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Leo: "Come back early. There's smoked fish. And bring your catch. Ran is here, and Yukari wants fish."
The World's Cutest Cat: "Roger, meow! On my way!"
Leo put down his phone. He let Ran operate the Smokers while he harvested strawberries. His Farming Skill was now Level 3. Level 4 was imminent.
Meanwhile, at the Mountain Lake, Chen stuffed her phone into her hat.
She lifted a crate containing forty fish.
To a normal human, this would be impossible. To a Nekomata who regularly looted the Scarlet Devil Mansion (carrying Flandre + Books + Cake), it was light work.
Chen sprinted down the mountain.
"Lord Ran~~! I'm back, meow~!"
She dropped the crate and pounced. She transformed into her black cat form mid-air, landing in Ran's chest fluff.
Purr. Purr.
Wakasagihime scooted away. Fish naturally fear cats. Especially cats with Chen's backing.
"Lord Ran! Look at the fish I caught! Isn't Chen amazing?"
Chen transformed back, dragging Ran to the crate. Dozens of high-quality fish lay inside.
Ran's eyes misted over. Compared to her Master (who rolled on the floor crying for berries), Chen was an angel.
"Sigh... Chen, you've worked hard."
Ran stroked Chen's head. This home would fall apart without us holding it up.
The Strawberry Feast.
Leo carried a table outside.
He invited Kagerou (who had finished tilling) and Waka (who was snacking on smoked fish) to join him. He even went inside to wake Flandre (who had been nocturnal all night).
Six people sat around the table, enjoying the sun and sweet strawberries.
But there were seven people on the farm.
Gulp.
Aya Shameimaru, still sowing seeds, stole a glance at the feast. Her eyes were filled with such intense longing that Leo felt a physical prickling on his back.
He sighed.
"Come here."
Whoosh.
Aya teleported to the empty chair. She sat with perfect posture, expression solemn.
Leo filled a bowl for her.
"Thank you," Aya bowed gravely. She reached out with a dirty hand.
SLAP.
Leo smacked her hand away.
"Wash your hands! You've been playing in dirt. Hygiene!"
"Oh."
Aya washed her hands in the pond and returned. She took a bite.
The sweet, sour juice exploded in her mouth. A thrill shivered through her wings. Her eyes misted over. A pink flush spread across her cheeks.
"Mmm~!"
Leo winced. Why do Tengu make such weird noises when eating strawberries? There are children here!
New Residents.
With Kagerou employed and the Smoked Fish produced, the unlock conditions were met.
Leo issued two ID Cards.
Resident No. 011: Wakasagihime (Beach Hut).
Resident No. 012: Kagerou Imaizumi (Beach Hut).
(No. 010 was reserved for Rumia).
Kagerou carried Waka in a bridal carry, holding a bag of smoked fish and strawberries. They left looking like newlyweds.
Leo turned to Ran.
"I'm listing the strawberries. Does Yukari want to use the app, or the 'Back Door'?"
Ran blushed. "Back Door, please. Lady Yukari... has bad APM (Actions Per Minute)."
Leo nodded. He withheld a portion of the stock for the Sage.
The public listing sold out in seconds.
Leo put points into his [Escort] fund. He needed to reach Floor 100 for Lava Eels and Cave Jelly.
"I'll be heading back," Ran stood up.
Zip. Zip. Zip. Zip.
Four Gaps opened around her head.
The message was clear: FEED ME.
"Goodbye, Lord Ran!" Chen waved. "I'll fish hard to support the family! I won't be a leech like Lady Yukari!"
Ran sighed, stepping into the Gap.
Current Resident List:
001: Chen (Farmhouse)
002: Marisa Kirisame (Adventurer's Hut - Mountain)
003: Yukari Yakumo (Mayor's Manor)
004: Nitori Kawashiro (Carpenter's Shop)
005: Aya Shameimaru (Wandering)
006: Daiyousei (Secret Forest Guild)
007: Flandre Scarlet (Farmhouse)
008: Remilia Scarlet (Pending)
009: Cirno (Secret Forest Guild)
010: Rumia (Pending)
011: Wakasagihime (Beach Hut)
012: Kagerou Imaizumi (Beach Hut)