"So this is the new headquarters of the Interastral Peace Corporation?"
"They really are loaded."
Clara couldn't help but let out an awed sigh as she took in the bustling, prosperous streets around her.
She knew this planet—it was quite famous across the cosmos. She never expected the IPC to just buy the whole place outright and set up shop here.
"Hey… is it really okay for us to just waltz in here like this?" Firefly asked from beside her, a note of uncertainty in her voice.
After all, both she and Clara were wanted criminals. Firefly herself wasn't too worried—the Corporation knew 'Sam,' but they didn't know 'Firefly.' So she was probably fine.
But Clara was different. Anyone who had paid even a little attention to the wanted bulletins would probably recognize her on sight…
"What's not okay about it?" Clara shot back.
"Those without eyes won't know me. Those with eyes wouldn't dare bother me."
"Unless…" Clara's gaze flicked toward the tall, glittering new IPC headquarters in the distance.
"They feel like finding another new address."
"Hmm… I suppose you're right." Firefly nodded, finding Clara's logic perfectly sound.
She stopped worrying about it and, taking Clara's hand, headed toward a cake shop that looked exceedingly high-end even from a distance.
"Clara, I'm treating you to cake first~"
Remembering the thirty million and three thousand credits now in her account, Firefly felt a surge of boldness she'd never known before.
Even if the money was only loaned to her by Clara…
As long as she could pay it back, wasn't it basically her money anyway…?
Yes! So, this money was hers! (Firefly's firm expression)
"Okay~" Clara replied with an "innocent" smile.
Inside, though, she was already plotting. What could she make Firefly do, using this debt as the perfect excuse?
Clara didn't believe for a second that Firefly could ever repay those thirty million.
And of course, a loan had to come with interest~
How much should she set it at~
Since Firefly was her dearest companion, little Clara couldn't be too ruthless.
How about… one percent per day~
Hmm~ Little Clara was just too kind for her own good.
...
"This one, this one, and that one—I want them all!" The moment they stepped into the cake shop, Clara's eyes lit up like stars at the sight of the myriad cakes on display. She practically wanted to buy out the entire store.
"Clara… isn't it a bit much to eat all that at once…"
Watching the server pack up cake after cake, Firefly's face showed concern.
It wasn't the money she was worried about—she was afraid Clara would make herself sick gorging on so many sweets all at once…
"What's wrong with it?" Clara looked at Firefly, a flicker of genuine confusion in her eyes.
"Well, you might get a stomachache or something. These kinds of sweets aren't good for you in large quantities."
"Are you even listening to yourself right now?"
Clara's gaze now held pure, unadulterated concern, as if she were looking at a simpleton.
'You don't actually think a mere cake could possibly hurt my stomach, do you?'
"Hmph, let me put it this way."
Clara planted her hands on her hips, her face radiating undisguised pride.
"Even if I ate every single cake in the whole universe, my stomach would be just fine."
"Because I!"
"Am the Ultimate Cake Devourer!"
Clara's voice wasn't exactly loud, but it wasn't quiet either—just enough to be clearly heard by the servers and other customers nearby.
Instantly, all eyes turned toward Clara and Firefly. The entire shop fell into a synchronized, tacit silence.
Clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap clap clap.
Then, thunderous applause erupted throughout the store.
"Aww, whose child is this? She's adorable!"
"The Ultimate Cake Devourer, haha! So chuuni, I love it!"
"You're so cute, little girl! Call me 'big sister' and I'll buy you a cake!"
...
"Heh." Hearing the voices around her, Clara didn't look embarrassed in the slightest. She just scratched her head, looking ever so slightly sheepish.
In contrast, Firefly beside her flushed pink. Her slender fingers fidgeted, finding no place to rest. She wished she could dig a hole right then and there and bury herself in it.
Why was Clara the one getting all the attention, yet she was the one feeling this awkward? /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~
Firefly couldn't figure it out. She was ten—no, eleven—parts bewildered.
Under the weight of all the stares and comments, Firefly felt like she was about to cry.
"Your total comes to 580,000 credits. Will you be paying by card or cash?"
Fortunately, just as Firefly's embarrassment was about to hit its limit, the server finished packing the cakes and handed the bags to Clara.
"Scan, scan, just scan it!"
Hearing that beautiful question, Firefly hurriedly pulled up her payment app and thrust her phone toward the server.
Seeing the code, the server didn't scan immediately. Instead, she smiled and looked at Clara.
"Little cutie, if you call me 'big sister,' I'll give you fifty percent off."
"And I'll throw in a deluxe mini-cake." The server produced a cake about the size of her palm. It was exquisitely decorated and utterly gorgeous, waving it temptingly before Clara's eyes.
"What do you say?"
The server grinned at Clara, seemingly certain she'd agree.
Giving fifty percent off plus a deluxe cake was a total loss-making deal.
But to hear such an adorable little girl call her 'big sister'… that would be worth it.
Hehe (º﹃º)
Just as the server anticipated, Clara couldn't think of a single reason to refuse such an offer.
Just one 'big sister' in exchange for all this free stuff? To Clara, that was like walking down the street and having ten billion credits fall out of the sky and land right on her head.
Hmm… actually, what would it feel like to have ten billion credits hit you on the head?
But just as Clara opened her mouth to say the magic words, Firefly suddenly stepped in front of her. She raised her phone higher, giving the server a look that was none too friendly.
"Scan. The. Code."
"Alright. Thank you, please come again." The server sighed with regret and scanned the payment code on Firefly's phone.
"Clara, let's go."
Once the payment went through, Firefly grabbed Clara's hand and made to leave.
"Wait."
The server called them back, holding out the little deluxe cake.
"A small token of my esteem. Please accept it."
Seeing this, Firefly couldn't outright refuse. She looked at Clara.
Clara gave Firefly a puzzled glance, then, right in front of her, took the little cake.
She immediately tore it open, speared a piece with the tiny fork, brought it to her lips, and took a big bite.
"Mmm… delicious." Feeling the sweetness burst across her taste buds, Clara closed her eyes in blissful enjoyment.
"I'm so glad you like it." Seeing Clara's expression, the server felt both body and soul utterly healed.
Trading one little cake for a moment of physical and spiritual healing… no matter how you looked at it, that was a fantastic deal (●ˇ∀ˇ●)
Firefly: "…"
Watching the scene unfold, a strange, sour feeling churned in Firefly's heart.
…
T/N: Yanderefly
…
I have completed the author to TL pipeline, 2 chapters per day. 150+ chapters in advance on patreon.
patreon.com/intraneer
Give power stones please I survive solely off of number go up.