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After escorting Temuru to the Merchant’s Guild, our work was finally done. Leon acted as our representative and accepted the total compensation, and the commission was completed.

“Thank you for your services as always. I shall be relying on you from now on too.”
“Thank you for taking us along too.”
“This goes for miss Nicole and others too. You gave a sense of stability that is hard to imagine from your first expedition. It was so good that I would be willing to hire you whenever Mr. Leon is busy.”
“I’m glad you think so.”

Temuru had realized that I was the central figure among us, so he addressed me next. Normally, Cloud who was the only guy, or Finia who was the oldest would have been the likely candidates.

“Excuse me, but I have left the entire reward to Leon. Also, consider this a farewell gift.”
“Hmm, what is it?”

Temuru offered me a small bag. Opening it, I found several people’s share of gold coins.

“Since you will be working as Adventurers in this city, I will be depending on you too. Besides… it is not so bad to build connections with Adventurers connected to Lord Gadius.”
“No, we cannot accept this on our own.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Go ahead and accept it.”

I could understand that Temuru wanted to pay us a little bonus with secret intentions. But I felt it would be bad if we accepted this as professionals, so I rejected it. But Leon lightly urged me to take it.

“But…”

I started arguing back, but Leon came and whispered into my ear.

“It’s like he’s giving pocket money to his grandchildren, so just accept it.”
“Mr. Leon, I can hear you.”
“Whoops, my bad.”

Temuru pretended to be angry with his tone and Leon casually apologized. It was true that most of our party consisted of minors. Even Finia, who was the only adult, didn’t look that older than Cloud.

Our ages were low enough to qualify as Temuru’s daughter.

But one of us, that is, I, was older than Temuru, so I felt a little guilty about accepting pocket money.

“Still, we can’t accept an unjustified reward.”
“There is no helping it. Hey Michelle.”
“Yes?”
“Do you know that herbs are a specialty of this region? I particularly recommend chicken saute with a lot of basil sauce.”
“…Gulp.”

Hey, that’s sly.

I barely endured screaming that aloud. Not that it would lead to any problems even if I did. Still, it was foul play on his part to involve Michelle in this.

“What if you were strapped for cash during the critical moment?”
“Uhh, it would be too sad.”
“Right? So you should take this. It’s spare money for such emergencies.”
“Yaay! Thank you!”

Michelle got skillfully cajoled and happily accepted the money.

“Merchants are cunning…”
“Hahaha, It seems you still have ways to go when negotiating with merchants. Please obediently accept it.”
“Alright, thank you.”

Even if I had my past life’s experiences with me, I couldn’t win against Temuru who had to do sly negotiations day in and day out. I had no choice to accept my defeat and step down.

But leaving that aside.

“Micheeelle?”
“W-What? Your face looks scary.”
“Leaving how my face looks aside, you can’t go accepting things from people you don’t know!”
“I-It couldn’t be helped! And we know mister Temuru!”
“That’s not what I mean!”

As I started the usual cheek-pulling, Michelle retaliated back.

Seeing us quarrel while pulling each other’s cheeks, even Finia was barely enduring a laugh. This is so strange. I should have been a more stoic and tough person…

“Well, from an adult’s perspective, it’s better for children to be more dotable like Michelle. You are a bit too levelheaded, miss Nicole.”
“Ish zhat sho?”

I answered weirdly since Michelle was pulling my cheeks. Rather, read the mood, Michelle. I’m talking with an adult here.

“That it is. We merchants never take needless expenses. So you should think of this as me truly expecting great things from you.”
“Mgh, igh zhash whash hyuu hiinh, zhen shanhyuu.”
“I’m sorry, but I have no idea what you are saying.”
“Unyuu.”

I couldn’t afford to lose to Michelle here. This was the battle that decided which of us stood at the top. A great battle where whoever lets go first would lose hegemony from now on.

Just as I made up my determination, Michelle suddenly pulled out her tongue and started licking my fingertips.

The warm and slippery sensation made me reflexively let her cheeks go.

“Uhya!?”
“Yay, I won!”
“Don’t lick me! That’s against the rules!”
“There are no rules in battles.”
“Khh, this time I’ll pull your boobs instead of cheeks.”
“No, they’ll stretch!”

She covered her chest and fled while I chased after her.

Temuru couldn’t endure anymore and burst into laughter.