Her expression was gentle.
"Paying cash?"
The girl asked the little boy.
She thought his parents were more likely to have given him cash directly.
"...Mm."
The little boy's eyes were fixed on the ice cream in the girl's hand. It belonged to him.
He pulled two bills out of his pocket and stretched both hands out as far as he could to offer them to her.
"Boss."
The girl looked at the bearded man standing silently nearby.
The boss straightened up.
He reached out and took the money the boy was holding up with all his might.
"Here's thirty in change."
The boss quickly gave the little boy two bills back.
The number of bills was the same, but the amount was quite different.
The little boy instinctively took a step back.
Uncle Boss looked fierce.
He was a little afraid to get too close.
He even breathed more quietly.
The boss was used to this and did his best to put on a kindly expression.
"Take it."
He held out the money in his hand to the child.
"Ah!"
The little boy cried out.
Boss: ...
He clicked his tongue.
Kids were such a hassle.
He set the money on the counter, then snatched the ice cream from the girl's hand.
"Give him the money."
"Okay."
The girl stifled a laugh.
She handed the money to the little boy.
"Here you go, little guy. This is your change."
"Put it somewhere safe."
"When you get back, your big sister will ask you for it."
"If you don't bring it back, she might get mad."
"Ah..."
As soon as he heard that his big sister would get mad, the little boy immediately reached out and took the money.