Chapter 3: Helping out

"Thank you, come again!"

Shizuka and I left Wagnaria and were outside, taking in the fresh air. At least I was—she quickly took out a cigarette and lit one up. She at least had the decency not to smoke in a family diner... cussing was another problem.

"Wanna give me one?" I didn't really like smoking, but it was getting too silent, and I didn't know if I should just leave or not.

Shizuka glanced at me weirdly. "Do I need to inform your parents?"

"Absolutely not. Carry on, Sensei." Scratching my cheek awkwardly, I pulled out my phone and scrolled for some potential purchases on Amazon. Nothing really stood out to me except for this black Nike long sleeve, but it was $60 for just that! It looked good though...

Screw it. I added it to the cart and kept scrolling.

"Hah~! Alright, kid, let's get you home!" Shizuka rubbed my head rather roughly, but I didn't mind.

"No need, it's just a five-minute walk to my place."

"Saves me the trouble then! Be safe, and you're obligated to show up tomorrow."

"Yeah~ yeah~! Have a good night, Sensei." I waved her off, and she hopped into a taxi, leaving me alone on this wonderful autumn night.

I basked in the serene balance between the city and the clear night sky with a crescent moon watching over me. I started walking back home, and nothing ruined my night! I arrived at the entrance of my apartment complex and, walking to the elevator, I was completely lost in my thoughts.

"A-H-O."

Hmm?

A strange sound entered my head. All this transmigrating nonsense was probably starting to get to me. I should head to bed...

"AHO!"

Again?

I turned around and found the source of the voice. A gentle-looking girl with soft, delicate features that hinted at a kind and reserved personality. Her shoulder-length, slightly wavy, light brown hair framed her face, and her eyes were a warm brown. The only question I had was what she wanted with me.

"Yes?"

"I-I'm lo-o-kin for so-..." She abruptly stopped. I took a closer look at her and noticed hearing aids in her ears, which made me think back to one anime I'd watched, but I couldn't remember the name. Anyway, I handed her my phone as an intermediary for her to communicate.

[I'm trying to get on the elevator, but my friend hasn't come down yet. I think she fell asleep! Can you help me?]

[Side-quest found!]

[Help the girl!

Rewards: A new friend, plus a promotion to the first sub-tier.]

"May I ask who your friend is?" I had an idea, but I just wanted to see how much this world had really changed.

[Mahiru Shiina!]

"Pfft~!" A little chuckle escaped me. This world was really shaping up to be quite the exciting package!

[What's so funny?] The girl cutely tilted her head, clearly wanting to join in.

I pointed towards the elevator. "Come on! I'll bring you to her place. She's my neighbor, that's why I laughed—I didn't expect such a coincidence, that's all!"

[Oh!]

"Hey, what's your name? I don't think 'Brown-haired girl' is a fitting name." I couldn't keep referring to her as such; one, it was rude, and two, there were a lot of brown-haired women.

[Nishimiya Shōko.] She typed her name out, and I pressed the button for the 8th floor, where Mahiru and I lived.

"I see. Nice to meet you, Nishimiya-san! My name is Fujimiya Amane. You can call me Amane though—it makes me feel more comfortable."

[Okay, Amane-san! You can call me Shōko too! You're a really nice guy, you know. I asked a few other people, but they just told me to bother somebody else.] Shōko didn't seem bothered by what she revealed; perhaps she was used to it. But as an outsider, those people could go directly to hell. If you don't have time or are busy, you could politely decline—why treat someone so poorly for asking for help?

Oh, wait. Isn't that a problem in this country? Yeah, it is, but still, that doesn't give anyone the excuse to treat someone so horribly.

"I'm sorry." I couldn't help but feel the need to apologize. Sure, it wasn't me, but I just couldn't get over it.

[It's okay. I'm used to it from strangers. Mahiru is super nice though! Then there's my family and other friends!]

I smiled a little, resting my back against the elevator as the 8th floor slowly arrived.

Ding~

"Follow me!" I took a right out of the elevator, and four doors down we reached where I live, and right next to it was Mahiru's place.

"Here she is, and I'm right there!" I pointed to Mahiru's door and then mine. If she ever needed something or help, I didn't mind.

[Thank you!] Shōko bowed in appreciation while handing me my phone back. I gently took it and knocked on Mahiru's door.

Da~Da~

I heard a small sound come from inside—it sounded quite clumsy or disordered. However, soon enough, I heard footsteps approaching the door, and a few seconds later, it swung open!

"Huh? Shōko!" Mahiru grabbed Shōko away from me with lightning speed. …I wasn't a bad guy, right? Why?!

"He didn't do anything to you, right?!"

Shōko shook her head.

"Then… did he follow you?" Mahiru turned towards me with an icy glare. W-why the hell?! What did I do?!

"Shiina-san, as your neighbor, I don't really appreciate your opinion of me."

"So? Maybe clean up your apartment, and I'd have a higher opinion of you."

"I did, for your information!"

"Oh~right. Seems you learned your lesson from three days ago. You made quite the racket."

"Ah. I'm sorry, but still—you're right, I learned my lesson." I didn't think the fall was that loud. Then again, it wasn't me who fell—it was the original Amane.

"Explain. Why were you with Shōko?" Her gaze got even colder, but she didn't seem to realize that she looked more cute than scary. I wasn't going to say that aloud though; I didn't need her getting any more strange ideas.

"I was helping her get on the elevator since her FRIEND apparently forgot about her."

"I-I didn't forget about her!" Mahiru's face turned a little pink from embarrassment.

"Oh~ yeah~ so convincing."

"I didn't! I was just getting ready now!"

"Lalalala."

"Ahahaha."

Shōko started laughing, which was a pleasant sight. It felt good to see that those people's actions from earlier didn't affect her and that she felt comfortable enough with someone to laugh. Sure, I didn't really know her that long, but what can I say? I'm just nice enough to care!

Mahiru gave one last stare before pulling Shōko completely inside. Shōko bowed again, but Mahiru just stared at me. Something came to mind…

A mocking grin formed on my face. "Heh. See you at school, Miss Angel."

Bam~!

"Hahaha!" That was so worth it.

[Rewards distributed.]

[New Relationship: Nishimiya Shōko level 2 (friends).]

[First Sub-tier unlocked: 1.1. New weekly income is $1,100.]

Cool! I'm going to bed now though. I unlocked the door to my apartment and headed straight for my ultimate peace—sleep!