- VOL 1 – THOSE UNITED BY THE FATE -

Chapter 2: Future Plans (11/12)

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"Its real value comes from its potential. It seems to react well when combined with other materials."

Hearing this, the boy started to laugh inwardly, even if he didn't make it outwardly noticeable.

‘Hahahaha! Just as I expected! If a good chemist uses something like this, it could be a treasure!’

Riki waited a moment to see Shin's reaction after what he said. When she saw that he was lost in thought, she called out to him, bringing him back to the conversation.

"Shin-kun?"

Shin broke from his thoughts without breaking his calm and serious expression.

"So can you learn how to use it?"

A small grin formed on his lips. After meeting the woman a few times, he felt that she could do it. Now he was checking her words. Even though he thought she was a kind and good person, the way she looked when she was on the job prevented him from trusting her completely.

‘She may be nice, but that doesn't mean she can't be sneaky.’

Riki sighed and answered without waiting too long.

"I think you understand the impact this fruit can have. Especially if you can find someone good to market it to."

"Weell... This fruit helped me before, but I don't know its actual worth. I didn't think it was rare, I can only say that I brought it here by chance."

"Hmm. I guess you are right. I've never heard of humans living near the forests of the elves, so it's normal that you don't know the world outside."

"But thanks to you, I've come to realize its value a little bit. I couldn't pass up a chance after knowing that such fruit is not to be found elsewhere, could I?"

At some point, they both started saying similar things. It was as if they were trying to get a word in edgewise, like predators looking for an opening to pounce on their prey.

Realizing that this short-lived game of hunter-prey was going nowhere, Shin finally got bored and stopped playing word games. The woman in front of him must have thought the same thing, as she too fell silent.

This time there was a deep silence. Shin realized that they were close to the end of the conversation and decided to simply state his wishes.

"We need to market this well."

"We need to promote this fruit properly."

"Hahaha! I think we're on the same page, Riki-san."

She smiled widely in response to his laughter.

"I guess so, Shin-kun. We've both realized the potential of this fruit. What we need to talk about is how to sell it. It would be best if we work together."

"I have a few ideas on how we can sell it, but you are the one who knows about the fruit. How should we turn this fruit into something and market it? Surely we're not going to sell it as it is, right?"

"Honestly, I don't know any more than you do right now. I can't analyze something that is not even mentioned anywhere in such a short time."

"I see. Do you have a guess?"

"First of all, I would like to investigate with more samples. I also think I would need at least a few weeks, but basically, we could sell it as a potion or a pill."

"So that's it. Then it might fit into the plan I have in mind. If you can make it work, all you ask for is more fruit."

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"Can you tell me about this plan of yours?"

Shin grinned wickedly.

"Don't worry about that. You do what you have to do and I'll handle the rest. What you need to do is to make the best use of this fruit. Then it will be sold in the best way possible. But in a short story, I'll start by attracting schools of small fish and let the big fish follow them."

Riki accepted this plan without much question. After all, she couldn't even be in this business without fruit in her hands. At least for now, she had to accept the boy's plans. She could think later if it would work or not.

"All right then. You seem confident."

She held out her hand and looked at him as if she expected the same from Shin. Soon they shook hands. They both seemed satisfied with the situation.

"We seem to be good partners, Riki-san. I have big plans for this business."

"You did well to trust me, Shin-kun. Don't worry, if there's anything you want, just let me know; I won't quit what I've started. Especially if it has to do with plants."

After the handshake, Shin did not sit back in his chair. He was standing, looking at the woman across from him. She had not yet sat down either.

"I think you're going to leave. Actually, you can stay here to chat. My friends will be arriving soon. You've already met Yumi, she'd be happy for you to stay."

The boy standing there smiled politely and declined the offer.

"Thanks, but I have a few more things to do."

Then he headed for the door. Riki accompanied him to say goodbye.

"The rain seems to have increased considerably. You can bring it back later."

