Mobile Suite Gundam Iron Blooded orphans: Solomon's Return

Chapter 8: Let the Dollar Circulate Part IV

A week has passed since Dukovak and Yamazin returned to Mars, and Sephora, along with Illmari, approaches Manfred. He, as usual, is reading a book called "The Red Fighter Pilot" next to his Gundam.

Illmari: What are you doing?

Manfred: Learning, I mean reading.

Illmari: That's new.

Manfred: Miguel said this book could help me improve.

Illmari: Manfred, Sephora wants to talk to you.

Manfred: About what, or why?

Illmari: Just listen to her.

Sephora enters the hangar.

Sephora: Good day, Manfred. How are you?

Manfred, focused on his book, says:

Manfred: Fine, and you?

Sephora: Good, thank you. Manfred, I want to talk about something important.

Manfred: Go ahead.

Illmari: Manfred, could you close your book and listen to her?

Manfred closes his book, gets up, and says:

Manfred: Come here, let's talk.

Sephora: Okay.

Sephora climbs onto the scaffold where Manfred is.

Manfred: What do you want to talk about?

Sephora: I want to join your company.

Manfred: Why do you want to do that? You're not obligated to join.

Sephora: I know that, but I want to repay the favor you did for me.

Manfred: Favor? Look, taking you to your village was part of the deal; I don't owe you anything.

Sephora: ...

Manfred: What can you offer to the company?

Sephora: Security and information.

Manfred: Security? We have two MS.

Sephora: Yes, but who will protect them when they're outside the MS?

Manfred: Illmari can do that.

Sephora: Illmari is a pilot; she doesn't know much about close combat.

Manfred: Fair point, but why do you want to work with us?

Sephora: To be honest, I have nowhere else to work or live, and I think your company needs a bodyguard. Neither you nor Illmari can handle all aspects of security. Plus, you'll need someone to tell you how the jihadist group operates.

Manfred: You make a good point. I'll think about it, talk to Dukovak.

Illmari: I already talked to Dukovak; he said the decision is up to you.

Manfred: Sephora, you're hired.

Sephora: Thank you, Manfred.

Manfred: You're welcome.

The two girls leave the hangar, and Manfred continues reading his book. Illmari returns and says,

Illmari: Manfred, how long have you been reading that book?

Manfred: Since seven, why?

Illmari: Don't you want to have lunch with us?

Manfred: Let me finish this chapter.

Illmari: Did you even have breakfast?

Manfred: No.

Illmari: Come down right now, or Sephora will make you.