"W-W-What the hell...? Suddenly exposing your wealth like that... W-What are you trying to play at here?" Milanor asked while rubbing his eyes.

"What about my offer you can't understand?" Naya replied with an annoyed attitude. "If you got money problems with you, then I'll say you already found an answer. Well, we'll see when we get to your ship, at least," she shrugged.

He quickly raised his body, leaning against the table. "Y-You're not pulling any of my legs, right? T-That, seventy... This isn't some kind of scam popular around this part?"

"Hah? You're trying to say something with that?" Naya pulled her head back a little, incensed. "That hideout was seriously giving you some weird delusion about me in your head."

"W-Well, you know... Trust is a big deal in my line of work..."

"You want proof? I'll show you proof," she smacked the table and glared at him, the motion could be seen as a challenge.

"N-N-Nah, you don't have to..." he quickly waved his hand around. "If you say you'll pay me in advance, then that's good enough... But seriously, seventy million..." Milanor sat back down in his seat, looking at Naya with an astonished gaze.

It wasn't an amount of money a single individual on the fringe of the galaxy could amass with just hard work alone. Even Milanor never had more than 5 million at any one time, and that was when he got the best profits in his career yet.

"What's with that look? Anyway, hurry up and order something. You made them wait long enough."

"Ah, that's right... Then, uhh... Sparkly Neutrinos, please," he nodded meekly, requesting a 75-credit soda. Naya then used the console to order his drink and her own pick, a 240-credit Kakao Milk Blend.

Just who was this girl?

The more he learned about Naya, the more inexplicable she became. He remembered that she said something about looking for a ride, but she could easily buy a mighty ship of her own with that kind of bank account.

In reality, having the ability to do something didn't make it mean that you should. While she could buy even a medium-sized ship easily, she wouldn't be able to pilot it, nor would she be allowed to.

"By the way..."

"Hmm?"

Naya pointed to Milanor's wrist, "Ah, Miledi... huh," and he nodded in understanding.

"I've stayed silent while waiting for an explanation for quite a while, but it seems I've been forgotten," she said with her usual stoic sarcasm. "Captain, would you mind?"

"Um, yeah... Sorry about that." He activated the camera function so Miledi could see. "If you haven't noticed, this is the owner of that room I had intended to hide in earlier. Her name's Naya."

She gave a small nod, unsure of what to say.

"We escaped her room together since she was familiar with the way. And while we walked, I found out that she is currently looking for the service of a freelancer. A ferry job."

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

There was a small pause before a response could be heard. "I understand. We do currently need credits, urgently if I may declare, and we would be happy for the employment," Miledi asserted.

"Oh, so you agree too?" Milanor grinned.

"Thanks to a predicament beyond our control, we do not currently have many alternatives." Though her voice was monotone as ever, Milanor could sense an emphasis on the word beyond. He gulped.

"A-Ahaha, you're right. It was a force of nature..." Their ordered drinks arrived while Milanor smiled wryly at Miledi's tolerance capacity. He immediately took a sip of the refreshingly cold, bitter-sour taste.

"Indeed, Dear Master. Now if I may ask about the detail of the job?"

Milanor glanced at Naya. She was also sipping at her chocolate-based beverage. "Mm... I intend to see the ship first if you don't mind?"

"Indeed, I do not. Verifying our assets before committing is very understandable. We are currently anchored at Port Number 12, Terminal 7. Should I arrange for transportation?"

Naya thought for a moment. She also checked the clock displayed on her holotab.

"You don't need to. It's pretty far, but the periodic airbus should be able to bring us there before the day is over."

"Hmm," Milanor murmured, checking his own clock on the PAW. It was 14:45 GST (Galactic Standard Time), and since this colony didn't have its own local time, the GST was directly applicable.

Milanor grimaced. So it has been about 7 hours since I left the ship this morning. Jeez. That casino sure took a lot out of me...

His money, time, and energy, to be precise. All of those had been totally wasted on that youthful indiscretion he started on a whim. He wouldn't be able to object to any words of wisdom he would receive from both Fianna and Miledi back on the ship later.

"I see. Then Captain, if you could be a gentleman and escort Miss Naya," Miledi said. When he thought she would cut off the transmission, she continued instead, "Thank you, Captain. You have prevented me from being a liar. I truly appreciate the sentiment."

"What are you talking about...?" he wondered, but the call had already been cut off.

"I cannot understand that maid..."

Naya finished her drink right after that. She pulled a card from her pocket and lined it up with the console. Beep. Came a sound indicating the payment was accepted.

She picked up her box and immediately stood up.

"Ah, wait...! Why the hurry...?" Milanor sucked his drink like a vacuum cleaner and immediately followed after her. "Can't we enjoy some local delicacies first? I'll have you know that I'm quite hungry."

He hadn't eaten anything since morning, or rather, since yesterday, so it couldn't be helped.

"Those people from before... They likely are still searching for you all around the sector," Naya eyed him skeptically from over her shoulder. "Better to get far from this area as soon as possible."

"Ugh, I know what you mean, but..." He doubted they would start any trouble even if he was found. The place was packed with people and any kind of commotion could easily cause the security forces to come out. He didn't think those underground agents would want to mess with them any more than Milanor was.

They proceeded toward the exit.

Along the way, Naya bought some portable drinks from some vending machines near the doorway. They were filled with the café's special brands.

"Is this provision for the bus ride? Then um, I'd like that black one, the Kafee Original," Milanor shamelessly pointed, fully aware that it would not come out of his pocket. Naya rolled her eyes but didn't say anything and bought his selection along with her drinks.

It doesn't look like she has any concern for our supposed pursuers though, considering what she said, felt Milanor as she put all the purchases inside her bag. Despite the appearance, it was surprisingly spacious.

"Thank you for your patronage. Please visit us again!" the cheerful VI doorwoman sent them off as they exited the café.

Stifling hot and humid air immediately assaulted them right outside. "Whew. I suppose even the best ventilator and climate control won't help much with this many people." It didn't help that he was wearing dark-colored clothing he wasn't familiar with on top of his usual outfit.

"...The bus stop is to the north, a 10-minute walk," Naya told him, looking at a map on her holotab which she placed on top of her box. "Better keep up," she then took off walking with a hasty pace.

"Hey...! Really, what's with her...?"