Chapter 3: A Weird First Job

I walked to the address I was given.

“Please don’t let it be some creepy or pervy old man,” I muttered under my breath.

The apartment building was surprisingly fancy. It had a security guard and a sleek elevator—definitely not what I was expecting for a cleaning gig.

“Excuse me, I’ve been hired to clean apartment room 503.”

The guard glanced at me, then raised an eyebrow. “Ah… right. You can go ahead.”

He pointed toward the elevator, still giving me that look.
Wait… does this client already have a reputation for weird stuff?

I got into the elevator and pressed the button for the fifth floor. The hallway looked elegant, painted in soft hues with decorative potted plants. Classy.

I passed room 501, 502… then found it. Room 503. Right next to the elevator and emergency stairs—good, in case I needed a quick escape.

I knocked. “Excuse me, I’m from the cleaning service you hired.”

The door opened. A tall, tired-looking man greeted me.

“Ah, you must be Satoshi-kun. Yeah, Miss Ichinose told me you'd be coming.”

He looked me up and down like he was inspecting a product.

“You’ll do just fine. Gotta thank Miss Ichinose for this. Come in, come in.”

“…Okay.” I stepped inside.

The apartment was pretty tidy—definitely cleaner than Ichinose-sensei’s place. What did he even need me for?

“Um, you requested I dress as a girl for this job, but I don’t have any women’s clothes or a wig… So, is it okay if I just clean normally?”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’ve got everything you’ll need right here.”
He handed me a full outfit—wig, clothes, even glasses.

“You can change in the bathroom,” he added.

“…Right.” I walked to the bathroom.

The bathroom was spotless. Fancy sink, large bathtub. I reluctantly changed into the outfit. It was a neat brown schoolgirl dress, tied with a red ribbon. The wig was long, dark with auburn tips. The glasses completed the look.

I looked in the mirror.

“…Damn. I actually look like a quiet bookish girl.”

Feeling weirdly cute, I snapped myself out of it. No. Don’t get used to this.

I stepped out of the bathroom.

“Wow… You look just like my wife before she passed away,” he said with a soft smile.

What?! What am I supposed to say to that?!

“Uhh… is that so? Hehe…” I let out the most awkward girly laugh of my life.

“Well, I’ll start cleaning now. You can go out if you want, sir.”

“No, it’s fine. I plan to watch.”

Of course you do.

I started brushing the floor.

“Yeah… you really do look like my wife. If she were a guy.”

“…Thanks, I guess.”

“Hehe. Even the way you talk is like her.”

Okay. Creeped out level: moderate. Maybe he just misses his wife. Let’s finish this quickly.

I brushed the floor, mopped, and wiped off the dust from the counters and ceiling. The usual stuff. Professional. Efficient.

“All done, sir. Anything else you need?”

“Uh… this is a little embarrassing, but… can you do this pose for me?”

He showed me an old photo. A woman—probably his wife—was doing a peace sign while wearing an apron.

“…Sure.”

I mimicked the pose. It was so humiliating.

“Thanks. So, how should I pay you? Cash or wire transfer?”

“Cash is fine.”

He handed me a fat stack of bills—way too much.

“Uh, sir… I don’t have change.”

“No need. It’s a bonus. You did a great job. When are you available again? I’d love to hire you again.”

“Uh… I’ll let you know, sir. Thanks for the payment.”

I turned to leave.

Then he followed me.

Oh no.

Come on, elevator. Hurry…

“Hey, wait! You forgot—”

Ding!

I rushed into the elevator just as the doors closed.

Phew. That was close.

When I got to the lobby, everyone stared at me.

Wait… did I forget to—

I checked my reflection using my phone camera. Yup. Still in the girl outfit.

A familiar voice called out behind me.

“There you are. You forgot your clothes.”

Even more stares. My reputation? Absolutely shattered.

“Ah… right. Sorry, sir. I’ll change in the restroom.”

I sprinted to the bathroom, changed back into my uniform, and came out to return the outfit.

“Here, sir. Thanks. And sorry.”

“You can keep it, if you like.”

“No thanks. I’ll be going now.”

I bolted from the fancy apartment complex and made my way home.

I mean… I got paid a lot. So maybe it wasn’t all that bad?

Just as I neared home, I spotted Yui walking with an older man.

Wait, no. She wouldn’t… right? Please let that be her dad.

They were arguing. I didn’t want to eavesdrop. I was way too tired to deal with that mystery today.

I trudged back home.

Yeah. Definitely a weird first job.

To be continued…
gonna be on hiatus ＞﹏＜  but if this get 30 like i might upload next Friday like always