Going from Tokyo to Chiba, although Subway tickets aren't expensive, it definitely costs money.
And right now, they didn't have a single penny.
Natsuyu took out his phone.
"It's fine, I have other friends. This person owes me some money."
Although he said that, Natsuyu actually didn't have many friends. Mainly because he hated going to school and liked to skip classes, very few people could borrow money from him, and even if they did, they would repay it immediately.
This friend owed Natsuyu 10,000 yen from half a year ago. The reason she hadn't paid it back yet was because Natsuyu didn't consider it a debt and had never collected the money.
The truth was she had wanted to return the money for a long time.
Natsuyu opened his messaging app and tapped on the contact noted as "Miss Archangel". Her profile picture was an unwrapped peach-flavored lollipop gleaming under the sunlight.
[Kasugano Yuu: Archangel, poke poke]
She replied almost instantly.
[Miss Archangel: Yuu-kun, good afternoon~, I'm here]
[Kasugano Yuu: I need about 5,000 yen right now. After thinking about it, I could only ask you for a favor]
[Miss Archangel: I've always had 10,000 yen prepared, ready to return to Yuu-kun at any time! If Mother and my sister knew, they would definitely be very happy!]
Through the phone, Natsuyu could feel that she was super excited, and he revealed a helpless smile.
[Kasugano Yuu: Just treat it as me borrowing it. If things go smoothly, I can return it to you today]
[Miss Archangel: No, no, no, please, Yuu-kun, you must accept it. Half a year ago, you went to great expense to help me; it was originally money I owed you]
Natsuyu didn't argue further.
[Kasugano Yuu: Anyway, you've been a huge help]
[Miss Archangel: I'm very happy to be able to help. How does Yuu-kun want to receive the money? Should we arrange a place to meet, or should I transfer it via phone? I am currently working at the Convenience Store. If Yuu-kun wants to meet, please wait for me to go home and get my bike]
Natsuyu felt there was no need to spend time meeting an online friend; it was more important to go find the wealthy Yukino.
If he couldn't find Yukino today, he and Rurikawa Tsubaki would have nowhere to stay.
"Tsubaki, can your phone still receive money?"
Natsuyu's phone was tied to his own cards, and now its payment functions were frozen too, otherwise he wouldn't be penniless.
Rurikawa Tsubaki's eyes were clear. "I don't have a phone."
"...That old hag is truly wicked!"
Natsuyu was speechless, but he still had a way.
[Kasugano Yuu: It's not convenient for me to receive money here. I will send you a QR Code later, please help me pay it]
[Kasugano Yuu: I will send you a QR Code twice, once for the restaurant payment, and once to buy tickets at the Subway station]
[Kasugano Yuu: My life is in Miss Archangel's hands now. If the payment isn't made in time, I'll have to wash dishes in the restaurant to pay off my debt]
[Miss Archangel: Yes! It's fine, I've set Yuu-kun as a special notification]
(Miss Archangel recalled a message)
[Miss Archangel: Okay, I will pay attention at all times]
It seemed like he had just seen something incredible.
Natsuyu touched his own face, sighing narcissistically:
I am truly a sinful man~
[Miss Archangel: Hey, Yuu-kun, why are you short on money?]
[Miss Archangel: I don't mean to pry into Yuu-kun's private information. I just hope that if Yuu-kun has any difficulties, you will please tell me. I have always been very grateful to you and hope I can repay you]
[Kasugano Yuu: It's nothing much, I'm Running away from home]
She fell silent for two seconds, then messages came one after another.
[Miss Archangel: Eh?! Yuu-kun is actually Running away from home!]
[Miss Archangel: Then doesn't that mean Yuu-kun has nowhere to live and no money to use? I've been working part-time to save money. Although most of it goes to helping Mother pay the rent, I still managed to save 30,000 yen. I had originally planned to buy a gift for my sister's birthday]
[Miss Archangel: Please, Yuu-kun, accept this money!]
[Kasugano Yuu: I will ask you when I need it]
[Miss Archangel: Okay!]
Natsuyu put away his phone and smiled confidently at Rurikawa Tsubaki. He raised his eyebrows and said, "Done, we have money now. Let's go to the Ramen Shop. We'll fill our stomachs first before going to Chiba."
"Hmm? Tsubaki?"
Rurikawa Tsubaki snapped out of her daze and said softly, "Brother, you sure have a lot of friends."
She was a bit disappointed. Just a moment ago, she had fantasized about working hard to earn her first paycheck and handing it to Natsuyu, and he would show a happy smile and offer gentle praise for her...
"Actually, it's debatable whether we even count as friends. We've only met once; the rest of the time we just chat online."
Rurikawa Tsubaki was surprised. "To be willing to lend money after just one meeting, Brother must have left a very deep impression in her heart."
But definitely not as deep an impression as in hers.
Rurikawa Tsubaki thought with a touch of pride.
Natsuyu smiled. Taking Rurikawa Tsubaki, who was gripping the hem of his shirt, he entered the Ramen Shop, ordered their food, took a picture of the QR Code, and sent it to Miss Archangel.
[Miss Archangel: It's paid. Please enjoy your meal, Yuu-kun]
[Kasugano Yuu: We've successfully begged for food, fam]
[Miss Archangel: Haha]
During the meal, Rurikawa Tsubaki finally let go of Natsuyu's shirt and ate quietly and elegantly.
Suddenly, Natsuyu received another message.
[Miss Archangel: Yuu-kun, um, your life must be very difficult right now]
[Miss Archangel: I told Mother about your situation without asking. Mother asked me to ask you, do you want to...]
[Miss Archangel: Um, that is, come live at my house]
Natsuyu widened his eyes, leaning back slightly.
Confirming he hadn't read it wrong, Natsuyu felt like the ramen he was slurping had lost its flavor. He quickly typed with one hand:
[Kasugano Yuu: With three people in your family, do you still have a spare room?]
[Miss Archangel: Mother said you could stay in my and my sister's room. My sister will share a room with Mother, and I'll just sleep on the sofa]
[Kasugano Yuu: That's a real mother for you]
[Miss Archangel: Um, actually, I suggested it. Please don't misunderstand Mother. Mother intended to sleep in the living room and let you stay in her room, but I thought that might be a little inconvenient]
Sleeping in your sisters' bed is convenient though, right?
[Kasugano Yuu: Forget it. With three of you, a mother and daughters, it's not convenient for me, a man, to move in]
Natsuyu was actually a little tempted.
Some people's titles weren't necessarily true. For example, the Little Angel Kushida Kikyo wasn't little at all, nor was she an Angel.
But the titles he gave to others were absolutely true.
Miss Archangel was really big, and very much an Angel.
But unfortunately, Miss Archangel's family was relatively poor. How could it compare to the superior quality of life of being kept by the wealthy Yukino?
Natsuyu didn't want to give up his chance to sleep in every day and go to work to support himself.
This time, it was personal preferences yielding to material Reality, the cruelty of true love losing to money.
Natsuyu sighed softly. Then he thought of how, although the wealthy Yukino was a flat cutting board, her looks and other aspects were absolutely impeccable, and he immediately changed his attitude:
Being a kept man was great! His goal in life was to be kept by a sugar mommy!
[Miss Archangel: Okay, please take care, Yuu-kun. If you encounter any difficulties, you must tell me. Although I can't provide much help, I can share my part-time work Experience with you]
[Kasugano Yuu: God, Ichinose, I truly revere you!]
[Miss Archangel: Xia You-kun, you were the one who helped our family]