Exiting the tavern, Kenta is stunned by the shine of the sun, blinding him momentarily. Kenta makes his way back to the shop and stands behind the shimmering fish.

“How was it?” Akira asks, “I hear the stew is to die for.”

“It truly was delicious.” Kenta replies still salivating, “In fact, why don’t you have some?”

“What! No… I couldn’t.” Akira responds, “That’d mean I’d have to leave post.”

“Yeah and?” Kenta says, “I’ll be here, so you don’t need to worry.”

“Uh… I don’t know.” Akira responds with mixed feelings.

“Go on!” Kenta says pressuring him, “I’ll make sure everything’s fine.”

“Ah, alright then.” Akira gives in, “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Taking his apron off, Akira walks in stride towards the tavern, clearly happy about being able to have a break.

…

A few minutes later, Kenta is steadily holding down the fort, selling all kinds of fish left, right and centre.

Akira, you got my respect. Doing this alone is stressful.               

“That’ll be 20 copper please.” Kenta says while receiving the money, “Thank you, come again.”

…

“Hmm… so you work at the fish stall.” A lady says.

Turning towards the lady, Kenta recognises her. She’s the waitress from the tavern.

“Uh… can I help you?” Kenta confusedly asks.

“I didn’t know the one who killed Kabuki, would be so handsome.” She teasingly responds.

“Uh…” Kenta sounds.

“If you’re wondering; Akira, your friend told me.” She responds, “After hearing that it was you who did it, I thought you might get hot out here. So, I brought you drink. On the house.”

“I told my friend this the other day,” Kenta says shaking his head, “but I really don’t need such things, I don’t deserve such praise, I was only doing because I thought it was the right thing to do.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“I insist you take it, it’s the least I could do.” She says going red in the face, a single tear rolling down her face. “Please… you have to…”

Kenta seeing this is shocked, he doesn’t understand why such a beautiful would cry like this.

“Hey now, calm down.” Kenta says sympathetically, “Why are you crying.”

*sob*

“Why… am I… crying?” She says sobbing her way through, “When… Kabuki and his men… first arrived hear… they demanded to be paid… returning one week later… everyone paid… except for one man… my father!”

“Wait, your father was the elder?” Kenta asks.

“Yes…” She says while nodding, “Finally… my father can rest in peace. After… months… those bastards are dead.”

Kenta taking the drink and placing it on a ledge, steps forward and embraces her shaking body.

“It’s okay now.” Kenta whispers, “Everything’s fine now.”

Holding her softly, she tightens her grip.

She must have been holding it for so long.

“Come now.” Kenta says as he wipes away her tears, “Your father wouldn’t want you crying like this.”

“You’re right.” She says gasping for air as she takes a step back, “I’m sorry, I don’t know what got into me.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” Kenta says, “Oh, and thanks for the drink.”

“Hehe, you’re welcome.” She says softly laughing.

Taking a minute to recompose herself, she begins walking back to the tavern.

“Oh, and by the way, my names Chiyako, Chiyako Nosawa.” She says turning to face Kenta, “But you can call me Chiya.”

Turning around, she finally leaves.

…

After Akira got back, he and Kenta continued working late into the evening.

“Here you go, 3 silver.” Akira hands Kenta, “The extra is for letting me have a break, I haven’t had one of those in a while. Ahaha.”

Akira’s infectious laid back personality and cause anyone’s mood to lighten, something Kenta needs at the moment.

After finishing a day’s work, Kenta still has one more thing to do.

“Hey, Akira?” Kenta asks.

“Yes my boy?” Akira responds.

“Would you mind if I borrow your spare rod tomorrow?” Kenta asks, “I feel like going fishing tomorrow.”

“Hahaha. Of course, you may.” Akira replies laughing, “I’ll be working, tomorrow, so just hop on by, and I’ll have it here. I’ll even prepare you a box of bait.”

“Thanks.” Kenta says.

“No need.” Akira exclaims, “It’s great to have another passionate fisher around.”

After clearing up the stall, Kenta heads off.

…

Walking down the road, Kenta stops out front a general goods store. Making sure no one is watching, Kenta opens his dimensional storage, pulls out the bear meat and raps the skin around it.

The bell rings as Kenta enters.

“Sorry, we’ve just closed down for the evening.” The store clerk says.

“I’ll just be a minute.” Kenta says, “I’m looking to sell some items.”

“Ah… alright, but let’s make this quick.” The clerk frustratingly agrees.

Dropping the red furred bear skin bag on the counter, it opens, unveiling the mass of bear meat.

“This is the skin and meat of a bear.” Kenta states, “How much for both.”

The store clerk clearly not expecting such things hesitates for a moment.

“Indeed, that is the meat a skin of a bear.” He says while inspecting the items, “And the cuts are exquisite. I’ll pay 15 silver for the skin and 20 silver for the meat, 35 total.”

“Deal.” Kenta responds.

At least this way, it’s not going to waste.

…

Still full from the delicious lunch, Kenta heads straight upstairs and falls asleep.