Ding!
Oh, I seem to have completely forgotten.
"Hi"
"Boss, we have some latest news." A voice that sounded rushed.
I raised my head and looked around.
"Say it."
"There is a high level gate overload within the forbidden zone. It seems that the first line of resistance cannot be resisted."
"Where is the forbidden zone?"
"This time it's in North Asia-Eastern Europe and the central government seems to be keeping the news under wraps."
Forbidden zones were originally only a few zones that were uninhabitable for humans for various reasons, such as parts of South America and Africa.
But now
"North Asia-Eastern Europe is District 07RU, right? And District 86CN is at high risk."
"We don't know many details about combat zones but it is very likely that new laws regarding conscription will be drafted."
"This is good enough."
"The company's finances are a little difficult, but I can handle it."
"Money again?"
"Oh Boss, don't forget to read the message I sent you. Bye."
"Sure, thank you."
After hanging up the phone, I was about to check my messages. But a voice interrupted me.
"Why are you telling me that money is no problem?"
gulp
When I turned around, I saw her leaning against the wall.
"Umi?"
"..."
"I'm fine. Don't think too much."
"Kay"
"I'm not lying, believe me."
"Lunch is ready" Umi said and quietly left.
'You who should know me well but look at me like that'
sigh
Lunch is a simple menu. We buy ingredients from convenience stores.
"Delicious as always"
"Thanks, but Nate."
"Hm?"
"We need to seriously talk about spending money."
"okay"
This world is driven by a capitalist economic system or maybe socialism. In this world nothing is 100 percent. Each district may be different, but overall there is a central government that controls it. Everything has advantages and disadvantages.
But in my view, the capitalist economy has existed for a long time along with humans in every era. It may sound cruel, but everyone is born unequal and in this economy, no one is teaching us how to spend money. Most probably teach you how to save money.
I live in a family that isn't struggling financially but my parents aren't spoiling me. Umi and I were only 16 but they already let us earn money to take care of ourselves, but at least I have a house to live in. If I hadn't prepared many things, it would have been more difficult for me.
'I only talk about finances with my father. Mother doesn't know, hehe.'
"I have about 10,000 U" Umi said.
"Then why did you tell me you have about 6 months worth of money?"
"I don't know about the cost of living in this district."
"It would be around 1000 U a month if you don't have a place to live. I'm not sure."
"So we had enough money to cover our living expenses for longer than we thought."
"I have about..well 5000 U maybe 6000 U." I answered in a lie.
'Sorry, Umi.'
"The tuition at The Hexagon is about 1000 U per semester, right?"
"Yes"
"Um.. Academic program 3+3 The first three years shouldn't be too difficult for you if we both save money."
"Why do you act like you're...uh, nothing?"
"Tell me," Umi said suspiciously.
"It might be better if I don't tell you~"
'If I say it, it will definitely make us embarrassed. What can I say? Close friends or roommates probably won't share the money, right?'
To be honest, I'm not very smart, have many flaws, and keep a low profile. But what is the reason Umi wants to be close to me?
'Until now I don't understand.'
"Eh, call me sister~ Hehe."
Really innocent
"So what are we going to do this afternoon?" Umi asked as she took the dishes to wash.
"I will wash the dishes myself."
"um"
"This afternoon? I want to take a nap."
"Eh~ You already drank mocha coffee this morning, right?"
"Yes, but I still want to take a nap."
'I only slept on the plane for about 3 hours'
"If you're going anywhere, don't forget to leave a message for me."
"Heh, even if I don't tell you, you'll know where I am, right~"
"It's up to you..sigh."
"I wasn't planning on going anywhere alone, hehe~" Umi said as she walked towards the living room.
"You really are."
It didn't take me long to clean up and walk to the living room with a cup of tea, where Umi was currently watching TV.
"Anything interesting?"
Umi shrugged in response.
[District 61AU News]
- Counting down 6 days to the start of the new semester at The Hexagon. This year there are approximately 2000 new students from all over the world.
-This year there will be many impressive students despite exams being more difficult than previous years. Seeds of the future with a lot of potential to lead the next generation of people~
-I agree with you. The students who took the exam to enter The Hexagon this year had the highest overall average score in history. There were also some students who took the exam and got perfect scores in many subjects.
At that moment I almost choked on my tea.
'Ah, looks like I went a little overboard.'
"That's it. It seems like the person next to me is very smart" Umi said playfully.
"You who scored 475, which is a lot higher than me, must be a genius, haha."
"It's not fair to me."
"What is not fair?"
"Hmph, next time I won't lose to you."
"Hmm, when did you lose to me?"
"Go take a shower before taking a nap. There's dust on your head right now."
"I know~" I said as I left the teacup on the table.
***
While Nate went to take a shower, I was left alone in the living room.
Ding!
'Huh? Message?' But it didn't come from my cell phone. The sound came from the cell phone that Nate had left behind.
gulp
'Although I would like to know. But I won't peek!!'
So I continued to sip the tea that Nate had left behind while watching TV.
When I think back, Why am I in such an unstable mood today? It was so embarrassing that Nate thought I was whiny. The more I thought about it, the more embarrassed I became.
There are many things happening today. Really many things
Why would Nate lie to me? I don't understand. I thought we were just having this honest conversation. But I don't want to force him to speak.
'I should find something to do to pass the time.'
Oh, I'd better read the tutoring book in advance. This time I will definitely not lose to Nate.
The fire of competition burns in my heart.
Not much time had passed before Nate returned from his shower.
"You're so hardworking, Umi" Nate said, wiping his head dry.
"I'm free, so I'm looking for something to pass the time, hehe."
"That's good."
"Come sit here."
"Um " Nate sat where I told him to.
"Does it make you feel sleepy after taking a shower?" I asked as I grabbed a towel to dry Nate's hair.
"Hey, I can do it myself."
"No, I'll help."
"Fine"
While quietly wiping Nate's head, I decided to find something to talk about.
"There are about 6 days left before school starts. Do you have any plans?"
"Um, 6 days? I want to go to the supermarket because some of the things in this house aren't prepared. What about you?"
'It was an unexpected answer, but true to what Nate said.'
"Here, I'm done wiping. I agree this house is really missing a lot of things. But I also want to travel to various places around the city."
"Thank you. Traveling? It's interesting too. While I was napping, you thought of places you wanted to go."
"Are you going to nap here?"
"Um"
"Aren't you going to sleep in the bed on the second floor? It's free right now."
"That's your bed. And the sofa we're sitting on right now is soft and comfortable, plus we don't have to waste any money on electricity bills." A sleepy voice replied.
"If you're going to complain about the electric bill, why are you arguing with me? haha.."
"..Not yet.." A murmur that was so soft it could hardly be heard and the sound of steady breathing.
'Ahhh! What did I just say!!! '
"Phew, good thing Nate was asleep and couldn't hear."
Focus!
Focus!
Focu-.. Ahh, I can't concentrate at all!
"Why do you sleep so peacefully?" Normally, when Nate sleeps, his eyebrows furrow like he's having a bad dream. But when I saw that he was sleeping peacefully, he looked like a child.
I got up to wash my face. and hangs Nate's towels to dry
'I won't lose him.'
I still remember the sad mutterings he made in his sleep. At least I hope he slept well and that I could start paying attention to what was in front of me again.
.