CH - 57 Success!

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On the other side, following the given instructions, Koujou stepped into the room with a tinge of anxiety. He handed the paper to the blue-haired girl standing before him and said, "Here you go!" Then he followed her inside.

At this point, the thought of deception no longer troubled him. Logically, a genuine ninja wouldn't resort to such elaborate schemes just to harm ordinary people like himself!

However, as he witnessed the professional and unprecedented interview process unfolding before him, a new worry crept into his mind—what if he wasn't even selected among the ordinary individuals like himself?

"Please have a seat," instructed a young man seated behind the table, emanating an aura of authority through his attire and demeanor. Perhaps he was their leader?

"Uh, okay!" Upon hearing the words of the formally dressed young man, Koujou quickly took his seat. He glanced around, marveling at the surroundings, and couldn't help but be impressed. Internally, he nodded, acknowledging the professionalism and status of this esteemed company.

Akihiko rested his hands on the table, looking directly at the man before him. He inquired, "So, you have a total of three people in your family?"

"Yes, sir, that's correct!" Koujou snapped back to reality, a sense of determination in his voice. "My wife and my daughter. Please don't worry, we won't be a burden! I am fully committed to working diligently, no matter the task assigned to me!"

"Don't be nervous!" Akihiko reassured Koujou, subtly nodding in approval. He thought to himself, He has a family! He's not demanding and is willing to do anything! That's very promising.

"Now, I have one final question for you," Akihiko observed that Koujou met the criteria he was seeking, so he proceeded to ask the crucial question.

"Sir, please go ahead!" Although Koujou didn't quite understand why the young man had skipped the previous questions and jumped straight to the last one, he still responded, albeit nervously.

"Are you willing to voluntarily join... ahem, work in another country?" Akihiko smiled kindly, explaining, "Rest assured, we will provide international services, and all arrangements will be taken care of, including provisions for your family. Food and accommodation will be provided!"

As Akihiko finished speaking, Koujou was taken aback. He silently contemplated, 'Leave the Land of Rain?'

His gaze fixed on the man in front of him, who wore a hesitant smile. However, after a moment of reflection, Koujou seemed to recall the words of the young boy from earlier and the hardships his wife and child endured at home.

Should I continue subjecting them to the suffering of hunger? A realization dawned on him, and with renewed determination, he clenched his teeth and spoke, "I... I'm willing! Please, you must hire me!"

Rather than waiting for inevitable demise in this place, why not take a chance and see what lies beyond?

…

Time flowed with uncertainty as Koujou stepped out of the gate, his expression still tinged with bewilderment. Yet, when he glanced at the paper in his hand, a smile couldn't help but grace his lips.

His happiness was palpable as he achieved success. This was truly a multinational company! Recalling the words spoken by the gentleman inside, Koujou's heart brimmed with anticipation. He solemnly bowed towards the gate behind him and murmured, "Thank you!" Then, with a smile on his face, he made his way back home.

Meanwhile, the onlookers who had been observing from a distance for quite some time grew increasingly restless. Koujou had entered earlier, and when he didn't emerge for an extended period, doubts began to surface. Thoughts of "Did something unexpected happen? Was it really a trap?!" plagued their minds.

Their wavering confidence was soon dispelled as they witnessed Koujou's emergence, particularly with his smiling face. Everyone was momentarily dumbfounded. The previously conflicted gazes now held a glimmer of hope as they lifted their heads and directed their gaze towards the house. The thought that crossed everyone's mind was, 'Could it be... Is it true?!'

Their hearts trembled slightly, and just as they were about to speculate further, a sudden rush of people stormed inside, afraid of missing out on something extraordinary.

Koujou, too, smiled faintly as he observed the crowd hastening inside. He felt a sense of relief as he touched the paper safely stowed in his pocket. He had succeeded!

As he prepared to open his umbrella and head home, a peculiar sensation washed over him. Instinctively, he reached out and touched it. His expression momentarily froze, and then he stowed away the umbrella and looked up at the sky.

The sky remained gray and somber. However, the rain seemed to have ceased!

