Chapter 47
“What’re you staring at?”
Noticing Sigrin eyeing his scalp, Kiriki ran a hand over it.
“Sorry, I zoned out.”
Mentioning the scroll might upset him, so I’ll play dumb.
“Didn’t expect to share a class with a neighbor.”
“…You really don’t pay attention to your surroundings, huh? Alchemy class isn’t even that big.”
Sigrin gave an awkward smile.
She’d been too focused on credits lately.
“Anyway, do you have something to say to me?”
“Of course~ Why else would I suddenly cozy up to you?”
Kiriki tapped Sigrin’s shoulder, pleased she brought it up.
“Greenie, I hear you’ve been up to some sly stuff.”
“Sly stuff?”
Sigrin tilted her head, confused.
“Don’t play coy, you know what I mean.”
“…?”
Seeing Sigrin’s genuinely puzzled look, Kiriki sighed deeply.
“Lame. Guess you don’t have big ambitions.”
“Ambitions?”
“You stole my precious merchant, Luca, and set up that cute secret Study Group.”
“Aha.”
At Sigrin’s flat reaction, Kiriki slung an arm around her, sighing again.
“Not gonna ask how I found out?”
“When classmates make a ruckus with carts in quiet Lemaos, it’s hard not to notice.”
Thinking of students complaining about being robbed, the Kelnor Gang definitely knew what she was up to.
Didn’t expect the Kiriki Gang to know too.
“Hm? Quick thinker.”
“But I don’t get the part about stealing Luca. Did you have a deal with him?”
“Yeah, he was a key merchant for our night market.”
“No way… You’re the night market’s organizer?”
“Bingo!”
I heard the night market was big, so it’s surprising someone so young runs it.
“Don’t worry, he said he’s still joining this time.”
“Oh, you’re a generous boss? Thought you’d restrict him.”
“I’m just a student, not a businesswoman. And Luca’s my friend, not my underling.”
“Pfft!”
Kiriki burst out laughing.
“Luca was this aloof kid, never joining any faction, but you’re worth following. You’re cheeky.”
Twirling his braid, Kiriki continued.
“I’ve had bad experiences with mafia types, so I was biased~”
His eyes glinted with malice, recalling mafia encounters.
“That’s unfortunate.”
“Why not defend them?”
“I’m not the spokesperson for all mafia.”
I’m tired, dude.
“Fair point.”
Kiriki stifled a laugh. Rolling his eyes, he spoke cautiously.
“…So, Lemaos’s big shot Greenie, ever thought of joining the night market as a merchant?”
“A merchant?”
“I heard your item processing skills outshine Luca’s.”
With the Eye of Ether, I do have an edge.
Sigrin nodded.
“Look at this peanut’s confidence?”
“I think it’s an objective assessment.”
“Love it. Don’t let that talent rot—join the night market periodically to practice. It’ll be fun; tons of people come from the next city.”
Seeing Sigrin ponder, Kiriki added.
“You can work with Luca and your friends~ I’ll give them sales permits if you want.”
Sigrin smiled and nodded.
“Sounds good. What’s the sales commission?”
“20%.”
“Let’s make it 0%.”
Kiriki’s brow twitched.
“Give me a reason.”
“You were worried I’d poach your key merchant, Luca.”
Kiriki let out a disbelieving laugh.
“…Mafia, take it easy~ You’re saying you’ll block Luca’s business if I don’t agree?”
“Yup, and give us priority venue selection.”
“Aren’t you just a thug? Why should I?”
“Because you know Luca’s a key merchant.”
“You already used that reason.”
“It’s a different one.”
Sigrin pulled out the Study Group catalog and showed Kiriki.
“What’s this?”
“My beast itemization catalog. I kept it tightly controlled, so it’s your first time seeing it.”
“…!!”
Kiriki’s eyes widened at the catalog’s list.
“Wow, Epurl?! Bongan Jade??? You process those?”
“Shh! You two, quiet down and study!”
Hiranmidel tapped the podium, hushing Sigrin and Kiriki.
✦ ✦ ✦
Kiriki and Sigrin’s bickering continued after class.
“You brat!! Using such rare items just for kids’ homework?!”
“Yup, no proper sales channel. I’m a simple person, happy fleecing kids’ allowances.”
“A simple person demands 0% commission?!”
Sigrin crossed her arms, looking up at Kiriki.
“The trickle-down effect should be enough. I did some research—my processed items are only available from renowned Magic Towers. They require special equipment not released to the market.”
Kiriki swallowed hard.
She was right.
As Sigrin smiled confidently, he touched his forehead.
“It’s not greed that made me suggest 20%. I’d lower it, but I can’t.”
Sigrin sensed familiarity in Kiriki’s troubled expression.
“Oh, I get it…”
“What’re you thinking?”
“There’s another operator. Taking money under ‘protection’ fees.”
“…?!”
Kiriki nodded vigorously, eyes wide.
“Kid, you nailed it! Impressive, evil smells evil.”
“I’ll take it as a compliment.”
Kiriki hesitated before speaking.
“Can you ask your dad to bring a bulldozer? The mafia’s called the Waker-Bon Family.”
“No way…”
Ridiculous.
Sigrin froze.
“Then I’ll waive the commission, give you venue priority, and grant any request.”
“Hm.”
“Or handle it yourself! Ebenkera blood’s strong, right? You subdued Luca without weapons, didn’t you?”
Sigrin sighed at Kiriki’s pleading, then grasped his hands.
“Senior…”
“Sounds fair, right? Good for both of us?”
Sigrin gave Kiriki a pitying, benevolent smile.
“I’ll just pay 10% commission!”
✦ ✦ ✦
Am I crazy?
Fighting armed bandits without backup?
I avoid fights with students, let alone this.
Still, negotiations with Kiriki went well.
Venue priority and 10% commission.
I’d wanted to talk to the night market organizer, and him approaching made it easy.
“Luca, we can join the night market with just 10% commission. We get first pick on venues too.”
“…”
Luca frowned briefly.
He swore he saw a halo behind Sigrin’s head.
“Princess, what did you do?”
“Just talked well.”
“…”
“Why’re you staring?”
Seeing Luca’s skeptical look, Sigrin recalled her talk with Kiriki.
“By the way, know anything about the Waker-Bon Family?”