Pretending to Be the Shopkeeper

Elorie did not know why she had not chosen to break down the door and flee at once. Maybe it was because the other woman was very pretty?

"Here, your coffee."

Lin Qing placed a cup of faintly steaming latte on the coffee table.

"Thank you..." Elorie looked her over, trying to figure out where she had come from.

"What is it?" Lin Qing set down the tray and sat cross-legged on the floor opposite her.

"N-Nothing." Angel turned her head away somewhat awkwardly. "Your hair color... is very pretty."

Elorie nodded. Unfortunately, not everyone suited such flamboyant colors. If she dyed her own hair that rainbow shade, she would definitely look like a huge idiot who had dropped out of high school.

To maintain the image of Angels, they even had specialized etiquette teachers for every word and action.

She took a small sip of coffee. The warm milky fragrance and coffee's slight bitterness spread through her mouth, and Elorie's tense expression relaxed somewhat.

"Your name is Elorie, right?" Lin Qing said.

"Huh? How did you know that?" she asked in surprise.

"Because you are a customer of this store. Of course I know something about you."

"A customer?"

Right... this woman had said earlier that there was a reason the store had appeared here, and that reason seemed to lie with her. But... Elorie had no idea what connection she could possibly have with this store. "But I... don't know what I want to buy."

"It is quite late now, isn't it?" Lin Qing smiled.

At least judging by the corridor outside, it seemed like deep night.

"Mm." She nodded gently.

"Then why aren't you asleep? Why are you wandering alone through an empty corridor?"

"..."

Though she did not answer, Lin Qing saw her hands suddenly clench.