What the—

Neville was surprised when one living attendant appeared out of nowhere and approached him silently like a highly trained assassin. She politely gestured toward a sleek device that sat on the counter, all chrome and glass and ominous-looking sensors. It looked like a cross between a microscope and a torture instrument.

"If you would just place your face here..." the attendant said.

Neville saw it and felt an ominous feeling.

He panickingly called at Shelly, ’Shelly!’

[Please confirm points usage.] Shelly saluted, knowing what he wanted to do.

Neville nervously looked at Gloria, who was looking eagerly at this new device. Then, he cautiously waited for Shelly to show a thumbs-up emoticon before helplessly putting his face there.

The machine hummed to life, and Neville felt scanning lights pass over his skin in methodical waves. Tiny beeps and chirps emanated from somewhere within its insides.

’It’s not going to reveal anything... unusual, is it?’

[Host, please trust a well-paid system.] Shelly cheerfully said, reassuring him.

’But what if this thing could detect that he wasn’t entirely human? Like that bathtub in the house.’

Shelly pouted and complained, [Please remember that those were the days that we were poor to even afford to do this kind of amazing and unusual operation.]

"Amazing," the attendant exclaimed a moment later, and Neville’s heart nearly stopped before he even heard what she said next.

The attendant studied the results that had materialized holographically above the device. Her well-maintained eyebrows rose in genuine surprise.

"Your cellular regeneration rate is well above average. Natural hydration levels are excellent. The collagen components are..." She trailed off, tapping at the display as if convinced she was reading it wrong.

[Even in human form, your cellular structure is far superior to that of normal people. How amazing!] Shelly sounded far too delighted by this development.

’It was not amazing. It was terrifying.’

"Is that so?" Gloria had moved closer as her interest piqued. Her eyes flickered between the holographic display and Neville’s face with renewed curiosity.

The attendant nodded slowly, accepting the readings at face value rather than questioning their trusted device, which had never failed before. "I would recommend maintaining your current routine, with the addition of our hydrating essence to maximize the benefits. Though honestly, sir, whatever you’re doing now is working exceptionally well."

’I’m not even doing anything. It’s inborn, natural at its finest.’

[Host, please don’t be narcissistic now.] Shelly narrowed her eyes in disgust.

’But the proof is right in front of us.’

Shelly chose to ignore her host’s growing ego.

"See?" Neville immediately seized this opportunity to prevent Gloria from buying more. "I don’t need—"

"Nonsense," Gloria cut him off with a wave of her hand. "Just because your skin is good right now doesn’t mean you shouldn’t invest in its future."

She turned to the attendant.

"We’ll take the hydrating essence. And the overnight repair serum. And..." Her gaze swept over the display of products. "What would you recommend for a workaholic?"

The attendant’s eyes lit up with the fervor of someone about to make a very large commission.

Neville opened his mouth to protest, but Gloria’s next words stopped him cold.

"Think of it this way," she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "If these products are effective, you can give some advice to Eason to take care of his skin, too."

She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "Don’t you think it would be a shame for that handsome face he inherited from his father to end up all scrunched and dried as he ages?"

Heat crept up Neville’s neck. "I don’t think Mr. Maxwell would—"

"If Eason maintained his beauty over the years," Gloria continued, absolutely ruthless, "you would also benefit from the long-lasting eye candy, wouldn’t you?"

She winked.

Neville felt choked, unable to say anything back.

[Host, your face is very red.] Shelly teased.

’Shut up.’

Twenty minutes and an embarrassingly large purchase later, they came out of the skincare boutique.

Gloria guided him back to the floating platform that hovered near the entrance of the boutique. They stood there for a moment, not speaking, just existing in the comfortable silence, looking at the view.

Neville hadn’t expected this.

When Gloria had first asked him to join her for this shopping trip, he had anticipated hours of awkward small talk and social interaction. Instead, it was surprisingly...silent.

A sound broke the moment.

Gloria’s stomach growled.

Neville blinked.

Gloria had the grace to look mildly embarrassed, though she covered it quickly with a stifled laugh.

"Well," she said, clearing her throat delicately. "I suppose it’s time to eat some snacks."

"I saw earlier that there were several restaurants on the fifth level," Neville offered, grateful for the change in pace.

Maybe food would finally make Gloria realize that it was time to go home.

"I frequently went to a lovely tea house here before," Gloria said, while checking the holographic map that the AI chibi robot dragon materialized. "But it seems that they moved to the eighth level. They serve traditional brewing methods with interstellar ingredients. You’ll love it."

I will love it. Really? I highly doubt it.

But Neville had no choice but to follow. What else could he do?

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

The tea house was the ultimate oasis of the shopping center. It occupied a corner space with floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the central atrium. Its interior was decorated in what Neville’s 21st-century brain identified as "luxury minimalism."

Low tables sat surrounded by cushioned seating, and soft music played from hidden speakers. It was some instrumental piece that seemed designed to lower blood pressure upon hearing it.

They were shown to a private booth near the windows.

"Order whatever you like," Gloria said, sliding a holographic menu toward him. "The Moon Blossom tea is particularly good, but they also have an excellent selection of pastries."

Neville studied the menu carefully, trying very hard not to look at the prices. The descriptions were listed as "hand-harvested petals from the lunar gardens of Sector 7" and "essence of starlight-kissed botanicals," which usually meant the cost would be equally high.

He ordered the Moon Blossom tea as recommended, figuring it was safer to go with recommendations than to risk accidentally choosing something that was more expensive.

Gloria ordered the same, along with an assortment of "traditional pastries" that the living server assured them were the house specialty.

As they waited for their order, Gloria leaned back in her seat with a contented sigh. The afternoon light caught the silver threads in her dark hair.

For a moment, Neville could see clearly the resemblance to Grayson. The same sharp jaw, the same elegant bearing. The same way their eyes could cut through pretense like a blade.

"I’m glad you came with me."