Chapter 148. Outsourcing District (3)
“…You’ll choke.”
April’s concerned words made Nano, mid-bite into a 15-centimeter sandwich, swallow and grin.
“Haha, thanks for worrying.”
Scratching her cheek, she added.
“But I’m fine. Sturdy body.”
“That’s not…”
April was speechless, watching Nano devour the sandwich.
Unfazed, Nano slurped an iced drink, exclaiming, “Phew!” with a satisfied smile.
Rubbing her slim, exposed midriff, she glanced at us.
“Phew, saved. Was about to collapse from hunger.”
“Glad to hear.”
I replied calmly.
Nano beamed, adding.
“Plus, this sandwich? My favorite! How’d you know? Great taste!”
“He picked it.”
April pointed at me.
Nano’s eyes widened, then she smiled, thanking me.
“Really, thanks. Lifesaver.”
Regaining energy, she stood straight.
“Ahem! Bit embarrassing scarfing it down, but you found the right gal!”
Saluting playfully with two fingers, she declared brightly.
“Magic engineering, architecture, systems, civil—give me any job. Nothing I can’t build or fix.”
Winking, she waved her spanner.
“That’s my catchphrase, but call me a tech, not an engineer. I’m better with machines than blueprints.”
Her infectious smile made me nod quietly.
Unlike Elena, a brilliant engineer and businesswoman designing and industrializing gear, Nano was a hands-on, versatile mage crafting and repairing with unmatched skill.
A magic engineer versus a magic tech, as she put it.
Her craftsmanship was exactly what I needed.
April tugged my arm, whispering skeptically.
“She looks like a carefree beauty. Really the tech you meant?”
“Of course I’m a genius tech!”
Hearing her quiet words, Nano answered instantly. April turned, startled.
Nano licked sandwich sauce off her finger, adding.
“Wanna see? I’ll prove it!”
“Prove it?”
“Yup. Let’s show my eye… Hmm.”
Pondering, she pointed at me.
“Oh! That cool hood you’re wearing. Famous brand, right?”
“…”
“Matte black, sleek techwear design covering the face! SIEG Industry vibe, yeah?”
“Spot on.”
I nodded.
“Seriously?”
April gaped. I gestured to my robe’s back.
A sharp triangle logo, SIEG’s, was subtly stitched on the collar. April’s eyes widened.
“Wow, how’d I miss that? I knew you did a SIEG job…”
Nano grinned.
“As expected from a high-end firm. Top-tier design.”
“You nailed it?”
“Especially their CEO’s heiress. Heard she’s a genius. Saw her at an expo. Would love to work on her project.”
Laughing lightly, she rummaged through the bag, smacking her lips.
“So, convinced yet?”
April, squinting, asked.
“Fine. But is business that bad? Heard you’re a top tech. From him.”
“Haha, jobs with good pay are scarce lately. Plus, we filter clients to fit our vision.”
“Vision?”
“Bit of a boast, but I don’t take jobs from bad folks!”
Nano laughed brightly.
“Our workshop isn’t famous, just word-of-mouth. Freelancers know—too much fame in a district’s trouble.”
“Got it.”
April nodded.
“Skilled freelancers or firms with security can advertise, but small shops become gang targets.”
“Small business woes, right?”
“I get it. Seen it.”
“Plus, I’m here full-time, so the fridge often runs dry.”
“Full-time? Here?”
April asked, puzzled. Nano nodded vigorously.
“Yup! That’s how top engineers roll!”
I followed her gaze to the workshop’s graffiti-decorated interior, stacked with tools and branded boxes.
A corner held a bed, washer, retro arcade machine, table, and desk, exuding lived-in charm.
Laundry hung on a line, adding to the vibe.
But shifting my gaze, I saw Ronto in his industrial jacket, standing firm.
“No way!”
Gripping spanners, he aimed them at Nano, shouting.
“Your work’s insanely inefficient! Spending days upgrading low-paying artifact repairs for free!”
“Haha, got carried away.”
Nano smiled sheepishly.
“Anyway, nearly starved today. Thanks for the save.”
Checking the bag with anticipation, she tilted her head, looking at me.
