Muyoku no Seijo wa Okane ni Tokimeku

Chapter 71: Leo apologizes. (1/3)

[I'm really, really sorry!]

Two weeks after the conclusion of the Spirit Festival, a loud apology, spoken in Elandic, echoed inside the attic of Hannah's Orphanage.

The orphanage's attic wasn't as well illuminated as the rest of the place, but even so, the figure of a petite black-haired girl, with pale skin and amethyst eyes, could still be seen prostrating herself on the hard, wooden floor.

[I just wanted to make some easy money! I swear! I never thought that would happen! Please, forgive me!]

The words spoken by the black-haired girl weren't nearly as lovely as her appearance, but the two boys, who were leaning against the wall with arms crossed, didn't seem to mind that.

One of the boys was really tall; he had brown skin, and it was like he had a permanent frown plastered all over his face. The other boy was way shorter, in comparison; his skin was slightly tanned, and he had a way more normal look on his face.

Although the two boys looked completely different, appearance-wise, there was only one thing that they had in common: The two were staring at the girl, or rather, at Leo, with an expressionless look on their faces.

[I know I did something shouldn't have done, okay? So... can you two stop staring at me like I'm trash? I won't try to do something like that ever again... I promise... just, please, help me fix this mess... that's all I'm asking....] – Said Leo, in a low tone, as he pressed his forehead even further against the wooden floor.

Even though he was apologizing to his friends, Leo still took advantage of the situation to try and make a deal with them. However, his friends weren't having none of that, so they just continued silently staring at him.

Since his first attempt at persuading the two didn't work, Leo retrieved a small pouch from his pocket and showed it it to the normal-looking boy... Leena.

[Here... as a sign of good will, I'll give you my prized collection of Named Bronze Coins... it took me five years to collect all of them... I hope you'll appreciate them as much as I do....] – Said Leo, in a mortified tone, as he presented the small pouch to Leena with displeased look on his face.

However, his determination was all for nothing.

With an angry look on her face, Leena stepped forward, before yelling–

[–You think my forgiveness is that cheap!? Dude, you can't even buy new clothes with that amount of money! You have a lot of guts to come here and offer me just that!]

["Just that!?" So my prized collection is "just that" now!? You don't need to act all snob just because you're making a lot of money, you show-off!]

[Oh, so I'm a show-off now!? You're the one who came here asking for my forgiveness, and a favor, in exchange for that crap, so I have all the right to be angry! Besides, as far as I know, you're not broke or anything, so pay up! I won't let you trick me!]

Leo staggered a bit after hearing that, but he quickly recomposed himself.

[I-I may not be broke right now, but what's the point in having money if you're just gonna spend it on stupid things!? It's common sense that you have to save money if you want to be rich!]

[You see!? That is what's wrong with you! Who would think about saving money, when you have to compensate another person for destroying their life!? It's like you're a cat who left a dead mouse on top of his owner's bed, in order to apologize for destroying his couch! That's why I'm angry with you, stupid! Because you're trying to give me that crap!]