Chapter 129 The Man Who Shows the Difference in Status
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Even after that, Ami-chan’s Demonic Eye¹ didn’t activate in Japan, and I continued to spend my part-time job hours in peace. A week has already passed since I came back here. Today is Friday.
I’ve already purchased things like rice through mail order and stored them in my Treasure Trove². It wouldn’t be a problem no matter when I return to the other world.
In the evening, Reika appeared at my workplace after finishing her classes. We spent time together in the supply room, making it look like I was just working the rest of my shift while we were being intimate. Then, she told me something shocking.
”Eh…!? Wh-What did you just… say…!?” I asked.
”I’m talking about the vitality enhancers. If you can deliver them in units of 100, I’ll buy them for 5,000 yen each,” Reika said.
”……!”
That’s right. Reika’s grandfather had finally put a price on the vitality enhancers.
Apparently, on the premise that I can prepare a certain bulk amount, he’s willing to buy them.
I mean, 5,000 yen for one!? If I sell 100, that’s 500,000 yen!?
”It seems he let a few people use the samples… No side effects even with continuous short-term use, and they’re fast-acting. For some reason, the volume doesn’t decrease either, so they received a very high evaluation,” Reika explained.
Ah… true. Since seminal fluid is produced immediately after drinking it, the volume wouldn’t decline…
”It’s different from Viagra. It makes staying up all night… and things like that possible. My grandfather was very excited, saying these will sell particularly well to wealthy people,” Reika said.
”I… I see…” I replied.
I wonder… if the old man tried them himself…
But I certainly don’t have 100 of them in my Treasure Trove. Besides, even though I have some leeway with Resource Points³, it’s not like I have so many that I can just use them for fun yet.
Though once the North Farm is complete, the situation will probably change. Anyway, to create them in units of 100, it’ll take a little more time…
And taking out that much volume outside my territory consumes a considerable amount of Resource Points. Either way, it’s impossible right now.
”If that’s the case, I’ll make a large batch by the next time I come to Japan,” I said.
”I understand. The condition is cash payment on the spot, right? I’ll pass that along to my grandfather. Could you wait a moment?” Reika asked.
Saying so, Reika took out her smartphone and stepped away. She’s probably going to talk to her grandfather about the delivery schedule right away.
”Still, 500,000 yen for 100… If this goes well, will I be able to get money without even working a part-time job…?” I muttered.
”Isn’t that great~? I was thinking of various ways to make money too, but I didn’t think Reika’s grandfather would be so useful~,” Ami-chan said.
This is bad. Even though I just finished having sex with Reika, I’m getting really excited. From now on, every time I come to Japan, a large sum of money will come rolling in…!?
Besides, there’s a possibility that Reika’s grandfather will continue to buy rare things from the other world in the future. I’ve got to keep raising my Quester⁴ level and increase the things I can create…!
”Oh!? Is it really you, Shimizu!?”
”Eh…”
I jumped at the sudden calling of my name. When I looked up, two men were standing in front of me.
I recognized one of them. Or rather, it was Morisaki, who introduced me to this part-time job. It’s been a few years since we met in person, but he was one of my few friends in high school. I recognized his face.
Morisaki had a slightly troubled expression. He also seemed to be looking at me somewhat apologetically.
In contrast, I didn’t recognize the person next to him at all.
”Umm…?” I asked.
”What, you don’t remember me? You’re a lonely guy! I recognized you right away! It’s Shinya, Shinya Fujiki!” Shinya said.
”………!”
Shi… Shinya…! This guy…! He’s the one who was talking so proudly about earning a million a month in real estate sales during an SNS group call before…!
Of course, we barely spoke in high school. Since we weren’t particularly close, I had naturally forgotten his face.
”Wh… Why are you…” I muttered.
”I heard from Morisaki. But… I heard, you know~? You’re working part-time here now? What happened? Did your previous workplace go bankrupt?” Shinya asked.
”Umm… well…” I stammered.
