The heinous legion led by Rintaro was facing an unexpected financial crisis. If they could not raise at least enough money for the next two months, they would have no food to eat.

「Sorry, ssu…… It’s because Samecchi stamped, ssu……」

「There’s nothing we can do about it since they are stamped already. I have no intention to blame Samecchi at this point.」

「ANIGYIII……!」

At first glance, Rintaro seemed positive, but his muddy eyes were swimming around. That’s no wonder as approximately 70% of the reason why the heinous legion’s funds were being squeezed was the cost of repairing the “Death Green Suit.”

The other day, it was burned black by Hinosmera, so it’s currently being repaired. He could go directly to Tagaraak to discuss the cost of the repairs, but he doesn’t think that little girl would obediently nod her head.

However, Rintaro reminds himself that those who are in charge should not be upset at times like this. If you can’t touch a sleeve you don’t have, you just have to act as you don’t have sleeves.

「There are only 4 people in the heinous legion including me, so we’ll probably be able to get by with my pocket money for about 2 months.」

「About that, actually……」

Just as Kirika was about to explain, the door to the room opened again with a sound. Standing there was the gray wolf mysterious being Bancholf, clad in black tights characteristic of the zako fighters.

「Death Green-san, don’t worry about us, oraui」

「Even though we haven’t been paid since last month, but we’re fine, ui……」

「Sshiianunnrurussaonou……」

With that, they left the room with unsteady steps. The door slammed shut again, and silence fell. In the unbearable atmosphere, Rintaro opened his mouth.

「……Could it be, heinous legion need to provide for them?」

「Apparently managing the Zako fighters is also the job of the corps commander. There are not 4 members in the heinous legion, but strictly speaking, there are 44 members, including the zako fighters.」

「So that’s why they were hoarding food at the banquet……」

Considering their family life, Rintaro’s pocket money is about two digits short.

Rintaro, who had been taking it easy, had no choice but to accept the situation.

The four of them fell into silence with puzzled expressions, wondering what was going to happen. Kirika, who was thinking with her fingers on her temple, suddenly opened her eyes.

「March… Spring… Hah, that’s right! Senpai, I have an idea!」

「Oh, you’re reliable as usual, Mayuzumi!」

Rintaro leaned forward At Kirika’s words.

Rintaro’s junior, Mayuzumi Kirika, is now in a position to support him as the mysterious being drakirika.

However, she was originally a gifted young woman who earned the highest grades in the 50-years history of the Hero School.

Amongst the four members of the heinous legion, or rather in the Ark Dominion, she is one of the smartest member. If it’s her “good idea”, it will surely save the heinous legion from their predicament.

「So Mayuzumi, what’s this good idea!?」

「Let’s celebrate spring!!!」

「Nffu!」

At the same time as Rintaro burst into laughter, the space beneath his feet split into darkness.

Rintaro lost his balance and the entire sofa was swallowed into the dark space.

「Guheh! ……Aaao……!」

Rintaro was knocked down into the mysterious space surrounded by darkness in all directions, and his ribs, which were still not reattached, struck him hard and he fainted in agony. An arm like a withered branch, which had grown out of the darkness, grabbed Rintaro by the collar of his shirt.

「Listen to me, Rintaro, That’s the only thing, That’s the only thing that must not happen…!」

The voice, which seemed to echo from the depths of the earth, belonged to Dragius III, the Ark Dominion’s leader and Kirika’s grandfather.

「Peeping is a bad hobby, Leader Dragius…! 　If you’ve been watching, I guess you could lend us a hand.」

「Due to my position, I cannot show too much favoritism on one army. But listen carefully, Rintaro, you must never use spring! This is an order from the leader!」

The space was ripped open again, and Rintaro’s body was spat out to his room where the members of the group were waiting. Having been impacted in the ribs three times, Rintaro screamed inaudibly on the fluffy carpet.

Minato, who was sitting nearby, immediately lent her shoulder.

