"Shichen, where is this?"
"The fruit stall."
"I can see it's a fruit stall… Why did we come here?" Satella asked, puzzled.
After walking a while, she had calmed down again.
"You really are a little dummy. Forgot already? I said I'd ask a 'familiar stranger' about the area."
"I am not a dummy…" Satella huffed back, then added, "So you mean someone you know is at this fruit stall?"
"Smart girl." Shichen reached out and ruffled her hair.
"Are you mocking me? And why are you getting more and more handsy with my head…" she grumbled—but didn't bat his hand away. Oddly enough, she liked it. His touch was comfortable, like being doted on—something she hadn't felt in a long time. And mostly, she didn't have time to stop him.
"If you don't like it, I'll stop."
"It's not about like or dislike…"
"Then there's no problem."
"Mm…"
"Kid, you again?" the fierce-looking stall owner came out just then.
"Wah! That's the owner? He's kind of scary," Subaru yelped at the sight.
"You can't judge a person by looks. Boss, long time no see," Shichen said, withdrawing his hand from Satella's head and greeting him.
"What 'long time'? Didn't we just meet? Here to buy apples this time?" the boss asked coolly.
"If I buy apples, can I ask you a question too?"
"If you're a customer, sure."
"Then no problem. I don't have money, but I brought someone who does—buying a few apples won't be an issue."
"A VIP, huh." The boss ignored Subaru and looked Satella up and down.
"Eh? Shichen, you mean me?" she asked in a small voice.
"Who else?"
"Um… I'm sorry. I didn't bring any money," Satella said, embarrassed.
"Uh…"
Shichen froze and stared at her in disbelief. "Really?"
"Yes…" She ducked her head, even more embarrassed.
"Kid, you're not here to mess with me, are you?" the boss sighed, eyes going cold.
"Nothing like that. I just didn't expect my companions to be broke."
"I'm so sorry…" Satella apologized, guilt-ridden.
"Not your fault. In that case, on to Plan B."
"Plan B?"
"Look over there," Shichen said, gesturing to the right.
"Eh?" Satella turned—and gasped. Two familiar faces were approaching.
"Well now~ aren't you two our benefactors?" A woman with swaying, coffee-brown hair walked over, holding the hand of a beaming little girl—beam that was for them.
"Onii-san! Onee-san!"
It was the lost girl they'd just helped, and her mother.
"Ma'am… what brings you here?" Satella asked in surprise when they reached them.
"Hehe~ this is my husband's shop. I stopped by to check on things," the woman smiled.
"Your husband… You mean, the boss?"
"That's right."
"What a coincidence."
"Truly."
"No way. Mister, don't tell me you killed this lady's husband and seized the store," Subaru blurted.
"What kind of crap are you spouting? I'm the real owner, and she's my wife!" the boss thundered.
"Hehe~" The wife gave a slightly exasperated smile.
You could hardly blame Subaru—she was slender, gentle, still graceful; the boss had a scar and looked like a criminal. Hard to imagine them married. But people aren't their faces. When the boss called her his wife, he sounded proud—he loved her. Probably why she'd married him.
"Papa~"
"Hey now, have you been good? Still full of energy, huh… By the way, do you know this young man?"
The boss scooped up the little girl who'd run over, grinning like a doting fool.
"Uh-huh! Thanks to Onii-san and Onee-san, I found Mama," she explained.
"I see."
Smiling brightly, the boss set her down and turned to Shichen. "So you're my benefactor after all, kid."
"Life's funny like that."
"It is… Ask me what you need. If I know it, I'll tell you," the boss said sincerely.
Definitely a girl-dad.
"It's nothing major. We're just looking for the nearest slum."
"Slum? Something happen?"
"My companion had something important stolen—we need to get it back," Shichen said, pointing at Satella.
"I see. That sort of place is dangerous. You sure?"
"Don't worry. We may not look it, but we're capable."
"In that case, I'll tell you."
"Thanks."
With directions in hand, Shichen was about to lead them off—when the little girl, hands behind her back, toddled up.
"Onii-san… Onee-san…"
"What is it?" Shichen crouched with a smile.
"Um, this!"
She held out her two little hands. Nestled in her palms were two red, flower-shaped trinkets.
"What's this?"
"A t-thank you gift…"
"A thank you gift…" Satella stared, dazed.
"Please take them. They're just something my daughter made," the mother said, coming up.
"Um…" Satella hesitated, flustered.
Seeing that, Shichen accepted one first and pinned it to his chest. "Thank you, little one. I love it."
"Mm! Onee-san?" The girl looked to Satella.
Satella looked to Shichen; seeing him nod, she reluctantly accepted, then pinned it to her chest just like he had. "Thank you. I'm very happy."
She smiled then—an exquisite smile. Even the little girl looked away, shy. The others—no need to mention.
…
Dusk settled. On a road far from the main avenue, the air grew sullen; it was deathly quiet, with no sign of human or animal life. Eerie and unsettling.
This was the only path into the slums—and Shichen's group took it.
"Um… do we really have to go? Isn't it dangerous? The boss did warn us, over and over," Subaru said from the rear, voice shaking.
"You can wait here," Shichen said, glancing back.
"Can I?"
"Mm. It's my issue, after all. I can't force you," Satella said with a nod.
"Uh…" Subaru wavered. Scared, but didn't want to miss a chance to help a beautiful girl. Why didn't he, a transmigrant, have a cheat like a novel protagonist?
"You still on about that?" Shichen huffed, chopping her lightly on the head.
"Ow… Shichen?" Satella rubbed her head, puzzled.
"I said I'd help you, and I will. Besides, I'm strong—don't treat me like a stranger."
"I…"
"Exactly! A gentleman's word is his bond. I'll stand by mine too!" Subaru chimed in.
"Hehe—don't worry. Even if you get beaten half to death, I can heal you—just don't go and die on me," Shichen said.
"That's not reassuring at all!" Subaru protested.
"Haha~ I'll leave my daughter to you then. I'm tapped out," Puck said, leaning against Satella's neck. His gray fur glowed; his form blurred.
"Thanks, Puck. I'll do my best," Satella said.
"Mm… Don't push yourself too hard. If anything happens, use Od to summon me—even if it's a stretch," Puck said weakly.
"Got it. I'm not a child—I can handle myself," she protested.
"Wouldn't be so sure… I'm counting on you, Shichen." Puck's tiny body broke into motes of light and vanished.
Satella carefully tucked the crystal in her hand into her bosom—the stone where Puck resided.
"Pretty amazing… But why didn't Puck ask me?" Subaru grumbled.
"Lack of self-awareness?" Shichen shot back.
"Seriously…"
"Haha~," Satella chuckled behind her hand.