Just as she promised, Leona met with Nia's mother to discuss the food shortage issues. However, Yuel didn't want to bet everything on that alone. He also discussed the situation with Lars to brainstorm more solutions.
"Yo, that sounds awful!" Lars exclaimed. "No dinner? I wouldn't be able to survive that!"
"Yes, there's a high chance you wouldn't," Yuel agreed. "You do eat a lot. Maybe even too much."
"Nah, I burn all the calories during exercise."
"I suppose so," Yuel said. "Anyway, back on topic: do you have any ideas what we can do here? As I said, my mom is planning to discuss this with Nia's mother, but I doubt that'll solve everything, especially if there are financial problems in play."
"Dude, I'mma be real, this problem is way over my head," Lars admitted. "My family is awesome so I just kinda assumed everybody's is like that."
"Unfortunately, that's not the case. For example, my mom is also a single mother."
"Oh yeah, that's true." Lars scratched his head. "I guess there are all sorts of family situations out there. Real complicated stuff."
There was a hint of distance in Lars' voice. He struggled to process the topic. He was blessed with a loving and supportive family, so he couldn't grasp how some families could have it so rough.
"Welp, like I said, this whole thing is way over my head," Lars repeated. "But, I do have one idea."
"Which is?"
"Let's just discuss this with everybody in the club!" Lars pumped a fist. "If two heads aren't enough to figure this out, then just add more, yo!"
"Hrm." Yuel frowned. "I thought about it, but this is a sensitive topic. I'm not sure Nia is alright with the entire club knowing about it."
"Hm? Why not?" Lars tilted his head. "Ya need help to solve this problem, right? So, better involve as many people as possible!"
"I suppose we could start with Vincent and Kai," Yuel conceded. "They're the seniors, so it should be alright to discuss it with them."
In hindsight, it made the most sense to speak with the seniors first. But Yuel felt more comfortable discussing such delicate matters with Lars, so the goof somehow ended up as his first choice.
But, following the advice, Yuel brought up the matter in front of the seniors.
"Dios mio!" Vincent exclaimed. "To think that one of our own had been subjected to such atrocities this entire time!"
"That's some shitty parenting right there," Kai criticized. "No wonder Nia is as thin as a twig."
"My mom spoke with Nia's," Yuel reported. "Apparently, there are financial problems. My mom advised her, but it'll probably take time for things to start changing. Unfortunately, time is something we don't exactly have."
"Indeed, time is of the essence!" Vincent nodded. "Our battle against the Tycoons is right around the corner! We have but a couple of weeks to prepare!"
"I'm less worried about that," Yuel said. "We'll win that one no matter what. The Tycoons aren't a real threat."
"Oh, such confidence!" Vincent exclaimed. "However, I must remind you that everybody must've thought the same thing about Stratus at the start of the year. But, lo and behold how far we've gotten!"
"Yes, because we've actually had multiple achievements throughout the year," Yuel said. "Meanwhile, the Tycoons had none. They're pretty much on the same level as in previous years."
"Yeah, they're trash," Kai agreed. "There's nothing to worry about with that match; the regionals are the real deal. And, Yuel is right, there isn't much time. We've gotta solve Nia's problem ASAP."
Yuel nodded. "So, do any of you have any bright ideas?"
"Eh, this is a tough one." Kai crossed her arms. "Honestly, I'm not very good at these things."
"I do have one idea," Vincent proposed. "We could use the power of friendship!"
Yuel made a face. "This means what, exactly?"
"Each of us could donate a little of our food to her every day," Vincent explained. "Then, these small donations would combine their powers to form a full-course meal!"
"I suppose that's an idea," Yuel said. "But that only applies when we're at school. What about dinner?"
"Hrm, a fine question indeed." Vincent nodded. "I suppose we could use the same approach with our dinners? Take bits of them and…" He realized the issue mid-sentence. "Hmm. Indeed. Delivering all these dinner pieces from multiple sources would be a challenge."
"We could nominate a delivery boy to handle that." Kai threw Yuel a meaningful look.
"You're being absurd." Yuel made a face. "You want me to visit every single member's house and collect food, then ride all the way to Nia's house to deliver all of it?"
"Hey, no pain, no gain."
Yuel gave her a look. "It's not a terrible idea, but it feels like a clunky solution for the long term."
"Well, the 'long-term solution' would be her mom getting her shit together, right?"
"That's assuming her mother can really solve the situation," Yuel said. "Either way, it'll probably take time. Until then, I'd like to come up with a surefire solution for the short-term."
Kai shrugged. "Well, I got nothing else from the top of my head."
"Truth be told," Vincent said. "I do suspect I might have an inkling of an idea, one that far surpasses my previous one. Indeed, it might even be the ultimate solution!"
"Do you always have to build up hype like this?" Yuel made a face. "So, what is it?"
"We will first have to confirm the feasibility of this grand plan with Ben, but he just might be the key to this entire riddle!" Vincent spread his arms dramatically. "Behold, the ultimate solution!"
"Out with it already."
"Very well." Vincent nodded. "Say, do you recall what Ben brought with him for the scrim with the Leopards?"
Yuel raised an eyebrow. "Do you mean the sandwiches?"
"As expected from Chessmaster!" Vincent nodded. "You solved the riddle in an instant!"
"I was just putting one plus one."
