"—But it's 3,000 yen an hour. If you work just 2 hours a day, you can earn 6,000 yen. I'm so jealous. If I were a bit more handsome, I would have done it long ago just to buy a used 86."
Itsuki's tone held a bit of envy and frustration; after all, he was quite aware of the fact that he wasn't handsome.
3,000 yen an hour? Such a lavish part-time wage?
He remembered that Takumi and Itsuki's current hourly wage was 1,400 yen, so this was nearly double.
In psychology, someone who just lost a large sum of money might inexplicably lower their principles to recoup the loss quickly. Although he wasn't short on money... No, no, he couldn't sell his dignity for money.
But recalling the manuscript fees he had worked so hard to earn, the amount saved couldn't guarantee his expenses for four years of university... "..."
Chen Yao struggled internally. In any case, he'd go to the Tachibana Gas Station first to check the situation.
A gas station at the foot of Mount Akina was brightly lit. Several attendants were busy working. Takumi and Itsuki saw Chen Yao's car driving over.
"A-Yao, you're here."
Itsuki asked with a smile.
"Is the manager here?" Chen Yao asked, feeling uneasy.
"He is. A-Yao, you're not really going to take that job, are you?" Takumi asked in confusion.
Chen Yao's expression was complex. He didn't answer directly, looking around as if to brush it off, and said guiltily, "I'll check the conditions and environment of the job first before talking to the manager..."
Just then, a pudgy middle-aged man in his fifties walked over and spotted Chen Yao. His face lit up with joy, and he said, "Oh, isn't this A-Yao, the international student from the Hengshan Family? Why are you here? Have you taken an interest in the Car Wash business I recently developed? We're still hiring. Want to try it for a few days?"
The manager, who was so honest in the anime, was now being driven by the stagnant economy to start side businesses. One had to say the world moves with the times... "Manager, before that, could you let me see the job requirements? It doesn't involve any secret services, does it?"
Chen Yao asked in a low voice with a troubled face.
"Don't worry, I don't do that kind of stuff. Ultimately, it's just imitating the American gas station model to earn some money to subsidize the loss-making gas station. However, the Car Wash relies on handsome guys to attract attention. So, wearing a tank top is necessary, and showing a friendly smile to the ladies is also necessary. That's about it."
The manager, Tachibana Yuichi, patted Chen Yao's shoulder. Essentially, he just wanted the Car Wash to gain popularity quickly, so he used this tactic.
It didn't sound too bad, which was a bit unexpected for Chen Yao. After some thought, he finally steeled himself and agreed: "Then... I'll give it a try!"
Takumi and Itsuki watched as Chen Yao agreed. Although Chen Yao's agreement was understandable, they still saw the harsh reality of life.
"Is the manga okay?" Takumi asked in confusion.
"It's fine this week because there are still three weeks of free time. Time is still quite ample."
Chen Yao explained after thinking for a bit.
Takumi fell silent. Then he saw Chen Yao being called over by a senior at the Car Wash. Itsuki said enviously from the side, "It's so nice to be able to go over there and earn some extra money. Forget about being as handsome as A-Yao; even if I were like you, Takumi, I'd have gone over long ago. 3,000 yen an hour! I also want to save money to buy an 86."
"Itsuki, you said we should also go with A-Yao to the Driving School to get our licenses, but aren't I still under eighteen? And don't you already have an international license?"
Takumi asked, puzzled.
"That was the plan, but Takumi, isn't my skill really bad... Ugh, so I'm thinking of just focusing on building a good foundation domestically and getting a domestic license. You can start learning now, and in six months, as soon as you turn eighteen, you can get your license. Many high school students get it that way."
Itsuki showed a bright smile and said, "Most importantly, the three of us can go to school together again!"
Takumi looked at Itsuki's enthusiastic appearance and couldn't help but show a pleased smile. He remembered that Itsuki had very little savings, but he was willing to spend 300,000 yen just to be with his friends. It could be said that he was a friend worth cherishing.
At that moment, a white Lexus drove into the gas station. The two immediately shouted, "Welcome!"
The two ran forward. The driver lowered the window and said, "Fill it up, please."
A girl was sitting in the back of the Lexus, her posture dignified. Although Takumi and Itsuki couldn't see her face clearly, they felt she must be a great beauty.
As it turned out, she inadvertently saw the car with the license plate 501-78-61 parked at the gas station, and her expression changed slightly... The Car Wash was actually quite legitimate, but the staff were all male and generally good-looking, especially a certain newcomer who had just joined.
"You must be Takumi and Itsuki's friend A-Yao. My name is Iketani Kouichirou. Nice to meet you."
