The afternoon sunlight was particularly bright, enthusiastically making people breathless.
The two sitting by the window enjoyed the coolness that didn't exist outside, watching the mottled light and shadows cast by the high-rise buildings on the road surface, chatting leisurely in the peaceful moment.
It had to be said that Haru and Bronya really did have more common topics than other Valkyries.
From the partisan war of cola, to the anime and games that KFC and McDonald's had collaborated on, then analyzing the future direction of 2D culture...
The doujinshi artist and game producer chatted while eating, casually throwing out a reference that the other could understand and respond to.
This kind of rapport made the two look like they had CP chemistry.
"Speaking of which, after looking around all morning, have you taken a liking to any house, Bronya?"
Haru stuffed the last french fry into his mouth, took a sip of the still mostly full Pepsi, and brought the topic back to today's main business.
The girl with light gray long hair looked suddenly enlightened, as if she had just remembered such a thing, and coughed lightly.
"Hmm, this morning's houses were all okay, but some are far from Principle Studio, and others aren't decorated. It would take quite a while after I move in."
"If there are no other choices, just pick one that looks pleasing and make do."
Bronya really didn't have high requirements for houses.
With the girl's financial power from never losing money in stock trading, the houses Haru had shown her were all high-end large flats or villas. Even the worst of these houses couldn't be that bad. The only considerations were location and move-in speed.
"If we're choosing based on commute distance, then the closest should be the house upstairs from our studio, right?"
Haru wiped his hands with a napkin, saying casually.
Before being acquired, Principle Studio was just a small company with few employees, so there was no need to rent office space in a business building. They finally chose to open the company in a more cost-effective commercial-residential building.
A commercial-residential building is one with shops on the ground floor and residences on the other floors.
This was why Haru said that for commuting convenience, it would definitely be buying an apartment in the building where the studio was located.
"Eh, that doesn't seem impossible?"
Bronya pondered for a moment, seeming somewhat tempted.
"Wait, I was just saying that casually. You're not serious, are you?!"
Haru's eyes widened as he quickly advised against it.
"Commercial-residential buildings only have fifty-year usage rights, and water and electricity fees are more expensive than residential rates. The comfort and environment are also worse than pure residential communities."
"Many people who bought commercial-residential apartments regretted it not long after, but when they wanted to sell, they couldn't, and could only let it sit there."
From Haru's experience, commercial-residential apartments weren't much better than rented commercial apartments and weren't suitable for long-term living.
Bronya mustn't be deceived!
"But living there really would be convenient for commuting to work, wouldn't it?"
After hearing Haru's words, the girl gently swayed the twin spiral pigtails tied behind her head, and a slight smile appeared at the corners of her mouth.
The apartment in the commercial-residential building might indeed be quite ordinary, with plenty of flaws.
But if Bronya bought the apartment above the studio, she could always use excuses like discussing games or having a casual meal to get the Captain to come to her place. At crucial moments, she could even avoid Qingque and create a secret room perfect for trysts.
There was no better place than this for establishing unspoken rules with the Captain!
Just this one advantage of making it easier for her to pursue him was enough to outweigh all the other flaws of the commercial-residential building apartment.
Bronya's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, clearly having made up her mind.
Haru, on the other hand, was puzzled by the girl's stubborn insistence, with many small question marks popping up above his head.
He had already explained everything so clearly, and with Bronya's IQ of 180, why was she still jumping into this fire pit?!
"Bronya, when your sister comes to visit Nagazora City, living above the studio won't be very convenient either, will it? It feels like it's not even as good as the presidential suite you used to stay in at the hotel."
Haru felt somewhat helpless as he tried to dissuade her repeatedly, even bringing up Seele.
"You're right."
Bronya nodded, raising one index finger, her eyes sparkling with brilliant wisdom.
"Commercial-residential buildings are convenient for work but not suitable for long-term living, while places suitable for long-term living aren't as convenient for work as commercial-residential buildings..."
"In that case, wouldn't it work if Bronya just bought two apartments?"
Ah, this!
Haru tilted his head in bewilderment.
He spent some time trying to understand Bronya's logic, then gasped and showed an expression that was hard to tell whether it was shock or envy.
Since there's no perfect solution that meets both requirements simultaneously, she'll just use her money power to buy two apartments that each meet one requirement separately?!
Being rich is really nice, being rich really means you can do whatever you want!
Haru felt deeply envious inside, reminiscing about the wealthy times in the time loop when he had embezzled large sums of funding from Otto under Theresa's name, while showing a bitter smile on his face.
"If you don't have any financial pressure, buying two apartments to solve your needs simultaneously is indeed a good method."
"Don't worry, Bronya has quite substantial family assets."
The girl crossed her hands and rested them under her chin, smiling faintly, her tone revealing the unique dominance of a wealthy woman.
"It's decided then—one apartment for work, one apartment for long-term living."
"The apartment above our studio should still be unsold, since no one really wants to buy commercial-residential building apartments close to the ground floor. It'll be easy for Bronya to acquire."
"But for the long-term living apartment, I'll need to trouble you to continue helping me choose."
Bronya smiled as she raised her cola toward Haru, feeling somewhat pleased inside.
This apartment for long-term living in Nagazora City might very well become Bronya and the Captain's future matrimonial home—both emotionally and logically, she had to have the Captain carefully select it!
Haru was completely unaware of the girl's ulterior motives.
He clinked glasses with Bronya, drank the remaining Pepsi in one gulp, then said boldly:
"If the boss has given orders, then even if the temperature outside gets any higher, this employee will risk his life to accompany you."
"It's not work hours right now, so Bronya doesn't count as your boss."
The girl blinked, pretending to be serious as she said: "So you won't get overtime pay for accompanying me today."
"Then I should help you even more, my friend."
Haru showed a cheerful smile, his eight snow-white teeth sparkling under the sunlight.
He and Bronya had been friends through so many time loops—talking about money was really too vulgar!
"In that case, let's go!"
Bronya's lips curved upward slightly as she carefully put away the HOMU King that the Captain had given her, then walked briskly toward the KFC exit.
"Since we're friends, when you get thirsty later, Bronya will treat you to ice-cold Coca-Cola."
"That sounds pretty nice, I want the large size."
"Can you finish it all?"
"If I can't finish it, I can always take it home to make cola chicken wings!"
Haru raised his eyebrows, bantering with the girl, and then they both burst into laughter at the same time.
Meanwhile, the KFC employee at the counter, watching their departing figures, wore the expression of someone who had just witnessed another lovey-dovey couple showing off their affection, and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.
To actually have such a beautiful girlfriend who's so happy even when taken to a fast-food restaurant for a meal—did this guy save the world in his previous life?
Such innocent and pure young love really was enviable!
Read 30 advance chapters on: patre on.com/Bored_Mortal