Ryo woke up the next morning to the sound of giggling.
Kaede, Suzu, and Nanami were standing around the sofa.
"He got a new pet. A very cute one," Kaede smirked, trying not to laugh.
"Ryo, since when did you have a collar fetish?" Nanami asked.
Ryo sat up and looked at Mashiro. Mashiro's neck was bare and clean. "Where's your collar?"
"Collar? I'm a human, why would I wear a collar?" Mashiro tilted her head.
"What about everything you said yesterday? About only pets being allowed?"
"I was kidding. Humans can't be pets."
Nanami apologized profusely for Mashiro's "joke." Ryo was stunned. Who tells a joke with that kind of poker face!?
"Breakfast is ready at my place next door," Kaede said.
Ryo's stomach growled. Fresh breakfast? This place was heaven! "Can I pack some for lunch? I have no money for school food."
"Sure," Kaede smiled. "Rin is sleeping in; take his portion."
Ryo was moved to tears. I'm never leaving.
When Ryo returned from school that afternoon, Rin delivered a blow. "I found a place for you. You move in tonight. I'll add the rent to your debt."
Snap! Ryo instantly put the collar back on. "Meow. I am a pet. Meow."
"Doesn't matter. Pack your stuff. It's nearby, and you'll have a roommate to split the rent."
The apartment was Ichika's. Rin couldn't just give Ichika money—that would feel like a "sugar daddy" arrangement with her father's money. By making Ryo her roommate, he could help both girls save on rent.
"Your roommate is Ichika Nakano. She's also a runaway. You can share the living room. Since there's no private room, your rent will be cheaper."
"What about food?" Ryo asked.
"I'm not your dad. Feed yourself."
"Daddy," Ryo said tonelessly.
"..." "Daddy." "..." "Daddy."
"Fine! The apartment is close. You can come here to scavenge for food. Happy?"
"Yes! And I need an allowance."
"You're really pushing it. I'll give you a weekly allowance for school food. It's all added to your debt."
"Can I have it monthly? It's easier," Ryo asked. She was hoping to save up for new gear.
"No. Weekly. I know you'll just spend it on a new bass and starve."
"Tch... fine."
"If you want gear, get a job like Nanami."
Ryo asked Nanami later, "Is there a job that's easy and pays well? I need money for my bass."
"Good pay isn't easy," Nanami said. "I tutor the Nakano sisters. If you have good grades, try that."
"Her grades are worse than the quintuplets," Rin chimed in.
"There is an easy job," Mashiro interrupted. "A very easy one. High pay."
Ryo looked at Mashiro warily. "Is this another joke?"
"No joke. Lots of money. Nanami did it too," Mashiro said.
"Is she telling the truth, Nanami?"
"Well..." Nanami looked away. "The money is great, but I'm not sure you can handle it."
Ryo was confident. "If the money is right, I can handle anything!"
Rin grinned. He knew exactly what Mashiro was talking about. It was time for Ryo to learn how hard it was to earn the money she spent so carelessly.
"When do I start?" Ryo asked, her eyes gleaming with greed.
She wouldn't do "Sugar Daddy" work, but if it was something Nanami had done, it must be safe.
"Can my friends join? If it pays well, I want to share the wealth."
Ryo thought of Hitori (Bocchi), Nijika, and Kita. The band was broke. Nijika and Kita spent their wages on the showroom's "play fees," and while Bocchi was secretly rich from her YouTube channel, she was still frugal. If they could all earn easy money, they could focus on the band.
"Hitori? Yes, she can come. The more the better," Mashiro nodded. She was imagining all the "materials" she could draw—girls in all sorts of lewd, contorted positions.
Mashiro messaged Sagiri. Mashiro: [I found some fresh beauties.]
Sagiri, who was livestreaming her drawing, nearly choked. Sagiri: [I'm coming right now!] She shut down her stream instantly, packed her tablet, and bolted out the door.
Ryo messaged the band. Kita: [President has an easy job? I'm in! I'm in!~] Nijika: [I'm down.] Bocchi: [What kind of job?] Ryo: [Modeling for Mashiro Shiina. You know her, right?] Bocchi: [M-modeling? Probably okay then...]
Bocchi had modeled for Mashiro on the island. Back then, it was just swimsuits. She didn't realize that in the comfort of Rin's home, Mashiro's "modeling" requirements were much more... invasive.
Sagiri arrived first, looking like a zombie that had caught the scent of fresh meat. "Where are they? Where are the fresh beauties?"
Ryo began to worry. This girl looks dangerous... but hey, it's better than eating grass.
Nijika, Kita, and a trembling Bocchi arrived shortly after.
"So this is the President's house," Kita chirped. "It's surprisingly normal. I thought a 'President' would live in a penthouse."
"I haven't sold your game yet; how can I afford a mansion?" Rin opened the door. "Come in. Ryo is waiting."
The girls were about to find out that "easy money" often comes with a very high price—especially when the "client" is a pair of perverted artists.