Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
It was easy to buy a computer. Furthermore, Kimura Kazuki did not buy a used computer when he was at Akihabara. Instead, he bought a brand new laptop with amazing performance.
He disregarded Furuhashi Sakurakyu’s request to take a stroll around Akihabara and also ignored her request for him to buy a desktop with top performance.
2080TI, 9900K... he did not understand any of those. Whenever she saw a new product, she would ask for it. She had never considered that he was living in such a cramped room. How would he have any extra money to buy unnecessary worldly possessions?
Furthermore, if he did buy a desktop computer, he would also need an internet cable to connect the computer to the internet. It would take a few more days to complete the process. A laptop would be less troublesome, and Wi-Fi would suffice.
Eventually, Furuhashi Sakurakyu gave up. She found out that he was an unyielding man who was also very stubborn and assertive. Besides, he was always efficient to act on something once he set his goals.
Actually, all of these characteristics were his strengths, but they also made Kimura Kazuki a boring person.
When he decided to buy a computer at Akihabara, he focused on his errand and immediately headed home after he bought a computer. She could not persuade him, but she reckoned that they should at least stroll around Akihabara. She glanced around the area, realizing that apart from billboards, there had not been many changes in Akihabara for the past ten years. It would be utterly impossible to notice any difference without looking at the details. After all, any alteration to the details could lead to changes.
On their way home, Furuhashi Sakurakyu sulked for a brief moment. Then, she began to talk to Kimura Kazuki on random topics. She was apparently a person who could not stand boredom.
Kimura Kazuki was puzzled as this woman seemed to have gone through a tremendous change in her personality since her return from Kageyama Park. She no longer carried the elegant demeanor that she had back when she was at the Nakagawa’s residence. Now, she acted similar to ordinary teenage girls, despite being in her adulthood.
However, he did not ask her about this. Nonetheless, everyone showed a different side when they were with different people. Maybe this was just her true self.
Once he was back at home, Kimura Kazuki turned on the laptop and began to surf the internet after he connected the laptop to the Wi-Fi.
The laptop’s performance was rather good. In a rented room like this, this laptop would be considered as the most valuable item in the whole place. The internet speed was fast, and the hardware condition was excellent. Hence, it only took a little time for the webpages to load.
Kimura Kazuki bought the computer for two main reasons, his translation work and the spirit-resting website, which he had previously discussed with Chiba Shiori. Otherwise, he would prefer to get a used laptop from a flea market and never consider getting a new computer.
While Kimura Kazuki was at Akihide High School yesterday, he cast the Vision Spell on Chiba Shiori. Then, Chiba Shiori mentioned about the spirit-resting website, prompting Kimura Kazuki to prepare a computer to use as a web server.
Kimura Kazuki was dedicated to set up the spirit-resting website.
This website might mark the beginning of his successful future, and Chiba Shiori was the reason why he wanted to train his subordinates. However, his plan had to be carried out carefully. If the spirit-resting website could thrive, he would probably develop a bright future. However, at this moment, his priority was to secure an online translation job.
In this era, most of the job openings were posted on the internet, and translation jobs were no exception. Of course, this situation was only applicable to written translation. Currently, Japan had plenty of translation websites. To work as a part-time translator, a person had to first register as a member. They would then be recruited as one of the team members, and their pay would be calculated by per 1000 words.
Currently, the standard pay for freelance translators would be approximately 3000 yen per 1000 words for them to translate Japanese text to English. On the other hand, they would get about 2500 yen for English to Japanese translation work. However, the prices were subjected to changes based on the translator’s standards, the difficulties of the texts, and the market’s demands.
For part-time translators who possessed no qualification certificate, they would be offered an even lower price.
If they intended to obtain a qualification certificate, JLPT and JTest were the two prestigious exams as they both were officially recognized. However, Kimura Kazuki was only working as a part-time translator. His chances would naturally be widened with a qualification certificate, but not having a qualification certificate would have little effect on his job.
Among all the relevant translation websites he had searched for, he soon picked and entered one of the sites.
This website generally worked on a project basis. First, the registered members had to print and sign on both the contract and mutual nondisclosure agreement, mailed it to the company before they could eventually accept individual projects that were posted on the website and began their translation job. Besides, the prices for each project were transparent.