A slightly older young man with a more average appearance handed Chen Yao a towel and said with a smile.
"Hello, Senior. No, I'm more like their Classmate and acquaintance."
Chen Yao hesitated for a moment and explained.
"The hourly wage here is relatively high, though I'm not getting the same rate as you... Although times are tough and we have to take unusual measures, we are just Car Wash attendants. Don't be affected by the eyes of outsiders."
Iketani Kouichirou said with a smile.
"...Yes."
Chen Yao glanced at the Car Wash area. Everyone was a stylish guy. His outfit was considered average. No matter how he looked at it, there seemed to be something wrong with the nature of the work... But wearing a tank top to wash cars wasn't strange—it was to avoid getting clothes wet. Serving with a smile was also fine because service attitude is paramount... Yes, his work was legitimate. It would definitely be fine.
Soon, a black Honda drove in. It was two ladies. Immediately, several staff members started getting busy—spraying water, spraying foam. Everything was quite normal. But when it came to the settlement, Iketani Kouichirou asked Chen Yao to collect the money. Chen Yao felt a bit embarrassed and forced a smile, saying, "Thank you for your business. That will be 7,000 yen."
The two women in their twenties looked at him. The one in the passenger seat asked with a smile, "Are you new here?"
"Yes..."
Chen Yao felt the question was a bit strange.
"Your service attitude is good. You're still a high school student, right? Here, the rest is a tip for you guys. Thanks for your hard work."
The lady in the passenger seat paid 10,000 yen in cash. Before Chen Yao could react, the car drove out. This meant the three of them had washed one car and earned a 1,000 yen tip.
Incredible. It seemed like working here earned quite a lot of money... He immediately became motivated, as if he had discovered a way to make a fortune. He quickly cleaned the area, preparing to welcome the next car. At least working here was close to home, and he could relax his brain during his manga breaks. It seemed like earning two extra hours of wages wasn't a bad thing.
"Next car!"
Iketani Kouichirou shouted.
"Welcome, welcome."
Chen Yao's voice was much louder this time. He and his colleagues began to wash the car's exterior seriously again, their expressions meticulous.
The girl in the car sat in the middle of the back seat, quietly watching him work.
After washing the exterior, Chen Yao politely said to the female passenger in the back seat, "Hello, the seats need to be wiped. Please go to the sofa inside for a moment..."
But as he spoke, the rear window began to lower slowly. Chen Yao then saw a certain high school girl wearing a beret, her finger lightly touching her chin and lips, her elegant and cute face showing an intriguingly interested expression. His smile froze.
"I didn't expect Marmot-senpai to have this part-time job. Let me think... Should I give you a better nickname?"
Sakayanagi Arisu, with a slightly devilish smile, looked at him and asked.
Chapter 024: Driving School Car Accident
The deep blue sky was brilliant with stars. Clusters of stars twinkled in the Milky Way, like countless navigational lights floating in the river of the sky.
Getting out of the car, Sakayanagi Arisu turned around and looked at Chen Yao, who looked like he had a guilty conscience. She said with a slightly mischievous smile, "Chen Yao-senpai, every time you appear, it's a surprise. This time is no exception."
"No, you've got it wrong, Sakayanagi. I'm just working at a Car Wash, really!"
Chen Yao tried to explain.
"It's a part-time job, true. But while I was watching Chen Yao-senpai's working style from inside the car, I felt your passion and charm."
Sakayanagi Arisu teased as she looked at Chen Yao, who was wearing a tank top and had quite a few car oil stains on him.
"That's why I say it's a misunderstanding. I'm only working because I was fined 60,000 yen for speeding today, and I'm really just washing cars seriously and responsibly."
Chen Yao continued to explain awkwardly. If word got out, his reputation as a Male Dancer would really be set in stone.
"Yes, I believe you, Chen Yao-senpai."
Sakayanagi Arisu nodded. She then took out 12,000 yen for the Car Wash and said, "Besides the 7,000 yen Car Wash fee, for the other 5,000 yen, I'll give Classmate Chen Yao a 3,000 yen tip. After all, this is a part-time job. It should be fine to give a bit more of a tip to a certain hardworking employee, right?"
"Err..."
Chen Yao helplessly took the money, his mind racing. He really felt like he was engaged in some kind of specific line of work.
"Hehehe..."
Seeing Chen Yao's reaction, Sakayanagi Arisu couldn't help but laugh.
But Chen Yao felt strange. He didn't know why Sakayanagi Arisu would appear here in Gunma Prefecture. He remembered her school was under completely closed management. He asked, "Sakayanagi, why did you suddenly come to Gunma Prefecture?"
