The woman immediately laid down a new rule with Ox-Nose, trying not to laugh.
Everyone else had to pay to fish for goldfish.
The price depended on how many nets they used.
She wouldn't charge Ox-Nose.
Besides...
Did Ox-Nose even have any money?
A hint of amusement flickered in the woman's eyes as she watched Ox-Nose remain conspicuously silent.
She knew it.
How could Ox-Nose have any money?
Nobody else could see him.
How could he earn money?
And how could he spend it?
He didn't need money at all.
Free was fine.
But there would be a limit—
No.
A set number.
Even nets he broke by pinching them would count.
Whenever Ox-Nose came by, the woman would give him exactly three nets.
Once he used up those three nets...
If Ox-Nose wanted to fish for goldfish again, he'd have to wait until next time.
With her large belly, the woman earnestly made an agreement with Ox-Nose.
Watching Ox-Nose's silence, the woman gave him a slightly sly smile.
"Then it's settled."
The woman nodded, deciding for him.
"You agree, then."
"You have to keep your word."
"You can't go back on it, okay?"
The woman wagged a finger.
Ox-Nose parted his lips.
The woman's eyes widened in surprise.
Was Ox-Nose going to speak?
She had seen Ox-Nose several times by now...
But she had never once heard him say anything.
She'd even wondered if Ox-Nose... couldn't speak.
But...
She and Ox-Nose communicated just fine—
Uh...
Though it seemed that whenever she and Ox-Nose communicated...
She was the one doing all the talking...
Ox-Nose hardly ever responded.
Actually...
Could it be that Ox-Nose hadn't understood what she'd said?
Was that why he never reacted to anything she told him?!
Huh?
Could that be