Chapter 2: Newton's Coffin Lid was Closed
As Uesugi Kiyoshi approached the door, he lit a fire on Nakasone Yoji.
The body had started to decay, even fermenting to produce methane gas, soon turning into a ball of fire.
Given the current situation, there was no better disposal method, so he chose this ancient burial method.
Nakasone Kazuko also understood this, so she just quietly shed tears without stopping.
Watching the sorrowful girl in front of him, Uesugi Kiyoshi couldn't help but feel sympathy.
Whether in appearance, character, or courage, she was qualified as the protagonist, but being the protagonist of a horror comic didn't necessarily mean she was lucky.
Originally a family of four living harmoniously, in the blink of an eye, only the girl was left alone. After living for a week in hunger and fear, she was almost on the verge of collapse, which was why she fell for the hot air balloon trick.
Who would go knock on the window on the second floor anyway?
"Let's eat something first!"
Uesugi Kiyoshi opened his bag and took out a bag of crackers to offer.
Nakasone Kazuko came back to her senses, looked at the crackers in front of her, hesitated, and finally shook her head, saying, "No thanks, food is precious now, how can I..."
Uesugi Kiyoshi opened the bag completely, revealing a variety of snacks inside.
"Although they are all instant foods, at least the calories can be guaranteed."
"Then, thank you !"
After finishing the crackers, Nakasone Kazuko regained some strength and struggled to stand up, bowing, "You really helped me this time, Uesugi."
"Don't mention it... Oh, do you know me?"
"You are the star of the class, the mysterious transfer student, Mayumi and the others are talking about you!"
Nakasone Kazuko tried to smile but tears came down her face. "Miss Mayumi, she still... Sorry, oh, by the way, do you recognize me too?"
"Um, yeah..."
Uesugi Kiyoshi didn't recognize the lovely girl in front of him, not even the name "Nakasone Kazuko", if it weren't for the familiar surroundings and the sign by the door, he might not have remembered.
After all, not all soul transferences come with memories.
"Forget it, let's not talk about this."
He offered her a sausage, watching as the girl ate it slowly and asked with concern, "Do you have any plans for the future?"
Nakasone Kazuko stayed silent without responding.
"If the Head Balloon doesn't achieve its goal, it won't give up easily. But if you just stay at home and don't go out, it's no different from waiting for death."
Nakasone Kazuko bit her lip, trying to speak but finally managed a small smile. "You're right, Mr. Uesugi."
She swallowed her last bite of food, a determined look gradually appearing on her face, "Please don't worry about me, leave, don't be troubled because of me!"
"Where did you go?" Uesugi Kiyoshi rubbed his forehead, somewhat speechless.
Did he not express himself clearly?
It's not impossible. He learned Japanese by following anime, so some discrepancies are normal.
"Think about it, how did I survive under the attack of the Head Balloon?"
Nakasone Kazuko's eyes lit up, "Is it because of a unique physique? ... Or the power of magic?"
"It's the specialized protective suit of Head Balloon! The one I was wearing just now!"
Uesugi Kiyoshi pointed to the entrance, he had just struggled to take it off, now it was stacked on the ground, still leaking an unknown liquid, dripping and wetting the carpet.
"The reason I could come here is because of this thing!"
Holding his nose, he put on the protective suit again, and opened the frame. The outline of his body disappeared under the clothes, replaced by a nearly standard triangular cone.
"See, I've fitted steel extendable support structures around my neck and waist, coated with lubricant on the outside. Even a Head Balloon must follow the laws of physics...well, at least in part!"
Amidst the girl's shocked cry, Uesugi Kiyoshi smiled confidently, opened the door, and started the countdown.
"Three, two, one."
The howling wind approached, and the steel cables arrived precisely at his neck position. With a swoosh sound, they slid smoothly along the curved surface of the cone.
The airborne Uesugi Kiyoshi let out a disgruntled curse, casting a resentful glance at the owner of the head, before swaying up.
"After so many attempts, he still wouldn't give up!"
Uesugi Kiyoshi shook his head, closed the door, took off his protective suit, and continued to persuade the astonished Nakasone Kazuko.
"One protective suit can withstand about ten attacks, reapplying oil can extend it to about fifteen times, and the air balloon needs to be tested every 20 minutes. With it, why worry about Head Balloon? How about that, the market prospects are promising, right?"
"Uh, I guess so... right?"
"So, if you don't have any other plans, would you accept my offer to work as a salesperson?"
"...a salesperson?" Nakasone Kazuko stood still for a while, nervously twisting her hands. "But, can I?"
"It's perfect for you!"
Uesugi Kiyoshi rummaged through his luggage and pulled out a greasy package. "Put it on, and we'll start working right away!"
......
Changing feelings is the best way to shift pain.
Giving Nakasone Kazuko something to do can help reduce her sadness, this is what Uesugi Kiyoshi thinks.
Of course, at the same time, being able to sell his own products would be even better.
The two of them packed up neatly, and their first goal was the house next door.
"Mrs. Tsuruta, it's me, Kazuko," Nakasone Kazuko knocked on the door at Uesugi Kiyoshi's signal.
The once quiet house suddenly became lively, with intense arguments audible even through the door. After a while, uncertain replies could be heard from inside.
"Kazuko? Is that you? But how did you come here?"
"That's because, because..."
"That's because she used our company's latest product."
Uesugi Kiyoshi loudly promoted at the door, "Our company has developed specialized protective gear for the Head Balloons. Wear it, and you won't have to worry about those things outside anymore. For just a mere one million yen, you can return to a normal life!"
Learning from previous lessons, he realized that even the best products needed proper promotion and advertising.
The strategy of going door-to-door for sales was correct, especially since TV stations and advertising agencies had closed down. But the salesperson was crucial.
After all, 1 million yen is not a small amount. With payment first, who is more trustworthy, a young stranger or a girl who has lived in the area for over ten years?
Moreover, in the current situation, it's uncertain whether the person calling out is really a person or just a balloon.
By singing a duet, they were able to dispel this notion. Most people are unaware that balloons can actually cooperate and hunt together.
Indeed, that's true.
Upon returning to the Nakasone household at dusk, Uesugi Kiyoshi's backpack was completely empty.
