"Akane, you're completely soaked... You should head back and change your clothes immediately."
One of the girls spoke up, her voice laced with concern.
Tachibana Akane looked down at her drenched clothing. Since it was currently autumn, she wasn't wearing very many layers to begin with.
Her long-sleeved T-shirt was now entirely transparently clinging to her skin, vividly outlining her magnificent, graceful curves.
Fortunately, at the very least, the fabric itself hadn't become entirely see-through.
"Alright, as long as you all are safe, then everything is fine."
Seeing that the situation had stabilized, Hayashi immediately prepared to take his leave.
It seemed his plan to die today was officially a bust. Furthermore, with all these girls standing around watching him, it was practically impossible for him to stage another dramatic suicide attempt by jumping back into the river.
"Wait a moment..."
Right then, Tachibana Akane hurriedly stepped forward, blocking Hayashi's path.
"Uh... Is there something else you need?"
Hayashi blinked innocently, putting on his best harmless face.
Was this girl actually going to demand some kind of compensation or something?
Even though she had only fallen into the water because of his own reckless actions, the cold, hard reality was that he currently didn't possess a single cent to his name.
Tachibana Akane reached out and gently took the shivering, rescued puppy from her companion's arms. "Um... you were the one who saved it. Do you have any plans to adopt it?"
Hayashi was instantly struck by a wave of pure, unadulterated shock. "I'm pretty sure there isn't a single law in the Federation that says you're legally obligated to adopt every animal you save, right?"
Akane's fair face instantly flushed a brilliant shade of crimson. Hayashi's blunt wording immediately reminded her of the undeniable fact that he had just personally saved her from the river as well.
"No, no, no... that's not what I meant at all! But this poor little puppy is just so pitiful... it fell into the freezing water and has no one to look after it. If it doesn't get proper medicine and care, it'll likely fall extremely ill."
She explained, her voice filled with genuine worry.
"As a matter of fact... if it were truly possible, I would really love to adopt it myself. However, we're all current students over at the nearby Metropolitan Institute of Technology, and the university has an incredibly strict policy forbidding pets in the dormitories."
Akane explained further, her expression growing increasingly dejected.
Hayashi scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "But... I can't even afford to keep myself alive, let alone a dog. Honestly, I'm currently a jobless, broke ghost. I can't afford expensive dog food, and I definitely don't have the money to take it to a vet. At most, the best I could offer it is a rudimentary cardboard box to sleep in."
He spoke with complete sincerity and brutal honesty. That much, at least, was a total, unvarnished truth.
A man who couldn't even afford to feed himself trying to raise a dog? Wouldn't that just be a slow, cruel death sentence for the poor little pup?
"I see."
A faint, understanding smile suddenly graced Akane's lips. "How about this then? I'll personally cover all of the medical bills and buy all of its dog food. In exchange, would you be willing to adopt it on my behalf?"
Hayashi froze for a second. His eyes drifted down to the tiny puppy, which at that exact moment seemed to instinctively sense something and began wagging its tail with joyous, infectious energy. "Woof! Woof!"
"Well... I guess that's okay?"
Hayashi answered, his voice dripping with uncertainty.
"Then I'm counting on you!" Akane beamed, gently passing the shivering puppy over to him.
Hayashi carefully accepted the tiny animal into his arms.
"By the way, my name is Tachibana Akane. May I ask what your name is?"
"Hayashi Aoyama."
"Speaking of which, this little puppy doesn't even have a formal name yet..."
Another one of the girls chimed in, sounding thoughtful.
"Yeah. Akane, why don't you come up with a good name for it?"
Yet another girl suggested enthusiastically.
Akane shook her head and turned her gaze back toward Hayashi. "Mr. Aoyama... you were the one who saved its life, and you'll be the one providing it with a home from now on. I think it would be most appropriate if you were the one to give it a name."
Hayashi stared down at the tiny puppy for a long moment, lost in thought. Finally, he spoke with a hint of uncertainty, "In that case... why don't we call it... Pochita?"
"Woof! Woof!" The puppy seemed incredibly satisfied with its new name, responding with an energetic bark.
"Pochita? That sounds like such a bizarre name..." The girls all made slightly confused faces.
However, none of them voiced any serious objections.
"Now then... let's first take Pochita to see a veterinarian and then pick up some high-quality dog food."
Akane stated decisively.
"But Akane... your clothes are still completely soaked..."
One of the girls pointed out, sounding hesitant.
