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 73: Morning at Kurumi’s Place: After-School Amari-chan

“Senpai, wake up!”

“Nn…”

The next morning, Kurumi’s voice roused me from sleep on her bed. She was already dressed, her hair tied up in twin tails.

“Morning…”

“Morning, my foot! I’ve got school, so come on, get up! We’re leaving together!”

“Oh… right…”

That’s true—it’s a weekday.

I dragged myself up, got dressed, and washed my face in the bathroom. By the time I returned to the living room, there was buttered and jammed toast on the table.

“Here you go, senpai. Your breakfast!”

“Thanks! You’re a lifesaver!”

I gratefully ate the toast Kurumi prepared. It felt a bit light, but well, she’s a girl. Our appetites are probably different.

The morning passed in a flurry. After eating, Kurumi and I left the apartment. She headed straight for the bike parking area.

“Alright, senpai. I’m biking to the station. Be careful heading home!”

“Yeah, thanks for everything! Let’s hang out somewhere next time!”

“If you’re treating, I’m in!”

“You got it.”

I watched Kurumi pedal off toward the station. Moments later, Cui flew down to my head.

‘Nicely done piling up those Hero Points.’

“You… how long were you spying yesterday…?”

‘I started observing properly once you entered Kurumi’s place. Before that, I was gathering info. I always know where you are, though.’

Holding the cloth bag with the sword, I started walking leisurely toward the station.

I could’ve taken a taxi, but I’ve got time. Other than meeting Minato tonight, I’ve got no plans.

“Speaking of yesterday, some Tényōshū brat attacked me.”

‘I saw.’

“You saw!?”

Cui-san’s got some serious intel-gathering skills, apparently. Probably saw everything while flying around.

‘That guy used special powers, like Minato.’

“Yeah, I thought his movements were faster than a normal human’s.”

‘With a body and mind now nearly worthy of a hero, a guy like that’s no match for you anymore.’

“…Huh? When did I rank up to nearly worthy of a hero?”

I thought it was something like gradually approaching hero status before.

‘You’re still inconsistent in normal times. But the hornier you get, the more your physical abilities skyrocket. Yesterday, Ishitate’s interruption delayed your chance to get it on, so your pent-up lust boosted your strength.’

So that’s how I got nearly hero-worthy, huh?

I want to blow off steam, but whether in the other world or Japan, I should probably time it better…

“Whatever, no need to overthink it. I’m gonna put this sword up for auction when I get home. …Is it okay to sell a Japanese sword without a permit?”

I think you need permission just to own one. Selling it might break some law. But looking it up sounds like a hassle.

(…I’m meeting Minato tonight anyway. I’ll report that brat and figure it out then.)

In two days, I’ll start working as Minato’s attendant.

I doubt there’s a Harakara around every corner, so I’m hoping for plenty of downtime… but we’ll see.

“Alright, Cui. I’m buying steak at the supermarket on the way home.”

‘Oh? Feeling generous, are we?’

“Got some extra cash from yesterday.”

My wallet’s still warm! To be exact, I’ve got 300,000 yen to play with!

And if Minato buys those magic stones, it’ll be 450,000 yen…!

“Nice haul!”

‘Yup. Just a bit more, and you can unlock Sensitivity Amplification. Keep at it.’

“Hell yeah!”

Heh heh…! Can’t wait!

Amari Motomune’s Perspective

Amari Motomune, the eldest daughter of the Motomune family, one of the prominent houses within Tényōshū.

The Motomune family ranks among the upper echelons of the organization. The current head of Tényōshū is from the Kokuryouin family, but Amari’s grandfather once held that position.

Their faction was significant, never inferior to the Kokuryouin’s… or rather, it wasn’t inferior in the past.

Now, however, the Kokuryouin faction dominates Tényōshū. It’s not just the head, Kōei, but his daughter, Kokuryouin Minato, hailed as a genius.

Everyone in their generation is constantly compared to Minato, and Amari is no exception.

When Minato caught Harakara’s eye, Amari thought it was the end for her. No matter how talented, no one could face Harakara alone.

Yet Minato returned alive from that battle.

(Tch…! How is she still alive…!? The head even concluded Harakara won’t target her again…!)

Since Minato’s return, Harakara hasn’t shown up.

