Loid said,
"Let's buy food for the others."
Mac hesitated.
"Didn't you say we shouldn't make anyone suspicious?"
Loid glanced at him.
"Just follow me."
Mac broke into a bright smile.
"Okay."
They went to the bread shop.
With one bronze coin, they bought two loaves of bread and headed back toward Beggar's Alley.
On the way, Mac whispered nervously,
"What if they ask us where we got it?"
Loid smiled in an annoyed way.
"You're asking this again and again. Didn't I already say it? Just follow me. You'll know."
Mac lowered his head, his expression darkening.
Seeing his face, Loid spoke again, his tone serious.
"Listen, Mac. You've become considerate and cautious. That's good. But there are many things I can't tell you—or anyone. So when I tell you to follow me, I need you to do it without questioning me. That's my request."
Mac nodded slowly.
"…Okay. I'll follow you."
When they reached Beggar's Alley, everyone's eyes locked onto the bread in Mac's hands.
As they passed, voices rose around them.
"Hey, give me a piece!"
"I haven't eaten anything in four days!"
"Where did you get bread from?"
Ignoring everyone, they walked straight to where old man Roberto was sitting.
Loid placed one loaf into his hand.
Roberto frowned.
"Where did you get this?"
At that moment, Hasami and Moneru hurried over.
Moneru asked sharply,
"Where did you get this?"
Loid replied awkwardly,
"…A noble woman gave it to us."
Hasami spoke softly,
"Then you should have eaten it yourselves. Why did you bring it here?"
Loid answered,
"It's for the three of you. She gave us three loaves. Mac and I already ate one."
I should have brought it secretly.
These people are staring like they'll snatch it the moment they get a chance.
Hasami lowered her voice anxiously.
"You don't have to do this. You two found it, so you should eat it yourselves. If you can, just give some to Mr. Roberto."
Moneru added urgently,
"Yes. Eat it quickly. These people are eyeing it."
Roberto handed the bread back to Loid, his face expressionless.
"You kids eat it. I'm not hungry."
Before Loid could speak, Mac suddenly shouted, his voice shaking,
"No! You three should eat it! As long as I remember, you gave us food even when you were hungry. Can't we give something back? Please… don't say no."
His eyes welled up with tears.
Loid silently handed the bread to Hasami and Roberto.
As everyone continued staring, Hasami broke her bread and handed pieces to the surrounding people.
Roberto divided his loaf into three parts and gave them to Hasami and Moneru.
Loid watched quietly.
Kindness… or calculation?
If they'd eaten it themselves, would trouble have followed?
I should've been more careful.
Hasami might be kind—or she might be a genius.
Later, while Moneru and Hasami were talking, Roberto sat with his eyes closed.
Before they realized it, noon arrived, and Roberto left to beg.
Moneru said,
"I'll go with you, old man."
Hasami also wanted to go.
Before Mac could speak, I said,
"Take Mac with you. I'm not feeling well right now. Sorry."
Mac looked at me.
I gestured with my eyes, signaling him to leave.
Mac understood.
"Okay. I'll go."
Hasami stayed behind with me.
After everyone left, Hasami sat beside me, about to speak—
but I spoke first.
"Aunt Hasami, you're not just kind. You're also a genius. You gave away the bread so those people wouldn't trouble us later."
Hasami smiled lightly.
"What are you saying? They were hungry, so I gave it to them."
I stared at her suspiciously.
She looked away, then said proudly,
"I don't like praising myself… but yes, as you said, I did it to avoid trouble later. I was shocked when you noticed. I knew you had changed, but I didn't think it was to this extent. You've become sharp."
Loid replied with a poker face.
"I've changed, yes. But what about you? Don't you want to change your life? You're intelligent—so why are you still a beggar?"
Hasami sighed.
"What can I do with this little intelligence? It only helps in situations like this."
"You're underestimating yourself," Loid said.
"You shouldn't be begging when you're this intelligent."
Hasami scoffed.
"Come on. Did you hit your head or something?"
Loid shook his head.
"Aunt, you're just hiding yourself in the darkness. You—"
Before he could finish, Hasami's expression darkened, memories flashing in her eyes.
"Listen, Loid," she said quietly.
"I was born into a middle-class family. We had a cow farm. My father died when I was fifteen. After that, everything collapsed. A loan shark kept demanding money. When we couldn't pay, he took all our cows. That wasn't enough—he wanted to marry me too. With no way out, I agreed."
Her voice trembled.
"He beat me whenever I made mistakes. I endured it for my mother. But two years later, she died. I couldn't even attend her funeral. A few days later, I ran away and came here."
She looked at Loid.
"What do you think? If I were truly a genius, wouldn't I have done something for my family?"
Loid answered calmly,
"Because you were intelligent, you chose sacrifice when there was no escape.
You never had the chance to show your full potential."
Hasami smiled faintly.
"Thank you, Loid. No one has ever said that to me."
Loid extended his hand toward her.
"Aunt Hasami, I trust you. I'll give you a chance. You won't have to beg anymore. If you want to change, take my hand."
Hasami laughed softly.
"Don't joke with me, Loid."
"I'm not," Loid said seriously.
After a moment of silence, Hasami reached out and grabbed his hand.
Loid smiled brightly.
"Welcome to the team."
Hasami blinked.
"…Huh?"