"So that's how it is. Brother, you're really kind."
Belle glanced sideways at Wise, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. The look alone was enough to show she didn't fully believe his motives were that pure.
There was nothing he could do but sigh, thinking, 'That's not right at all. Sure, your brother isn't exactly a saint right now, but this time… I just find her kind of cute.'
"Ahem, the shop Caesar wants to visit is on the way to the Public Security. Since we're heading there anyway, we might as well go together."
Wise's suggestion was met with sincere gratitude from Caesar. She couldn't help but think, 'City people really are kind. I just came out, and I've already met a handsome guy willing to help.'
"By the way, what is you planning to buy at that shop?"
As they walked and talked, Belle suddenly asked the question. Caesar paused, her pace unconsciously slowing.
What she planned to buy was honestly a little embarrassing. If anyone found out, they would probably say it didn't fit her image at all.
"Well, it's a manga, but because the author had stopped updating the novel for so long, there weren't any sequels. Recently, though, he suddenly resumed updates and finished the story in one go, and I—cough—my friend has been waiting for it forever, so I wanted to get it for her."
"Oh, I see. A lot of authors really do disappear for no reason, without considering the readers' feelings at all. If they can't continue, they should at least say something, instead of leaving people hanging onto hopes that won't be fulfilled!"
Belle spoke indignantly, then suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, Caesar, what's the name of the manga your friend reads?"
"It's 'Because Thinking of a Name Would Be Too Distracting, So I Didn't Write One.'"
"Eh, so it's that one!"
Belle's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the title. What neither of them noticed, though, was Wise shivering beside her the moment the name reached his ears.
"Hmm… Could it be that you, Belle, also…?"
"Yes! That's right! It was super popular back then, so I picked it up and got hooked instantly. Sadly, it stopped updating. I didn't think the author would return. This is awesome! I'm definitely going to binge everything when I get home!" Belle spoke with excitement, eagerly pulling out her phone to open the novel app she used to read.
Watching her, Caesar hesitated, feeling like she had finally found someone who shared her passion, yet she couldn't voice what she really wanted for personal reasons.
In the end, she could only sigh and abandon the thought of starting a conversation. Then, Belle's eyes lit up as she made an incredible discovery.
"Wow! The author not only finished the previous novel, but he's also updated a bunch of new ones. Did he go searching for inspiration while he was gone?"
As Belle spoke, she clicked to take a closer look, and Caesar, noticing her excitement, couldn't help but glance over as well.
"It's decided! I'm staying up all night to finish it!"
Wise, seeing how worked up his sister was, quickly spoke to remind her.
"Belle, no matter how good it is, don't stay up too late reading it."
"I know, I know."
Belle pouted, thinking, 'Even if I wanted to stay up all night, you wouldn't let me. Every time I end up sleepy and drained.'
In that state, there was no way she could actually read a novel. She could only do it during the day when she had free time at the shop.
Caesar watched Wise and Belle interacting and smiled, enjoying how close they were while thinking about her own friends.
When the three reached the shop where Caesar planned to buy the manga, an unexpected problem appeared.
"Huh? Already sold out?!"
"Sorry, Miss. Manga books aren't sold much anymore, and the one you're looking for is from a few years ago…"
Caesar felt a little down upon hearing the news, and Belle, noticing her disappointment, stepped forward to offer reassurance.
"It's alright, Caesar. If it really can't be helped, your friend can just read it on her phone."
"There's no other way… that's all I can do. Thanks, Belle."
Still, she felt a pang of sadness for coming all this way just for the physical manga, using the trip to buy supplies as an excuse.
Lost in thought, Caesar didn't notice Wise watching her. Seeing her expression, he felt a twinge of sympathy. In the end, he pulled out a special edition manga.
"Caesar, if you don't mind, give this to your friend."
"Huh? This is…"
Caesar held the manga Wise had handed her, and Belle leaned in to see it too.
The cover looked amazing, and in the bottom left corner, the author's pen name was written with a black marker.
The saleswoman, naturally familiar with manga, immediately recognized its rarity.
"Ah! Is this the legendary special edition signed by the author himself? I heard each series only has ten copies!"
"A special edition? I've heard of that too… but Brother, how did you manage to get it?"
Belle glanced at Wise with a puzzled look.
'How come I never heard about this? And where did he get this book just now?'
She was trying to think of a reasonable answer when he spoke.
"Ah, I won it from a raffle when I bought something earlier."
Wise lied without a flicker of emotion. The so-called autographs were fake, as he had never found the time to personally sign any of the books.
In truth, the publishing company had someone else sign on his behalf. He had one of these supposedly special editions for every series.
However, most of them later disappeared during the Hollow crisis.
He had once mentioned to the publishing company that he wanted to collect them, never expecting they would actually remember and send him the latest one yesterday.
After receiving it, he simply left it in his system space. Keeping it served no purpose, so he decided to give it to Caesar instead.
"Thank you, Wise, but I really can't accept something this valuable."
As she spoke, Caesar handed the manga back. The packaging was still sealed, looking brand new.
Besides, rather than giving it to her, it would be better to leave it to Belle, who also genuinely liked this manga.
"It's okay, really. My Brother doesn't care about this kind of thing anyway, so Miss Caesar, just take it."
Belle also joined in to persuade her.
Caesar hesitated, wanting to refuse once more, but faced with the siblings' kindness, she eventually accepted it.
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