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Yesterday, things have been hectic since I arrived home.
I needed to make significant changes to my future plans, so I ordered various materials online and couldn’t help but grin at the five million yen I received.
I repeated this process multiple times.
It seems like an unreal story, but these bundles of cash make me realize that it’s not a lie.
For a moment, just a moment, I entertained the wicked thought of just running off with the money. But I convinced myself that it would be better to use this as a starting point for success.
However, the power of a stack of bills is immense. The thickness and weight created by five hundred ten-thousand yen bills is unbearable.
Taking a deep breath, I slapped my cheeks to snap out of it. I needed to switch gears.
I contacted an acquaintance who is also a fellow YouTuber and an electrician, and asked for help installing solar panels and other electrical work. He had helped me with wiring during the construction of my camper van, so I knew he was skilled.
He said he would assess the site before deciding, but he planned to keep the team small, taking into consideration our requests.
As we worked through various tasks, time flew by, and by the time I finished watching my favorite Youtuber’s broadcast for a break, it was already past 3 am. I felt my excitement calm down a bit, so I went to bed.
The next morning, I woke up before noon.
“Alright, I’ll be motivated and do my best all day today.”
I stretch out like a starfish on my bed and do stretches that I can do while lying down.
This has been a habit of mine since my idol days. When my body was worn out from practicing unfamiliar dance moves, I was told to do these stretches every day, and I have continued doing them ever since.
“I’m not going to Jin’s place until tomorrow, so I wonder if there’s anything I’ve forgotten before then.”
I sit up in bed and jump out with enthusiasm, lifting my chest with both hands and striking a pose in front of the big mirror on the dresser. Not bad, I think, despite my fluffy pink pajamas not quite matching my online persona. But I like cute things, and I can aim for the gap-moe appeal. Well, actually, I just like it.
I discard my pajamas and dress up as a YouTuber to get myself psyched up. First, I need to edit the videos I filmed in advance. Starting tomorrow, things will get busy, and I won’t have much time to film for a month.
“I’ll split the previous project video into three parts, but what should I do with the rest?”
I post almost every day, and not posting for almost a month is too scary.
The online world is easy to gather people, but also easy to lose them. Old viewers will probably stay, but that’s not even half of them. I have to find a way to not lose them.
As I think about this, I finish editing and realize it’s already evening.
“I’m glad I prepared it yesterday. I’m so awesome!” I exclaimed while admiring the setting sun from the balcony.
I had been so engrossed in my thoughts that I had completely forgotten to eat anything since waking up.
“The food that Jin prepared was delicious. The pork soup with plenty of sweet potatoes and the sweet potato dessert that came after were exceptional.”
As I remembered yesterday’s events, I rubbed my grumbling stomach and grabbed my wallet before leaving the house.
The wind blowing directly in my face felt refreshing.
Living on the top floor of a five-story apartment building, I enjoyed the natural ventilation that kept the place comfortable year-round, except for the summer heat.
To get some exercise, I opted not to use the elevator and walked down the stairs while reminiscing about yesterday.
“It’s true that Jin is wealthy. He could fortify his home if he wanted to. It’s a shame I didn’t get to meet his sister. I guess she’s really shy, so I shouldn’t push it,” she murmured softly to herself, so no one could hear her.
“The two-story house was also impressive, with a relatively new construction, a spacious yard, and an excellent location. I’m envious… But how did he earn so much money? Was he born into a wealthy family?” I wondered.
I had previously asked him directly in a chat, “How did you become so rich?” and he had simply replied, “I earned it.” I couldn’t get any further details out of him.
The property was something that an average salaryman would find impossible to obtain at his age.
This left me with various possibilities: perhaps his family was wealthy, or maybe he was involved in some illegal or suspicious business.
“No, no, that can’t be it…right?” I reassured herself.
She couldn’t stop her imagination even after entering a nearby ramen shop and walking down the stairs.
Jin had a good sense of humor and could be a bit rude, but he treated her as usual.
…Yes, just like always. He had given her a considerable amount of money to spend as she pleased, so it wouldn’t be strange if he demanded something in return.
In fact, isn’t that what men are like? Don’t they all have erotic desires?
Don’t they have sexual desires?
In the entertainment industry, there were plenty of people like that. Of course, there were also many serious people, but there were too many middle-aged men with obvious ulterior motives.
Especially among those with power. However, Jin had never mentioned anything like that. She felt foolish for being so guarded and prepared.
“I think he’s attractive, though,” I muttered to myself.
I didn’t necessarily want him to make a move on me, but it annoyed me how unfazed he seemed. I wanted him to at least show some signs of being moved or captivated by me.
I poked at the slices of pork belly floating in my bowl with my chopsticks as I pondered aloud.
“Then why…” I trailed off, unable to finish my sentence.
Making one’s own home a fortress. If it is a fellow video streamer, I can understand this to some extent. In fact, there are people who post videos of themselves buying an old house and renovating it through DIY projects.
… Truth be told, I had also thought of doing it someday.
Jin talked about how his sister had taken a TV program on crime prevention too seriously, saying “Japan is also dangerous, so we should have stronger security measures!” But it all sounds too suspicious.
Even if he has too much money and is indulging his sister, it’s not convincing. But why else would someone want to turn their house into a fortress?
The more I think about it, the less clear the answer becomes.
There is definitely a reason for it. Even if it’s just a wealthy person’s hobby, this seems extreme.
The reason to fortify one’s home is clear if we were in an area overseas with poor security. In Japan, however, it’s not uncommon to see homes with excessive security measures.
If that’s the case, then…
“Is there a reason to strengthen crime prevention?”
Being targeted for my life by dangerous people… may be an excessive delusion. But, if that were the case, it would all make sense. I earn money from risky business, and therefore, I may be targeted by people from such fields. That’s why my awareness of crime prevention is too high.
“Oh no, the parts got stuck.”
It’s just an unfounded conjecture, but if it connects so perfectly, even if I don’t think it’s true, if by some chance it were to be true, I shudder at the thought of my worst future. Doing things with suspicion is not only emotionally but also inefficiently bad.
“Maybe I should investigate properly.”