An Alchemist's Ware Part 2

The day quickly passed by and soon, Utena had to go home. We bid our goodbyes as we went off to do other things. While she studied, I found myself waiting in a shady corner near Nerima Station. Off in the way side and away from prying eyes, it was perfect for discreet meetings and off course, dealing with the shadier side of city life.

With a medical mask on and a jacket to warm myself, I stood under the flickering street light as I waited patiently. Pulling out my phone, a cheap and crappy thing that was just good enough for messages, I checked if I was in the right place. "Late like usual huh," I muttered as I pocketed it.

Now you might ask, why the hell was I, a helpless looking teenage boy, out in the streets at night without any company? The answer was simple really, I was out selling my wares. After all, who wouldn't want to buy healing in a bottle? The problem was that I had to sell to less than desirable elements. I'd rather not deal with having to wait for my products to be tested by the FDA when I need the funds now so here I was, waiting for my buyer.

Normally, it was a quick and done deal. Just come here, sell my stuff to my contact, before fucking right off. Sometimes, however, things go a little sideways. "My, my, it's awfully late for a boy like you to be out and about," a feminine voice called out as dark chuckles echoed afterwards.

Glancing to the direction, I cursed my luck as a few older girls came strolling by, "You know it's not safe around here once it gets dark," The lead girl chuckled as she licked her lips. With her modified school uniform and the bat she carried around, she was definitely the sort I hated the most in this world. Ignoring her name, I looked up to see her tag; [Sukeban Delinquents] it read. Of course I had to meet the rowdier of the bunch.

"Yeah," Another girl laughed as she trailed behind the lead girl, "Especially with all the bad people around,~" She teased as I took a step back.

"How about you come with us," One of them offered, leering openly at me as they approached, "Let your big sisters take you to a better place."

"We promise it'll be fun!" The lead girl swore, but I'd be dumb if I accepted their invitation. I really hated becoming shota bait.

"Tsk," I gritted my teeth as I reached for my pockets, searching for my pepper spray in my inventory, "I don't want any trouble," I hissed at them as I looked to the other end of the alley but found another girl waiting, not that they can trap me. If things got worse, I could easily just hop into my [ID]. It would take hours but time would still pass.

"Now, now, don't be like that," The lead girl purred as she got close enough that I could smell her cheap perfume. "We're just looking for a bit of fun. You can understand that right? Why don't you give big sis a chance?~" She whispered as reached out and cupped my cheeks.

I admit, they weren't that bad looking and I was certainly getting aroused, but the way she talked made my skin crawl. I did not like this one bit. "Take your hands off me," I replied tersely as I gave her a harsh glare. She was getting way too close for comfort.

"Or what little boy?" the girl asked, smiling dangerously as she showed her true colors. "Awfully cocky for a little shrimp," She taunted as she loomed over me as her bat came down on the road with an audible thunk.

My heart was racing and sweat dripped down my forehead. Just as I was about to fight back before running away, my savior came knocking. "Or you'll have to deal with me, shitstains," A masculine voice growled out as a lone figure approached. With his brightly colored hair, piercings and the crowbar in his hand, the teen struck a fearsome figure.

"What the hell did I tell you punks about messing with the boys near the station?!" He shouted as he marched towards them, making the girls flinch back.

"O-oh crap," One of them whispered before they bolted, leaving the rest to deal with the new interloper.

Pulling her hand back, the lead girl raised her hands appeasingly. "C-come on now Nemu-kun, y-you know we're just messing around!" She told him as she tried to weasel her way out of the trouble she was in. As the boy turned to me, I nodded back.

"You're definitely messing around," The boy hissed as a look of fury washed over his face., "Messing around with little boys!" He shouted, brandishing his crowbar at them, making the girls rear back. "Now how about you bitches get out of my sight or else we'll have a bit of our own," The teen threatened them.

"D-damn it!" The girl hissed as the rest scattered. Left alone, the lead girl quickly bolted, shouting and cursing at them as she retreated, "You'll pay for this one day! I swear!"

"Yeah, yeah. Keep yapping," the older teen shouted back as they flipped them off as their retreating figure finally disappeared into the night. They waited for a bit, glaring into the darkness before looking back. "Hey Mizuki-chan, you ok?" the teen asked as he lowered his crowbar.

