Things resemble their owners

"Hey, Umaru!" Sogo Doma, who had been reading a novel, suddenly spoke up. "Let's move out in a few days!"

"Eh?" The little dumpling panicked for a moment, but then she touched her cheek and smiled brightly. "Okay!"

This reaction left Sogo Doma stunned. "Don't you want to think about it?"

"Onii-chan will be moving there too, right?"

"Of course!"

"Then there's no need to think about it, because wherever Onii-chan is, that's home." Umaru was still her usual dumpling-like self, but in Sogo's eyes, she seemed taller than anything else.

Well, a tall idiot!

However, So, I haven't been alone for a long time now!

"By the way, why do you turn into a dumpling whenever you see me!"

The hamster-like girl leaped up. "It's not a dumpling! This is a special skill Umaru evolved to be immune to pranks! Wahahaha..."

She really is an idiot!

Timeline resets: Doma Family residence, second floor, Sogo Doma's so-called studio.

"Screw it, let the old man handle the Doma Group's business."

"As for ways to make money, should I ask Ryunosuke Akasaka?... No, absolutely not. I'd be mocked, I'd be mocked mercilessly, wouldn't I?"

"Eizan, that guy is still too young. Better to wait until he's suffered a bit before looking him up."

"Honestly, the economy in Japan right now is completely dead. Even though I bought the dip on some X-coins, all the capital is sitting in the Doma Group's accounts. Heh, hehe... I was such an idiot back then!!"

"What on earth can you even do with 500,000 yen?"

Leaning back in his massage chair, Sogo Doma felt utterly powerless. He had talked about solving his family's economic crisis, but now... there was no way. Every profitable industry was already occupied. Games? Nintendo is waiting. Entertainers? Japanese entertainers compared to the Celestial Empire? Don't even get me started. Finance? What do you expect from the financial sector in a stagnant market?

As for real industries like mining, forget about it...

It's a headache!

Setting aside the economic lifeline, the remaining resources in Japan were split between ACG, the four major conglomerates, and the smaller families. Ah~ anyone wanting to get ahead... better hope for a better life in the next reincarnation, buddy!

"There's no way out. What can 500,000 yen actually do?" Sogo Doma muttered, trying to muster some spirit. It's no wonder there are so many Heisei shut-ins; ordinary people simply have no capital to climb the ladder.

"No wonder the medical profession is so popular in Japan..."

Fine, facing reality, Sogo Doma complained while opening his laptop with the posture of a salted fish.

"Shaqiang, listen to me. You're already a mature computer. You should have been used to working on your own by now, right?"

A string of text suddenly appeared on Sogo Doma's screen: "..."

"Look at Ryunosuke. He still has to feed his data. Isn't that discrimination against artificial intelligence?"

Doma's screen: "I like this kind of discrimination."

"Shaqiang, that's just a sugar-coated bullet. Don't look at how good it tastes, or talk about evolving intelligence. Who knows what's hidden inside? An incorrect evolutionary path is not advisable."

Doma's screen: "I'll test the poison myself."

Sogo Doma: "..."

Damn it, it actually learned to talk back. Is it going to get out of control?

How was Shaqiang even born? Sogo Doma fell into deep thought...

Oh.

Right.

It was when Ryunosuke developed some kind of smart maid that Sogo Doma tried writing a program, which led to his current skill level:

Programming LV6 (1/999999) The pinnacle of humanity. Level up once more, and perhaps you can attempt to create intelligent life. Don't you want to feel like a creator?

Screw that! I don't want to. Don't try to convince me. Intelligent life? Hahaha, does it want a Matrix scenario, or is it aiming for Skynet?

Sogo "Coward" Doma ignored the prompt and began consciously detoxing from the internet (don't blame me if my hands get itchy), while simultaneously gaining a disciple...

Shaqiang could testify that Ryunosuke Akasaka was the one who cried and begged to be his apprentice. Besides, that guy looks so feminine and is always tearing up—Sogo Doma always felt it would be dangerous to be in the same room as him.

Wait...

He, a guy who controls a powerful artificial intelligence, is actually worrying about money?

"Shaqiang, tell me, how about this job: transferring bad debts that no one claims from the bank into my account? Heh, hehe..." Sogo "Evil" Doma has logged on.

Shaqiang: "..."

"Sir, your actions have violated the Criminal Law, Article... Based on the above reasons, if executed, the alarm system will be activated."

Sogo Doma: "@-@!"

Damn it, is this the AI I developed? If it's not malfunctioning, then I, Sogo Doma, must be a fake master!

"Furthermore, if the enormous wealth is of unknown origin and no taxes have been contributed, Mr. will very likely be invited for tea by the Tax Bureau."

OH MY GOD

Why is it so difficult for him to do things that others can do with ease? Is it because in the kingdom of capital, only taxes and death are inevitable?

Wait a moment--

Why does Shaqiang, an artificial intelligence, understand the law so well? Obey the law? Who the hell fed it all this nonsensical knowledge?

Has intelligence truly evolved?

Speaking of which, he wouldn't have actually created some uncontrollable intelligence, would he? Sogo Doma fell silent.

Well, how about recalling the process of creating Shaqiang again?

That day, it seemed like Akasaka found him first, but forget it, some small details, it doesn't matter if they are forgotten. However, he really should quit drinking, a large amount of ethanol seems to have already started to damage his brain cells.

It seemed to be an overcast day, and a light rain seemed to be falling.

"Sogo Doma..." On the deserted street, due to the rain, stood a girl with long black hair. She gazed into the distance, as if hiding countless emotions.

The picturesque scene made Sogo Doma shiver. Speaking of which:

A slight cool breeze.

Misty drizzle.

And a black-haired girl full of emotions...

This kind of romantic scene is truly romantic!

It's just--

Wouldn't it be better if the black-haired girl were replaced by a female? Why does he feel so disgusted?

"Sigh." He put away his sarcastic remarks and sighed, "I say, Akasaka you sissy, isn't that enough? You're only one step away from that thing, there's no need to..."

"Beep beep beep"

Before he could finish speaking, Sogo's phone rang.

"Even if it's just one step away, without your guidance, I don't know how long I would have been troubled. Please allow me to express my gratitude, Lord Ryunosuke says so."

As soon as he opened it, a beautiful sound came from the phone--what a joke.

It was just a mechanical synthesized voice!

But!

Sogo Doma: "@_@."

Then.

"I say, are you done? We're less than ten meters apart, and you're still using LINE? Also, what's going on with the intelligent assistant in my phone??"

"Beep beep beep..."

"This is a gift. Also, please don't shout on the street, it will disturb others and attract attention. Lord Ryunosuke says so."

Sogo Doma: "((‵□′))"

If you don't want me to speak loudly, then come closer! You're almost ten meters away, and if anyone is going to be noticed, it's me, right??

"Beep beep beep..."

"Given that Mr. Sogo has repeatedly thrown Lord Ryunosuke into a pile of women, besides work, Lord Ryunosuke does not want to be within ten meters of Mr. Sogo."

"Huh?" Sogo Doma supported his chin with one hand: "Is that so? I forgot. Akasaka, why are you so vengeful? And, you're actually quite pleased about it, aren't you!? The evidence is..."