「Rintaro, are you okay！ What was that just now……」

「Nothing, I was just making small talk. Okay Mayuzumi, I’m sorry for the suggestion, but we won’t be selling our body.」

「Well, at least until the bones are connected.」

「Ooh? Were you trying to sell me by any chance?」

Rintaro smiles amiably at the joke, but Kirika would really do it. The mere thought of such story sent chills down Rintaro’s spine.

The idea of selling Kirika’s embarrassing bromide[i] on the black market crossed my mind. After all, she is a woman who is known nationwide and has even appeared on the top of a weekly magazine, so she will sell like hotcakes.

However, Rintaro decided not to do so since he might incur the wrath of Dragius again.

「Umm…… Can I say something?」

「Do you have any ideas?」

The one who raised their hand was Minato, the most sensible person in the heinous legion. Rintaro again leaned forward, hoping that Minato would come up with a realistic plan at a time like this.

「Umm, it might sounds like I’m trying to make you guys owe me one, but how about I pay for the time being……」

「The money? Minato would?」

「Un……」

Nodding shyly, Minato held out a Tagaden Bank bankbook on the table. Rintaro was taken aback by the size of the amount written there.

「Aren’t there too many zeros?」

「I also work on the medical team… So I actually get paid a lot… But I don’t have many opportunities to use it… If Rintaro is in trouble…」

Rintaro could tell that Minato was making the proposal out of the goodness of her heart and not out of ulterior motives. However, because of the amount of money involved, even Rintaro was reluctant.

「No no, this is Minato’s savings, right? I can’t accept this money.」

「The- then how about adding a condition…?」

Rintaro gently refused the investment, but surprisingly, Minato persisted.

Then, while looking away from Rintaro, she wriggled her fingers.

「Umm, if Rintaro would listen to my selfishness just a little bit.……」

「Selfishness? There’s not much I can do now, I’m an injured person after all.」

「That’s why we will choose something reasonable, Like go- going out…… together……」

It’s true that you can’t transfer large sums of money unconditionally.

However, you also don’t want people to think that you are trying to establish your position within the heinous legion through the power of money.

For some reason, Minato’s face turned bright red and her eyes moistened, and her humble intentions were clearly visible. Rintaro let out a gentle sigh, wondering just how good-natured she is.

「Well, if that’s the case, feel free to……」

「This is being a sugar baby, ssune. 」

「Let’s not do it. Lending and borrowing money between group members is not good.」

Rintaro quietly withdrew his hand that was about to reach for the bankbook.

「Samecchi-san, that’s not called sugar baby. That’s called a free loader」

「Understood, it’s freeloading, ssune! aniki is a freeloader, Samecchi learnt a new word, ssu!」

「Listen Samecchi, forget those words, right now. Also Mayuzumi, don’t try to instill unnecessary things into Samecchi either.」

Having cleared up the misunderstanding, Rintaro faced Minato once again.

「That’s how it is. Sorry Minato, I’ll just accept your feelings.」

「That’s right…… Sorry for taking up your time…… Uuu……」

Minato stopped moving with her hands covering her face, but it couldn’t be helped, Rintaro told himself.

Moreover, borrowing and lending money within the family is a breeding ground for trouble, and it is undeniable that he may have ended up being a freeloader.

While Rintaro was grateful for Minato’s offer, it was also true that he felt like he was going to turn into a failure.

「So we’re back to square one after all……!」

Rintaro propped himself on his elbow again with a solemn look on his face, At that moment.

Zunzundendenzunzundenden.

Zunzundendenzunzundenden.

The room was filled with background music that sounded like something coming from the bottom of the ocean.

「Yes, hello?」

Samecchi took her phone out of her pocket. Immediately, a loud voice was heard, recognizable even through the call.

『Oh, Samecchi, sorry for calling so early in the morning! It’s because no matter how many times I call brother, he doesn’t answer!』

The call was made by an unexpected person.

---

[i] In Japanese culture, bromide (ブロマイド, buromaido) is a category of commercial photographic portraits of celebrities including geisha, singers, actors and actresses of both stage and film, and sports stars.

<154: Even If You Do A Handstand, You Can’t Shake Out Anything From An Empty Pocket
156: Adult Kichijōji Night>