"You sure you're feeling okay?" Sueka asks me, wrapping up her bento box.

"Don't worry, Sueka. I'll be fine."

Well, physically anyway.

It's been a whole week since I've woken up in that hospital. And one week more since the incident that happened in Terraz. You'd think I've have a lot of questions, but most of them have been answered over the course of the week. According to the doctors, I should have died, given the potency of the poison coursing through my veins. And yet, here I am, alive. Can't say much about my condition though. I normally heal pretty fast, but my left arm's healing speed isn't really that impressive right now. If anything, it's worse than most people's natural healing factor. And then there's my rhime. I currently have a good amount, but since I haven't used any over the past week, my natural rhime recovery has also become stagnant. Not to mention the unhealthy atmosphere of the city doesn't help much either.

But, after being in New Vegas for a while, I can clearly see that I'm not the only one with problems. According to the "Fifth Age Informer," a commonly distributed newspaper in New Vegas, Terraz was completely destroyed. Houses, produce, everything. Miraculously, about 40% of the villagers survived the onslaught, but over half of them are currently being treated for either serious injuries or poisoning. Where they've gone, I honestly don't know, but thank the Rhoken they aren't here.

New Vegas is what you might call a "Plutocracy with class extremes." Ninety-nine percent of all the people here are considered lower class, ourselves included, with 88% either being unemployed or working for absolute minimum wage. And by "absolute minimum," I mean they are lucky to get half a meal for a day's work. Plus, the fact that Terraz's destruction caused inflation in the prices for food here has made times even tougher for everyone. I still can't understand that Hunter character's logic. Why exactly does "revolution" involve the destruction of a location where 80% of a continent's food supply originates? And what have the rich done about this? Well, aside from arguing about the death of Darius Dives, they really haven't done anything. Truth be told, the only reason Sueka and I are doing fine for now is that she sold everything she could salvage from Terraz. She even sold the necklace I gave to her...

Poor Sueka. From what I've heard from the doctors, she's been at my bedside ever since she arrived, doing nothing but praying, begging, and sewing what she called the "remaining pieces of our homeland" to the sleeve of my broken arm. She told me that some mysterious figures arrived in Terraz in a helicopter around Hunter's retreat to pick up Mydrea-sama, and Sueka pleaded for help to the point that she even brought one of said figures to tears. The fact that I was able to save her when one of my previous visions showed her death puts me at ease, but to see her suffer like this...

"Are you going to eat your breakfast?" Sueka asks.

"Hm? Oh, yes, one moment."

As for where we currently stand, we are living in a small two-person apartment on the outskirts of the city. The design of the apartment is similar to that of the small First Age Japanese apartments. As for furniture, we only have a First Age Western style bed for one, a built-in sink, a mirror next to the entrance, and a refrigerator for the excess vegetables Sueka bought. Sadly, we're near broke, given Sueka's lack of knowledge on money management. When I say "excess vegetables," I really cannot emphasize the word "excess" enough. Sueka miraculously landed a job as a waitress at a small maid cafe for poor folk, but the pay isn't going to get us far. At least Sueka's ability to speak multiple languages and her previous waitressing experience made her one of the top candidates for the position.

"Say...um...brother?" Sueka looks embarrassed.

"Yes?"

"I...um...I need a hand with this?" she says sheepishly, pointing to the maid outfit she is attempting to get into. You'd think they'd have a maid outfit that fits the bust size of an animal tone, but nnnoooooo...... At least they gave permission for me to make some adjustments to make it fit her. Well...as soon as she can get it buttoned up anyway. I swear, we run out of sewing materials the instant I realize her bust got a little bigger!

"Alright, give me a minute!" I say, sitting up.

As soon as I get over to her, I pull with all my strength to get the buttons in place, while Sueka is holding her breath and helping at the same time. It would be easier if I had both arms and had rhime to spare for Soul Conversion, but my current condition doesn't permit me to do such things.

"Harder brother! Harder!"

(Don't make this sound perverted please!)

"Alright...almost...."

GOCHIN!!!

And...once again...the buttons fly off and hit me straight between the eyes, one after another.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Oren!" she hurries to apologize. Wish she didn't bow so much - her bouncing breasts seem to make the stitches loosen up quicker that way.

(The only girl I know who hates her titanic tits...)

Letting out a sigh, I get up and search the apartment for a blue line of string Sueka has labeled the "boob string" for tying up her maid outfit whenever this happens. Luckily, it is easy to find this time. After tying it around her bust, she heads out and waves to me.

"Good luck, Oren!" she shouts cheerfully.

"Have a good day!" I yell back before closing the door.

After it's all the way closed, I lean against the door and begin to think. Sueka knows I'm struggling to put on a smile for her. She knows that I cannot forgive myself for everything that's happened. Who can blame me? The father of the girl I love died protecting us. The one place she has known all her life was destroyed before her eyes. And indirectly so by someone she has come to trust. And what about Sueka herself? Is she putting on a fake smile for my sake, as well? What is she struggling with? If I'm to be her husband someday, I'll need to stop causing trouble for her. Stop being a burden. Alright then! Now, I should get out there and earn my supper!

Time for me to, once again, look for a job!