Kobayashi Itsuki rushed out, following the locations in his memory, and quickly headed towards the Digital City.
Regarding computers, especially the bulky 'big-head' computers of this era, Kobayashi Itsuki truly didn't know much.
After strolling around the Digital City, computer prices were barely acceptable.
New ones generally started at 100,000 yen, which he could afford with his current financial situation.
However, after buying one, it would practically be like returning to square one overnight.
Yesterday's earnings would almost entirely be invested.
After walking around a few times, Kobayashi Itsuki eventually dove into the Second-Hand Market.
Prices in the Second-Hand Market were much cheaper, only about forty to fifty percent of new ones.
And because it was also operated by the Digital City, there was some assurance, including a certain warranty period and so on.
After careful selection, Kobayashi Itsuki decisively spent 50,000 yen to buy a second-hand 'big-head' computer.
It wasn't that he didn't want to buy a laptop that he could take to the Kindergarten.
But rather, those things were simply too expensive; a new one started at around 200,000 yen, which was almost equivalent to his monthly salary at the Kindergarten.
Even a used one cost 100,000 yen.
Spending so much money just for a few short hours at the Kindergarten was truly a bit of a loss.
After buying the computer, he also applied for internet service directly at the Digital City.
This was quite convenient; larger Digital Cities collaborated with internet service providers, saving him multiple trips.
Back home, the internet installation technician hadn't arrived yet, so Kobayashi Itsuki first turned on the computer and placed it on his desk.
Assemble, power on!
As the computer screen lit up, a smile curled at Kobayashi Itsuki's lips.
After successfully booting up, Kobayashi Itsuki found the Notepad application of this era.
Clicking open Notepad, Kobayashi Itsuki interlaced his fingers, stretching his fingers and wrists vigorously forward, his eyes filled with confidence.
In no time, the clattering sound of typing on the keyboard resounded in the small room.
This sound continued straight into the deep night.
In between, the internet installation technician came, giving Kobayashi Itsuki a brief respite, but he resumed shortly after.
From the time he returned with the computer until he was ready for bed at midnight.
Approximately seven hours.
Excluding eating, drinking, going to the bathroom, installing the internet, and other tasks.
After a long time away from computers, Kobayashi Itsuki was exceptionally focused, completely abandoning his previous habit of slacking off.
Of course, this might also be related to the fact that computers of this era didn't have much in the way of entertainment.
Several hours of intense concentration also brought Kobayashi Itsuki immense gains.
Not only was his nearly ten thousand words of handwritten manuscript successfully transferred to the computer, but he also wrote an additional three thousand words.
If this were before today, it would easily be a full day's work.
"Buying a computer was indeed the right choice. If only I had bought one earlier, I would probably have finished by now."
Sitting in front of the computer, Kobayashi Itsuki leaned back in his chair, lit a cigarette, and enjoyed a moment of leisure.
"Tomorrow, I need to work hard too!"
...For the next two days, Kobayashi Itsuki continued his monotonous two-point-line life: diligently building goodwill with the children at the Kindergarten during the day, and working hard on his manuscript at home.
Regarding Kobayashi Itsuki buying a computer and changing from handwritten manuscripts.
The only person who was probably sad was Ageo Masumi.
That was because she couldn't read the subsequent content of planetarian: the reverie of a little star in real time anymore.
However, after learning that Kobayashi Itsuki was preparing to submit his work to a Library, she cheered up again.
"Teacher Kobayashi, your work will definitely succeed!"
Ageo Masumi, who was usually shy and introverted, mustered the courage to convey her blessings to Kobayashi Itsuki.
Kobayashi Itsuki naturally accepted this with a smile. He believed that any Editor in this era, provided their judgment wasn't too poor, would definitely see the potential of planetarian: the reverie of a little star.
Since buying the computer, Kobayashi Itsuki had finished more than 70,000 characters in about three days.
This speed was undeniably fast.
In his previous life, many people complained bitterly about updating 4,000 characters a day, let alone producing around 20,000 characters daily.
After finishing the entire text of planetarian: the reverie of a little star, Kobayashi Itsuki decisively registered an email address and submitted his manuscript to the Newcomer Awards of various Library imprints.
It hadn't been convenient before, but now submitting to more places meant more opportunities.
This was his life experience, having once been a Corporate Slave.
After submitting, all Kobayashi Itsuki had to do was wait quietly for a result.
Of course, Kobayashi Itsuki did not waste time during this waiting period.
Farming treasure chests from the children at the Kindergarten every day became Kobayashi Itsuki's greatest pleasure.
In his previous life, he disliked children: they were noisy, troublesome, and mischievous.
Especially during holidays, the relatives' children brought into the house made him wish he could stuff them directly into a dark room.
But now, these children were practically angels in Kobayashi Itsuki's eyes.
They could reliably provide Kobayashi Itsuki with over a dozen green treasure chests almost every day.
In just these few days, Kobayashi Itsuki spread his attention evenly, focusing on interacting with children who had not yet contributed a green treasure chest.
In just over three days, seventy-five children had already contributed thirty-six treasure chests, counting the previous ones.
The number had already passed halfway.
And these thirty-plus treasure chests did not disappoint Kobayashi Itsuki.
He opened 230,000 in cash alone, and the total value, combined with other items, was around 600,000, which was a huge harvest.
At this efficiency, in just a few more days, the entire Kindergarten would turn a vibrant green color.
Kobayashi Itsuki's savings, conservatively estimated, should reach around 700,000 yen.
Including his salary of 250,000, even after deducting 50,000 yen for the computer, he would have nearly 900,000 yen.
The remaining shortfall did not yet account for the earnings from planetarian: the reverie of a little star.
There was also the value of the various items he opened. After Kobayashi Itsuki inquired recently, he found a decent place to sell these things.
That was the flea market.
A gap of 100,000 yen seemed relatively easy to fill.
'I hope good news arrives soon!'
Kobayashi Itsuki was hoping for this... Fujimi Bunko.
In the spacious and bright large office, many people were busy working.
In every cubicle, there was a haggard Corporate Slave working exhaustedly.
"Miss Ohara, these are manuscripts submitted by newcomers. I'll leave them to you."
"Alright, I understand, Fukada-senpai."
Ohara Nanako sat at her workstation, looking at the email forwarded by her colleague on the computer screen, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly in frustration.