While Kimura Kazuki was occupied, focusing on the computer screen, Furuhashi Sakurakyu was watching him from aside. She furrowed her brows and asked, “Are you looking for a translation job?”
“Yes.”
“If that’s the case...” Furuhashi Sakurakyu interrupted, “You should check out the honyaku-zumi.net.”
“The honyaku-zumi.net?” Kimura Kazuki was puzzled. He had never heard of this website. Then, he quickly realized that Furuhashi Sakurakyu had been hibernating for a decade. The translation agency that was probably famous 10 years ago might have already shut down.
“Just go on honyaku-zumi.net and have a look,” At that moment, Furuhashi Sakurakyu finally realized that her knowledge about the website was 10 years old. However, she remembered that the owner of Honyaku-zumi & Co. was her friend. With her friend’s capability, honyaku-zumi.net Translation Agency couldn’t run out of business.
This time, Kimura Kazuki did not ignore her suggestion. He searched for honyaku-zumi.net. To his surprise, the website really existed. Once he entered honyaku-zumi.net’s webpage, he was welcomed by the organized layout on the front page. The sky blue interface was aesthetic and appeared soothing. The latest changes to the website were done only three days ago. It seemed like the website was still operating.
“Seemingly, the website is still running,” Furuhashi Sakurakyu said proudly, “Honyaku-zumi & Co. is a small company, but their works are delicate. Hence, they are rather well-known in the industry. Of course, that was all in the past, and I’m not sure about their current reputation.”
Listening to her chatter, Kimura Kazuki was browsing the website at the same time. After he completed the registration, he discovered that the site had the same essential functions as the other translation websites. It also provided jobs on a project basis. However, if he wanted to work for honyaku-zumi.net as a part-time translator, he was required to take an online recruitment test. After he submitted the test, his work would be graded.
Some of the projects listed on the website required translators with a specific grade and standard. He quickly ran through the website and noticed that the translators with higher grades were offered higher pay.
Kimura Kazuki marveled at the recruitment process of the website. Once he was registered as a member, he was required to take the recruitment test, which was actually an exam to grade the translators.
Within the stipulated time frame, he was required to complete the comprehension and listening tests. The difficulty would increase as he progressed through the tests.
He had never encountered a recruitment test on other websites. Instead, they usually implemented the credit system. The credits of the translators would be deducted if they failed to submit their work by the due dates or presented a shoddy work. Once their credits had been completely debited, they would be blacklisted by the website.
Comparing honyaku-zumi.net to the other translation websites, a majority of projects on usual translation websites were simple, requiring only the basic translation skills. But, the projects on honyaku-zumi.net required delicate yet excellent translation skills. Hence, Kimura Kazuki naturally preferred honyaku-zumi.net.
In his previous life, he was a man hailed from Huaxia, and his mother tongue was Chinese. After he turned into Kimura Kazuki, he became fluent in Japanese. Therefore, this website would be suitable for him.
For the coming hours, Kimura Kazuki sat still in front of his laptop, taking the recruitment test on honyaku-zumi.net. Furuhashi Sakurakyu had to borrow Kimura Kazuki’s mobile phone to kill her time.
Kimura Kazuki did not reject her request. He passed her his mobile phone, in exchange for peace of mind. Nonetheless, he did not have anything private on his phone.
Later, Kimura Kazuki continued to sit facing the laptop, while Furuhashi Sakurakyu lay on the bed, playing with his phone. Neither of them was interrupting each other.
As Furuhashi Sakurakyu read about all the information in this current era from the internet, her curiosity about today’s world continued to grow. However, her energy was quickly depleted as she was overwhelmed by all the new information. Soon, she began to feel sleepy.
Even though a specter did not need to sleep, but she could sleep if she wanted to. After all, sleeping would recharge her energy.
When she looked at the clock, it was already nine o’clock at night. Yet, Kimura Kazuki was still answering the recruitment test.
Furuhashi Sakurakyu rolled her eyes at him and intended to turn off the phone. However, she accidentally pressed the wrong button and entered his mailbox.
The next moment, she saw the names of Furuhashi Harunaka, Furuhashi Natsui, Furuhashi Akino, and Furuhashi Fuyuno. She quickly rose from the bed, and her sleepiness had instantly gone away.
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