Jobless Rising! ~I’ve Become a NEET. I Acquired Lewd Skills and Lived a Life of Sex in the Other World and in Japan. Before I Knew it, I Was Impregnating A Harem of Ladies?!~ - Chapter 17: One Week After Return: To the Part-Time Job with Cui

Chapter 17: One Week After Return: To the Part-Time Job with Cui

A week after returning to Japan, I’ve been working my part-time job, earning money, and offering meat to Cui.

‘Found in an abandoned building was Koya Karataki. Karataki was severely weakened, and the building showed significant damage, leading police to suspect involvement in some incident…’

The TV news reports a jobless middle-aged man found in a ruined building. Why was he even there…?

‘Karataki reportedly assaulted his boss at his previous workplace.’

‘Scary stuff. You can’t judge people by appearances, huh?’

‘No kidding. The quieter they seem, the more likely they are to snap.’

Yikes. Just found weakened, and this guy’s already a punching bag on talk shows. Poor dude.

I flip the channel. A new car commercial plays.

‘Feel the thrill of the drive! Come on, let’s adventure this weekend!’

“Oh, Rokusei Pleiades’ new model? Their touring wagons are top-notch.”

Come to think of it, I don’t need to drive my old company’s cars anymore. Might as well go for a foreign coupe…!

“No money, though!”

‘You’ve been talking to yourself a lot.’

Cui, done eating its meat, flaps lightly and hops onto the bed. Its feathers never seem to shed.

‘It’s been seven days since we returned to Japan. Still planning to stay here?’

“Yeah, like I said, I’m waiting at least ten days. But, Cui, any progress on what objects we can take to or bring back from the otherworld?”

I’ve only made two trips so far, but I haven’t managed to bring back any clothes from there.

‘Hmm… I’m gathering info, but it’s still unclear. This is my first time freely traveling between two worlds like this.’

“Really?”

‘Yes. As I mentioned before, once I leave the Hero True Realm, returning has strict conditions. Normally, I’d stay in the destination world permanently.’ 

Right, it did say that. It can’t return to the Hero True Realm unless its contracted hero dies or enough Hero Points are earned.

“Like a migratory bird, huh?”

‘Well said.’

“Anyway, I’m heading to my shift. What do you do while I’m at work, Cui?”

We often go out together, but during my shifts, Cui stays home.

I figured it’d be bored, unable to use a smartphone or anything.

‘I watch TV or go out to gather information.’

“You go out!?”

‘Yep.’

“How?”

‘Through the window, obviously.’

No, I mean how! Wait, the window’s been left unlocked lately… That was you?

‘If my power was at full strength, I could gather info just by flying around briefly. Since that’s not the case, I take my time, sightseeing while I’m at it.’

“Fair enough.”

Good to know Cui’s content.

‘More importantly… I want steak. Touya, buy me a thick, juicy steak.’

“We don’t have that kind of money! I’m already buying you meat all the time!”

How much pork or chicken could I get with the cost of a steak…?

By the way, Cui doesn’t care about eating chicken despite being a bird—it’ll eat any meat.

“Seriously… Help me make some money or something.”

Maybe I could post videos of Cui doing tricks…? Nah, monetization’s tough these days, and I’m not ready to risk doxxing myself.

“Anyway, I’m off to work. Think about what we could bring to the otherworld.”

‘Very well.’

I’ll probably have to start by selling clothes again when I get there…

As I’m musing, Cui speaks up.

‘Wait.’

“Huh?”

‘I changed my mind. I’m coming to your job today.’

“…What?”

At the Bar

“Morning!”

“Hey, Kougou. Countin’ on you today… Whoa, you actually brought it!?”

Cui’s last-minute decision to tag along got Morimura-san’s approval. He was curious about my pet bird.

“It’s really perched on your head! Smart bird, huh?”

“Y-Yeah… Hey, Cui, don’t mess with the work or customers.”

‘Understood.’

Cui can speak so others hear or just to me as its contractor. Right now, only I can hear it.

I change into my work clothes and start opening prep at the counter. Then Kurumi walks in.

“Morning.”

“Hey.”

“Morning.”

‘Hm. Kurumi Minekari, 150 cm, B-cup. No sexual experience—front or back. No kisses either. Virgin. But she’s got a fair bit of masturbation experience.’

Random thought, but why do service jobs always use “good morning” regardless of the time? Regional thing…?

…Hold up! What was that insane info dump!?

Cui, you got some kind of erotic status vision or something!?

I’ll grill you later… But Kurumi’s greeting felt off—less energy than usual.

I finish changing and approach Kurumi at the counter.

“You okay, Kurumi? You seem down.”

“Huh…?”

“Just thought your greeting lacked its usual spark.”

…This isn’t harassment, right!? I’m not yelling at her to speak up or anything…!

“N-Nothing’s wrong… Why’s my greeting any of your business, senpai?”

“Oof…”

Cold! I was worried!

And you, acting all cool while secretly masturbating a ton—I know your deal!

“What’s with that bird…?”

“Oh, this is Cui, my pet.”

“Hmm…”

She’s definitely off. Normally, she’d be hyped about Cui.

Morimura-san seems to notice too, pulling me aside to whisper.

“Let her be for now.”

“Huh?”

“Girls have tough days sometimes.”

Then take the day off…!

But Kurumi chose a job working until morning, so she’s got her reasons, I guess.

And so begins a shift with a quieter-than-usual Kurumi.

During the Shift

The bar’s lively today, thanks to Cui.

“Smart bird, huh.”

“Look, it perched on my finger!”

“Here’s a walnut for you.”

‘Tch. Tastes like someone doused shit in chemicals.’

What kind of flavor is that? Anyway, Cui’s drawing attention as a clever, obedient bird.

The bar’s usually quiet, but the customers aren’t exactly going wild over Cui either.

Cui’s learned it gets treats for perching on fingers or shoulders. It’s been well-behaved so far.

(Guess these are the last customers…)

It’s about that time. Might start cleaning.

Then Morimura-san, finishing a phone call, speaks up.

“Kougou, Minekari. I’m stepping out. Watch the place.”

“Huh?”

He casually tells us to hold down the fort.

“Where you going?”

“Just the convenience store.”

“I can go if you need something.”

“It’s a bunch of stuff. I’ll close up when I’m back, so start cleaning.”

With that, Morimura-san leaves. Come to think of it, he’s always left us to mind the shop for quick runs…

Feeling a slight tension, Kurumi and I start cleaning. Normally, she’d chat up a storm, but…

“Hey, Kurumi—”

As I try to talk, the door opens.

Thought it was Morimura-san, but two unfamiliar young guys stand at the entrance.

It’s almost closing time… Gotta let them know.

“Custo—”

“Whoa! Kurumi’s really here!”

“Told ya! She’s been working here for a while!”

“…Huh?”

The two tough-looking guys flash predatory grins at Kurumi.