Welcome to NY

"You're planning to hire a tour guide? It seems you have quite a generous travel budget."

The plane had already taken off, and Shiraishi Wataru was chatting quite harmoniously with Jennifer, who sat beside him.

"It's alright. When visiting an unfamiliar place, I think it's better to have someone who knows the area well. That way, I can learn which places are worth visiting and which ones to avoid. Information from the internet can be hit or miss, and some of it might just be advertisements."

Shiraishi Wataru explained casually.

Although he wasn't exactly short on time, he didn't want to waste it gathering that kind of intelligence. If he had someone familiar with the local area, he could likely get answers just by asking.

Jennifer pursed her lips and gave Shiraishi Wataru a subtle look; her once-dead heart felt a flicker of excitement.

"Ahem, may I reintroduce myself?" Jennifer asked expectantly.

"Sure, what would you like to say?" Shiraishi Wataru had already guessed.

"I was born in Queens. I've been working part-time jobs since middle school, so I'm quite familiar with most parts of New York. Believe me, as a girl, I know which places hide what kind of dangers. I managed to get an exchange student spot in Japan earlier this year, but that short time hasn't affected my familiarity with New York. If you don't mind, you could consider hiring me as your guide!"

"Oh, that sounds good, but as a beautiful woman, aren't you afraid of being a guide for a strange man?" Shiraishi Wataru nodded.

Jennifer smiled. "Although it sounds a bit overconfident, I know how to protect myself."

"How much per day?"

Jennifer hesitated before holding up one finger.

According to the market rate, it should have been two or three hundred dollars, but she had other requirements: "I need you to book another room for me at the hotel where you're staying, and cover my meals."

Such a request meant either that her home was in a remote area and unsafe to return to at night, or that in her eyes, any hotel was better than staying at home.

"Fine. Do we need to sign a contract?"

"No, but I need a deposit."

Shiraishi Wataru took out his wallet without a second thought. It was thick, and Jennifer caught a glimpse of a stack of colorful bills.

He handed five twenty-dollar bills to Jennifer. "Then I'll leave the next few days to you, my beautiful guide."

"Thank you! I will do my best to fulfill my duties." Jennifer placed a slight emphasis on the word "duties."

It took about ten hours from Tokyo to New York. After chatting with Jennifer for a while, he closed his eyes to rest, controlling his other parasites to either observe experiments or scout for new symbiotes.

Jennifer watched the white clouds outside the window, her thoughts drifting to who knows where.

She really didn't want to return to that so-called home.

But she had worked hard for that exchange student spot, and after finally spending half a year abroad, she hadn't found a suitable candidate in her eyes. Even if she didn't care much about looks, the observational skills she had honed since childhood told her that many people approached her with only a playful mindset, and those who were sincere couldn't give her what she wanted.

She had thought about going to other cities, but after much deliberation, she still wanted to obtain her high school diploma.

As for college, please—even with student loans, she needed a guarantor. Even if someone had hinted they could be her guarantor, the prerequisite was...

She didn't want to waste her few bargaining chips on such things, nor did she want to be burdened with heavy debt.

Seeing Shiraishi Wataru, she had only spoken to him and tested the waters with the mindset of clutching at a straw. What if?

In a daze, Jennifer fell asleep without realizing it. When she was woken up, the plane had already landed.

"Generally speaking, few people can sleep that soundly on a plane." Shiraishi Wataru handed her a bottle of water and took down her small suitcase.

"Thank you." Jennifer opened the cap and pretended to take a sip.

The two chatted casually as they walked out of the airport.

"Oh, sorry, Owen. I forgot to ask which borough you wanted to stay in. Hotels in Manhattan might be expensive, but there are some affordable ones. It's mostly just more convenient there," Jennifer suddenly remembered the question and said awkwardly.

Shiraishi Wataru smiled and shook his head. "As for the hotel, I've already booked it. Don't worry about that."

Jennifer seemed a bit embarrassed, feeling she hadn't fulfilled her responsibilities. "Then which hotel did you book? Can you tell me?"

"You'll know when we get there." Shiraishi Wataru hailed a taxi and gestured for Jennifer to get in.

The driver enthusiastically helped them load their luggage. Shiraishi Wataru told him the destination. Through the car window, Jennifer saw a flash of surprise in the driver's eyes, but it quickly vanished, replaced by an even more enthusiastic attitude. Jennifer was all too familiar with this kind of enthusiasm—it was the enthusiasm for money.

Could it be...

Once the driver started the car, Jennifer suppressed her suspicions and intentionally or unintentionally revealed that she was a local returning home, hoping to avoid being overcharged.

Looking at the scenery outside the window, she felt a bit depressed. This place didn't hold any fond memories for her.

It could be said that from the moment she landed, she felt the air was thick and foul.

"You don't seem very happy to be back in New York?" Shiraishi Wataru asked.

"It's just... a bit overwhelming." Jennifer pulled herself together, pointed in a direction, and changed the subject. "Look, the Statue of Liberty is over there. When do you plan to go see it?"

"There's a saying in my hometown: 'Save the strawberry on the cake for last.' Let me keep my anticipation and make it my final stop in New York." Shiraishi Wataru looked in the direction Jennifer pointed. Although it was blocked by layers of high-rises, his eyes were filled with anticipation.

After all, he might only be able to see it in pictures from now on.

Jennifer simply took it as a foreigner's longing for the Land of the Free. She forced a smile and continued talking about nearby attractions.

Less than an hour later, the taxi stopped at a hotel in Manhattan's Central Park, and the driver helped them unload their luggage.

Jennifer looked at the hotel before her, her mouth slightly agape. She pointed at the hotel entrance and turned to look at Shiraishi Wataru, who had casually tipped the driver twenty dollars.

Although she had had some guesses in the car, she hadn't expected the hotel he booked to be the Ritz-Carlton.

My God, a single night here probably cost an average person half a month's salary.

The doorman and the concierge stepped forward, one taking charge of the luggage while the other guided them toward check-in.

Jennifer followed along numbly, her head buzzing slightly. In a hotel of this caliber, she couldn't offer any suggestions; she would be doing well enough just to avoid making a fool of herself.

"Distinguished sir, per your request, we recommend the Prestige Park View Suite. From here, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Central Park at any time and also have access to the hotel's club lounge."

"How much?"

"For a stay starting now, it is only 4,200 dollars. If you require breakfast, you may pay an additional 60 dollars. Of course, apart from that, there is a tax of 621 dollars."

The corner of Jennifer's mouth twitched. Very well, it wasn't just half a month's salary—a whole month's salary wouldn't even cover it.

Furthermore, they didn't even include breakfast for a room costing several thousand dollars! Jennifer's lips moved, and she instinctively wanted to haggle, but she held back in the end.

Perhaps this was just the simple, unadorned life of the wealthy.

Thank you to "Author Keep It Up" for the tip.

Thank you to "Fasu Is With You" for the tip.