I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School!

Chapter 106: The Salaryman Makes Up His Mind to Stand Once Again

Ughhhhh,

After ending the call with Haruka, I found myself groaning while sitting on my chair in my room.

The information I had just heard from Haruka was of utmost importance to me, but at the same time, it had brought about a certain dilemma.

Yes, the kind of dilemma that everyone experiences at one point or another.

Need money.

Although I hadnt planned on it until the end of the call, I suddenly found myself in need of money.

Thats why Ive been sitting in front of my computer, trying to figure out how to come up with the funds.

(Money Money, huh In my previous life, I didnt use much money either as a student or as a working adult. I didnt have many friends, so I didnt go out to karaoke or bars much, and I didnt buy a ton of games or light novels either.)

Since I have the advantage of future knowledge, maybe I should try investing in stocks?

That thought has actually crossed my mind several times since the time leap.

But as of now, my conclusion is that Ill consider that when I become an adult.

The reason being my human conscience.

Easily obtaining a large sum of money without much effort at a young ageallowing such a cheat might shake my sense of self and my worldview. I honestly lack confidence that I could maintain my humanity and perspective on life as before.

Excessive wealth has the power to easily change a person.

I might lose all motivation to work in the future, or my sense of crisis in life might diminish, leading to an unwitting descent into debauchery.

Thats what scares me.

(Come to think of it In my previous life, all the money I saved up from working tirelessly, even though I had a low salary and hardly used it for anything, ended up being useless. Its like the only reward for all the hard work was the money piling up in my account without purpose. To die without ever using it feels like my life was a complete waste)

The money I had saved up with no time to use it had, of course, not carried over to this life. Now I regret not spending it on something, like going to an expensive sushi restaurant or splurging on something I liked.

(Well, technically I was given the opportunity to continue from where I would have died in my previous life, so I cant really complain, but still)

Nevertheless, I should have at least treated myself to some high-quality eel, I thought as I mused over these regretful thoughts. But just then, I noticed the sound of footsteps approaching my room.

Big bro!!

With a burst of energy, my little sister Kanako burst into the room, swinging the door wide open.

Hey, couldnt you at least knock a little

Congratulations, big bro!! Kanako-chan is so proud of your magnificent achievement!

Her voice filled with excitement, a loud bang and a popping sound echoed in the room, accompanied by a faint scent of fireworks.

Simultaneously, various colored strips of paper fluttered through the air wait, is this a firecracker?

Youve finally done it, big bro! Kanako-chan is on the verge of tears witnessing your greatest feat in your life!

My sister, wearing a T-shirt and shorts, showered me with admiration as if I had passed a difficult university entrance exam. What on earth is happening with her?

Uh, well Whats all this out of the blue?

Haha, no need to hide it! I overheard you on the phone earlier, casually calling Haruka-chan by her first name! Oh my, tonight calls for a celebration with red bean rice!

Oh

In the sight of my high-energy sister bursting with enthusiasm, I grasped the general situation.

However, following Akiko-san, you too with the red bean rice. Despite being a middle school girl, your way of thinking is oddly old-fashioned

Hehe, well, you know, since it was me who acted as the strategist, victory was assured from the beginning! Now I can proudly invite Haruka-chan over anytime, legally! The possibilities are endless! (TLN: Imouto setting the bar a little low.. )

Well, about that

Huh?

Explaining to my sister, who was beaming with a smile, I started clarifying that despite making progress, I hadnt exactly reached the finish line.

What is that?! Whats with this nonsense?! Even though youre calling each other by your first names, youre not a couple?!

I wonder about that

When its put like that again, it does sound quite confusing.

Even though were on a first-name basis, not being in a romantic relationship Ive only heard of that kind of situation in romantic comedies involving childhood friends.

Ugh Well, in other words, its a matter of vectors. Haruka-chans fondness for me is undoubtedly increasing, but no matter how far we go, its still on the friendship scale and hasnt switched to the romance scale

My sisters analysis, delivered with a sigh, was something I found myself agreeing with.

To begin with, that innocent young lady, Haruka, is so naturally airheaded that even if boys throughout the school show interest in her, she doesnt notice any of it.

Sometimes, it feels like Im in a second playthrough of a dating sim with this whole time leap situation But in the current situation, I seem to have become more like the former introverted protagonist whos now in the process of capturing the easygoing, beautiful yet oblivious heroine.

Oh well! You got carried away, didnt you?! Well, since its come to this, we need to secure a complete victory for you as soon as possible, big bro! Why not go for it, boldly go for a big smooch, and boom, seal the deal!

A big smooch!?

Come on, sis, act a bit more like a middle schooler! Are you some middle-aged drunkard trying to liven things up with a dirty joke!?

Seriously, you Well, of course, Ill work hard for the sake of a complete victory. Ive already decided on what I need to do next.

As I said that, I glanced briefly at the computer screen on my desk.

I had just found the means for that purpose.

Hmm? What do you mean by work hard wait, youre seriously doing this? Sure, big bro, youve become like a different person, all cheerful and stuff, but to do this, dont you need to be good at interacting with a lot of strangers?

My sister, leaning in to peer at the display following my gaze, seemed genuinely worried.

Well, I can understand her concern.

From Kanakos perspective, its only been a few months since I, the shy and introverted otaku, broke out of my shell. While things are going well now, she might be worried that diving into an unknown world might throw me back into my dark self.

But my mind is already made up.

Yeah, Im dead serious.

To be honest, there was some internal conflict.

It was something that dominated most of my previous life.

Even though I knew that it was something I couldnt avoid in the future, the fear of stepping back into the situation that had destroyed my life lingered in my mind.

After all, thats exactly what killed me in my previous life.

Well, I just need a little money. Ive decided to give labor a try.