The Hat and Empathy

After using the "Item Tracking System" once, Li Nai had a clear grasp of its nature. Called "item" tracking, it truly only tracked the item itself. As for how the customer who bought the item fared, the system only displayed it as supplementary information within the event context.

For example, currently, the words "Mood: Empathy," it was obvious without thinking that these were the emotions of the "Apex Hat," not of the customer named Nakahara Chuuya...

Li Nai recalled the product description; the hat's personality and alignment were "Chaotic Good." While its alignment was a bit chaotic, given its benevolent nature, it was understandable for it to empathize with its wearer... But wait, Nakahara Chuuya had only left less than two minutes ago!

In that short time, what kind of misfortune had he encountered that even the hat began to feel sorry for him?

Li Nai shifted his gaze to the "Events Occurred: 1" section, quickly clicking on the "View Details" option. Let's see!

Similar to last time, with Li Nai's action, a Q-style image of Nakahara Chuuya immediately appeared on the screen. It was a small figure wearing a black suit and a hat, with round blue eyes and a slightly arrogant expression.

Only then did Li Nai realize that the customer's movement animation was not fixed. Unlike Dazai Osamu, Nakahara Chuuya traveled by his own means! His small figure was riding a fiery red motorcycle, following a dashed line towards the destination: "Port Mafia Headquarters." His movement speed was much faster than Dazai's.

The small figure moved quickly, seemingly calm and undisturbed, nearing its destination. Yet the words "Mood: Empathy" were still clearly displayed, their color even a little darker.

Li Nai felt puzzled and opened the event log. There was only one event, but its content was surprisingly long.

"Event 1: The 'Apex Hat' was coveted! Owner Nakahara Chuuya scared away the greedy! The hat's favorability towards Nakahara Chuuya increased!"

"(Favorability activated) The hat felt empathy when its owner was bothered. It began to conceal its charm from people unimportant to its master!"

Li Nai finished reading and finally understood why Nakahara Chuuya had been so peaceful on his journey... It turned out to be thanks to gaining the hat's goodwill. Its reciprocation was truly subtle. Li Nai fully understood the hat's logic: To prevent Chuuya from being bothered by passersby, it chose to modestly conceal its beauty; but when facing close acquaintances, it would restore its brilliance so its master wouldn't lose face...

This hat, you are truly too kind! Li Nai was moved to wipe away a tear.

At this moment, Nakahara Chuuya's small figure had entered the skyscraper icon of the Port Mafia.

"Event 2: Initiating..."

***

Nakahara Chuuya walked on the long velvet carpet. Along the way, all Mafia members he encountered bowed respectfully. Chuuya nodded slightly in return, his gaze sweeping over the bandaged members, and suddenly called over a team leader who looked somewhat familiar.

"Hey, you," Chuuya frowned.

"Yes, Executive Nakahara!" The team leader trembled and bowed.

"I recall you were supposed to be negotiating a business deal today. Why do you have so many explosion wounds?"

"Report! On the way, a massive chain explosion suddenly occurred, destroying half a street! The brothers were negotiating at the time and got caught in it. The partner is currently unreachable, and half the deal is ruined." Saying this, the team leader's face crumpled, and he cursed, "They say it was an accident, what kind of accident was that horrible explosion! If I find out who did it, I'll definitely—"

"Alright," Chuuya interrupted. "Has the Boss been informed?"

"It was reported to the Boss immediately!"

Chuuya nodded, continuing towards the Boss's office.

"Boss," Chuuya removed his hat and bowed.

"Chuuya-kun, you've arrived," Mori Ogai sat behind his large desk, smiling at the newcomer. Alice, wearing a vibrant red dress, was sprawled on the floor, drawing something with crayons.

Chuuya glanced, seeing large orange and red patches on the white paper, seemingly a large fire or a terrible explosion. He only looked briefly before averting his gaze, calmly reporting his work. After finishing, he stood still, awaiting further instructions.

Unexpectedly, Mori Ogai looked at him for a long time, then suddenly issued an order that surprised him.

"Chuuya-kun, regarding today's chain explosion, I want to know every detail about it."

Chuuya paused slightly, not answering immediately.

"What's wrong, surprised or curious?" Mori Ogai stood up, slowly walking to Chuuya's side but not looking at him, instead gazing out the transparent glass wall, casually admiring the scenery. "After all, it was just a minor business deal. Even if it wasn't an accident but the work of a rival organization, we'd just need to find them and retaliate... Troubles of this level don't usually require an executive's involvement."