…

"I'm back!" Koujou's voice echoed from outside the house, and Shuko, who had anxiously awaited his return, let out a relieved smile.

With haste, she set the stick aside and opened the door. Ever since Koujou left earlier in the day, her heart had been filled with worry, and she had clung onto the stick, unable to let go. The question of whether the recruitment was genuine or a hoax lingered in her mind.

Neither she nor Koujou could be certain. Yet, for the sake of their family, even in the face of danger, Koujou had resolutely chosen to investigate.

As time passed, she remained inside the house, unable to release her grip on the stick, constantly filled with worry. Even when Ruko innocently asked her several times, "Did Daddy go out to find something delicious for Ruko again today?" she could only force a smile, nod her head, and reassure her child, saying, "Yes! So, Ruko needs to be good and wait for Daddy to come back, alright?"

But if... if Koujou didn't return today, as Ruko's mother, she had to stay strong and take care of her child.

However, as Ruko went to rest and time continued to tick by, as the sound of rain outside gradually subsided, she finally heard it... Koujou's voice!

Although perplexed by why Koujou would make a sound at this moment, when she saw that it was indeed him through the window, she quickly opened the door.

Then, she tightly embraced him, a smile gracing her face, and said, "Welcome back, Koujou!"

"I'm sorry!" Koujou patted his wife's back, a smile appearing on his face. "I made you worry."

"I'm fine! As long as you're back, that's all that matters. It's good that you're back." Looking at her husband, who returned empty-handed, Shuko's eyes held a tinge of disappointment, but she refrained from delving deeper. Despite the slight disappointment, her thin face still wore a smile, and she said, "It's okay! We still have food at home! Even if it was a deception, as long as we're alive, we'll be fine. We'll find a way..."

Before she could finish her words, Koujou carefully retrieved a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over with a smile. "It's not a deception! I've been hired! There's a salary and provisions! I succeeded!"

"?!" Shuko was momentarily stunned, then eagerly took the paper. "Is it true?!"

"Of course, it's true! That gentleman is a good person! He gave me hope, and this paper is proof of my employment!" Koujou nodded, but as he spoke, he gazed at his wife, who held the paper with joy and caution, his expression tinged with conflict. "However..."

Hearing her husband's conflicted tone, Shuko also sensed that something was amiss. Her previous calmness wavered, and she looked at Koujou with a puzzled expression. "What's wrong? Is the amount of provisions provided meager?"

"It's not that!" Koujou shook his head and hesitated for a moment. Finally, he decided to reveal the truth. "It's just that... we might have to leave this place!"

"Leave this place?" Shuko repeated his words, her face displaying confusion.

"Yes! It's a multinational corporation. They came here to recruit people because they need a larger workforce!" Koujou explained to his wife, and gradually, Shuko grasped the implications.

Her expression froze momentarily, but soon, a smile returned as she earnestly looked at Koujou. "It's alright! We can all go together as a family! As long as we have you and Ruko, that's home!"

Upon hearing her words, Koujou stared at his wife in astonishment and then smiled as well. "You're right! As long as we have Shuko and Ruko, that's home!"

The two of them embraced tightly, cherishing the moment. After a while, they finally let go. But Shuko seemed to recall something and spoke with a concerned expression, "If we're leaving, what should we bring? Will the journey be dangerous? The Rain Country is in chaos everywhere now!"

"Don't worry! They said they would transport us safely and take care of us!" Koujou shook his head, smiling as he reassured her. "As for what to bring, just some everyday essentials will do. They mentioned that everything will be provided once we arrive!"

"Really? That's wonderful!" Shuko's eyes sparkled with joy at his words.

"By the way, the benefits there are quite good. Let me tell you, I heard that if things go well, our child can even attend school there!" Koujou added, sharing one of the benefits that had appealed to him.

"Is that true?" Shuko looked at her husband hopefully as he finished speaking.

At that moment, the couple looked at the document in their hands, both adorned with smiles. They thought about the bright future that awaited them, and their anticipation grew stronger.

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