A Bleak Future

Nino was the first to recover from her shock. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her still pounding heart, then stepped closer.

"Ah, sorry! My name is Nakano Nino, and this is my younger sister, Nakano Miku." Nino pointed to Miku who stood beside her, then continued hesitantly.

"The doctor who treated you... Nakano Maruo, he's our father."

Miku nodded, smiling faintly.

"We heard about your situation from Dad. We feel very sympathetic towards you. When we found you that day, we didn't know what had happened."

Eiji, who had been listening attentively, slowly lowered his head.

"So you two are the ones who saved my life... Thank you so much. If it weren't for you, I might have..." He spoke in a low tone, but his words were sincere.

"You don't need to thank us like that." Nino interjected quickly, a little awkward with the praise.

"We just happened to find you there."

"Even so, it doesn't change the fact that I was saved by you two." Eiji said bluntly.

Miku pulled a bag of fruit from her bag and said, "Hospital food isn't very good, is it? We brought some fruit for you."

Nino, without thinking, immediately grabbed an apple from the bag.

"Let me peel it."

With agility, she took a knife from the tray provided in the VIP room and began peeling the apple for Eiji, each movement of her hand was precise and attentive.

"Thank you." Eiji said, impressed by Nino's care.

In his eyes, he felt a new emotion. Especially towards Nino. Eiji didn't quite understand this emotion because it was the first time he had felt it.

After finishing peeling, Nino handed the apple slices to him.

"Actually, we want to know why you were in that condition? You were found behind our restaurant."

Miku, who had been silent until then, added, "We don't know if you were attacked by someone or if something else happened... Do you remember anything?"

Eiji looked at the two girls for a moment, seeming to think in silence. He held the apple slices that Nino had cut, then sighed.

"I don't remember anything except my name. Kamiki Eiji, that's the only thing I remember."

Nino and Miku exchanged glances, disappointed that they didn't get more information, but still tried to smile.

"We understand. It must be hard for you. Losing your memory... it's not easy." Miku said with a tone full of understanding.

"Yes, I don't know what happened to me. But... thank you again, for everything. You two are good women." Eiji smiled weakly.

"You don't need to worry. We're just here to make sure you're okay. Isn't it normal to help someone in need?" Nino smiled faintly, even though her heart was still filled with confusion.

In her heart, she felt something strange. The sympathy she felt was growing into an attraction she couldn't explain.

'I already have someone I like, Fuu-kun... But why can't I ignore this feeling? It's impossible for me to fall in love at first sight, right? No way! I'm not a shallow woman who easily likes a man just because he's handsome!' Nino denied in her mind.

Her gaze unconsciously remained fixed on Eiji.

On the other hand, Miku was calmer, but she also felt the same curiosity. It was purely just wanting to know, that's all.

She admitted that Eiji was even more handsome than the male celebrities on TV or the male models in magazines. Even so, her feelings weren't as complicated as Nino's at the moment. Even though she had lost, her heart was still occupied by Fuutarou. Miku hoped there was a man who could replace Fuutarou's position in her heart.

"..."

Miku tried to change the topic of conversation. She looked at Eiji with curiosity and asked.

"So, if Kamiki-kun is healed and out of the hospital, what are your plans? You don't have ID and your background is still mysterious. You're going to have a lot of difficulties."

"The future huh..."

The question made Eiji ponder for a moment. He looked at the ceiling, trying to imagine his future, but only emptiness appeared in his mind.

After a while, he sighed deeply and gave an answer that surprised the two girls.

"Sigh... There's only one thing I can take advantage of, which is my handsome face. This might sound narcissistic, but it seems like I can only make a living by relying on my good looks. For example, a host in a bar or nightclub."

"..."

Nino and Miku immediately widened their eyes. Both of their reactions were simultaneous.

"WHAT?!"

"No way!" Nino exclaimed without hesitation, her face flushed with shock and anger.

"You can't do that! That... that's not a good job!"

"Nino's right. Moreover, Kamiki-kun is still underage. No nightclub would dare to hire you." There was a blush on Miku's cheeks.

"So that's it. Then there's no other choice, the only option left is to be a gigolo. Aren't there many rich women who like to sponsor handsome men? What do you think, Nino-san, Miku-san?" Eiji looked at the two of them and asked for their opinion.

"Isn't there any normal job? Kamiki, why are you thinking about an unusual job?" Crossing her arms, Nino complained.

Miku put on a calm expression but still seemed shaken.

"Kamiki-kun can't be serious, can you? Host or gigolo? That... doesn't suit you. No, maybe it suits you more than you think..."

Looking closely at Eiji's handsome face, Miku couldn't deny that both those jobs were indeed suitable for him.

Eiji smiled faintly at their reactions, and said lightly, "I'm just thinking about the possibilities. After all, with my current situation, I don't have many choices, do I? Even if I want a normal job, without ID, no one would hire me. I might not even be able to apply for a part-time job."

Nino, who was usually more outspoken, couldn't hold back.

"There are many other ways! Jobs like that... are not good! You can do something more honorable!"

"For example?" Eiji asked.

"This..."

Unable to find an answer, Nino glanced at Miku beside her, asking for her help.

Miku shook her head, not thinking of a single legal job that Eiji could do.

Without ID, it was almost impossible to get a job. Even if someone gave him a job, Eiji might be exploited with a meager salary because he couldn't demand the worker's rights he should receive.

"See? Don't talk about the distant future. Right now, I don't have money to pay the hospital bills. In short, I'm more pathetic than a homeless person, my future is bleak. So I can't be picky."

Seeing Nino and Miku fall silent, Eiji shrugged and seemed calm as if talking about someone else.

Of course, he had other options that he didn't tell the two of them.

Use the power of emotional manipulation to make money. That shouldn't be difficult after he fully mastered his powers.