First Meeting (Part One)
That said, how did Jilan Jiyu meet Ibara Shiozaki? That story goes back a long time.
At that time, Jilan Jiyu were just starting junior high school. About three years ago, due to special circumstances, their parents had passed away and they were living alone. With the help of their school teachers, they were assigned to work at a shop owned by an acquaintance, which is now the movie theater where they work.
Jilan Jiyu had just found a website called "Dark Shadow" selling bedding online. Like a girl who had just received a doll, they were very interested in it and decisively ordered a hand model that looked very tempting.
Although the money he earned from part-time jobs seemed like a lot to his peers, it was nothing compared to the pay for translation work he did online. Although this aspect hadn't been mentioned for a long time, Jilan Jiyu was a reincarnated person who had studied some languages in his previous life as an office worker. To avoid appearing too strange, he carefully concealed his identity.
Working part-time serves two purposes: firstly, it provides cover, allowing Jilan Jiyu to travel between banks without being detected by others; secondly, it helps them understand the unique characteristics of this society—the relationship between Pro Hero and criminals.
Simply put, Pro Hero exist because of the public. In addition to their own duties, they can also accept requests from the public to perform tasks in place of the police. Due to the convenience of being Pro Hero and the competitive relationship among them, Pro Hero are more popular than police officers.
When extraordinary events occur, people always think of Pro Hero first, while the police are seen as nothing more than a hindrance, an organization solely responsible for cleaning up the mess. Perhaps, as Shota Aizawa said, the state of this world is abnormal.
However, the above has little to do with what we're talking about today. The analysis above was only to prove that Jilan Jiyu had conducted research on this society and concluded that one had no choice but to become a hero.
"It's really hard to find a cheap and secluded rental house in this city..." Jilan Jiyu held a miniature map they got from a real estate agent. Several houses on the map had been marked with big crosses, but one house that was still marked on the map was not far from here.
He is currently looking for a rental address, a valid address for receiving mail. In order to maintain the appearance of an ordinary life, his real residence must not be exposed.
"Finally here... Wait, did I go to the wrong place?" As Jilan Jiyu turned a corner, he looked up and began to doubt the scene before him. Countless flowers and plants were planted beside the house, and various plants swayed gently in the sunlight, facing him directly. Jilan Jiyu felt a strange hostility, as if he were a zombie that had come to eat the brains of the homeowner.
This was an incredibly surreal scene in the concrete jungle. After confirming several times that she hadn't gone the wrong way, Jilan Jiyu Yu took careful steps, watching her step as she passed through this small garden.
Excuse me, is anyone home?
As Jilan Jiyu knocked on the door, they looked around at the terrain. Apart from the garden full of flowers, the place basically met their expectations.
There are no other houses around, and hardly anyone else comes here. The alleyway is lined with walls, and at the end of the alley, there is this detached house.
Wait a minute... this description is starting to sound more and more like that alley between the unmarked pharmacy and convenience store on the map! Come to think of it, I vaguely saw a mailbox in the middle of the previous intersection when I walked here...
I can't turn back now, right? So the only way to get out is to back up...
Jilan Jiyu faced the house and backed away step by step. Although they might trample on the flowers and plants, there was no other way now!
Just as Jilan Jiyu took another step back with their eyes closed, they suddenly felt as if their entire back had hit something, like a wall blocking their escape route.
Jilan Jiyu felt around with their hands and could feel that it was made of uneven cylindrical objects assembled in a structure similar to a raft.
Just as Jilan Jiyu was about to unleash his Hamon to destroy the wall, a woman's voice appeared before him. "What are you trying to do? You're going to trample my beloved flowers and plants."
Jilan Jiyu opened his eyes and saw a girl dressed in white. Her hair was like Vines, growing from the ground and extending to Jilan Jiyu's back, forming a wall that blocked his retreat.
"Hello, I'm here to see the landlord." Since it wasn't Reimi Sugimoto, things were much easier. Jilan Jiyu breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "I'd like to rent a room."
"I'm the landlady." The girl's expression softened slightly. She pulled her hair back to waist length, turned around, and said, "Come in, don't step on the flowers."
Jilan Jiyu followed her into the house. Everything inside smelled of damp earth, and the faint scent of fresh air emanating from the girl made Jilan Jiyu unconsciously take a few more breaths.
After a brief tour of the room she was going to rent, Jilan Jiyu indicated that she was ready to sign the contract.
The girl produced a pre-prepared contract. "As you can see, there are many flowers and plants here. Living here, you can feel the fresh air every day, which can improve your health by several percentage points..."
The girl may have learned these lines from someone else, and her speech was somewhat hesitant, but she managed to introduce all her strengths.
Looking at the contract she presented, Jilan Jiyu began to haggle, "In my opinion, the price you offered is too high and doesn't meet my expectations at all."
"Is this price high?" The girl looked at it with some doubt. "Is 60,000 yen the average price?"
You must have charged the highest price in the industry!
Jilan Jiyu took a deep breath and explained to her, "Although the average monthly rent in our area is 60,000 yen, you also need to consider the surrounding environment. In bustling areas, the price is over 70,000 yen, and near schools it's around 60,000 yen, but in this remote castle town... 40,000 yen is already the highest price."
The girl said somewhat reluctantly, "This price is too low. I can cover your house cleaning and utilities. Isn't it unsafe in this city at night? I can guarantee your safety 24 hours a day. If you don't offer this price, I can't guarantee I'll see you fully recovered by the next morning..."
You're already threatening me, aren't you? You must be!
"I'd like to rent a room to store my goods. I don't usually come back; I only come when I receive something or need to store something..." Jilan Jiyu smiled nonchalantly, "So your idea of protecting my safety is completely unfounded."
Seeing that the other person had suddenly become depressed, Jilan Jiyu continued, "And also, about the fresh air you mentioned. You've planted so many plants around the house, what if they exhale too much carbon dioxide at night and I suffocate to death? If I die, you'll definitely be taken to jail for murder!"
"Didn't you say you wouldn't be staying here tonight...?"
"Don't complain, this is for your future tenants!" Jilan Jiyu continued with a menacing tone, "If the condition of your property doesn't change, any potential tenants will be threatened with this kind of death!"
"... What should I do?" The girl looked at Jilan Jiyu for help.
Plan complete! With an wicked smile Jilan Jiyu slowly revealed their modification plan to her...