At Pab
"Ha~"
Kamishiro yawned. Yesterday had been exhausting, and he hadn't slept well.
Sakurako's feelings for him were just too intense—intense enough that Kiyoko nearly caught on.
This morning, she kept sniffing around him. Luckily, as a seasoned player, he habitually used perfume, or he would've been exposed!
?(???)?
Gulp gulp gulp~
Kamishiro took a satisfying sip of his drink. As expected, he was the smartest one. A love triangle? Not in his world.
So, what to do today?
Having just finished the training camp, and with no classes recently, Shirou found himself back in a state of having nothing to do.
Normally, this would be the perfect time to go "socialize" with different types of girls.
But today, for some reason, he wasn't in the mood for that.
As expected, the human body does have its limits.
"I'm heading out!"
While Kamishiro Shiro was contemplating what to do if he wasn't flirting with girls, that idiot Kitahara walked right past him.
(′｀;)?
Seeing that idiot's bright, cheerful smile, Kamishiro Shiro was a little taken aback. Why did he look like a fresh salaryman who just started working?
"You're finally going, huh? Take care on the road."
Sister Nanaka gently said goodbye to Iori with eyes full of fondness—just like a mother seeing off her silly son.
"What's that idiot doing today?" Kamishiro asked. Kitahara rarely did anything alone.
"Iori seems to be starting a part-time job~"
"Huh? That idiot working part-time?!" Kamishiro stared in disbelief at Kitahara's departing back. So that really was the smile of a corporate drone.
"Isn't the restaurant owner worried about going bankrupt hiring him...?"
"That's rude, Shiro. Iori is actually a very capable young man~"
"For example?"
"Um... Let's talk about something else instead."
Sister Nanaka's expression stiffened. Actually, Iori wasn't bad—it was just that her brain short-circuited and she couldn't think of any strengths of his.
"…"
In a way, Kitahara was really something. Even Sister Nanaka was rendered speechless.
"So, what were you going to say earlier, Nanaka-nee? I'm free today, you know."
"That's great. Shiro, you went to high school in Tokyo, right?"
Kamishiro nodded. He indeed studied high school in Tokyo—and it was a really good one too. After all, it helped shape someone as skilled as him.
"Perfect! I'm planning to visit Tokyo soon and wanted to do some planning."
"Planning? No problem—leave it to me!"
At that, Kamishiro perked up instantly. As an experienced playboy and part-time expert, he knew Tokyo like the back of his hand. Any kind of budget or style—he could plan it all!
But really, planning isn't nearly as good as being the guide yourself!
Considering the few classes he had these days (mostly with Associate Professor Ushironomiya), Kamishiro figured he might as well skip them.
Of course he should go traveling with a beautiful older woman!
Traveling alone with an older woman? His favorite thing ever!
"Actually, there's no need to plan it—I'll go with you!"
"Eh? Won't that be a problem with your classes?"
"Don't worry, I'm a university student now. It's not like I don't have that much freedom!"
Nanaka thought about it. That did make sense. Plus, Shiro always got good grades, so skipping a few classes wouldn't be a problem.
She nodded, now also looking forward to traveling to Tokyo with Shiro.
"No problem—then I'll be counting on you!"
"Awesome! Nanaka-nee, when do we leave?"
Shiro was practically bouncing with excitement. He really had nothing else to do lately anyway.
"No rush. I still need to confirm with the other party."
"So, is this trip work-related?"
"Mm, there's a high school swim club that wants to try scuba diving, and they chose our place."
!
At that, Kamishiro's heart skipped a beat.
High school?
Swim club?
There weren't many high schools in Tokyo with both the interest and budget to organize something like this.
And his high school just happened to be one of them.
He swallowed hard, an ominous feeling creeping in. "Nanaka-san, what's the name of that high school…?"
"Hmm… the name's a bit odd. It's called 'A Certain High School.', ever heard of it?"
(′-ι_-｀)
Heard of it?
Of course he had. He knew that high school all too well.
He had enemies there—and ex-lovers too.
It was his own high school.
If he went back now, it'd be like walking into a trap.
Not even half a year had passed. If he returned now… Kamishiro could already picture it. Waiting for him would be either hell—or heaven followed by hell.
No hesitation—Kamishiro immediately turned and walked toward the door.
"Uh, Nanaka-nee, I just remembered something. I can't go to Tokyo with you. I'll write up a guide for you tonight instead…"
(′｀;)?
Nanaka tilted her head. "But didn't you just say you had nothing going on lately?"
(;?＿?)
"Ahahaha, I just remembered—it's Iori's first day working part-time! As his childhood friend, of course I have to help him!"
Thank you, Kitahara! Now he had a reason!
