Chapter 82

The bicycle was bought with money Shirou had saved up. Although he really wanted to choose a cool-looking mountain bike, he ultimately bought a regular bicycle with a shopping basket for practicality.

With the bicycle, Shirou's range of movement in Lungmen became much greater.

He originally wanted to buy a motorcycle, but in the end, Shirou couldn't overcome his psychological barrier.

"Damn it, I still really want to ride a motorcycle."

Shirou, riding his bicycle on the road, envied the motorcycles passing by. The reason he didn't buy a motorcycle in the end was very simple.

That means he was not yet an adult.

Although he was already an adult in Lungmen, he knew his own situation best. Shirou was well aware that he was still seventeen years old and would not be considered an adult until he turned eighteen again in at least two more months.

Another issue is that motorcycles are quite expensive; it's better to save that money for a rainy day.

Even though he was riding a bicycle, he was much faster than Shirou on foot, and he arrived at the market in no time, where he saw the two people who were already waiting for him.

"Finally escaped the ranks of those who walk the whole way?"

Seeing Shirou arrive on his bicycle, Jie teased.

"Before, it was just because we didn't have the money and our needs weren't high, but now it's different."

Shirou ignored Je's teasing and simply parked the car where it wouldn't block anyone else's view.

"So it was because you didn't have money before?"

Ansuo sat in the chair, his pair of purple rabbit ears swaying back and forth.

During their conversation, all she cared about was the word "money."

"There is a need. It would be more convenient if you had a car. Just take the bento here yourself, both are the same."

Upon hearing Ansuo's words, Shirou thought for a moment but chose not to complain. He simply patted Ansuo's head and placed the bento box in front of her.

"Is this really free to eat?"

Ansuo ignored what Shirou was doing, his eyes fixed on the bento box on the table.

The abundance of dishes inside made her mouth water uncontrollably. She wasn't a picky eater; she would eat almost anything edible.

"Eat up, we'll be busy later."

Instead of opening the bento box, Jie handed all the documents in his hand to Shirou.

"What are these? Hmm? So cheap?"

Shirou glanced at it briefly; it mostly contained notices about living in the Slums, and one was a house rental agreement for only 1,000 Lungmen Dollars a month.

Shirou hadn't expected the rent to be so cheap. From what he heard, it seemed to be a very large house, and he was already prepared to live frugally for the first month.

"This is a friendly price. The landlord only charged a small amount after knowing what you're going to do. Anyway, it's just sitting there collecting dust. A thousand a month is just a small amount. The landlord's point is that if you're having a tight budget, it's okay to owe him money."

"The key point is this: you and I both know how chaotic the Slums are. I'm not very familiar with the Slums either, so this information was given to me by someone else. Take a look at it yourself and pay attention to these things. Be careful not to get yourself into trouble in the Slums."

Pointing to the documents in Shirou's hand, Zi gave a brief explanation, speaking a great deal of information in one breath, which was quite unusual for him.

"Oh, thank you so much for organizing so much information."

After putting down the lease agreement, Shirou glanced at the precautions.

The text details some things about the Slums, such as which celebrities should be avoided and which people can be befriended; it's all written down clearly.

"Don't lose it, it'll be a real problem if some things inside get out."

Although she knew that Shirou probably wouldn't lose it, Jie still gave him a heads-up.

"I understand. I'll keep it safe in my room. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

Upon hearing what Jie said, Shirou didn't rush to look through the documents. Instead, he carefully put them into his backpack and prepared to leave. Although it was still early, he still needed to learn some things from Croissant later, so he had to prepare some good stuff for Croissant.

Then, noticing the unopened bento box in front of him, Shirou asked:

Aren't you going to eat?

"Wait a bit before you eat. You can go now if you have something to do. I'll return the bento box to you later."

Jie waved his hand and said that he was also a little tempted by Ansuo's delicious food, but he did not intend to eat it himself.

Although he knew that Shirou was going to give it to him as a token of his appreciation, he was well aware that he was just a messenger and that Hoshiguma was the one who was actually doing the work.

The information about the house, things to note, and suggestions were all compiled for him by Hoshiguma; he dared not take credit for it casually.

The reason for having Shirou arrive a little earlier was to align with the Knights of the Round Table's mealtime schedule, so that Hoshiguma could eat immediately after Ansuo and the others delivered the food.

Seeing how quickly Ansuo wolfed down his food, Jie felt it necessary to remind Ansuo who he was delivering the lunch to, otherwise he had a feeling that Ansuo might eat the lunch halfway there.

"Hmm... alright, I'll get back to work now."

Shirou didn't think anything was wrong with the appearance of the creature. Perhaps he had seen something unpleasant while dismembering it and needed to calm down.

"Ah, Shirou, can you make snacks to go with drinks?"

Suddenly, Jie thought of something and asked.

"Hmm? It's alright, I guess. What's wrong? I can make some food if you want, but I can't keep you company if you want to drink!"

Shirou still makes snacks to go with drinks, although he hasn't done so since coming to Lungmen. Before that, Sister Fujie would drink several times a week, and he would always make some side dishes for Sister Fujie to eat with it.

