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Chapter 25 - 25: Lumine: Why Am I Suddenly Wanted? This Is Too Much! New Customers Arrive

Han Feng picked up the pace on his way back.

Soon, he arrived at the familiar, secluded alleyway.

Just as he was about to enter, he paused, frowning slightly as he glanced toward a dark corner.

"Come out."

"Hehe, we've been found~"

A cheerful voice rang out.

From the shadows emerged a blonde-haired girl and a floating companion.

"Good evening, Boss Han!"

Lumine greeted sheepishly.

"It's you two?"

Han Feng raised a brow. He was a little surprised.

According to the original plot, shouldn't they be heading to Diluc's tavern right about now?

Lumine quickly explained the situation.

Turns out she and Venti had snuck into the Cathedral to steal the Skyward Harp.

Just as they were about to succeed, they ran into a masked woman, and a fierce battle broke out.

Thanks to her newfound strength, Lumine defeated the woman and took the harp.

But the commotion had alerted the Knights.

They tried to make a clean getaway—Lumine even avoided using her Wind-Wind Fruit powers to avoid blowing their cover.

But then Amber and a blue-haired woman appeared and joined the pursuit.

That made escape even harder.

So they split up.

Lumine and Paimon managed to shake their pursuers, but with Knights swarming the streets, they had nowhere to go.

Naturally, they came to the one place they believed could shelter them—Relief Bookstore.

To them, this place was full of mystery, and Boss Han was a powerful figure.

So they waited here, hoping to find refuge.

"Congratulations—you're officially wanted criminals now."

Han Feng joked, amused.

"It's that bard's fault!"

Paimon stomped angrily.

Lumine looked pained as well.

She only wanted to help with the Stormterror problem, but she got roped into this mess by Venti.

She even remembered how determined she was while reading One Piece – East Blue Arc,

telling herself she'd never be like Luffy, getting a bounty on her head…

Well, joke's on her now.

The clown was me, all along!

"I'm doomed..."

"Boss Han, please let us stay just for tonight,"

Paimon pleaded, eyes watery and pitiful.

"I'll even pay! One person, 10,000 Mora!"

Han Feng didn't say anything, just smiled.

Not that he feared the Knights.

Lumine and Paimon were working for the greater good, after all.

And even if they really were wanted criminals, he had no reason to be afraid.

He was simply curious how far Paimon would go.

"20,000 Mora?"

Paimon tested.

Still no response.

"30,000 Mora?"

Han Feng stayed quiet.

"50,000 Mora!"

Paimon finally caved, then whispered,

"I also have lots of videos of Lumine saved in my camera orb…"

"Deal."

Han Feng agreed instantly.

He definitely wasn't doing it for the cute Lumine videos on that camera.

Nope, not even a little interested.

He was just a kind bookstore owner offering shelter to two homeless girls. That's all.

Seeing Han Feng agree, Lumine and Paimon both sighed in relief.

"It's all that bard's fault!"

Paimon stomped again, fuming.

If not for him, they wouldn't have lost 100,000 Mora!

That was enough for ten manga reads!

She was definitely going to get revenge.

After collecting the "room fee," Han Feng led the two inside.

The moment they entered, Paimon's sharp eyes noticed something.

"Boss! You've got new manga on the shelf?"

"Yep, five in total now."

"Yay! New manga!"

Paimon cheered gleefully—then immediately slumped.

Because she remembered Han Feng's rule: only one manga per day.

"What a weird rule..."

She grumbled under her breath.

"Any room upstairs is fine, just not the one in the center,"

Han Feng told them casually.

Lumine nodded, and Han Feng headed off to rest.

He had to open shop again tomorrow.

Lumine and Paimon picked an empty room next door to Han Feng's.

"Wow, the bed's so soft! Way better than camping outdoors!"

Paimon rolled around on the blankets.

"Sleep now. We've had a long day."

Lumine was exhausted.

She'd fought Stormterror in the morning, cleared out the Four Winds Temples at noon,

then stole the Skyward Harp at night.

She was beat.

"Why do I feel like I'm just a tool..."

She shook her head and fell asleep quickly.

The next morning, Han Feng had just stepped out of his room when he saw Paimon bouncing excitedly.

"Boss! I want to read manga!"

Yesterday was torture!

"You have no idea what I've been through!"

Paimon looked so aggrieved, Han Feng almost laughed.

"Paimon, we need to take care of things first!"

Lumine grabbed her before she could beg further.

They were still wanted fugitives, after all.

They needed to settle things before they could relax with manga.

If they got caught reading and led the Knights here, it'd be a disaster.

She didn't want to drag Han Feng into trouble.

"Fine..."

Paimon pouted, but she knew Lumine was right.

"Boss, we'll come back later to read!"

"Go ahead," Han Feng nodded.

After a quick breakfast, they parted ways.

Lumine and Paimon went to find Venti and resolve the harp incident,

while Han Feng opened up the shop, waiting for today's visitors.

~~--------------------------------------

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