Chapter 8: Remiel, Do You Know You're Playing with Fire? (Patreon)

"Have you eaten?"

Musachi glanced over at Remielle.

Since he'd had to go to the Hollow today, he'd gotten back later than usual—it was already seven in the evening, and night had fallen.

"I was waiting for you."

Remielle blinked.

Just as Musachi was about to feel a little touched, Remielle spoke again, smiling sweetly.

"You said it yourself—room and board included. If I hadn't waited for you, I'd have had to go out and eat, and that costs money."

"And here I thought you were waiting just for me to come back and eat... You almost moved me enough to give you a raise..."

Musachi said, his face darkening.

"It's fine. Talk of raises is usually just talk—I've never once seen it actually happen."

"Hey, that's a bit much..."

Remielle's couldn't-be-bothered attitude made Musachi want to push back.

But when he caught the flash of slyness in her eyes, he just chuckled instead.

"Well, since that's how you see me, maybe I really will do exactly that."

Remielle rolled her eyes at that.

Then she darted off to the kitchen and brought out two covered plates.

"Dinner's already made. We were just waiting on you."

Two simple dishes—tomato and scrambled eggs, and braised pork.

Both were dishes that could sit for a while without going bad. Since she hadn't known when Musachi would be back, she'd skipped the stir-fried greens she'd originally planned to make.

Greens didn't taste as good once they'd sat too long, after all.

"You've got this skill too?"

Musachi looked at Remielle, a little surprised.

After all, it was usually Musachi who did the cooking at the shop.

"Of course. I'm actually pretty amazing, you know. Did you really think I was the type who's never lifted a finger around the house?"

Remielle rolled her eyes, smiling as she brought out the steamed rice and filled Musachi's bowl.

Musachi ended up putting away two full bowls that dinner.

After all, going out for the day had left him genuinely hungry.

Once dinner was done, Musachi tidied everything up.

By this time each day, there were no more customers left.

So Musachi chose to close up shop for the night.

"Want to go out for a walk?"

Musachi stretched and said to Remielle beside him.

"Are you treating me to a late-night snack?"

Remielle's eyes lit up.

"I suppose I could. I've got money now anyway."

Musachi nodded, not saying much else.

His material desires ran pretty low—money was just something he needed enough of to get by.

"Oh right, let me transfer your wages first. Bank transfer or cash?"

Musachi looked at her.

After hesitating for a moment, Remielle chose cash.

After all, her bank account hadn't been touched in a hundred years—it had probably been closed by now.

And even if it hadn't been, Remielle had no intention of using it. That account was something only she knew about now. Using it would be as good as telling the world that Lieutenant Colonel Dan was still alive.

"Cash. It's simpler."

"Sometimes I honestly wonder if you're even from this era. You're clearly young, but there's plenty of modern stuff you don't seem to know—you're not even that comfortable with electronics..."

Remielle's answer was exactly what Musachi expected, and he laughed it off easily.

"Didn't I tell you? I'm an original Void Hunter from over a hundred years ago."

"Yeah, sure. I'm guessing you just spent too long out in the Outer Ring—plenty of people out there still don't use electronics much... Though, you don't really look the part either..."

Musachi said, looking Remielle up and down as he spoke.

"Don't look the part how?"

"People from the Outer Ring are mostly pretty poor, so nutrition's usually an issue. But you don't look malnourished at all..."

As he spoke, Musachi's gaze drifted, almost on its own, to the impressive swell of Remielle's chest.

"That's just a stereotype."

Being looked over by Musachi, Remielle showed no embarrassment or discomfort at all.

As the saying goes, a woman makes herself beautiful for the one who delights her—Remielle was no different.

Of course, if it had been some other man giving her that kind of look, she'd have found it distasteful.

But when it came to Musachi... Remielle honestly didn't understand it herself. She had no idea why she didn't mind.

It wasn't as if Musachi's gaze was somehow pure or innocent, either—his eyes made his meaning plenty clear, brimming with want...

"Maybe. I've heard some people gain weight just from drinking cold water—maybe you're just one of those types prone to putting it on?"

Remielle: ???

"This is called being curvy! And besides, isn't it a little rude to call a girl in the bloom of youth fat..."

She glared at Musachi, gritting her teeth.

"As compensation, I'll buy you a milk tea later."

"Deal~"

Remielle nodded at once, accepting the offer.

They took a short stroll outside, and after withdrawing Remielle's wages from a bank on the corner of Sixth Street, Musachi handed the bills over to her.

Afterward, the two of them headed back to the shop.

Or rather, home.

"I'll shower first."

He glanced at Remielle, sitting on the sofa, holding her milk tea against her chest and sipping through the straw.

For a moment, Musachi found himself envying the base of that milk tea cup.

The two of them had a bit of an unspoken understanding about showers—since it took girls longer, Musachi always went first at night.

He was quicker about it than Remielle, anyway.

Seeing Remielle give a small hum in response, Musachi headed into the bathroom, pajamas in hand.

By the time Musachi finished washing up, Remielle was out in the living room, looking at him with a conflicted expression.

"What's up? Just say it."

Musachi saw the bashful look on her face and couldn't help feeling curious what she was after.

Then he watched Remielle steel herself for a hard decision—she pulled out the wages she'd just received and pressed them into his hands.

"Give me the same treatment you give your customers. As your boss, I really ought to patronize your business and show my support."

"What treatment?"

For a moment, Musachi was stunned, staring at Remielle in complete confusion.

"I mean... whatever it is you do with your customers? It's fine, I'll keep your secret. I know it's not the most respectable line of work, but selling your body for money... it's common enough in any era. Life forces people's hands, doesn't it..."

Watching Remielle earnestly talk herself into this explanation, a hint of mischief still lurking in her eyes, Musachi found himself laughing despite his irritation.

"If you keep this up, I don't know about my actual line of work, but you're going to turn into exactly the kind of customer you're imagining me having. I think I might actually have a talent for this."

"Ahem. Just kidding. I'm going to go shower."

Seeing the look Musachi gave her from above, Remielle's eyes flashed with a hint of panic. Not wanting to be devoured whole, she grabbed her towel and pajamas and hurried past him toward the bathroom.

Watching the bathroom door slam shut in an instant, Musachi couldn't help the corner of his mouth twitching upward.

Woman, do you have any idea you're playing with fire?