After Shin opened the door, she nodded outside and handed him the umbrella she had taken before getting up.

"Thanks."

The chestnut-haired boy slowly took the umbrella but didn't go outside right away. He took one last look at the woman in front of him and spoke again.

"What we talk about stays between us, right? It's necessary for my plan."

Riki felt a slight shiver, even though he said it with a very innocent and pure expression, without changing his tone. Still, she replied without breaking her posture.

"Of course."

With her short and clear answer, he turned back to the door and said to himself in satisfaction.

"Good."

Then, without waiting, he went outside.

"Shin-kun?

"Shin?"

But he had to stop again at the sight before him. Although he had only met a few people since he arrived in the city, two of them were standing in front of him. One was a young man with auburn hair and a lean physique, while the other was a beautiful woman with blond hair and the same color eyes.

"How do you know Shin-kun, Minato?"

"He, he. Well, we stay at the same inn."

Minato had a look of concern on his face as he said this. He looked at Shin for a moment, but then quickly turned to the woman next to him. Riki, who had been watching the scene from behind Shin, joined in, laughing out loud.

"Huuu... So everyone in the whole Ardevant knows Shin-kun. That's really surprising..."

She walked out of the herbalist's shop and came to the door, then continued talking.

"I was just talking to Shin-kun about the fruit from yesterday. He was leaving because he had something else to do."

Minato was a little surprised, but he didn't think too much about it because he had something else on his mind. Shin, on the other hand, more or less understood why he was the way he was. After all the talk about himself, he opened his mouth and joined the conversation.

"Riki-san also mentioned that her friends were coming, but it was a surprise to see you."

Riki continued.

"So you know Minato too. I wouldn't be surprised if you know Kulong too..."

The black-haired woman had said it in a mocking way, but Shin smiled slightly at the name. However, he didn't say anything about what he thought about it and started walking towards the duo in front of him.

"Wouldn't you like to stay and chat with us?"

The blonde-haired woman said as Shin approached her. She had a look of anticipation on her face. Anyone who saw her probably couldn't deny the smile on her face and her sincere request. But Shin simply smiled and thanked her. Then, ignoring the good-looking woman, he touched the shoulder of the young man next to him and whispered something in his ear.

"Don't worry, yesterday's incident is safe with me."

Even though Minato was focused on the face of his angel beside him, he did not miss this important information. The slightly worried look on his face gave way to a happy and relieved expression. Shin left them, thinking that his work here was done. It didn't even take a minute for him to disappear.

"Hmph."

Yumi pouted and just walked towards the building opposite. Minato, who was left without an umbrella by her quick steps, watched her go.

"Yumi-san, I'll get wet if you go that fast!"

Even though the herbalist in front of them was only a few meters away, Minato, who was focused on his angel, forgot about the rain and got soaked in just a few seconds. With an exasperated expression, she made her way into the herbalist, but the dark-haired woman at the door consoled her and welcomed her in.

"Don't worry Minato, I'm rooting for you!"

A look of expectation and hope that he could never have expected appeared on her face as well. With Riki's support, Minato regained his composure and recovered.

"Heh, heh. Thank you for trusting me, Riki-san."

Once he arrived in front of the door and escaped the rain, he closed his eyes and put a confident expression on his face. He stood like that for a few seconds, hoping the woman next to him would encourage him even more. But when no more sound came, he slowly opened one eye.

"Riki-san?"

"You'll get sick if you stand there any longer!"

This was the only answer he received as he waited for support. The shout of Riki, who had already stepped inside.

With a tearful expression on his face, the young man still didn't break down. He clenched his fists and raised one hand in the air, muttering to himself.

"Yumi-san. One day you will realize my love. Then you will realize how unfair you have been to me and apologize. But don't worry, this big-hearted one will forgive you..."

"Minato, what are you mumbling to yourself? If you're not coming in, I'm closing the door, have a good soak."

"Uh, ahh. I'm coming, Riki-san!"