Chapter 2: Money and Grandma

Money and Grandma

As usual, I carried out my work with detached efficiency. Just as I was about to pack up for the day, thinking, “Another routine day down,” Manager Machida called me over.

Ah, it’s about that, isn’t it?

He must be trying to buy my silence after I caught him in the middle of his affair.

Not that I care—getting involved in other people’s messes is the last thing I want. I wasn’t planning to tell anyone anyway.

“You’re still single, aren’t you? No girlfriend, either.”

The hell’s with this guy?

Even if I am younger and his subordinate, that’s a pretty damn rude way to start a conversation.

This condescending attitude is exactly why everyone hates him.

And yet, he grovels shamelessly to his superiors. A truly repulsive man.

“Hah… Well, yeah, I suppose so.”

“What a lackluster response. Well, never mind. I’ve got a woman I’d like to introduce you to. She’s a good girl.”

Huh? This isn’t about silencing me?

Does he not even realize I saw him? Hah, he was probably too focused on… other things.

Still, I’ve only ever spoken to Manager Machida about work.

Outside of that, we’ve exchanged maybe a few words at company gatherings. And now he wants to play matchmaker? That’s ridiculous.

Besides, I’m not exactly an outstanding employee. I keep to myself, barely interacting with anyone.

Not to put myself down, but I hardly seem like prime marriage material.

“Wait… you’re introducing someone to me?”

“That’s right. You’re a serious guy, so I figured a serious girl would suit you. Her name is Miyuki. She used to be in accounting. She’s quiet and well-mannered—perfect wife material.”

Ah. So that’s his game.

He’s trying to shove his affair partner onto me.

Makes sense.

He must’ve picked me because I’m insignificant. Or maybe I’m just the only young, single guy left in the department.

Our department, like the rest of society, is aging. Most of the younger employees leave for better opportunities before they hit thirty.

Word is that competing firms offer better salaries and benefits. Maybe it’s time I seriously considered my options.

“Hah… I’m not really thinking about marriage right now.”

“Hah, again? You really lack enthusiasm. And obviously, nothing is set in stone yet. The choice isn’t just yours—she has a say in it too. You’d date for a while first.”

Tch. And here I only responded that way because you just called her ‘perfect wife material.’ What an insufferable, self-serving b🬀🬀tard.

“Hah… I’m not interested in dating someone I don’t even like.”

“When I mentioned you to Miyuki, she said she’s always had an interest in you. Face it—no other woman in your lifetime is going to say that about you. She’s already on board, so just meet her once. Besides, your peers are already getting promoted. Your batchmate just became a section chief, right? You must be hoping for that, too. If you settle down, you’ll show more responsibility, and then I might just put in a good word for you.”

This arrogant b🬀🬀tard… another insult, just like that.

But… a promotion to section chief?

This might actually be an opportunity.

“Alright. I’ll meet her, out of respect for you.”

“Good! Here’s Miyuki’s number. The rest is up to you two. Heheh!”

Manager Machida let out a smug chuckle, sounding like a baboon as he strutted away.

Miyuki-san sure has a unique taste in men if she’s into this sleazy baboon.

What a strange woman.

Ah… wait. It’s the money, isn’t it?

Machida must be Miyuki-san’s s🬀gar d🬀🬀dy.

Now it all makes sense.

And honestly, the only reason I agreed to this setup is money.

A section chief title would boost my market value, making it easier to land a better job elsewhere.

Even if I stayed, the pay raise wouldn’t be bad.

I do my job just fine, but I barely engage with my coworkers, which has probably hurt my chances of promotion.

I know they see me as someone who lacks teamwork, and honestly, I can’t even argue against it.

Plus, once I’m married, Machida will probably continue his affair with Miyuki-san. And if I play my cards right, I could squeeze a hefty settlement out of him.

If an affair like that gets exposed, his career would be over. I could blackmail him for at least a few million yen.

I bet Miyuki-san could fork over at least a million herself.

Money is the one thing you can never have too much of.

I even order those cheap catering service bento lunches just to save a little extra.

