Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

After that, the two didn't speak to each other for a long time.

Just sitting side by side and brewing the silence into something sweeter.

The first to break the silence was Qiu Hui.

"...Anyway, thank you very much for coming this time."

After Akie finished the rest of the tea, she continued, "How should I put it? Thank you for letting me forget about my broken heart for a while."

"Forget it for now?" Xiangzi was a little confused, "Why do you say that?"

"Because, it's really just temporary." Akie sighed, "Only comic characters can resolve all their problems with one or two heart-to-heart talks."

Xiangzi nodded sympathetically: "Yes. When we separate, things will return to the way they were before."

But at least for this moment, we both made each other feel a little better.

"For example..." She said with a smile, "Actually, I just lost my job today."

"Unemployed? Do you mean you lost your job?" Qiu Hui asked, "But don't worry too much. If it's a part-time job, you should be able to find one in another place."

Xiangzi shook his head. "Among the part-time jobs that students can do, most of them require exposure, right? For example, being a store clerk or something like that. I've been working in an outsourced customer service center for a while, but that company seems to be laying off employees on a large scale recently... so I was laid off. Now I don't know when I can find a suitable job again."

"What a heavy topic." Qiu Hui sighed, "So, Xiangzi, what are you going to do next?"

"I've saved a little bit of money for this kind of situation," Xiangzi said with a bitter face. "I'll have to rely on that while I'm looking for a job."

A little bit... How much is it? However, that number must not be too big, Qiu Hui thought.

At this moment, she suddenly had an idea... which might not be mature.

"By the way, can you do me a favor?" Qiu Hui asked a little uneasily.

She wasn't sure whether it was appropriate to bring up the idea she had just thought of in this situation. But, at least from her own point of view, it would be a proposal that would benefit both parties.

"What does Akihime want me to do? If it's something I can do, I will do my best." Shoko replied in a polite and sincere tone.

"It's like this." Qiu Hui said, "You've been to my place before, right?"

"Yeah. So what?"

"I live alone, and to be honest, I'm not only not good at it, but I also hate cleaning and tidying up my room..." Qiu Hui said hesitantly, "So, my room is always a mess."

"It's not that messy..." Xiangzi shook his head, "but it is indeed a little untidy."

His father, who was always drunk, certainly couldn't help, so Xiangzi now did most of the housework by himself.

“Right? So, uh, I’ll get straight to the point! My new book was just released recently, so I have a little more money, so…”

Qiu Hui mustered up her courage.

"During the time when Xiangzi-san hasn't found a job, can I... hire you to help me with housework?"

Chapter 16 Housekeeping Xiaoxiang

When making this request, Qiu Hui was still a little nervous.

Given our current relationship, it would be inappropriate to directly offer to sponsor Xiangzi.

After all, she didn't look like someone who would be willing to accept unconditional help from others.

Therefore, rather than direct funding, it might be more appropriate to provide "job opportunities".

Xiangzi needs money now, and my room does need to be cleaned. So in theory, the needs of both parties are matched.

In this way, I, who provide help, will also benefit from it, which is valuable to both parties.

However, asking classmates to clean your house is a kind of thing...how should I put it? I wonder how Xiangzi himself would understand it.

While it is possible to accept it, it is also possible to see it as offensive.

Besides, cleaning and housework, if you put it more bluntly, she would be a maid, and if you go a step further...

Qiu Hui coughed uncomfortably. Stop, if I continue thinking like this, it will be really offensive.

Even if I like girls, I can't always let my thoughts wander to that kind of thing.

She stopped thinking about it and looked at Xiangzi, waiting for her reaction.

"Is this really possible? How much is the hourly wage?"

Xiangzi's eyes sparkled, and he was about to shout out in excitement...

"Ah, um, well, I mean, I don't have a job right now, so..."

After a brief moment of excitement, she quickly realized that this was too disrespectful, so she tried very reluctantly to act reserved.

"...If you agree to it for now, I think it's fine."

Anyway, you agreed, right? And you seem to be quite happy about it.

"That's great." Akie breathed a sigh of relief. "That's a great help. So how about an hourly wage of 3,000 yen?"

In other words, it is equal to the standard that Sushi-san sets for myself, she thought.

Xiangzi, who heard the news, tried to suppress his surprise and asked calmly, "Is it really possible?"

Three thousand yen! If you save a little, it's enough to cover your food expenses for two or three days!

"Of course." Qiu Hui replied, "My residence is actually very small, and there is not much to do. It may take less than an hour each time. Besides, it is not necessary to clean every day. The compensation for this kind of odd jobs is higher than the hourly wage of a stable job..."

"I understand! It's really..."

Xiangzi was overjoyed and wanted to say thank you, but then he changed his mind and took back the words that were about to come out of his mouth.

"...It's a good deal. I'm willing to accept it. Thank you very much for the opportunity."

She smiled and answered calmly.

This is not a thank you for "receiving help", but an expression of gratitude for "making an exchange".

The help Qiu Hui has given me so far has been simple and did not bring any burden to herself.

The same is true now, she gives me job opportunities, but at the same time she also meets her own needs.

