[Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman's Corruption Level -1]
[Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman's Corruption Level -2]
...
So satisfying.
Seeing Hachiman's corruption level drop to 20/100, Yukinoshita was elated.
After all, earlier this morning, her boyfriend had his value spike after being toyed with by both Kawasaki and the upperclassman, which made her deeply anxious.
Now, with Megumi Kato's help, her beloved's corruption level had finally dropped again. She couldn't help but breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Just as she was feeling content…
[Ding! Task complete: "Stick Close with Megumi Kato"]
[Ding! Reward: 2000 points]
[Ding! Relationship between Hikigaya Hachiman and Megumi Kato has advanced. To ensure continued development, the next task is to have your boyfriend enter an intimate relationship with Megumi Kato]
[Reward: 10,000 points + 1 Lottery Box]
[Time Limit: 30 days]
"???"
Yukinoshita, who was still reveling in her success, froze on the spot.
That fast?! A new task already?!
Can I at least catch my breath first?!
"N-No way! I'm not letting him sleep with her!"
She instinctively resisted.
[Failure to comply will result in a deduction of 10,000 points. Host is advised to consider wisely]
"You—!"
[This is for your husband's own good. Once Hikigaya sleeps with Megumi Kato, you'll earn a massive amount of points. She's a high-value candidate—you could earn up to 100,000 points from her]
"No need! I can still earn lots from the upperclassman and Kawasaki..."
[Reminder: Each person only grants a limited number of points. With Utaha Kasumigaoka and Saki Kawasaki, most points have already been harvested. Continued engagement won't yield much more]
"Wait—are you saying... even if Hachiman sleeps with them again, I won't get many points?"
[Correct. Though there's still some gain left, it's minimal]
"Ugh…"
Yukinoshita's expression twisted.
She couldn't rely on milking the same people forever. She had to keep finding new women for her husband…
Why is my life like this?
[We believe in you, host. With your capabilities, you'll definitely save your husband. Now go and make Megumi Kato fully his]
Clutching her chest, Yukinoshita grimaced, feeling as though her heart was being squeezed.
[Host, there's no need to fake it. You're pretending to be upset, but deep down you're actually enjoying this, aren't you? You like watching your husband with other women…]
"I am NOT!! You disgusting system! I don't want to see any other woman taking my Hachiman! He's MY man!!"
She cut the system off angrily, practically shouting.
The system went silent.
Gritting her teeth, Yukinoshita no longer responded. But when she glanced toward Hachiman and Megumi—seeing their reflected image in her eyes—something ugly stirred in her heart. A bitter, indescribable emotion.
W-Wait!
Calm down! I'm a normal woman! I am normal!!
---
Lunchtime was almost over.
Megumi slowly stood up, walked over to Yukinoshita, and made a subtle drinking gesture in front of her.
"??!"
Yukinoshita's eyes widened in disbelief.
[Yukinoshita: Kato-san, you… you really did that?]
That kind of thing?! And she didn't even flinch!
Yukinoshita herself had never done something like that!
[Kato Megumi: Is there a problem?]
[Yukinoshita: Y-You're not… bothered?]
[Kato Megumi: I don't mind]
[Yukinoshita: I see... Well, how was it? Being with a guy…]
[Kato Megumi: Thank you, Yukinoshita-san. Thanks to you, I now understand what a real man is like. And also… what it means to be a woman]
[Yukinoshita: R-Really? That's great! And um… thank you, too. Thanks to you, I'm feeling a lot better now—like my body is lighter]
[Kato Megumi: Really? You feel better?]
[Yukinoshita: Yes, no more tightness in my chest. I can breathe easier now]
[Kato Megumi: That's good to hear]
[Yukinoshita: Kato-san, one more thing. If, say, in the future… there's another chance... would you be willing to… spend time with him again?]
Megumi paused, giving Yukinoshita a curious look. Yukinoshita avoided her gaze.
After a brief silence…
[Kato Megumi: No problem]
[Yukinoshita: That's great! Kato, you're truly my best friend~ Heehee~]
[Kato Megumi: You're too kind, Yukinoshita-san…]
"Huh? Yukinoshita, can I take this blindfold off now?"
Hachiman asked out of the blue.
"You're so impatient, aren't you, my little bottom-feeder? We're not done yet~"
"Huh?"
Hachiman blinked.
Megumi looked at Yukinoshita in surprise.
Her face flushed, but her expression remained composed.
Well, it's her turn now.
He is her husband, after all.
She'd been holding back long enough.
"Yuki-Yukinoshita, wait! Lunch break's almost over."
"I know. But don't worry, there's still time. And I'm not planning to do anything too crazy… just some light activity."
"'Light'?!"
Even so, Hachiman shivered. "You're going too far, Yukinoshita!!"
"Scared?"
"W-Who's scared of you?! You low-level bug—I'm not afraid at all!"
"Hmph. Then I won't hold back."
Yukinoshita licked her lips and glanced at Megumi, who gave a nod, signaling she'd keep watch for them.
---
Some time later, in the grove.
[Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman's stamina has dropped drastically. Without rest or recovery, he may soon collapse from exhaustion]
Stretching lazily and breathing in the fresh air, Yukinoshita's delicate body shivered.
"Huh?"
My husband's about to be carried off from fatigue?!