Chapter 12: I Will Reward You
Breakfast was simple: two bowls of steamed egg custard, a few slices of toasted bread, and milk poured from the large jug bought at the convenience store into two glass cups. Simple, yet plentiful.
Although Haruhi Harano didn’t have much money, he never let himself be deprived when it came to food or leisure.
He handed the chopsticks to Misaki Kiriyama, drew out the cushion and sat down, beginning to enjoy his breakfast. Misaki performed her usual pre-meal ritual.
They ate in silence, neither saying a word, until Haruhi finished eating and Misaki finally spoke.
“I don’t want a third person to know what happened last night.” Her tone was icy, as if after last night’s impulsiveness she’d reverted to her domineering self.
“Did something happen last night?” Haruhi replied with a smile.
“I’m being serious, you idiot! Don’t think that just because I kissed you last night, we have a chance!” Misaki suddenly raised her voice, then stretched out her long leg under the table and pressed her foot against Haruhi’s lower abdomen.
“And let me make it clear: last night, I kissed you. You didn’t kiss me! At best, you’re just a tool I used to vent my emotions. Remember that! Tools don’t have feelings! Keep your dirty thoughts to yourself! Only when the master uses you do you have any value!”
With those words, her small foot, clad in white socks, pressed hard against Haruhi’s stomach twice, her face displaying lofty disdain.
Seeing Misaki’s regal expression and her actions, Haruhi was momentarily stunned.
Art in romance truly does imitate life! All those games, anime, and action films from his previous life hadn’t lied to him!
So such scenes really do exist!
Suppressing his shock, he replied slowly, “I understand. I wasn’t planning to tell anyone anyway.”
Perhaps satisfied with the effect of her intimidation, Misaki smirked and said, “Don’t worry. Since you’re my tool, I’ll reward you when I’m in a good mood!”
Her manner truly was like a princess bestowing favors upon her knight.
Reward?
He glanced at the little foot wriggling against his stomach—so small and cute. Damn, was it really this exciting?
Haruhi felt he needed to move before he lost control, so he hurriedly gathered the dishes and went to the kitchen to wash up.
“Hmph!” Watching his flustered retreat, Misaki gave a pleased, chilly snort, confident she had Haruhi firmly in her grasp.
When he came out of the kitchen, Misaki was already ready.
Her golden waves were tied up and pinned with a flashy hair clip. Her pretty face was bare of makeup; her white shirt stretched tight, a short skirt revealed her long legs clad in colorful knee-high socks, and small white sneakers completed the look.
She was youthful and vibrant, but the little details gave her a rebellious, delinquent air.
Such a beautiful face and figure—no, a little rogue girl with that face and figure seemed even more enchanting!
Otherwise, after last night’s actions, Haruhi would surely have ended up in trouble.
Misaki, upon seeing Haruhi, tossed her hair with a cold snort and strode out.
Haruhi shouldered his backpack, grabbed the trash, and followed her out the door.
On the way, Misaki walked with her head held high, declaring that at school, he wasn’t allowed to speak to her unless she permitted it.
She reiterated, again and again, that the events of last night must never be spoken of. If Haruhi behaved well, she’d reward him.
“Ah~~~” Haruhi followed behind, yawning lazily, distractedly responding.
He opened his virtual panel:
[Character: Eri Momotani]
[Age: 33]
[Charm: 93]
[Figure: 95]
[Stamina: 76]
[Affection: 29 (Friend)]
[Profile: Mrs. Momotani, who owns two properties in Tokyo, has achieved a modest degree of financial freedom. With little to occupy her, she’s devoted herself to fitness. Her daughter has grown up, is disobedient and lazy, so Mrs. Momotani secretly hopes for a diligent, obedient son. (Evaluation: Mrs. Momotani, who exercises daily, is more than the player’s current physique can handle. For the sake of your health, better give up early, or risk going gray before your time.)]
[Current Status: Worried about her daughter’s laziness and reluctance to find a partner; pleased at the prospect of a future morning jogging companion.]
Damn! Seeing the system’s evaluation, Haruhi cursed inwardly, feeling deeply insulted.
Twice in an hour—he’d been insulted twice!
Unbearable!
He resolved to start training in earnest, so both the system and Eri Momotani would see him in a new light!
Why not just use the system to boost stats?
That’s a joke. Physical strength can be improved through training, but appearance? With limited attribute points, Haruhi wouldn’t waste a single one.
Once he maxed out his looks, then he’d consider other attributes.
“Hey! Idiot! Are you even listening to me?”
“Hmm? Ah?” Just as Haruhi was about to check Momotani’s stage task, Misaki’s voice dragged him back to reality.
“Are we taking the train to school?”
“Yeah,” Haruhi nodded. They had arrived at the station.
But seeing the packed carriage, he understood why Misaki was so surprised.
It was rush hour for work and school—the train was crammed full.
Under Misaki’s impatient glare, Haruhi escorted the girl to a corner of the carriage.
At times like this, his large frame was an advantage: Misaki stood in the corner, and Haruhi, at 181 centimeters and weighing 180 kilos, braced himself against the wall, carving out a spacious area just for the little rogue girl.
In such moments, forget wandering hands—even the other passengers couldn’t see Misaki at all.
“Hmm, not bad, you’re actually useful.” Misaki hooked her arm around Haruhi’s as a handrail, nodding in satisfaction.
But good things don’t last; no matter how strong one person is, he couldn’t hold back an entire carriage. Especially when Haruhi felt someone groping his backside—the strength in his arm waned, and he was miserable, nearly in tears.
If he hadn’t glimpsed, out of the corner of his eye, that the hand groping him belonged to a rather attractive city woman, Haruhi would have shouted for help.
He never expected that one day, he’d encounter a female pervert.