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And more and more people keep getting involved in the case. Some poor souls get the entire book thrown at them, even though anyone with eyes can see they're totally innocent...

If normal folk like us get pulled into this kind of trouble, how're we supposed to resist giants like the G.C.C.?

That's why I thought it'd be better to come here and expand—

Tosia, Golden Prairie would not have grown this large in Nuova Volsinii without behind-the-scenes support from the G.C.C.

When the big shots show some initiative and want to expand their horizons, that is a good thing for businesspeople like us.

...You're right.

Let's not think too much about Kawalerielki while we're here.

Just keep your enthusiasm flowing and do a good job. When my business is growing, it's only good for you, no?

Then I'll thank you in advance, Wujek Czarek.

Clever girl. I won't belabor the point, then.

I've already ordered the food, just need to know what you want to drink.

Sorry for putting all that on you. Honestly, I'm not too good at handling wine.

Let me see...

Oh, right, I'm looking for a certain brown-colored soft drink. I think it's a local Siracusan brand, tastes like orange with a bit of bitterness?

Do you mean Chinotto, signorina? I am terribly sorry, but we don't carry that one.

Where did you even learn of that old beverage? Since we put out our soft drink line, the local brands have pretty much all died out.

Huh... Really?

Did you forget our slogan, Tosia? 'Nuova Volsinii, Vita Nuova'. Leave the retro nostalgia to the Leithanians.

How about some zero-proof sparkling water?

Haha, sure! Let's go with that, then.

Good, good. Oh, almost forgot. Come, I wanted to show this to you.

It's a... shelf display agreement?

Just a draft template. I was hoping to hear what our top sales representative thought before we deployed it.

It's very clear on the criteria, and the rewards are generous... There shouldn't be too many retailers who decline.

But if they do accept, it means they can only display our products while the agreement is in force.

Wouldn't an exclusivity clause like that create legal issues under local law?

There's nothing in the New Urban Management Act that says we can't have one.

The way I see it, those Lupos with their heads full of dreams and faith won't see any issues with it.

Czarek shrugs, a smile of victory on his face.

But it's you frontline employees who will be talking to the retailers, not me. I'm eager to see how you do, when the time comes, Tosia.

Thank you for waiting. Your zero-proof sparkling water, signorina.

Come, to Nuova Volsinii, and to vita nuova! Na zdrowie!

...I would never let you down, Wujek Czarek.

Na zdrowie!

Whew... I'm stuffed!

'Chef's Selection'... Seriously? Tiny portions and way too much fuss.

After shoving the last piece of pizza into her mouth, Tosia brushes the crumbs off her hands and continues her walk back to her place alongside the night breeze.

The street is lit up in vibrant colors by a chaotic mix of billboards, shining as bright as day. This nightscape is breathtaking, but it could not be more different from the Siracusa Tosia imagined.

...Shelf display agreement, more like shelf monopoly agreement.

It's going to get a whole lot of people fired, maybe even bankrupted, won't it? Like that kid from before. Once the agreement's signed, she won't be able to sell her wine, no matter how much legwork she puts in...

But it's got to be done. Those Victorians and Columbians aren't going to let an opportunity this big slip by, even if we did.

Hmm?

Oh? It's you, the lady from this morning.

How's it going? Manage to sell any...?

*sigh* You're still carrying the same bottles, aren't you?

Yeah...

You're a really good saleswoman, right, Signorina Tosia? Can you—

Nope.

Huh? But I didn't even get to ask...

You want me to teach you a trick or two, right? I can read it on your face. Anyway, no can do, no way.

But why?

The despondency and incomprehension on the girl's face force a long sigh out of Tosia.

How old are you, Bettina?

I'm ten next week.

Ten, huh... Alright, let me put this in a way you can understand.

Listen, I know having to make a living at your age isn't easy. If things were different, I wouldn't mind helping you out.

I only got to where I am today thanks to the help of others. A favor is an investment, not a cost.

But here's the problem: there's only so much wine one Nuova Volsinian can drink in a day.

You're selling Verdi, I'm selling Golden Prairie. We're business rivals, enemies even.

Of course, in a situation like this, some people would drop any cost-benefit analysis, and choose to help a helpless little kid like you... but that's not me.

Because I'm a woman with a heart of stone!

The business world is a battlefield! Helping your enemy is just stabbing yourself in the back!

I've set my mind on flying up the ranks and living the good life, and I'm not going to go soft on my foe just because she's a kid! You got that?!

Got it...

Good! I'm off, then. You keep at it.

...Was I too harsh on her?

Can't blame me for it. That black-hearted uncle of mine is obviously trying to use pie-in-the-sky promises to trick me into doing his dirty work.

If I want to find my footing here, I don't have time to get involved in other people's business.

But... she's not crying, is she? Let's just turn around and get a quick look, just one look...

Hm...

(Droops head, as if grieving)

(Grabs hold of bridge railing)

(Stands on top of railing)

(As if about to jump—)

Whoa, whoa, WHOA! WAIT, WAIT! DON'T JUST THROW YOUR LIFE AWAY LIKE THAT—!

Wha—?!

Made it... Good thing I got quick reflexes...

Kids these days have no mental fortitude! I'll teach you, okay?!

Seriously, even when my performance was in the gutter, and I was homeless and living under a bridge, eating thrown-out fries, things weren't <i>that</i> bad!

You're young, you've got plenty of time ahead of you! As long as you're alive, there's hope! Even if things are hard now, you need to believe things will get bet...

ter...

Why are you looking at me like that?

I think you misunderstood something, Signorina Tosia. I was trying to save Pane.

...Pane?

Over there, on the other side of the railing. It's so naughty, wandering off like that...

Woof!

So you weren't trying to...?

Haha, thank goodness. I guess I looked real stupid trying to calm you down just now, worried as I was.

But even if you were trying to save it, you didn't need to go over the railing, you know! That's dangerous!

But my arms aren't long enough...

Alright, fine, out of the way! You better not bite me, Pane!

<i>Sono molto grata</i>, Bettina! If you hadn't brought my bambino back to me, why, I don't know what to do!

We'll head back home now. Say ciao to Bettina, Pane.

Okay! Ciao, Signora Bianca! Ciao, Pane!

Huh? Wait, aren't you going to ask her?

Ask her what?

About the wine! I feel like getting sales through personal connections is rather high-cost-low-efficiency, but any port in a storm. Definitely beats starving.

Didn't you help her find Pane so she would buy your wine?

Huh?

Don't tell me you did it out of the goodness of your heart.