The town felt louder than before.
Or maybe—
Renji just noticed it more now.
After seeing that massive, empty mansion, every small detail in the streets stood out differently. Shops lined the road in neat rows, voices overlapped in constant chatter, and the scent of wood, metal, and food blended into something strangely comforting.
But Renji wasn't relaxed.
"…We're about to lose a lot of money, aren't we?"
"Yes."
"…You said that way too calmly."
"It is expected."
"That doesn't make it hurt less."
Mizuki didn't respond.
She simply kept walking.
Ahead, a large shop came into view.
Wooden furniture was displayed outside—chairs, tables, cabinets—all neatly arranged. The polished surfaces reflected sunlight, giving the entire place a clean, professional look.
Renji slowed down.
"…This place looks expensive."
"It is a furniture shop."
"That didn't answer my concern."
"It is a good furniture shop."
"That makes it worse."
They stepped inside.
The smell hit immediately.
Fresh wood.
Smooth.
Clean.
A sharp contrast to the dusty mansion they had just restored.
Renji inhaled slowly.
"…Okay, this actually smells nice."
"It indicates quality."
"…Or high prices."
A voice called out.
"Welcome!"
A middle-aged man stood behind the counter, a thick mustache resting proudly above a wide smile. He placed down the cloth he had been using to polish a chair and walked toward them with steady steps.
"New customers, I see."
Renji nodded.
"Yeah… we just bought a house."
The man's smile widened.
"Ah! New homeowners!"
Renji forced a small laugh.
"…Something like that."
"What can I get for you?"
Renji answered immediately.
"Two beds. One dining table. One kitchen shelf."
The shopkeeper clapped his hands lightly.
"Excellent choices! Come, come."
He gestured for them to follow.
They stopped in front of a row of beds.
Large.
Solid.
Well-crafted.
The wood had a deep, rich tone, and the frames looked sturdy enough to last years.
The shopkeeper tapped one proudly.
"These are oak beds. Strong, durable, and very comfortable."
Renji leaned slightly closer.
"…They do look good."
"They are good," the man replied. "Only forty gold coins each."
Silence.
Renji blinked.
"…Forty?"
"Yes."
"…Each?"
"Yes."
Renji turned slowly toward Mizuki.
"…We're leaving."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"That's too expensive!"
"It is reasonable."
"FORTY GOLD FOR A BED IS NOT REASONABLE!"
The shopkeeper crossed his arms.
"Young man, quality has value."
Renji pointed at the bed.
"It's wood!"
"It is crafted wood."
"It's still wood!"
Mizuki stepped forward.
She placed her hand lightly on the frame, running her fingers along the surface.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Analyzing.
"This carving is rough," she said calmly.
The shopkeeper stiffened.
"It is not rough."
"It lacks refinement."
"It is durable."
"It is overpriced."
Renji froze.
"…She just said it."
The shopkeeper frowned.
"…What price do you suggest?"
"Twenty gold coins."
Silence.
Pure silence.
"…That is robbery," the man said flatly.
"It is fair."
"It is unacceptable."
"It is realistic."
Renji leaned toward Mizuki and whispered,
"…Are you trying to start a war?"
"Observe."
"I am observing chaos."
The shopkeeper shook his head.
"I cannot go that low."
"Then we will not buy."
Renji nodded quickly.
"Yes, we will not buy."
The shopkeeper looked between them.
Then sighed.
"…Thirty-five."
"Twenty-five."
"…Thirty."
"Twenty-seven."
"…Twenty-nine."
"Twenty-eight."
Silence.
The man stared at her.
Then exhaled slowly.
"…Fine."
Renji blinked.
"…Wait."
The shopkeeper pointed at Mizuki.
"You bargain like a merchant."
"I bargain logically."
"…You're terrifying."
Renji nodded.
"…Yeah, I agree."
They moved on.
Renji leaned closer to her.
"…We just saved money."
"Yes."
"…That felt illegal."
"It was efficient."
"…I like this version of you."
Next—
The dining tables.
Rows of them.
Different shapes.
Different sizes.
Renji's eyes stopped on one.
A simple round table.
Clean.
Balanced.
"That one," he said.
Mizuki glanced at it.
"…Acceptable."
The shopkeeper smiled.
"Good choice. Only fifty silver coins."
Renji looked at Mizuki.
"…Don't start."
Mizuki looked at the table.
Then at the shopkeeper.
"Forty."
Renji closed his eyes.
"…She started."
The shopkeeper groaned.
"Not again…"
"It is fair."
"It is already cheap!"
"Forty-five."
"…Forty-eight."
"Forty-five."
"…Fine."
Renji opened one eye.
"…You won again."
"Yes."
"…I'm learning."
Finally—
The kitchen shelf.
Tall.
Simple.
Practical.
"This one," the shopkeeper said. "Twenty silver coins."
Renji immediately raised his hand.
"No bargaining."
Mizuki looked at him.
"…Why?"
"Because I'm tired."
"…Understood."
"Thank you."
The shopkeeper wrote everything down.
Muttering quietly as he calculated.
"Two beds… one table… one shelf…"
He looked up.
"Sixty-five gold coins and forty-five silver coins."
Renji winced slightly.
"…That still hurts."
"It is necessary," Mizuki said.
"…Yeah…"
He handed over the money carefully.
"…Can you deliver them?"
"Of course," the shopkeeper replied. "By evening."
As they turned to leave—
"Wait!"
Renji looked back.
"…Yeah?"
The shopkeeper smiled warmly.
"I'll arrange horse carts for you."
Renji's eyes lit up.
"Oh—that's actually really helpful!"
"It is no trouble."
Then—
The man's smile shifted.
Slightly.
"…It makes me happy to see such a young couple starting their life together."
Silence.
Renji froze.
"…What."
Mizuki blinked once.
"…Incorrect."
Renji pointed at her.
"See?! Even she—"
"I can see it clearly," the shopkeeper continued, amused.
"You cannot see anything!" Renji snapped.
"We are not a couple!" he added quickly.
Mizuki nodded.
"We are not."
The shopkeeper chuckled.
"Of course."
"…That tone says you don't believe us."
"I believe what I see."
"You're seeing wrong!"
They walked out.
Fast.
Renji ran a hand through his hair.
"…Why does everyone think that?"
"Your behavior."
"My behavior is normal!"
"It is not."
"…How?!"
"You are loud."
"That's not a reason!"
"It contributes."
They walked in silence for a moment.
Then—
Renji sighed.
"…Today was exhausting."
"It was productive."
"…Yeah…"
A small pause.
"…Still exhausting."
The mansion came into view again.
Standing quietly under the afternoon sun.
Waiting.