No way was he going back to that school. Maybe in three years, once everyone who remembered him had graduated.
He was a famous student there, after all. A big name across three grades...
There was no way he could go back now!
Hearing his excuse, Nanaka sighed helplessly. "You two really are close. In that case, go help him. I think the restaurant he's working at is called ?? Restaurant."
(′-ι_-｀)
Kamishiro's footsteps froze just outside the GB building as he looked up at the sky in despair.
?? Restaurant.
If he remembered correctly, that was where Sakurako worked…
AAAAHHHH!!!
That idiot Kitahara—what kind of place did he choose to work at?! Was all of Izu really this small?!
Kamishiro quietly changed direction. Better to go home and write.
Hanabi was already nagging him about his manuscript again.
Elsewhere—?? Restaurant
In the staff lounge, a cute ponytailed girl was confronting a stylishly dressed woman.
Kiyoko had finally noticed something was off. Busujima had come back this morning with bedroom eyes—it was way too suspicious!
And Kiyoko had found a mysterious bottle under the bed!
AAAHHH!!
She'd been invaded while off guard!
"You thieving cat!"
"Oh my~ I have no idea what you're talking about. Also, mister, this is the staff lounge. Don't you think it's inappropriate for unauthorized persons to be here~?"
Sakurako smirked, completely unbothered about being exposed.
She didn't mind using this tactic to crush her love rival—in fact, if Kiyoko Kamio hadn't noticed, she might've brought it up herself.
If this made Kiyoko Kamio back off, all the better. But alas~
"You—!"
Kiyoko glared daggers at her. Because Kiyoko had been here many times and was friends with Busujima (at least the manager thought so), she could freely enter the staff lounge to find her.
Poor manager had no idea what chaos his hiring decision had unleashed.
When the manager opened the door with the new employee, what greeted him was…
Two girls tangled in a rather suggestive position, surrounded by a chaotic mess—clearly, things had gotten intense.
The manager's face froze. Had he come at a bad time?
And wait—they were in that kind of relationship?
He tried to back out, but the new hire didn't give him the chance.
Diligent and respectful, the new employee stepped in and bowed immediately, totally oblivious to the awkward air.
"I'm the new staff member, Kitahara Iori. Please take care of me!"
!!!
Busujima, who had been pinned beneath Kiyoko Kamio, lit up at the name.
She just happened to need a spy in PAB—and one walked right in!
This was perfect~
Iori finally looked up when no one responded, and realized the room was full of familiar faces—except for the manager.
(???)
In that moment, he had the sinking feeling he'd just walked into something really bad.
Chapter 197 – A Backstab from the Editor, and the Tokyo Trip That Can't Be Avoided
"Ah, so it's no good after all."
At home, Kamishiro looked at Iori's barrage of messages and shook his head in disappointment.
All low-level tricks to lure him over. And judging by the frantic typing speed, things must have been very lively over there.
Haku didn't even need to think—Kiyoko must be at Busujima's place. Otherwise, he wouldn't have turned back and gone home earlier.
But now wasn't the time to dwell on that—he had a new problem!
No…
It was an old problem, one that had plagued him for years!
Staring at the new document on his computer, Kamisjhiro sighed helplessly.
"Sigh… So what exactly is my cheat ability?"
He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. This question had bothered him for twenty years. He had finally found a clue—so why wasn't it working?
Previously…
After seeing Gin-san, Kamishiro suspected that his novels could bring their characters into the real world.
The reason Aqua hadn't appeared, he suspected, was because she was from another world entirely—different dimension, different plane!
If that was the case, what if he wrote his real-life friends into his stories? Would something strange happen?
Like sending a buddy to another world via a truck, for example!
Just thinking about it made Kamishiro Shiro so excited that he couldn't contain himself, and thus began his journey of creation (read: torment).
He successfully wrote his new work titled: "About The Time When I Got Isekai'd to the Goblin Kingdom."
The story revolves around a boy named Kitahara Iori, who got drunk and went bird-watching under the moonlight when he was spotted by a dump truck.
What's more, the dump truck heard his drunken wish:
"Why is it that my beep—— can only be used for peeing? If only I could use my beep—— for other things every day, that'd be awesome!"
The dump truck, lacking achievements and moved by the boy's sincere wish (as a fellow virgin), shed a tear of emotion.
So it transformed into its Autobot form and sent him off to another world—a world full of female creatures!
And just like that, our protagonist Kitahara Iori, while still drunk, successfully arrived in the Goblin Kingdom, summoned by the Goblin High Priestess as a hero via magic.
What's more, he received a god-tier buff: Unlimited Stamina!