It is precisely because the two sides have a relationship of helping each other and neither owes anything to the other that Xiangzi feels relieved.

Although I never mentioned it myself, Qiu Hui seemed to be aware of the existence of this tacit understanding.

Realizing this, Xiangzi felt even happier.

Although it may not be appropriate to say this, she was even a little happy about her unemployment.

"We're almost done eating. Well, since you've agreed to do it, let's go back together?" Qiu Hui said a little intermittently.

"Yes." Xiangzi smiled and nodded, "Well, sorry to bother you."

……

So, Xiangzi once again came to the rental house where Qiu Hui lived.

She glanced at the cupboard and saw a few books she had never read before.

Everything else was pretty much the same, still looking messy, exactly the same impression she had from her last visit.

"There are actually cleaning tools like brooms, rags, and buckets. They are all in the bathroom." Qiu Hui introduced a little embarrassedly, "But I'm usually too lazy to use them."

"It's okay!" Xiangzi rolled up his sleeves eagerly, "Leave it to me!"

Although it is called a residence, it is actually only the size of a bedroom.

Although Xiangzi's current residence is shabby, it is still a complete apartment with a entrance hall, living room, bedroom, etc. It is not large but not small either.

For Xiangzi, who has had to deal with the heavy workload of the entire house for a long time, this small single room is nothing!

"I'll use the computer desk for a while. Please, Xiangzi, go somewhere else first." Qiu Hui sat down in front of the computer and pressed the power button.

"Okay, then I'll start cleaning the bathroom first!" Xiangzi responded, "By the way, Qiu Hui, do you have a toilet brush? What about toilet cleaner or something like that?"

Her work enthusiasm is particularly high at the moment.

"Bathroom?" Qiu Hui was a little embarrassed. "It might be a little tricky over there, so I won't bother you..."

"I've already received the money, so I have to do it well." Xiangzi said with a smile, "Don't worry, I often do these jobs at home, and I'm already very good at it!"

"Wait, at home?" Qiu Hui turned around and asked with great concern, "Then, where are your parents?"

"Father is always drinking and basically doesn't do anything. As for mother..."

The smile on Xiangzi's face disappeared.

"...How should I put it? It's very complicated and can't be explained in a few words."

Seeing Xiangzi's expression at this moment, Qiu Hui also realized that she might have asked a question that she shouldn't have asked.

"I'm sorry," she said. "It's really... not easy for you."

Is Xiangzi's mother divorced? Or dead? Or something else?

Although she was a little concerned, Qiu Hui thought that it might be better not to dig into the matter.

"It's okay, don't worry about my situation for now, Akie just focus on your work!"

After saying this, Xiangzi turned around and walked into the bathroom. Then the sound of running water came from inside.

"Okay, thank you. The toilet brush is next to the toilet. As for the toilet cleaner, I remember it should be in the cabinet under the sink!"

After explaining the situation, Qiu Hui turned her attention back to the computer screen in front of her.

While she was doing her own thing at the computer desk, Xiangzi also started his own work.

She took out toilet cleaner from the cupboard, took down the stiff-bristle brush hanging on the wall, bent down, and started working skillfully.

It was not a very heavy or unpleasant task for her. When she was at home, the situation she encountered was much more complicated than the current one.

Although he was at a loss for a while when he first encountered the incident, under the pressure of reality, Xiangzi is now quite familiar with various housework.

At this moment, she even had time to let her imagination run wild while doing her work.

"I'm doing housework, Akie is working now..."

For some reason, Xiangzi suddenly had a strange idea.

“How should I put it? This situation is just like…”

...Wait a minute! Didn't Qiu Hui say before that she actually likes girls?

Well, in that case...

This fact exploded in Xiangzi's mind like thunder, causing her to accidentally pour out about 30 percent more toilet cleaner than the recommended amount.

Chapter 17 Try Someone Else

While Xiangzi was cleaning, Qiuhui was preparing for work in front of the computer.

At present, her work mainly focuses on the outline of the second volume.

After typing for a while, she suddenly remembered to check her email.

After all, some work arrangements may be sent in the form of emails.

However, while the page was still loading, her attention was drawn to the sudden ringing of her cell phone.

After seeing the caller ID, she answered the phone and asked, "Ms. Miao Meng, what's the matter?"

Qiu Hui didn't know why Miao Meng called at this time.

"Good evening, Teacher Aki Ryoko...uh, well, in a private setting like this, can I call you by your name?" Meow Meng asked.

"Of course you can." Akihime replied, "It would be a bit weird if you keep calling me Akihiko."

For some reason, she always felt that Miao Meng's attitude towards her was somewhat unnatural.

During the several encounters, she was always very enthusiastic; but for some reason, Qiu Hui always felt that behind this enthusiasm, there was an inexplicable nervousness and uneasiness.

This tension is also reflected in the choice of name just now.

The other party seemed to want to be friends with me in real life, but she kept subconsciously calling me by a pen name and didn't tell me her real name. It was really strange.

But, maybe it's just a personal preference. Qiu Hui thought so and didn't care too much.