Chapter 92: 92: Lucky Cat Café
As soon as Aiden and Kaela stepped outside the airport, they were greeted by a stunning view of San Fransokyo's skyline. Towering skyscrapers gleamed in the sunlight, their designs a perfect fusion of traditional Japanese architecture and cutting-edge modernism.
The Golden Gate Bridge loomed in the distance, adorned with lantern-like lights that gave it a unique flair. The streets bustled with energy, from autonomous cars humming silently along the roads to floating delivery drones zipping through the air.
"Wow," Aiden breathed, adjusting the strap of Nimbus's cage on his shoulder. "This place is incredible."
Honey Lemon beamed, bouncing slightly on her feet. "Welcome to San Fransokyo! You're going to love it here. It's like the heart of innovation!"
Go Go Tomago smirked, leaning against her bike. "If you can keep up, that is."
Kaela tilted her head slightly as she took in the sights. "This city lives up to its reputation."
Fred, the self-proclaimed mascot of the group, waved his arms dramatically. "And we are your guides to this wonderland of science and awesomeness! Follow us!"
With that, the group began their tour of the city. Tadashi led the way, his calm and friendly demeanor making him an excellent guide. "We'll start with the basics. This island isn't just a city; it's a hub for innovation, creativity, and cultural fusion. Everything you see here is the result of decades of collaborative effort between brilliant minds."
They stopped at a public park, which featured interactive holographic displays for kids, benches with built-in solar charging stations, and a massive koi pond that doubled as an eco-friendly water filtration system for the neighborhood.
Wasabi pointed out the technological intricacies of the pond, explaining how nanobots maintained the water quality.
"Even the parks here are cutting-edge," Aiden remarked, crouching to get a better look at the pond. Nimbus, curious as ever, sniffed at the edge of his cage.
Next, they visited one of the city's famous floating markets. Platforms hovered gently above the water, held aloft by electromagnetic stabilizers. Vendors sold everything from high-tech gadgets to traditional handmade goods.
Aiden was particularly fascinated by a stall selling self-repairing fabrics. Honey Lemon enthusiastically explained the chemistry behind them, her eyes lighting up as she delved into the details.
Kaela, meanwhile, kept a sharp eye on their surroundings. "This place is an engineer's paradise," she murmured.
After exploring the city's landmarks, the group made their way to San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. The campus sprawled across several acres, its sleek buildings connected by glass corridors and shaded pathways.
Solar panels adorned every roof, and students whizzed by on hoverboards or drones.
"This," Tadashi said, spreading his arms wide, "is SFIT, where the magic happens."
Fred chimed in, "And by magic, he means science, tech, and the occasional explosion in the chem lab."
Honey Lemon giggled. "Not that we're pointing fingers or anything…"
The group led Aiden and Kaela into the main building, where they were greeted by a professor with a kind face and a slight stoop. "Welcome, Mr. Wilhelm and Ms. Kaela," he said warmly. "I'm Professor Callaghan, head of the robotics department. We're thrilled to have you here."
Aiden shook his hand firmly. "Thank you, Professor. I'm excited to be here."
As they walked through the halls, Callaghan introduced them to various professors and students. Each lab they passed seemed more advanced than the last.
There were rooms dedicated to artificial intelligence, others focused on nanotechnology, and even a massive chamber where students tested prototype vehicles.
One lab caught Aiden's attention—a room filled with holographic projections. Students manipulated the images with gestures, designing complex machines in real-time. Tadashi noticed Aiden's interest and grinned.
"That's our simulation lab. You can design and test prototypes without needing physical materials first. It's a game-changer."
Kaela nodded approvingly. "Efficient and cost-effective."
The group eventually led Aiden to a large, well-equipped robotics lab. "And this," Callaghan said, gesturing proudly, "is where you'll be working."
Aiden's eyes sparkled as he took in the array of tools, machinery, and workstations. "This is… incredible."
Fred clapped him on the back. "Wait till you see what we've made here!"
"Speaking of which," Honey Lemon said, tilting her head curiously, "we heard you're quite the inventor. Do you have anything you can show us?"
Aiden hesitated for a moment before placing Baymax's briefcase on the table. "I wasn't planning on showing this just yet, but…"
He tapped a sequence on the case, and with a soft hum, it unfolded. Panels slid apart, and in moments, Baymax stood fully assembled, his sleek white form gleaming under the lab's lights. The group stared in awe.
"What… is that?" Go Go asked, her usual aloofness replaced by genuine curiosity.
"This," Aiden said, a proud smile spreading across his face, "is Baymax. My personal healthcare companion."
Baymax powered up, his eyes lighting up as he scanned the room. "Hello. I am Baymax, your personal healthcare companion. How may I assist you today?"
The group erupted in excitement, each of them asking questions and examining Baymax from every angle. Tadashi was particularly intrigued. "This is… revolutionary. How did you manage the AI integration?"
Aiden launched into an explanation, detailing the process of creating Baymax and the unique algorithms that powered him. The group listened intently, their respect for Aiden growing with each word.
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The walk to the Lucky Cat Café was pleasant, with the group laughing and chatting as they weaved through the lively streets of San Fransokyo. Nimbus was perched comfortably on Aiden's shoulder, his tiny paws clutching Aiden's hoodie as he sniffed the air, clearly intrigued by the new environment.
Baymax followed close behind, his smooth gait a stark contrast to Fred's energetic bounds.
"You're going to love the café," Tadashi said, leading the way. "My aunt runs it, and she makes the best food in the city."
"Is she nice?" Aiden asked, glancing at Kaela, who walked silently but attentively beside him.
