"Hoh~ Is that so..."
"Yes, would that be possible?"
"Of course it is. As long as you're not using the money for bad things, your parents will most likely agree with that request."
"I see..."
"Is that all you've called me for?"
"Ah yes, thank you very much, Uncle Ken."
"Ahahahaha, don't worry about it boy."
"Yes, see you soon, uncle Ken."
"Yeah, see you soon."
Finally, the call ended. It seems like my negotiations were successful. And now, the only thing I can do is lay down and relax till tomorrow. How? Of course, by playing games on my PC.
But as I was booting up my PC, I heard the door behind me open. It was Sayuri.
"It's been a while since I've heard nii-san speak properly like that."
"Well, of course, it's a serious matter after all."
"Uhuh."
"And so, why did you eavesdrop on our conversation?"
"Can't I? You also did it on Sakurai's call, you know?"
"I think you meant to say we"
I told Sayuri as I played around with my PC. She continued to approach me and sat down on a chair and just shrugged off my comment.
"Pff, whatever. So? Why do you want to hire Sakurai suddenly?"
"Oh? I didn't expect you to actually use your brain."
"Oh please, unlike our mother, I can use my brain somewhat."
"...She'll be furious with you if she heard that, you know?"
"Yeah yeah, just go answer my question, nii-san."
"Fine."
Although I was still shocked by the sudden display of intellect by my sister, I began to explain why I wanted to hire Sakurai.
"Oi, are you talking trash about me in your inner monologue?"
"Nope, but anyway, let's get back to our topic at hand. You see, I have a theory."
"Go on."
"Yeah, I'll get to it. Why are you so impatient... Ahem Anyhow, first of all, I need you to tell me if you know how me and Sakurai actually met."
"Well, Fumiko-san told me that you guys met in the rain..."
"That's all she told you?"
"Yup."
"... This is going to take a while to explain then."
"Take your time my brother."
For some reason, she took a bowing posture as she said those words. But after that, I then told my sister about the events that happened between us. From how I saw her getting fired to how she slept in this house.
"So basically...you saw her getting fired outside the rain and just stood there awkwardly for a few minutes until you finally approached her."
"Yup."
"And after that, you got sick, and she felt guilty so she tried taking care of you but you took care of her instead."
"Mmhm."
"And then you just kept taking care of her afterwards to the point you guys got close enough to watch anime and for her to sleep with someone like you in the same house?"
"Yes, but I have some problems with how you worded that..."
I told her, but it seems like she ignored me as she kept talking as if I didn't mutter a single word after she said that.
"Your relationship is weird..."
"I think so too..."
"Hah…, so? What's your theory?"
"Well, considering how empty her apartment was and how we heard them talking about a hospital, I believe that her family is not doing well financially."
Sayuri then clapped about my observations.
"Oh, as expected of my nii-san. Being alone and observing people every day because you had no one to talk to sure is useful in situations like this."
"…Did you really have to go into detail with that one?" I responded, but it seems like she just ignored my response as she continued.
"So? Is that the only reason you're hiring her?"
"Well, no, of course not. I want Sakurai because she's genuinely talented at drawing."
"Is that so…"
"Here, take a look at this."
I then showed Sayuri a picture that I took that had Sakurai's drawing in it when she was sick and I made her soup.
"Eh?! She made this?!"
It seems like Sayuri was also shocked at how good the illustration Sakurai made was.
"Yup, that's why I want to hire her, you see."
"…Well, I guess that makes sense… So? how much is going to be her salary?"
"Hmm... Most likely, 250,000 yen..."
"WHA?!"
"Don't shout, it hurts my ears."
"What do you mean don't shout?! 250 thousand yen?! How can I stay silent after hearing that?!"
"Oh shut up, it's an appropriate salary for her work, you know?"
Illustrators should get at least that much. No, actually, that amount isn't even enough for the quality of her works.
"Besides, how much do you get for your monthly allowance again?"
"...300,000 yen..."
"See? Can you really talk about her salary being too big when you get more money than her with your monthly allowance?"
"Ack!"
It seems like my words have dealt physical damage to Sayuri as she physically repelled from what I said.
Anyway, after that, I could only play on my PC for 30 minutes as Sayuri stayed in the library and I couldn't focus on my game. And so, after 30 minutes, I decided to head upstairs to my room instead.
But as I was leaving the library, I hear Sayuri saying something from my back.
"Hey, nii-san..."
"Hm?"
"...Take care of Fumiko-san, okay?"
"Why are you telling it to me like that? Am I her boyfriend or something?"
"..."
"But, don't worry. I'll make sure to take good care of her."
"...thanks."
"No problem. It's what any decent employer would do."
And with that, I left the room and went upstairs as I got ready for what is to come tomorrow.