"Where should we go first?"
Together with Caroline, we arrived in the center of the city. Today we are going shopping. Specifically, we are buying things needed for school.
"Bank. I don't want to carry this case with me."
"Then let's go."
She started to walk in the opposite direction of which we came. Of course, I followed her from behind.
"I am surprised."
"About what?"
"You dressed up decently."
She is right. Currently I am wearing the pants and white dress shirt from the suit I wore yesterday.
The real reason why I am dressed like this is because I forgot my clothes in the car.
"I can tell it to you too. You look good."
She also has different clothes from her usual woman suit. Today she is dressed in a white blouse and maroon skirt, while she has let her hair down.
"T-Thanks."
Wait, won't we look like a couple on a date to others? No, more likely we would look like siblings.
That's for the better, I like women with ample bosoms either way. So basically she can never catch my eyes.
"Ai! What was that for!?"
Out of nowhere she again pinched my side, while looking coldly at me.
"...You thought of something rude, didn't you?"
What the fuck? Is this really a thing? Is a woman's intuition really that strong?
"No, what are you talking about?"
"..."
Despite saying that, she still looks at me coldly. She didn't buy it, didn't she?
Another mental mark taken. Never think about her petite body near her.
"AI! Alright! I'll stop!"
I feel that today will be a long day.
***
"Good morning. How can I help you?"
"Hello, I'd like to open a bank account and deposit some money."
"Sure. Please fill this paper. And if you don't mind, can I please scan you?"
"Of course."
Luckily today the bank was quite empty, so my turn came really quickly. When my turn came, Caroline went to another room. Apparently, she also needed to come here as an Academy's representative.
The paper I was given contained simple questions of how I would like to access my money and such. Without hesitation, I chose the option card and withdrawals.
"Ren Ivanov, alright. As you are still underage we need your guardian to sign papers together with you."
"I-Is that so?"
And here is the problem. In this world I am an orphan, my parents don't exist here. Or maybe they are alive, only I haven't met them yet.
But it's useless to think about it now. I need someone now.
"She is currently doing her own business in another room. So, if it wouldn't be hard for you, you can take her signature when she finishes."
"We can do that. Can you please name that person?"
"Caroline Demara."
"...Hm? I do apologize, did you say Caroline Demara?
"Yes? What's the problem?"
"Are you referring to the Vice-Principal of Atlas Academy?"
"Yes. The one and only Caroline Demara."
"...Please wait a minute."
With these words he left me alone in the room. I suppose he went to check it himself. Well, she will sign it anyways. If she brought me here that means, she knew that to open a bank account I need a guardian.
I refuse to believe that she actually wouldn't know about it.
"Thank you for waiting."
He came back sooner than I thought, and like I thought he got her signature. Now I am officially under her care for 3 years. Take good care of me, Caroline.
"How much would you like to deposit?"
"3,450 gold coins."
"3-3,450!?"
If he made such an expression just from the number, what would he do if I opened the case I brought with myself. Nope, nevermind.
"W-W-What? Where did you get this kind of money!?"
I did open it revealing it all. Somehow I wanted to flex a little bit. Not everyday you have such money in a case.
"You don't have to know."
"I-I apologize. Then I'll start to count."
After another 20 minutes, I finally left the room with a bank card. It was similar to my previous card from the previous world and I assume it works the same.
Caroline had already finished her own business and was waiting for me in the lobby.
"You took the role of my guardian. Who am I to you now? Son? Brother?"
"Don't say disgusting things. I told you that you are a son of my late friend. We took care of you."
"Not a bad excuse… Alright, enough about that. Now we are going to buy necessities, right?"
"Before that, don't you need belongings for daily life?"
"Like?"
"Phone, clothes… things like that."
"True. But can't we just do everything at the same time? We are going to the shopping center either way."
"...I suppose."
Alright, let's go shopping.
***
"Hmmmmm…"
"What are you thinking so much about?"
"I can't decide which I should take."
"Shouldn't we call a vendor?"
"Why? They are like bugs. Whenever you are in the shop, they'll come to you."
If you come to buy something or not, they'll be near you.
"Can I help you with something?"
And here he is.
"Yes, I'd like to buy a phone."
It's not a big surprise that phones are as important as on Earth. Mostly everything is the same.
"Excellent. Can I know what kind of phone you want?"
"Good battery, plays music and can do the basic things."
I have never really used phones or any other technology. Mainly I used it to chat with friends and play music when I worked and worked out.
"Then, I'll suggest this model to you. It has everything you need and more. Music has better quality and videos too. Also the camera is sharper and overall effectiveness is one of the best."
Somehow it resembles an Iphone. No, it is an Iphone.
"Ren, this is a good phone. I have this model."
"Yes. This model also is very popular among teenagers."
"And how much does it cost?"
"650 silver coins."
Like I thought, that's just throwing away money uselessly.
"Nope. Too expensive."
"Are you an idiot? You say it with your fortune?"
"Listen. Rich people don't spend their money for nothing. This phone… it doesn't have such value for me to give that kind of money."
"T-Then what would you like to get?"
"That one doesn't look bad."
From the start I was looking at it. It may look old, small and doesn't have a good style, but it's tough. It's a phone people call a rugged phone.
Also it costs 210 silver coins. In the description it is written that it has a high quality battery. I am sure that it's enough for me.
"B-But dear customer, that's one of the oldest and there are no more updates for it."
"Then does that mean there will be no more upgrades that will worsen the phone? Sounds good to me."
My previous phone was enough. One day everything works and after an update problems occur. Not only for phones but also computers. Fucking hate it.
"A-Alright, then what do you sa-"
"Before you continue. I will not take any accessories, I don't need a case and I don't need insurance."
I will not fall for this trick twice. You will not fool me, you money sucking machine.
"A-Are you sure? What if-"
"Don't need it and will not change my mind."
"A-Alright."
Somehow my words made him sad. Even when he left us next to the cash register, he looked down. Is he really that upset?
"Why didn't you take insurance? It's not that bad, you know. You can get another phone if you break it or someone steals it."
"Firstly, Atlas academy attends ordinary people who have phones. Also no one would steal an old model. Secondly, it won't break that easily. If, of course, I will not use it for hammering."
"...You have a point."
Vendor soon came back with a box for the phone. In the end he once again tried to convince me to change my mind, but unfortunately for him I didn't give in.
With that, I made my first purchase with my card.
"Well let's take a look."
Immediately after leaving the electronics shop I took the phone and charger out of the box and placed it in my pocket. The box itself I threw out in the nearest trash bin.
"Is there any app needed in the academy?"
"Not really. Maybe something to make a class chat group, but that depends on the teachers."
"Then…"
Apparently this phone also has something like an app store. And applications are also the same.
Don't tell me that it also has my accounts. If it really is the case then I am terrified. That would mean this world isn't as simple as I thought it was.
"Where can I find the internet? I need to download some apps."
"Oh, let me give it to you."
"Thank you."
First thing first, I will really check if my accounts still exist. Quickest way is through the browser.
"Thank God…"
"What's the matter?"
"No. Everything is fine now."
My email wasn't found. I don't want to imagine what would happen if it was found. No need to think if it didn't happen.
"Now I got everything I need."
"Then we can move on, right? You still have lots to buy."
"Right, but before that. Can we exchange numbers?"
"Yes, we should."
And like this I have gotten my first contact and to make it better it's a woman's phone.
"How does it feel to have a girl's phone as your first contact?"
"To be honest, it feels amazing. It's like I bought a phone with my girlfriend and saved her as my first."
"Is that so?"
"So can I consider you as my first girlfriend?"