You couldn't disregard someone's present because of what they might become in the future.
Of course, the key factor was that Morin didn't sense any ill intent from Machi.
Otherwise, she could have just taken his clothes and left him in the garbage heap to fend for himself.
Instead, she had even found him a rough burlap garment to wear—a clear indication she didn't have any major designs on him.
This was why Morin could sleep soundly.
But…
While he was fast asleep, on the hammock beside him—
Machi turned over, silently watching Morin's even breathing as he slept. Her gaze was calm, but who knew what she was thinking?
The next morning.
"Hmm?"
Morin was woken by a strange smell.
"What is that smell?!"
He sat up groggily and saw Machi holding a chipped wooden bowl in her hands.
With a spoon that had half its handle broken off, she scooped up some black, tar-like substance from the bowl.
"You're awake?"
She didn't even look up as she spoke.
"What are you eating...?"
Morin pointed at the bowl in her hands.
"This is half my food ration for today."
Machi said this as she brought another spoonful of the black paste to her mouth.
"You eat that stuff every day?"
Morin quickly scanned Machi's frame, her undeveloped figure still far from what could even be called a pigeon's chest.
The food looked unappealing, smelled even worse, and likely had no nutritional value.
"None of this is for you."
Machi spoke as she chewed.
"I pulled you out of the garbage heap and took your clothes. That makes us even."
"Now, if you're staying in my house and want to eat, you'll need to pay a price to get food."
[This stuff smells as bad as fermented tofu—I don't even want it!]
Morin grumbled inwardly but, outwardly, he was honest enough to ask, "What kind of price?"
There was no helping it. After unlocking his Nen ability and sleeping it off, Morin felt better than ever in terms of energy and spirit.
On the flip side, though, he'd never felt this hungry in his life.
The fact that his stomach hadn't rumbled embarrassingly in front of Machi was a miracle in itself.
"You'll come with me to the dump later. The landfill."
Machi took another spoonful into her mouth. "I'll get you a free set of protective gear. It's the lowest grade, but it should be enough for radiation and fumes."
That "should" carried so much uncertainty…
Morin complained inwardly again.
"Looks like I'm destined to stay hungry this morning," he sighed, then suddenly remembered—he hadn't used his daily draw for items yet.
"Let's spin!"
He focused his mind, sinking his awareness into the fourth-dimensional treasure bag once more.
In the next instant, he froze briefly
Then, his face lit up as he looked up, smiling confidently at Machi.
"Hmm?"
Machi, still eating her black sludge, raised an eyebrow.
For some reason, she felt like Morin's smile radiated newfound confidence and unshakable certainty. And then, there was something else—something strange.
"Machi,"
Morin straightened his posture, his smile growing. "In Meteor City, what's the most important thing?"
"Survival resources,"
Machi looked at him, answering flatly.
"Food, weapons, and medicine."
A punchable answer? No.
Food was essential for survival, weapons were indispensable for fighting and coming out alive, and medicine was critical for treating injuries sustained from battles or garbage exploration. Without these three, surviving in Meteor City was practically impossible.
"And the most important of the three?"
Morin's grin deepened as he continued.
"Food."
Machi answered without hesitation.
Avoiding conflict could make weapons unnecessary, and being cautious while scavenging could minimize the need for medicine.
But food? In Meteor City, food was non-negotiable.
At the same time, it was the hardest resource to obtain.
Weapons and some medical supplies could sometimes be scavenged from the landfills, but food? That was a different story.
Even if food was found, it was often too contaminated by radiation to be edible.
"That settles it!"
Morin clapped his hands, a little excited, and said:
"If food is the most important thing here, then if I can get some, I won't need to scavenge at the dumps for supplies, right?"
"Hmm?"
Machi gave him a quick once-over, still unsure what he was getting at. After a pause, she nodded and said:
"If you can find food, you wouldn't need to go out. In fact, if you have extra, you could trade it at the exchange points for other necessities."
"After all, here in Meteor City, nothing is a stronger bargaining chip than food."
She couldn't quite understand why Morin was saying this.
When she brought him back yesterday, she had checked him thoroughly. There wasn't a hint of hidden food on him. If there had been, she would've taken it and stashed it away for herself.
"Good to know!"
Morin grinned and turned his hands over dramatically.
"Check this out!!"
In an instant, as if performing a magic trick, a square object appeared in his hands. It had a pattern of blue, green, and yellow hues interwoven like a tablecloth.
"What?!"
Machi's calm gaze wavered for the first time, ripples of curiosity and suspicion showing in her eyes.
"Where did you pull that thing from?"
Her tone carried clear doubt, tinged with a hint of wariness.
Yesterday, she had inspected Morin's body thoroughly—there was no way he could've hidden something as long as this tablecloth.
Even this morning, when she woke up earlier than him, she'd taken another look. His pockets were cleaner than his face—utterly empty.
And now...?
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