Starting with Firefly, Speedrun the World

More importantly, even if she found a job, she wouldn't get paid right away—she'd have to wait until next month.

The laptop in front of her and the cheap phone in her hand were bought with money she'd borrowed from Nene Arakawa.

Although Nene Arakawa said she could just keep them as a gift, Firefly-chan knew that since Nene Arakawa didn't want to go back, her money would eventually run out too.

Plus, she was already grateful to be living in the apartment Nene Arakawa rented, so naturally she couldn't keep taking her money.

She usually joked about wanting to leech off a rich woman, but that was just talk—when it actually came down to it, she felt too embarrassed.

Come to think of it, Firefly-chan had never thought making money was hard before.

Even in her past life, writing web novels, taking on copywriting gigs, and doing game account boosting could net her several hundred thousand a year.

That was why she'd had the nerve to quit her job and slack off in her previous life.

Logically, this world lacked many things from her past life, so it should have been easier to make money.

But finding something that paid out quickly was tough.

"Am I going to have to look for daily pay work again?"

Staring at the small amount of cash in her hand, even though she'd already started working online, the earliest she'd see income was next month.

So she'd chosen to work two days as a daily-paid receptionist.

Since it was a legitimate, large-scale venue, nothing unexpected happened.

And the pay was decent too—15,000 Japanese Yen a day for six hours of work.

Plus, it was pretty easy!

Even though the competition was fierce, Firefly-chan got picked without any trouble.

Come to think of it, the girl herself had never done this kind of work in her past life—it was Firefly's memories that had the relevant experience.

Back in Penacony...

"Maybe I should sell some worn stockings to tide me over?"

She pulled out the socks she'd drawn from Fu Xuan—surely some pervert would be interested in those, right?

Compared to those people selling armpit-sweat-soaked or shoe-stuffed items online, or even guys pretending to be girls selling "authentic" maiden-worn socks and clothes, these were the real deal—actually worn by the cute Miss Fu Xuan of the Divination Department.

Absolutely worth the price.

"Ahem, forget it!"

"If it's come to this, I might as well throw away my principles and make money!"

She had countless ways to make quick cash—she didn't need to go this far. But the values she'd developed over time made her unable to steel herself for that step right now.

She was a law-abiding, good citizen!

Even in another world, she hadn't forgotten her original intentions.

Maybe her moral bottom line would lower in the future, but not now.

Still, it was precisely this refusal to cross that line that left the girl broke. More importantly, she hadn't hit rock bottom yet—if she hadn't met Nene Arakawa and gotten a place to stay, maybe she really would have taken that step the other day.

"Firefly-chan, what are you doing?"

Just as Firefly-chan was pondering how to make money, Nene Arakawa's voice came from outside the door.

"Nothing much."

Firefly-chan closed the laptop tab, then walked to the door and opened it.

She found Nene Arakawa dressed very fashionably, as if she was about to go out.

"Nene, are you heading out?"

"That's right."

Nene Arakawa nodded, then excitedly talked about what she'd discovered over the past few days.

"Firefly-chan, this mask you gave me is really super useful! It's been so many days, and they still haven't found me."

"Plus, even when I go out and walk among crowds, I don't get discovered."

It seemed she'd really succeeded in running away from home this time—they hadn't found her again. Although she occasionally felt a little homesick inside.

Mostly, though, she was enjoying this time of freedom.

After all, only a few days had passed—it was still early.

If enough time went by—a month, half a year... maybe she'd change her mind by then.

"As long as you're happy."

"But have you thought about the fact that your parents might be frantically looking for you right now?"

Even though Nene Arakawa's family situation was complicated, one thing was true—they really did love her. They didn't just see her as a replacement for their deceased daughter.

"I want them to worry a little. Besides..."

At this point, Nene Arakawa fell silent, her mood visibly sinking, because she remembered how her parents acted on her birthday every year.

Was their love for her "true" love?

Though she didn't know she was merely a replacement for the Arakawa Zaibatsu's true heiress, Akari Arakawa—a human created by the Creation Goddess because Kōsei Arakawa and his wife couldn't accept their daughter's death—she still sensed something was off. That was why she always said she wanted to obtain "true" love.

This love wasn't limited to parents or a partner; it was the love she truly wanted, the love that would genuinely cherish her.

