Rena's eyes lit up at his words. She immediately came over to Teiichi, bowed, and said:
"Hello, boss. I'm Yoshida Rena, but you can just call me Rena. I've lived in Aomori City since I was little, so I know it very well. If you want to tour Aomori City, I can take you to lots of places!"
At this, Rena raised her right hand and rested her index finger beside her mouth, as though about to whisper, though her volume did not change at all:
"And my pay is only 600 a day! If you went to the labor market, it would cost at least 800, and some charge even more. And I guarantee the places I take you to won't be any worse than theirs!"
Looking at the anticipation in Rena's eyes, Teiichi nodded and said:
"Then I'll hire you, Rena. Sorry for the trouble, but starting tomorrow, I'll have you show me around Aomori City for the next few days."
"Yay!!!" At his words, excitement sparkled in Rena's eyes, and she could not help jumping for joy.
Watching the happy girl before him, Teiichi could not help smiling too.
"Cough, cough..."
The sudden coughing forced the excited Rena to calm down. After taking a moment to recover, she asked Teiichi:
"Oh, right, boss. What should I call you?"
Kato Teiichi answered with a smile, "My name is Kato Teiichi."
Rena nodded, seemingly repeating the name to herself, then continued:
"Boss, what time do we start tomorrow morning? And where should we meet?"
After a moment's thought, Teiichi looked up and answered:
"Let's start tomorrow afternoon. How about we meet outside this shop at two?"
A flicker of disappointment first crossed Rena's face when she heard this, but she quickly composed herself and replied calmly:
"Oh? All right, I understand."
Seeing Rena's reaction, Teiichi could not help smiling. He explained:
"Don't worry, I won't cut your pay. I have some things to take care of in the morning, so I can only set aside the afternoons and evenings. Just show me around every afternoon and evening."
At this, a smile finally appeared on Rena's face. She saluted Teiichi and answered loudly:
"Yes, boss! I'll be here on time!"
Standing to one side, Manager Yamamoto seemed somewhat hesitant. He frowned and spoke uncertainly:
"The evenings...?"
He seemed somewhat worried about what Teiichi and Rena would be doing at night.
Teiichi turned to Manager Yamamoto and explained with a smile:
"Don't worry. We'll just browse the night market and experience the local nightlife. I promise I'll have Rena home before eight."
Hearing Teiichi's promise, Manager Yamamoto finally put his doubts to rest and nodded in agreement.
The following afternoon.
Rena looked at Teiichi beside her. Yesterday, she had already learned from Manager Yamamoto what interested the boy before her, so she said:
"Boss, how about we take the tram around the city first this afternoon, and then..."
"Cough, cough..."
"And then go to the seaside later to watch the sunset, and browse the night market in the evening."
Has her cold gotten worse?
Teiichi turned to glance at Rena and nodded.
With Rena leading the way, the two arrived at the tram stop. It was a quiet afternoon, and there were not many people at the stop.
They waited quietly for the tram. Before long, accompanied by a clear ringing bell, the tram slowly pulled into the stop.
The two boarded and found seats by a window. With a humming sound, the tram slowly set off.
"Boss, let me tell you, Aomori City has lots of..."
The girl's murmuring beside his ear, the clatter of the tram, the buildings of various styles outside the window...
For some reason, Teiichi felt an unusual sense of peace.
Teiichi slowly closed his eyes, feeling the breeze brush his cheeks, as though time itself had stopped at that moment.
"Boss! Boss..."
"Boss, wake up! We're at the last stop!"
As the girl beside him shook him, Teiichi slowly opened his eyes.
The world still looked a little hazy to Teiichi. A girl with short black hair was looking anxiously at him. When she saw Teiichi open his eyes, a relieved smile appeared on her face. Behind her, a conductor stood watching the two intently.
Teiichi closed his eyes again and shook his head to clear it a little.
Slowly opening his eyes, Teiichi looked at the world before him, which seemed clearer now, and could not help taking a deep breath. He found that Wind Breathing was circulating more smoothly within his body.
Heh, so this is my cheat...
The girl's voice rang out again, rousing Teiichi. "Boss, stop spacing out. The conductor lady's about to tell us off."
Teiichi looked up and saw that the conductor behind the girl was looking increasingly displeased.
He hurriedly stood, apologized to the conductor, and the two quickly got off.
That night, stars dotted the sky.
Rena led Teiichi into an unassuming sushi shop by the roadside. Though the shop was small, the light spilling from it looked warm and inviting.
According to Rena, the night market was all about ripping off out-of-town tourists like Teiichi; the food tasted average and cost a lot. In contrast, unassuming little shops like this often hid truly delicious food.
Now, the two sat inside the shop, and Teiichi's chopsticks moved constantly as he sent one piece of sushi after another into his mouth.
In stark contrast to Teiichi, Rena ate very reservedly. She savored small bites, looking delighted as she ate. After finishing a piece of sushi, she would sit quietly until Teiichi called to her, and only then would she pick up another.
In Rena's words, she was already earning Teiichi's money, so she could not mooch a meal off him too. But she was a young girl after all, and Teiichi had dragged her inside.
After the meal, the two walked side by side along the nighttime street.
A breeze brushed past, bringing a hint of coolness.
Teiichi slowly stopped, and Rena stopped as well, looking at him in confusion.
"Boss, what's wrong?"
Rena asked softly, her voice sounding especially clear in the night.
"We won't be going to the night market today."
Teiichi looked at Rena, his voice carrying an unquestionable seriousness.
Rena froze for a moment at those words, then coughed a few times, seemingly concealing her embarrassment and confusion. She gently rubbed her throat and asked quietly:
"Then... where are we going next?"
Teiichi stared at Rena and said seriously, "We won't be going to the night market today. Next on the agenda: your house!"
Rena's expression changed slightly at those words.
Looking at Teiichi's grave expression, she could not help feeling a little nervous. She knew that if she did not take Teiichi to her house, he might no longer need her as his guide tomorrow.
She hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded and said softly:
"All right, boss."