A Pack of Life (APoL)

Chapter 6: Saint Work I See

Poverty is such an evil cycle.

So evil, I am not able to get out of it.

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Outside the school, Myousuke waves goodbye to Shinji and walks home. But this time round, he decides to take
another way home. He passes by a side road and he crosses it to see a single-storey shop house by the side of the road.
Upon reaching, he waves his hand at the proprietor.
Shiriko-chan!
A small white hand stretches out of the shop to wave slightly, as Myousuke moves in to see a girl tending the
stall. Myousuke goes on to flatter the girl who is dressed in simple clothing.
Hello. I havent seen you for some time and you still look so cute!
Myousuke gets excited on seeing her and she blushes with a word of thanks. Myousuke almost faints upon
hearing her voice, holds on to the wall with one hand and his heart with the other. Shiriko gives a faint smile upon seeing
his behaviour.
Would you like anything this time, Myousuke-kun?
Her soft, light voice continues to melt Myousukes heart as he pretends to stand unstably.
You can cut the acting already, Myousuke-kun.
He laughs as he stands up straight and she smiles back at him.
Im just here to give you some confidence that you currently lack.
I have plenty of that, dont worry.
Myousuke looks at the shelf by the other side of the shop.
Your usual?
She starts picking up some of the snacks in the shop and walks to the counter.
Yes. I have a sweet tooth for such snacks.
Remember to visit the dentist often if you are eating all of these.
Yes~
Myousuke hands over the cash and Shiriko takes it with a smile on her face. With a strong pull of an old wooden
drawer, she places in the cash into an empty aluminium can inside the drawer, opens a small plastic bag with coins and
gives some change.
Thanks for your patronage! Come drop by soon~
Myousuke clenches his fists to prevent himself from overreacting.
See you!
She waves goodbye to the customer with a smile as his shadow leaves the shop into the street.

Shiriko is seen outside the shop cleaning up the leaves on the road as the sun sets into twilight. This gives her
the signal to close her shop. She draws up the sliding doors that are at the entrance of the shop, bundles all the cash and
keeps it in the drawer, and retires behind the shop into her abode. As she closes the door behind her, she turns around to
see a tatami room.
Im back, Gramps.
The room is shabby compared to the well maintained traditional shop in front of the property. A six-tatami
arrangement shapes the main room, where various house appliances can be seen. Her grandfather appears from the
kitchen from her left into the middle of the room, switching on the dimly-lit ceiling light. He places the plates he holds by
his wrinkled palms on the wooden table in front of him.

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Welcome back.
She sees by her left two more tatami as the kitchen within this four-tatami room. The place is neatly arranged by
her grandfather yet is in a very run-down condition, with rusty pots and a leaking tap on the sink. She settles him down
and walks into the kitchen to take out the utensils. She kneels down close to her grandfather and looks at the dishes,
which are leftovers from yesterday - plenty of vegetables with no meat - on the table. She picks up her bowl half-filled
with rice and bows in a thankful manner.
Thanks for everything, Gramps. Lets eat.
Myousuke reaches home as the streetlamps start to light up. He enters the living room and places his schoolbag
and snacks.
Im back.
Oh, welcome back.
Her mother is waiting for him at the dinner table, her face lights up after seeing his dear son back from school.
Where have you been?
I was at Shirikos place. I bought some snacks back for you.
Shiriko-chan? Is she still fine?
Myousuke recalls his visit to the shabby and rather empty shophouse.
I guess so.
table.

He sits down on the chair opposite the table, picks up his chopsticks and looks at the feast laid upon the dinner
Wheres Father?
Hes out for the weekend again. He decides to clear his clients so he can rest for next week.
I see. Father is not with us for dinner again, huh.

his son.

He stares at the quiet house, alone with his mother, showing a disappointed face. Myousukes mother looks at
Let us eat, then. The foods getting cold.
Yes. Lets eat.

