Can you lend me some money?
13: Chapter 13: Nicole: By the way…
Can you lend me some money?
A week had passed since Nicole and Lycaon’s visit, yet customer traffic remained abysmal.
Furina even considered changing the decorations outside the door or adding some novel promotions to attract customers.
After all, the general store didn’t just sell things—it also bought them.
Surely there had to be some demand…
But on second thought, never mind, she told herself.
The same principle applies: I, Furina, demand an aura of mystery and a sense of style…
I don’t need to play a part, so there’s no need to make things too flashy.
Otherwise, it would look cheap.
After returning from a breakfast stall with Cissia, Furina picked up a novel and leaned back on the lounge chair behind the counter.
Cissia, on the other hand, took a broom and did a simple cleaning.
Then, as usual, she went to the basement to check on the medicinal herbs, harvesting those that needed harvesting and watering those that needed watering.
Once she finished her chores, she went to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and sneakily started enjoying an ice cream bar.
Seeing that noon was fast approaching, Furina stood up and, with a casual flick of her wrist, flipped the sign on the door to “Closed.” Then, she headed upstairs to prepare for a lovely midday nap.
Knock, knock, knock~ Before she could even cross the hallway, the shop’s door was struck.
Furina’s footsteps came to a dead halt.
“Who is it now?
Of all the times to come, they had to show up right as I was closing shop…” Grumbling softly under her breath, Furina walked slowly to the space behind the counter and took her place.
With a casual snap of her fingers, the door clicked open.
The pink-haired girl, who had been about to knock again, froze mid-motion.
A moment later, she slipped inside with a flattering smile, carrying a bag in her hand.
“Good afternoon, Furina~” Nicole waved cheerfully, her recovery from the surprise swift.
“Uh…
hello.” Seeing it was Nicole, Furina felt no need to put on airs.
She slumped directly into her lounge chair.
She watched as a white-haired fluffball followed closely behind Nicole, flanked by a tall robot in a red jacket.
The white-haired fluffball was quiet, sticking close to Nicole’s side.
The robot, however, was anything but still, acting like a curious child—looking around, mesmerized by everything it saw.
Furina’s lip twitched.
She gave a dry, hollow laugh before asking in a completely drained voice, “What can we do for you?” “Hey~ what’s with that attitude?
So lifeless.
I’m here to talk business, you know.” Seeing Furina’s listless attitude, Nicole grew displeased.
“Oh?
Discussing a partnership, huh?
Fine.
Let me get you some seats…” With a gentle snap of her black-gloved fingers, three lounge chairs instantly flew out from the storage room, landing precisely behind Nicole, Anby, and Billy.
The sight left Anby and Billy stunned.
“Anby, did you see that?
The Manager just snapped her fingers, and the chairs flew out…
What was that?!
Could it be the legendary Object Manipulation?!
Or maybe telekinesis!” Billy immediately leaned in close to Anby’s ear, whispering loudly as he discussed it.
Anby quickly regained her composure and shook her head.
“I don’t know…” Nicole, who had already crossed her legs as she sat, frowned deeply.
No, this Billy is too embarrassing…
Where does that leave the Cunning Hares’s reputation?
“Sit down and behave!” She hissed a scolding at Billy behind her.
At this, Soldier Billy immediately stood at attention before sitting down properly.
Beside him, Anby also took her seat with clean efficiency.
“Ahem.
This is Billy, a new member I just picked up from outside…
He’s a bit lively, so please don’t mind him.” Furina glanced at the new member.
Billy’s screen face displayed a cheerful image as he waved a hand.
Nodding in acknowledgment, Furina turned her gaze to the well-behaved Anby.
“How’s her condition?” “Hi there~ Thanks to those two potions of yours, she’s pulled through.
Otherwise, it would’ve been a different story,” Nicole replied, methodically describing the situation while admiring her own manicured nails.
“She’s amnesiac right now, only remembering her name is Anby…
But that’s actually a good thing.
It means she’ll follow the Cunning Hares without any trouble.” At that moment, Anby’s eyes met Furina’s.
Though she had no memory of the past, she still nodded in respect to the Manager who had saved her.
“Hmm…
Fine.
So, the Cunning Hares consists of just the three of you?” “What else?
We’re growing stronger by the day!” “So, when you came to me for help with Anby a few days ago, the so-called ‘boss’ of the Cunning Hares was actually just a one-woman army?” Hearing this, Nicole immediately bristled.
She sprang to her feet, hand on her hip, and protested.
“Hey!
How is that possible?
The Cunning Hares has a huge roster of external members!
