*

Now, all three of you, please put your left hands on top of each other.

　Makoto and the others put their left hands on top of each other as the priest urged them to do.
　The priest also put his own left hand on top of it.

'O Periolis the Imperishable!

　The priest said a solemn prayer and a window appeared.
　It seemed that they were able to open a joint account.

'This concludes the process of opening a joint account.
Yeah, thanks.

　It's a convenient world, Mako said, letting go of his hand in admiration.
　He turns his back on the priest and walks away.
　The purpose is the receptionist.
　He made eye contact with the girl at the reception desk, so he gave her a small wave.
　The girl looked shyly down and then waved her hand shyly.

I'm going to accept a request, so you guys can wait for me.
Please, Faine.
Yes!

　Fene ran happily to the reception desk.
　Don't fall down, Mako muttered, and sat down in a long chair nearby.
　Yuka sat down next to him.
　Is it because of a sense of caution that she's keeping a slight distance?

''That one's definitely in love with you.
Not again.

　I was reasonably happy with Laura, but the second time around, I was like, 'You're mistaken, aren't you?' I feel like that.

I'm sure Shelly doesn't hate me for it either.
Don't tie everything to love.

　Mako let out a deep sigh.
　Yuka says that Shelly doesn't hate him, etc., but that was just a response to him as the owner of the inn.

'You're not in the groove. Aren't you happy?'
'He didn't confess to me, and I don't have time to think about that.
No way.
I've been with women before.
Oh, my God.

　Yuka said in a tone of voice that said she had lost hope.

'Come to think of it, you're an Araphora. Didn't you have anyone you wanted to marry?'
Why do I even have to talk to you about this?
I was just curious.

　Mako let out another sigh and crossed her legs.

'There was someone I wanted to marry, though.
Why didn't you do it?
I had a lot of debt.
You're a full-blown f*ck-up, aren't you?
For your information, it's not my debt.
So whose is it?
It's a loan from my parents.

　My parents were tricked into taking on debt.
　There are other factors, but I'm not going to go into detail.

'You can still get married with debt, can't you?'
'You can't ask me to work with you to pay off my parents' debt.
I can do it.
Can you work ten years for your in-laws?
That's impossible. Not even my own parents.

　His tone was decisive.

'You should have just abandoned your parents.
Yeah.

　My brother did, though, Makoto added in his mind.
　He still wonders how he became such a selfish person when he was born from the same parents.
　Moreover, he brings his children to visit him after paying off his debts.
　My parents should have shunned him, but he's delirious to his first grandchild.
　I don't blame my nephew, but I can't let it all go by the wayside.
　I wanted him to at least utter an apology.

'Was I twenty-eight when I finished paying off my debts?
I thought you were starting over.
"You can live your life over and over again.

　When she giggled, Yuka's willow eyebrows arched up, as if she thought she was being ridiculed.

''Life doesn't start over that many times.
...sounds like an excuse.
Maybe.

　If you're as old as Yuka, you're probably right.
　Strangely, anger doesn't spring up.
　Instead, emotions that are heavy as lead and dry as sand rise up.

'I didn't have the energy to start something new. In hindsight, I guess I was running out of energy.
There's a lot of things that go on in Alaska.
There's a lot of things that go on in Arapahoe.

　He mutters as he lets out a sigh.

'A word of advice from an old man in Araphora. Use your life for your own good.'
I'll do my best.
Yeah, go for it.

　I really wanted to connect that revenge was a load of rubbish, but for some reason I couldn't say it.

''I mean, you should try your best, too.
Me?
That's not a surprise. You're young again, for better or worse. It's a lie if you don't start living again.
What are you lying about?

　Mako blurted out, and Yuka looked miffed.

'Do you want to start your life over?'
Yes.
But first, I need to get my life in order.
What kind of negativity--
My brother!　I got a request to collect medicinal herbs!

　Yuka's words were interrupted by a bottomlessly bright voice.
　Fene had returned.
　She buzzed the request form happily.

'Well. Now for the shopping.''
You need to take it seriously.
I know.

　Mako rose from her long chair and let out a third sigh.

*

　Fene was standing in front of the Rogers Chamber of Commerce.

''Ah, brother. Are you really going to shop in such an upscale store?''
...in a fancy restaurant.

　It's not that fancy, is it?　Makoto nodded his head.

'What kind of place do you usually shop at?'
When you buy equipment, it's always second-hand.

　When Yuka asked, Fene said in a voice that sounded like a mosquito buzzing.
　It's a good decision not to call him a fence-seller.
　By the way, a fence-seller is a pawnshop that deals in stolen goods.
　It's a word best not to talk about on the main street.

I'll just come in.

　When Makoto took the lead in entering the store, Yuka and Fene followed suit.
　Waiting inside was the same male clerk as the day before yesterday.

''Welcome to Rogers Trading Company... oh?''
Hey, we're back.
Thank you for visiting us, Miss Makoto. What can I do for you today?

　The customer service was more ringing and polite than last time.

'I'm here today to buy some equipment for a buddy of mine.
On your left, sir? Right this way, please.

　A male clerk leads me to an area where they sell equipment.

'It's just like a fantasy, isn't it?'
....

