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"Um, could you explain the situation first?" (Aunt Matsuko)
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Aunt Matsuko walked up to Aoi Kusakura and Linfan Mizukawa, squatting down in front of them to ask about the situation.
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Behind Aunt Matsuko, elementary school student Wata was hiding beside Grandma Iizumi, while the fishmonger Uncle Oda stood alone on the other side.
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Seeing that no one was intending to start a conflict, Linfan Mizukawa breathed a sigh of relief, sat up straight, and began to explain to everyone, while Aoi Kusakura sat slumped, looking exhausted.
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But in reality, the one who quickly made judgments and formulated this strategy in a short time was Aoi Kusakura.
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She was just acting pitiful, in fact, she was very spirited and not tired at all.
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She made full use of their current advantage as Yui 1, young and good-looking, actively putting themselves in a vulnerable position to win the sympathy of these citizens.
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As long as the other party felt sympathetic, they would not communicate in a hostile manner.
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This first impression was very important, directly determining whether the two of them could succeed.
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"Okay... why don't we all come out first?" (Linfan Mizukawa)
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Linfan Mizukawa and Aoi Kusakura stood up, making way for everyone to walk out.
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Although they said they were walking out to give everyone freedom, in reality, they were just moving from one narrow room to another small room.
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In this plywood room, there was only one chair, the one that Komoe had sat on earlier. Following Linfan Mizukawa's suggestion, everyone gave up the chair for Grandma Iizumi to sit on, while elementary school student Wata leaned against Grandma Iizumi's knees.
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Office lady Aunt Matsuko and fishmonger Uncle Oda stood on Grandma Iizumi's left and right, respectively.
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Once again, Linfan Mizukawa and Aoi Kusakura sat down in front of everyone, officially beginning to explain what had happened.
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Following Aoi Kusakura's instructions, Linfan Mizukawa explained in detail their work at the customs shop, coming here today for a promotion interview, and the treatment they had received, without a word of falsehood.
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During the explanation, Aunt Matsuko sighed and shook her head several times, while fishmonger Uncle Oda crossed his arms in disbelief.
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Grandma Iizumi looked at Linfan Mizukawa and Aoi Kusakura with sympathetic eyes throughout, as if they were her granddaughters.
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"This... is just unreasonable." (Aunt Matsuko)
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"Before this, have you two turned eighteen? You're not minors, right?" (Fishmonger Uncle Oda)
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The fishmonger uncle who had been silent all this while couldn't help but speak out.
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"You're not in a situation where your family is in debt and you're forced to come out and sell yourselves to repay the debt, are you?" (Fishmonger Uncle Oda)
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He even started imagining background stories of tens of thousands of words by himself.
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"In this day and age..." (Grandma Iizumi)
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Even Grandma Iizumi couldn't help but feel emotional.
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"In my generation, after the war, people lived inhuman lives. I never thought that even after so many years, such things still happen..." (Grandma Iizumi)
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"How much debt do you owe? Have you called the police?" (Aunt Matsuko)
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"You can't call the police! Haven't you heard what they said, it's R.E.L.A.X Customs Shop, it's a chain of customs stores under the Manranyama Consortium, the police are in cahoots with them!" (Fishmonger Uncle Oda)
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"How can that be, how can such a thing happen??" (Aunt Matsuko)
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"Young people, you just haven't seen enough, the collusion between black and white has been prevalent since my great-grandmother's generation." (Grandma Iizumi)
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"Well, then what can we do... little sisters, do you have family members at home, who else is there at home?" (Aunt Matsuko)
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"Don't be afraid, speak boldly, Uncle is here to support you!" (Fishmonger Uncle Oda)
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"Aunt is here to support you too!" (Aunt Matsuko)
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"This old lady will support you too!" (Grandma Iizumi)
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Even elementary school student Wata rolled up his sleeves, looking eager to help.
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One can only say that the combination of Linfan Mizukawa and Aoi Kusakura has an extremely strong charm.
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The citizens who could have become their enemies are now completely on the same side as them.
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"Thank you all so much..." (Linfan Mizukawa)
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Tears welled up in Linfan Mizukawa's eyes as she spoke.
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Faced with the situation that was already spiraling out of control, Linfan Mizukawa had no idea what to do and could only go along with it.
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If she were to clarify at this moment that they were not being forced but working at the customs shop voluntarily, the sympathy they unexpectedly gained could dissipate in an instant.
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Now, it was time for Aoi Kusakura to step in.
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"Whimper... whimper..." (Aoi Kusakura)
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While Linfan Mizukawa answered, Aoi Kusakura unexpectedly burst into tears.
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With teardrops the size of beans streaming down her cheeks, it was heartbreaking just to watch.
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"With... with everyone's help, I feel... like nothing to be afraid of anymore." (Aoi Kusakura)
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With her head hung low, speaking with a voice full of tears, Aoi Kusakura deserved an Oscar for her performance.
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"But, just by implicating everyone here, I've already... already let everyone down... whimper..." (Aoi Kusakura)
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"That's not your fault!" (Fishmonger Uncle)
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Seeing Aoi Kusakura in such a pained state, Fishmonger Uncle Oda trembled uncontrollably, trying his best not to rush up and hug Aoi Kusakura tightly.
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Upon hearing Aoi Kusakura blame herself, Fishmonger Uncle Oda was the first to stand up and emphatically deny.
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"Yes, it's not your fault!" (Aunt Matsuko)
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"The one at fault is the Manranyama Consortium that forced you." (Grandma Iizumi)
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Upon hearing this, Aoi Kusakura really struggled not to burst out laughing.
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It was completely unintentional, but how did it turn into an atmosphere of hostility towards the Manranyama Consortium?
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It could easily be classified as the best joke of the year!
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Inside Aoi Kusakura's (Manranyama Souren) heart, she was laughing out loud, but on the outside, she was still sobbing, her acting skills were truly unparalleled.
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"We just hope to live a normal life again, without expecting Manranyama Consortium to pay for anything." (Linfan Mizukawa)
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Understanding Aoi Kusakura's approach, Linfan Mizukawa also joined the pity party.
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"So, how much money do you owe? Although I don't have much, I can still help you a little bit!" (Fishmonger Uncle)
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Fishmonger Uncle eagerly inquired.
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One wonders what punishment his wife would mete out if she found out he had casually promised to help others.
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"Yes, how much do you owe, Auntie can also contribute!" (Aunt Matsuko)
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"Don't look at me as an old lady, I still have some savings." (Grandma Iizumi)
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Faced with everyone's sincere goodwill, Aoi Kusakura and Linfan Mizukawa's mindset gradually began to change.
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Originally, they had only thought to use these citizens to complete their mission.
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But now, feeling everyone's sincerity, Aoi Kusakura and Linfan Mizukawa's consciences began to be tormented, unable to do something that would betray these citizens.
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After exchanging a glance with Aoi Kusakura and completing an eye contact, Linfan Mizukawa made a response.
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"Thank you all, but we cannot take your money. Although it was our parents' fault, they have raised us, so the debt they owe should be repaid by us." (Linfan Mizukawa)
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Beside her, Aoi Kusakura, while crying, nodded along.
