The class bell rang.
Suto sat in his seat, looking down at the sheet of paper in his hand.
This was the computer parts list he had spent ten minutes asking Aki Tomoya about during the break.
Although he could have obtained a list like this that fit his budget by searching and comparing information online himself, that would have wasted too much time.
It was better to directly ask someone who understood the field.
Of course, the prerequisite was making sure the other person would not deliberately cheat him.
Aside from consulting about computer parts, Aki had also recommended some useful filming equipment and editing software to Suto.
Thanks to the help of a warmhearted classmate, he had saved himself a lot of effort.
He would go buy the computer and camera this weekend.
Suto folded the paper in his hand and pretended to put it into his desk, but in reality, he stored it in his inventory.
However, this meant that his savings would be almost used up.
As for livestreaming, it was hard to say.
In the first two months, there probably wouldn’t be much income, so before the account grew enough to provide stable earnings, he needed to think of a temporary way to make money.
But this matter was not that urgent.
The apartment rent was paid yearly, and the [Identity Card] had already paid one year’s rent.
He did not need to worry about that this year.
As long as he could earn enough money for food over the next two months, that would be enough.
…
Noon.
Suto did not go to the rooftop.
That place was not beautiful at all.
The sun was harsh, there was a lot of dust, and there was not even a place to sit.
He could only squat there and eat bread, and because there was no trash can, he had to pack up the garbage and carry it away himself afterward.
Suto went to the school cafeteria and ordered a standard set meal.
The taste was decent.
During the afternoon break, he came to Kato Megumi.
“Kato-san, have some candy.”
“…”
Kato looked at him helplessly.
“Thank you, but I won’t eat it.”
“Just take one.
It can help you stay awake.
Don’t worry, I won’t ask you for another favor.”
“…”
Suto kept holding out the candy.
It seemed that if she did not take it, he would not withdraw his hand.
Kato sighed.
In the end, she still reached out and took a piece of gum from his hand.
“Phew.
If you didn’t take it soon, I was about to lose strength.”
“…”
Kato did not eat the gum and only placed it on her desk.
Suto did not need her to eat it.
As long as she was willing to take it from his palm, that was enough.
“Keep reading.
I won’t bother you anymore.”
Suto smiled and walked out of the classroom.
Her presence had always been low.
Whether in elementary school or middle school, almost no classmates noticed her, let alone took the initiative to talk to her or become friends with her.
She had long since gotten used to this kind of solitary life.
However, this new transfer student seemed different from everyone else.
Her low-presence trait seemed to be ineffective on him.
Kato picked up the gum on her desk, squeezed it lightly, then put it inside her desk and continued reading.
…
After school in the afternoon, Suto went to the familiar market again.
“Uncle Takagi!
I’m here to help again!”
“Oh, it’s Suto-kun!”
After helping kill fish yesterday, Suto and the fish stall uncle had formally introduced themselves and learned each other’s names.
This uncle was named Takagi Sakata, a very ordinary name, and he was not any anime character Suto recognized.
After greeting him, Suto familiarly tied on an apron, picked up a kitchen knife, and began helping kill fish.
There were also quite a few people buying fish at the market today.
Suto had already figured out yesterday that “the bigger the fish, the more money it dropped,” so every time, he chose the larger fish to kill and left the smaller ones to Uncle Takagi.
The uncle had no objections to that.
This young man was doing culinary training, so wanting to challenge bigger fish was perfectly normal.
Half an hour passed, and Suto had already earned over 60 copper coins, surpassing yesterday’s fish-killing income.
As expected, killing big fish was the way to go.
The money-farming efficiency was high.
“Boss, I’ll take this sea bream.”
At that moment, Suto suddenly heard a somewhat familiar voice.
He raised his head and looked in the direction of the voice.
It was a young madam.
She had delicate features similar to Sawamura Eriri’s, and her hair was also tied into twin-tails, but her hair color was not blonde.
It was purple.
Uncle Takagi smiled and answered, “Of course.
Please wait a moment, customer!”
Suto had just finished processing the fish in his hand.
He walked over, scooped up the sea bream, and said, “Uncle Takagi, leave it to me.”
“Mm?”
The young madam’s gaze fell on Suto, and she seemed a little curious.
“Young man, the uniform you’re wearing looks like Toyogasaki’s uniform.”
Suto nodded and said, “Yes, I’m a Toyogasaki student.”
She looked at him and said, “Toyogasaki should have just finished school around this time, right?”
Suto lowered his head and processed the fish.
“Mm.
I came here to help as soon as school ended.”
“Are you working part-time?”
“You could say that.
As an international student, it’s difficult to survive without money.”
Suto raised his head and glanced at her.
“By the way, customer, you look very similar to an upperclassman I know.”
“Oh?”
A trace of interest appeared on the young madam’s face.
“Is that so?”
Her name is Sawamura Eriri.
Could you be her older sister?”
“Hehehe…”
The young madam covered her mouth with one hand and let out a pleasant laugh.
“Young man, you really know how to talk.”
“Did I guess wrong?”
“Eriri and I are indeed family, but I’m not her older sister.
I’m her mother.”
“Ah, I really couldn’t tell.
I thought you were a university student who had just graduated…”
As Suto said this, he thought to himself that she really was Sawamura Sayuri.
But did her family not hire a housekeeper?
She actually came out to buy groceries herself?
Or was this just something she felt like doing on a whim?
Sayuri stood beside him, gently pressing one hand against her collar as she leaned forward slightly.
Looking at Suto, she asked in a meaningful tone, “How come I’ve never heard Eriri mention such an interesting young man like you?”
“Senpai is a star at school, so naturally I know her, but she might not know me.”
“Is that so… What’s your name, young man?”
“Suo Suto.”
“Eh?
You’re not Japanese?”
“No, like I said before, I’m an international transfer student.”
“I see.”
Sayuri simply stood beside him like that, watching Suto kill the fish with great interest while casually chatting with him.
“Customer, the fish is ready.”
Suto handed the bag to Sayuri.
“Please hold it carefully so it doesn’t dirty your clothes.”
“Suo-kun really is considerate.”
Sayuri did not hurry to take the bag.
Instead, she took out a handkerchief.
Standing on tiptoe, she smiled and wiped the sweat from Suto’s forehead.
Aside from the fishy smell in the air, there was also a mature and alluring floral fragrance.
Suto hesitated for a moment, then stood still.
He said softly, “Thank you.”
“You child.”
Sayuri withdrew the handkerchief and looked at him as if gently scolding him.
“If you’re really short on money, just tell Auntie.
There’s no need to waste your study time on this kind of thing.”
She reached out and accepted the bag from Suto.
The moment their fingers touched—
[Ding—]
Suto suddenly heard the familiar sound of coins entering a bag.
Wait, what?
So madams could drop money too?
…
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