After Myousuke finishes his shower, he enters his room, turns on the lights, drapes his towel at the desk chair
and lands on his bed immediately. He sees the shelf to his right and smiles.
What shall I listen to today?
He opens the shelf beside his desk to reveal a whole collection of singles and albums from a variety of artists,
and randomly picks one up with his eyes closed. He looks at the disc and shakes his head. He puts it back, looks to the
bottom of the shelf, pulls out another disc and places it in his player which is within the shelf. He pushes a button and sits
by the desk. He hums along with the relaxing tune, closing his eyes for a while, and turns to look at his homework. He
opens his books and scribbles as he enjoys the music coming out from the player.
Over at Shirikos house, she and her grandfather are preparing for sleep, as they lay out their quilts. Shiriko is
humming the same tune as Myousuke in the room, where water is trickling down from the roof. As Shiriko brings down
her own after helping his grandfather, she sees a hole on her blanket.
Are you okay, Shiriko-chan?
Im fine! Lets sleep, Gramps. I have to wake up early tomorrow to open the shop.

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She looks at the sky through the hole in their roof.

It looks like it is going to rain tonight, huh.

In the middle of the night, she is seen hugging with her grandfather at a corner of the tatami housing. Rain
pours down heavily on the roof, tapping loudly in the night sky. They both shiver as they see water flooding from the
ceiling of the kitchen out into the open, bursting the back door open.

This couldve been worse, this couldve been worse

Shiriko murmurs to herself to brave against the pouring rain. Her grandfather stays quiet and pats on her
shoulder.

The next morning, Myousuke prepares for school. He is dressed up and ready to leave the house. He picks up his
schoolbag after breakfast and leaves for school. At Shirikos shop, the front door of the shop is dragged open to reveal the
shopkeeper. She looks at the children across the street going to school and workers going to work.
Things sure are quiet on this side
After a day of schooling, Myousuke is seen at the main building exit with Shinji. He waves his friend goodbye and
reaches the main gate. He walks past it and looks to his left for crossing the road. He then sees a familiar figure leaning
between the school gate and the wall, shadowed by the afternoon sun. He pretends not to see it and walks faster than
usual. The figure gives a shocked expression, stands up and moves towards Myousuke. It lands a hand on his shoulder.
You obviously saw me, didnt you?
Myousuke gives a sigh and turns back.
Its you again.
Jouhou takes out her deck and wonders to herself.
How could it be? Dont tell me you use your own Will to see through the illusion? Or is it your daily Divination
She picks out the Card that is used to cover her appearance at the gate, tries it out in front of Myousukes face
as he looks towards her, but to no avail. She momentarily appears and disappears in front of Myousuke, who obviously is
just ignoring her.
It must be I used too little Will on the Card
So? You have something for me, Card Yielder?
Myousuke looks at his phone as he walks on the street, clearly ignoring the girl.
Its Mimanoe-senpai. And Im not a Card Yielder; Im also a normal human, just like you. I also have my own
problems. If not for convincing you to take training to understand the APoL system, I could be taking up part-time to clear
my rent.
What, you have to pay rent? Shouldnt you be enjoying a good life with APoL?
Of course not. APoL does not directly solve ones financial situation, or everyone else will be rich. Can you spare
me some cash to tide me over-
Do I look like Im rich?
No. But looking at your home You can still live with tiled floors and tatami at the same time
Jouhou looks up at Myousuke, who is still ignoring her.
Or should I ask from your mother-

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Leave my family alone.

Jouhou decides to too keep silent. She changes the subject.
Do you even worry about money in your life? You seem rather carefree
I seem fine without it.
That is because you are taken care of by your parents. I live alone, you know.
Depend on your parents then; it may be easier for you.
You should learn how to stand on your own two feet already.
Mind your own business, okay?
Jouhou walks a distance with Myousuke, and notices her unfamiliar surroundings.
By the way, where are we going?
They both walk about a corner and Myousuke stops in front of a shop, in which Jouhou follows suit.
Here. Shiriko-chan!
A girl rises from behind the counter.
Its Myousuke-kun! What brings you here?
in.

