Nick let out a sigh filled with anguish.
Ahh
I think all of this was a huge success.
I guess.
There was a reward from the guild, once the trial is over, youll get back the money that was stolen from you, and above all else, you got closure, right?
No doubt about it. Ah, thanks for the lawyers card. The conversation went smoothly.
No problem.
Redd right? Where did you et him?
The card that Nick gave to Leon had South Gate law firm-Redd Chambers written on it. Nick thought the na sounded cool, and pictured a really tough guy.
Lots of ladies want to be friendly with doctors and lawyers. This in turn leads to eting and being friendly too.
Sounds reassuring.
Then why the grim face?
Nick put his hand on forehead and sighed again.
Two reasons.
Can I hear them?
Yes. First
Yes?
Its true that those places where girls serve drinks are not for .
Yes.
But what ntal gymnastics led you to choose a transvestite bar because of it?
Nick and Sem were in a rather eccentric bar, even for the Labyrinth City. It was a transvestite bar nad Sea Anemone, and they were sitting at the back counter.
Oh? Dont you like it?
Thats not it Its not sothing that Ive ever thought about liking or disliking
Nick glanced at the counter, and saw a man that did not look at all like a man, a mysterious man that could just barely be distinguished from a woman, and a man he thought could stand to gain from trying a little harder.
Have sothing to say?
Sem This boy is so cold!
But hes cute. How old are you?
Hahaha. Go easy on him, its his first ti here.
The employees laughed as they made fun of Nick.
Sem was completely unfazed. Nick almost said that Sem was crazy, but rembered the rule to not interfere in each others private lives, and held it back.
No, I dont anything to say other than that I want another drink And can I get sothing to eat here?
Yes!
All the employees had sowhat husky voices, but if you told soone they were won with deep voices, they would believe it, probably a result of voice training.
And just the other day Leon was talking about liking to dress up like a woman.
Do you want to try? Theyll lend you a make-up set if you ask.
Why would I?
Nick then noticed the dubious stares coming from the amused employees on the other side of the counter.
Want to try?
N-no! Absolutely not!
What a sha. Be sure to tell if you change your mind.
Said the employee while smiling and placing plates in front of Sem and Nick.
On the plate were traveling dove at, onion, fava beans and mushrooms seasoned and cooked with tomato and chili pepper.
This type of cuisine was brought from another country a long ti ago, but people in the Labyrinth City had been eating it for over a hundred years, and it had taken root completely. Many had even forgotten it originally ca from sowhere else, and called it Labyrinth stew or Labyrinth chicken.
When they camped out during their adventures, Nick would catch wild birds and make a similar dish. His parents used to make it often, and he rembered how to do it.
The other party mbers seed to like it, and Tianna would even take what was left ho with her.
Hmm Its pretty good.
Right right?
Kyah! Im so happy!
The employee let out a saccharine voice in response to Nicks sincere opinion.
But its not better than mine.
Nick, why are you competing about that?
No, its just kind of frustrating.
It was actually good. It was too spicy to be eaten regularly, but it was perfect for such a bustling place.
If it was a calr place, I could really get into it.
No, its actually pretty calm.
Is it? My back is kind of tingling.
Said Nick, and Sem suddenly smiled.
Im scared of girls.
Yes, youre scared of girls around thirteen years old right?
Nick rembered Sems story very well. A thirteen year old girl accused him of raping her, and as a result, he was expelled from his temple.
Thats not fear, thats more like psychological trauma. Thats not it, Im talking about won in general.
I see.
Nick was surprised, but at the sa ti, he could understand it.
Sem went to a lot of places with girls. He was set up by a girl, and saved by a girl. It would be one thing if he was just set up or just saved, but having experienced both left a big mark on his heart.
In a way, he felt weak, like he couldnt win against them.
Even though he was afraid, he still enjoyed trying to overco this fear. Diving head-first into this fear was probably one of the reasons why he enjoyed going to places where he was served by girls.
Yes. Girls are so scary.
Still, we are girls at heart ufufu.
Well if your heart says youre a girl then thats fine. Theres species that dont distinguish between n and won, and beings that fuse and you dont even know what gender they are. Thats why you have to decide for yourself what you are.
Said Nick, and the employees expressions changed.
W-what?
I can see why Sem brought you. You show promise. Heres my business card.
The mysterious employee that Nick couldnt tell was a man or a woman sat next to him, pulled out a business card from the chest, and put it close to the mouth, leaving a kiss mark on it before handing it to Nick.
Im not going to beco a regular or anything
Oh? Were going to be related through work.
Eh?
A confused Nick looked at the business card, and was taken aback by what he read.
Lawyer!? Wait, are you
It read South Gate law firm-Redd Chambers.
Yes. Ill be handling Leons case.
Seriously?
Redd winked, and Nick was at a complete loss as to what to say.
Hum, it says South Gate law firm
Yes, its this building! The first floor is the bar, and the second floor is the law firm.
Is that even allowed?
We have permission, so its no problem.
Redd showed the cuffs on his suit as he explained, which had badges sewn on.
They had an abstract design of a scale. This was sothing that only lawyers recognized by the country could wear.
Im Leons lawyer, but Im also in charge of making sure the reparations to you and the other victims goes smoothly. Lets make sure everyone cos out a winner!
Y-yes.
You can count on , but we still have so ti until the trial so we can talk more about it later. Today, lets just have fun.
Said Redd while going back behind the counter. Nick was in stunned silence.
What? Are you surprised?
Of course I am I dont even know what we were talking about.
Hum It was about girls being scary.
Thats right. Sem, girls are scary, and transvestites are scary too.
Thats true.
But youre scary too, Sem.
Eh?
You examine and save a lot of people. Lawyers help all kinds of people too, and people with that kind of strong influence are scary.
Sem looked as though those words hurt him sowhere.
S-scary?
I an, put yourself in the position of the people you heal or give dicine to. They must think that they cant upset you or youll abandon them, right? Their future probably looks bleak if you stop giving them dicine or stop treating them.
No, thats not my intention
Whether or not this could be believed was a different story.
Furthermore, when Sem first got to the Labyrinth City, he realized he could use his healing magic and skills for his own profit, and even used it as a threat against a hostess bar that tried to rip him off.
Its true, its scary. People with power are scary, and a lot of people cant be defied. No matter how pure they seem
There was no guarantee that they would not have a change of heart.
Sem and Nick purposefully did not say it.
But Nick, its incredible that you feel that way.
Really?
I an, you were tricked by Claudine too right?
Dont talk about that.
Nick stared at Sem, who smiled and apologized.
Haha, sorry.
But they were probably scared of us.Sohow, I think they attacked us because they were scared.
I see.
Am I wrong?
Asked Nick, and Sem shook his head.
I dont know the truth, and you probably know more than , but what Im saying is that imdiately attacking soone because theyre scary and making them an enemy is way too hasty.
Thats true.
On the other hand, talking to soone because theyre scary takes courage too. In a way, you could say its an unfavorable bet.
Well, betting is scary. Im sure Tianna would disagree though.
Who knows, but I think Ive collected my thoughts. I think Im like Tianna and like betting.
Dont play with fire too much.
Said Nick, and Sem grinned.
This is no good. The idea was to hear your problems, and here I am getting advice.
No, I dont have a lot on my mind.
Which ans there is sothing. What is it?
Nick made a bitter face, and after a few monts of silence, he said what was troubling him, almost like it was forced out of his mouth.
Break.
Break?
My favorite idol, Agate, decided to take a break!
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