheeks turning crimson.

To my surprise and embarrassment, my nose started bleeding. I hurriedly tried to wipe it away, feeling utterly flustered.

-- Well, thanks, I guess --

Alice replied, seeming a bit taken aback. She decided to buy the red dress without hesitation.

As we continued exploring the mall, my mind was still preoccupied with Alice's beauty. Despite the awkward moments, I felt grateful for the chance to see a different side of her—one that was playful and expressive.

As Sarutobi's voice came through the earphones.

--- Hiro, Alice Did you find the man ---

- Not yet -

 I replied, glancing at the munchies, who affirmed by nodding before they started to run.

Alice and I continued to explore the mall, and her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked at the movie section. Knowing it was her first time in a mall, I asked if she wanted to watch a movie.

-- Watch!? --

she repeated, her face lighting up with surprise and excitement.

- Yes, we can watch the movie from the poster on a big screen - 

I explained.

Alice eagerly nodded, and without hesitation, we made our way to the cinema. The anticipation of sharing this experience with her brought a sense of joy and warmth.

As we settled into our seats at the cinema, Alice seemed startled by the loud sound of the movie introduction echoing through the room. Her reaction was endearing, and I couldn't help but smile.

As we sat beside each other, her arm unintentionally brushed against mine. My heart skipped a beat at the unexpected contact, but I tried to act casual, focusing on the movie unfolding before us.

To my surprise, the man in the gray hoodie, our target, was also present in the same cinema. I nudged Alice subtly, gesturing towards the man. Her eyes widened in recognition, and we both exchanged knowing glances. This unexpected encounter added a layer of intrigue to our mission.

As the movie "Shenks: The Pirate King" played on the big screen, we were transported into a thrilling and fantastical world of pirates, treasures, and epic adventures. The story of Red Haired Shenks, a green ogre turned pirate, captured our imagination.

As the movie reached its climax, emotions ran high. Shenks met his demise at the hands of Orange Beard, another formidable pirate. However, a brave young boy named Woofy emerged to defeat Orange Beard, wielding an ancient weapon to shatter the "Blue Line," which divided the world into four seas.

The epic moment of unity came as the world's seas merged into one, symbolizing a new era of boundless possibilities and adventures, The entire world became One Piece. The message of overcoming challenges and bridging divides resonated with us, drawing parallels to our own journey.

As the movie ended, I couldn't help but smile as I saw Alice peacefully sleeping beside me. She looked so calm and gentle in her slumber. I lightly touched her arm, gently waking her up.

- Alice, we need to go - I whispered.

Startled, she asked, -- What happened!? --

- Well, you fell asleep in the first 10 minutes of the movie -

I replied, trying not to chuckle.

We walked outside the theater, continuing our search for the elusive man. Alice's eyes lit up as she spotted the arcade. Eager to have some fun, she headed straight for the games, and I followed suit.

Alice began clicking buttons with enthusiasm. -- Look how powerful I am! I'm gonna beat this game! --

she declared, a playful spirit shining through.

I couldn't resist teasing her.

 - Wait, you need to buy tokens first before you can play. -

Her laughter filled the air as she playfully admitted

 -- Yes, of course. I was just messing around, haha! --

She approached a staff member to inquire about buying tokens, and soon, we were both engrossed in playing games, battling each other with unstoppable laughter and joy.

It was the first time I saw Alice having so much fun, and it made my heart soar. Her beautiful face glowed with happiness as she smiled, and I couldn't help but be captivated by her infectious joy.

As night fell, Alice and I decided to call it a day and head home. However, I couldn't resist asking her if she wanted to eat somewhere.

-- Okay, let's eat at your food cart. You cook --

she replied with a smile.

Back at the food cart, Alice watched me with curious eyes as I started cooking. I poured my heart and soul into the dish, determined to make it the tastiest food she had ever had. Cooking for her became an expression of my feelings, and I wanted her to know how much I cherished her presence.

As I neared completion, she approached me, expressing her gratitude

-- Thanks, Hiro. It was fun. --

Surprised and caught off guard, I pretended not to have heard her clearly, asking.

 - What!? -

She chuckled softly

-- Nothing, idiot --

 before returning to her seat.

I served her a portion of Katsudon, and she enjoyed it so much that she asked for another serving. Watching her savor the food, I felt a sense of fulfillment, knowing I had managed to bring her joy through my culinary art.

When she was done, she booked a taxi service to drive her home. As she prepared to leave, she suddenly shouted,

 -- Hiro!!! It was fun, thanks! --

Her words echoed in my heart, and my face flushed with a mix of surprise and happiness. I wanted to respond, but before I could, she blushed and quickly got into the car, which drove away.

Then the munchies ran towards me, and the man in the gray hoodie approached me while playfully teasing.

-- So, Hiro, how was your date? --

- It was fun. I've never seen her like that before. Thanks, Sarutobi - 

I replied, feeling grateful.

-- Don't mention it. Me and the munchies also had fun, I must say, the shadow clone jutsu came in handy -- he chuckled.

With a warm smile, I said, - Thanks again. Do you want some katsudon? -

-- Of course!! -- Sarutobi eagerly accepted the offer.

And so, we all sat together, enjoying the delicious katsudon I had prepared. The laughter and camaraderie filled the air, making it a night to remember.

As another peaceful day came to an end in City-Z, Hiro felt a deep sense of connection with his friends. The adventure they had shared, the surprises, and the laughter had strengthened their bond, making them a formidable team ready to face any challenge that lay ahead....