"Let's drop it. I've already sent them a message to let them know I'm safe! Nothing will go wrong."

"Of course, I used a public phone in another area to leave the message, so there's no trail to follow."

Nene Arakawa's smile returned as she explained to Firefly that she'd reported her safety and been cautious.

She didn't want to go back to that suffocating home anytime soon.

"Instead of that, Firefly-chan, how about we go shopping? I heard there's some kind of festival nearby, really lively."

Pushing the unpleasant thoughts aside, Nene enthusiastically invited Firefly to go out with her.

This was also why she'd changed clothes early.

"A festival? Sure."

Since Nene had her own plans, Firefly didn't pry and agreed to the invitation instead.

Making money could wait.

"Wait for me, I'll change clothes."

After telling Nene, Firefly turned and walked to the wardrobe.

She couldn't wear the same outfit every day, even if it didn't get dirty—it wouldn't leave a good impression on others. Though Firefly in this world was indeed poor, she'd gritted her teeth and bought two sets of affordable clothes.

Both suited her perfectly.

They weren't expensive, but on her, they looked tailor-made.

That girl-next-door, first-love style was pushed to its peak.

Sweet and adorable!

Like the outfit Firefly changed into now: a pale yellow-white blouse paired with a black jacket and a brown plaid JK skirt—it was just too cute!

It made you want to hold her close and never let go.

"I'm ready."

"Nene, let's go!"

After making sure everything was fine, Firefly walked over to Nene.

Compared to her, she looked more like the obedient little sister.

Chapter 19: Let Me Treat You to Dessert? As Thanks

"What's wrong, Nene?"

Firefly tilted her cute head and asked curiously, seeing Nene staring at her without blinking.

"So cute, Firefly-chan!"

Nene snapped out of it and couldn't help hugging Firefly.

Firefly was just so adorable—like the cute little sister from a fantasy, the kind no one, male or female, could refuse.

"I wish I really had a little sister like you."

After nuzzling against Firefly for a few seconds, Nene reluctantly let go. She really wanted a sister like this.

"Uh, I might be older than you..."

Firefly wasn't used to Nene's behavior but didn't resist, answering hesitantly.

"No way."

Looking at the cute Firefly, Nene couldn't believe she could be older.

"Don't be so sure."

"Sometimes, eyes can deceive you."

Setting aside everything else, even the Future People—their appearances, even their lifespans—were self-defined. They weren't as simple as they seemed.

"Let's not talk about this. Weren't we going shopping?"

This topic was pointless. Her past life age was similar to Nene's, but Firefly's actual age was far greater. There was no need to dwell on it, so Firefly changed the subject.

"Right, let's go shopping first."

Seeing Firefly shift topics, Nene didn't overthink it and brought up going out again.

Being able to freely shop without bodyguards following, without every move watched by her family—that had always been her dream.

Now, thanks to Firefly-chan's Fox Mask, she could finally experience this hard-won ease.

Speaking, Nene Arakawa grabbed Firefly-chan's wrist and pulled her out of the house.

Although Firefly-chan said she might be older than her, given Firefly-chan's current appearance, she instinctively treated her like a younger sister.

So she unconsciously acted like an older sister.

The streets were packed with people coming and going, very dense.

At other times it wouldn't be this crowded, but today was a local shrine festival, drawing a huge crowd.

They enjoyed this rare moment of celebration.

And now, two girls walked among the crowd, chatting and laughing, taking in the surroundings... though to others, they themselves were a sight to behold.

"So many people, it's really lively."

Nene Arakawa pulled Firefly-chan along the street, looking at the festival stalls on both sides and the bustling crowd, a happy smile never leaving her face.

Firefly-chan stayed by her side, also looking around with curiosity.

She had never actually experienced a Japanese festival like this, only seen it in anime and games—it was quite novel.

Occasionally, she spotted shrine staff passing by, carrying various props, seemingly preparing for some ritual.

Too bad there were no cute miko sisters, only male Shinto priests.

"Firefly-chan, look at this... it's so fun!"

By now, Nene Arakawa was fully immersed in the atmosphere, dragging Firefly-chan from stall to stall, eagerly sharing anything interesting she found.

And Firefly-chan played along with her...