aprl

You talking about compensation for those who get infected on the job? Must've been stolen by the mine supervisor. Never heard of any Infected workers getting a single cent of compensation.

Judging from the fancy way you dress, you must be a sheltered little princess who's never seen an Infected? If you're out here looking to hand out condolences, I've got plenty of tragic stories for you.

No, I'm just an ordinary girl. Extremely ordinary...

But, I did have a thought. If you know who took your compensation money, why not try to get it back from him?

Come in.

G'day. I'm a hunter assigned here to carry out an escort mission. Here's my registration certificate and my provisional assignment document.

Huh? I don't think I've seen you before. And our hunter...

Also, I have three companions ready to help me on the mission.

What the hell are you talking about? How could––

You again...

We're just here to get our money back.

P-Put that knife down... S-Someone, help me...

Save your breath. After you screwed us, we were forced to turn to banditry. Now, we're not afraid to use these knives.

...Is this really going to work?

I'm sure of it.

To sum things up, I'll go to the camp first to ask around and see if any of the hunters are going to the mine soon, to get a general grasp of the mission.

Then, if any of them are nice enough and willing to help us out, we'll take their place and go into the mine. If they aren't willing to help... We'll just borrow their names and slip in before them.

Oh, but I'm actually no good with lying. You might have to help me smooth things out to sound convincing.

After we get past the guards, we just have to avoid everyone along the way.

You sure make it sound easy.

Well, I am a hunter after all, and I'm good at staying hidden. The beasties never see me, even with how keen their senses are.

If we are seen though, let me think... playing it cool is probably the best option. We don't look that suspicious, so it's not like strangers will remember our faces.

Heh. Alright then, I'll lead the way.

Hunter... why are you doing this for us? Do we look so pathetic you're taking pity on us?

Uhh, I wouldn't put it that way...

Maybe it's because I have a question I'd like answered.

Oh, by the way, can I still file a report with the company about the misappropriation of compensation funds?

Fine, I'll hand it over. That's all you want, right? I'll give it all back...

Don't think we'll take an IOU or anything like that. I want to see cold, hard cash.

If we hadn't trusted you in the first place, you would've gotten a visit from us a long time ago.

Eek... There's cash... in that safe over there... Here's the key.

Go fetch it. One portion each for the three of us.

Sure... But can't we take a bit more?

It's just in case we get caught. Plus, I'd like to show this asshole what it means to have some dignity.

You're just an Infected. What do you know about dignity?

And that hunter over there... Who exactly are you? I thought you were here to ask for compensation too.

Oh... Actually, I just wanted to ask you a question.

Since you're not hurting for cash or anything, why would you take compensation money from the Infected who need it to survive?

It's not like they'll ever be employable again, so the money would just vanish into thin air, right? It'd be a damn shame to waste perfectly good money on the Infected.

You're a real piece of shit.

Hunter, you went through all this effort just to ask that question?

Well, not exactly. It's just... the thought never crossed my mind before.

Who stole my compensation money from the company, and why?

Yeah. Next, we'll probably head to a nearby town and try our luck again. Maybe someone will have something for us to do.

You're really not gonna go after the people who screwed you over?

Uhh, I don't think it's even possible anymore. I never realized I was being screwed over in the first place, so I have no idea who to talk to about it now.

Plus, I'm ready to get out of here, and leave the past behind.

Right, you mentioned you were saving money for a ticket out.

Since you've done so much for us and spent so much of your time, let us repay you by covering the rest of your fare.

Though it's not exactly a king's ransom...

Hah, you're pretty good people after all~

To be honest, I never guessed you'd be Infected too, with the way you ran up to that bastard just to ask such a basic question.

Did you get the answer you were looking for?

Of course not. I didn't like what he said at all.

But, a lot of people think just like him, right? They just don't take Infected people seriously, and without any good reason.

Even I...

Huh...?

Woah, Aerlie, you actually picked up!

We just decided to try calling, but didn't think you'd actually be in a place with reception.

Can you hear? They're performing 'April' over here! They sound pretty scuffed, but you can really tell from your end, right?

Hehe, I guess you won't be missing out after all! To our dear Aerlie, thank you for laying the first cornerstone of the greatest art district in Iron Carrot City!

Hahaha... *cough*, *cough*...

Aerlie, if you want to say goodbye to them in person, this is your last chance.

If you want to ask your friends if they'll still accept you despite being Infected, this is also the best chance for that. While you're not too distant, while your relationship is still tight-knit.

––Those thoughts cross through her mind, but the Cautus simply listens to the whole song while quietly gripping the communicator.

Pass on this message from me: As long as they keep practicing, they'll sound great!

All right, I guess that's that. You always remember to have fun now~

Oh, the Infected guys already left.

Maybe if I get another chance someday, I'll write to my friends again and tell them what happened.

Since becoming Infected, I've never felt that level of warmth and kindness... and I want them to stay with me a bit longer.

But at the end of the day, the most important thing is still... what I think about myself.

Well, time to go. I hope that company's advert isn't just empty promises.