My daily life is getting weird because I am caught between being in a band and being an idol.

Then came another thud as something heavy fell to the ground.

Chapter 17: Sure enough, this debt-ridden Pikachu is easy to deal with.

"What's that noise?...Whoa!!! A piano sound! What's wrong!?"

Asahi was in the kitchen, and her view was blocked by the curtain, so she couldn't see clearly. Only after she came out did she realize that it was Fujita Kotone who had come over, but she didn't look very well.

At the same time, her thoughts also came through.

Ugh... I need to pull myself together so the manager doesn't find out, or he'll definitely make me go back to rest... Ugh... I can't lift my leg.

"Idiot... still trying to be brave at a time like this."

After washing his grimy hands, Chaoyang came out of the kitchen.

"Oh? Does the manager already have customers?"

Fujita Kotone forced herself to cheer up and put on that irresistible smile.

"Hello." "Sorry to bother you."

Momoka and Nina, who were sitting to the side, saw Fujita Kotone and greeted her.

Tao Xiang asked with further concern

"You don't look well, are you alright?"

Before Fujita Kotone could answer, Asahi, who had come out, took over the conversation.

"Of course something's wrong, this guy... I told you to get some rest, but you definitely didn't listen again... huh?"

Just as he was about to begin his sermon, he heard the heartfelt words of the zither.

Hmm… I really need to get some rest when I get back today… Those three guys are really too demanding… But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, at least I made 2000 yen in extra cash, hehe~~

After listening, Chaoyang felt a sense of helplessness, thinking...

This idiot... he's losing sight of the bigger picture, using his precious short break to run errands for others. He'll collapse from exhaustion and end up in the hospital, spending even more money then. But... what's with those three guys... what happened? And what's this "misfortune turned into a blessing" situation? I'm a little curious, I'll try to find out indirectly.

Fujita Kotone looked at the rising sun for a long time without speaking, and then timidly spoke.

"Um... Manager, you're the one who looks so pale..."

Chaoyang put his hands on his hips and scolded.

"That's because you didn't listen to me... You don't need to come to work today."

"Hey, how could the store manager do this! I came all this way, even if you didn't need me to work, you should have told me in advance! I could at least have scheduled shifts elsewhere!"

Fujita Kotone was getting anxious; for her, making money was the most important thing.

Oh no! According to my calculations, I'll have to pay back 10 yuan this month... After deducting living expenses and dormitory fees, it'll be just enough... In that case, I'd better leave here quickly and find some day-wage work! However, I can't have a conflict with the store manager, after all, he's only looking out for me.

She forced a smile.

"Haha... I'm going back to get some rest now~ See you tomorrow, manager."

Chaoyang sighed. Of course, he couldn't just let her go back like that. Although he was still a little surprised that she had to repay a debt of 300,000, this was not the time to worry about that.

Just as she turned around, Chaoyang grabbed her slender wrist.

"Don't think I don't know, you're definitely planning to sneak off to work somewhere else."

Fujita Kotone asked in surprise

"Manager, can you read minds?"

"Hmph, I, the shop manager, am a Level 8 appraiser, I know exactly what you're doing... You can just sit here and eat with these customers! Seriously, your job today is to be the hostess for this table of customers!"

Peach Blossom suddenly grinned mischievously.

"Oh, welcome~~"

Without any hesitation, Asahi pulled Fujita Kotone to sit down next to Momoka. Fujita Kotone tried to get up, but Momoka immediately put her arm around her.

"What's wrong? Didn't you hear your manager say your job is to drink with me?"

“Um…minors can’t drink alcohol…” Nina, sitting across from me, reminded me cautiously.

"That's true, then watch me drink it."

Momoka responded with a smile, while continuing to hug Fujita Kotone, clearly not intending to let her leave easily.

"Um...but...but..."

Fujita Kotone remained restless, preoccupied with something.

"Don't worry, I'll pay you your wages."

Chaoyang tried to reassure her with these words, but unfortunately, although Fujita Kotone loved money the most, she also cared a lot about earning money through her own labor.

However, Fujita Kotone persisted.

"No... How can you take money without working... I, I can't accept this..."

Chaoyang paused for a moment, then teased.

"...Hmm? I've already received enough from Kotone-chan to make me feel ashamed of my salary."

Fujita Kotone sat in her chair, stroking her chin, deep in thought and muttering to herself in a very cute way.

"W-what? Did I give you something like this again?... Oh no, could it be that my uniform mysteriously disappeared last time and turned into a new uniform... Did the shopkeeper secretly take it home to smell my scent!?"

"Hey?"

Her words caused Momoka and Nina, who were present, to simultaneously exclaim in shock and look at Asahi with horrified eyes.

"Idiot! I only replaced it because it had a hole! And I told you beforehand. Don't let anyone misunderstand!!!"

Chaoyang quickly explained, his face full of helplessness.

At this moment, Fujita Kotone stuck out her little tongue in a very cute way, scratched the back of her head, and smiled mischievously.

"Hehehe, it seems so... In that case, I don't remember giving the shopkeeper anything. Sorry, although the shopkeeper likes money, he doesn't accept charity without a reason. Free lunches are the most expensive."

"But you often bring back kebabs that are about to expire at night."

"Uh... Food waste is shameful, and that's one of my principles! I'll eat here with these two guests, but the manager doesn't need to calculate my wages."

Fujita Kotone had already given up on the idea of ​​working today; she was just considering it.

We need to find a way to save money for this day's wages from other sources.

Hearing Qin Yin's heartfelt words again, Chaoyang was helpless. He could only say that she didn't love money.

