My Own Spirit (2)
While I was lost in the feel of Aqua's plump cheek, she spun back around and tapped eagerly on the Spirit Shop window.
[Then let's find out what this is!]
"Yeah, we should."
I finally managed to tear my eyes back to the Spirit Shop.
Welcome to the Spirit Shop!
Touching the window that had popped up moments ago changed its contents.
As a first-visit bonus, we've charged you with 100 coins!
The notification vanished with another tap, revealing the Spirit Shop proper.
[Ooooh! Amazing!]
Aqua reached out and swiped through the Spirit Shop, flipping it this way and that. I watched her short, chubby fingers poke around, utterly captivated. They were just like little fern fronds—perfectly stubby and adorable.
Aqua switched to the "Sales List" tab. It was filled with square icons of countless items, each labeled below in small print. It really did look just like a mobile game shop.
[Is this everything?]
Aqua asked, eyeing the items on screen.
"Looks like if you grab the side and scroll down, more show up."
I showed her how to scroll.
[Ooooh! So many!]
Just as Aqua said, the Spirit Shop sold a ton of items. Salt, scented candles, waterproofing agents, even random boxes?
It had everything under the sun. Quests, too. But one thing caught my eye: a rough-looking stone labeled "Spirit Stone."
"Hold on."
I'd heard that name in class at the Academy. If memory served, it was something that could really help us out.
I tapped the Spirit Stone's image, and a details window popped up.
◈ A stone brimming with the energy of the Spirit Realm.
◈ Recharges a spirit's spirit power.
◈ Price: 1,000 coins
Just like we'd learned in class—it recharged a spirit's power.
[Ooooh!]
Aqua let out an impressed gasp, clearly thinking the same thing. Right now, she was like a wild spirit, burning her own power to stay manifested in the human world. Once it ran out, she'd have no choice but to return to the Spirit Realm.
But with this, I can keep her here longer.
I turned to her excitedly. "Aqua, with this, we won't have to worry about you manifesting anymore, right?"
[Is that so?]
She caressed the Spirit Shop window lovingly, beaming.
[Such a clever thing!]
She stroked it over and over. I felt grateful to the shop, too.
The problem is coins.
Spirit Stones cost 1,000 coins, and I only had the 100 from the bonus.
There has to be a way to recharge coins.
On a hunch, I tapped the "100 coins" in the bottom right corner. An info window appeared.
Coins for the Spirit Shop can be recharged using Magic Stones.
[What's a Magic Stone?]
"A stone full of magic power you get from defeating monsters."
Monsters were inside gates, which were tough for anyone but licensed hunters or soldiers to enter. The good news? Magic Stones weren't impossibly hard to get. As an Academy student, I could easily connect through a few contacts.
I grinned and pulled Aqua into a gentle hug. "Don't worry. I can get Magic Stones no problem."
[So reliable!]
She flashed a bright smile, then dove back into browsing the shop like it was no big deal. Besides Spirit Stones, there were tons of other useful items—like one that raised the grade of Spirit Affinity.
◈ Raises the user's <Spirit Affinity> by one grade.
◈ Price: 10,000 coins
Raising Spirit Affinity grade with Magic Stones? Spirit contractors worldwide would scream if they knew! I screamed internally myself.
That's when Aqua pointed at something and shrieked.
[Eek! We have to buy this!]
The item she indicated was a long tube that reminded me of cheap junk food from a corner store.
◈ Sap from the Spirit Realm's spirit trees. A favorite snack of spirits.
◈ Price: 5 coins
[Buy it! Buy it!]
She shook my arm pleadingly. I couldn't help but smile.
"Alright, let's get it."
I tapped the item.
The coin count in the corner dropped from 100 to 95. A burst of light gathered in midair—pop!—and something fell out. A small tube, puffed up with contents.
I picked it up. So this is chur. First time seeing one for real, but we'd covered it plenty in class. Just like the description said, spirits loved it.
[Gimme!]
Aqua stretched both hands out desperately. Smiling, I placed it in her tiny palms.