Tényōshū has resumed its usual duties, as if the Harakara incident was a lie. But that means the Kokuryouin family’s rise remains unchallenged.

There was, however, intriguing news: Minato had chosen an attendant.

The attendant system—also called “sidekick”—is exclusive to certain high-ranking families.

(A system to let others serve high-ranking families… an attendant… It’s an ancient custom, but why would Minato, at her age…?)

Typically, attendants are chosen after turning 20. It’s not unheard of for minors, but it’s rare.

There were many candidates vying to become Minato’s attendant—fierce competition, in fact.

(Only one attendant per person… A master and servant, facing Oni together for life…)

Not always, but often, attendants are of the opposite sex. And those pairs frequently end up married.

In other words, the man chosen as Minato’s attendant could become her fiancé.

(Of course, same-sex attendants exist, and not all end in marriage… But it’s true many guys want to be Minato’s attendant to get close to the Kokuryouin family…)

For Amari, this was another reason to resent Minato.

As a high-ranking family member herself, Amari planned to select an attendant after turning 20, with her future in mind.

But compared to Minato, she didn’t have as many guys eagerly approaching her.

Those who did were often using her as a fallback—a “second choice” if Minato didn’t work out. For Amari, that was humiliating.

(Rumor has it Minato’s attendant is a commoner… Normally, that’d make plenty of guys faint in shock…)

She knew classmates who were raging over it. But Amari, observing them coolly, delved deeper into her thoughts.

(Considering Minato’s attendant was announced right after her return from fighting Harakara… it’s likely that commoner had something to do with her survival…)

Amari didn’t see this “commoner” as just an ordinary person, given the timing.

Many shared her suspicion. Only a few guys, arrogant enough to think they should’ve been chosen, were throwing tantrums.

(We Tényōshū can harness even those emotions to draw in Oni energy, turning it into our Kyōshin power, so I won’t deny their feelings. But it’s pathetic nonetheless.)

Standing alone on the school rooftop, Amari slowly opened her eyes. Extending her right arm, a beetle landed on it.

With a shiver, the beetle transformed into a black piece of paper.

“…”

Amari pressed the paper to her forehead, closing her eyes again. Images from her shikigami, disguised as the beetle, flooded her mind.

“Come on, let’s go! I went before, and it was super fun!”

“But… a club sounds kinda scary…”

“It’s fine! Everyone’s nice, and it’s such a lively place!”

In her vision were two high school girls, both in Seijo Kotozakura Academy uniforms—her classmates and friends.

(Kasumi… and Akana…?)

“Our school’s, like, super elite, right? We’re totally popular there!”

“What… what’s the place called again…?”

“Shooting Star! Akana, you gotta have more fun! Wasting your precious time at an all-girls school is such a shame!”

“Uh… yeah… Should we invite Amari-chan too…?”

“Totally! Let’s do it!”

At first, Amari wondered why her shikigami gathered info from these two. But hearing “Shooting Star,” it clicked.

(Shooting Star… That club rumored to be backed by the Ryūseikai…)

The Ryūseikai—not quite a yakuza group, but known as a gathering of hot-blooded youths. Recently, several members had been tainted by Oni energy.

Encountering someone lightly affected by Oni energy is common—walk around for a day, and you’ll spot a few. Most fade over time with little impact.

Tényōshū targets those more deeply corrupted.

Amari had recently purified several individuals heavily tainted by Oni energy—all Ryūseikai members.

(The Ryūseikai… There’s a high chance something there is tied to Oni energy…)

She hadn’t told anyone yet. If she uncovered something significant, solving it would be her achievement alone.

That would elevate the Motomune family’s status within Tényōshū.

(If it’s a lower family, fine, but I can take on a Swallow Oni alone…!)

Without Kokuryouin Minato, Amari would’ve been the top genius of her generation. As a high schooler, she had the track record and confidence to back it up.

“Hey, there you are! Amari!”

Turning, she saw Kasumi and Akana. Knowing their intent, Amari flashed a gentle smile.

“Oh? What’s up?”

“So, um, wanna hang out after school today…?”

The two were ordinary girls, but they were her friends. If anything happened, she could protect them.

With that in mind, Amari accepted Kasumi’s invitation.