After buying all the necessities for Mai, the three of them left the shop together.
"Haruto–kun, do you want to invite Kato Megumi to see your new place?" Mai asked casually, though her eyes flicked toward him with curiosity.
Haruto smirked, tilting his head toward Kato. "Megumi, since my new house is near yours, why not drop by? Might as well see what kind of lair I've built."
"Sure," Megumi replied with her usual calmness. "I noticed your place is close by. I'd love to take a look."
"Then let's go."
---
When they entered Haruto's new home, Megumi's eyes widened slightly.
"This place is… huge. It must have cost a fortune."
Haruto only chuckled. With a flick of his wrist, the table in the center of the room filled instantly with glittering gold and dazzling jewels.
The sudden brilliance left both girls speechless.
"This…!"
Even Mai, who had seen her share of wealth, was taken aback. Megumi's eyes lingered on the treasures, the light reflecting in her calm gaze.
Haruto leaned back against the sofa, voice smooth and nonchalant. "All of this comes from Saeko's world. That place… is already close to the apocalypse."
Both girls fell silent. The word alone conjured scenes of ruin and death.
"Haruto-kun… were you in danger there?" Megumi asked, her tone softer than usual, carrying a note of genuine concern.
Mai, however, crossed her arms and pouted. "Danger? Please. He was probably playing the hero—saving people left and right, especially that Saeko woman. They were practically joined at the hip."
Haruto shot her a sidelong glance, lips quirking. "That was a trade, Mai. Don't twist it into something else."
Still, he gestured casually toward the glittering pile. "Anyway, take whatever you like. There's more than enough."
Mai's eyes lit up as she spotted a necklace that seemed to call to her. Megumi, however, didn't even look at the jewels.
"I don't want any of these," she said firmly, her gaze fixed on Haruto. "What I want is… a ring. There's nothing here that suits me."
Her voice softened, but her eyes never wavered. "If possible… I hope one day you'll give me one, Haruto-kun."
"…."
For once, Haruto found himself at a loss for words. His eyes drifted instinctively to her ring finger. The silence stretched between them, heavy with meaning.
Finally, he nodded, his voice low but steady. "Megumi… I'll definitely give you a ring you'll cherish. That's a promise."
Kato smiled faintly, and the expression struck Haruto harder than he expected. Simple, but breathtaking.
"…."
Mai felt the shift in the atmosphere immediately. The closeness between them was almost tangible, leaving her with a strange sense of defeat.
So she blurted out, "I don't see anything I like either."
Haruto laughed, light and easy, though his eyes held a teasing glint. "Alright then. I'll find something worthy of you too, someday."
She pouted again, but this time said nothing.
Just as the air grew tense with unspoken emotions, a sudden notification appeared before Haruto's eyes.
---
[Ding! Ayame Yomogawa has sent a trade request!]
[Trade details]: Protect the people of Iwato Station and ensure their safe escape aboard the Kotetsujyo.
[Ding! Please choose the trade terms!]
---
Both Megumi and Mai noticed Haruto's expression shift ever so slightly.
"What is it, Haruto-kun?" they asked in unison.
He leaned back with a faint smile, masking the weight of the message. "Nothing much. Just a trade request."
---
Ayame Yomogawa.
Her name flickered across the interface, along with her details.
[Name]: Ayame Yomogawa
[Level]: 0
[Ability]: Basic Archery
"As expected," Haruto muttered, eyes narrowing. "Nothing special."
But the request itself told him enough—the Iwato Station must have been breached by the Kabane. The station would already be drowning in blood and chaos.
His eyes glinted lightly. If she wants me to save them, then she better be prepared to pay the proper price.
With her status so low, there was only one thing of value left.
[Ding! Your trade request has been accepted!]
[Trade terms]: "Basic Archery," "Body Usage Rights Once."
[Ding! Do you wish to confirm the trade?]
Ayame stared at the glowing words, her hands trembling.
Not long ago, a Kabane-infested Hayajiro had crashed through Iwato Station's western gate. The screams still echoed in her ears. Fire and blood painted the night, and panic consumed the people.
Her father had led men toward the Kotetsujyo, planning their escape—but no signal had reached her yet.
The survivors she led were growing desperate. The Kabane swarmed like an endless tide, biting, tearing, and turning the fallen into more of their own. Even the samurai struggled to hold the line.
And now, the trade demanded this price.
Her chest tightened. She knew what body usage rights meant. She had studied such things in books, but never experienced them. The thought alone made her cheeks burn despite the horror around her.
But then—
"Move! If we don't reach the Kotetsujyo, we'll all die!"
"I don't want to die!"
The panicked cries of the crowd rang in her ears, crushing her hesitation.
Ayame straightened her back, voice trembling yet resolute. I am a daughter of the Yomogawa family. It is my duty to protect these people. Even if it costs me… myself.
Her finger hovered only a moment longer before pressing down.
[Ding! Trade initiated!]
[Trade with]: Ayame Yomogawa
[Trade details]: Protect the people of Iwato Station and ensure their safe escape aboard the Kotetsujyo.
[Trade terms]: "Basic Archery," "Body Usage Rights Once."
[Time limit]: 3 hours.
Haruto's eyes narrowed as the system confirmed the trade.
"Three hours, huh?" He exhaled slowly, a faint smile curling at his lips. "Alright then, Ayame Yomogawa. Let's see if your gamble pays off."