Chapter 10: A New Life Begins
A new life had begun. I, Hayato, ended up living in a room in a high-end apartment building.
Surrounded by brand-new, cutting-edge appliances and furniture purchased from a major electronics retailer, I couldn’t hide my bewilderment at first, but I surprisingly got used to it quickly. Compared to my crude lifestyle in the other world, a life surrounded by the conveniences of civilization was astonishingly comfortable.
Josuke, who actually lived in the same apartment building, would visit my room whenever he had free time. He provided me with various information regarding finance. After exchanging contracts and explaining their contents in detail, he took a portion of my savings and steadily increased my assets through investments and other means. We often discussed these matters, which also served as his reports. We also thoroughly reviewed the contract details each time.
In the other world, I sometimes ignored such rules. With the backing of royalty and nobility, some recklessness was permitted. Back then, as John, I gathered all sorts of information, from the Demon King’s army’s movements and enemy castle defenses to market prices, and I also managed the party’s funds.
But this was Hayato’s world. John, reborn in this world, was diligently studying economics and legal matters, striving not to make any mistakes.
“Is this really okay?”
The funds I had entrusted to Josuke had grown to a considerable amount. If I left it to him like this, I wouldn’t even need to work. I truly felt like I was being spoiled. When I asked, Josuke replied with great confidence.
“This is because you trusted me and entrusted it to me. Because you left it to me, I was able to increase it like this. This is undoubtedly your asset, Hayato. I’m also receiving commissions and fees. So don’t worry about it. And please, continue to leave it to me.”
“I see.”
Having entrusted John with managing the party’s funds even in the other world, I, Hayato, trusted Josuke completely with money matters in this world as well, without change.
If he were an ordinary friend, I might have hesitated to entrust him with money. But we shared a bond that transcended a normal relationship. That’s why I could trust him and leave it to him. Josuke, too, in order to live up to that trust, continued to strive to be of use to me with all his might, within the bounds of not committing any crimes.
“Yeah. However, there are things like tax payments. For that, I’ll introduce you to a tax accountant I know, so please discuss it with them.”
“Understood. I’ll handle that much myself.”
I replied with a wry smile. In the other world, I received special treatment from the kingdom and had almost no concept of taxes, but here, I had obligations as a citizen. While slightly bewildered by this gap, I respected Josuke for having adapted so well to modern life.
Meanwhile, Riri, who took care of me, also visited my room from time to time. However, since she had returned to her club activities, her time was more limited than before.
“As I thought, maybe I should just quit my club…”
As Riri began to say such a thing, I gently admonished her.
“No, Riri. I’m fine, you don’t need to worry about taking care of me. You should cherish your own life, Riri, and treasure your school life and club activities.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Hearing that, Riri nodded obediently.
I changed the subject slightly.
“I heard there’s a tournament coming up soon?”
“Yes. The All-Japan Student Tournament is in autumn. But more immediately, there’s the metropolitan tournament before summer vacation. I plan to participate in that.”
There was confidence in Riri’s words. Her battle experience from the other world was strangely being put to use in her modern badminton skills. Her advisor, unaware of this, went as far as to call her a “genius with incredible sense.”
“A tournament, huh. Is it okay if I go watch?”
“Please do!”
Riri’s eyes sparkled. For a moment, it was a light reminiscent of the magical glow emitted by the sorceress Lilia from the other world. Gaining my support, Riri’s motivation soared. She wanted me to see her looking cool, after all. She resolved to participate in club activities and practice even harder. I watched over her feelings with a smile.
One day, Josuke told Riri and me.
“Speaking of which, Seika is scheduled to return to Japan soon. How about the three of us go pick her up?”
“Celestia is coming back to Japan!?”
Seika, or Seika Morishita, was one of our companions who had been active as the elven priestess Celestia in the other world. I had heard from Josuke that in the modern world, she worked at the forefront of medicine as a researcher for a major pharmaceutical company. She was a talented woman who even held a medical license and had been on an overseas business trip for an important international project. Hearing that she was returning, Riri rejoiced.
“Let’s go! We can finally meet Seika. I’m so excited.”
There was a lively, high-school-girl-like lilt to Riri’s voice.
“Yeah. Let’s go pick her up. What’s her scheduled return date?”
I agreed as well. After hearing Seika’s scheduled return date from Josuke, we promised to go to the airport to meet her. The hearts of the three of us danced at the thought of this long-awaited reunion.