Go to counter 14

"Gin, don't you dare."

"It's either this or the baggage counter."

"Easy choice then."

"They charge 50-250 CRD for baggage depending on size and amount."

"..."

"In you go!"

Gin arranges my limp body in the shopping cart so that I'm balled up and hugging my knees.

"This is humiliating."

"Not like it's the first time you had to live as a cripple."

"I wasn't being paraded back then now was I."

"Relax, there's barely any people here anyway. Also, it was your idea to stop by before heading home. I could've dropped you off before coming here."

"No, it's better this way."

"...?"

Gin parks me and the shopping cart in front of the fresh produce section. The cool air wafts in my direction and the organic scent mingles with it. An elderly man with a bright red cybernetic arm grabs a potato and puts it in his cart.

"It has increased again."

"Hm?"

Gin places chicken, carrots, and potatoes next to my feet.

"Potatoes were priced at 68 CRD on average last week. Now it's 72 CRD."

"Not like prices ever went down, Noa."

"Yes, but the frequency of increase is concerning."

"I hear some of the greenhouse districts are having issues with the gang districts. Could be they're stealing crops or something?"

My head cocks back a little as Gin pushes the cart forward. We pass through a colorful isle of snacks and colored beverages. On one side are local products, priced as high as potatoes, on the other side are the imported ones, costing 4 times as much.

"...! Gin, wait. Go to counter 14."

"Oddly specific but okay?"

A pleasant, high-pitched voice causes Gin to stop dead on his tracks.

"Thank you, come again! Next customer plea- Noa? And Gin! It's nice to see you two! I thought you had a shift tonight?"

A woman in her early twenties, shoulder-length brown hair, a pretty face and an energetic smile. Gin's crush.