”Hey hey hey hey, there’s no way you’ve been unemployed ever since you graduated high school, right!? How many years has it been since then? Surely you must have found a job at some company at least once, right~? Well? How was it? What kind of company was it and what did you do? Let me hear a bit,” Shinya said.
He’s really pushing…! Is this the pressure of real estate sales…!?
I mean, this guy…! He’s definitely asking because he knows I haven’t found a job!
Morisaki had a completely troubled expression. But he opened his mouth to try and change the subject.
”Umm… we’re going to have a class reunion soon… so, I was asked about Shimizu…” Morisaki said.
”Yeah, yeah! So I came to see you directly as a representative of our classmates! You and Kyoya are the only ones who haven’t shown your faces at the reunions, you know? Kyoya is coming to the next one too. Hey, Shimizu. You come too,” Shinya said.
I absolutely don’t want to…! Why would I show up at a place where I know I’ll just be used for status signaling…!
”No… I’m…” I started.
”You’re coming, right? If you don’t come after this, you really can’t read the room,” Shinya said.
Like I care!? In the first place, I don’t want to read any unnecessary air for former classmates. I wish they’d stop applying this meaningless peer pressure too.
”By the way, what are you really doing here? Are you seriously living off part-time work this whole time? Don’t you have a girlfriend or anything?” Shinya asked.
”Umm… well…” I replied.
”I’m working in real estate sales now. I’m busy every day, but it’s fulfilling, you know? How should I put it? My clients trust me, so they keep introducing other clients to me. My evaluation from the company is high too. And for someone in a sales position like me, that evaluation directly reflects on my salary. Just recently, I went over a million for the monthly amount,” Shinya bragged.
Even though I didn’t ask, the ‘adult-member-of-society’ and annual income status signaling has begun…! I feel like I’m going to die from the stress…!
Damn it…! You’re probably only able to tell that story to someone like me who you can easily brag to anyway…! Even though you have nothing to boast about except for what kind of company you work for and how much your annual income is…!
Ah… no. Is that something an adult member of society can sufficiently boast about…? Dammit…!
”If you’re interested, I can pull some strings so you can work as a salesman at my company, you know? Though, because my company pays well, incompetent people won’t be able to stay long~. There’s a reward for working hard, but whether you can do the job depends on you, right?” Shinya said.
So annoying…! That offer, if I refuse, he’ll go around saying, “Even though I went to the trouble of inviting him, he ran away because he had no confidence in his own abilities! A guy with no guts to even try!” And if I accept, he already knows I won’t last in sales and will quit the company immediately anyway…!
And then, when I quit, he’ll surely soak in the pleasure, saying, “He really was a guy with no sales sense or backbone. But I’m amazing for being able to earn money there!”
Ah, this is bad. It’s been a while since I’ve felt like I’m going to explode from super stress.
”How about it, Shimizu. You probably haven’t decided on your next job yet anyway, right? Then come to our place. Unexpectedly, you might have an aptitude for real estate sales, you know?” Shinya asked.
”Ah… no…” I muttered.
”You won’t know unless you try. Hey…” Shinya pushed.
”Oh. Isn’t that Fujiki-san?”
A familiar woman’s voice was heard from the side. When I turned my head, Reika was standing there.
”Eh…!? Ah, the young lady from the Miyakuji family…!?” Shinya stammered.
”Yes. I didn’t expect to meet you in such a place,” Reika said.
Eh… eh…? Wh-What does this mean…?
Shinya had completely changed from before, straightening his back and standing at attention.
”Reika… eh, you know him?” I asked.
”Yes. He’s a real estate person who often comes in and out of our house. My grandfather has investment apartment rooms here and there…” Reika explained.
Words that sounded very rich just casually came out. I mean, don’t tell me… Reika’s grandfather is Shinya’s important client…!?
Reika looked away from Shinya and entwined her arm with mine. I thought about being in public… but come to think of it, Reika was the type of young lady who would normally hug me in front of people anyway.