Chuuya listened in silence.

"But the last time Yokohama experienced an explosion of this magnitude, 74 people died, and countless were severely injured... Do you know how many casualties there were this time?" Mori Ogai turned to look at Chuuya.

Chuuya realized something, his pupils contracting slightly.

"There were none," Mori Ogai nodded. "Such a spectacular chain explosion, and not a single person died. If planning a chain explosion is within human capability, then precisely controlling it to avoid any fatalities belongs to divine will. Truly... it's like a god's prank."

Mori Ogai chuckled softly, his voice deepening, "I don't want Yokohama to have such unpredictable and uncontrollable 'mysterious' coincidences appear again, while the Port Mafia has no countermeasures. I only feel at ease entrusting this to you. Don't disappoint me, Chuuya-kun."

"Understood!" Chuuya bowed, accepting the order.

Mori Ogai smiled, and the atmosphere lightened. He returned to his chair, interlacing his fingers under his chin, and said amiably, "Then I await good news from you."

"I will certainly live up to your expectations," Chuuya replied in a low voice. Having said that, he placed the hat he was holding against his chest onto his head, then turned to leave and investigate immediately.

However, an unexpected event occurred at this moment. Mori Ogai's gaze lingered on Chuuya's hat.

In a distant place, a small line of text appeared on Li Nai's screen: "Event 2: Initiating..."

Mori Ogai unconsciously blurted out, "Wait, Chuuya-kun."

Chuuya stopped, turning back with a puzzled look, "Boss?"

Small lines of text continuously popped up: "The 'Apex Hat' met Nakahara Chuuya's important person, and it began to display its charm to Mori Ogai!"

Mori Ogai stared intently at the hat on Chuuya's head, several times about to speak but stopping. His gaze grew stranger and stranger, finally seeming to confirm something, he slowly spoke: "...Chuuya-kun, the hat you're wearing, isn't it mine?"

"Mori Ogai has begun to covet the 'Apex Hat'!"

The serious atmosphere from earlier completely dissipated. Chuuya looked at Mori Ogai, realizing that the Boss was asking with extreme seriousness!

Nakahara Chuuya: "Huh???"

"Moreover, it's not even the same model, it's precisely mine. Look, there's even the heart Alice loved to draw on it." Mori Ogai turned to Alice: "Isn't that right, Alice-chan?"

"No, no, this is mine..." Chuuya was momentarily stunned, but a flash of insight struck him, and memories of that eerie shop flooded his mind. In fact, after leaving the shop, a few people on the street had accused him of being a thief, but he was too lazy to respond; a single glance was enough to send them retreating in fear. After that, nothing unusual happened, so he had forgotten about it.

Now, seeing the Boss's strange behavior, Chuuya finally reacted. "That's right! This hat... isn't my old one!" He took off the hat, suddenly realizing, "I took the wrong one, this must be the hat sold in that shop!"

"Which shop?" Mori Ogai asked curiously.

"Boss, this might be a type of ability-user item," Chuuya said seriously, holding the hat. "Everyone who sees it perceives it differently, but it seems everyone will consider it their own."

As he spoke, Chuuya held the hat closer for Mori Ogai to observe from a safe distance.

"Nakahara Chuuya did not choose to continue protecting the hat from others' covetousness. The 'Apex Hat' began to get angry!"

At this moment, Alice also approached. She looked at Chuuya's hand, wondering, "A hat? What hat?"

***
Summary: Connecting with different timelines, welcoming all kinds of customers, finding ways to sell strange items to upgrade the shop... Like any ordinary business simulation game, to rescue Nai Ya Zi and help him pay off his debts, let's run this sweet little shop with Nai Ya Zi!

Do you want to sell sky-high priced bandages to the young executive to "gouge" him, or sell a strange hat to him to subtly create conflict between the "Double Black"? Or do you want to sell cursed sunglasses to a certain white-haired, white-eyed person to make the world more interesting in his eyes? Or sell a bottle of rejuvenation potion to a karate-skilled schoolgirl?

Of course, you also have the opportunity to buy or sell something at this shop. You will weave a unique story with Nai Ya Zi, but please pay attention to the following points:
1. At...