“Oh, you brought food, so you know our setup? Like I said, we’re not that famous.”
“ Heard rumors somewhere.”
I brushed it off smoothly, practiced now.
I knew why. Nano was a popular original character, often starving when engrossed in work, a minor story detail.
That’s why I brought food to win her over.
“Hmm, really?”
Tilting her head, she grinned.
“So, what’s the job? Gear in those cases?”
“No, something else. Need a file decrypted on this device.”
Handing her the device, she smiled awkwardly.
“Hmm, not my expertise.”
“Doesn’t seem impossible, though.”
She grinned.
“Haha, how’d you know? True. I’ve done data recovery. Devices were my thing once.”
Turning it over, she added.
“But it’ll take time.”
“How long?”
“Two hours, maybe.”
“Two hours?”
April’s face stiffened. Nano glanced over, adding.
“Oh, it’s dinnertime. How about tea? Since we’re here, wanna eat together?”
Holding up the barbecue meat I’d given as “payment,” she smiled.
“Got great dinner stuff. Plus, some veggies and tundra-style hotpot ingredients.”
“Didn’t you just eat a sandwich?”
April asked, taken aback. Nano grinned sheepishly.
“I eat a lot.”
“Wow, you eat that much and keep that figure? Wild.”
“Haha, flattery! You’ve got a killer figure too. I’m jealous.”
Scratching her head, Ronto cut in, arms crossed.
“Nano’s a glutton, but when she’s working, she forgets to eat or drink. That’s why we starve, not just low business.”
“Haha…”
Nano scratched her cheek.
Seizing the moment, Ronto vented.
“She’s always making me test performance or review her modded gear! No time to buy food!”
“Really?”
April asked, startled. Ronto nodded.
“Yup! As her assistant, I can’t shop. She’s work-crazy.”
I quietly agreed. That obsession earned her “genius” title.
Watching Nano fluster under Ronto’s complaints, I glanced at April.
“So, what’s the plan?”
“No choice now.”
Sighing, she leaned her case against the wall.
“Two hours beats checking dozens of sites. Fine.”
Pointing at me, she declared.
“But! We’re not lifting a finger. We bought ingredients.”
“Haha, freelancer logic.”
Smiling brightly, Nano hummed, heading to the kitchen.
“Cooking?!”
Ronto blocked her, arms wide, panicking.
“No way, sis! Don’t cook!”
“Huh? Why?”
“You’ll make charcoal or weird jelly! How many pans we trashed? I’ll do it!”
“Oh, alright. It’s yours.”
April whispered to me.
“…Genius engineers can’t cook?”
“Seems so.”
Shaking her head, she met my eyes.
The relaxed mood shifted. I met her gaze calmly.
“Here’s the big one.”
Kneeling, she lowered her voice, eyes cold.
“Why Nano?”
Glowing pink eyes under her cap, she pressed.
“Two hours. Logically, we could hit more Scavengers. We don’t know what’s in that file.”
I nodded at her rational question.
“What’re you getting at?”
“I’m your pair. Spill the plan. Why follow their dinner invite?”
Her cold eyes bore into me.
“You don’t move without a plan. What’s the angle? Worth staying?”
Sharp as expected. Freelancing wasn’t for just anyone. I nodded.
“Right. I had a reason for coming. It’s worth it.”
“More than hitting Scavengers?”
“Definitely.”
She stared silently, then leaned forward, cap shadowing her eyes.
“Then, my role?”
“Your specialty.”
Pointing at her case, she glanced at it, replying.
“…Fine. Let’s see.”
“No questions?”
“Nope. Last job showed you’re trustworthy with plans. Just tell me my part.”
“…”
“What, I wrong?”
At her playful jab, I looked up calmly.
The wall clock showed evening.
“Not wrong. I’ll say when it’s time.”
Glancing at Nano, sheepish under Ronto’s scolding, I steeled my gaze.
Approaching the main storyline wasn’t just about decoding the device.
Nano held a clue. That’s why I came. Recalling her original arc, my blue-black eyes gleamed under my hood.
One thing was certain.
Soon, the event I awaited would unfold.
I knew the future.