Han tried to ease his mind, his thoughts drifting to the lobster. He had never eaten one, what if he embarrassed himself?
But Mirai broke the silence first. "Well then. Mr. Han Shu, if I'm correct?"
Before she could continue, another server approached. "Mr…"
Han turned his head. The man was holding a pair of plain black slippers atop a metallic tray.
"On the house," the server said carefully. "Some of the guests are… a bit uneasy about—well." His gaze flicked downward.
"Oh."
Warmth crept up Han's cheeks. Shame. In the rush of anxiety, adrenaline, and paranoia, he'd completely forgotten he was barefoot.
As the slippers were placed beside him, Han glanced toward Mirai. For some reason, she brushed everything off, his appearance, his shouting, even the slippers, as if none of it mattered.
'Does she already think I'm crazy?'
He slid his feet into them. The server excused himself and disappeared.
Maria buried her face in her hands. "We came in a Porsche… we came in a Porsche," she muttered. "No need to be shy…"
Mirai opened her mouth, but before she could say anything Han stopped her. "I can explain-" Before he could continue Mirai shook her head, "I don't really care."
'Oh straight to the point huh, well fuck me I guess…'
She leaned forward, resting her chin on top of her hands intertwined together on the table. "Now, if there are no further disturbances, Mr. Han Shu, is that correct?"
Han nodded, "Correct.. But I prefer-" She didn't let him finish the second time now. Her fierce eyes, accompanied by a faint smile made Han's heart thump harder than it should have.
"Ill get straight to the point, without a hunter registry card or an adventurer's permit no one can land a job within a dungeon." She stopped for a bit, then continued. "I made Anne here search a bit about you, and we didn't find that you ever registered for one such.. Document."
Han didn't know what to answer, he didn't even know of one such rule in the first place. Mirai continued, "Han. Han, Han, Han… How much were they paying you?"
Han thought for a bit, he didn't even get paid in the last two or so months. "Well.. Last two months? Nothing, albeit the overseer said he'll pay me earlier today, well still waiting for his message.."
Maria's eyes flickered a bit with sadness hearing that, casting her eyes down towards the table's vermillion red tablecloth.
He lied, his phone wasn't even turned on. He didn't need that money anymore either way. "But if we are to count the three months before that, around five hundred a month?" Anne's eye twitched, Mirai stayed calm for a second.
Then her head bowed, just slightly.
Both Maria and Anne gasped simultaneously, at the other table even the guards looked flabbergasted. "I apologize, Mr. Han." Mirai said in a low hushed voice.
'What was that overseer thinking!? If he sues us, well.. The stocks will go down a bit but that's about it.. Still…' She thought, as her head laid down for the first time in a long time. 'Working for that sum, driving that car? Is he just a fool, who in the world is he?'
Han watched as her head was cast down a bit, he wanted to yell out, no, no, no, please stop. Like any humble person would, but what he didn't want to admit to himself is: He liked it.
The woman born in far greater conditions, with a system since birth, privileged with power and wealth was now bowing to him.
'This system.. It really is incredible.'
As he thought that, translucent windows appeared over almost everyone his eye could catch. Earlier in the day, since first meeting with Mirai he hadn't seen that window.
____________
Mirai Nikki, 21.
Love for you – Unknown. (Probability is 0 to 10)
Affection level – Unknown. (Probability is 0 to 10)
Physical attraction — Unknown.
Desire – Unknown.
Benefit – SSS Rank.
Risk level – Unknown (Potentially S/S+.)
Intrigue: 30, Curiosity, Empathy-changed to Sympathy. reason – Under-paid labor for her family's company.
Lives at Luxury Hills.
___________________________________
The screen itself didn't change much except for a few minor statistics.
'Is.. The trigger word.. System?'
His thoughts were proved correct, as the translucent windows disappeared. He thought of bringing back the screen once again, but he felt a kick against his leg.
It was Maria, he turned his head to see her nodding towards Mirai.
"AH! Right, Ahem! It's alright, Mirai please.. Raise your head, it's not your fault."
'If I saw correctly earlier, she feels bad I was underpaid at the dungeon? Maybe she isn't as bad as she looks…'
She finally raised her head, pursed her lips. "I apologized, now putting that aside, Mr. Han.. Why is it you're not properly addressing me since earlier?"
Han looked her in the eyes, and as he wanted to apologize she fixed her hair, flickering it behind her. "Well.. Whatever, I'll just call you Han in that case… Albeit I am older..? Right?"
"Correct.. M-" he stuttered, "Miss.. Mirai… I am nineteen."
She smiled, "Mirai is fine… I'm twenty one."
'Yeah I know..'
"Miss Mirai.." Anne reprimanded, "It's fine," Mirai interrupted, waving her off. "Really."
'No point, she thought. I can't figure him out. Who waits that long before telling someone to raise their head? And 'Miss'.. basic manners! Remember, Mirai. This man could sue the company. Be gentle. We don't need more media scandals, it's seriously a pain in the…'
She sighed in, then exhaled softly. "The position you worked as a miner is.. Well.." She hesitated, that man had a Porsche, and most probably lives in Luxury Hills as she does. He knows the salaries of miners, right? But in case he doesn't, she'll play it safe.
"Let's just say, slightly bigger than the average you have been given." She nodded to herself, "Sadly, I.. Anne had been searching for another Miner's job at our different locations, and we didn't find a single open spot."