Back in the food area, Ansel was selling jerky with a smile on his face, making the girl buying blush as red as a tomato. He smiled, chuckling, which just made the girl flush even deeper.
This was a very good customer who purchased everything to the purchase limit so Ansel was obviously very kind.
"Here you go," he said, handing her the hemp bag with a winning smile, and the girl looked at him in a daze.
"Be sure to check out our territory, okay? It's lovely there, almost as lovely as you."
Jun—who had just returned to this side—almost rolled his eyes and just smiled at the person next in line, who had been getting annoyed by the delays up front.
"Hello, dear customer," Jun said to the person, pulling the girl out of her daze. Realizing her gaffe, she flinched and quickly excused herself to leave.
Of course, this was not without looking back wistfully in Ansel's direction.
Ansel did not see this, however, as he had already shifted his focus to the next customer, "How may we help you today?"
The person nodded and also bought to the maximum allowable purchase. "A little of everything please, to the maximum we could get.
"Okay. Please note that all items are at twice the original selling price."
The man nodded, manifesting several golds. "No problem."
Jun smiled cordially and organized the items they would be selling. There were no more biscuits and bread, but there was still a bit of the others like rice and condiments.
This purchase made those behind very tense.
The sale continued until they reached the last batches, with some items getting looted faster than others.
"There's no more strawberry jam?" A familiar soft-but-manly voice sounded in his ears and Ansel turned his head to its source.
It was Tom, looking very disappointed, staring at the empty blanket on another one of their makeshift 'stalls' in despair.
Because Ansel was on the other side of the 'store', covered by other vendors (and there was also the fact that the older man's attention had always been fixed on the items below), Tom didn't notice him there at all.
Ansel smirked and stood up, asking his neighbor to sell the remaining bits for him, and walked beside the older man.
Because he was wallowing in grief, Tom did not notice his approach until he felt a pat on his shoulder.
Absent-mindedly, Tom turned his head to be met with familiar peach-blossom eyes.
Tom gasped in surprise at the sight of the handsome lad that he didn't think he'd see again so soon.
Ansel rolled his eyes at his daze. "Come with me." He said, and it was just then that Tom was pulled back to reality.
"Ansel?! You're back!!!"
But before he could celebrate, Tom's shoulder slumped, looking at him filled with pity.
Ansel's eyes twitched. What was this guy thinking, this time?
Tom's initial thought was that Ansel didn't find his sister and suffered a bit outside. Unable to hold up, he came back. In despair, he followed the crowd, and thus their fates reconnected.
Tom was already thinking about how to feed him.
He then patted the man's shoulders. "It'll be fine. I'll support you."
Ansel's eyes twitched realizing what was going on in this guy's head.
"Look closer, big guy," Ansel said and Tom blinked, finally doing so.
Very quickly, he realized that he thought too much.
Tom took a second look at his old friend and sized him up, surprised at what he was seeing.
He was obviously much more filled up, whiter, and cleaner than when he left, right?
"You!" Was all he could say, puzzled by how this could be. How long has it been? Why was he so different?
He couldn't help but look at the well-fitting garments with leather clothing on his body. Tom had been with him for most of the time back in Terran, he did not have time to get these clothes.
Ansel smirked proudly. "My sister gave it to me~"
He also looked so smug that if Tom wasn't such a mild-mannered guy, he'd want to punch him.
But… how nice. He was happy for him.
"Well, it's good that you found your sister," was all he said, very polite, but he was also very envious.
He wondered where his brother's family was…
Shaking his head of the thoughts, he pulled himself back with a smile. There was no use worrying now, he could only do his best to strengthen himself so he could support and protect them when they found each other.
The duo weaved through the crowd and, looking back, Tom couldn't help but feel emotional again. "It's a pity I wasn't able to buy those things…"
Ansel rolled his eyes. This idiot. "Didn't you see what direction I came from?"
Tom stared at him, puzzled, and Ansel pointed his thumb back to the store not far away.
It took a moment but it did dawn on him, and the middle-aged man gaped as soon as it did so.
"You came with them?!" Tom paused and gulped at a realization. "Then, you—"
Ansel nodded. "I'm making a private sale."
Ansel looked up in exasperation. "Do you want to buy my products or not?"
His favorite strawberry jam was in reach!
CHARACTER INTERACTION CORNER
Ansel: We meet up with old friends! We will also meet more !
They're not friends though.
Author: Time for the interview!
Ansel: Oh, yes, Ms. Author. Shoot away!
Author: …what is the best seller?
Ansel: Everything sells well! But if I were to point out what the resource-scarce people bought, it's mostly the bread and biscuits.
Author: hmm. Makes sense if they didn't have their own kitchen to cook.
Ansel: Some also buy condiments so the meat they have on hand tastes better.
Author: If you're in their position. What would you buy?
Ansel: The resources could come later. I look very good.
Author: *looks at Althea* Look at this thing you raised.
Althea: My baby brother is adorable whatever he does.