The reason is simple: cutting costs and building savings. Money is reliable—investments aren’t.

The company lunches are cold, tasteless, and cheap, only ordered by married salarymen drowning in debt.

No self-respecting single person with disposable income would ever eat that garbage.

It’s mostly fried food, and the nutrition is horrendous.

But still, I chew through it every day, without complaint.

No, actually… not without complaint. I’m sick of it. The first time I had one, I nearly blurted out, “This is disgusting.”

Someone might say, Then just eat something better, but I can’t bring myself to spend money on expensive food. It feels wrong.

I only trust money. I certainly don’t trust people. My approach to life is purely pragmatic.

That’s why I don’t have friends at work.

In fact, I don’t have any friends at all. I’m estranged from my parents and my brother and haven’t been back home in years. But I’ve never felt lonely because of it.

Still… I can’t quite figure out Miyuki-san’s angle.

Machida is a sleazy baboon, so he’s probably fantasizing about stealing my wife just for the thrill of it. But what does Miyuki-san get out of this?

Money seems like the obvious answer, but would Machida really pay her enough to make it worth marrying a man she doesn’t even like?

Maybe she has a thing for affairs, or maybe Machida has something on her.

As an accountant, could she have embezzled company funds?

If so, marrying her is too risky—I could end up getting dragged into a crime.

Tch. Another message from Manager Machida.

The hell is this? He’s saying something about marrying someone from the Sales Department?

What the hell does that even mean?

This is completely insane.

I’ve seen the guy’s face before, but we’ve barely exchanged a word.

No matter how you look at it, marriage isn’t something you just take orders on.

That b🬀🬀tard Machida. He’s lost interest in me as a woman, so now he’s making a joke out of me—tossing me around like a toy for his own amusement.

But… maybe this is still better than being dragged into a love hotel, humiliated, and used.

Not that it matters—I can’t do anything unless the other guy is on board. Even if I agreed, it wouldn’t mean anything.

Machida treats me like garbage, and honestly, I can’t blame him. I’ve never thought of myself as anything but ugly. “You always slouch and have such a gloomy face—no wonder people avoid you.” “Ugh, just look in a mirror and fix yourself already.”

People say that all the time, but I can’t. It’s not that simple.

Even my senior coworkers have told me, “You’re dull and depressing. No fun to be around.”

That guy Machida’s trying to set me up with? He’s not handsome. Just plain, quiet, and expressionless. The kind of guy women don’t really notice.

It’s cruel to say, but if I had to rank him, he’d be at the bottom.

Still, maybe he’d settle for someone like me—just out of sheer resignation. But deep down, I know—he wouldn’t choose me.

Unattractive. No personality. No money. I check all three boxes for a woman no one wants.

And then there’s Grandma. Some men might find her a burden.

But whether I’m someone’s girlfriend or someone’s wife, Grandma will always come first. That will never change.

And there’s no way in hell I could ever approach a man myself.

I’ve never even dated before. Not once.

Even if I’m ordered to, what the hell am I supposed to do?

I told that b🬀🬀tard Machida it was impossible. His response? Another threat. He’d spread that video if I didn’t comply. Then he added, [Seduce him. Make him want you.]

He even gave me instructions, [Wear a tight top that shows off your chest. A mini skirt. Go on a date like that.]

…Are you kidding me? I don’t even own clothes like that. And even if I did, I’d rather die than be seen in them.

Wasting my precious savings on trashy outfits like that? Just the thought makes me sick.

As I was racking my brain for the cheapest place to shop, a question struck me. Why?

Why is Machida so desperate to set me up with this guy?

No doubt about it—that guy must be one of Machida’s lackeys.

That sc🬀🬀🬀ag Machida is up to something. He’s got some twisted plan in mind.

He and his little minion are going to toy with me. Do perverted things to me. Make me their plaything. And laugh while they do it.

And worst of all… what if they mock Grandma too? She’s sacrificed so much to raise me. If they drag her into this sick joke—

If they laugh at Grandma—then I’ll use this knife I bought yesterday. I’ll kill them.

Grandma would be sad, but I can’t take this anymore.