Shoko Nishinomiya didn't know exactly what Takumi Yuuya had put in the water.
She only knew one thing: she trusted that he wouldn't hurt her.
Yuuya set the glass down and picked up his notebook.
"This is a potion prepared by my mentor. It won't cure you completely, but it'll improve your constitution. At the very least, it'll reduce the number of times you need to visit a hospital."
Shoko looked at it in surprise.
Yuuya continued writing.
"This is your birthday gift. How do you plan to thank me?"
Shoko's cheeks flushed. Slowly, she leaned closer and rested her small head against Yuuya's chest.
Yuuya put the notebook down and lifted her chin.
Shoko closed her eyes.
Without hesitation, he kissed her.
"Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50""Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50""Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50"
After a while, Yuuya lifted his head and looked at her blushing face.
He released her and went to turn off the lights.
Then he returned to the bed and kissed her again.
This time, his hands began to wander…
"Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50""Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50""Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50"
A few minutes later, Yuuya, bathed in moonlight, could clearly see Shoko's expression.
Her face was shy, but there was also a hint of anticipation.
She wanted to grow closer to Yuuya.
She wouldn't resist his teasing.
Yuuya pressed a light kiss to her forehead and lifted the edge of the blanket.
Shoko understood and crawled under it.
Yuuya lay down beside her, gently holding her and stroking her long hair.
"When I heal you completely, I won't hold back."
The next morning.
Shoko woke early to prepare breakfast.
Yuuya got up, washed, and went to the kitchen.
Shoko smiled at him.
Yuuya stepped toward her.
She realized what was coming and closed her eyes.
He kissed her, hands still wandering.
Shoko was shy, but she didn't resist.
"Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50""Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50""Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50"
Only when Yuuya lifted his head did she open her eyes, looking at him with warmth and a gentle smile.
He kissed her forehead and left the kitchen.
Shoko smiled as she served breakfast at the table.
After breakfast, she tidied the kitchen.
She saw Yuuya on the phone and quietly sat on the sofa beside him.
He held her small hand while talking to Kirino Kousaka.
Kirino was asking about his progress in a game.
"I haven't started playing yet."
"You don't like it?"
"I do, just no time."
"Extra lessons today?"
"No time because I'm with them. Today it's this, tomorrow it's that."
"You really are an otaku, aren't you?"
Yuuya kissed Shoko's hand lightly at that comment.
Kirino paused, hearing his voice.
"You're on the phone with me, and there's another girl with you?"
"She stayed over last night. I'll take her home and then meet the next girl."
"You're hopeless."
"Thanks for the compliment. The next girl is also an otaku. If she's free today, I'll call you and we can go to Akihabara together."
"Alright, I'll get ready."
"Wait for my call."
Yuuya hung up.
After dropping Shoko home, Yuuya went to the bookstore.
He didn't browse books, heading straight to the counter.
Ruri Gokou recognized him from his previous purchases.
"You're Ruri Gokou, right?"
Yuuya spoke.
"And you are?"
Ruri froze.
"I'm a Soubu High student. I've bought books here a few times and happened to learn your name from someone at school."
"May I ask what you want?"
"What's your part-time wage?"
"1,000 yen per hour."
"I'll give you 500,000 yen a month. Will you be my girlfriend?"
"I'm sorry, I'm not that kind of girl."
Ruri's eyes turned cold.
"Ruri Gokou disgust +50"
"Wait, you misunderstood. By 'girlfriend' I just mean emotional support. Holding hands, hugs—nothing beyond that without your permission."
"I refuse."
"If I transfer 100 million yen to you first, would you reconsider?"
"If you really transfer 100 million yen, I'd quit my job immediately and be your girlfriend."
Ruri didn't believe he would actually transfer that much.
100 million yen is no small sum. How could he just…?
Yuuya took out his phone.
"What's your bank account number?"
Ruri froze.
Was he really going to transfer 100 million yen?
Yuuya noticed her shock and put his phone away.
"If transferring money feels risky, I can buy you a house instead. Once it's registered in your name, I can't take it back."
"You've only seen me a few times. Why are you willing to spend so much on me?"
"You're beautiful. The moment I saw you, I decided."
"Your other girlfriends are beautiful too."
"They are, but each girl is different, unique in her own way."
"They? Other girlfriends?"
Ruri gaped.
Yuuya looked toward the bookstore's exterior.
"With your family situation, owning a house outright could change your life immediately."
"Right now, the opportunity is in front of you. The choice is yours."
"Black Cat."
Yuuya sat in the passenger seat of a taxi.
He watched the traditional-style house nearby—the one rented by the Gokou family.
Ruri Gokou walked out, wearing her Gothic outfit.
Yuuya had called her by her online handle, "Black Cat," and now she had agreed to go with him.
If she could get a house, she was willing to be his girlfriend.
The Gokou family wasn't well-off.
She had two younger sisters to support and worked at the bookstore for extra income.
College wasn't even an option; tuition would be a problem.
Ruri sat in the back seat.
Yuuya gave the address of a real estate agency.
A few minutes later, they arrived.
"To save time, we won't look at houses in person. We'll just pick one near Soubu High," Yuuya said.
"Okay."
Ruri was nervous.
Inside the agency, Yuuya gave his requirements.
The staff quickly brought documents.
He handed them to Ruri to choose.
She only checked the price.
She finally selected a house for 80 million yen.
Yuuya asked for the agency's account and transferred the money immediately, including registration fees.
Ruri gave her details to the staff and watched as the registration completed.
The staff returned the documents to Ruri.
"Your information is registered. Within two weeks, you'll receive the official documents."