Even Hell’s Affairs Depend on Gold – I Got Fired, but I’ve Acquired an Alchemy Cheat Skill, So I’m Aiming for a Major Life Turnaround

I woke up sensing someone’s presence.

When I opened my eyes, a cute face was peering into mine.

“Good morning.”

“Morning, Kaede-chan…”

I’m sleepy.

“What time did you go to bed last night?”

“Around 3 a.m.? Nanapon called…”

The call came around midnight.

“Ah, I see. So that’s why you’re Elenora-san.”

Hearing this from Kaede-chan, my hand drifts down to my lower body under the blanket.

“Oh, right. It’s gone.”

“I won’t ask what you mean. Just don’t forget you have a meeting with Yoshino-san in the afternoon.”

“Alright… Kaede-chan, let’s sleep together, and wake me up when it’s time.”

“I’d like to sleep too, but I have work.”

Ah, Kaede-chan isn’t in her pajamas. She’s dressed to go out.

“Take care…”

“I will. There’s onigiri on the table, make sure you eat it.”

My mom?

“Okay…”

After hearing my reply, Kaede-chan stands up and leaves the room. I couldn’t resist the warmth of the blanket and my drowsiness, so I closed my eyes.

A “ping” sound came from my phone. I reached for it beside my pillow.

“It’s about time to wake up. You have preparations to make, and oversleeping isn’t good.”

It’s a message from Kaede-chan. Checking the time, it’s 10 a.m.

I operate my phone while lying in bed.

“I’m awake—! Thanks!”

An immediate reply came.

“Waking up means getting out of bed. You’re definitely still in bed.”

Reading that, I get up and look around the room.

“Cameras?”

Confused, I get out of bed and head to the living room. I sit down on a chair by the table and operate my smartphone.

“I was awake.”

“30 seconds. Doubt.”

ESP Kaede is amazing.

I reply with “Kaede-chan, you’re amazing,” place my phone on the table, go to the kitchen, and drink some water. Then I return to the table and start eating the round onigiri Kaede-chan made for me.

“It’s tasty but cold. And it’s chilly.”

Winter is coming soon. It’s about time for the air conditioner to make its appearance.

After finishing the onigiri, I wash my face and fully wake up.

“If Kaede-chan hadn’t woken me up, I would have slept until noon…”

Kaede-chan really is a good girl. And Nanapon, what kind of timing is that to call?

I return to my room, open the closet and the drawers.

“Half of it has been invaded by women’s clothing.”

If anyone sees this, they would definitely think it belongs to someone who enjoys cross-dressing.

But it’s not a problem in our house because all these clothes were chosen by Kaede-chan.

And the combinations are all decided, like this top with these bottoms.

Yesterday, after our shopping date, she taught me that when we got home. What an extraordinary first date.

“Which one should I choose…”

I ponder a bit, but decide they’re all the same and start changing into one.

“Ah, these clothes don’t smell as nice.”

Kaede-chan’s clothes were better…

I finish changing and head to the washroom again, standing in front of the bathroom mirror. The blonde woman reflected in the mirror is wearing a white sweater and a brown long skirt.

The sweater is white because the usual black robe would be too conspicuous.

“I’m definitely a woman… which is obvious.”

The only other time I’ve worn women’s clothes apart from borrowing from Kaede-chan was a black robe.

“It’s 11 a.m. now.”

I quickly get ready, tie my long hair into a single bundle with a hair tie, and bring it over my left shoulder instead of letting it hang behind me.

“This should do. It stands out less from the back.”

Even without the black robe, this long blonde hair still stands out. Bringing it to the front should make it less conspicuous.

I finish my preparations, put the bag of rubber bands that Kaede-chan chose for me yesterday into my white bag, wear a coat, sling my bag over my shoulder, and drink an invisibility potion.

I finalize all preparations and leave the house, heading to the meeting place, a family restaurant in Ikebukuro.

I get out of the house, undo the invisibility when I reach a secluded area, and take a taxi. A little later, I arrive at the family restaurant.

I pay the driver, get out of the taxi, and enter the restaurant.

“Welcome! Are you dining alone?”

As I enter the family restaurant, a female staff member greets me cheerfully.

“Um, I’m meeting someone here… ah.”

I look around the restaurant and see a familiar face waving at me.

“Over there.”

I point at Yoshino-san, who had already arrived.

“Please, go ahead.”

I walk over to the seat where Yoshino-san is.

“Hello. Sorry I’m late.”

I apologize as I sit down across from Yoshino-san.

“No worries, I was early. But what’s with those sunglasses?”

Yoshino-san looks at my face in disbelief.

“I tried to look like a celebrity…”

“Take them off. They draw more attention.”

I remove my sunglasses as instructed and put my coat next to me.

“First time I’ve seen you in normal clothes.”

It’s my first time seeing myself like this, too.

“Does it look weird?”

“Don’t insult my fashion sense, or I’m leaving.”

“No, it suits you. But the black robe image is too strong. You wear that normally, too?”

“Who cares what anyone wears?”

“True, no one cares. But you look like you’re trying to stand out.”

“You’re right. Elenora is a disguise for Okita-kun.”

“I like standing out, but I don’t like getting involved with people. You get it, right?”

“Yeah, I get it… sorry, I have a habit of prying. Order whatever you like. I recommend the Doria.”

Yoshino-san hands me the menu. I start browsing through it.

The Doria is the cheapest option… We’re about to make a transaction worth over 40 million, and you’re skimping here?

“Yoshino-san, let me treat you.”

“No, I’ll pay. The Doria is delicious.”

“I’m having the cheese hamburger!”

“Fine… I feel bad letting you treat me. I’ll have the same.”

I’m convinced. This guy has no friends other than Lin-san.

We order the cheese hamburger set and wait while sipping on juice from the drink bar. After a short wait, our cheese hamburger sets arrive and we start eating.

“Yup, it’s good.”

“It’s alright.”

It’s cheap, but decent.

“Can I ask while we eat?”

“Go ahead, pry all you want.”

“I don’t mean to pry…”

“Don’t worry, everyone prys. Just for your information, I’m not from Frontier.”

“I wonder if there are real Frontier people. My theory is that they’re aliens.”

“So why did you choose the Ikebukuro Guild?”

“I chose it at random. There’s no reason.”

“It must have been fate. And yes, I told Kaede-chan it was because it was close, and she laughed at me.”

“Why don’t you transfer?”

“I won’t. I owe your cousin.”

“I see… What did Satsuki-neesan say about me?”

“She called you a gold digger.”

“I don’t want to hear that from her.”

“You’re both the same. You’re a cheapskate.”

We both chuckle and continue our meal. After finishing, we prepare for our upcoming transaction.