I lost my part-time job, which is disappointing.
But, my main job is still stable, so losing the part-time job is just a setback as I consider changing careers.
Looking back, if my side job had been discovered, it could have caused more problems. So, all things considered, maybe it was good timing.
I received fair compensation when I left, so I’m thankful for that job.
I feel sorry for not catching the intruder.
“Next up, we have news about a recent localized storm of unknown origin that occurred…”
Click.
The TV suddenly turned off, and then I saw Thanatos-chan walking towards me with the remote, saying, “Dinner’s ready, oji-san.” ( Translators note: I’ll be using oji-san instead of ”uncle/sir” from now on)
“Thank you.”
“No problem, I enjoy doing it.”
We moved to the dining table with her cheerful smile.
Livia-chan was already seated, and as soon as I took my seat, she put her hands together and said ‘Itadakimasu’.
Seems like she was hungry.
The twin girls often visit my room to share meals like this.
They live together as a pair and seem to enjoy having someone to eat and chat with.
It’s nice to come home exhausted and find that they’ve cooked homemade meals. They also enjoy the dishes I make, so it’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.
It’s currently 8:00 PM.
On the table, there’s steak, soup, and bread.
The soup is filled with plenty of vegetables, and there’s sauerkraut made from cabbage and cucumber pickled in vinegar.
I’m 29 years old.
Honestly, I’m starting to struggle with heavy, grilled meat dishes as I get older, and I’m appreciating vegetables more.
After saying ‘Itadakimasu,’ I decide to start with the pickles to stimulate my appetite.
”Hmm”
“Is everything alright, oji-san?”
“Nah, these pickles are unusually sour. Maybe too much.”
“Oh, it might be because of the new pickling stone. If it’s not good for pickling, we should throw it away. It’s too heavy anyway. Shall I dispose of it?”
“Yeah, just get rid of it.”
“Really?”
I don’t really understand if the pickling stone affects the pickles. I’ve never made them, so I don’t understand.
“By the way oji-san, I heard you were fired from your part-time job?”
When Thanatos-chan asked, I stumbled for words.
“Yes, well… I believe it was inevitable due to my own errors.”
“That’s terrible. It’s really unfortunate. I’m sure they’re regretting their decision now, after letting go of someone as serious and wonderful as you, for unfair reasons!”
“Exactly.”
With bright eyes, Thanatos-chan nods in agreement.
“The person who fired you might realize your abilities now, but it’s too late.”
“…Sounds like the title of a novel.”
“Oh, Thanatos has been writing novels online recently.”
“Oh really! That’s impressive, can I read them too?”
“Well, they’re not good enough to share with family members.”
cough
“Anyway, since you’ve left your part-time job and have some free time now, why don’t we go out for a change?”
“Ah, that’s a good idea.”
I thought for a moment.
…There’s a lot to be grateful for to both of them, and spending time together occasionally sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it?
“Sure, why not? Let’s make the most of this opportunity and have some fun. Any suggestions on where to go?”
“In that case, how about Penguin Land?”
Livia-chan cheerfully suggests.
“It’s a newly opened theme park, what do you think?”
◆
Meanwhile…
Localized storm.
…That’s what the public is being told.
It was undoubtedly a man-made disaster.
Violence driven by intention.
However, the unreasonable power that cannot be opposed even if humans stand up against it is akin to a natural disaster.
Anyway, that’s the situation.
“I never expected everything to disappear overnight like this…”
Until just a few days ago, there was a facility where research and production of magic swords were conducted.
Or rather, it was the factory where Lux worked.
Now it lies in ruins, utterly destroyed, with nothing left but debris.
Fortunately, there were no casualties, but there were many eyewitnesses, and they all say the same thing.
”That was a disaster driven by intention.”
“That’s impossible…”
The former manager of the factory mutters tiredly.
…former.
As the person in charge, he was held responsible for the damages, and as a result, he is now unemployed.
All his savings have been confiscated.
Overnight, he went from being in charge to becoming a resident of a cheap, rundown apartment.
Or rather, despite the loss of the most important and valuable thing in the factory – Durandal, he can consider himself lucky to have escaped paying for it with his ‘life’.
Even within the organization, a manager is just another employee.
He didn’t even know about Durandal’s existence.
He sighed, taking a swig of cheap beer, feeling disheartened.
Despite the usual consequences of browsing the internet while drunk, he found himself scrolling through a flea market site on his computer.
“Hmm, a pickling stone?”
There, he stumbled upon something called ‘Premium Pickling Stone (Buying it will increase your luck!!) (Releases negative ions!)’. Despite his better judgment, he found himself intrigued and added it to his shopping cart, proceeding to make the purchase without hesitation.
Feeling oddly satisfied, he shut down the computer and collapsed onto his bed.
All he could think about at that moment was the delicious taste of pickled vegetables.
And then, a few days later.
“What’s this?”
A strangely extravagant and radiant object arrived, definitely not resembling a pickling stone, labeled as the ‘Premium Pickling Stone’.
“Well, whatever…”
For the time being, he decided to place it on top of the lid of the pickling jar.
Author note: By the way, the age of the twins is ‘unknown’.