As Myousuke approaches the proprietor of the business, Jouhou looks at the shop from outside before stepping

Hmm, the only traditional house in the street.

Wow things are selling fast in your shop, huh.
Yes, somehow. Im busy taking care of my Gramps until I have no time to stock up
As Jouhou steps into the shop, she hears the conversation between the two and reaches for an item on the shelf.
She flips it around and sees the barcode for the item.

This is long past the expiry date already.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Im here to just grab a snack; the school canteen is always buzzing with students
after school.
He looks around at the rather barren shop and takes a pack of chips. He places the chips on the counter, takes
his wallet out and takes out a note. Jouhou then adjusts herself from looking down at the goods to the counter.
Eh I dont seem to have any change, can you please? Thanks!
Shirikos smile melts Myousukes heart, as she takes the note and opens the drawer with the aluminium can. The
can empty as always makes her recall having some coins kept inside the drawer for such an event, and dumps the
note into the drawer, which vanishes into thin air. Jouhous eyes open wide seeing such a phenomenon. Shiriko looks
around for the pack of coins she kept in the drawer for a period of time, but finds nothing.
Somehow I cannot find the pack of coins I placed in this drawer-
Never mind then! Just keep the change! Ill just take a few more packs of chips with me! See you!
Myousuke quickly steps out of the shop with a few packets of chips on his hands, waving the shop attendant
goodbye. He stares sternly at Jouhou, who is still peeking below the counter like a rat in search of food. She stands up,
pats her skirt off dust, and rushes to walk away with Myousuke with a laugh. Shiriko waves goodbye to the couple as she
sees them leave the shop.

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As Myousuke and Jouhou walk out of the shop, crossing the road, Jouhou looks at his hands full.
Why are you buying a bunch of expired chips from a shop which looks like it is about to go bankrupt?
Myousuke notices a dustbin nearby and disposes of them.
This is my way of helping her, understand?
Jouhou decides not to question any further.
Did you see that?
What?
The note you gave her just now disappeared.
Really? Its impossible-
This is suspicious.
Okay, dont go on with your deductions already. Dont tell me theres another Card Holder around or something?
As he hears no reply, he thought she is long gone but as he looks behind Jouhou can be seen running backwards
to Shirikos shop.
Shiriko sees Jouhou arrive back at the shop.
Yes, you forgot something?
Jouhou gives a pant, grabs an item from the shop and quickly places a big note on the counter.
Keep the change.
I cant take this-
This is to help you-
I dont know who you are, but no I dont need this kind of help.
Just take it, please.
She takes the note frustratingly, throws it into the drawer and slams it before Jouhou could even see anything.
She suddenly felt a tug on the back of her blouse, and is dragged away by Myousuke, who smiles back and shouts as he
leaves the shop.
Sorry for the trouble, Shiriko-chan! Bye!
As Jouhou is dragged away into the street, she recovers her composure and pushes Myousuke away.
You shouldnt have stopped me! I was just trying my hypothesis
Okay enough nonsense from you! Stop pestering people I know okay
Their quarrel fades into the surroundings, as Shiriko stands on the counter in her traditional snack shop.

After dinner, Shiriko is seen washing up the dishes. As she washes the plates water is leaking from the sink,
which floods the concrete kitchen floor up to her ankles. She heaves out a sigh, opens the back door, takes a small bucket
and starts draining out the water. She then mops up the floor with a piece of cloth and as she keeps the cloth she sees
her grandfather indulging in his own entertainment; watching the black-white fuzzy television, with audio one can even
barely hear if you make too much noise. She sits down beside him by the wall opposite of the television and joins him in
his only daily entertainment.

