The Apothecary Wanderings 3

The Black...Market? You truly want to see it for yourself, Sensei? Alone?

Wh-Why?! Are you being threatened by someone?

All this for field...research?

W-Well, if that's the case, you'd be wise to entrust it to another student, or outsource it...

...

...

Hah.

I'm just asking, but, Sensei... Do you happen to have any cat genes mixed in your DNA?

Well, isn't there a saying that cats have nine lives? They can afford to be a little reckless.

I can't say that I understand it completely, but the motivation makes sense. Especially coming from you, Sensei.

Still, I can't help but feel a little sympathy for the General Student Council.

Hmm? You didn't think I was "capable of feeling that"?

Of course, it's not a STRONG sentiment. Keh heh heh...

But what kind of emotion is it, and in what situations does it arise...?

I do know that much, at least in theory.

...To put it another way, Sensei...

You're acting so recklessly right now that even someone like me is concerned.

To start with, Sensei, an organization would be unwise to allow its top-level decision-makers to involve themselves in field minutiae.

Keh heh... But at the same time, when you think about how slow the General Student Council is to act, I suppose a hands-on approach is best.

So, how exactly are you planning on uncovering the "real truth" about the Black Market...? You really are quite the oddball, aren't you? Such a curious cat...

All right. I'm interested, so let's get going.

...You've piqued my interest, Sensei.

The world is full of boredom. At least, it is for me. So...

If you're willing to be my "entertainment," then I'm at least willing to pay you a fair price in return.

In a world like this, promises are important, after all.

Don't back down!

If we just secure this corner, this street is ours!

I let things slide for too long!

Everyone here's at fault! To think they'd betray us!

Once this is over, we're going to double the protection fees! DOUBLE!

...Such a racket.

The noise, the shaking, the flying dust.

Frankly, I don't fancy any of the three.

Every single one has provided fatal disruption to my formulation processes.

Hrrgh?!?!

Huh...? It smells...kinda...sweet?

Well.

It shouldn't be life-threatening.

The key word being "life," of course.

*pant* *pant* *pant*...!

Just because you're new here doesn't mean we're cutting you any slack!

If you borrow money in the Black Market, you gotta pay it back, right? And let's not forget the interest!

But you guys added all that without asking!

Oh, did we? And whaddabout you? Did you not spend the money?

I-I did use it, but...!

But you made me spend it all at your store! And the prices were insane!

We went through all the trouble of helping the new girl out, and she doesn't even say thanks... If you don't have the money, you'll just have to pay in blood!

This is what you get for entering the Black Market unprepared!

How trifling.

While I don't care much for a girl thoughtlessly wandering into a seedy area...

These hustlers' supercilious arrogance is even more irritating.

Hey, you two.

What? Do you need a loan, too?

If not, just get lost!

Hm?

Huh?

My body...won't...

That's right. Take a little nap for a couple of days.

I couldn't care less what happens to you in the meantime.

And you...

Wh-What...?!

Tsk.

I'll keep it brief.

If you let people walk all over you, you'll be eaten alive. Watch your back.

That's just the way this world works.

Hey, everyone! Grab your tools! Let's make those guys an offer they can't refuse!

Everyone for themselves! Anyone suggesting a truce is a damn traitor!

H-Huh...? Who... Why...?

Stop your fussing. You'll dirty my coat.

That's...your reasoning...?

*thud*

"Uh, all the people we've crossed today... They're okay, right?"

Hm? Oh, I see. So that's what you were worried about.

You don't need to fret. Living subjects are always more useful.

What do you think, Sensei?

Do you feel like you've had a good look around the Black Market?

Naturally. That's the kind of place this is.

In a figurative sense, it's somewhere between a terminal illness and an intractable disease.

Some people see this neighborhood as a terminal illness and give up hope, while others consider it an intractable disease and attempt to survive.

For me, it doesn't matter either way.

...After all, the place is practically a corpse that won't respond to medicine anyway.

Huh. So you're the latter. A naive fool who believes in the optimistic potential of all things.

...

Well, I suppose that's fine, too. To me, it's just another form of entertainment.

What gives, you old hag?! Now that you're feeling better, you have to pay your protection fees!

You realize how nice we've been, overlookin' them all this time? Well, it's time to pony up!

Let's do this nice and peaceful-like. Nobody's gotta get hurt!

Y-You...PUNKS!

"Huh...?"