"I'll just stop at the nearby shopping center and buy a new change of clothes. You too, Mr. Aoyama. Your clothes are also drenched, so you should come along and get a fresh set as well."
Akane said casually as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
In that instant, Hayashi realized one indisputable fact: this gorgeous girl named Tachibana Akane absolutely had a literal gold mine for a family!
Otherwise, how could she possibly be so incredibly generous and nonchalant about spending money?
Dammit, was she really one of those ultimate "life winners" blessed with wealth, status, and stunning looks?
Encountering a life winner like this was truly...
"Mr. Aoyama? What do you think? Hello?"
Seeing that Hayashi hadn't responded, Akane asked again out of genuine curiosity.
"Great! I have absolutely no objections whatsoever!"
Hayashi replied, flashed her a polite, charming smile.
Meeting a life winner like this was actually fantastic!
He was practically tempted to become Tachibana Akane's dog himself!
Being the pampered pet of someone as amazing as Miss Akane... that surely had to be the height of pure, unadulterated happiness!
...
And just like that, Hayashi followed Tachibana Akane and her group of friends to a nearby massive shopping mall to pick out a fresh set of dry clothes.
Following that, they made their way to a nearby premium pet clinic for a check-up for Pochita, bought a generous supply of high-end dog food, and even got the pup its necessary vaccinations. They also picked out a sturdy leash, a comfortable pet bed, and several cans of delicious wet food.
As if all of that weren't enough, Hayashi even received a bonus "feeding" from Akane, which was a large, refreshing cup of premium milk tea.
Miss Akane truly was a definitive life winner. When she swiped her card to pay for everything, she didn't even bother to glance at the total on the receipts!
By the time they finished all of their errands, the afternoon was already drawing to a close.
Gazing at the late hour, Akane spoke up, "Alright, Mr. Aoyama, it's about time for us to head back to the university."
"Yes! Miss Akane! Thank you for all of your hard work today!"
Hayashi replied, carrying several large shopping bags filled with pet supplies.
Akane gave him a slightly strange look before adding, "However, I'd like to quickly see where you live. That way, it'll be easier for me to visit and check in on Pochita in the future."
She reached out and gently stroked Pochita, who was comfortably nestled in Hayashi's arms. The puppy responded by affectionately Nuzzling its head against Akane's slender, elegant fingers.
Akane's eyes narrowed slightly in pure, unadulterated bliss.
"Absolutely no problem at all, Miss Akane!"
Hayashi naturally agreed without a moment's hesitation. After being generously fed that cup of milk tea by Akane, he was effectively her most loyal, obedient follower now.
"In that case, you guys should head back first. I'm going to follow Mr. Aoyama to his apartment."
Akane turned and spoke to her group of friends.
"Well... alright then."
Her companions voiced no major objections.
Akane and Hayashi exited the mall and formally parted ways with the rest of her friends.
The two of them, accompanied by the energetic puppy, slowly made their way back toward Hayashi's cramped rental apartment.
When they arrived, the landlord stared in absolute, stunned silence as he watched Hayashi return home with an incredibly beautiful girl trailing behind him.
"Aoyama... Is this a friend of yours?"
"Yes, Uncle Tanaka!"
Hayashi replied cheerfully. "By the way, Pochita is going to be living here with me from now on. Raising a dog in the rental units is allowed, right?"
The landlord looked down at the tiny Pochita in Hayashi's arms. "It's fine. As long as your dog doesn't disturb any of the other tenants or accidentally hurt anyone, I have no issues with it."
"Of course! Pochita would never do anything like that!"
Hayashi promised with complete confidence.
Pochita seemed to understand and barked in agreement. "Woof! Woof!"
"Well, I'll be. This little dog seems remarkably human-like."
The landlord remarked, soundly genuinely surprised.
"It really does, doesn't it? Pochita is a truly good boy."
Hayashi chuckled sheepishly.
After finishing his brief conversation with the landlord, he led Akane up to his small, rundown rental apartment.
"Mr. Aoyama... do you really live here?"
Akane asked, her voice filled with unconcealed curiosity as she took in her surroundings.
(End of Chapter)
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]
T/N: Pochita (波奇塔) - A direct reference to the iconic character from 'Chainsaw Man'.
T/N: Life Winner (人生赢家) - A common local slang term referring to individuals who seem to have reached the pinnacle of success in terms of wealth, status, and personal appearance.
T/N: Metropolitan Institute of Technology (魔都理工大学) - A localized name for the university.