Hearing that, Asai Yu froze for a moment, then said,
"No—what are you even thinking? I was just asking."
"Anyway, that kind of thing is absolutely unacceptable!"
Togawa Sakiko's tone was firm. This was one issue she would never compromise on.
To that, Asai Yu replied helplessly,
"Alright, alright. I do value this body too, you know."
"Mm. It's a promise!"
Seeing that he really didn't seem interested in that sort of thing, the anxiety that had been lodged in Togawa Sakiko's throat finally settled back down.
She was genuinely scared. After all, for twelve hours every day, control of her body didn't belong to her at all.
If he did something while she could only watch helplessly from inside… she might as well just die now.
Watching her own body being controlled by someone else from a first-person perspective felt novel—but far more unsettling. That unease lingered, refusing to fade.
A second personality had appeared out of nowhere, and on top of that, it controlled her body for twelve hours a day.
No matter how you looked at it, this wasn't something you could just accept overnight.
What would her future be like?
Would it get worse?
Or… could it actually improve?
Togawa Sakiko felt herself drifting into confusion.
A few seconds later, she suddenly asked,
"By the way… why did you suddenly appear yesterday, and then disappear again?"
"I figured if I stayed any longer, I might not have been able to stop myself from beating that middle-aged bastard to death."
Asai Yu answered offhandedly, like a draft response.
Hearing this, Togawa Sakiko didn't reply. Who knew what she was thinking.
On the other side, seeing her fall silent, Asai Yu finally let out a quiet breath of relief.
Looks like things are stable for now.
Then—first, let's finish delivering these newspapers.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, the system's voice suddenly echoed in his head.
[Detected that the host's life and the experienced life share the same condition: extreme poverty]
[Enhancement acquired: Part-Time Job Boost Lv.1 (0/100)]
[During the experience of Togawa Sakiko's life, money earned through part-time work will be stored in the system at a 1:x (level-based) ratio, without affecting the original wages earned]
Wow. Not even pretending anymore, huh.
Seeing this boost, Asai Yu was instantly filled with motivation.
This—this is what life is all about!
He immediately got back on the bike and rushed toward the next newspaper delivery address.
...
Half an hour later—
"Damn it, is this even human work?! Fine if it's not raining, but in a downpour like this—who the hell can deliver newspapers?!"
Looking at himself completely soaked, Asai Yu couldn't help complaining.
Meanwhile, Togawa Sakiko, comfortably tucked away inside the body, was having a much easier time. She'd originally wanted to throw out a few sarcastic remarks, but considering he might snap, she wisely stayed quiet.
"Let's quit this part-time job," Asai Yu said flatly.
"Absolutely not!"
Togawa Sakiko immediately shouted him down.
"If we lose this income, watashi—"
At that moment, Asai Yu finally understood the true meaning of "it's easy to talk when you're not the one standing there."
He was here to experience a good life—not to suffer!
To be honest, Asai Yu felt a sudden urge to go back, crack open that middle-aged bastard's secret stash, make him vomit out gold coins, beat him up again, then return to the Togawa household and enjoy a refined aristocratic life.
It was doable.
But doing it now would be rushing things. This required a gradual approach.
Not that he wouldn't do it—just not yet.
Still, when it came to part-time jobs, Asai Yu had no intention of compromising with Togawa Sakiko. This one had to be replaced with something better.
Finally, the last newspaper was delivered.
[Part-Time Job Boost Lv.1 (5/100)]
Five experience points gained. Looks like just working part-time increased EXP.
[Hourly wage: 1,500 yen]
[Stored in system. Available for withdrawal at any time]
Seeing the blue system text, Asai Yu was pleasantly surprised.
Normally, wages were paid on fixed dates—but with him, it was settled hourly. How considerate.
With the newspapers done, Togawa Sakiko also felt relieved. At least this job was safe—for now.
"Next up is the next part-time job…"
Hearing that, Asai Yu's mouth twitched.
"What next part-time job? At this hour, shouldn't we be going to school?"
"I… haven't been in a long time…"
Togawa Sakiko muttered softly.
"Working part-time isn't more important than studying," Asai Yu said.
"And a young lady from a noble family like you should be learning social etiquette—things like incense, tea, and conversation."
"They don't teach that at school! And I'm not some noble lady anymore!"
Togawa Sakiko shot back fiercely.
"Anyway, hurry up and go to the next job!"
What, am I really being used like a workhorse now?
Asai Yu shook his head.
"Half a day of work is more than enough to support you. As for that middle-aged guy—he won't starve. Ignore him."
"At your age, studying properly is what matters."
This time, his tone was heavier—unquestionable.
Out of a hundred kids who drop out of middle school to work, maybe one ever amounts to anything.
"B-But…"
Togawa Sakiko was pressed down by his presence. Her voice grew much quieter. She knew he had a point—but still wanted some say.
"Control of this body is mine right now. How these twelve hours are used is my decision."
Asai Yu gave her no chance to argue.
After a few seconds of silence, Togawa Sakiko sighed.
"…Fine."
This guy was annoying—but he was also surprisingly responsible. The unease in her heart eased considerably.
She suggested,
"Let's go back and take a shower first. Then we'll go to school."
A shower?
Right—after all, in Togawa Sakiko's eyes, he wasn't a man. Just her second personality.
"No problem," Asai Yu replied.
She suggested it herself—had nothing to do with him.
After a short trip, Asai Yu returned to the shabby rental apartment. The middle-aged man wasn't home—who knew where he was out drinking.
He quickly took a shower and changed into a fresh school uniform, his mood gradually settling.
He had to admit— Togawa Sakiko's figure was genuinely nice.
And that face.
Standing in front of the mirror, Asai Yu looked at "himself," gently pinched the soft, pale cheeks with both hands, and quietly admired them for a moment.
Sky-blue twin-tails. Amber-gold eyes.
And a face that made it hard to look away.
No wonder she was called "Succubus Sakiko."
That said, maybe because he was the one controlling the body, staring at it didn't really stir anything special.
"There's nothing to look at. Hurry up and go to school."
Togawa Sakiko had no idea what he was staring at and urged him anxiously.
Hearing that, Asai Yu didn't linger any longer. He grabbed his bag and headed toward Tsukinomori Girls' Academy.
Along the way, a rather serious question crossed his mind.
At school… should he go to the bathroom?
They were all girls' restrooms—wouldn't that be kind of bad?
"Oh, right. What should I call you?"
Togawa Sakiko interrupted his train of thought.
"Just call me Yu."
It was just a name. Asai Yu didn't really care.
"Yu… huh…"
Togawa Sakiko felt it was a little strange, but didn't dwell on it.
Before long, Asai Yu arrived at Tsukinomori Girls' Academy.