Chapter 16: Ordinary day
When they arrived home, their parents were also there.
Before he became Mizuto, his father would often stay out late, and sometimes, he wouldn't stay at home at all as he would spend his time working.
Still, after his change a year ago, his father often went home as the two had a conversation together. They often discussed many things, such as fashion, dating places, and many others.
Frankly, when his father decided to marry Yuni, he didn't feel surprised as he knew the process of his father's dating. But he was helpless because he didn't expect his former girlfriend to become his stepsister due to this.
Nevertheless, as Mineaki (his father) and Yuni (his stepmother) married, they went home earlier so they could spend more time with their new family. It was also for this reason that Yuni decided to take care of the dinner, especially when Mizuto had taken care of the breakfast before.
"I can't cook anything fancy, and I am sorry if the taste isn't that good, Mizuto-kun."
"No, it tastes good, Yuni-san."
Yuni cooked a homecooked curry for dinner, which was something that could be done by anyone in this country as they only needed to put a curry roux on the ingredients that had been boiled for a while. While it was easy, it was delicious and relatively healthy as there were many vegetables.
Even so, what mattered wasn't the taste. Instead, it was her effort, considering how busy she was with her job, yet she still decided to cook for her family.
Hearing Mizuto's answer, Mineaki was satisfied, but he had to say Mizuto's cooks tasted better. However, unlike Mizuto's food, on this curry, there was his new wife's love.
"I often heard that you were good at cooking from Mineaki-san, Mizuto-kun."
"I do, but I am just following the recipes."
"Recipes?"
"Wait a moment." Mizuto stood up and walked to the shelf table under the television. He opened the shelf, and there were many books inside.
"That's..." Yuni, who followed Mizuto, was in doubt, then asked curiously, "Are all their recipe books?"
"Yes." Mizuto nodded and took out a few books to show to Yuni. "I put all of them here. You can check them if you are curious."
Yuni took the books and checked them one by one. "Mongolian, Malaysia, Morocco..." She was dumbfounded by the collections of recipes from various countries in the world. "Do you want to become a cook, Mizuto-kun?"
Hearing that question, whether Mineaki or Yume, they looked up and became curious about what Mizuto planned to become in the future.
"No, I don't plan to become a cook."
"Then, do you have a plan for the future?"
"I want to work at an investment bank."
If it was before, he might say that he would become a police officer, but when he got a system, his answer definitely became different.
"Investment bank?" Yuni was surprised by his answer. "Why?" After all, the majority of the students in this country would say that they would work for major companies in the future, but they couldn't give the appropriate answer to what kind of companies they wished to work for.
"It's like a treasure hunt. It's interesting to find a company that is ignored by many but is worth billions or even trillions. Being able to find something like that and watching them bloom beautifully under my hands is interesting."
Frankly, the financial industry was an industry that was almost ignored in this country. After all, during the "Lost Decade," many people lost so much, and the previous prosperity was no longer seen. Everyone was also more cautious with what they would do with their money, so there wasn't much enthusiasm toward the financial industry since what everyone sought was stability.
As long as they didn't feel hungry and had a place to live, everything was enough.
This was what everyone in this country was thinking.
Still, greed was natural for humans, and everyone wished to have money. Nevertheless, one needed to pay a certain risk if they wanted to get more money.
It was, like many often say, "high risk, high return."
It was like how people would sail all over the world from their homes for wealth.
Yet, timidity and fear were also natural things for a human.
Taking the risk wasn't an easy thing.
Still, in a country where the economic situation was a downturn, and every company could go bankrupt anytime, was there even stability?
While Mizuto's wish to work for the investment bank surprised Mineaki and Yuni, they didn't discourage him and supported him, but they would be lying if they didn't feel worried.
However, Yume didn't feel surprised, especially when she thought about what he had done before, and somehow, she felt that such a job seemed to be suited for him.
"Well, my plan might change since many things can happen in the future. I might even become a police inspector and rely on the taxpayer in the future."
"...." 3x
What should they say?
Nevertheless, it was good that Mizuto was thinking about his future seriously, and frankly, they didn't worry that much about him since they felt like no matter what he did, he could be successful.
Yet, it also made Yuni feel a bit lonely since she was unable to help Mizuto that much.
"How about you, Yume-chan? Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?" Mineaki asked.
Yume was stunned, but she thought for a moment before shaking her head. "...I am not sure yet."
Mineaki nodded and said gently. "It's okay. You don't need to make your decision in a hurry."
Still, due to that question, somehow, it became awkward, but then Yuni quickly clapped her hands and said, "Oh, right, didn't you go out with Mizuto-kun? Where did you two go, and what did you do?"
Being stared at once again, Yume was speechless and turned her gaze at Mizuto, which he nodded, causing her to feel helpless, but she told them what she did. "We went to the flea market..." Even though she told them what they did, it didn't mean she was going to tell everything. Still, her mood improved when she talked about what she did with Mizuto.
It was like when one was happy; wasn't it normal for one wishing to share their experience with others?
It was Yume's current experience.
Mineaki could feel that Yume was happy and thought it was great for the two siblings to get along, but Yuni felt a little weird since it felt like her daughter was dating her stepson.
Still, Yuni didn't voice her doubt and just listened while looking at the plates Mizuto bought.
"It has a nice color and design."
They looked at the Royal Copenhagen plates Mizuto bought and thought that they were pretty tasteful, especially for decorating or greeting guests who came to their house.
Still, watching her mother and stepfather holding the 100,000 yen plates carelessly, Yume felt her heart almost stop. She wanted to say something, but she saw Mizuto shake his head, telling her not to say anything. While she was helpless, she could only sigh helplessly.
The time they spent together, even though it was a little awkward, there was no doubt that it shortened the distance between them, especially when no one felt awkward with each other anymore.
Nevertheless, Mizuto thought that many things happened in the past few days, from his father remarried, his stepsister, the system, a molester, getting money, and many others. Still, when he thought about the future, he felt like he should be able to go even further.
Such as becoming the richest in the world?
If it was before, it might not be possible, but now, it is possible.
"Well, let's finish my job first."
While he wanted to make money on the stock market with his "Identify" skill, it was at night and on a Friday, so it was impossible as the market didn't open for 24 hours and seven days a week.
In the end, he continued to work on the thesis of his last customer. When this was over, he wouldn't do this job anymore. Typing his keyboard quietly, he stared at the screen of his old hand-down laptop from his father. If it was before, it might have taken a little while to finish this work, but it was different when he gained his system, so he wished to finish his work since this business of writing a thesis for others was no longer suitable for him.
However, when he finished today's quota, the door of his room was knocked on lightly.
Taking off his glasses and then rubbing his eyes for a moment, he said, "Please come in."
The door was quietly opened, and a head poked out from the gap of the door.
"Mizuto-kun, can you lend me a book?" Yume asked with a nervous yet enticing smile.
Mizuto thought that his stepsister was so horny.