You Shall Not Pass
I reached into my pocket in front of the locked door...
...Huh?
What?!
My key was nowhere to be found.
So?
You retraced your steps, but there was no sign of the key...
Every locksmith in town's conveniently closed for the holiday...
You didn't make a spare key, and there are no vacant rooms?
You've gotta be kidding me...
It sounds made up, but it's all true.
*Sigh*
Captain, remember how you got shoved into the job site on day one?
I laughed it off back then, but seriously. You cursed or something? Like some tragic heroine?
Well, today is my day off, but...
Fine.
Marcille stepped inside, then came back out with a thin wire and some tools.
Lead the way. Which door is it?
...Am I going to open it for you?
Hah! You serious? Why else would I drag my butt out here?
You came to me for help, didn't you?
Leave it to me.
I've watched Petra pop open doors plenty of times.
Forget this!
It hasn't even been ten minutes...!
I thought this'd be easy! But nope! It's a pain in the neck!
The seams aren't visible, so none of the tools work! This is so annoying!
No choice, then...!
Wait! Don't hit it with the wrench!
Move! One good whack should do it!
...Huh?! You're worried about bothering other guests?
Like I care! I'm the one about to explode here!
That's my room door you're about to smash!
Move! Out of the way!
I stopped Marcille just before she brought the wrench down on the doorknob.
Ugh! This is driving me crazy!
Let's say we wait until tomorrow. Then we can get a locksmith to open it.
But until then, what's the plan?
Where are you planning to sleep tonight?
...On a bench?! You nuts?! Wanna end up with a frozen face?!
Tch... Guess I've got no choice.
Hey.
Stay the night at my place tonight.
Pardon?
I didn't want to show up empty-handed, so I offered to cook. We hit the market together.
Heh... So you can cook? Impressive.
I can't cook at all.
After a long day on-site, I'm too wiped out. Usually just grab takeout.
Anyway, this works out! Saved me some grocery money!
...Huh? You're asking again if it's really okay to stay?
Why are you asking that again? I already told you it's fine.
It's not like we just met yesterday, and I know you're not a creep.
So stop worrying and... Huh? Wait.
...Did I put those clothes on the floor away?
Does my room smell? Did I leave anything weird lying around...?
More importantly, this is the first time a guy's been in my room...?
Did you say something?
N-no! I didn't say anything, you punk!
Quiet! Shut your mouth! Not another word!
You think I'm easy or something?! Huh?! Wanna try me?!
All I did was ask one question...!
Hey! You're gonna drop the candy! Slow the cart down!
Grrgh...! I told you to not overload it...!
Just hang in there! The New Year's festival is almost here.
You know it's our big chance to rake it in, right? Just push through today!
Yeah, but... Nghh...!
So the New Year's festival is coming up.
...Do I know what that is? Ugh, you're seriously trying to annoy me today! Wanna get decked?!
Of course I've heard of it! I've just never been to one.
Wages spike during peak season.
While kids my age were off having fun, I was working on-site.
Still... I guess...
Maybe someday... I'll get to go, just once...
Hah! What am I even saying to myself.
Forget it. It's nothing.
Huh? You wanna go to the festival with me?
What's with you all of a sudden? Forget it. I was just talking to myself.
You helped me out, Marcille.
...Huh?
So I want to return the favor.
The heck are you talking about? Helped you with what?
I give you a place to sleep, and you make me dinner. That's the deal.
It's not some sappy "let's help each other" nonsense, got it?
...What?
Why are you grinning all of a sudden?
That's what most people would call helping each other.
Hah! Yeah, right.
Think whatever you want. I'll think what I want too.
...Anyway, about what I said earlier.
I changed my mind.
Letting someone crash at my place is worth more than one meal.
And wouldn't you know it, the New Year's festival is coming up... and I was thinking about checking it out...
It's my first time, so I'll need someone to show me around.
Don't get the wrong idea, all right? It's just a deal.
Clear your schedule for that day. Got it?
...What? Why are you smiling again?
Quit smirking and walking behind me! Wipe that look off your face!
What're you doing?! I'm hungry, hurry it up!
I followed Marcille back to her place, her pace just a little quicker than before.
That night, I spent a long while waiting out in the hall before stepping into her quarters...
And in a room far more barren than I expected, we chatted about the New Year's festival until we both drifted off.
