After dinner, Voss checked the time—it was almost six-thirty.
"Tom, time to get ready for the restaurant," Voss said, clapping his hands. "You've got to give it your best tonight too."
Tom nodded and smoothly pulled his custom-made tuxedo from the wardrobe. Though he had only been working for a few days, he had completely adapted to his role as a pianist.
"Huh? Where's Tom going?" Aqua asked curiously.
"Why is he dressed up like that?"
"Tom is a pianist at a high-end restaurant," Voss explained while tidying up the kitchen. "He plays every night from seven to ten. That's our main source of income."
"A pianist?!" Aqua's eyes widened. "A cat as a pianist? That's unbelievable!"
"What's so unbelievable about it?" Voss rolled his eyes. "Tom's playing is master-level, and the guests all love him."
Aqua circled Tom, who was already dressed in his tuxedo, her expression full of disbelief. "Is this real or fake? Why does this goddess feel like this world is even stranger than heaven?"
Tom elegantly adjusted his bow tie and checked himself in the mirror. As a professional performer, presentation was just as important as skill.
"Oh, right, Aqua," Voss suddenly remembered. "You've been here a full day now. Do you want to go out, explore the city, and get used to the environment?"
"Really?" Aqua's eyes lit up. "This goddess has been waiting for the chance to see this world!"
"Of course, but on one condition." Voss rummaged through the wardrobe and pulled out a dark blue hoodie.
"You need to wear this—and cover your hair."
"Why?" Aqua asked, puzzled. "This goddess's blue hair is beautiful!"
"Exactly. It's too beautiful. That shade of blue is rare here and will draw unnecessary attention."
Her usual attire was even worse—long blue hair, ornate headpiece, and a short skirt trimmed with gold. She looked like anything but a normal girl.
Although Aqua was an idiot back in KonoSuba, it was undeniable that when she wasn't being ridiculous, she really was gorgeous—easily surpassing most women in the Marvel universe.
"But then no one will see my noble goddess status!" Aqua pouted. "What if a believer passes by?"
"There are no believers of yours in this world." Voss deadpanned. "Put it on, or you're not going."
Aqua pouted harder, but the thought of missing out made her give in. She slipped the hoodie on.
"And this," Voss handed her a pair of black-rimmed glasses. "Wear them. You'll look more ordinary."
"This goddess is not ordinary!" Aqua huffed, but she still put them on.
Now, she looked more like a normal young woman—though her bright blue eyes still sparkled beneath the lenses.
"Perfect," Voss said, satisfied. "And remember, do not reveal your identity outside."
"Got it, got it," Aqua waved her hand dismissively. "This goddess isn't a child."
Jerry studied her new look and admitted she did seem far less conspicuous. At least she wouldn't be spotted as an oddity right away.
So the group set out. Voss led Aqua, Tom strutted in his tuxedo, and Jerry perched comfortably on Tom's shoulder.
As soon as they stepped out of the alley in Hell's Kitchen, Aqua froze.
"Wow! So many tall buildings!" She craned her neck at the skyscrapers. "They're taller than the temples in heaven!"
"They're called skyscrapers," Voss explained. "New York has plenty of them."
The streets were buzzing with cars, buses, and taxis. Neon lights painted the city with color, making it look like something out of a dream.
"What are those glowing boxes?" Aqua pointed at a massive billboard. "How do the people on them move?"
"Those are electronic billboards," Voss explained patiently. "They're for advertising products. Kind of like your crystal balls in heaven, but for sales pitches."
Aqua drank in every detail, her eyes wide with wonder. She looked from shops to airplanes, gawking like a tourist who had never seen a city in her life.
"Huh? Why is that person's hair green?" Aqua pointed at a punk kid walking by. "Is he from another world too?"
"No, it's just dyed." Voss quickly tugged her hand down. "Don't point at people—it's rude."
"Dyed? Why dye your hair green?"
"Fashion. People here change their looks to show individuality."
They eventually reached a busy commercial street lined with shops. Displays sparkled in the windows.
"Wow! Look at that dress!" Aqua plastered her face against the glass, eyes glittering. "This goddess wants that blue one!"
"You can, but you have to buy it." Voss checked the tag. "That one costs three hundred dollars."
"Three hundred dollars?" Aqua blinked at him. "What's that?"
Voss sighed. Of course she had no concept of currency.
"Money. The medium of exchange here." He pulled out a few bills. "You need it to buy things."
"These pieces of paper?" Aqua examined them curiously. "Why do they work?"
"Because everyone agrees they're valuable. Think of it like merit points in heaven."
"Oh! I get it!" Aqua nodded eagerly. "So how much money do we have?"
"Not much. Just enough to cover basic living expenses." Voss shook his head. "So we can't waste it."
Aqua looked back at the dress longingly, clearly disappointed.
Tom noticed and patted Voss's leg, then gestured from his tuxedo toward the restaurant.
"Tom's right." Voss smiled faintly. "When we save up more, I'll buy you pretty clothes."
"Really?" Aqua's face lit up again. "Then this goddess will wait!"
They continued walking, passing an electronics store. The TVs inside were playing the news.
"Tonight at nine, famous philanthropist Tony Stark will host a charity gala at Stark Industries headquarters…"
Voss froze. Tony Stark? Wasn't that the future Iron Man?
"It's 2007," Voss calculated. "That means his kidnapping hasn't happened yet…"
"Voss? What's wrong?" Aqua noticed his reaction. "Do you know him?"
"No, just the name," Voss covered. "He's a very famous billionaire."
"Billionaire?" Aqua's eyes sparkled. "Then he must have tons of money! Can we ask him for some?"
Voss gave her a sharp look. "What are you planning?"
"This goddess has no bad intentions!" Aqua protested. "I'll offer him divine miracles in exchange for a reward. That's fair, isn't it?"
"Absolutely not!" Voss cut her off. "No magic. No revealing who you are."
Aqua sulked, clearly unhappy with the restriction.
Tom checked his watch—it was nearly seven. He tugged at Voss's sleeve.
"Oh, right. Time to head to the restaurant." Voss nodded. "Aqua, we'll take Tom to work first."
"Work? Can I watch?"
"Sure, but you have to be quiet," Voss reminded. "Don't disturb him."
The group arrived at the entrance of Blue Danube, a high-class restaurant with luxury cars lined up outside.
"Wow! This place is so fancy!" Aqua gasped. "It's even grander than my banquet hall in heaven!"
Manager Franz welcomed Tom warmly. Spotting Aqua, he raised a brow.
"Mr. Voss, who is this young lady?"
"My friend," Voss explained. "She just wants to watch Tom's performance. She won't disturb anyone."
"Of course," Franz smiled. "Mr. Tom's friends are always welcome."
Inside, the chandeliers sparkled and guests mingled in elegant attire.
Aqua's jaw nearly dropped. She whispered to Voss, "Are all humans this rich?"
"No," Voss replied calmly. "This is a high-end place. Only the wealthy eat here."
Tom was already seated at the piano, tuning the keys. His calm, professional focus made even Aqua look at him with new respect.