Kirino Kousaka stepped out of Yuuya's bedroom.
Ayase Aragaki, sitting on the sofa, immediately stood up.
"Kirino, how are you feeling?"
"Much better. Thank you for everything, Ayase," Kirino said softly.
"No need to thank me. It's what I should do," Ayase replied, glancing at Yuuya.
"I just checked—her forehead isn't hot anymore. The fever's gone," Yuuya said, looking at Ayase.
"I'll take Kirino back home. We don't want to trouble Yuuya-senpai anymore," Ayase said.
"The car's already outside," Yuuya said. He understood. She wanted to protect Kirino and avoid unnecessary contact between her and him.
He walked over to Kirino.
"I've already told Ayase about our relationship."
"Huh?"
"About being a couple."
"Oh… I forgot to tell her," Kirino murmured. Though she didn't fully understand why, she accepted the couple status.
Yuuya looked at Ayase.
"Ayase, can you wait in the car for us? I have a few things to say to Kirino."
"I… I understand," Ayase said, her expression a mix of emotions.
Yuuya watched her leave and looked at the closed door.
"Now, everyone at your school will know you have a boyfriend. No more boys will bother you," he said gently.
"And as for me, having the status of your boyfriend is already enough."
"Until you meet someone you truly like, I can remain your boyfriend. I'm not Kyousuke Kousaka, but you can rely on me anytime, ask for help whenever you need it."
Kirino felt a warm surge in her chest at those words.
"Thank you, Yuuya-senpai," she whispered.
"Kirino Kousaka favor +50"
Yuuya patted her head gently.
"Have you thought it through?"
"Yes."
"Good. Thinking it through is the first step."
"Yuuya-senpai… you really have multiple girlfriends?"
"Hmm? Are you falling for me?"
"Just a little," Kirino said quietly.
Hearing this, Yuuya pulled her into a hug.
"Yes, I do have multiple girlfriends. But if you truly want to be my girlfriend, I promise I won't disappoint you. I'll give you ten billion yen, marry you, and make you happy."
"Senpai… you really talk badly…"
"Then why didn't you push me away?"
"I… I don't know," she admitted.
"Maybe it's because my embrace is warm, right? Definitely not because you like me."
Kirino's face flushed.
"Kirino Kousaka favor +30"
Yuuya released her gently.
"Thinking it through is just the first step. The second step is becoming even better. From now on, for any competitions, I'll bring Kyousuke Kousaka to cheer for you."
"Before, you thought you had the world's greatest brother," he said."From now on, you can make him proud of having such a capable sister."
Kirino nodded, feeling reassured.
"Kirino Kousaka favor +50"
Not far from the Kousaka residence, two girls got out of the car.
Yuuya waved goodbye to Kirino.
The car drove on for a few minutes.
"Did you find the houses?" Yuuya asked.
"Yes, three houses," Nishimiya Yaeko replied, stopping the car and showing Yuuya her phone.
"Take Shouko there and let her choose. Don't tell her the prices," Yuuya instructed.
"Yes."
Minutes later, the car arrived at Shouko Nishimiya's school.
Yuuya got out and opened the rear door.
Shouko smiled at him as they both sat in the back seat.
Yuuya held her small hand gently. She blushed slightly.
The first house was 200 meters from the school.
A real estate agent waited at the door and immediately came to open it when they arrived.
Yuuya held Shouko's hand and walked through the house with her.
Shouko asked about the price in sign language.
Yaeko shook her head.
Yuuya wrote on his notebook:
"You don't need to know the price. Just choose whichever house you like."
Shouko opened her mouth, surprised.
Yuuya took her hand and led her outside.
"Let's see the other two houses as well."
"Okay," Shouko nodded.
The real estate agents smiled politely.
Half an hour later, all three houses had been seen.
Inside the agency office, Shouko hesitated for a few seconds, then chose the third house.
It was 100 meters from the river and 300 meters from school.
Yuuya glanced at the price: 65 million yen.
He transferred 100 million yen to Yaeko.
Yaeko completed the payment, registering the property under Shouko's name.
The house was fully renovated and ready for cleaning and furniture tomorrow.
Two floors, four rooms—enough space for the entire Nishimiya family.
"Shouko Nishimiya favor +50"
Shouko, after completing the registration, came back to Yuuya.
She wanted to sign something but worried he wouldn't understand.
Yuuya held her hand and kissed her cheek gently.
Then he wrote on the notebook:
"This is your home now.""And it's my home too."
"Shouko Nishimiya favor +50"
Back at Yuuya's house,
He kissed Shouko lightly on the forehead as he got out of the car.
"Shouko Nishimiya favor +50"
The car drove off.
Yuuya returned home to find Kawasaki Saki hadn't come back yet.
He sat on the sofa, checking his virtual interface.
1,400 points.
Silver treasure chest—open!
"Congratulations, host! You have received a Beginner Constitution Elixir.""Can be extracted at any time."
Silver treasure chests: 9
Yuuya blinked in surprise. Another Beginner Constitution Elixir—its drop rate was supposed to be low.
He thought for a moment.
"System, can I dilute the elixir into smaller portions?"
"One Beginner Constitution Elixir can be divided into ten small portions."
"What's the effect?"
"Small improvement in physical constitution."
"Show me." Yuuya was curious.
The virtual screen displayed a video.
A girl stood on the starting line with three athletes.
Bang!
The starting pistol fired.
She shot forward like an arrow.
1,000 meters in 1 minute 59 seconds.
The other athletes finished in 2 minutes 20 seconds.
Her speed had already surpassed the human record for 1,000 meters.
Not as strong as a beginner-level warrior, but near human peak.
And this was permanent, not temporary.
"This seems a bit too strong… can I weaken the effect?" Yuuya asked.
"Cannot be weakened further. Small portions can be frozen into droplets and added to water. One drop doubles the user's constitution to that of a standard athlete," the system explained.
"Good. Divide one small portion for now."
"Division complete. Can be extracted at any time."