However, the ingredients and seasonings are quite simple, and even if he's not good at it, he can learn to make some by watching videos.

Although he didn't know why the other person was asking these questions, Shirou still reminded him that he didn't drink alcohol.

"Oh, it's nothing, I was just asking. You'll probably need it later."

Hearing that Shirou could make snacks to go with drinks, Jie was relieved and even threw in a riddle for Shirou.

"... Okay, I'll be going now if there's nothing else."

Shirou could only inwardly condemn Je's riddle-solving behavior, after all, Je had helped him a lot.

"Be careful on the road."

This is a kiwi.

"Be careful on the road."

This is the Ansuo that I'm about to finish my bento.

Although she didn't know why Shirou was being so kind to her, he didn't seem to have any bad intentions, and the food he brought was really delicious, so she accepted it.

At most, I can repay this kindness by working hard later.

"Eat quickly, Little Ansuo. We'll take the bento to the Knights of the Round Table for Hoshiguma later."

After confirming that Shirou had left the market on his bicycle, Jie said.

He even specifically reminded Hoshiguma that Ansuo must not steal this bento.

Okay.

Ansuo did not refuse. Now Jie was practically her boss, and she knew that Jie handled many things.

Although Jie always believed it was Hoshiguma's doing, in Ansuo's opinion, Jie also put in a lot of effort.

She knew that Hoshiguma could help, but due to some overt rules, Hoshiguma couldn't directly help and could only help through some of her old connections.

Jie had also reminded her not to tell Shirou about this, because if she did, it would also be revealed that Hoshiguma had asked Jie to keep an eye on Shirou.

Having lived in the Slums for many years, Ansuo naturally knew what should and shouldn't be said.

Half an hour later, at the Longmen Knight Bureau.

"Hoshiguma! Your delivery!"

A member of the Longmen Knight Bureau stepped forward with a lunchbox and said.

"Okay, I understand. Let's leave it for now."

Hoshiguma, who was still busy, gestured to put it aside for now. She had already told her about the bento box, so she knew about it.

Hoshiguma felt that Jie was overthinking things. She could have eaten it herself, but since the other party was so insistent, she had no choice but to accept.

Remembering the Fried Winged Beast Chunk Shirou brought to Swire last time, Hoshiguma was really looking forward to today's bento.

When lunch break was over and he had finished his work, Hoshiguma stretched.

After sitting for a long time, I feel like my whole body is a bit stiff.

"Hey, someone brought you a lunchbox?"

Chen, who had also finished recording, asked, "I didn't ask you anything earlier because I was busy with work, but now that it's my break time, I'm coming over."

She's not like that certain "Chashu Cat" who slacks off at work.

"I helped someone out with something these past few days, and this is what they gave me as a thank you."

Hoshiguma didn't specify what it was about, mainly because it wasn't appropriate.

"Oh? Handmade?"

Chen didn't care about Hoshiguma's secrecy. Even the closest friends will always have some private matters they don't want to tell others.

There were many things she herself hadn't told Hoshiguma Akira.

"I think so? Old Chen, do you want to eat with us? There's quite a lot of food."

Hefting the bento box in her hand, Hoshiguma thought it was quite large.

Although she could finish the portion by herself, it would be nice to have someone to share it with.

"Okay, I'll go get the bowls and chopsticks."

Chen did not refuse Hoshiguma's offer; at worst, he would just have a few drinks with her during dinner.

While Chen went to get the bowls and chopsticks, Hoshiguma opened the bento box.

"This setup... it brings back so many memories."

Opening the bento box and looking at the dishes inside, Hoshiguma felt a sense of nostalgia.

I often saw this kind of bento box when I was a child, and I never thought that I would still have the opportunity to see it after working in Lungmen for so long.

I picked up a piece of meat with my chopsticks. Although it was a little cold, it still tasted good.

"That's quite a feast. Are you sure this is to express your gratitude, and not to pursue you?"

After picking up her bowl and chopsticks, Chen looked at the sumptuous bento box in front of her and asked, "I've seen plenty of stories like this where someone makes a meal by themselves to pursue their dreams."

"Heh, Old Chen, you're overthinking it. Eat up, it tastes pretty good."

Hoshiguma remembered that this was originally meant for Jie. If what Old Chen said is true, then Jie should be the one to watch out for.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

September Bounty Settlement

Thank you all for your support. I can already picture myself stuck at my computer desk, typing away.

Let me state the result first: I owe 55 chapters in total, plus the previous 25, making it exactly 80 chapters.

Also, I didn't skip 9/30, it just got stuck in the review process. If there are no surprises, this chapter should be released together with the review.

wryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

How long am I supposed to keep writing this 80-up chapter?!

Recommendation vote +1, Monthly vote +13, Tip +28, Blade +13, Still owe 25, 1+13+28+13+25=80

The repayment rules remain the same: 2000 points equals one update, and 1000 points equals 0.5 updates.

I'll ask about other repayment routes after the post is unblocked.

100 gas explosion?

After dinner, Shirou placed the desserts and drinks he had bought on the table.

"Wow! What day is it today? Shirou bought so many sweets!"