The sun was setting as we stepped out of the shop. The street market glowed in soft orange light, slowly fading into evening.
Mac and I walked side by side, talking with bright smiles, weaving carefully through the crowds.
We reached a small shop. I handed over one coin and bought two loaves of bread.
Finding a quiet alley nearby, we settled down. Mac lowered his head slightly, holding the bread in his lap, and said with a soft, thoughtful expression,
"Are you really… Loid?"
I blinked.
"What?"
Mac gazed at me contemplatively.
"Loid… you really have changed since you woke up. You're… different. Smarter, more confident… like you know exactly what to do."
A bright smile spread across my face.
"Yes, Mac. I have changed. And like I told you before—we won't be begging anymore. No one will look down on us."
Before I could continue, Mac's voice slipped out.
"You earned that money with that mysterious magic of yours. I didn't do anything. Should I really deserve to stay with you… or eat with you?"
I laughed lightly, my smile shining.
"Come on, what are you saying? You are my right-hand man. I can't handle everything alone—I need you. You are my friend. Won't you help me run my business? I can't do everything by myself."
Mac laughed too, his face bright.
"Okay, I'll work hard from now on."
I chuckled softly, nodding. Inside my mind, I reminded myself,
"Sorry, Mac… you're a good boy. But after Tina and Rina's betrayal, I can't trust anyone as a friend. You can only be my right hand."
We began heading toward the Beggar's Alley. Darkness had already crept in.
I thought quietly,
"So many people will be in the alley… well, it's safer than that garbage heap I first woke up in. No gangs, no guards, no smell… it's good enough to sleep."
By the time we reached the alley, I opened the system and topped up 5 of my 7 coins, gaining 96 points.
[System Interface – Top-Up]
Coins Inserted: 5
Points Gained: 56
Walking together, Mac whispered, a small, concerned frown on his face,
"Loid… shouldn't we give some food to the aunts, Grandpa, and others?"
I shook my head.
"Sorry, Mac… we can't. It will make others suspicious about how we got the money to bring food. We can't tell anyone about our business."
Mac lowered his gaze, silent but understanding.
By the time we reached the alley, I opened the system. I topped up 9 of the 11 coins, gaining 96 points.
Inside the alley, people were scattered. Some were standing, talking quietly; some were sitting; a few lay down to rest. I observed them all, taking mental notes.
In the corner, I saw the old man Roberto sitting. His face expressionless, he said,
"Where were you two? Hasami and Moneru were looking for you everywhere."
I thought quietly, "Minaru… oh, the woman who gave me water."
"We were begging in the street market and watching out for guards," I said. "So they wouldn't find us. But sorry for making you worried."
Roberto's voice was calm but approving.
"Looks like you've changed a lot… more grown-up. And you should not say sorry to those two women still looking for you."
Mac's anxious voice broke the moment.
"Loid, let's look for the aunts."
I nodded.
"Okay, let's go."
Before we could start searching, Hasami and Moneru appeared.
Hasami, worried, hugged us tightly.
"Where were you two? We even asked the guards about you. We were worried! Did anything happen?"
Mac replied,
"We are fine, Aunt Hasami."
I thought quietly, I don't know why, but it felt good when Hasami hugged me.
Moneru walked up, frowning, and lightly smacked both our heads.
"You brats… where the fuck were you?"
We slouched, pressing our heads down, letting out an 'isshh' sound.
Mac said,
"Aunt Moneru, we're sorry, but you hit us too hard!"
Moneru smacked us again. Mac winced,
"Ouuuch!"
Moneru scolded,
"Do you know how worried Hasami was?"
Hasami, fox-like and sharp-eyed, said quickly,
"Moneru was even more worried than me! She even wanted to confront the guard—he was laughing at us when we asked about you!"
Moneru, blushing slightly with a shy, tsundere expression, muttered,
"Who said I was worried?"
Mac and I laughed quietly.
In my thoughts: Mac said Moneru is energetic and even kinder than Hasami. And as I looked at Roberto's expressionless face… I think he even smiled slightly.
Arim, perched on the wall above, watched everything silently with his poker face, unnoticed by anyone else.
Then Moneru scolded us for a long while.