"No, it has nothing to do with that," Sakiko gently shook her head, those amber-colored eyes shimmering with a moist glow, revealing a faint smile.
'I just... found something much more important.'
"If that's the case then…"
Kaito thought for a moment and suggested, "How about we treat this money as rent? The tenant in the next room recently went abroad, so you could move in."
"Though it's a bit small, it's more than enough for one person to live in, and the rent is cheaper. Only thirty thousand yen a month."
Actually, he had considered inviting Sakiko to live with him.
After all, a 3LDK apartment was meant for a family of three, and living alone was a bit too spacious.
But thinking it through, this kind of behavior wasn't much different from cohabitation. Even if he didn't mind, that didn't mean Sakiko wouldn't either.
Sakiko hesitated for a moment but didn't refuse.
The apartment she was currently renting was not only small, but the water and electricity were unstable. It was hard to even take a proper bath. The only advantage was its low cost, but even so, it still cost her nearly twenty thousand yen per month.
Now with this scholarship, she no longer needed to live so tightly like before. She could totally afford a better living environment.
"Oh right," Kaito paused and then added, "There's one more thing that might need your help."
Sakiko immediately perked up, straightened her back, and looked serious, "Please say it. As long as it's something I can do, anything is fine."
Having received so many favors, she now desperately wanted to repay Kurumizaka-kun and had made up her mind.
Only, it was unexpected.
"Interested in becoming my secretary?"
Hearing that, Sakiko was briefly stunned.
'Secretary?'
'Is it the kind of secretary I imagine, the kind that does all sorts of tasks?'
"I'm planning to open a spirit-exorcising agency. One person might not be able to handle it all," Kaito briefly explained his plan, "Calling it a secretary is more like an assistant, helping with some miscellaneous tasks. Of course, it's best if it's someone I know well."
Actually, he had previously considered asking Yumiko and Bocchi for help.
But then thought better of it. Not to mention the former, even just Bocchi…
The shy little girl couldn't even talk to him without stuttering, let alone go out and run errands.
Compared to that, Sakiko was obviously more suitable for the 'assistant' role.
She had rich part-time job experience, had worked in customer service, and knew how to communicate with people.
She used to be a young lady, so she wasn't lacking in personal connections either.
"You're the most suitable candidate, and I also believe you can handle the job."
"The monthly salary will be set at 300,000 yen for now, with eight days off per month. Regular holidays will also be observed. If your performance is outstanding, a raise can be considered."
"The daily work includes contacting clients and selecting commissions you find suitable."
"What do you think? Want to consider it?"
'What generous pay!'
Toyokawa Sakiko found it hard not to be tempted.
Her current part-time customer service job was exhausting and full of scolding, yet she could only earn a few tens of thousands of yen a month.
And her manager was not easy to get along with either, a middle-aged woman in her 40s going through menopause, always finding excuses to deduct bonuses and wages. It made her want to smash her headset into that mean face.
"Such benefits… are too good," Sakiko gave a slight bitter smile, "I bet if you just spread the word, there'd be a ton of people lining up to apply, right?"
Not only was there no overtime, but the boss was also a stunningly beautiful young man. Even without salary, many would be willing to work just for his looks.
"Posting a recruitment notice is too much trouble."
Kaito sighed, "You said you'd do anything, and now you're rejecting such a simple request?"
A very basic provocation tactic.
But Sakiko had no way to refute and could only weakly respond, "Even so… the salary is too high."
A monthly salary of 300,000 yen was on par with a white-collar worker at a large company, and the work even sounded easier.
This money burned in her hands.
"You mean to say?"
"I'm fine with just 100,000 yen…"
That amount wasn't too much and was more in line with what an assistant should be paid.
Having seen many part-timers dissatisfied with their salary, he'd never seen someone proactively lowering their own wage.
'What a naturally born workhorse saint.'
'Might as well stop calling her Togawa Sakiko and rename her Camel Sakiko.'
"I'm not some black-hearted boss who squeezes employees dry."
Kaito crossed his arms, "I said 300,000, and not a yen less. If you talk back again, I'll raise it to 400,000."
Having seen black-hearted capitalists who squeezed every penny, it was the first time seeing someone use a raise as a threat.
'Kurumizaka-kun really is a weirdo.'
Under the softly warm white light, tiny glimmers fell onto Sakiko's fair cheeks, where even fine fuzz could be seen.
Droplets still hung on the girl's long eyelashes, like a baby bird had flown into her heart, warm and soft.
"...Kurumizaka-kun, please take care of me from now on."
"A promising child," Kaito nodded with satisfaction, then suddenly changed the subject, "What do you call me?"
Sakiko froze for a moment, hesitated briefly, then tentatively asked, "Boss?"
"Just kidding."
Kaito's lips curled into a smile. He casually reached out and rubbed her silky blue hair, "No need to be so formal. Just call me whatever you like."
Being head-patted by someone of the opposite sex for the first time aside from family, Sakiko could feel her cheeks heating uncontrollably.
Soft and mellow Little Sakiko, grand revival.
"S-Since that's the case, Kaito-kun, please don't call me Togawa-san anymore. It sounds too distant."
The girl pretended to be calm and brushed her hair by her ear with her small hand, using the motion to hide her true feelings. "Just call me by my name."
"You mean like this?"
Kaito feigned seriousness, "Sakiko? Or maybe Little Saki?"
"Little Saki" wasn't an uncommon nickname. Back when she was in a band, everyone in the group used to call her that.
But…
A name she had long grown used to suddenly felt incredibly embarrassing when called by Kaito.
Her pretty face flushed like she was drunk, but the soft and mellow Little Sakiko forced herself to say, "Since I'm now your employee, Kaito-kun, I'll resign from my current part-time company as soon as possible."
"As for now… l-let's exchange contact info first, so we can keep in touch…"
Kaito had no objections, of course. Although they'd known each other for some time, their relationship had always been platonic, so they never deliberately exchanged contact info.
Setting the boss's account as pinned and specially cared for, Sakiko put away her phone, already entering work mode.
"As for the agency's business, what exactly does it include?"
"Hm? A spirit-exorcising agency, of course it's spirit exorcising."
Kaito thought for a moment and added, "Professional ghost-catching, exorcisms, slaying monsters, and banishing demons. As long as a client confirms they've encountered a supernatural event, we can take the case."
"Eh?"
Sakiko looked at him a little blankly. She had focused all her attention on that 300,000 yen monthly salary earlier and hadn't noticed the "spirit-exorcising" prefix of the agency at all.
'But… do evil spirits and monsters really exist in this world?'
'Could Kurumizaka-kun have been deceived by a scam group?'
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