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 3: Long Time No Part-Time Job! Meeting Kurumi

Chapter 3: Long Time No Part-Time Job! Meeting Kurumi

‘With this, the contract is complete. However, with most of my power sealed, I cannot grant you the power of a hero as my contractor.’

“Nah, that’s not what I’m after.”

‘Kukuku… That’s the spirit of my new contractor. All the others I’ve contracted with were such serious types. Touya, I have high expectations for you.’

I messed up…! I went and made a contract with some weird bird I just met…! B-But, those Erotic Skills are now in my grasp…!

“But what do I do now…?”

‘What do you mean?’

“Hero Points and money. Getting gratitude from people… how do I even do that? Plus, I’ve got no money. My salary was crap, I barely have any savings, and I just quit my job yesterday.”

‘Hmm… Now that you mention it, I’m still new to this world and don’t know much. Touya, show me around this world.’

“Sigh…”

And so, with my smartphone in hand, I gave Cui a quick rundown. Cui listened with keen interest.

‘Oh… Cars and airplanes, huh? It seems I’ve come to a world with quite advanced civilization.’

“Really? What are the other worlds like?”

‘The two worlds I’ve saved with my contracted heroes were ones where humans fought against other intelligent beings for world domination.’

“Whoa…”

Sounds like some pretty brutal worlds. Guess heroes only arise in places like that.

“Well, for now, I’ll focus on doing things that earn gratitude and get a part-time job…”

I need to job hunt eventually, but I’m not really feeling it yet. For now, a part-time gig will do.

With that thought, I opened my phone’s contacts and called someone.

“…Hey, long time no see. Yeah, um. Actually…”

The person on the other end was the manager of a bar. I used to work there part-time during college. Using that connection, I asked if I could work there again for a while.

“…! Really!? Thank you so much! Yeah, I can start today! I’m good!”

Yes…! I hung up the phone and turned to Cui.

“I’m gonna go earn some money. And since I’ll be working in customer service for a while, I’ll try to get as much gratitude as I can.”

‘…That device is a magical tool that lets you communicate with people far away, huh?’

“Magical tool? It’s just a smartphone.”

Well, “magical tool”… It’s the kind of term that’d stir the edgy, middle-school chuunibyou vibes I used to have…!

‘Hmm… I should probably learn some of this world’s common sense…’

As we talked, noon rolled around. I crumbled some more cornflakes and set them out with water for Cui.

I poured milk over my own cornflakes and started eating.

‘This again…? You’re eating what looks like livestock feed so eagerly.’

“Hey!? That’s rude! That’s disrespectful to the people who make cornflakes!”

Plus, they’re actually tasty! Man, what a picky bird…!

“Sigh… Unless some big money comes in, it’s gonna be a cornflake life for a while.”

‘What about meat? Where’s the meat?’

“Ugh, fine! Once I get paid, I’ll buy some discounted pork or something!”

Food expenses are gonna go up… not quite double, but I’ve gotta account for Cui’s share now…!

Tch…! I need to try those Erotic Skills soon, or it’ll be such a waste…!

‘Money talks in every world, doesn’t it? Well, it’s necessary to unseal my powers, so it’s fine. I’ll think of something too.’

“Think of something… like making money?”

‘Indeed. For now, I need materials to learn about this world. Books… or at least a place where I can peek at information.’

“Books, huh? You mean like a library? You can read as much as you want there.”

‘Oh…! A library open to everyone? This truly is an advanced world…!’

Cui seemed thrilled for some reason. After eating, I decided to take Cui to the library. But…

“No way they’re letting a bird inside…”

‘Figure something out.’

“Man, you’re one demanding bird…”

So, I tucked Cui into my shoulder bag and drove to the library.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here…”

That evening, I arrived at a quiet bar in a corner of Tokyo called “Suiou.” Earlier, I’d been at the library, skimming through books Cui pointed out.

Though, to be honest, I barely read much myself.

(Cui’s speed-reading was insane, though…)

Apparently, Cui is skilled at gathering and organizing information. In its prime, it could supposedly pick up a ton of personal info just by flying around.

It’s also got a thirst for knowledge beyond most people. It flipped through books at lightning speed, devouring them with interest.

Cui’s now back at home, sorting through the info it gathered.

“Excuse me!”

So, here I was at my new part-time job. At the counter stood the manager, Morimura-san.

“Hey, Kougou! Long time no see!”

“Hey, been a while. Sorry for calling out of the blue.”

“Don’t worry about it! One of our staff just quit recently, and I was just thinking about hiring someone new!”

I don’t know if that’s true, but I appreciated him saying it to spare my feelings.

I mean, I’m the one suddenly asking to work here again. He probably knows I quit my job without me saying it.

Morimura-san didn’t pry into my situation.

“So, what’s up? Weren’t you working at a car dealership? You quit already? Huh?”

…Correction. He’s totally prying! Not that I mind!

“Well… yeah. I just got fed up with it…”

“Hahaha! Fair enough, if you’re fed up, can’t be helped!”

Oh, right, I still need to go to city hall for paperwork… I’ll deal with that later.

“You’re looking well, Morimura-san.”

“Damn right! Go get changed in the back.”

“Got it.”

I headed to the staff room and started changing. It’s been a while since I put on this uniform…

Just as I finished changing and returned to the counter, the shop’s door opened.

“Good morning~! …Oh, Master, who’s that?”

Standing at the door was a cute girl with short twin-tails. She was a bit short, with modest breasts—a total loli body. Her face looked youthful too.

But her eyes… they had a mischievous, cat-like glint.

“Hey, Minekari! This guy’s the new part-timer starting today!”

“Eh, really? Hi, I’m Minekari Kurumi.”

“Kougou Touya. Nice to meet you.”

“Got it. I didn’t expect a new person to show up.”

Well, I’m not exactly new… Morimura-san started explaining.

“Yeah, Kougou used to work here part-time during college. He’s more of a returnee!”

“Oh, I see! So you’re my senior, huh… Wait?”

Kurumi tilted her head cutely, touching a finger to her cheek.

“Senpai, you’re not in college anymore, right? Why are you working here? Oh, is this a side gig?”

“Nah, it’s not that. I quit my job yesterday. But I need money, so I’ll be working here for a bit.”

Technically, I’m still employed at the dealership until the end of the month. But hearing my story, Kurumi narrowed her eyes with a smirk.

“Ehh? So, Senpai, you’re a NEET?”

Her cute voice was laced with clear disdain and mockery.