Nemu Anemo
[Kyodai]

"Y-yeah" I nodded, shaking off the nerves of such a close fall. Feeling my heart calm down, I thanked them, "Thanks Nemu, I owe you one." While I did not approve of their criminal dealings, having them as back up was more than appreciated.

"God damn it Mizuki, this is the third time fuck time I have to bail you out," The boy growled out as he ran his hands across his blue locks. "Why the fuck did you come in early anyways?" They questioned him as they poked at my cheeks.

"I could have handled it myself," I waved his concern off but it still hit its mark. Honestly, it was a bit dumb of me to wait for him. This wasn't like my old world after all. I had to remember that it was the boys that had to watch out. It… was a work in progress. It was a hard shaking off years of living in another norm.

"And brought down the local Magical Girls on your head?" The boy pointed out. "Think little bro!" the teen scolded me as he shook his head "I swear if you weren't an orphan…" He muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Fine, I'm sorry," I apologized, just wanting to get him off my back. "I just need the cash this week," I told him. The expenses were piling up quickly and I just couldn't sit tight while my finances went down the red. It was dumb, but I'd rather not be in debt. It was a hole I knew I wasn't going to crawl out without anyone to fall back on.

"Me and my bleeding heart," The boy grumbled before he asked, "What the hell do you need several hundred thousand yen for anyways?" Walking away, he waved for me to follow. Trailing behind him, we rounded the corner before we stopped before a vending machine; the reason why we even chose this as a meeting place. Vending Machines were truly everywhere…

Inserting some coins in the machine, I picked up a soda, the ones loaded with artificial sweeteners before I answered dodgily, "Oh you know, rent, food, getting my pad furnished, tuition fees, the usual stuff," I wasn't even lying at this point. "I also need it for the products," I added, changing the topic at hand.

"Fair enough. Tokyo is an expensive city," The boy agreed as he picked his own drink, a disgusting cucumber concoction, before crouching down beside me. As we sat there, hanging before the vendo, I found myself letting out a heavy sigh. The amount of money I was spending was sure to make my previous life cry out in pain. Grinning, the boy then asked, "So, got the potions we need?"

"Ayup," I smiled as I reached behind my back and pulled out a suitcase, one filled with the potions Utena and I made. Presentation was half the sale and I made a show as I opened it up for the teen. Seeing the red glow, they whistled.

"One of these days, I'm going to figure out just how you do that little bro," The teen chuckled as he reached for the suitcase. However, before he could grab hold, I pulled it back. As the teen frowned, I rolled my eyes and rubbed my fingers together. "Really can't pull a fast one on you, huh?" They chuckled as they pulled out a thick envelope.

"My service doesn't come cheap you know," I replied as I took the payment before giving it a quick look. The sound of crisp bills running across my fingers as I leafed through them was like music to my ears. "Thank you for your patronage,~" I replied as I slipped the envelope in my pocket before handing over the briefcase.

As it turned out, selling to the shadier elements was far more lucrative than I'd ever anticipated. When you have magical girls running around, injuries were far more common, especially those on the wrong side of the law. Getting treatment wasn't exactly that easy when the police were after them. It just made my product all the more appealing to them. It also helped that they paid more than my other options; Veterinarians. They were also less likely to point a magical girl at my direction, which was a big plus.

Business was good, but it could be better. "I also have a few more things I want you guys to test out," I offered, waving a few bottles of different colors in front of the teen, "The first pop is always free,~" I told him, making them snort in amusement.

"You really shouldn't be joking about that stuff," The boy warned him as he grabbed the vials and inspected them, "Those types of crooks get all shifty when you poke around their shtick." Eyeing him suspiciously, he asked, "You sure this isn't drugs?"

I rolled my eyes as I answered, "Addiction is bad for business." For short term gains, it was good but I wanted my customers to be as healthy as possible. "And it's a good thing you guys are clean, mostly," I added as I took note. As much as I owed Nemu and the family, they were still criminals. They knew their stuff and I should listen to them when it comes to these things.

"The label should tell you what they do," I pointed out. [Strength], [Speed], and a universal [Antidote] potion, three new potions which they could use. I could have given them a [Mana] potion but I wasn't going to experiment on them. I wasn't sure how Magic in a bottle would react to the mundane. "I'm not sure what exactly the Antidote can cure, but it should deal with some common poisonings," I added.

