An Extra’s POV

'I-Is that really Rey…?'

Alicia's stunned expression as she stared at the aggressive scowl on Rey's face was downright obvious.

She couldn't hide it anymore.

"GET UP! DON'T TRY TO PLAY THE VICTIM ANYMO—!"

"That's enough!" Alicia yelled out, a glare now imprinted deep into her face.

"A-ah, Alicia, don't mind me. I'm just telling this—"

"Save it. I don't want to hear anything from you…" Alicia raised her hand and walked past Rey, completely ignoring his lame excuse for a reason.

She walked towards the waitress and knelt beside her, holding two of her trembling hands.

"It's fine, don't worry. I'm not mad at you."

The lady seemed immensely surprised by Alicia's kindness, and even Rey appeared stunned from behind her.

Alicia no longer had any business with him, though.

"Please stand up."

She helped the waitress up, and after they both rose to their feet, she nodded and smiled even more broadly.

"You made a mistake. It happens. Maybe take the rest of the day off."

Since this lady wasn't feeling too well, and she was probably inexperienced in her job, it was best to rest.

"A-ah. No, I c-couldn't…"

Alicia instantly understood why.

'How could I have been so stupid? She's probably working like this because she has no choice in the matter.'

Life wasn't all rainbow and sunshine for everyone in the city—even in a place like the Capital.

A lot of people were struggling, and since the laws outlawed begging, many couldn't turn to that for survival.

"I understand…" Alicia smiled as she grabbed the woman's two hands and slipped something inside.

It was a Gold Coin—the one she didn't get to spend during the first Excursion.

She drew closer to the waitress, practically embracing her, and whispered words into her ears.

of yourself and your family well. You can quit this job and start something you really want to

knew full well the value

tremble, and she thought she saw tears

Okay? Don't make a fuss about

steps back before nodding at her

start… I wish you good

as the lady went away, entering the same staff-only

to tender her

her hope for

back and saw Rey standing behind her,

he already recognizes

honesty, Alicia felt like leaving the shop that very instant. She wasn't even interested in whatever surprise he had to show

merely wanted to get out of this dreary

But…

I can do is drink

lady who prepared it. She probably wasn't, considering the

respect her service by

told Rey, and she took

it closer to the table. Alicia

so you know, I'm not staying for you. Once I'm done with this drink, I'm

to argue or render some stupid excuse that would disgust her

hoped he would give her a reason that would

see

doubted that would

reason for anyone—especially someone like Rey—to be

understood what it meant to

to say now? Let's hear it?' She nearly rolled her eyes

was sweet. Too

in her

to make excuses. It

felt a tinge

after all. Perhaps he needed time to reflect some

false advertising?' Alicia shot Rey a look of disgust as she traced her sight

in her cup slushed around as

stuff is hardly a decent fruit juice, talkless of

on Earth, and they also existed in this

didn't come as a surprise that

the stuff back on Earth

juice in H'Trae

this is just…

it was fair to compare a local juice shop to the stuff she had the privilege to drink

what she was drinking didn't feel like

was nowhere near