The Protagonist Always Wants to Find Someone to Commit Suicide With - Chapter 2

“So, I have to get the target to admit I’m a good person?”

Dazai Osamu was still holding his copy of The Complete Guide to Suicide. He had just stepped out of the principal’s office, having signed his employment contract. He was officially ready to begin his tenure at this high school. “Are there specific criteria for that?”

Despite having zero teaching experience, Dazai had charmed the principal with his vast knowledge and silver tongue. Once the man was sufficiently dazed and confused, Dazai had produced a forged diploma from a prestigious university. Securing the contract had been effortless.

The former Mafia Executive was finding the “corporate world” (if it could be called that) quite navigable.

[System]: Natsume Takashi must personally and explicitly admit that you are a ‘good person.’

“How vague” Dazai drawled. “Does that mean I can just beg him to say it and call the mission a success?”

He struck a pose of sudden realization. “Oh! I should have asked him earlier. Natsume-kun is such a gentle soul; surely he wouldn’t have refused such a small, humble request from me.”

[System]: …

[System]: Natsume Takashi’s favorability rating toward you is currently 40.

“The threshold for him to admit you’re a good person is a favorability rating of at least 60.”

“That’s so low,” Dazai mused, rubbing his chin. “Are you telling me that our fateful encounter this morning  that meeting where the threads of destiny were practically woven together didn’t even earn me an 80?”

[System]: A score of 40 is already higher than the average stranger’s starting point, the System replied, adding with a hint of disdain: I suspect that if you had introduced yourself as a teacher first instead of a suicide enthusiast, his impression of you would be much better.

“Is that so?”

[System]: As a side note, your subordinate Akutagawa has a favorability rating of 100.

“Eh?! Really? Wow, I didn’t realize I was so popular!”

Seeing Dazai accept this perfect score without a hint of awkwardness, the System practically twitched. It truly could not fathom how that poor child the one Dazai had “educated” through sheer brutality thousands of times could maintain such high affection. Even if Dazai pointed a gun at him, that 100 would likely never drop to a 99.

Dazai lowered his gaze, a faint glint shimmering in his eyes. He had spent enough time with the System to conclude it bore no ill intent.

Even he wasn’t entirely sure why he had agreed to this bond.

Perhaps it was out of sheer boredom, or perhaps because, as Odasaku had once said, being a “good person” or a “bad person” made no difference to him in the end.

Since his dear friend had requested that he try to be on the side of good, this System—which claimed its purpose was to help him “become a good person” was, at the very least, marginally useful.

“What’s next?” the System asked.

“To meet my lovely students, of course!” Dazai’s voice lilted with excitement. “It is truly an honor to become a teacher!”

The Exorcist’s Residence

“Mr. Natori I’m truly sorry for the trouble.”

Natsume Takashi was still wearing his school uniform. Although the spirit responsible for the curse had been dealt with, the spirit had claimed the transformation would take some time to wear off.

He couldn’t let Aunt Toko see him like this, but he didn’t want to make her worry by disappearing. Left with no choice, he had brought Nyanko-sensei along to Natori Shuichi’s home.

“I’ve already called your family for you,” Natori Shuichi said, walking over with two cups of tea and a smile. “To be honest, I was quite startled when I saw you.”

Natori was dressed in casual black loungewear, his expression warm and gentle.

“Please, don’t tease me,” Natsume muttered, sitting at the table.

“Actually, Natsume, there is something important I need to tell you,” Natori’s tone suddenly turned serious. “A group of spirits from another region has suddenly migrated into this area. You need to be extra careful.”