Chapter 2

"Really. But it's already late today. Let's do it another time."

"Huh..."

I don't want to see those eyes, like a discarded dog watching the back of its owner.

Her eyes looked up at me, and her chest was wet and see-through, which was bad for my heart. The large weapon disproportionate to her body, which was a bit over 150 cm, was focusing all its firepower on my eyes.

While my consciousness was being taken by such temptation, a glance at the clock showed it was already past three in the morning. I have work tomorrow, and this is very bad. At this point, I'm already at my limit with sleepiness and fatigue.

"Then, then tomorrow. Can you tell me tomorrow?"

As I was about to answer "Sure" to the persistent Hayasaka, I shook my head, remembering my work environment.

"Ah, our schedules don't match, right? I'm usually here at this time every day."

I was surprised when I learned that trains in Tokyo run until 1:30 AM.

I was moved when I came to Tokyo from Fukuoka for a job, and it was during my first week of work. I remember that a month after starting, I considered blowing up the JR when I realized that working until 1:30 AM was part of the deal.

I don't know when Hayasaka goes home, but it's physically impossible for her to be later than me.

If she were to say it, that would be one thing, but it's extremely difficult to say it myself.

"I see..."

"If it's on a day off, maybe I can. How about then?"

I don't know when my next day off will be.

"Understood."

"I'm glad you understand. Here, let's quickly block the broken window and go to sleep."

"I'll hire you. Be my 'Welcome Home' department head."

The conversation isn't matching up.

What is this person saying? It seems like she suddenly returned from a state of regression, but her level of speech hasn't changed at all.

"Um, do you understand what you're saying?"

"I understand."

"You understand? But even if you say you'll hire me, it's not that simple."

"My monthly income is 5.3 million yen."

What Hayasaka casually said was three times my income, which I work until the last train to earn.

I forcibly pulled back my consciousness, which was about to drift away.

"5.3 million?"

"5.3 million."

"Gross? Net?"

"Of course, net."

This is something I learned after becoming an adult: there are two types of income, 'gross' and 'net.'

The former is the total amount of salary, which is what people mean when they say 'annual income of 3 million yen.' From this, various deductions such as health insurance, social security, and taxes are made, and the pitifully thin amount that reaches my hands is the net income.

In most cases, a salaryman's net income is about 80% of the gross income.

In other words, 20% disappears. If you work five days a week, one day is free labor.

I have a lot to say about this system, but I'll save it for another time. What's important now is that Hayasaka's income, including bonuses, exceeds 10 million yen annually, which is a high income.

"I'm not boasting, but I've never had a hobby, a lover, or even a friend to speak of."

"You really aren't boasting."

"I feel lonely even when I go to high-end restaurants alone, so I mostly eat cheap and nutritious food. Specifically, tofu."

"Tofu is delicious, isn't it?"

"I like miso soup."

"Tofu and miso, hello soybeans!"

"Thanks to that, I've become very healthy and my savings have increased. But..."

"But?"

I asked honestly, as the pause was obvious.

"The only thing I couldn't buy was someone to share my joy with!"

"Well, friends are sold separately with any game."

There are people who hate board games for four players, apparently.

"But, I can't go back to my old life after experiencing the pleasure of being greeted with 'Welcome home.' So, how about this? 300,000 yen a month. I'll hire you for that price."

The way she said it was terrible. I won't point it out because it would be harassment.

However, 300,000 yen a month is a 70% increase from my current income. And the job is just to say 'Welcome home' to Hayasaka. There's no better deal than this.

It's so good that I can't accept it. Actually, it's kind of scary.

"But, I have a job now."

"May I ask where you work?"

"Ah, I should have introduced myself. Here..."

I handed over my business card as requested. I have a feeling that the habit of saying standard phrases when handing over a card will never leave me.

"I see."

"What do you see?"

"Thank you for staying so late today. I'll block the broken window myself, so there's no need to worry."

"Huh?"

"Good night."

I was pushed out of the entrance and left alone in the hallway of the apartment building. It was a mistake to be captivated by Hayasaka's smile as she closed the door.

But, what's there to not worry about? That itself is worrying, but it's already too late tonight. I'll think about it again tomorrow. With my heavy body, I crawled into the bleak futon at home.

I didn't realize I had received points. Thank you.

I intended to write something else, but I ended up writing 5,000 characters in a rush.

So, I'll update again in the afternoon.