Chapter 45: Sympathizing with a Shared Struggle
[Ding!]
[A side quest has been activated, which can be completed at your discretion, with no penalty for failure.]
[Nail Technician: Learn basic nail art skills.]
[Quest Reward: A light novel edition of "White Album 2," including all volumes and exquisite illustrations.]
Upon seeing the system prompt, Yuta felt that this task was optional. After all, now that he had good looks, he didn't need to rely on publishing light novels to earn money.
Isn't the income from writing light novels slower than going out and doing business?
Why write light novels when you can make a living with your looks?
However, Yuta still believed he should have more depth and substance. Later on, when Hina could say that her uncle was a writer, Yuta definitely didn't want her to think he relied solely on his looks.
So, even if writing light novels wasn't profitable, it was something he still wanted to pursue.
A nail salon it is, then...
With construction worker and printing worker experiences, adding nail technician won't hurt!
"Alright, I'll go!" Yuta said through gritted teeth, determinedly.
Aoi glanced at Yuta's expression and then nonchalantly looked ahead. "I'm not setting you up for trouble. There's no need to be so on guard. It's not like I'm asking you to work for free. The daily pay will definitely be higher than your restaurant job and much easier."
Yuta used to earn his living expenses on his own. Aoi must have learned about Yuta's situation from somewhere, though she clearly wasn't aware of his recent improvements.
Knowing Yuta was struggling, Aoi intended to bring him to her shop, giving her opportunities to spend more time with him.
If things went smoothly, even developing Yuta into the owner of a nail salon wasn't out of the question.
Yuta knew Aoi was genuinely trying to help. Initially, he thought Aoi was a difficult person to deal with, but now he saw that she wasn't like that at all.
Although she didn't talk much and often acted indifferent, she was someone who wore her likes and dislikes on her sleeve, making it easy to get along with her.
"Sorry, it's not like that. It's just that school is starting soon, so I might not be able to work for long," Yuta said, planning to work for just a couple of days and wanting to mention it in advance.
Yuta still had to take care of three children and handle many other matters, leaving him no time to develop in the nail salon. The last time he went to Aoi's house to help with chores, he left shortly after starting. If he quit the salon after another brief stint this time, he would feel embarrassed. So, he planned to work for two days before leaving.
Aoi's expression relaxed considerably as she earnestly said, "Your studies really shouldn't be neglected. Can't you hire a nanny to take care of those three children? I can help you with that. You should focus on your education; consider it a loan from me."
Yuta shook his head. "No need, I can take care of them myself. But you're right—I should earn more money and hire a maid to look after Hina!"
Aoi smiled casually and said, "I don't dislike your naivety."
Although said without a mocking tone, it sounded quite arrogant and ironic.
Yuta reclined in his seat, responding with a similarly casual attitude, "Naive or not, I don't think it's hopeless. Remember what we talked about before?"
Aoi thought for a moment, then turned sideways, reclining her seat slightly as she looked at Yuta.
"You mean the bet that if you made a lot of money within a year, I'd agree to call you 'daddy'? Sure, if you really want to hear it, I can call you 'daddy' right now."
Aoi's expression was sincere, not joking or blushing with embarrassment, just calmly observing Yuta.
"I'm calling you 'daddy' not because you're better than my father, but because you're handsome, and I don't mind doing it."
Aoi thought Yuta had some kind of complex, enjoying being called 'daddy',' which is why she went along with it.
Just like she said, Aoi didn't mind doing this.
Yuta was left speechless…
What was originally a straightforward bet turned into something entirely different?
He had been preparing to proudly announce how much money he'd earned in just a few days to curb Aoi's arrogance, but before he could even bring it up, she had already laid down.
"Daddy." Seeing Yuta remain silent, Aoi didn't mind. Staring at Yuta with innocent eyes like Hina, she lay there, calling out, "Daddy… Da Daddy…"
Ahhhhhhh!
Yuta looked at the woman lying in front of him, calling him "daddy." She was clearly older than him, and a moment ago, she had been so sharp, elegant, and dignified. How could she now be so calm, using innocent, adorable eyes, blushing as she called him "daddy"?
As Aoi continued to call him "daddy," she became more and more excited.
Yuta noticed Aoi's flushed face and the odd look in her eyes, realizing that something was definitely off with her!
Yuta struggled to speak, saying, "You're crazy!"
Aoi didn't mind displaying herself like this in front of Yuta, nor did she mind him saying such things about her. It seemed like both of them had something a bit off.
"Daddy~ you're crazy too… but I like it this way, daddy…"
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