"The sandwiches, huh." Kai nodded. "Those were pretty good."
"Indeed, they were!" Vincent agreed. "And, I'll remind you they came free of charge!"
"It's because his parents own a bakery or something, right?"
"Indeed, they do!" Vincent nodded. "And, that's the secret trump card of my idea!"
"Do you mean have them sell food at a discount for Nia?" Yuel asked.
"Even better than that: hand it out for free! The ultimate solution!"
"Just because they prepared a lot of sandwiches for free once, it doesn't mean they can do that every time," Yuel argued. "Surely his parents aren't handing out their products for free on a regular basis. They'd run out of business."
"Oh, but what if I told you they kind of do?" Vincent smiled meaningfully. "My access to the Akashic Records revealed that Ben's parents donate leftover food on a daily basis! Instead of throwing away unpurchased food, they give it to those in need!"
"Huh, that's cool," Kai said. "I bet world hunger would've been solved ages ago if every food business were like that."
"Indeed, I'm of the same belief!"
If only things were ever that simple. Yuel kept that to himself to not ruin the moment. "So, is your big plan to ask them to donate sandwiches to Nia?"
"Indeed, it is," Vincent confirmed. "Based on Ben's testimony, his parents already donate a fine number of goods every day, so they might as well allocate a few for Nia."
"This is a very strong direction," Yuel agreed. "Nia will have a guaranteed supply of food for a long time if they agree to it."
And so, without further ado, the trio discussed the matter with Ben.
"I see," Ben said. "I had no idea Nia's situation was like that. I will ask my parents if they can arrange this."
This was Ben's opportunity to contribute to the team in a big way, in a way nobody else could. So, he absolutely had to do it! This alone won't make up for all the problems he has caused the team until now, but it'll get him one step closer to redemption!
And so, he explained the situation to his parents, who were more than happy to help their son's friend. After that, his parents took it over from there. They discussed the arrangement with Nia's mother.
"But, I can't accept this for free," Marianne said.
"We wouldn't have made a penny from these anyway."
"Still, it doesn't feel right to take it free of charge," Marianne insisted.
"Well, if you insist. Then, we'll 'sell' them to you at a big discount. Think of it as having a monthly subscription."
"That works." Marianne nodded. "Thank you very much for the help!"
"Don't mention it. Please make sure to take good care of your child."
"Yes, of course." Marianne received the first package of this new "subscription" and hurried home to feed her starving daughter.
"Nia, I brought some bread, sandwiches, and more~" Marianne sang. "Some very nice people agreed to give me those at a big discount."
"Oh, goodies!" Nia fished inside the bag. That cheapskate alien robot didn't order me pizza this time, so I'm about to starve to death for real.
Nia stuffed her mouth and took quick bites. "Oh, shis is gud!"
"Oh my, were you so hungry?" Marianne blinked in surprise. "I never knew you were such an eater."
"It's because of that darn exercise." Nia pouted. "It makes me hungry."
"Oh, I see." Marianne nodded. "It's great you're passionate about something and work hard for it."
"It's rough, though."
"I'd imagine. Many people give up because of how hard sports are. But, it's already amazing you've come this far without giving up." Marianne gently stroked her daughter's head.
"Hehe. Yep, I'm the best!"
"Hey, no getting cocky."
"Gufu…"
"Also," Marianne continued. "It looks like you found wonderful friends in that club. You must treasure them."
"Wonderful?" Nia cocked her head. "I dunno about that."
There was an alien robot, a superhuman god of war, a competitive Amazon, a loud hyperventilator, a die-hard memer, and anxiety personified. Thinking of it, the club was filled with a bunch of weirdos!
"Hmm." Nia paused and examined the sandwich she was munching on. "It's good but it feels familiar somehow…. sus." She could've sworn she had eaten a sandwich very much like this not so long ago.
"Oh well." Munch munch munch. She stuffed her growling tummy with no less than two sandwiches. It was a lot compared to her average dinner, which usually didn't even exist.
"Blehp!" Nia burped. "Uuu, I think I ate too much…"
"No need to rush, my dear." Marianne smiled. "From now on, I'll be bringing food like this regularly. Eat some of it at home and some at school."
"Wow, really!?" Nia's eyes sparkled. "Tnx, mom!" She gave her mother a hug.
"No need to thank me," Marianne said. "It's my fault you've been starving all this time."
"Nah, it wasn't that bad. I wasn't moving around much until recently, so skipping dinner was fine."
"No, it wasn't fine. That's what I realize now," Marianne said. "You just got used to it and didn't complain. That doesn't make it fine. I was negligent."
"It's ok, mom. I know things aren't easy. That's why you have to work a lot and stuff."
"I'm sorry about that, too." Marianne apologized. "I hope you're not lonely at home because of this."
"It's ok. I'm doing a super tiring club activity, so I'm pooped when I return home anyway."
"So it seems, haha."
"And, now I also exercise on top of that for some reason…" Nia sighed. "So, there's no time to be lonely. More like, sometimes I want people to just leave me alone, heh."
"Haha, I see."
And so, the family situation brightened. Marianne still had to continue working nightshifts, but at least now she had a surefire way to keep her daughter fed. On top of that, she also received monetary support from one of the organizations she applied to, all thanks to Leona's advice.
With all that support, the near future looked promising. However, the most important question remained: will Nia actually be able to overcome her sleepiness now!?