Uncle Hikigaya is Forever Young [9]

According to current Ministry of Labor statistics, due to the ongoing economic downturn, the unemployment rate has already reached a staggering 5% this month—far exceeding the average of about 2.5% over the past three years.

That meant over six million people had lost their jobs.

The future forecast looked even bleaker, as the economic crisis, originating from the Atlantic Federation—the heart of the global economy—was quickly rippling outward, triggering a worldwide recession.

And that number was still rising.

In an economic megacity like Tokyo, the problem was especially severe.

Thus, today, at the Chiba Talent Market—or rather, the Chiba Employment Center—Hikigaya Ryōhei didn’t find any suitable job opportunities.

This wasn’t unexpected.

More accurately, after lining up for half the day, he still hadn’t even reached the service window.

But he couldn’t say the day was entirely wasted. After reading the public announcements in the waiting area, Ryōhei discovered he qualified for unemployment benefits, since he was jobless and had no current income. If you had dependent minors, you’d receive a little extra money.

Of course, there was a time limit—likely just one month of subsidies.

He couldn’t actually get the money here, though. He’d need to apply at the local unemployment insurance office. Ryōhei planned to handle that this afternoon.

He wasn’t clear exactly how much money he’d get, nor was he asking for much—just enough to cover two or three months’ rent would suffice.

Ryōhei knew he hadn’t inherited the original Hikigaya Ryōhei’s skills and experience, meaning it was unlikely he’d find a high-paying, prestigious job like before. So, despite today’s fruitless visit, he wasn’t particularly upset.

He was an adult, after all. What hadn’t he seen before?

If worse came to worst, he’d just do odd jobs for now. Survival first.

The original "Hikigaya Ryōhei" was academically excellent. Although he wasn’t from the legendary University of Tokyo (the university "everyone" in novels seemed to attend), he’d graduated from a top-tier national university in Tokyo—the prestigious Tokyo Gakugei University, also known as "Gakudai," "Gakugei-dai," or "Tōgakudai."

As the premier teachers' university in Asia, renowned domestically and abroad for excellence in education, it was highly respected throughout academic circles.

Yesterday, Ryōhei had even found the original’s graduation certificates and an up-to-date teaching license.

Yet, surprisingly, the man hadn’t become a teacher. Instead, he’d chosen entrepreneurship for some unknown reason.

Ryōhei himself had also been a teacher before transmigrating—but he came from a completely different country and educational system.

And with this world’s history diverging sometime around the year 1900, much of the knowledge from his former life had become useless. Simply put, those old empires hadn’t collapsed as in his timeline. Instead, they'd persisted stubbornly to the present day, making republics seem like the odd exception.

Anyway, due to some event Ryōhei hadn’t yet figured out, neither World War I nor II had occurred, allowing monarchies and empires to continue up to now.

The shift in world lines had erased many familiar names from this segment of history…

Thus, as a former history teacher, Ryōhei had essentially lost most of his expertise.

Even disregarding his age, going back to teach at a middle school with his teaching license and degree was impossible for now.

He didn't have the time or energy to relearn everything.

First, he’d focus on getting past the immediate crisis. After securing three or four months’ worth of rent and living expenses, he’d reconsider.

...

Meanwhile, Mrs. Kitahara Setsuna—still on her way to confront Hikigaya Ryōhei—was facing another bout of deep self-loathing and despair.

Because she didn’t even know where Hikigaya Ryōhei currently lived.

Previously, they’d only known each other superficially—aware of each other’s existence, but nothing more.

After awkwardly inquiring under the suspicious gaze of the current occupants at his old home, Setsuna finally learned of Hikigaya Ryōhei’s bankruptcy.

After thanking that household, Setsuna immediately tried calling him again, only to hear the mechanical message: "The number you dialed cannot be reached at this time."

He’d blocked her number!

Setsuna wandered aimlessly through Chiba’s streets, oblivious to how pale and haggard her face was, her hair tangled, and her clothes unkempt.

She couldn’t understand Hikigaya Ryōhei’s current mindset. Didn’t he care deeply about Tōma Kazusa? Shouldn’t he immediately team up with her to figure out how to salvage their collapsing families?

Unlike herself and Haruki, who had no children despite many years of marriage, Hikigaya Ryōhei had two kids!

Shouldn’t he be even more desperate to save his marriage?

Even if just for the children’s sake?!

Wasn't he supposed to be a simp?

Setsuna had thus raised three philosophical questions, yet received no answers.

Haha, who am I to talk? A stupid woman who only knows how to circle around her husband… I’m probably the same…

Setsuna sank further into despair, thinking bitterly that despite her years of diligent housekeeping, being a devoted and virtuous wife, she'd ended up betrayed by her husband—hardly better than a simp.

Her long brown hair hung messily over her shoulders, wrinkles forming faintly at her eyes from neglect. Her knee-length skirt was stained, eyes bloodshot from exhaustion.

No wonder Kitahara Haruki had grown reluctant to see his wife lately.

These past few years, Tōma Kazusa had enjoyed far better living conditions than Setsuna. Previously, Hikigaya Ryōhei had practically worshipped her, maintaining her youthful beauty—her fair, smooth skin, graceful curves, and mature charm exuding an elegant allure. She carried herself with a subtle fragrance; just parting her lips released a gentle scent like orchids.

In contrast, Setsuna had always been working herself harder.

Lately, she’d been severely battered by the combined assault from Haruki and Kazusa, almost sinking under the pressure. Barely surviving, she had no energy left to care about her appearance.

Meanwhile, Hikigaya Ryōhei seemed to have vanished entirely—she had no idea where he lived now, and couldn’t reach him by phone.

Setsuna wandered aimlessly until she reached Chiba Park, when a sudden stabbing pain in her stomach overtook her.

This woman, at rock-bottom physically and mentally, quickly crouched down, gripping a nearby park bench for support. Slowly, she shifted herself onto it, pale-faced, sweating profusely, clutching her stomach in pain.

She felt her limbs grow cold, breathing short and shallow.

At that very moment, a wild Hikigaya Ryōhei appeared, hands casually in his pockets, passing along the sidewalk barely three meters away from her.

---

T/N: prestigiousprestigiousprestigiousprestigiousprestigious HARU URARAU

This is a fan translation of 比企谷大叔永远年轻 by Stargazer All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!