Work?

The sun is shining and a beautiful day has graced Nagazora City once again.

Such a day would be great for anyone, good weather, good streets and the pollution in the air is less.

The ME corp is really an amazing company. Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same.

"It could get worse." Daniel said as he continued sweeping the streets. 

It's early in the morning so there are few people outside. That isn't the thing that's bothering him though.

"I really hope this is just a dream." He sighed. It's very unlikely since he already experienced pain but he still hopes.

He doesn't like this feeling of being…lost. He may have lived alone but suddenly jumping to the other side of the planet is too much, even for him.

"There's also a problem with communication." Even if he has money, if he can't understand people here, then there's no point.

He also doesn't know what timeline it is and how far is he to the Third Eruption. He only knows that Kiana just entered the city so it's probably a few months away. 

While thinking, he didn't notice that people who were passing through were looking at him. 

"Who is that?"

"Is he new?"

"It's the first time I've seen him."

"He looks like a foreigner."

"He's so handsome…"

Murmurs echoed to the street. Unfortunately, Daniel isn't paying attention and if he does, he won't understand it.

"Hey, you!" As he was sweeping, he heard a familiar voice. 

"Kiana?" He looked at her confused. What is she doing here?

"Why are you looking at me like you don't want to see me?" Kiana was in a good mood after waking up, she found a nice apartment and was planning to visit the guy she met yesterday. She was just curious what happened to him. He was, after all, a lost guy who didn't even have money.

It's not like she's worried or anything. 

But this guy looks like he didn't want to see her!

Thinking this, her good mood was immediately replaced by annoyance. 

"You're not wrong…" It's not like he didn't want to see her, but rather he's not ready yet.

Meeting the protagonist, especially like her whose story is tragic, he really didn't want to have a connection with her.

What if he was the one who needed to die for her character development? It may sound he's overthinking but he has read enough bullshit to see where this is going.

"Do you want to get beaten up again?" Hearing that, Kiana's angered soar. For some reason, this guy just knows where to hit her buttons.

"Try it little girl." Not to be outdone, Daniel raised the broom he's holding on a defensive stance.

As Kiana was about to jump, they heard a sound.

*Growl*

"..."

"..."

After hearing it, Daniel looked at Kiana who's previous expression was now gone, replaced by embarrassment.

"I think we should get breakfast first." 

Kiana nodded hearing that.

—

"This is the best!" Kiana exclaimed as she ate another spoonful of food.

Daniel looked at the pile of dishes on her table before sighing.

Kiana is a beautiful girl, there's no doubt about that. But the way she ate her food is….

"Hey, aren't you going to eat? It's my treat so be grateful." Kiana asked.

Daniel looked at her for a moment, the greasy hands, her mouth full of sauce and bulging cheeks. 

…similar to a pig.

"... did you think something rude about me?" Kiana swallowed the food in her mouth and asked with suspicion.

"Of course not!" Daniel immediately denied and started eating his ramen. He just chose the cheapest because he wasn't that hungry.

A bowl of ramen with egg.

He wasn't the one to turn away from grace so he accepted her offer. 

Kiana was confused about his reaction but seeing him eat the food, she just shrugged and continued eating her meal.

No words left their mouths and after a few minutes of eating, they finished.

"Ahhh, that was great." Kiana sighed and patted her belly with an unladylike manner.

Seeing this, Daniel frowned. Not because of her movements but because of the mess she made.

She still has the sauce in her face.

"How are you even living alone?" Daniel muttered before grabbing a tissue and wiping out the sauce in her face.

Kiana sat there unmoved. This guy…?

"I knew it, you're just hitting up on me!" After Daniel was done, Kiana stood up and pointed her finger to him.

Daniel wasn't bothered by this however, he just stood up and rolled the tissue he used before throwing it at her.

"In your dreams. I don't want people thinking that I brought a pig with me." He sneered. 

"You..! I helped and you actually saw me as a pig!"

"Most people would if they saw you eating." 

And their quarrel started again.

As they were arguing, the manager saw this and couldn't help but sigh.

Although he couldn't understand what they were saying, judging from their interactions, they must be very close.

"Ah! My job." Daniel exclaimed. He forgot that he has a job. He should be really going back now or else he might miss his salary.

Although it's not even a day yet.

"I'll talk to you after I'm done." Without waiting for Kiana's response. Daniel immediately bolted out of the restaurant.

"Don't forget to pay me once you have money!" Kiana shouted.

—

"Shit." After finishing his job. Daniel sat down in one of the benches before wiping his sweat.

Thankfully, he and Kiana didn't take that long to finish eating so he managed to get back pretty early.

"Kid, are you done?" Raising his head, he saw Kazuya holding a water bottle.

"Do you want some?" 

"Thanks." He grabbed the bottle and chucked it at one go.

"Wow kid, it's only noon and you actually managed to finish the job." Kazuya whistles while looking around.

"Huh? It's only noon?" Daniel looked at his watch and indeed saw it was only noon. 

That's weird. He thought that he's been forever. 

"Are you sure you didn't skip places?" Kazuya asked with narrowed eyes.

"No way." Daniel denied. He has a resume to keep up.

Although it's weird, he kinda feels… faster? His fatigue is also gone too.

What's going on?

"Well kid, since you're done. You should wrap this up. I got another job for you." Kazuya patted his shoulder.

'This better be worth my pay.' 

And just like that, Daniel spent his day working and working.

Even in another world, he can't get work out of his back.