Shea walked down the street, dazed and disheartened. She didn’t even grab her candied haw, heading straight home.
“Well… well, being alone is pretty free and easy.”
Shea muttered this to comfort herself.
“No more worrying about loan collectors bothering Orphan Haven. At most, they’ll just bother me.”
No one knew who Shea was talking to. The bustling street ignored a small girl like her.
Inside a roadside repair shop, Abel spotted Shea wandering like a lost soul. He frowned in confusion.
“What’s wrong with her?”
“Her?” Gray asked, replacing an alarm’s battery. He thought Abel meant him, but looked up to see the Hunter staring outside.
Following his gaze, a petite black-haired catgirl wandered the street—hard to tell if she was grown.
“Silver, do you know that black-haired catgirl?”
“Yeah, she’s the girl I met last night.”
“She’s cute, though short. But Silver, she looks miserable. Didn’t you make up with her?”
Gray saw the gloom on Shea’s face—like someone who’d lost everything.
“We did. Something must’ve happened today.”
Abel knew Shea’s personality. Last night’s joke wouldn’t break her like this. Something bad occurred.
“Then, Silver, go comfort her. Take her out. Hurting girls are easier to win over.”
Gray spoke like a veteran playboy—skilled at entering bodies, not lives.
Abel wasn’t like that. His father would break his legs if he tried.
“Battery’s done. Now, my esteemed Lord Silver, cheer up that wounded girl. I bet you’ll ditch single life this year. Go!”
Gray shoved the alarm into Abel’s hands and pushed him toward the door.
“I said I’m not into that… whatever. Thanks, Gray.”
Abel took the alarm and stepped out, approaching Shea from behind.
As a catgirl, her reflexes should’ve flared—but she didn’t notice him at all.
“Good afternoon, Shea.”
Abel’s sudden greeting nearly scared her off her feet. Her tail fur bristled completely.
“Who?!” She turned to find not a stranger, but her roommate, Abel.
Seeing his face, anger should’ve flared—but a tiny reliance sparked in her chest.
She truly had no friends or family left.
“No need to jump like that. Huh? Why so many candied haws?”
“I like them. Got a problem?”
Shea turned away, walking home—but her steps slowed.
“Give me one too.”
“Five gold coins. Final price.”
“Fine.”
Candied haws sold for five silver normally. Five gold? A swindler’s price anywhere.
Abel didn’t hesitate. He dropped coins into her palm, grabbed a skewer, and ate as they walked.
“You…” Shea hadn’t expected real payment. Five coins? Most would call him crazy.
She stared at Abel beside her like he’d lost his mind.
“Well… five gold for your smile? Worth it.” Abel shrugged. “I won’t pry. But walking helps when you’re upset. Together?”
“You’re…” Shea blinked, surprised. “Asking me on a date?”
“Uh… no way!”
Abel rubbed his nose awkwardly. He hadn’t meant it like that.
“My family says: when sad, find fun things to distract yourself.”
“Heh. Inviting me out? Fine. But pay up.”
Shea held out her hand. Abel guessed her move instantly. Sighing, he handed her a hundred-gold note.
“You really love money.”
“Without money, I can’t study or live. Debt collectors would sell me to the slave market. Money matters.”
Shea replied flatly. True—without coins, creditors would drag her off.
Catgirls fetched high prices there. Three million? She sneered at the thought.
“True. Especially for a slums kid at Magic Academy. Tuition alone crushes you.”
Abel had visited the Academy. He knew her struggle. Commoners didn’t earn like Hunters.
His extermination jobs paid hundreds—sometimes thousands—of gold per task.
Money meant little to him.
“Whatever. Since you paid a hundred gold, I’ll be your companion today.”
“Ah…” Abel was speechless. He’d meant to cheer her up—not hire a guide.
But okay.
“One rule: you pick where we go.”
“Easy. Oh—your alarm and camera. Fixed.”
Abel handed them over. He’d forgotten the camera last night—this catgirl was too mischievous.
“Thanks. But I’m not paying.”
“Wasn’t expecting you to. Where to…”
Shea let Abel choose. New to town, he scanned the area—and spotted a peaceful spot.
“There.”
He pointed at the towering Ferris wheel.
Shea followed his finger. Below it stood a love hotel.
“…”
She decided pressing the alarm was safer.
