After Gallagher left, Firefly thanked Stelle once again.
"Thanks for stepping in back there! Otherwise, I really might have... been taken away."
As she spoke, Firefly paused almost imperceptibly. It was hard to imagine what she had hesitated to say.
"This help doesn't come free..." Stelle's lips curled into a slightly wicked smile.
Firefly froze, blinked, and said, looking a little lost, "I... I know. When someone helps you, you have to repay them!"
After that, Firefly introduced herself. She said she was a performer from the Iris Family, an extra, and could serve as Stelle's guide.
Stelle did not refuse. She happened to need a guide.
Firefly then gave Stelle a brief introduction to Oti Mall. Once she finished, she led Stelle outside to the plaza and found a little restaurant along the street, saying she would treat Stelle to something to eat.
"They have most of Penacony's specialties here, like this Clockie Pizza, Oak Cake Roll, Alfalfa Salad... and the classic SoulGlad! Pick whatever you like. It's on me!"
Stelle was delighted, but she looked at Firefly with a little hesitation. "I tend to spend quite a bit..."
"It-it should be fine. I do have some savings..." Firefly said without much confidence.
Hearing that, Stelle, who was only beginning to understand human nature, felt reassured. In any case, she believed her.
So Stelle went to the server at the restaurant's entrance and bought one of each of the three flavors of Dreamscape Cone they sold, an Oak Cake Roll, Crackling Champagne, a Fries Sundae, a whole Clockie Pizza, and a Flying Saucer Burger.
She spent every last bit of the twenty-thousand budget she had taken from Firefly.
"I'm done shopping! Let's eat together!" Stelle returned to Firefly carrying a huge pile of food, laughing cheerfully.
Firefly stood rooted