Chapter 49: An Important Phone Call

After deciding on our plans, we quickly finished our meals, leaving us with plenty of free time. The school allotted us an hour for lunch, and we had only used about twenty minutes. Compared to the measly thirty minutes you'd get elsewhere, this school's lunch break was way better.

Ring~ Ring~

Ring~ Ring~

"Sorry, guys." My phone suddenly rang, and when I glanced at the caller ID, I was shocked. 

Iori Miyamura? Maybe something happened?

I answered at the table, not bothering to hide the fact that I owned businesses.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Amane-san, sorry to bother you."

"No, no, it's fine. And remember, just call me Amane."

"Oh yeah, I forgot. More importantly, I would like to ask for some help."

I straightened up, my previously relaxed demeanor vanishing. Her voice sounded weak, and multiple scenarios started running through my mind. I didn't need to be losing money after getting it. 

"What's wrong?"

"It's this order," she sighed heavily. "I've got a big one on the phone. They're asking for a lot, but if we pull this off, it could be amazing for future business."

"Go on."

The group stared at me, confused and curious. They couldn't hear the conversation, but I was sure they had never seen me like this before.

"It's being delivered to a government building where a meeting with some of our allies is taking place. It's government, Amane! If we do well, I could potentially secure international clients!"

"What's the issue?" I asked. She was stalling, but not intentionally—I could hear the excitement behind her words.

"I don't have enough money. They paid a $5,000 deposit, but the cost of materials shot up, and their deadline..." She hesitated. "They want it by tomorrow."

'A material issue should be easily solved by the system.'

"Then there's the matter of delivery. A high-quality service will cost at least $2,000."

[Side Quest Appeared!]

[Route 1: Time is Money!]

- Drop everything, leave school, and ensure this deal is a success!

- Initial Reward: All non-system profits increase by 20% this month

- Completion Reward: Three sub-tier upgrades

[Route 2: Invest]Invest money, and she can—

'Route 1.'

[You don't want to hear the rest?]

'Nah, I'm good.'

[Very well.]

[Route One Chosen.]

"Iori, I'll be over there soon. Transfer the $5,000 to the bank I sent you, and I'll handle the materials by the time I get there."

"E-Eh?" She was in disbelief—I could hear it over the phone. I didn't explain anything, though, and simply stood up from the table.

"I've got to hang up. I'll be over there in 20 to 30 minutes, probably."

"Okay." Her voice sounded much lighter now, which was good. She wouldn't be able to work well if she was too stressed.

I hung up the phone and looked at everyone apologetically.

"I've got to go, guys. Some problems need to be taken care of."

Saeko seemed interested, but she didn't ask. The other three weren't so nice.

"What? Are you like some CEO?" Itsuki asked.

I looked at him. "Technically, no. However, it's a land-related thing. I own the land these businesses are on, which in turn gives me some connection to them."

"But if you don't own the business, why would you help them?" Mahiru asked this time, her eyebrows tightening. She clearly didn't understand my reason for getting involved.

"Normally, I wouldn't, but this is pretty major. If I do help, I could, in turn, make more money and get them to owe me a favor."

Yuta and Saeko nodded, but the latter seemed like she had more to say.

I wonder if she isn't adding anything because she doesn't want to get involved, or if she feels like she shouldn't? Her actions were so weird and reserved, yet whenever she held her sword, she was so free. I wish she could act that way without her sword, though.

I shook my head and left the table, rushing outside the school and hopping into an Uber. A rushed and rather rude way to leave, but time is money—as the system said!

The ride proceeded smoothly, and I arrived at Miyamura Bakery quicker than I had planned. I got there in just 10 minutes!

The store had a Closed sign and an apology for the inconvenience. From the little I knew of Iori, she probably felt bad about it. However, she still put her business first, which was great.

I texted her, and she quickly came to the door and unlocked it, letting me in.

"Good afternoon, Amane-san. I didn't expect you to come help in person."

"Well, this will work out for the both of us."

She nodded at my words, looking so stressed that I wouldn't be surprised if she fainted anytime soon.

"I got the money, and I'll handle the materials. Speaking of which, hand me a list of what you need."

She didn't waste any time. She handed me four pages stapled together, neatly arranged and organized by quantity and reason.

'System, think we can get this handled?'

["We," no, but me, yes.]

'Okay, okay, can you get it handled?'

[Yeah, yeah. Where do you want this delivered?]

'Good question...'

"Mrs. Miyamura, I'm assuming you have an industrial cooler?"

She nodded and led me right to it. The thing was massive, taking up at least a quarter of the building. Walking inside, it was even more spacious but colder than a tundra, so I walked out quicker than I had walked in.

'System, deliver it here.'

[Now?]

'Yeah, I'll distract her for a bit. We can discuss other things in the meantime.'

[Very well.]

[$7,650 taken from account.]

I sighed at having to take out over $2,650 of my own money, but I told myself it would all be worth it. The materials cost more than expected, and there was still the delivery service to pay for.

Iori flinched at my sigh, but there was no real reason for her to.

She'll need a really good break after this. I also need to plan different business moves now—I only have a month of 20% increased profit!