"Thank you both so much for your courage. We plan to present you with a silk banner..."
Outside Bell Tower Square Station, a group of mercenaries who had lost the ability to move were being escorted away by the police. What awaited them would be a retirement life with food and lodging included. Ash and the others were busy hurrying off to join the countdown at Bell Tower Square, so naturally they had no time to listen to the police ramble on, and the police were reasonable enough not to force them to stay. Still, they asked them to leave their ID information.
"Ash Hiss... It's actually Hiss!?"
Ash was already used to this kind of reaction and said smoothly, "Do you need an autograph?"
The young policewoman jumped up happily and hurriedly found a notebook for Ash to sign. She glanced at Rose's ID, then returned it to Rose with a smile. "Miss Reina, happy birthday."
"Mm."
Ash and Rose left the subway station. Just as they were about to cross the underground shopping mall to reach Bell Tower Square, Ash suddenly reacted. "Today is your birthday!?"
"Mm."
"Why didn't you tell us? We would've celebrated your birthday with you!"
"How were you planning to celebrate?"
"Order a few custom cakes and then have a cake fight, smear cake all over your face..."
"I've never celebrated my birthday." Rose said decisively, "Don't do anything."
"No way!" Ash held Rose's hand and turned toward the shopping mall beside them. "At the very least, I'm giving you a birthday present!"
"No." Rose pulled Ash to a hard stop. "I don't like presents. They're too much trouble."
"Receiving a present is trouble too?"
"Because if you give me a present, it's equivalent to establishing a special social contract between us. On your