When Touma heard that, he froze for a moment before replying, “No, that’s not what I meant.
I was just asking.” “Either way, absolutely not!
You must never do something like that!” Sakiko’s tone was unusually firm.
This was one thing she would never compromise on.
Touma could only answer helplessly, “Alright, alright.
I happen to value this body too.” “Good.
It’s a promise.” Seeing that he genuinely didn’t seem interested in that sort of thing, the knot in Sakiko’s stomach finally eased.
She had truly been worried.
After all, for twelve hours every day, she had no control over her own body.
If he decided to do something outrageous while all she could do was watch from inside, she would rather die right then and there.
Watching someone else control her own body from a first-person perspective felt a little novel, but far more than curiosity, it filled her with unease.
The feeling lingered stubbornly in her heart.
She had suddenly gained a second personality, one that would control her body for twelve hours every day.
Something like this was impossible to accept overnight.
What would become of her life from now on?
Would it only get worse?
Or would it somehow improve?
Sakiko found herself growing increasingly lost.
After a few seconds, she suddenly asked, “By the way, why did you suddenly appear yesterday…
and then disappear again?” “I figured that if I’d stayed any longer, I probably wouldn’t have been able to stop myself from beating that old man to death.” Touma answered with the excuse he had prepared.
Sakiko fell silent.
She didn’t say another word, and it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.
Meanwhile, Touma quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Looks like things have settled down for now.
Then let’s finish delivering these newspapers first.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, the system’s voice sounded again.
[Detected that the host’s own life shares the same condition as the current experience: extreme poverty.] [Enhancement obtained: Part-Time Work Enhancement Lv.1 (0/100)] [While experiencing Sakiko’s life, money earned through part-time work will be deposited into the system at a ratio of 1:x (based on enhancement level), without affecting the original wages earned.] Seriously?
You’re not even trying to hide it anymore.
The moment he saw the new enhancement, Touma was instantly full of motivation.
This…
This was the true meaning of life!
He immediately got on the bicycle and headed for the next newspaper delivery address.
…
Half an hour later…
“Damn it!
Is this really a job for human beings?
It’s one thing when it’s not raining, but who the hell can deliver newspapers in weather like this?!” Looking at how thoroughly soaked he was, Touma couldn’t help complaining.
Meanwhile, Sakiko, comfortably resting inside the body, felt much better.
She had originally wanted to make a few sarcastic remarks, but considering he might overreact, she decided to stay quiet.
“Quit this part-time job,” Touma said.
“Absolutely not!
If I lose this job, then I…” Sakiko immediately protested.
At that moment, Touma finally understood what people meant by “easy to say when you’re not the one suffering.” He came here to experience a wonderful life.
Not to suffer!
To be honest, he was suddenly tempted to go back, force that old man to cough up his hidden savings, make him spit out every last yen, then beat him senseless afterward before returning to the Togawa family and enjoying the luxurious life of a noble household.
It certainly could be done.
But if he acted now, it would be too rash.
Better to take things one step at a time.
It wasn’t that he wouldn’t do it.
The time just hadn’t come yet.
Still, when it came to this part-time job, Touma had no intention of compromising with Sakiko.
She definitely needed a better one.
At last, he delivered the final newspaper.
[Part-Time Work Enhancement Lv.1 (5/100)] Five experience points.
Looks like simply working increased the enhancement’s experience.
[Hourly wage settled: 1,500 yen.
Deposited into the system.
Funds may be withdrawn or stored at any time.] Looking at the text on the blue screen before him, Touma was pleasantly surprised.
How considerate.
Normally, wages would only be paid on payday.
For him, they were settled by the hour.
Seeing the newspapers finally delivered, Sakiko also breathed a sigh of relief.
At least she’d managed to keep this job.
“Next is my other part-time job…” Hearing that, Touma twitched.
“What do you mean, your next part-time job?
At this hour, you should be going to school.” “I…
haven’t been there in a long time…” Sakiko muttered quietly.
“Work isn’t more important than studying.
A noble young lady like you should spend more time learning social etiquette instead.” “The school doesn’t teach those things…
Besides, I’m not some noble young lady anymore!” Sakiko protested fiercely.
“Anyway, hurry up and go to my next job!” Seriously?
She’s treating me like a workhorse now?
Touma shook his head.
“Half a day’s work is already enough to support yourself.
As for that old man, he won’t starve to death.
You don’t need to worry about him.” “At your age, your priority should be studying.” His tone became noticeably firmer, leaving no room for argument.
Among a hundred middle school dropouts who went straight into the workforce, finding even one who made something of themselves was incredibly rare.
“But…” Overwhelmed by his confidence, Sakiko’s voice became much quieter.
She actually thought he had a point.
Still, she wanted to fight for at least a little say over her own life.
“Right now, I control this body.
What these twelve hours are used for is my decision.” Touma cut off any chance for her to argue.
After several seconds of silence, Sakiko sighed.
“…Alright.” Although this guy was annoying…
He was actually surprisingly responsible.
The uneasiness in her heart faded considerably.
“Let’s go home and take a shower first,” she suggested.
“Then we’ll head to school.” A shower?
Well, that made sense.
From Sakiko’s perspective, he wasn’t another man.
He was simply her second personality.
“No problem,” Touma replied.
She was the one who suggested it.
It wasn’t his fault.
After making the trip back, Touma returned to the shabby apartment.
That old man wasn’t home.
Who knew where he’d wandered off to this time.
He quickly took a shower and changed into a clean school uniform.
His mood gradually improved.
He had to admit…
Sakiko really did have an excellent figure.
And that face…
Standing before the mirror, Touma looked at “himself.” He pinched the soft, fair cheeks with both hands and quietly admired the reflection for a while.
Light blue twin tails.
Golden amber eyes.
And a face so captivating it was hard to look away.
No wonder she had the nickname “Succubus Saki.” Then again, perhaps because he was the one controlling the body, no matter how much he looked, he didn’t really feel anything special.
“There’s nothing to stare at.
Hurry up and go to school.” Sakiko had no idea what he was looking at and urged him impatiently.
Touma didn’t linger any longer.
He grabbed his school bag and headed toward Tsukinomori Girls’ Academy.
On the way, he found himself contemplating a rather profound question.
If he needed to use the restroom at school…
Would he have to use the girls’ restroom?
Wouldn’t that be…
a little awkward?
“Oh, right.” Sakiko interrupted his thoughts.
“What should I call you?” “Just call me Touma.” It was only a form of address.
Touma didn’t really care.
“…Touma…” Sakiko thought it sounded a little strange, but didn’t dwell on it.
Before long, Touma arrived at Tsukinomori Girls’ Academy.