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Her grandfather cuddles her towards his bony and weak chest.
How is business today?
Not bad. Myousuke-kun dropped by again.
Ah, Myousuke from around the street. Somehow Gramps thinks he likes you, visiting you like that every day.
He bursts out with a short laugh, then ending with a long cough that Shiriko had to tap his back to stop him from
coughing. She then takes a pack of gummies from the other side where her grandfather is sitting at and passes it to him.
Here, take this.
As the old man takes the sweets, Shiriko tells him the truth about the shop.
But Gramps, we do not have much stock left. Every day, something is missing from the shop.
It must be Myousuke taking quite a lot of our goods again, huh. That naughty boy
She looks at her granddaughters worried face.
I know, my child, but then I am too weak to even sign the order for replenishing the stuff we sell in the shop.
I could do it for you! You tell me who to contact and Ill do everything!
No you dont know how to do it. I know the merchant well.
But we cannot go on like this
Maybe you should just close the shop-
No, you cannot close the shop!
Shiriko stands up as she shocks her grandfather.
This shop has been raising me up ever since I was in middle school, and I cannot see it just go away like that.
Besides, without the shop, we will never stand a chance to recover from our current situation. Ill work hard for us,
Gramps, so I can get you treated and me into high school.
Her grandfather gives a frail smile.
Do what you can, my child. If all else fails then just get a part-time job. Without the business antics its hard for
you to single-handedly run this shop
Its okay, Gramps. Ill get through it somehow.
Shiriko clenches her fist and taps her chest. Her grandfather gives out a weak smile and coughs once again. She
helps her father to lie down on the bed and tucks him in well with the badly-patched quilt. She turns off the television
after a few kicks and switches off the flickering light. She takes out her bedding, rolls it out on the floor beside her
grandfather and kisses him good night.
Good night, Gramps.
There seems to be so much on her mind, and somehow she is unsure whether she will be able to do all the
things she mentioned in front of her grandfather. At the same time, she knows she does not want to stay in this financial
state anymore.
Shiriko, you can do it!

The next day, early at dawn, Shiriko draws the sliding wooden doors to the shop and upon completing sees a
familiar figure standing outside the shop.

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Hey, you welcome your first customer of the day?

Jouhou looks around the shop, and sees much less items compared to when she came here the evening before.
Shiriko stands by the sliding doors, keeping silent about Jouhous comments. Jouhou drops a card deck on the floor, in
which Shiriko mannerly picks it up and returns it to its owner.
Thanks.
Jouhou looks around the shop.
Business must be quite good at your shop, huh? It has much lesser things compared to yesterday already.
Umm
Shiriko intends to ask Jouhous purpose for coming to her shop, but still keeps quiet. Jouhou walks to the
counter, grabs a pack of sweets by the shelf and Shiriko moves over to the counter swiftly. She takes her wallet and from
the same pocket and the card deck drops on the floor again.
Ah, sorry.
Shiriko quickly and kindly picks it up for her once more. Jouhou looks through her wallet and looks at the cashier.
Ah, I dont think I have any change-
Are you going to play that move yesterday again?
Shiriko answers with scepticism to Jouhous statement.
No, I recently withdrew some cash and have no time to exchange for smaller notes, so if you would-
time.

She hits the wooden counter, giving Jouhou a shock. A crack sounds from the bottom of the counter at the same

If youre a friend of Myousuke-kun you should know I dont take anyones money for any reason. Im okay with
Myousuke-kun helping me once in a while but who do you think you are that I should accept your help?
Jouhou puts her hands in front of her chest.
No, I just want to-
Shiriko snatches over the big note and flicks it in front of Jouhou.
You think I need this money? This is not helping me! This is calling pitying on me, you get it?
She continues to scold Jouhou for her actions. The money on her hand can be seen slowly fading into thin air, in
which Shiriko did not notice. Jouhou opens her eyes wide to witness the phenomenon.
No, did you not see that-
They suddenly both stop their actions as the drawing of a wooden door can be heard from behind the counter.
The door opens slowly to reveal Shirikos grandfather, who can be seen walking slowly out of the house into the shop. He
clings on well on the walls and walks with a pair of weak legs from lying on the bed for a long time.
Whats the commotion out here Shiriko-chan
Gramps!
Shiriko turns over to see her grandfather up and moving about.
You shouldnt be moving around in your condition
As her grandfather slowly inches towards the counter, out of a sudden he loses his grip on the counter.
THUD!

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Gramps!!

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