Chapter Seventeen: Qi Is Kicked Away, Gold

The next morning, as Ayase woke up and stretched, she heard a boy’s voice say, “Awake? People in this world sure get up late.” Her body froze mid-stretch, and she turned to see the young man sitting at her desk, playing on her computer.

“So it wasn’t a dream?” Ayase sounded disappointed. “Wait, you perverted thief, you didn’t steal a computer just to play, did you? And there’s no internet cable—what are you even doing? Weren’t you reading books last night? How do you even know about computers, let alone use one?”

“Could you stop calling me a pervert first thing in the morning?” Qi rolled his eyes at her. “I finished all the books on your shelf last night, so I learned about computers and how convenient they are. I took a gold bar to a jewelry store and exchanged it for about a million yen, bought a computer and an internet card. Clear now? Stop assuming the worst about people. Can’t you be a little more positive?”

Ayase was dumbfounded by the barrage of information. “You read all the books on my shelf in one night? Don’t joke around—today isn’t April Fools’. And where did you exchange the money last night? Where did you even get the gold? Didn’t you come here without even bringing clothes? And who sells computers and internet cards in the middle of the night, you idiot? Fess up—did you do something illegal? Confess to the police now, or I’ll call them myself!” She grabbed her phone from the bedside table.

“Believe me or not as you wish. The process might have been a bit unpleasant, but it’s the truth. I’ve already learned most of the basic facts about this world. While you’re at school, I’ll go look for someone at the local middle schools. If I can’t find her, I’ll come back. That’s all.” Qi’s tone was calm and detached.

“Oh, so you’re just going to leave? What about my opinion? If you leave, don’t bother coming back! You have money now, don’t you? Go live somewhere else!” Ayase huffed.

“No ID card,” Qi replied blandly.

“…Damn it, damn it, damn it, why am I so unlucky to be stuck with a perverted freak like you?” Ayase gritted her teeth.

“If you think about it differently, it’s not so bad. Out of all the people in this world, the first person I saw after crossing over was you, the first one I spoke to was you, and the first place I stayed was your room. Isn’t that a rare, fairy-tale-like coincidence?”

“The first person you saw…” For a moment, Ayase seemed to recall some unpleasant memory. A strange smile crept onto her face. “Heh… heh heh heh, maybe this world should just be destroyed. Or maybe I should just beat you until you forget everything. Heh heh heh…” Her tone grew unhinged.

With a sudden burst of speed, Ayase lunged at him. Qi waited calmly for her attack. She raised her right leg and delivered a whipping kick straight at his face.

“Oh, your technique’s improved since last night…” Qi was sent flying.

…Both of them froze in shock. Qi was the first to recover. Only that twisted, perverted god could grant someone the power to keep him pinned down like this, he thought through gritted teeth. Suddenly, he could sympathize with Ayase’s feelings.

“Alright, I let you vent your anger just now. After all, I was in the wrong. Let’s talk this out,” Qi said, sincerely apologetic for the first time.

“Wh-what? You’re just a pervert. I’m going to school. If you have something to say, save it for tonight.” Ayase hurried out, then ran back a moment later. “Hmph, I’m changing clothes. Get out.”

“Okay, my beautiful lady,” Qi replied as he got up from the floor. Despite having taken a kick, he wasn’t hurt in the slightest. “I’ll check out the schools nearby and see if I can find the Black Cat girl, so you can be free sooner.”

“You’d better,” Ayase said, turning her head away.

Qi shook his head and smiled inwardly. As expected, her attitude changed as soon as he changed his own. She really was a kind and brave girl.

After climbing out the window with his computer, Ayase blushed deeply as she changed clothes, recalling how he’d seen her last night. Embarrassed beyond words, she could only resort to sharp-tongued remarks to divert her feelings.

Qi, meanwhile, walked the streets, unfazed by the stares of passersby as he surfed the internet. He pulled out his “Qi-pedia” device and made contact with the other side. “Lord God, is there something you want to say to me?”

“Hahaha! The moment you went flying was hilarious. I recorded the video, now I have more material to laugh at.” The god sounded utterly remorseless.

“Damn it, what are you up to?”

“Just enjoying your misfortune.”

“I want to punch you.”

“You don’t have the strength. But listen up, kid, since you have no rivals in this world, I’ll send a few your way, along with some tasks. Complete them and you’ll get rewards.” The god cackled mischievously.

