138. The Like-minded

What should I do with the card? I can't keep it... what should I buy then?

A bookshop? There must be comic books from the ruined cities. Anyway, let me go check it out.

... Excuse me!

Whoa! Isn't this Weekly Youth Fire?! Didn't expect to find this here?! I thought it would only exist in mid-sized ruined cities.

Uh... isn't this the one I stayed up late to draw for Sova? Never thought it would be sold here.

Sova... I wonder what they are doing now.

Hey, you there!

Huh? Me?

Right, you.

(A face I haven't seen before...)

Is... there something I can do for you?

Would you like to buy the comic book?

Oh, this one? You can have it if you want.

That's very generous of you... But why? That's a short story collection by the author of The Bizarre Adventures of Vivi...?

Well... I've read it before so you can have it. I'll just buy this one, Weekly Youth Fire.

Oh? Lucky me.

Well, please excuse me.

Check, please.

Hmm... here's the card...

That credit card...

Stop there!

What's the matter? I'm not allowed to browse through it here?

How do you know Panther?

Huh? I... huh? I...

I'm now... raised by Panther...

...

Wait... Bifrost has its problems of all kinds, but human trafficking?

That's going too far.

It's not a sale. I should say I'm being leased to Panther.

Just massage her for a week, and then I can go.

(How can she tell such miserable experiences with so much indifference...)

I get it... you are used as a tool by Panther to satisfy her desires.

But how can you be a tool? Just take this opportunity to leave!

I can't. If Panther doesn't see me at night, she'll ask Fenriru for a refund.

What?!

Unbelievable! How did this happen here in Bifrost!

Where are you going next?

Panther's place.

Let's go together then.

Uh? Together? Panther is very busy.

Don't worry about it. She knows who I am.

(Panther's acquaintance? Good then.)

By the way, your name is?

Well, you can call me Vedfolnir.

Ah...

What a long name.