For the next few days, Law stayed at the Association.
Sabro wanted Law to review the company's fixed assets and current liquid funds, but Law had little interest in money at the moment.
Besides, he still had a pile of extremely valuable treasures he hadn't sold off yet. He really couldn't be bothered to look and pushed the task away.
Seeing Law's lack of concern, Sabro was so angry he nearly coughed up blood. He even threatened to embezzle all the company's assets, only to receive an eye-roll from Law.
Hearing their argument, Salin chimed in lightly, asking for ten billion outright to acquire some rare ancient book copies at various major auctions next year.
While others spent large sums on ancient books for collection, Salin bought them to read.
Law agreed casually and then slipped away, leaving Sabro staring at the sky in speechless frustration.
Leaving the Hunter Association's Headquarters, Buhara followed him.
They wanted to find a nice restaurant, but Law had grown accustomed to high-grade ingredients, so ordinary nine-star restaurants could hardly satisfy his palate.
After searching for a long time without finding a satisfactory place, Law decided to do the opposite.
He first sent a message to Sanbica, then walked with Buhara into a fast-food joint.
They bought a lot of hamburgers and pizza, then headed to a fountain square.
They found a set of steps with relatively few people, sat down, and started eating the hamburgers.
Perhaps it was because he hadn't eaten this kind of fast food in so long, or maybe it was for nostalgia's sake, but the taste was surprisingly acceptable.
Buhara wasn't picky at all, eating with great relish. It was a mystery how he'd earned his Single-Star title.
"Boss, I participated in two Gourmet Hunter competitions. They were delicious!" Buhara said, swallowing a giant cheeseburger in one bite.
"Delicious? You mean fun, right?" Law thought Buhara had misspoken and corrected him.
Buhara insisted, "No, delicious! Because once you reach the top sixteen, not only can the judges taste the contestants' dishes, but the contestants can also sample each other's creations."
"That sounds good," Law said, lacking much interest.
If ingredients could still bring him significant benefits, he might have considered joining the fun.
Buhara didn't notice Law's lack of interest and said excitedly, "Boss, after you get your license, you should participate in the next one! Winning first place can add to your achievements."
"We'll see," Law answered perfunctorily.
It was December, and pedestrians were bundled in cotton-padded coats.
In winter, the sky was often overcast, but it seemed it never snowed here.
After eating three burgers and one pizza, Law stopped. Buhara, however, kept eating nonstop. Fortunately, Law had the foresight to pack a lot.
After a while, a figure in white entered his field of vision.
Law noticed immediately. Looking up at the person's attire, he couldn't help but sigh, 'Is she going to wear the same outfit forever?'
The newcomer was Sanbica, still in that highly concealing white outfit resembling protective clothing, with only her eyes visible.
People in the square cast curious glances at Sanbica's peculiar attire.
Sanbica paid no mind, walking directly towards Law, her steps noticeably quickening, her eyes unable to conceal her joy.
Seeing Sanbica approach quickly, Law patted the spot next to him on the steps.
Sanbica sat down there, turning her head to gaze quietly at Law without saying a word.
Law met her gaze, easily reading many things in those large eyes.
It was a pure, heartfelt joy from reuniting after a long separation.
Then, a touch of pain and regret appeared.
She reached out and grasped Law's empty left sleeve.
Law had told her about it over the phone. Even with prior preparation, she still couldn't easily accept it.
Seeing Sanbica's attention on his missing arm, Law quickly took a pack of potato wedges from the bag, "Want some?"
Sanbica shifted her gaze, looked at the wedges, seemed uninterested, but took them anyway.
Watching Sanbica slowly nibble on one wedge, Law smiled and asked, "Is work going well?"
"Yes. Although I have little rest time, every day is very fulfilling." Sanbica said softly.
"Extremely busy?" Law said.
Sanbica tilted her head in thought, then replied, "Yes."
Law knew a bit about Sanbica's work. In essence, she was a healer who benefited humanity.
"No matter how busy, you need to rest properly."
"Yes."
"Don't let work fill your entire life. Go out for walks sometimes."
"Yes."
"Don't get so busy you forget to eat. Three meals a day, not one less."
"Yes."
...
"Sanbica, I might leave this evening."
"Ah? Can't you stay a few more days?"
Sanbica's lips had been slightly curved, her eyes smiling, but upon hearing Law's last words, her expression faded.
"No, Linne is waiting for me." Law said.
"I see," Sanbica said, lowering her head slightly, seeming to want to say more but hesitating.
Law suddenly took her hand and smiled, "Staying in the lab all the time isn't good. Let me take you shopping."
He pulled Sanbica up, then lightly kicked Buhara, whose attention was entirely on the hamburgers, "Stop eating."
"Okay," Buhara said, getting up quickly.
Sanbica looked at the two of them. A smile appeared on her face beneath the mask. Suddenly, she felt like something was missing.
"Where's Kuro?"
She remembered and asked.
Hearing this, Buhara also suddenly thought of it, "Yeah, how come we haven't seen Kuro these past few days?"
"He's sleeping. Won't wake up for a while. No need to worry about him." Law explained with a normal expression.
Hearing Law's explanation, Buhara and Sanbica stopped thinking about it.
The three of them strolled casually through the streets, as if returning to their days at Heavens Arena.
The smile on Sanbica's face grew wider and wider, and even her mask couldn't hide her joy.
This was a different kind of happiness from work, and she liked it very much.
After walking for a while, Law directly led her into a fashionable clothing store and picked out a form-fitting, backless red dress for her.
"Quick, try this on! It'll definitely look great on you!"
Law held the dress, a wave of laughter spreading across his features.
"Try it on! Try it on!"
Buhara waved a chicken leg in his hand, happily adding fuel to the fire.
"No," Sanbica said, a faint trace of shyness flashing in her eyes as she refused resolutely.
Law wasn't discouraged at all. He picked out a camisole and shorts set next.
"No!" Sanbica's voice rose a notch.
Left with no choice, Law changed styles and picked out a conservative white princess dress, but again met with defeat.
No matter what clothes he picked, Sanbica remained unmoved, showing not the slightest desire to buy any of them.
"I have a lot of clothes, about a hundred sets. So, there's no need to buy more." Sanbica explained.
Hearing this, Law was shocked. A terrifying thought occurred to him. Staring at Sanbica's white outfit, he asked, "Don't tell me all hundred sets are this same style?"
Sanbica nodded slowly.
Law felt his vision darken slightly. The shop assistant nearby looked utterly horrified for a second before quickly composing herself.
"You... you're not planning to wear this outfit even at your wedding, are you?" Law held his forehead, giving up on the idea of buying clothes for Sanbica.
His eyes scanned the women's clothing displayed in the shop, and he thought of Machi.
Hearing Law's words, Sanbica's eyes widened. She instinctively turned her head away, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum, "N-no, I wouldn't."
After saying that, she looked back at Law, only to see him wandering around the shop again. Her momentarily stirred emotions quickly calmed down.
Her unique constitution destined her to never have a wedding in her life.
Across the street from the women's clothing store, on the second floor of a building, there's a slender, strikingly beautiful woman with purple hair and golden eyes.
She stood with her arms crossed, quietly watching the clothing store with a faint trace of resentment in her eyes.