Rikuo was still knocking on Sakiko's apartment door, but the other party no longer responded.
"Forget it, Sakiko is also sick. Let her rest well first. At worst, I'll block her classroom door tomorrow. Sakiko is stubborn; ten oxen couldn't pull her back."
Although Rikuo had maximum initiative, it seemed to have the opposite effect on Sakiko.
'Anyway, I wasn't planning on doing homework, so I'll just wander around and buy a computer. Computers in Japan are quite cheap, after all, they specialize in this kind of production. I might as well go straight to Akihabara, it's not far anyway.'
Rikuo once again headed to the train station, preparing to stroll around Akihabara.
Sakiko leaned against the door, listening to his footsteps fade away, not knowing what she was thinking.
...
"As expected of Akihabara, this place name is even more chuunibyou than me. No, I'm not chuunibyou."
Under the 'PC Empire' mall in Akihabara, Rikuo was surveying its exterior layout.
"According to my conversation with Soyo just now, the most cost-effective option should be in the 'Youth Edition' section on the third floor. Do they also call the cut-down versions 'Youth' in Japan?"
His gaze swept over the floor guide and saw a renovation notice for the third floor.
"This is troublesome. Forget it, anyway, I've found a way to make money, so going a little over budget should be acceptable. I haven't played League of Legends in days, and the Soul Arena is already over."
Entering the host section on the second floor, various computer cases were displayed. The cool white light shone on the metal casings, reflecting a cold luster. A salesperson in a dark blue uniform noticed him and quickly walked over.
"Hello, what kind of computer configuration do you need?"
"Mainly for daily use and gaming, with a budget of around 180,000 Japanese Yen."
The salesperson pushed up his glasses and stated the approximate configuration.
"In that case, I recommend this package with a Ryzen 7 processor, an RTX3060 graphics card, and 32GB of RAM. The price is 160,000 Japanese Yen."
"Can I pay with game currency?"
"Sir, what kind of joke are you making?"
"You started the joke with me. I just searched your store, the same model, same motherboard and CPU, with an RTX4060 graphics card, costs 130,000 Japanese Yen."
"Actually, I misread the quote just now. You can choose the model you like."
'Sure enough, there are always people trying to rip you off everywhere. Although I might not care about that little money, no one wants to be treated like a fool.'
"Then this one will do."
The salesperson led Rikuo to the display stand and opened the side panel of the computer case. The neatly arranged cables, the metallic luster on the cooler, and the circuit patterns on the motherboard were all clearly visible.
"Our cooling system is specially optimized to maintain stability even under long periods of high load operation."
The salesperson explained, pointing to the copper pipe cooler.
"Moreover, this case has excellent expandability, making future upgrades very convenient."
"Then let me ask you, is your computer brand new?"
"Although I don't quite understand what you mean, you're probably asking if the computer is brand new, right? Of course, we are all direct from the brand..."
"Alright, I'll take it back and check. If it's a 99% new, self-used by a girl, I'll rip off your wig. There's a warranty, right?"
The salesperson didn't know how Rikuo had figured out he was wearing a wig, but work was more important.
'Looks like I can't just bluff anymore. I'll get him a new one in a bit.'
"If you decide to purchase today, we can install a genuine operating system for free and provide a three-year on-site warranty service."
"Then this set it is. Please prepare the invoice."
The salesperson revealed a professional smile, just like Sakiko's customer service back then. Of course, without Sakiko's cuteness.
"Alright, please follow me to the cashier. Do you need installment payment service?"
"No, I'll pay in full at once."
While waiting for the staff to prepare the goods, Rikuo looked down through the glass railing. The mall was gradually getting crowded, and he saw a figure in a leather jacket being surrounded by several people. From her build, she was a girl, with cool-looking black medium-length hair and a guitar case on her back.
"Did I actually run into Umiri? Speaking of which, Umiri and Uika are the only ones I haven't seen yet. As for Uika, as an idol, I probably can't get in touch with her right now. Is Umiri in some trouble? Am I going to have to stage a show-off and face-slap scene?"
"Your computer is ready."
A staff member came over, pushing the packaged laptop.
"Do you need us to call a taxi for you? Although only desktops have delivery service, since you paid in full, we can offer this special benefit."
"No, I'll take it myself."
Rikuo took the heavy box, the faint scent of new metal and plastic from the new computer barely discernible.
'Let's go down and see what's happening.'
....
First floor of the mall.
"Umiri is the bassist of our band, how can you temporarily hire her?"
"It's like you didn't just show up yourselves; we're both in the same boat. Who doesn't know that Yahata Umiri is a mercenary for dozens of bands? Don't pretend to have deep team camaraderie."
'This is troublesome. Although I said to notify me in advance about band activities, for two groups to come directly at the same time... I might as well reject both.'
Umiri had just finished a live performance in Akihabara and was planning to browse around and buy a new phone. She had just received two calls from people wanting to discuss band operations, and without thinking much, she told them her location. And so, things turned out as they are now.
"I remember saying that band activities need to be booked in advance. If neither of you notified me beforehand, then both of you can leave."
"Umiri, didn't you say you wanted to join a band? You can join us, our skills are pretty good."
"Don't listen to her, Umiri, our schedule is more flexible. It won't interfere with you joining other bands. Join us."
The two girls argued more and more fiercely, and Umiri was at a loss.
'Sigh, I'm still not used to dealing with these band relationships. I really want to run away! It might affect my trustworthiness again. Forget it, I'll just watch them argue it out first.'
Umiri watched as both sides refused to back down and chose to give up. Although she knew this might be one of the reasons for not being trusted, she had no other choice.
"Listen, you hooligans downstairs, you're surrounded! Quickly let go of that girl!"
Rikuo slid down the escalator from the second floor, completely ignoring the anti-Jackie Chan device (what does the anti-Jackie Chan device have to do with me, Rikuo?), and the gazes of the people around him.
Umiri and the two girls who were arguing looked at Rikuo's bizarre appearance in confusion.
"Who are you? What does this have to do with you?"
The two girls interrupted their argument and questioned Rikuo. This sentence was quite synchronized; I suggest you just form a band.
Rikuo looked at what he thought were hooligans, who turned out to be just band girls dressed very fashionably, like Umiri, and fell into a brief silence. Then he turned to look at Umiri's calm face, which surprisingly held an expression of difficulty.
"Forget it, showing off and face-slapping won't be completed. At least I can get some credit for saving the beauty."
Rikuo pulled Umiri, who hadn't yet understood the situation, and fled the scene.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To Read Advanced Chapters, and support this novel, please join me on [email protected]/geats2000