SWNOVELXO Volume 1 Chapter 56 - The Correct Way to Use Money is to Donate it
“Look, look, Senpai! 900 million yen!”
Kaede-chan shows me her smartphone screen with a bright smile. But I’m already watching too.
“Do you like diamonds, Kaede-chan?”
“I love them! They shine forever!”
Note to self.
“But I really don’t know what to do with the money.”
“People who make 1 billion yen still drink canned beer with supermarket side dishes, after all.”
And live in a run-down apartment. It’s no different from when I was a salaried worker with a low income.
“But I have high-class hostess Kaede-chan.”
“Customer, shall I order some Dom Pérignon?”
“Order as much as you want.”
“Yay!”
Kaede-chan places the empty can on the table, stands up, and heads to the fridge. She returns with a bottle of Cassis and beer worth about 150 yen.
“Here you go, Senpai.”
Kaede-chan hands me my portion of the beer.
“Thanks. Seriously, what should we use the money for? I’ve already had crab.”
I’ve been a commoner all my life, so I have no idea.
“How about sushi in Ginza? You said you’d treat me.”
“Oh! Right, we should go sometime.”
“Yay!”
But really, it’s all about food, isn’t it?
“What do other people spend it on?”
“Clothes? Accessories? Cars?”
“I did buy clothes. This shirt cost 50,000 yen!”
“Um, it looks good, but I don’t feel the impact. How about adding another digit?”
Spend more than 100,000 yen on clothes? Wouldn’t it be better to buy armor?
“Well, I’m not really interested in fashion. I’d rather look at Kaede-chan’s cute clothes.”
Today’s knitwear is excellent! Kaede-chan’s body lines are beautiful!
“Please don’t say that while staring at my chest… This guy seems normal, but he’s quite drunk.”
I’m drunk, I’m drunk. Already in the double digits, huh?
“I’m kidding.”
“I know you’ve been sneaking glances even when you’re sober. Girls notice these things!”
Come to think of it, Saegi-san noticed too! Maybe I should wear sunglasses…
“I’ll be careful then.”
“It’s fine, actually. I wore this because I thought you’d like it.”
Kaede-chan says this and gulps down her Cassis. She’s also approaching her second set of ten.
“Are you going to buy clothes or something with the money you get from this auction, Kaede-chan?”
“I think I will, but I won’t be buying anything too expensive.”
“How about bags?”
“I already have a bag worth 50 million yen.”
Oh, right.
“Umm, maybe accessories…”
“How about buying a watch? You don’t wear one, do you?”
“I don’t like having extra stuff on my wrist. It dulls my senses when I swing a sword.”
“You talk like a master swordsman, yet you’re day-drinking.”
You shouldn’t say that.
“It’s just a feeling. In reality, wearing a watch wouldn’t make a difference.”
I was just trying to sound cool.
“So, what about a car? You do have a license, right?”
“It’s just a paper license.”
I wonder where I can practice driving?
“What about spending it on women, especially if you’re a guy? Like going to a hostess club.”
Hmm, hostess clubs, huh?
“When I first joined the company, a senior took me to a pretty high-end one.”
“How was it? Were all the women beautiful?”
She doesn’t sound jealous, just genuinely curious.
“They were beautiful and glamorous, but I didn’t know what to talk about.”
“Ah, Senpai, you’re not shy, but you’re not very talkative either.”
“I can talk to you, Kaede-chan.”
“Well, initially you didn’t talk at all. I thought you were a quiet person.”
Well, she’s not wrong. I don’t talk unless someone talks to me. I rarely initiate conversations with strangers.
“That’s why a place like a hostess club doesn’t suit me. It’s for people who want to talk.”
As for women, the only other option would be adult entertainment… Nah, let’s not go there.
“Seems like those options are off the table.”
“Besides, I have you, Kaede-chan. Talking to you is comforting and healing.”
“I feel so loved! How’s your heart? Are you feeling better?”
“Probably. I haven’t been waking up in the middle of the night recently, and I can eat normally.”
I used to skip meals on my days off.
“…Senpai, you’ve worked hard. That’s why God granted you alchemy.”
Kaede-chan says this tenderly, her face beaming with a compassionate smile.
Ah, shoot. I feel like crying.
“Kaede-chan, you’re starting to look like an angel. I want to hug you.”
Hearing this, Kaede-chan chugs her Cassis, sets the can on the floor, and spreads her arms wide, just like I did before.
“Free hugs available now!”
I set my beer on the floor and silently embrace Kaede-chan.
“Um, silence is kind of scary.”
“Sorry, sorry.”
To be honest, I want to take this to the next level. Kaede-chan probably wouldn’t say no, but this room isn’t the best setting.
“Senpai, you have money now, but don’t force yourself to spend it. Spend it when you want to.”
Kaede-chan pats my back.
“That’s true. Let’s go for sushi.”
“Let’s do it. Whether it’s sushi or barbecue, just eat what you like and live how you want.”
That sounds good.
“You should do the same, Kaede-chan.”
“I will. And I won’t spend a penny.”
“I have plenty of money.”
It’s 900 million yen! 1.8 billion for both!
“True… Now, could you please let go?”
“Just a bit longer.”
“Free hug time is over.”
“I’ll give you 1.8 billion yen.”
“No, seriously, I need to go to the bathroom…”
Actually, I need to go too. I’ve been drinking too much and now I have to go.
I immediately let go of Kaede-chan, who then heads to the bathroom.
When Kaede-chan returns from the bathroom and I also make a trip there and return, we continue to check the auction and make a fuss.