"Well... I lied to the school to get sick leave and snuck out."
Sakayanagi Arisu thought for a moment and answered.
Chen Yao was speechless. He asked in confusion, "Why would you suddenly do such a thing? Did you come here to see a famous doctor in Gunma Prefecture?"
"...No. I came specifically to see you."
Sakayanagi Arisu answered casually.
Ever since the stage play, her mind had been unstable. She would often space out and occasionally suffered from insomnia. She wasn't as focused on things as before. Finally, she decided to resolve the "root of her illness." After taking leave from school, she made a special trip to Gunma Prefecture.
While the driver was refueling, she unexpectedly discovered someone's sports car, and thus this encounter happened.
"See me? What for? You're really joking." Chen Yao was stunned and then laughed. He knew that the dangerous and unpredictable Sakayanagi Arisu had a habit of playing pranks, so he didn't take it seriously.
However, Sakayanagi Arisu was silently looking at him. That face, which easily gained a man's favor, had an indescribable sense of tranquility in the night breeze. She just looked at him quietly.
"Alright, alright, I know you're amazing. Phew. But don't you have a heart condition? It's probably not good to be out in the wind too much, right?"
Chen Yao was intimidated. Then, feeling a chill in the night air, he asked out of concern.
Although he didn't want to admit it, Chen Yao still acknowledged Sakayanagi Arisu's "interpersonal science"—using an annoying way to make you remember her, then gradually correcting the impression to make the other person familiar more quickly. However, it was easy to mess up if one wasn't careful... Just then, the washed Lexus slowly drove out and stopped beside Sakayanagi Arisu. She took a look and knew the butler was reminding her that it was almost time to return to school, or else the school would become suspicious.
"Phew, the gathering is so short. Chen Yao-senpai, you look very handsome while working. I really hope to come and wash the car again in a few days."
Sakayanagi Arisu said with a smile.
Chen Yao couldn't help but decline, saying, "No, I won't be working here anymore..."
He was also a bit puzzled. Previously, Sakayanagi Arisu had always called him Classmate or -kun, but this time she used the more familiar Senpai.
"A-Yao, A-Yao, is this the Yukinoshita Yukino you mentioned?" A very curious Itsuki asked Chen Yao secretly.
Seeing the two people who had pointed out Chen Yao's location, Sakayanagi Arisu bowed elegantly and politely, saying, "I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Sakayanagi Arisu, a first-year student at the Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School. Nice to meet you. Please take care of me in the future."
For some reason, the silver-haired girl wearing a red school uniform that looked like British royalty had a bit of a European aristocratic air. Despite being cute, kind, and polite, she made Takumi, Itsuki, and even the other staff feel she was unattainable, mysterious, and dangerous.
"Hello."
"Hello..."
Takumi and Itsuki bowed back a bit fearfully.
Chen Yao saw this and had to admit that Sakayanagi Arisu's clever and mischievous dangerous aura was chilling. Ordinary people would be wary of her unique competitive aura, yet she seemed to enjoy it.
"Chen Yao-senpai, I hope one day we can cooperate in an activity again. I'm looking forward to that day."
Sakayanagi Arisu flashed a smile at Chen Yao. As the butler opened the car door, she sat in the back seat, and the vehicle drove away from the gas station toward Tokyo... "...Eh??"
Chen Yao put the Car Wash towel on his shoulder, feeling puzzled. It seemed the car was really returning to school, so what exactly did she come to Gunma Prefecture for?
The Sakayanagi Family butler, who was driving, asked politely, "Miss, your mood should have calmed down now, right?"
"..."
Sakayanagi Yuki, sitting quietly in the back, did not reply. The darkness hid her face, and she just quietly looked at the starry sky outside the window.
~·~·~·~·~·~·
At 4:30 PM the next afternoon, Chen Yao, Takumi, and Itsuki arrived at the Driving School in Gunma Prefecture, ready to attend traffic rule training.
At the reception desk, a female traffic officer was responsible for receiving them. She was very beautiful, but her expression was a bit cold and intimidating.
Seeing such a fierce female traffic officer, Takumi and Itsuki were too scared to even step close. Chen Yao, however, acted as if he hadn't noticed and went forward to submit his license, saying, "Hello, I'm Chen Yao, scheduled to receive traffic rule training here. This is my international license. Please register it."
"Sir, please sign this information form and attach the ID photo you prepared."
The short-haired female traffic officer looked up at them, then pushed a form over with her hand.
"Okay."
After hearing that, Chen Yao picked up a pen and began filling in information such as his ID number and address.