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Chapter 10: New employee, you'll be working here starting today. First, you'll serve me, Lili. Eh? I don't get a turn? Ais, Lefiya-san.
"Well, let's wrap it up for the morning."
As usual, Rick, who runs the massage parlor, decided to take a break after finishing his work for the morning and seeing that there were no more customers.
After a short rest, during the time before resuming in the afternoon, Rick finished his shopping.
While out in the city buying ingredients for dinner, Rick let out a sigh.
"I really should hire an employee…"
The shop was still in the black, but as the number of customers gradually increased, so did Rick's burden.
He had put up a help-wanted sign in front of the shop before, but no one had come.
While wondering if he should offer better pay, Rick took a shortcut through an alley and heard laughter that sounded like mockery.
He also faintly heard a girl's scream.
When he approached the source of the voices, he saw several men surrounding a girl with chestnut-colored hair and beating her.
"What are you doing?"
"Huh?"
Rick called out to the men, who appeared to be adventurers. They looked at him and sneered.
"This has nothing to do with you. Get lost."
They waved him away dismissively, but Rick was not the type of man to leave.
"Why are you using violence on a girl? She's injured, isn't she?"
"Shut up! If you don't want to get hurt, disappear right now!!"
The men shouted at Rick, who wasn't listening, and reached for their weapons. The girl widened her eyes in fear.
"S-stop—"
The men tried to stop her from speaking, but in that instant, it was the men who fell.
"Women should be treated with care."
Rick glanced at the fallen men and knelt in front of the girl to meet her eyes.
"Are you okay?"
"..."
Rick smiled gently, but the girl averted her gaze and said nothing.
Rick grabbed her hand and forcibly helped her stand.
"W-what are you doing…!?"
"My shop is nearby. Let's treat your injuries there."
"I don't have any money!"
"Your name is Lili? That's a cute name."
"ッッッ!?!?!?"
Lili was flustered when he naturally called her name cute and followed Rick.
Back at the shop, Rick treated Lili's injuries.
"This should do it. Are there any other injuries?"
"…No."
"I see."
After finishing the treatment and putting away the things he had bought, Lili asked him.
"Why did you help Lili…?"
"Do I need a reason to help a girl?"
Rick answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Lili looked at him with half-lidded eyes.
"Do you help any woman?"
"Yes, I do. Especially a cute girl like you, Lili-san."
Lili understood.
The man in front of her was nothing but a lecherous, perverted womanizer.
"More importantly, won't you tell me about yourself, Lili-san?"
"…What will you do with that information?"
"I'll help you. If that's what you wish."
Rick spoke as if it were natural. Lili's eyes widened for a moment before she looked down.
"…It's impossible. I'll just be dragged back by the adventurers eventually."
Her eyes were dark, filled with terrible hatred.
"Why?"
"…Lili is a member of [Soma Familia]. Even if I say member, I'm just a useless supporter who can't do anything."
Lili laughed weakly, resignation clear on her face.
"There's nothing Lili can do anymore…"
"Then I'll do something about it."
"Eh?"
"If you wish it, I'll save you, Lili-san."
Lili couldn't hide her surprise at those words.
"You think it's a lie? Then, how about a bet? Give me one day. In that time, I'll show you that I can free you from [Soma Familia]."
He proposed the bet.
"If I win, you'll work at this shop."
"…What if Lili wins?"
"That won't happen. Because that's what I want. People never yield or give up when it comes to obtaining what they desire."
He spoke those almost famous-sounding words with a smile.
"I'll pay you a proper salary. No rent either. Don't you think those are good conditions?"
His words already sounded as if it had been decided that Lili would work at the shop.
"...…What is your goal?"
"You yourself. I want you. So I'll grant your wish."
"...Is your goal Lili's body?"
"Of course. However, I won't do anything unless you desire it. What I want is all of you, so forcing you would be barbaric, wouldn't it?"
To the wary Lili, Rick continued.
"If you say you're fine with the current situation, that's okay too. I'll respect your will. I won't do anything unless you want it."
Lili thought.
Could she trust the words of the man named Rick in front of her?
If she wished it, Rick would free her from [Soma Familia], but in exchange she would have to work at this shop.
However, if she didn't wish it, her days of having things stolen by adventurers would continue.
Rather than that, Lili steeled her resolve.
"Please… save Lili…"
"Yes, I'll save you."
Liliruca Arde accepted Rick's proposal.