She works like crazy, never taking a break. You might say she loves money, but she refuses money that's offered to her, only wanting what she earns herself.

Chaoyang stopped trying to change her mind, nodded, and went back to grilling skewers.

Nina stared at Fujita Kotone ever since she sat down.

"Um... excuse me... is there something on my face?"

"...So cute..."

Renna's words seemed to unconsciously express her true feelings, which was much more pleasing than contrived praise.

At this moment, Fujita Kotone was overjoyed and covered her cheeks with her hands, shaking them happily.

"Haha... No wonder you're the manager's friend, really~~~ You're not that cute after all~~~ I'll go get you a drink in a bit~ Hehehe~~"

"Ah, no need, no need, you should sit down and rest."

Nina quickly stopped Fujita Kotone from getting up.

"You're too easily swayed by others and get carried away."

Momoka couldn't help but complain about Fujita Kotone.

Chapter 18 I'm sorry, I drugged him.

"Alright~ Please enjoy~~ And here's your beer, Peach Blossom, and some oolong tea for you two little ones."

Chaoyang walked out of the kitchen carrying a tray. One hand steadily held a large plate filled with various kinds of grilled pork offal skewers, while the other hand gripped the handles of four beer mugs. He placed the tray in the center of the table and then put the beer mugs in their places.

He then sat down next to Rencai.

The three dishes already laid out on the table—cold pork tongue with scallions, fried chicken pieces, and smashed cucumber—complemented the freshly served grilled skewers perfectly, their aroma filling the air.

"Glug glug glug... Wow... It truly lives up to its name as the water of life~~ It feels like we're living just for this cup."

Before anyone else could wait, Tao Xiang picked up a beer and started chugging it down her throat, drinking three-quarters of it in one go.

"Momoka-san, no one's going to take it from you, so don't drink so fast! If you get drunk again, I won't be responsible for you."

Rencai sipped her oolong tea and began to complain.

Tao Xiang, completely unconcerned, picked up a piece of cucumber with her chopsticks and popped it into her mouth.

"Don't worry, don't worry, I know what I'm doing. ... Hmm, this cucumber salad is quite flavorful! How did you make it? Would you mind telling me? I'd like to try it when I get home."

"Of course, it's not a rare dish. It's just garlic paste, sesame oil, half a spoonful of MSG, a spoonful of salt, and you just need to stir it up."

After listening, Rencai couldn't resist picking up a piece of cucumber and tasting it. Her eyes lit up, and she praised it.

"...So delicious!"

Chaoyang smiled.

"You're exaggerating. It's just a regular snack to go with drinks."

Rencai turned to look at Chaoyang seriously and said.

"No, it's really delicious!"

Chaoyang was a little embarrassed.

Wow... now I understand why Kotone loves being praised so much. I'm not even that passionate about cooking... and suddenly I feel a surge of pride. No, no, hold it in. This isn't the time to be happy, I have important things to do.

Chaoyang casually picked up a chicken nugget and gave it to Rencai, then asked,

"Um, has something happened to Kotone lately? I know you're usually tired, but you seem unusually weak today. Something must have happened."

Hmm, the store manager is really perceptive... But this has nothing to do with him, so I'd better not tell him. If he finds out that photos of him carrying me on his back that night were taken and used as blackmail, he'll definitely feel guilty... He might even go after those three idiots. If things get out of hand, my idol career might end before it even gets started.

Just as Chaoyang had predicted, his question was like a stone thrown into a pond, stirring up things that had been buried deep in his heart like silt.

So this girl was threatened... I was too careless. Even though she's just a high school student, it's still an idol school, with quite a few active female idols there. I really should have been careful about who I interacted with. ...But if her idol career really ends, it doesn't seem so bad. Right now, it seems like I'm the only person she can rely on in Tokyo, so it's normal for her to become my wife later... Haha, what am I thinking? I don't really like her that much.

"Ding Dong"

Just then, a system notification sounded in Chaoyang's mind.

Name: Fujita Kotone

Charisma: 85

Monthly earnings growth: ¥250,000

Favorability: 75/100

Trigger character task assignment

Mission Name: Save the Cutest Pikachu

Task Description: Resolve the bullying issue affecting Fujita Kotone.

mission target:

Completely resolve the bullying issue faced by Fujita Kotone and ensure that she is no longer threatened.

To protect Kotone Fujita's idol career and ensure its smooth progress, preventing it from being affected by bullying incidents.

Identify the perpetrators behind the threats and effectively prevent them from continuing any form of harassment or threats against the piano.

Task failure conditions:

Kotone Fujita suffers serious harm: If Kotone suffers serious psychological or physical harm due to bullying during the mission, the mission will be considered a failure.

Interruption of Idol Career: If Fujita Kotone's idol career is forced to be interrupted or terminated due to improper execution of the mission, the mission is considered a failure.

Task Reward: The host can choose a physical function that reaches the limit of human potential. Note: This is not a supernatural level; it can be understood as the level of an Olympic champion. However, considering that an Olympic champion in a particular sport is not necessarily the highest level in that sport, this explanation is for reference only.

Chaoyang glanced at the panel and was surprised to find that the monthly system income from Fujita Kotone had reached 25, which was almost enough to cover Fujita Kotone's salary.

If the reward is just a physical function, and it's just at the level of a normal human being, since we don't fight with people and don't live in a threatening environment, then giving money seems more practical...

Although Asahi was picky about the mission rewards, he was actually still considering whether to take the initiative to help, because he was hesitant about whether he would interfere too much with Fujita Kotone. This mission just resolved his concerns.