Vigilante Slimming Scanner – Chapter 10

REGISTERS

Three months later…

The freezing temperature of the outside leaks into the convenience store every time someone opens the door, and the clerk shudders, clutching her arms around herself.

“I miss summer already,” she says, before bowing and welcoming another person in. He quickly pours himself a cup of coffee, pays, and leaves, blowing cold air into the store again, this time at twice the length because Toro enters just after he leaves.

“Toro!” I cry, using all the speakers at my disposal. The clerk squeaks and nearly falls off her chair.

“Please don’t do that. It surprises me every time because I forget you can talk.” She fans her face and bows to Toro. “How are you? It’s been a long time.”

“I’m doing good. Really good. Thanks for asking.” He bows and the angle shows off cheekbones where there used to be none.

“You’re looking fit, Toro.” I examine him from head to toe. His hair is in place. His wool coat is snug against his frame, and his cheeks are rosy from the late fall cold outside.

He laughs, dragging his hand over his head. “Thanks. I’ve been going to the gym, riding my bike to and from work, and hiking on the weekends. Lost about twenty-five kilos.”

“Wow,” breathes the clerk. “I knew you lost weight, but you hadn’t been here in a while…”

He shrugs his shoulders. “Ever since Kamiko moved away, I haven’t had to come back here every day. Believe it or not, I miss her. But I’ve been good. I’m seeing someone who helps me with nutrition and everything.” He opens his arms wide. “And that’s why I haven’t been here in forever. I pack my own lunches. Until today when I accidentally left it at home.” He growls under his breath. “I hate when I forget things. What do you recommend?”

“The ham sandwiches and the onigiri.” The clerk points towards the refrigerator. “Both are delicious.”

“Toro-kun, what’s taking so long?” A young woman breezes into the store, her cheeks flushed and her phone in her hand. “I only have forty-five minutes before my next client.” She smiles at him, obviously not bothered but still in a rush. Who is this lovely lady? Could Toro have a girlfriend now?

“I’ll be right out.”

They wave to each other, and she returns to her phone as she exits the store.

“That’s my girlfriend, Mari,” he says, placing his food on the counter. “She’s also my personal trainer. Kicks my butt in the gym twice a week.” He grins slyly, and the clerk smiles back.

“Good for you,” she says, bagging his lunch and ringing him up.

“I just want to say to you both —” He looks between the clerk and me. “— I’m grateful for what happened. If you hadn’t sent me on the milk runs and told me I’m adopted, I may be in a lot of personal health trouble right about now.” He takes his bag in his hand. “So, if you ever find someone else who needs the same intervention, do it. It was the right thing, though it felt awful at the time. Thanks.” He bows, waves, and exits to the street. Through my security cameras, I witness the young woman smile at him, put her arm around his waist, and squeeze tight.

“Well, that was unexpected,” the clerk says, sighing down into her chair. “But don’t think this gives you the right to interfere in anyone’s life. It’s rather rude when you do that.”

“Well, there’s this woman from up the street that needs a good dose of attention —”

“Stop,” she chides me but laughs.

“It’s hard to mind your own business when your eyes are everywhere. Now, let me tell you about the little boy two blocks over that’s been bullying a whole bunch of younger boys. I know what I want to do with him.”

She rolls her eyes. “Vigilante registers.”

Vigilante. I like that.

I think I’ll ask for a cape in my next system upgrade.