The goblins had a very simple reason for summoning a hero—to reproduce!
After all, the essence of an otherworldly hero could provide them with powerful offspring.
And before Iori even sobered up, he was dragged away by two green-skinned goblins, both about a meter tall, with warty skin, potbellies, and sagging chests…
As for what happens next, please refer to the digital file:
"About The Time I Got Isekai'd to the Goblin Kingdom.txt"
"Looks like it still doesn't work. I was even planning to give Iori a cheat-style storyline. But it's no use—I clearly don't have a golden finger at all."
"That dumb white-haired airhead showing up was already a total accident."
Kamishiro Shiro slumped over the desk in despair. Thinking about it, it really made sense. There was no way he could have some twisted, overpowered ability.
Still, being a transmigrator without a cheat is kind of depressing.
(╥_╥)
Come to think of it, the only reason I have any money at all is thanks to my sheer brilliance and handsome face!
If only I'd run into a rich and beautiful sugar mommy. Maybe next time I'll go check out Chiba—maybe I'll bump into a short-haired, calculating Yukinoshita type. Or maybe I should try my luck at Tokyo University—see if I can find a proper Ojou-sama.
Sigh, if I'd known earlier, I would've taken the Tokyo entrance exam. I heard that place is paradise for guys who want to marry into money. As long as you perform well, the conglomerates will invite you!
Eh?
Wait, aren't I already a landowner?
Then never mind~
Ring ring ring~
Just as Kamishiro Shiro was getting lost in his delusions, a phone call interrupted his fantasy.
"Pfft, that dumbass's given up texting and started calling now?"
Assuming it was Iori calling, Shiro didn't even look at the screen and hung up right away. He figured his time was better spent daydreaming.
Come to think of it, could I sell the land my family owns? The old man probably wouldn't break my legs, right?
Hmm...
Maybe this is worth looking into.
Ring ring ring~
The call came again. This time, Shiro didn't hang up. He wanted to hear what kind of dumb excuse this idiot was going to use to trick him into going over.
"Moshi moshi, this is Kamishiro speaking. What do you want, dumbass?"
He lay on the bed in a carefree posture, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.
"Dumbass? Are you tired of living?"
But what he heard wasn't that idiot's voice—it was a cold, elegant female voice, the kind that screamed "corporate elite."
!!!
Σ(っ °Д °;)っ
The moment he heard the voice, Shiro sprang upright, staring in horror at his phone screen.
"Editor-san (Hanabi)"
Gulp...
At that moment, Kamishiro Shiro felt the end was near.
"..."
After a moment of silence, he rubbed his eyes and slumped down again like he'd just woken up.
"Ha~ Hanabi-chan? Did something just happen?"
"You already used that trick. And pretending to be asleep won't change the fact that you just called me a dumbass."
(.;゜;:益:;゜;.)
I knew it!
This woman holds grudges!
Cold sweat ran down Shiro's forehead. She knew where he lived—if she charged over here, he'd be doomed!
For the sake of his own survival, he seriously started thinking about moving.
"Ahahaha, no way~ I was just sleepy. So, Hanabi-chan, what's up? I already sent the draft for my new novel to your email~"
Diversion technique activated! When dealing with corporate types, bringing up work never fails!
Sure enough, Hanabi didn't dwell on the "dumbass" remark. She just rolled her eyes on the other end of the line.
"I got the manuscript. But isn't it a bit short? And do you really think this concept has a market?"
Her tone was skeptical. While the content was entertaining, with all those otherworldly harem fantasy novels set in elf kingdoms and others, would anyone really pick this one?
A goblin-themed story might drive readers away...
"Don't worry, Hanabi-chan, this is what we call contrast! Readers are sick of those typical overpowered protagonists. When they see something totally different, it'll feel fresh!"
Kamishiro Shiro had zero doubts his book would sell. Come on—if those "toilet paper" novels could sell, why not his?
Plus, his illustrator was Azusa, the kind who even draws those kinds of books! In short, it was going to be super spicy!
"...As long as you're confident." Hearing Shiro's unwavering tone, Hanabi didn't say much more. Truthfully, the story was pretty engaging.
"Oh right, almost forgot. You might need to come by this weekend."
"Come by? You mean, to Tokyo?"
"Yup."
"No way!"
Heck no. He hadn't even gone traveling with a big-sister type—why would he go to Tokyo on his own?
That place was crawling with people who'd entered the workforce—most of them based in Tokyo. If they saw him...
Too scary.
Better to stay away from Tokyo!
"Oh? Then you don't want the chance to have Aqua adapted into an anime?"
"..."
Damn it, these people were really trying to back him into a corner!
Tokyo, huh?
Fine.
He'll go!