“Yuuki-san’s… goal?

Kasai Souji, spending his lunch break atop of the school building’s rooftop, muttered to himself while gazing at the scenery.

He’s got that much power, has strong companions, and his background is unknown.  No doubt, it raises loads of questions.  Anyone who thinks about it would wonder if he’s got some sort of objective…

While recalling his conversation with Tatsumi the other day, Souji thought about Kousuke’s true identity, his intentions, and how should I act from now on…?

“…Well, does it matter?  Not like he’s a bad person.  For now, repaying my debt takes priority.”

However, Souji is quick to reach a conclusion.

Before Souji had realized it, he had ended up leading the largest delinquent group in the school, and he had acquired an instinctive talent distinguishing good people from the bad.  As he is aware of that fact, he has no hesitation in judging whether a person is worthy of trust.

Furthermore, as he possesses a loyal nature that insists on always repaying favors, he doesn’t hold the slightest hesitation regarding the way he should interact with Kousuke from here on.

“Hm?  Someone’s coming?”

Souji hurries to hide himself in the shadows upon hearing the rooftop door suddenly being opened.

I messed up!  I was thinking about stuff I didn’t want anyone overhearing, so I just hid without thinking… wait, Yuuki-san!?

A man and woman appeared on the rooftop.  He was unfamiliar with the woman, but the other was a person Souji knew very well, Yuuki Kousuke.

Not good, what do I do…?

Souji, hidden within the shadows, quietly holds his breath, having completely lost his chance to step out.

◇

“Sorry for suddenly dragging you out here.”
“It’s fine, but what business do you have with me?”

Seriously, what could it be?  I’ve seen Hanazono-senpai on TV, but this is my first time meeting her in person.  Obviously, I7ve never spoken with her before either.

“I heard a rumor… Yuuki-kun, you’re pretty strong, right?  Like, I’ve heard that you’ve made Kasai-kun, the school bancho, your underling, and that you took down a giant bear killer with your bare hands.”
“That’s not… entirely untrue, I suppose.”

I have no memory of ever making Souji my underling, but as for taking down a big guy stronger than a bear… that happened.  I used my special ability [Melt] to dissolve his clothes and punished him with the crime of public indecency. 

No, wait.  Souji was a bancho?

“So, it’s like that.  In that case, won’t you try a small, part-time job?”

Eh, what?  That’s scary.  Being asked if I’m strong and then offered a job?  There’s absolutely something shady about this.

“I politely decline.”
“Ehh, how come!?”
“Because, isn’t that obviously a shady part-time job?  It’s scary.”
“It’s not shady at all!  Guard!  A part-time bodyguard!  See, my okaa-san runs several shops, and I wanted to request you to guard the employees.”
“Shouldn’t you hire actual professionals instead?”
“About that, apparently everywhere was completely hired out.”

Is this a busy season for bodyguards or something?

“By the way, the pay’s excellent.  The hours might change depending on the day, but it’s 10,000 yen per hour!  This is a short-term one-month contract!  What do you think?”
“10,000 yen an hour!?”

Suspicious.  Way too suspicious.  Still… 10,000 yen an hour?

I won’t have that much time to work on weekdays, but I should be able to manage 3 hours.  That would mean 30,000 yen a day.  Doing that for 1 month… it would more than cover all of my past expenses with plenty to spare.

“10,000… 10,000 yen per hour….  Hanazono-senpai, I’ll do it.”
“That’s the spirit!  Also, you can address me as Lisa-senpai as a sign of respect, alright?”
“With pleasure, Risa-senpai.”

Risa-senpai explains the arrangements with delight at my reply.

“Well then, how about we meet at Sapporo Station after school?  One of my okaa-san’s subordinates should come to pick us up.”
“Understood, I shall be in your care.”

For the time being, it looks like I’ve been saved from the trouble of searching for a part-time job.  I don’t know what kind of work I’ll actually be doing, but I’ll keep at it with all I have.  If it’s a shady job, I’ll run away.

Kousuke returns to the classroom while having such thoughts… only to be met with an onslaught of killing intent and a storm of questions.  He runs away, immediately.

◇

“Yuuki-san… has all that power… and he’s broke?”

Souji, upon learning of Kousuke’s far-too-mysterious financial circumstances, feels his doubt deepen.

---

T/N:  Current inflation has 10,000 yen at around $60-70 usd.  It used to be close to $100 a couple years back.  And for anyone wondering, a bancho is something like the boss of delinquents, a position gained by being the toughest fighter.

<64. Hanazono Lisa