However, even Morisaki and Shinya were wide-eyed at Reika’s actions.
”Shoichi. About that matter from earlier… grandfather told me to be sure to give you his best regards. He seems to be expecting a lot from you,” Reika said.
”Ah… r-really…” I replied.
”Yes. He said if you have the quantity, he’d be willing to pay even 10 million yen,” Reika added.
Eh… amazing… So he’d normally buy 2,000 vitality enhancers…
”Fufu… I’m happy I could be of help to you, Shoichi. By the way, are those two acquaintances of yours?” Reika asked.
”Ah—… well… classmates, I guess…” I said.
”Oh, I see. Fujiki-san. Unless you have business more important than a negotiation with the Miyakuji family, could I ask you to leave right away? Since Shoichi’s time was originally given to me,” Reika said coldly.
”O-Of course! My apologies! Please give my regards to Master Miyakuji! Well then!” Shinya exclaimed.
Saying so, Shinya pulled Morisaki’s arm and beat a hasty retreat.
”That person is always bowing and scraping so much at our house…” Reika noted.
”I see…” I said.
Unintentionally, I ended up showing my connection with the Miyakuji family, a major client.
I mean, what should I do. Even though I’m totally in the position of a fox borrowing the tiger’s authority, this feels so good…! I feel like I’m going to climax from being able to signal status that I’m closer to the Miyakuji family than he is…
I think my Ego Points⁵ are probably accumulating like crazy right now. So this is what it feels like to show off status as an adult… I’ve somehow come to understand the feeling of wanting to act big…
Also, I’m going to make a lot of vitality enhancers.
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Summary:
Reika’s grandfather offers a high price for Shoichi’s vitality enhancers, leading to a massive potential windfall. While at work, Shoichi is confronted by an arrogant former classmate, Shinya, who tries to look down on him for his part-time status. Reika intervenes, revealing that Shinya is actually a low-level associate dealing with her wealthy family. Shinya is forced to retreat in shame, leaving Shoichi feeling a massive surge of ego-driven satisfaction.
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Character Insight:
This chapter highlights Shoichi’s deep-seated insecurity regarding his social standing in Japan compared to his power in the other world. His ‘Ego Points’ are usually tied to sexual conquest, but here he experiences a different kind of validation through social hierarchy and ‘borrowed’ status. Reika’s effortless dominance over Shinya reinforces her role not just as a lover, but as a powerful patron who protects Shoichi’s pride in the ‘real’ world.
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Behind the Scene:
The ‘Vitality Enhancer’ business represents a major shift in the story’s economy, moving from small-scale survival to high-level commerce. Shinya Fujiki serves as a classic ‘mob’ character trope used in Japanese web novels to facilitate a ‘status reversal’ (ざまぁ – zamaa) moment, which is highly popular among readers.
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T/L:
Notes:
• Ami – A palm-sized fairy-like being from a world separate from both Earth and the isekai realm. She has light blue hair tied in a ponytail, mischievous blue eyes, and tiny wings that flutter behind her. Her outfit consists of a provocative high-cut leotard and a short jacket that looks like a miniskirt from the back, leaving her legs bare. Despite her playful appearance, she is actively searching for a contractor who can protect her from dangerous pursuers in exchange for the powers she offers.
• Reika – A beautiful high school kendo student who is engaged to ‘The Handsome’ for what seems like familial or arranged reasons. She is a ‘guarded’ beauty. Sha has long black hair, intense eyes, and wearing kendo uniform.
• Morisaki – A former high school friend of Shou’s who is now a successful civil servant. He contacts Shou after speaking with Shou’s brother, offering a legitimate job. His success is a source of humiliation for Shou.
• Shinya – A former classmate of the protagonist, now a salaryman who believes his life path (university, job) is the only correct one. He derives satisfaction from looking down on those who failed, like the protagonist.
• Kyoya – The smartest guy in Seikyo High School back then.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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