The Dream Shrine resembled a Grand Cathedral. Lights blazed inside, making it as bright as day. So many people came that they had to queue, and attendants were there to keep order.
Kuro and Perona stood in line. As the queue moved forward, Kuro noticed that none of the people who went inside came back out. Is there another exit, or have they all been detained?
He racked his brain but could make no sense of it. He tapped the shoulder of the middle-aged Bearded Man ahead of him, greeted him warmly, and struck up a conversation.
"My name's Kuro. What's yours?"
"Tang De."
"What did you wish for?" Kuro asked.
"Heh, nothing much." Tang De blushed and rubbed his hands together, looking embarrassed.
Kuro studied him and made a pretty good guess. With a knowing look, he said, "A beautiful woman, right?"
Tang De chuckled. "You're only half right. Not a beautiful woman—a beautiful man."
"..." Kuro froze, barely holding back a laugh. How is that half right? There's a limit to how ridiculous a joke can be.
Tang De clearly preferred men. The world held all kinds of people. Men who liked men and women who liked women were uncommon, but they certainly existed.
Tang De could not stop smiling. Kuro did not need to ask to know he was very pleased with his new male companion.
"Is this your first wish?" Kuro asked.
"My second. The first time, I asked for fifty million Beli."
"Then what did they make you do?" That was what Kuro really wanted to know.
"They?" Tang De looked puzzled. "Who do you mean?"
"The people who gave you the money," Kuro explained.
Tang De shook his head. "I didn't see anyone except the woman who gave it to me."
Kuro was even