Chapter 8: Getting to Know Furina(*)
Back inside the half-finished tent...
Hiro and Furina sat side by side, their bodies lightly pressed together. Furina's left hand was intertwined with Hiro's right, while his free hand gently caressed hers, offering a gesture of comfort.
She had just finished recounting her story, and a sad expression clouded her face.
"You have suffered unjustly, Furina. It is Bob who is just insecure. He knows he doesn't deserve you. So he refuses to give you the money for your class change and tries to pull you down by calling you useless. He wants you to think that you are worse than him."
Furina's sadness gave way to surprise as Hiro, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. His words offered her a new perspective. Unfortunately, years of emotional manipulation couldn't be undone with just a few sentences, even with Hiro's heightened charm.
"But I really am useless right now, aren't I? I can't contribute to the settlement in any meaningful way."
"How can you even say that? Tell me, can your husband or daughter cook?"
"Barely," Furina replied.
"There you have it—we've already found at least one role for you. I certainly don't plan on sleeping with an empty stomach tonight."
His words lightened Furina's mood. How had she overlooked something so simple?
"Your presence here is very important, Furina. Your daughter seems to adore you a lot as well," Hiro added.