Chapter 6
I was troubled—perhaps more than I’d been since coming to this house.
"Is there anything you want right now?"
That question from Shin earlier... I couldn’t make sense of it.
If I’d done something worthy of praise, I’d understand. Rewarding merit is a basic obligation. Even in that rotten other world, that much held true—though skimming rewards was rampant.
But this time? I’d done nothing. Just housework. Absolutely nothing beyond that. I’d even lazed around watching TV in broad daylight, coasting on the "best friend" brainwashing.
It couldn’t possibly be payment for chores. There’s no reason for me to receive anything. So what was that about?
...Could it be a trap?
Now that I think of it, the other world’s military had that absurd New Year’s ritual.
The officers would ask new recruits if they had any requests. Each recruit had to respond—but the only acceptable answer was, "No, thank you."
Mention even a single want, and you’d be branded "uppity," subjected to a day of curses and beatings.
Most recruits knew better, but every year, some country bumpkin would slip up and end up a human rag.
Was that what this was? A test? If I’d voiced a demand earlier, would I have been screamed at and punched for overstepping?
If so, my reply—"Not at all!"—was the correct answer.
I paused mid-window wipe, sneaking a sidelong glance at Shin.
Same as always: that slack-jawed grin as he stared at his laptop. No trace of cunning—just his usual airheaded expression.
...Nah. That’s overthinking it, right?
That peace-drunk idiot wouldn’t pull something like that.
...Yeah, probably not.
There must’ve been another meaning to his question.
I looked away and resumed cleaning. But that left me even more lost.
Was it really about repaying chores?
No way. Even he wouldn’t go that far.
He’s already supporting an extra person with no income. On top of that, giving thanks just for housework? Not even "best friend" brainwashing could justify that.
If true, his brain must be a field of literal flowers.
I shook my head, dispelling the ridiculous thought.
...Likely, there’s some reason my post-other-world self can’t grasp yet.
I know my sense of values diverges from the Japanese norm after just a week back. This is probably the same. Something I can’t comprehend now, no matter how hard I think.
...Still. "Anything you want?"
Might as well humor the idea.
Something I want, huh...
Hmm............... Money, I guess.
A lot of money. Enough to never worry about survival again.
Even in that other world, money’s value held firm.
Not that I could actually ask him for that, though.
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