Let's reach 100 Power Stones for an extra chapter
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The next day, I steel myself and approach Olivia's door. Today is the day of reckoning – rent day. Well, used to be. I raise my hand and knock, trying to look like I didn't spend the last few nights dismantling a criminal empire.
The door swings open, and Olivia stands there, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Well, Ethan," she says, leaning against the doorfra. "Here to start your apprenticeship in the fine art of… garbage disposal?"
I smirk, pulling out a stack of bills. "Actually, Olivia, I'm here to settle my account. In full."
Her eyebrows shoot up as I hand her the cash. It's enough to cover the back rent, plus a little extra. Okay, a lot extra. From taking down Tombstone's hideouts, and raiding his penthouse, I've gathered about $100,000. That's way more than I need for rent, but hey, a guy's gotta have options, right?
Olivia counts the money, her expression shifting from amusent to surprise, and then to thinly veiled suspicion. "Where did you get this, Ethan?" she asks, her voice suddenly serious. "You didn't rob a bank, did you?"
I chuckle, trying to appear nonchalant. "Relax, Olivia. It's a long story. I took a loan from a friend. I will slowly pay them back in the future." Not, I ntally and, I relieved a certain cri boss of so excess capital.
She eyes skeptically, clearly not buying my story. "A friend, huh? With this kind of cash? You sure you're not mixed up in sothing you shouldn't be?"
I shrug, doing my best innocent face. "What? ? Never."
Olivia sighs, pocketing the money. "Well, I'm glad you managed to sort things out. Though, I must admit," she adds with a wry smile, "it's a sha. I was looking forward to seeing you in those overalls."
"Alright, Olivia, I am heading out." I say, backing away from the doorway. "Thanks again for being so understanding, even if you thought I was going to be your slave."
She just laughs. "You be careful, Ethan. And stay out of trouble."
"I make no promises!" I say with a grin, before turning and heading down the hallway.
Once I'm out of earshot, I tap my Digivice. "Alright, team, are we ready for today's festivities?"
From the device, Gatomon's voice chirps, "Ready when you are, Ethan!"
"Let's do this!" BlackGatomon chis in, her tone dripping with excitent.
A little louder, Koromon shouts, "Yay!"
A few hours ago, Botamon evolved. Turns out he didn't stay a sli for long. Now, I have a bouncing pink ball of fluff nad Koromon following around. Koromon's got these big, floppy ears that waggle when he moves, and his red eyes are always wide with curiosity. Seriously, he looks like a mix between a hamster and a bubblegum.
I figure we deserve a celebration after taking down Tombstone and that Ogremon wannabe. "How about an all-you-can-eat buffet?" I propose.
Gatomon and BlackGatomon squeal. Koromon makes a noise that sounds like agreent. After all, I am rolling in it, and I owe it to them for their help.
I pull up to "Golden Spoon," the gaudiest buffet in Queens. I stride inside, feeling like a baller. The hostess greets with a tired smile. "Table for one?"
"Actually," I say, flashing a winning smile, "I was wondering if you have any private rooms available? I'm celebrating a… special occasion." I throw in a wink for good asure.
She raises an eyebrow, probably wondering what kind of weirdo I am. "We do have a small party room in the back," she says, after a mont's hesitation. "But there's an extra charge."
"Money is no object," I say, with a wave of my hand.
A few minutes later, we're alone in a tacky, but private, room. The hostess leaves, and I imdiately tap my Digivice. "Alright, everyone, out you co! Chow ti!"
With a burst of digital energy, Gatomon, BlackGatomon, and Koromon materialize in the room. Gatomon stretches, yawning. "Finally! I'm starving."
BlackGatomon's eyes gleam as she surveys the room. "Took you long enough. What are we waiting for?"
Koromon bounces up and down. "Food! Food!"
I laugh, grabbing a bunch of plates. "Alright, alright, hold your horses, or cats, or… whatever Koromon is. Let's get this feast started!" I pile the plates high with every kind of food. We're talking sushi, pizza, dumplings, roast beef, the works. I place the food on the table, and step back, watching the Digimon attack the buffet like a pack of ravenous wolves. Well, more like a pack of ravenous house cats and a… pink blob.
They tear into the food, and I swear, in less than five minutes, the table is cleared. Sushi disappears in a flash of white and black fur, pizza slices vanish down pink gullets, and the dumplings? Forget about it. I stifle a laugh, grabbing more plates and heading back to the buffet line.
As I pile more food on the plates, I can feel the stares of the staff. They are likely thinking, How is one person eating that much? I can practically hear them whispering, but I don't care. They have no idea about my situation. An all-you-can-eat buffet is a steal when you have Digimon to feed. Seriously, my food budget is insane because of them.
After what feels like an eternity, but is probably only an hour, Gatomon, BlackGatomon, and Koromon are finally full. I an, stuffed to the gills. Gatomon is lounging on a chair, grooming her fur. BlackGatomon is sprawled on the floor, looking like she's about to pass out. Koromon is curled up in my lap, snoring softly. I tap the Digivice, storing Gatomon, BlackGatomon, and Koromon.
"Alright, you guys ready to head out?" I ask, stifling a yawn.
"Five more minutes," BlackGatomon groans.
"Sure," I say with a chuckle. I head to the front to pay the bill. I only pay for one person, of course. The cashier eyes with a mixture of suspicion and disgust. I can practically see the Don't co back radiating off them.
I just grin, leaving a big tip, and walk out of "Golden Spoon."
"Thanks for the feast, Ethan!" Gatomon says.
"That was aweso!" BlackGatomon adds.
"Yay! Buffet!" Koromon shouts.
With a full belly and a lighter wallet, I stroll back to my apartnt. My head's spinning with all the possibilities that just opened up. Plus, I have ten supply boxes burning a hole in my inventory. Ti to get ho, check out my upgrades, and see what goodies await.
***
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