They’re just all too mediocre for me to grant them full-time status.” Furina chuckled softly, resting her head on her hand while tapping her fingers on the bar counter.
“Alright, enough chatting.
Let’s talk business.” “Sure thing!
Just a sec.” Nicole opened the inner pocket of her suitcase, rummaged around, and slapped a crumpled contract down in front of Furina.
Furina picked it up, glanced at it, and her teardrop-shaped eyes widened in shock.
“The potions I sell in my shop are 200,000 Dennies, and you’re selling them for 500,000?
That’s highway robbery…” “Hey, watch your mouth!
Do you have any idea where we’re selling these?” “The Hollows?” “Exactly!
Selling this kind of stuff outside is definitely illegal.
You can only make the big bucks by peddling them inside the Hollows!
Get it?
We’re not asking for the full 500,000 per bottle.
We’ll give you 300,000 and keep 200,000 for ourselves.
How’s that sound?” “Either way, you’re making an extra 100,000 per bottle~” “…Fine.
There are 24 more on that shelf over there.
Take what you need…
and if you run out, just contact me, and I’ll brew more.” After double-checking the other contract and confirming it was in order, Furina signed it with the pen she’d grabbed and tucked it into a drawer.
“Hehe~ I knew you were the best, Furina!
Once the Cunning Hares make it big, you’ll always be our number one partner!” “Hmph…
I know…” Seeing this white-haired cat girl turn her head and hmph softly, yet her tail wagging rapidly behind her, Nicole couldn’t help but cover her mouth and chuckle.
You little tsundere cat girl…
This lady will have you won over in no time~ “Billy, transfer all the potions into this case.” Leaning back in her chair, Nicole casually tossed the black leather case in her hand to Billy behind her.
Catching it with a slight fluster, Billy stood up.
“Understood!
Boss Nicole~!” With that, he wiggled his little butt as he walked to the shelf, looking at the bottles of crystal-clear red liquid with great care.
A cold sweat icon even appeared on his forehead.
Meanwhile, Nicole wasn’t idle either.
She stood up and slowly leaned against the bar, supporting herself with one hand on the table as she bent down toward Furina’s ear.
“I have something very important to tell you, Furina…
lean in.” Furina frowned, eyeing the pink-haired gal’s dead-serious expression.
After a moment’s hesitation, she leaned in, offering her cute cat ear.
Nicole’s soft breath tickled the ear, making Furina shiver uncontrollably.
She asked curiously, “What is it?
Why so mysterious?” “Ahem…
my dear Furina~ Could you lend me some money?” After the words, dripping with a forced, magnetic charm, left Nicole’s lips, Furina froze.
She stared at Nicole’s greasy expression, rolled her eyes, pursed her lips, and flopped back into her lounge chair.
Shaking her white jellyfish-style hair, she just stared at the other woman without saying a word.
Billy, who had already finished packing the goods, and Anby naturally heard Nicole’s “important” words.
After all, she spoke quite loudly, the room was very quiet, and neither of them was a normal person.
Anby slowly lowered her head, unable to bear the sight.
Billy, holding the case, stood there awkwardly, acting as a fool’s training dummy.
Seeing the white-haired cat girl remain silent, Nicole immediately panicked.
She quickly vaulted over the bar to Furina’s side and linked her arm with the other’s.
“Oh come on, Furina.
You’re the best…
Just lend me a little bit~ I don’t have a single cent left after paying for Billy’s repairs and Anby’s recovery.” “The Hollows are still crawling with Ethereals.
Without money for carrots and equipment, we’ll just be trapped in there until we die~~~” “Furina~ Please, I’m begging you.
Once we sell your potions and make enough money, I’ll pay you back.” “Do you think this is appropriate?” “What’s not appropriate about this…
We’ve known each other for so many years, don’t you trust me?” “We’ve known each other for less than a month, Big Sister…
I’m paying for your employees’ medical bills, providing you with goods, and even giving you startup capital…
Nicole, don’t you think you’re taking too much…” “Please, Furina~ I know you’re the most beautiful and kind-hearted cat girl in the world~ The Cunning Hares will be relying on you a lot in the future~” Seeing that her initial approach failed, Nicole started playing the victim and flattery.
Furina took a deep breath, opened the cash register, took out five Wish Coins, and exchanged them for Dennies.
“Just borrowing 500,000…
You figure out the rest.
You’ll have to sign a promissory note and pay this back separately later—” “Furufuru~!!!
I knew you were the best, love you—” “Get off me!
Stop pressing those two evil things of yours against my arm.
Give me your bank card…” Although she was being scolded by Furina, Nicole still handed over the card with a sheepish smile.