Chapter 1: A Small Start

The next day in class 2-4, I couldn’t focus on the lesson. My mind kept drifting—mainly to my cleaning business idea… and who might be renting the vacant apartment.

“Does anyone have a question about the material?” our young teacher asked. Her red eyes swept the room. “If not, I’ll start asking you questions instead.”

She glanced my way. Crap.

“Satoshi-san,” she said. “Do you have a question?”

Miss Ichinose was clearly trying to force me into participating. Probably because she didn’t have a real question ready. Probably too hungover from some mixer last night.

“Uh… yeah… I was wondering…” I paused. What were we learning again? Damn, I really needed to stop daydreaming—

“Um… what’s your three sizes, sensei? Specifically B/W/H?” I blurted.

The guys laughed. The girls… not so much.

“Satoshi-san. Detention. After school. With me.”

Damn it. Miss Ichinose seemed like the chill teacher. Guess I better update my “teacher danger scale.”

Finally, the bell rang. Thank god. I couldn’t wait to dig into my deluxe bento prepared by a five-star chef—well, more like a budget combo… minus meat… and side dishes.

Yep. Just rice and miso soup. A true peasant’s delicacy.

As I queued in the lunch line, my friend Gotou popped up.

“Yo, you going for the ‘special combo’ too?”

“Yeah, gotta save up for rent this month.”

“Same here. Though for me, it’s to get that limited edition Princess Majyuna figure.”

“Seriously? I might be homeless, and you’re out here buying overpriced plastic girls?”

“Hey, priorities.”

“Right... hey, do you know how to build a website?”

“Website? Nah, not really. But I heard it’s pretty easy these days. Just Google it.”

“Wow. Thanks for the genius advice. I definitely hadn’t thought of that,” I said sarcastically.

“No problem, bro.”

We sat down to eat. Gotou kept glancing at the clubroom building.

“Hey, I heard you’ve got detention with Ichinose-sensei.”

“Yeah. She’ll probably make me carry three weeks’ worth of homework. Slave driver.”

“Heh. Slave driver, huh? I can totally imagine you in a full-on BDSM scene. Honestly kinda hot.”

I gave him a weak punch on the shoulder. “Only you would think that, Gotou. Quit talking weird—you're ruining my appetite.”

We talked “man stuff” until the bell rang again and returned to class 2-4. Most of us were from poor families—or in my case, no family at all.

Next subject was biology. I sat in the back and fell asleep almost instantly. Perks of being surrounded by overachievers—they sit up front and never snitch.

The final bell rang. I was free… oh wait. Detention.

Yay.

“Ah, there you are, Satoshi-san,” Miss Ichinose said. “Took you long enough. Bet you were thinking of ditching, huh?”

She sat on her desk, legs crossed. Flirty smile. “But you wouldn’t disappoint such a cute—and dare I say sexy—teacher, would you?”

“Y-yeah, totally. I mean, you could give real idols a run for their money. Especially when it comes to... being late.”

“Hmm, a backhanded compliment. I’ll take it.” She giggled, covering her mouth. “If you’re a good boy, maybe I’ll even tell you my three sizes. Motivation, right?”

“Yeah no thanks. So... where’s the homework you want me to carry to your apartment?”

“Actually, I talked to your landlord. He told me you’ve helped him clean vacant rooms before. So… I was thinking—maybe you could help clean my apartment?”

“Let me guess. Your place is stacked with beer cans and UFO instant noodle cups.”

“Wow, you Gen Z kids really assume the worst. Not like I... Oh wait, you probably saw that in anime.”

“Yeah, yeah. But what’s in it for me? Do I get extra credit? Or, like, immunity from attendance checks?”

“Pfft. No. That’d be unethical—even for me.”

“You have ethics?” I raised a brow.

“Of course I do!” she said, nervously wiping sweat from her brow.

“Well, if you help me, let’s just say… I know people. Connections. Someone who might be very interested in your little business idea.”

“…Wait. How do you even know about that?”

“Secret,” she said playfully. “Anyway, here’s my spare key. I’ll message you the address. Make sure to clean it by tomorrow, and return the key when you're done.”

“Alright, alright. Guess I’ll pack up my gear and head over. See you there... sensei.”

At home, I gathered my cleaning equipment: broom, mop, duster... and realized I had no clue how to carry it all.

I decided to stack everything in my arms and just go for it.

As I walked down the street—dropping my mop for the third time—a nearby police officer raised an eyebrow.

“Hey, kid. What’s all that? This equipment yours?”

“Uh—yeah, sir. Just helping my teacher clean her apartment.”

His stern expression softened. “Ah, good kid. Want help carrying that?”

“Eh, I’m good... Actually, I’m not.” I bowed. “Help would be appreciated.”

With Officer Helpful carrying half my tools, we finally reached Miss Ichinose’s apartment.

“Thanks for the help, officer.”

“No problem. Always happy to serve the community,” he said before walking off.

I unlocked the door and walked in...

It was a shipwreck.

Think: hikikomori documentary. But worse.

I snapped a before photo for documentation and got to work.

Empty beer cans, sake bottles, trash in every corner.

Even found a black lace panty in the middle of the living room. Decided to not think about that and tossed it in the laundry basket like a gentleman.

I swept up mountains of dust. Filled a bucket in the bathroom—where I also discovered she uses strawberry-scented shampoo.

Totally changes my view of her.

After mopping the floors and wiping the windows, I took an after picture and locked up.

As I walked home, I noticed a moving truck parked outside my building.

A new tenant?

Sweet—time for my paycheck.

I dropped off my gear and headed to the landlord’s unit.

Knock knock.

“Excuse me, old man! I haven’t gotten my paycheck yet—”

The door opened.

And a very attractive high school girl stood there. Pink hair, sharp eyeliner, glossy lipstick, pink cardigan barely hiding her... assets.

She smiled. “You must be the one who cleaned my room yesterday. Thank you soooo much. Should I reward you somehow?” She leaned forward.

“W-Wait, you’re the new tenant?!”

“Mmhmm. I’m Yui. Let’s be great neighbors... or maybe something more.” She winked.

Before I could reply, someone touched my shoulder.

“There you are, Satoshi-san. Here’s your paycheck.”

“Gah! Old man, you almost gave me a second heart attack!”

“Second? Let me guess—you met Yui?” He chuckled. “Yeah, she’s pretty. But if I compliment her too much, my wife’ll kill me.”

He handed her the key. “Room’s all set. Good job, Satoshi.”

“Thanks, old man. See you, Yui.”

Back home, I took a quick shower. It was summer, and even nights were unbearable without AC.

I collapsed onto my bed and opened my phone.

Message from Ichinose-sensei:

“Thank you so much, Satoshi-san! Don’t worry—I’ll hold up my end of the deal. You just saved my big date 😘”

Me:

“Yeah, you better. I’m exhausted. I’m going to sleep.”

Ichinose-sensei:

“Sleep well~ Isn’t it nice to have your cute teacher wishing you a good night?”

Me:

“Top 10 delusional things people say before seeking professional help.”

I plugged in my phone, sighed deeply, and drifted off.

Today had been… a weird day.

But maybe… just maybe… things were finally starting to get interesting.