When the young man in front of him pulled out what looked like a "chopstick," the shopkeeper couldn't help but frown in confusion.
But Newt Scamander, who had been following closely behind Wentworth, immediately stepped forward and grabbed the boy's hand, his face filled with alarm.
"Wentworth! What do you think you're doing?!"
"Casting a spell on a Muggle?! Have you forgotten about the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy?!"
Hearing Newt Scamander's words, Wentworth let out a cold chuckle and replied calmly:
"Mr. Scamander, have you forgotten who I am? Since when have I ever cared about the Statute of Secrecy?"
Newt was momentarily speechless at Wentworth's response.
Of course, he was looking at the new leader of the Alliance. The Alliance had been fighting to overturn the Statute of Secrecy for decades. Why would someone like him care about such laws?
Wentworth continued nonchalantly, "Relax, Mr. Scamander. I'm not going to harm this Muggle."
Only then did Newt reluctantly release Wentworth's arm.
The moment Newt let go, Wentworth turned back around, aimed his wand at the shopkeeper, and uttered:
"Imperio!"
Then, with a steady voice, he commanded:
"Bring me that kimono."
The shopkeeper, his eyes now dull and unfocused, obediently walked over to the display, opened the cabinet, and retrieved the kimono.
Newt Scamander's eyes widened in shock as he exclaimed:
"Wentworth, you used the Imperius Curse?! That's an Unforgivable Curse!"
Wentworth frowned but replied evenly, "Mr. Scamander, forgive me. I'm in a hurry."
But Newt wouldn't back down. His voice sharpened with disapproval.
"Do you even understand what you're doing?! You can't just use an Unforgivable Curse at will! I know you're the leader of the Alliance, but you're still a student at Hogwarts!"
Wentworth turned to him, his tone cool but intense.
"Mr. Scamander, I respect you greatly. But right now, I truly am in a rush. And I fear... I might lose control."
Hearing the clenched frustration in Wentworth's voice, Newt took a wary step back, his eyes filled with caution.
"Wentworth... what are you planning?"
Wentworth shook his head slowly and replied softly:
"Don't worry, Mr. Scamander. I won't harm innocent people. But I meant what I said, someone will pay for what happened today."
With that, he ignored Newt's silence, took the kimono from the shopkeeper, and handed it to Yukina with a gentle smile.
"Here, try this on."
Yukina's face lit up with joy as she accepted the kimono and disappeared into the fitting room.
A while later, she stepped out slowly, adorned in the elegant, brand-new kimono.
"Wentworth! Do I look nice?"
Wentworth gazed at Yukina in silence for a few seconds before breaking into a warm smile.
"Of course. You're so beautiful, you make the clothes look even better."
Hearing that, Yukina's eyes crinkled into a joyful crescent moon.
Then, hand in hand, Wentworth and Yukina wandered leisurely through the bustling Muggle streets.
"Wentworth, look at that! What is it? It smells so good, and it looks delicious!"
Yukina pointed excitedly toward a takoyaki stand.
Wentworth chuckled softly, patting her on the head.
"Well then, let's find out!"
Yukina nodded eagerly and tugged him toward the food stall. She pointed at a serving of takoyaki and said brightly:
"One order of these, please!"
She took a small bite, her expression melting into delight.
"This is so good! I never thought Muggle food could taste this amazing!"
But just as the two of them were about to leave, the shopkeeper grabbed them by the arms and growled:
"Hey! You two haven't paid yet!"
Startled, Wentworth reached into his robes and handed over a Galleon.
The shopkeeper took the coin, examining it in confusion. Then his face twisted with fury.
"Oi! Are you trying to scam me?! This is a game token! You think I don't know what real money looks like?!"
His raised voice drew attention. People began stopping and whispering, pointing at Wentworth and Yukina.
Noticing the growing crowd, Newt Scamander nervously stepped closer, fearing Wentworth might draw his wand again.
But instead, Wentworth paused, then smiled brightly at the shopkeeper.
"Take a closer look, my friend."
He pointed casually to the Galleon in the shopkeeper's hand.
The man looked down, puzzled, and then gasped. The odd-looking coin had transformed into a perfectly normal 500-yen coin.
"Whoa! That's incredible! Are you a magician or something? That's some amazing sleight of hand! How'd you do it?!"
Wentworth's grin widened.
"No, not a magician. I'm a wizard. That was magic."
The takoyaki vendor, now overjoyed, handed them two more servings for free and warmly invited Wentworth to return any time.
Yukina stood beside him, nibbling contentedly on her snack, her eyes glowing as she looked at Wentworth.
After they left the stall, Yukina turned and asked curiously:
"Wentworth, what's a 'game token'? Is that a kind of Muggle money? Why call it that?"
Wentworth's expression softened into nostalgia.
"Want to find out? I'll show you."
With that, he led her to a nearby arcade. Even Newt Scamander, upon stepping inside, was utterly astonished.
"I had no idea Muggles had advanced this far," he muttered.
As he spoke, memories stirred in his mind, of a man, years ago in Paris, who had once shown him a glimpse of the future.
While Wentworth and Yukina explored the arcade, somewhere else in the city, Yoshinobu Uesugi was raging at Tachibana Yusei.
"Gone?! What do you mean gone?! Do you have any idea how much our Uesugi family sacrificed to raise a Silent One?!"
"Tell Minamoto Nagasora, Headmaster or not, I don't care. He owes me an explanation!"
"Someone! Bring Yukina Uesugi back to me, now!'"
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This fanfic has been fully translated!