Pov of the dust seller .
' These children . Why must this world force you to do such things . '
I asked myself looking at the two young girls in front of the counter . I myself, of course, already knew the answer to my own question .
' It is the generations of the past and mine that are destroying the lives of the children of this generation . And it has always been so and will be so . The task of us adults should be to make sure that we leave our children a better world and yet ..... Everything is becoming even worse than it was . Whether it is because of SDC , people in power or just rich and influential people . Instead of fixing the world , helping those in need and fighting the grimm threat . They prefer to fight between themselves and us in this war of influence and power between rich and poor ' .
' The common man cannot take power away from the rich . Companies will always get rich from our needs . People selling dust like me have to source from SDC no matter how much we don't like it , and even without selling dust professionally you still have to buy it to live with technology . Elections don't matter either because there are no good candidates . Now only the lesser of two evils is elected . What is worse is that many people do not understand this , they love elected by them , council members and depending on what the council members loves , they love or hate the companys . '
Thinking about it I sigh knowing that it will only get worse . It is always worse . Now the rumors of white fang becoming more and more aggressive tell me enough to know . Taxes are already increasing , but the current situation will be used to increase them even more . However, despite more money spent on taxes Vale will still decline further . Corruption , mismanagement of the city and squandering of taxes will be the cause of it .
' However , I also can not deny the fact that ordinary people are also the culprits of all this . And why this is so , no need to explain ..... We adults are monsters . We are desensitized to suffering , blind to others . There is no explanation for the unnecessary cruelty of some people . There is no explanation for the greed of those who already have wealth .''
' I too am a monster . Because of my revenge , my hatred and fear hidden under hope I entrusted such an act in the hands of three young children . Instead of simply assisting the children in need and minding my own business , I stained their hands . Even if they assured me that they had done it before , even when they managed to do it without problem .... Still . '
' but I also have my children . My dear daughter and sons .... And the sad truth is that as a father my children's welfare will always be above the welfare of others . However if it would not hurt my children , I would help . Which I did , giving a little more money to the envelope . Not much because due to moving all the way to Atlas I no longer have savings '
Despite this hopeless and sad act of kindness on my part . Hearing my own thoughts makes me lose hope in myself and the future of the world , but I have to be strong for my family . I have to focus on the present with hope for the future .
' As long as Flynt finishes school and finds a good job everything will be fine . '
Thinking about this I watch as the two-colored eyes of a girl named Neo look at the envelope , which was slid toward them .
' Despite her age, I see no innocence in those eyes . The same with her friend Emerald . In their eyes I see the intelligence and cunning of an adult . Now I know that it was not just my illusion when I met them the first time . They know how to use their charm to play with people's feelings .'
Thinking about this I watch as a girl named Neo takes an envelope in her hand , then after opening it she starts counting the money inside . This show of lack of confidence in my honesty after so many years of business acquaintance makes me feel a little awkward but I don't mind . However, to my surprise, after the two-colored girl finished counting, she put one-third of Lien from the envelope on the counter and then without warning she headed for the exit.
" Wait what about the money ?! "
I asked after snapping out of my momentary surprise at Neo's action . At my call Neo looked at Emerald . This look seemed somehow to be a communication between them , which apparently must have been true because after a momentary stare , the green-haired Emerald looked in my direction .
" A tip for all these years and a thank you for the discounts and free delivery . "
Said Emerald causing my eyes to start shedding tears despite my strong efforts to ensure that this does not happen. Despite this I wanted to give them the money but they continued on their way out .
" Thank you for shopping at my store . "
I said without being able to gather myself to follow them . Sitting on my stool and looking at their backs , I saw them as they carefully , avoiding the removal company employees , leave the store for the last time . I could only ask in my mind some higher power for luck in life for my former clients.
' Oh I didn't say goodbye to Kurumi. Well , I hope that we will meet again , so that I could say goodbye properly '
-
-
-
-
Pov 3 person
After leaving the store , Neo and Emerald wasting no time set off to syron their next destination . Unfortunately before they had time to leave the area , a familiar two children appeared on the road in front of them . A girl and a boy . Flynt and his sister , about whom the shopkeeper had so cheerfully told Neo and Kurumi at their first meeting .
