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 9: Second Part-Time Shift: A Subtle Change

Chapter 9: Second Part-Time Shift: A Subtle Change

“Good morning!”

“Hey, Kougou!”

“Oh, NEET-senpai! Good morning~!”

The next day, I’m working my shift at the bar “Suiou.” Looks like I’m with Kurumi again today…

“I’m not a NEET yet! I’m still a full-time car dealership employee until the end of the month!”

“But next month, you’ll be a NEET, right? You’re not even job hunting, are you, senpai?”

“I just want to go on a journey of self-discovery…”

“Wow. You’re the first person I’ve heard say that for real.”

No, I’m actually pretty serious…!

Maybe because I safely returned from the otherworld, or because I learned I can make decent money selling clothes there, I’m starting to seriously think about how to live in that world.

It’s got the fantasy cityscape of my dreams, beautiful women, and even magic! Of course I want to keep enjoying it…!

But time flows the same there as here. Naturally, that leads to a certain realization.

(If I get a full-time job, I won’t have time to relax in the otherworld…!)

Imagining new adventures and a fresh start there, I can’t muster the motivation to get a job in Japan.

Working five days a week and only visiting the otherworld on weekends…? No way…!

At the car dealership, I barely got any days off. And you never know if a job really offers two days off a week until you start.

I know I should work properly, but I’m just not feeling it. And if I start a serious job, I won’t be able to freely dive into the otherworld.

With these conflicted thoughts, I handle customers and mix drinks as usual.

“Hey, isn’t that Touya-kun?”

“Shiramukai-san, it’s been a while.”

It’s only my second day back, but I’ve already reconnected with a few regulars. The Shiramukai couple, who just walked in, are among them.

By the way, “Suiou” is tucked away in a building off the main street, so it doesn’t get overcrowded. Most customers are regulars who prefer it stays that way, as too many people would ruin the chill vibe. That’s why the bar doesn’t spread much by word of mouth.

According to Morimura-san, the regulars alone bring in plenty of profit. So, I’ve been catching up with some familiar faces.

Morimura-san takes the Shiramukai couple’s order and gives me instructions.

“Kougou, shave some ice for a rocks glass.”

“You got it.”

I put on thin plastic gloves and start chipping a block of ice with an ice pick, as Morimura-san directed. I pick up a suitable chunk and carefully shave it down from the edges.

“Whoa…!”

“It’s been a while, but Touya-kun’s technique is still amazing!”

The Shiramukai couple gasps in awe. It’s been a bit, but… my skills haven’t dulled…!

“Has your technique improved? Your hands are so fast, I can’t even follow!”

“Seriously, it’s like something out of a manga.”

“Master, how’d you find such a gem?”

In mere seconds, the rough ice block transforms into a perfect sphere.

…Wait. Isn’t that too fast? And this might be the most perfect sphere I’ve ever made… I hand the beautiful ice to Morimura-san.

“Thanks.”

Morimura-san places the ice in a glass, pours in amber liquid, and hands it to Shiramukai-san at the counter.

“Here you go. Ballantine’s 30-year, on the rocks.”

“Oh…! So beautiful…!”

Shiramukai-san’s husband admires the clear liquid and its aroma, bringing the glass to his lips. But his wife interrupts.

“Wait a sec!”

“Whoa, whoa, what’s up?”

“Let me take a picture first! Gotta tweet this!”

She pulls out her smartphone and snaps multiple photos of the glass on the counter.

Her husband looks a bit exasperated, but it’s par for the course. He waits quietly, knowing it’ll be over soon.

“Hehe~ With ice this pretty, it’ll get tons of retweets!”

“Alright, alright… Can I drink now?”

Shiramukai-san picks up the glass again and finally takes a sip of the amber liquid.

“…! Damn, that’s good… I had it straight before, but it feels a bit sweeter this time…?”

“That’s Kougou’s ice. Using one large piece makes it melt slower. The slight dilution brings out the whiskey’s smoothness, aroma, and a hint of sweetness.”

“I see…! And this beautiful ice! It’s a feast for the eyes, too…!”

Sure, it was a critical hit, but… I haven’t shaved ice with a pick in years.

To make such a perfect sphere so quickly…? Could my hidden talent have awakened…!?

“Hmm… Not bad, senpai. You really did work here before.”

“Hm?”

“You’ve got a lot of regulars who know you, and I never thought you could make ice that pretty.”

Kurumi looks at me with what seems like genuine admiration for the first time.

Heh… Looks like she’s finally recognizing my skills…

“If only you weren’t about to be a NEET…”

“Hey! There’s all kinds of NEETs out there! Stop picking on me for it!”

“But you quit without a new job lined up, so you’re a NEET, right?”

“Ugh…!”

With my motivation to work full-time waning, I can’t exactly argue back…!

Meanwhile, the Shiramukai couple settle their bill. Looks like they just came for one drink. Shiramukai-san (the husband) beckons me over.

“Touya-kun, we host home parties regularly. Interested in being our bartender for one?”

“…Huh?”

“Oh, honey, you just want to brag about knowing a kid who can carve ice this beautifully, don’t you?”

“Hahaha! Rare liquor can be bought with time and money, but ice like this is something else!”

…Right, Shiramukai-san’s some kind of business owner, isn’t he? Judging by his clothes, he’s pretty wealthy.

“…Will you pay me?”

“Of course!”

He hands me a piece of paper with his phone number.

“We’re planning a home party next month, maybe. I’ll let you know the date, so think it over.”

“Sure…”

I take the paper and send a quick message to confirm. Morimura-san clears his throat.

“Shiramukai-san, don’t poach my staff right in front of me.”

“Hahaha! Sorry, just borrowing him temporarily!”

With that, the Shiramukai couple leaves. Well, I need money, so depending on the hours and pay, bartending at a home party could be good.

“But, Kougou, did you work at another bar after leaving here?”

“No… nothing like that.”

“Really? Then you must’ve been practicing a lot.”

“Huh?”

“The ice. To carve it that perfectly in such a short time? Impressive. I’m seeing you in a new light!”

“…”

I got caught up thinking it was some secret talent, but… this is too weird, even for me. The only explanation is…

(Did my contract with Cui change my body somehow…?)

Even with its powers sealed, Cui’s supposed to grant heroic abilities to its contractor.

My cock’s got more stamina, and I can force women to climax with a creampie… Could there be other changes I haven’t noticed…?

“But, senpai, no matter how pretty your ice is, NEETs don’t get girls~”

Ugh…! I wanna creampie this cheeky kouhai…! You know you’d be forced to cum if I did, right!?

…Of course, I can’t say that. So, I keep working until 4 a.m. as usual.