Chapter 112: The Job Hunt (Royal Edition)

We are at the mall.

Fuji is job hunting. He is wearing his only casual outfit (jeans and a plain white t-shirt).

He looks too good. It is a problem.

We try the bookstore first.

"Do you have experience?" the manager asks.

"I have read every book in this section," Fuji says, pointing to the non-fiction aisle. "I found three factual errors in this encyclopedia."

The manager looks scared. "We just need someone to run the register, kid."

"I can do that. I can also reorganize your inventory system for maximum efficiency. It is currently chaotic."

Rejected. Too intimidating.

We try Toujo's family restaurant.

"FUJI-KUN!" Toujo screams. "YOU WANT A JOB?! YES! Put on this apron!"

Five minutes later.

Fuji is at a table. He is not stiff or confused. He is just... him.

"Greetings," he says to a group of high school girls. "May I recommend the seasonal parfait? The strawberry-to-cream ratio is currently optimal."

The girls all blush so hard they look like strawberries.

They cannot order. They just giggle and stare.

Toujo has to rescue him.

"TOO SHINY!" Toujo yells, dragging Fuji to the kitchen. "You are breaking the customers! They are forgetting how to speak!"

Fired. For being too handsome.

We sit on a bench outside. Fuji looks frustrated.

"I am competent," he says. "Why is this difficult?"

"You are too competent," I say. "And too shiny. You scare normal bosses."

"Hey! Poverty Prince!"

Hiroto. Of course.

He struts over, wearing a disguise that makes him look more conspicuous (a giant floppy hat and a scarf in summer).

"I heard the tragic tale! You need yen! I have the perfect role for you!"

"I am not being in your music video," Fuji says instantly.

"No! Better! My agency needs security for my fan meet-and-greet this weekend. You just have to stand there, look imposing, and stop girls from grabbing my hair."

Fuji blinks.

"I can do that. I did that for three years in middle school to stop girls from grabbing my hair."

"Exactly! You are overqualified! It pays cash!"

Fuji looks at me.

"Cash means laundry tokens," I remind him.

He sighs.

"I accept the mission."