Chapter 78: I Just Want to Make Money Now

Shutara Senjumaru’s confidence thrilled Yamabuki Haruto. “Pay the deposit first,” she said, eyes on the sketches. “I’ll start once I have it.”

Haruto’s smile froze. Deposit? I’m broke. His poker buddies had cleaned him out. “Uh, forgot my wallet. I’ll grab the money and be back!” Miserable doesn’t cover it. Gambling debts and a half-month’s unpaid salary stung. No more cards. Ever.

Who could he borrow from? Kazenami Haru and Sasakibe Chōjirō were regular Shinigami, their pay too meager. Yamamoto? That old miser? No chance. That left the nobles: Shihōin Chihiro, Tsunayashiro Fuka, or Kano Chiharu. Fuka was shady—untrustworthy. Chiharu? Borrowing from a woman as Gotei 13’s Chief of Staff? Embarrassing. Chihiro it was.

Haruto raced to the Shihōin estate. “Borrow money? Sure,” Chihiro said, smirking. “But pay back what you owe me first.”

Haruto’s jaw dropped. I forgot that debt too? “I’ll… write an IOU,” he mumbled, practiced at this humiliation.

Chihiro’s face turned serious. “Wait, the Captain’s calling. Urgent business!” She vanished with Shunpo.

No love in this world, Haruto thought, slumping through Seireitei. A delicate hand offered a bulging purse. Turning, he saw Kano Chiharu. “Chihiro said you need money,” she said gently. “Take this. If it’s not enough, find me at the Kano estate.”

Haruto’s eyes teared up. A saint! He moved to hug her—pure gratitude, no ulterior motives, he swore. A paper slapped his face. “An IOU,” Chiharu said, voice cool. “Sign and fingerprint it.”

“Another IOU?” Haruto groaned.

“What if you gamble it away again?” she added, still gentle.

Defeated, Haruto signed. Why so many debts? What did I do in my past life? With the funds, he returned to Rukongai, paid Senjumaru’s deposit, and was told to return in three days.

Three days later, Senjumaru presented the maid outfit and stockings. The black-and-white maid outfit was adorably detailed, the white stockings tough yet silky. Haruto couldn’t stop touching them. “Perfect! Try them on?” he teased.

Senjumaru rolled her eyes. “You little punk. I know your game.” At over two hundred years old, she saw through the eighteen-year-old’s antics.

“If you’re satisfied, pay the balance,” she said.

Haruto grabbed her hands instead. “What—”

“Hear me out!” he cut in. “Live in obscurity in Rukongai, or change Soul Society with me? Be my technical consultant. Mass-produce these. Your shop makes pennies—I’ll pay ten times that!”

“Let go or I scream!” Senjumaru tried pulling free. “Ten times? I’m not swayed by money. Details, now.”

Haruto spun a wild pitch, tying clothing to the balance of the Three Worlds. “Sky’s the limit!”

“Do you have money?” she asked.

“Soon,” he said.

“A shop?”

“Eventually.”

“Employees?”

Haruto pointed at her, then himself. “Us! We’re worth a hundred!”

Senjumaru facepalmed. A broke kid starting a business? Still, the challenge intrigued her. “Fine. Let’s see what you can do.”