"Oh, Aunt Cass is the best," Honey Lemon chimed in. "She's like the mom of the group when we're not in the lab. You'll see."
The café itself was cozy and inviting, with warm lighting, shelves filled with cat-themed knickknacks, and the faint smell of baked goods wafting through the air. A bell jingled as Tadashi pushed open the door, and a cheerful voice called out from behind the counter.
"Tadashi! You're back early! And you brought friends!"
Aunt Cass emerged from the back, wiping her hands on her apron. She was the very picture of warmth and hospitality, her brown hair tied back loosely and her smile as radiant as the sun. Aiden froze the moment he saw her.
Aunt Cass wasn't just warm and welcoming—she was stunning. Her mature features, curvaceous figure, and effortless charm screamed ultimate MILF. Aiden's brain stuttered as his thoughts tangled in a flurry of admiration and awkwardness.
"Hi, Aunt Cass," Tadashi said, hugging her briefly. "This is Aiden and Kaela, the new intern and his secretary."
Aiden snapped out of his trance just in time to shake her hand. "It's nice to meet you, ma'am."
"Oh, none of that 'ma'am' stuff," Cass said, waving her hand dismissively. "Call me Aunt Cass. Any friend of Tadashi's is a friend of mine."
Kaela gave a polite nod, her composure still intact. "Thank you for having us, Aunt Cass."
Cass's eyes sparkled. "Of course! Let me whip up something for you all. Make yourselves comfortable!"
They settled at a large table near the window, and Cass soon returned with a feast of sandwiches, pastries, and drinks. As they dug in, Hiro entered the café, his hair slightly messy and a curious look on his face.
"Hiro!" Tadashi called. "Come meet Aiden and Kaela."
Hiro shuffled over reluctantly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the newcomers. "Hey," he mumbled, his tone bordering on cautious.
"This is my little brother, Hiro," Tadashi said with a grin. "He's still deciding whether or not to join SFIT."
"Hi, Hiro," Aiden said warmly. "Nice to meet you."
Hiro nodded but didn't say much, opting instead to sit beside Tadashi and nibble on a pastry. Nimbus, however, broke the ice by hopping onto the table and scurrying toward Hiro, who blinked in surprise.
"What is that?" Hiro asked, pointing at the small creature.
"This is Nimbus," Aiden said, scooping up the chinchilla. "He's my little buddy. Looks like he likes you."
Nimbus sniffed Hiro's hand before nuzzling it, drawing a rare smile from the younger boy. "He's kinda cute."
The group quickly fell into a rhythm of conversation, with everyone taking turns sharing stories. Honey Lemon talked about her childhood obsession with chemistry, while Go Go described her love of speed and mechanics. Wasabi shared his meticulous organizational habits, which led to some good-natured ribbing from Fred.
"Wasabi's the guy who alphabetizes his spices," Fred teased, earning a groan from Wasabi.
"Someone has to bring order to chaos," Wasabi retorted. "Unlike you, who probably can't even find matching socks."
Aiden chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Sounds like you guys have a pretty tight-knit group."
Fred grinned. "We're like family. Dysfunctional, sure, but family."
"What about you, Aiden?" Tadashi asked. "What's your story?"
Aiden hesitated, glancing at Kaela, who gave him a subtle nod of encouragement. "Well, I come from a unique background. My family's pretty big on tradition, but I've always been more interested in tinkering and creating things."
"And what about Nimbus?" Honey Lemon asked, reaching over to pet the chinchilla. "How'd you end up with him?"
"Oh, Nimbus sort of adopted me," Aiden said, laughing. "I saw him in a pet shop back in Musutafu, and he just drew me in."
Fred leaned forward conspiratorially. "Okay, but real talk—what's the craziest thing you've ever built?"
Aiden smirked, gesturing toward Baymax, who was quietly observing the room. "You're looking at him."
Cass, who had been listening from the counter, approached with a tray of refills. "I have to say, Aiden, you've got quite the aura about you. You remind me of Tadashi when he first started out."
"High praise," Go Go muttered, popping a piece of pastry into her mouth. "Don't let it go to your head."
Aiden blushed slightly, scratching the back of his neck. "Thanks, Aunt Cass. That means a lot."
As the meal went on, the conversation grew livelier. Hiro warmed up to Aiden, asking pointed questions about his inventions and making quick, insightful observations.
Fred, ever the clown, started making up outrageous superhero scenarios. "Picture this: Nimbus gets struck by lightning and gains super speed. He becomes… Thunder Chinchilla!"[A/N: Hint hint]
Honey Lemon giggled. "And he fights crime with his adorable fluff powers!"
Wasabi rolled his eyes. "Can we focus on reality for five minutes?"
Cass laughed, her hands on her hips. "Fred's imagination keeps things interesting around here. But speaking of heroes, Aiden, do you plan to focus on hero work, or are you more into the tech side of things?"
"Honestly, both," Aiden replied. "I love inventing, but I also want to make a difference in the world. I think combining the two is the way to go."
"That's a good mindset," Tadashi said, nodding approvingly. "It's not just about what you make—it's about how you use it."
By the end of the meal, Aiden felt like he'd known the group for years. Aunt Cass packed them each a small box of pastries "for the road," and Nimbus had earned a permanent place in her heart after stealing a cookie and nibbling it adorably on the counter.
As they stepped out of the café, Aiden turned to Tadashi. "Your family's amazing. Thanks for bringing us here."
Tadashi smiled, clapping Aiden on the shoulder. "You're part of it now. Welcome to San Fransokyo."
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