While the other two potions were straight forward, the [Antidote] was a bit less so. I wasn't sure how extensive its coverage was as all my powers told him that it dealt with "Common and Mundane" Poisons. Experimentation was also hard given that I actually have to deal with poison. Maybe it could have some use, maybe it'd be useless, but it sounded like something that they'd want sitting around for the rare occasions.

"That old vet's going to love these," The teen nodded as he pocketed the potions, "Bastard wouldn't stop talking about how miraculous your healing potions were," He shared, making me smile before he told me, "Saved me the trouble of having to explain to my sister as well."

I quirked a brow at that before questioning, "Things heating up around these parts huh?" Were they in trouble with some gangs? As much of an opportunity it was, I was also concerned. I really couldn't be war profiteering if said war was on my doorstep. I had vested interest in keeping my contacts alive.

"You said it," The teen huffed as he shook his head. "Bunch of new bitches came strolling into our turf. Had to show them that they're not welcome, but things got a bit hairy," He muttered as he rolled his shoulder, "A bit weird having several groups coming in, but it's probably just a magical girl getting a bit too eager," He shrugged.

I nodded in turn. It wasn't so crazy as to hear Magical Girls going on a personal crusade when they first got their powers; The love for justice and all that is good, I supposed. Makes them dangerous to work with in my opinion! I don't think they'll take lightly on my person if they were to realize I was a tax evading entrepreneur.

"Be careful out there," I told the teen before flashing them a teasing smile, "Don't want to lose my only contact. It'd be a pain having to deal with someone new," I jested as we both shared a laugh.

"And I'd rather not have you scare another fence," The boy fired back, reminding me of the first time I met him. Just a shit out of luck kid armed with a Molotov, finding everything that was to know about him through the name I found by just looking at them. "Are you sure you're not some magical boy?" He asked.

"No, I do not wear frilly clothes and fight evil in the name of justice," I sassed back. Could I be considered one? Maybe, but I believed I was more neutral. I was more a merchant than a magical spell slinger. "And hey, if it works it works."

"Damn arsonist," The teen mumbled before standing up, stretching and shaking his legs awake. Tossing the now empty can, he told me, "Make sure you keep up your grades, got it? The family didn't help you get here just so you'd waste your new lease on life on shady stuff."

"Don't worry about it, I got it handled," I told him. It wasn't like this was my first rodeo dealing with school. It was actually relaxing getting back to just studying during the day. Grinning, I then teased him, "In fact, I heard from a little birdy that someone's failing their English classes."

"H-hey! Who told you that!" The boy shouted angrily, confirming my suspicions. Looks like a certain someone was projecting.

"You just did," I pointed out, smiling smugly at the teen. Despite acting all rough, the boy was still just a year away from attending college. "Kidding aside, I'm thinking of doing some tutoring service," I told the man. It was a shame if I didn't leverage my better education. Plus, I'd have more ammunition to sling at the teen, "It'll be expensive, but since you're a friend, you'll get a discount," I offered.

"Greedy bastard," The teen chuckled before he shook his head. "While I'm tempted, I'll pass," He told me. A shame but nothing to cry over. Stroking his chin, the older boy then mused, "Though my sister might need some help." Letting out a huff of frustration, the boy shared, "She's been letting her grades slip ever since she met this older girl." Looking over, he then grinned, "Maybe meeting a cute boy could do her some wonders,"

"Oy! I don't do stud services!" I fired back. I might be a greedy bastard but I wasn't going to stoop so low as to offer my body for cash…

"Say's the boy willing to do just about anything for cash," The boy teased as he walked off, leaving me fuming, "You never know.~" Still, despite the murderous urges, I held back. I needed him alive if I wanted to keep on making business. Money is money so maybe I should take on his offer… A thought for another time. Letting out huffed, I walked off, wondering if I should head deeper inside the dungeon.

A/N:

Just as promised, part two is here! Chapter 3 was just stupidly long... and Vyor is quite vocal about it Anyways, here's the explanation on how Mizuki is getting money. He sells to less than unsavory individuals cause it's the easiest way to gain money. Hey, they have injuries, he has potions. It's not rocket science. He's merely satisfying a niche left in the market.

With that out of the way, I'd like to thank vyor once more for having the patience to wrangle with this hefty chapter... it just blew up I swear.

Now if you want to support me or want to read some fic chapters in advance, consider dropping by either Pa treon or Ko-Fi. I couldn't have done this without the support. Links in my bio