　Yuka is standing in the middle of the area, while Fene is moping around.

'Oi, still pretty good!
Don't run away.

　Makoto grabbed Fene by the scruff of the neck as he tried to escape.

'I told you, this is an investment,'
Okay.

　Fene nodded and moved to the shelf in front of which the basket hand and leg armor were placed.
　Yuka looks at the wand as the male clerk explains it to her.
　She stands behind Fene, wondering if she can leave that one alone.
　What she's looking at is a leather armor.
　It's less expensive than that made of metal.

''Don't be shy, okay?
I'm quick on my feet, and I like to keep my weight down.

　Fene said, tilting the basket hand in his hand.
　I'm sure she's thinking about a lot of things.
　I wouldn't have shopped alone if I knew she was going to be one of them.

''........Oh.

　Mako looked over the shelves and shouted.
　It was because there was a familiar object there - a slingshot.
　However, the shape was quite different from that which he knew.
　The frame was made from a combination of wood and metal, and the grip was reminiscent of a gun handle.
　It even has an aid, perhaps to prevent blurring.
　This slingshot seemed to be able to shoot bullets apart, and there was a metal sphere and arrowhead - which looked like a small dart - placed nearby.

''Well they don't call it a slingshot, do they?
What are you looking at, bro?
That one.

　As I was fishing through my memory trying to remember his name, Fene spoke to me, and I pointed to the slingshot for good measure.
　Fene stood up and pulled her head into Makoto's arms.

'Slingshot, ssss.
Oh, I see.

　What went through Makoto's mind was the sling shot of the swimsuit.
　Indeed, if you ask me, it looks a lot like the weapon in front of me.

''1000A, that's a good price to pay, isn't it?''
It's a sling shot for use against monsters. The materials used are special and the bullets are made of mithril alloy, so it's very expensive.

　I swallow the words "you're a slingshot" as quickly as I can.
　Comparing a weapon to a child's toy is wrong to begin with.

'.........slingshot?

　Mako sullenly looks at the slingshot.
　He wondered if he should equip Fene with it.
　I can't imagine myself and Fene fighting side by side, but I can easily imagine myself covering her with the sling shot.

'Buy it?'
What?

　Fene cowered in a jolt.

'Just right for your weapon, isn't it?'
No, no, brother!　Don't say it with gusto!
I'm thinking in my own way.
But are you sure you want to do this?
It's an investment.
I'm sorry about that.

　Mako picked up a sling shot and two bullets and handed them to Fene.

'Have you chosen your armor?'
It's the one.

　Fene picked up a basket hand, leg armor, and a breastplate.
　They are all leather armor.
　It feels unreliable to Mako, but it's probably enough to take advantage of her quickness.

''Are there any other items I should buy?''
Just in case you need to buy some water pills, they cost 500A a bottle.
We'll just buy two bottles.

　I look around, but there's nothing that looks like water potion.

'The water potion is over there.
Okay, let's move.

　Makoto looks at Yuka.

'Can't you get a little cheaper?'
No, no, that's the best we can do. Would you consider purchasing these boots as well?

　Yuka clutched her wand and stared at the male clerk.
　The male clerk was trying to sell her boots with a troubled expression on his face.

''Where's.......the grimoire?''
Would you like to see this cape as well?　It's the same black as the coat that Makoto-sama bought the other day.
Let's go.
Yeah.

　He walked towards the area where the medicine was being sold.
　On the way there, Fene stops.
　What she sees is a black coat.

''Should I buy this too?''
...well...
'It looks like Yuka's going to buy a black cape too. It's a team color.
Please...

　Fane narrowed his shoulders apologetically.

*

　When Mako and Fene returned to the inn, Shelly rested her hand on her broom and squinted at it.
　They were still closer than the counter, but they couldn't discern it, though they were closer than the counter.

'I'm back,'
Welcome home, sir. You've bought a lot of stuff, haven't you?

　You could tell by his voice. Shelley said the same thing as the day before yesterday.

'It's a necessary investment,'
I'll put it that way.

　Shelly chuckled.
　Maybe she thinks she's feeling bad for whatever reason.

'Fene, go ahead and leave your stuff in your room.
Okay.

　Fene headed upstairs, carrying her bags.
　Good grief, that was quite an expense, Makoto said as he sat down at the counter.
　Sherry entered the counter and poured a glass of water and placed it in front of Makoto.

'You could have helped her, couldn't you?'
I don't want to spoil it that much.

　Mako moistened her throat with lemon water and let out a small breath.
　In truth, it was just hard to help him because he had bought a change of clothes - even underwear.

'What's wrong with Yuka-san?'
He's negotiating for a discount.

　'This is why women,' he swallowed the words.

'Well, that's what women are for,'

　Knowing or not knowing how Mako feels, she says something like that.

'Sir, what are your plans for tomorrow?'
Picking herbs.
Should I pack my lunch?
I don't know.
?

　Shelley tilted her head curiously.

'It's my first job, after all.
Are you sure about that?
Keep your fingers crossed for success.
I always pray for our guests to come home safely.

　Shelley laughs, annoyed.

'If I get in danger, I'll just roll my ass up and run.
That's a relief.

　Shelly said as she let out a sigh.