She rubbed it against her cheek, a blissful smile spreading across her face.
[Heehee! I hadn't had any in ages—been missing it!]
She went to devour it in one go, then looked up at me.
[Don't you want some food?]
"Me?"
[Eating together is more fun!]
True enough. I smiled. "Wanna head home first, then?"
[Home? Ooh, you mean your nest! Let's go!]
I started to stand with her in my arms, then thought better of it and hoisted her up onto my shoulders instead.
[Eek?]
Startled, she clutched my head tight.
[What's this?]
"It's called a piggyback."
[Piggy-what?]
"Hold on tight so you don't fall."
I stood up. She gripped harder at the sudden height, her watery form feeling just like a cool, squishy pillow on my head.
After a few steps, she adapted and squealed with delight.
[Ooooh! So high! This is fun!]
She giggled happily. I walked on, legs tense in case she slipped, a warm smile on my face.
The walk home flew by.
[So this is home!]
Aqua peered around eagerly.
[What a warm, cozy space—full of good vibes!]
Traces of Mom and Dad were everywhere. Feeling cheerful, I headed to the kitchen with Aqua still on my shoulders.
I rummaged through the cupboard. Mom and Dad weren't big on snacks, so the cup ramen I'd bought last break was still there.
Guess this'll do.
I plugged in the electric kettle and opened the ramen.
[What's that?]
"Ramen."
[Oh, ramen?]
"You know it?"
[Heard about it from the undines! One of spirit contractors' favorite foods!]
Aqua hopped off my shoulder and landed lightly on the table. She stared at the cup curiously.
[So now you cook it? How?]
"Just pour hot water in."
[Hot water!]
Her eyes sparkled as she cupped her hands over the cup.
Whoosh!
Before I could say a word, steaming water appeared between her palms and poured straight in.
Splash!
She crossed her arms proudly and turned to me.
[How's that? My cooking skills!]
Her little nose stuck up high. I chuckled softly. That wasn't cooking—or even proper prep. But seeing her so smug? Who cared.
"Perfect, Aqua."
I reached out and stroked her head. Her hair felt silky smooth, like seaweed underwater.
[Oh?]
Her eyes widened in surprise, then her face melted into bliss.
[Hnnnyaah...]
She grinned dopily, but suddenly went "[Hah!]" straightened up, and shoved my hand away.
[No touching the head!]
I flexed my fingers wistfully. "Why not?"
[It ruins a supreme spirit's dignity!]
Classic proud Aqua.
"It's fine in front of me. I'm your contractor."
[Still no! Head is off-limits! Off-limits!]
"Got it."
I nodded obediently. Plenty of chances later anyway. I closed the lid on the now-water-filled ramen.
"Three minutes now."
[We have to wait?]
"That's the cooking part."
I sat in a chair and reached into my pocket. The crinkle of the chur tube made Aqua whip her head around. Smiling, I pulled it out.
"Wanna snack on this while the ramen cooks?"
She snatched it eagerly. [But eating together is tastier!]
"No worries. I've got something for me too."
I grabbed a can of cola from the fridge. Aqua's eyes went wide.
[What's this?]
"Tasty water. Here, chur first."
[Okay!]
She plopped down cross-legged on the table and brought the tube to her mouth. But after a few chews, she pulled it out.
[What's this?]
She poked the plastic wrapper. The Spirit Realm was all primeval nature—no plastic there.
"I'll open it."
I took it back and tore the top with my nail. Sticky, translucent liquid oozed out.
Spirit tree sap, huh.
As I examined it, Aqua grabbed both my hands impatiently and chomped the end.
[Nom!]
My heart skipped a beat. I clutched my chest with my free hand.
She slurped away greedily, squeezing my hands for more when it slowed, twisting her head for better angles.
Ugh!
Too cute—my heart hurt. But I couldn't look away. Those super-serious eyes locked on her snack, cheeks bulging with each chew, hair floating blissfully, heels kicked up high because my hands were overhead.
This is a spirit...!
It was cuteness beyond this world.