Japan is an island country surrounded by the sea on all sides. Its land area is very small, its resources extremely limited, so compared to big countries, its attitude is stingy as well.
In Japan, all valuable garbage belongs to the state. The government takes it to sell for money as public revenue. Also, if you want to throw garbage away, you need to pay an extra fee to the government.
Emiya couldn't help but think, if people knew that a star-destroying level powerhouse, the Emanator of Nihility Lady Acheron, actually got caught and questioned while picking through trash, that would definitely be quite a scene.
"It's fine. I heard from Uncle Sato that, officially, it's illegal, but no one actually enforces it."
Vera recalled Acheron heading out with excitement, carrying a nylon bag, and couldn't help smiling. "I was just worrying that Lady Acheron might not be able to enjoy an ordinary person's life. If she's found something she likes doing, that's a good thing."
"Mm. As long as Acheron's happy, that's all that matters. If anyone dares gossip, I'll wipe them out."
While they were talking, waves of loud laughter drew nearer, the Garbage Picker F4 and Acheron had finally finished a day's hard work and were returning in high spirits, chatting and laughing.
"Yo, Emiya, did you find a good job today?" Acheron raised her dirty hand and greeted Emiya excitedly.
"Mm, I've already got two jobs lined up. I start work at 3 in the afternoon." Emiya fetched a basin of hot water, took the sack off Acheron's back, set it aside, and wiped her face with a towel.
"Looks like you had a pretty fruitful day too."
"Hehe, my luck really was good today. I picked up a lot of great stuff!" Acheron was smiling so happily her eyes turned into slits, and Emiya couldn't help but get entranced looking at her.
"Hey, Acheron girl, your husband's really handsome!" Granny Shoko, one of the F4, leaned in under the lamplight and carefully sized Emiya up.
"No wonder Vera doesn't look like her mom, turns out her husband's genes are just too strong."
The moment those words came out, Acheron's and Vera's faces instantly changed. Even though the weather was stifling hot, everyone present suddenly felt a chill run down their backs.
"Tsk, you damned old woman, if you can't talk properly then just shut your mouth!" Old man Toshihiko shoved Granny Shoko aside.
"Sorry about that. My old lady's uncultured, really, she's just slow in the head. Her character's fine."
"It's alright." Emiya shook his head, went into the house, divided the marinated dishes he'd bought into four portions, and handed them out.
"Just a little token of appreciation. Thanks for looking after our Acheron, and I'll be troubling you again in the future."
"Oh? Young man, we meet again!" Oyama rubbed his drunken eyes and finally saw clearly, Emiya was the same man who'd given him sake.
"Thanks for the sake, it was delicious!"
"Mm, I'm glad you liked it."
After sending off the enthusiastic Garbage Picker F4, Acheron rushed into the bath for a shower, then dragged Vera and Emiya over to admire her day's haul.
In Japan, aluminum cans sell for a high recycling price. Acheron's bag, packed full, would easily fetch 3,000 yen. But what she was most proud of was the object wrapped in black cloth at the very bottom of the bag.
"Look at this watch! Old man Toshihiko said it's a real treasure. His eyes went wide when he saw it!"
Carefully unwrapping the black cloth, Acheron revealed a mechanical wristwatch, about 70% new. The logo on it showed it was none other than the world-famous brand Rolex.
"This watch really is expensive... where did you pick it up?" Emiya was a little shocked, Acheron's luck was too good.
"Hehe, recently the government's been cracking down hard on corrupt officials. Today I saw the town mayor, just before being shoved into the police car, secretly throw all his valuables into a trash bin."
Hands on her hips, Acheron's face was full of pride. "I gave all the other stuff to the F4 seniors, but I kept this watch. To honor my generosity, they decided from now on to call me Garbage Sage!"
"Haha, amazing, Garbage Sage!" Emiya raised both hands in a thumbs-up, genuinely happy that Acheron had so quickly blended into ordinary life.
"To celebrate you finding work, I'll give you this watch!" Acheron held the watch in both hands and shoved it into Emiya's palms.
"This watch is way too meaningful, you should keep it for yourself."
"Lord Emiya, when Lady Acheron gives you a gift, you should accept it properly and always remember her kindness." Vera was exasperated, thinking Emiya was already this old and still so clueless.
"Alright, alright, it's my fault." Emiya gripped the watch tightly, stood up, and solemnly thanked Acheron, "Thank you. I'll definitely cherish it."
"Mm!" Acheron nodded hard, her eyes full of joy and happiness.
The next day, Emiya happily arrived at the convenience store an hour early. He thought it would be a smooth workday, but right at the start he hit a wall.
The woman he'd robbed yesterday was standing behind store manager Kurokawa, massaging his shoulders. From the way they smiled and chatted, it was obvious they were a loving couple.
When they saw Emiya walk in, the two of them stood up at the exact same time. Realizing something was off, they both froze, staring at each other, synchronized almost 100%.
"Kimiko, you know Mr. Emiya?" Kurokawa asked curiously.
"So your name is Emiya, huh? Yesterday you ran so fast, but still ended up in my hands after all!" Kimiko quickly walked forward, stood on tiptoe, and patted Emiya on the shoulder, happily introducing him to her husband.
"Kurokawa, this handsome young man is our great benefactor! Yesterday it was him who bravely fought the thief and recovered the store's money!"
"What a coincidence, yesterday the one who saved my life was also Mr. Emiya!"
Standing off to the side listening to the couple heap endless praise on him, Emiya was so embarrassed his toes could have drilled a hole into the floor. All he could think about was quitting and finding a new job somewhere else.
At last, Kimiko noticed Emiya's strange behavior. She curiously reached out and poked his stiff face. "Mr. Emiya, you look a little shy, don't you?"
"Kimiko, that's too forward!" Kurokawa panicked, quickly grabbing her hands and pulling her behind him.
"Mr. Emiya, please don't mind, my wife is just overly friendly."
"It's fine, my stomach just hurts a bit. Could I use your restroom?" Tossing out the excuse, Emiya bolted into the toilet like the wind.
"Kurokawa, I heard our eldest daughter likes Mr. Emiya?" Kimiko's eyes sparkled even brighter as she looked at the bashful, shy Emiya.
"This handsome young man is so innocent, just like you when we first met!"
"Go, go, don't start nonsense in the shop. Just head home already!" Kurokawa rolled his eyes helplessly.
His wife was already the mother of three kids, yet still this careless and scatterbrained. 'No wonder the children at home were so unruly, it was all her influence.'
"I'm not going anywhere! Yesterday my dear husband nearly had an accident. As his wife, I have to stay and keep him company at work!"
And so, for the entire five-hour shift, wherever Emiya went, Kimiko followed, her big sparkling eyes shamelessly glued to him.
If Kurokawa hadn't sworn up and down that his wife would never come to the shop again, Emiya would have quit this job no matter what.
Today's situation was truly a textbook example of "suffering the consequences of your own actions."
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