“One day, when I finally get my fists on you, I’ll beat you senseless.”

“Say whatever you want. I control your life and death, remember?”

“Is Misaka around? I brought her some fine black tea as thanks for her help.”

“She’s here. She hasn’t gotten a chance to appear lately. Thanks for the tea, but I won’t reveal any more of Lord God’s secrets.” Misaka’s voice came through, as lively as ever. “Misaka just wanted to make her presence felt.”

“It’s nothing—just a little gift. Are my things all right?”

“Anything you send will be stored in a space where time is stopped, so it’ll be exactly the same when you take it out. Unless Lord God or someone else messes with it, of course. Misaka’s not getting involved.”

“Thanks. I’ve got a bit of trouble here; I’ll go for now.” Qi closed the device, looking helplessly at the group of delinquents surrounding him.

“I heard you sold off some gold last night. Wonder where you got it? My house lost a few bars just the other day. What a coincidence, don’t you think?” The leader, a tough-looking man, stepped forward.

Still focused on his computer, Qi replied blandly, “Who’s your boss? Take me to him. I have a business proposition—a big one.”

The man was thrown off by Qi’s calm and unexpected response, frowning as he considered his next move. The other thugs looked at each other, unsure what to do.

“What kind of business? That gold, I suppose?” the tough man asked, eyes narrowed.

“That’s right. I have a lot of gold to sell. Last night was just to draw you out, a test run. Are you thinking of taking it all for yourself? I doubt you have the means. Would I really walk in here unarmed if I didn’t have a plan?” Qi’s tone remained indifferent.

“Fine, I’ll take you to the boss. Don’t try anything funny—you’re alone, and killing you would be a piece of cake.” The man threatened him before leading the way. Qi followed at a leisurely pace, still playing on his computer, showing not the slightest concern at the prospect of meeting a gang boss. His composure only made the man more wary. They got in a car at a street corner and drove off.

By the time Qi returned to the main road, it was already noon. A gang of rabble, even with guns, was nothing to him. In his own world, such people were no different from bandits. If not for the laws of this place, he would have buried them all. For now, he’d simply extorted their money and weapons, leaving them incapacitated.

The side trip had cost him time, and because of the detour, he had to start searching from nearby. By midday, he’d visited six schools: one elementary, three middle, and two high schools. Although the Black Cat girl looked like a middle schooler, he didn’t want to risk missing her by guessing her age.

He searched until school let out, then turned back, resigned to his lack of progress. It was normal not to find someone on the first day—Japan wasn’t large, but it had plenty of schools. Finding her on day one would have been a miracle.

On his way home, Qi encountered Ayase walking with a cute, orange-haired girl. The two were chatting and laughing, clearly close friends. As soon as Ayase noticed Qi, she shot him a warning look, clearly telling him not to approach. Qi just shrugged helplessly. The orange-haired girl, however, looked at him with curiosity.

“Ayase, look at that guy—he’s so weird. His butler uniform is a mess, he’s walking while staring at a computer, and he was just looking our way. Is he someone you know?” she asked.

“Nope. He looks just like one of those so-called shut-ins—sloppy, walking around with a computer, not even afraid of getting hit by a car. Shut-ins are never good news. People with such disgusting hobbies are bound to live disgraceful lives,” Ayase replied with disdain.

“Uh… yeah, I guess you’re right. Ha… hahaha…” the orange-haired girl laughed awkwardly.

“Hey, I haven’t done anything to you, so why are you badmouthing me?” Qi spun around and surprised them by appearing right in front of them, looking indignant. “Seriously, what’s with middle school girls these days? Always gossiping behind people’s backs.”

“You…” Ayase was at a loss for words. From a stranger’s perspective, she was in the wrong—Qi had simply been walking by, and she’d started insulting him out of nowhere. The orange-haired girl felt the same, realizing she’d started it, but she wasn’t the type to admit fault.

“My friend may have been harsh, but society doesn’t think well of shut-ins, and someone like you just makes things worse…” the orange-haired girl began, but Ayase quickly pulled her aside.

“Kirino, you sound like you’re defending shut-ins. Be careful not to talk to strangers—it could be dangerous,” Ayase warned, glancing at Qi.

“Hey, that’s too much! I haven’t bothered you at all, so why keep slandering me? If that’s how you want it, then don’t blame me. Ayase, last night I…” Qi was sent flying once again.

“Damn you, God! Enough already!” Qi howled inwardly.