Both had school backpacks on their backs signaling that they were returning from school . As for the reason why so early . The reason could be the family situation as well as the mood the siblings were in . Like his father , the owner of the dust store , Flyt was in a rather depressed mood . His younger sister was in an even worse state , she was pulling her nose and practically crying in the street .
" Everything will be fine . You've already been in Atlas , it's not so bad there . A little cold but it's not bad . Uncle promised Dad that he would help us . I know you are afraid to change schools but look at the positives. You will be able to find a lot more friends .... "
Said Flynt trying to sound positive and happy for his sister . At least that was until he noticed Emerald and Neo standing quietly in their way . Silent for a moment the boy looked at his father's store , visible at the end of the street behind the girls and sighed . On the other hand Emerald's reaction to the meeting was the visible fatigue on her face .
She was just enjoying internally because of the smooth and quick handling of things at the store . Such a turn of events came about only because they didn't meet Flynt in the store, who might have had problems with Neo because of what Big Mama had told them. Unfortunately now that they met the boy on the street , Emerald did not believe that Neo , will try to avoid him .
Seeing the siblings approaching , Emerald looked at Neo , who without changing the blank expression on her face , stared at Flynt , strengthening her grip on the handle of her umbrella .
Of course , the umbrella itself was a weapon and the fact that Neo , staring at the peasant so tightly tightened her grip on the weapon did not testify well . Unfortunately Flynt talking to his sister did not notice this . But when he did , he looked first at the store behind their back and only then at them . At that one moment Neo seemed to calm down , which made Emerald sigh with relief .
" Do you want to say goodbye or go straight home ? "
Asked Flynt looking at his sister , who looked at the two girls in front of her and tried to smile .
" See you around . I hope that one day you will visit our store in Atlas . "
Said the girl after which with quicker steps she moved towards the store . As for the reason for this behavior ..... Loud sobbing coming from the girl , gave a rather clear answer to this question .
" Hello ? "
Said Flynt awkwardly looking at the two girls in front of him . Unfortunately he did not receive a response from the two girls staring at him .
" You already know about the store right ? "
Asked flynt to which both nodded their heads .
" I see ..... Kurumi is not with you ? "
Asked Flyt feeling an awkward atosphere . And well , no answer came this time either , which made Fynt could no longer look at either of them so he looked to the side .
" Thank you for supporting my father's store . I know we are not friends or acquaintances but thank you , for the few times we talked . I hope we can meet again someday . "
Flynt said . It was apparently the only thing he could say in the current , awkward situation .
" And well if you can manage to convey something to Kurumi . Tell her that I thank her for her support . I don't know if I would have continued playing the trumpet if not for her compliments . Although I know she didn't always mean it , but in a way she still gave me some confidence . And I think it was enough for me to continue ."
Said Flyt , surprising both of them . Immediately after this confession , the boy passed them to follow his sister to their closing , family business . Standing still , the expression on Neo's face did not change much as she moved ahead with a quicker step . Seeing this reaction Emerald said nothing and moved behind her .
Following Neo , Emerald knew that although they were walking in the general direction of their next destination , that was not where Neo was ultimately headed . During the journey , which lasted a good twenty minutes , Neo stopped at the river dividing the Vale . Leaning on the railings mounted on the edge of the raised bank , her bicolored eyes began to watch the passing ships .
Her haracteristic smile disappeared from her face as she looked thoughtfully ahead . Her thoughts and mood were unreadable , but her seriousness betrayed that something was going on in her head after all .
" I didn't think you would care so much . But don't worry so much about it , we couldn't really do anything more with it than we already have . We did our job . "
Said Emerald surprising Neo , who was too focused on thinking .
" Here have a drink . "
Said Emerald sliding in front of Neo's face a can of soda , which she bought from a vending machine placed against the wall of the public restroom behind them . Taking the can of drink from Emerald , Neo sent the girl a mocking look as if mocking what she had just said .