10 - Pineapple

Linna was a large enough city that reaching our destination took well over an hour. Slowly as we got further north the city seemed less new, the streets were a bit dirtier, and there was a fair share of abandoned and crumbling buildings. Not enough that I'd call it a slum, but in my world some might refer to it as a "historical district". Maybe someday we could revitalize it if business booms.

Kana was leading our pack, and I'd noticed she'd slowed her walking pace enough that Toast kept stopping to look back at her because he was getting too far ahead each time.

"Is everything okay Kana?"

I asked her knowing full well how resistant she and Maja had been to us setting up shop next to a 'dance club'. She kept looking forward and awkwardly lied about how pretty the neighbourhood was.

"Don't worry Kana, Sir Mitsuta only has eyes for you."

Kana stopped dead in her tracks and my jaw dropped as I started blanky at Maja. Then, in unison, Kana and I protested;

"ASKFJASDHGQIREHGKFKJVSFJD"

Our faces turned the same shade of red and Toast jumped around us thinking something exciting was going on. The mood was strained for the last stretch of our trip, and we arrived in front of the shop where we had agreed to meet the landlord. Early evening had fallen, and so our new neighbours had opened for their nightly business.

Just to our left was like an entirely different world, and I know how that sounds coming from me of all people.

Scantily dressed women hung out of the windows, and pink and red flowing curtains swayed in the breeze as if helping to beckon patrons inside. The smell of smoke and alcohol permeated into the street and a soft glow leaked from the building's lanterns. The entire atmosphere was inviting in a naughty way. 

We waited a short while for the landlord, and soon a tall buxom woman emerged from the 'dance club'. She was much taller than Maja, who was already quite a bit taller than me, with a bulky muscular body, a tight dress that she almost spilled out of, long luxurious hair, and a jawline carved from stone. She introduced herself in a singsong voice.

"Good evening my sweeties! So you've come to set up shop next to my girls. No nefarious intentions I hope. Of course not, no! Look at all of you. So young and innocent, so pure and full of wonder my goodness!"

A striking personality to match her looks.

Jewels and accessories littered her body, jingling and glinting in the evening light as she spoke. She was almost hard to look at for many reasons.

"Well then let us have a good look at you! I must size up my new tenants if I'm to rent to you, and I'm quite the good judge of character if I say so myself, and I DO say so myself!" 

She roared with laughter and grabbed my shoulders. I felt myself shrink. Not like that. Maybe like that.

"Well well well, my my my. What a handsome young man we have here! Such lovely mahogany hair! Such wise eyes! As though you've seen sights we could never imagine!"

She's good.

"Where have you been hiding all this time? I can't believe this city could keep such a man from me! From us! Surely you'd be a hit with my girls!"

I let the compliments go to my head a little and blushed. I was about to give my thanks but she had already moved on to Maja.

"And you! A desert rose! Why, you'd appeal to a great many with that long slender body! And your precious ears! My word, a tail too! What a beauty you are! And so kind! I can tell you're the calculating silent type aren't you? But so shy! A rose like you needs to bloom my dear! I could help with that, you know. No? Maybe another time!"

Maja stammered and recoiled into herself, hiding her face in her hands. Her ears matched my face I'm sure. I thought that maybe I should protect Kana from the barrage about to befall her, but part of me wanted her to join us in this indescribable feeling.

"Now now now now! What have we here? Not a desert rose but a simple garden flower! Don't mistake simple for plain my dear, no! Sometimes the most beautiful flowers can only grow with love and care from another! Yes! You're in love for sure! Could it be with me? My, and we've only just met! How forward of you!" 

Another roaring laugh. Was she right about Kana too? Was Kana in love with someone? Could it be me?

"I'm only kidding!"

Y-yeah, of course not.

The landlady's tone softened briefly.

"What a sweet young woman you are. Full of confidence. You'll come into your own soon enough. I know this."

Kana beamed and flashed her toothy smile that melted my heart the first time she introduced herself to me. She wordlessly showed thanks to the landlady and gave her the same curtsey I'd gotten that night too. As she lifted her dress, she exposed a hiding Toast. He'd definitely be nervous around such a boisterous person like this.

The landlady was stricken with silence, not at all something I could have foreseen despite only knowing her for a few minutes. She knelt down compassionately, and offered a hand that could easily have encompassed Toast.  Then she spoke just above a whisper, another thing I didn't think possible, even after only knowing her for a few minutes.

"Come out little one, don't be afraid"

She waited patiently, unmoving, and Toast cautiously stepped forward. He leaned in to sniff her fingers, and then politely sat and gave her a paw.

"There now, that's a good boy. It's lovely to meet you."

Does she know he's not a Spirit?

She looked up at me with a gentle smile and winked.

"I've seen a great many things in my time. I simply cannot be surprised anymore my darling."

Did she read my mind?!

She reached out and picked up Toast as though he were a child, and rose back to her towering height. She smothered him in her bosom, and he sighed.

Is that relaxing for you?!

"Now then, why doesn't everyone introduce themselves and we can have a look in the shop to see if it fits your needs! My name is Pinnea. I chose it for myself after my favourite fruit, the pineapple of course! Very sweet with a strong acidity, a sharp tropical fruit, just like me! Of course, of course!"

We went around and gave our names, including Toast's.

"My my! How wonderful! We're a regular breakfast bowl aren't we! And of course Kana and I are fruit sisters. I could tell from the start!"

Kana giggled. She seemed to have a more positive opinion about this place now.

"With that all said and done, let's have a look in this shabby shop. I'm sorry I haven't done much in the way of upkeep my dears, but I have my own business to run you know, and my girls keep my hands full."

Her trademark laugh bounced Toast on her chest. He looked at me with his panting smile as if to ask if I was jealous. There's no way I would be!

We looked around inside the shop. It was dark, damp and dirty. The floor had holes in spots, and it was smaller than my single room apartment back home. If we put in a counter there would be just enough space for one or two customers at a time. I could tell it had good bones, but it would need a lot of work. I wasn't one to back down from a little hard work, and I had confidence in my decorating experience from the time I was addicted to life-sim games. 

I want this to work, but the rent is going to be tricky with all the expenses we'd need to put into this place.

"You know, this place is so much worse than I remember. I'll cut you a deal my lovelies. Fix this place up for me, and I'll cut the rent to 20g a month."

What a steal! We can rent two rooms at the inn with the extra money and I can sleep in a bed for the first time in a month!

"Oh my, that does remind me! There is a living space above the shop, you dears wouldn't be interested in that too would you? Only an extra 10g, and maybe some favours I'll call on in the future?"

Toast sneezed.

"I think he said I've got a deal! How delightful! How wonderful!"

We all nodded in agreement, failing to hide our grins. 

Tomorrow our new venture into business begins!