Chapter 245: 245 : Opening Shop and Increasing Harem Members XXII
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John reached for his coin pouch.
Sera’s hand stopped his wrist gently. "I will pay."
" Sera—"
She gave him a look that ended arguments.
The vendor took Sera’s coins like he was touching sacred offerings.
Fizz bit into a honey twist, sighed happily, and spoke through crumbs. "See. This is why she is a senior. Wisdom. Charity. Excellent taste."
The club students watched like this was a religious event.
John felt the heat rise in his face. He leaned slightly toward Sera. "You do not have to do this."
She replied softly. "I want to."
Fizz licked sugar off his paw. "Also, in my eyes, you are earning points. I am keeping score. You are currently leading."
Sera blinked. "Points."
Fizz nodded solemnly. "Snack points. The only points that matter."
Sera’s mouth twitched, amused. "Then I will continue earning them."
John did not know whether to be grateful or terrified.
They walked the rest of the way to the shop.
Fizz Holdings did not look grand from the outside. It looked like a modest business trying to survive in a city that ate modest businesses for breakfast. But the door was solid, the windows were clean, and the sign was simple.
Inside, the shop smelled of fresh wood, metal, oil, and new beginnings. The front counter held a ledger. Behind it, the shelves displayed practical goods. Tools. Knives. Small crafted items. Nothing screamed danger.
That was a lie, because in the back room sat a semi automatic crafting table that could change a life if used wrongly. But no one in the street needed to know that.
When John stepped inside, his chest loosened again. This place was his responsibility. His risk. His chance.
A customer was already there.
A broad shouldered man with hands like stones was holding a dagger and squinting at it like he was trying to decide whether it would betray him. Gael stood behind the counter, calm, steady, voice low. He looked like a man who had been born with a ledger in one hand and a hammer in the other.
Kel leaned near the wall, arms folded, watching the customer with dry patience.
Orna stood behind the display, sleeves rolled, eyes sharp, posture proud. She looked like she belonged in a forge and would fight anyone who suggested otherwise.
Edda stood at the cashier spot, her expression neutral, but her eyes instantly flicked to John like a knife checking a target.
John’s mind did something uncomfortable.
Three women. One roof.
Sera, who stood beside him now, bright and innocent to what she did not know.
Edda, whose loyalty was like a chain and whose habits were like a threat.
Orna, whose strength carried warmth and danger in equal measure.
John’s heart beat once, hard. Not from desire. From tension.
Nothing happened.
No one spoke about it.
No one smiled in a way that admitted shared secrets.
Sera did not know. Not about the others. Not about what had happened in the hours when the city’s quiet turned private.
John forced his face to remain normal. He forced his breathing to remain even. He reminded himself that he was here to build something, not destroy himself.
Gael noticed John and gave a small nod, but he did not stop negotiating. He finished the current work before greeting the next.
The customer tapped the dagger. "Forty silver, you said."
Gael nodded. "Forty silver. Steel is clean. Balance is good. Edge will hold."
The man grimaced like he wanted to complain, then sighed like he realized complaining would not sharpen the blade. He counted the coins out slowly, each one landing with a soft clink.
Orna watched his fingers like she was counting too.
Kel muttered under his breath. "Forty silver is cheaper than regret."
The man paused. "You are selling regret too."
Kel replied with a straight face. "Not today. We are out of stock."
The customer snorted, paid, and tucked the dagger away with satisfaction. He looked at John and the group and seemed to realize he had walked into something unusual.
Fizz waved at him with a honey twist in one paw. "Welcome to commerce. Leave a good review in your heart."
The man left quickly, as if afraid the orange spirit might start offering life advice.
Only after the door shut did Gael step forward properly and bow his head to Sera. "Lady Sera," he said.
Sera smiled warmly. "Gael. It has been a long time."
Gael’s face softened. "It has. I am glad to see you in good health."
Kel nodded at her, polite. Orna gave her a brief glance, then a respectful dip of her head. Edda stayed still, eyes flicking once to Sera, then away.
Sera’s gaze slid over them all and warmed. "I am happy you are here. John told me he wanted to build something. Seeing you here makes it real."
John swallowed. "Thank you. All of you."
Fizz waved both paws. "Thank me too. I am the soul of this company."
Kel said, "You are the noise of it."
Fizz blinked. "That is also true."
Sera turned toward the shelves. "I will buy something. To support you."
"Sera—" John tried.
She lifted an eyebrow. "John, you are trying to refuse money from a customer."
He closed his mouth.
Fizz leaned close. "This is the first time I have ever seen someone weaponize kindness."
Sera walked slowly along the shelves, examining items with genuine interest. She chose practical things. A small knife with a clean edge. A set of needles for stitching leather. A compact tool kit that could fit in a travel bag.
John watched her choices and felt a strange comfort. She was not buying decorations. She was buying support that made sense.
Fizz nodded approvingly. "Practical. But it could be more snack related."
Sera ignored him and carried the items to the counter.
Edda stepped forward to ring the sale, expression neutral, hands steady, voice polite.
"Forty eight silver," she said.
Sera paid without hesitation.
John’s throat tightened. "Thank you."
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