Chapter 130: If it’s you, Harano-san, then I suppose I could...

The howling cold wind should have long since lulled the mountains into tranquility, but today, "Winter Fairytale Village" welcomed a group of "guests."

The birds in the woods had already retired to their warm nests, using their thick plumage to shield themselves and their fledglings from the biting snow. Yet, they seemed to slumber fitfully, disturbed by the faint, persistent clamor drifting through the air. The harsh winter could not dampen the students' enthusiasm, though for every person who loved the bustle, there was another who preferred the quiet.

Take, for instance, the trio playing cards in a cabin.

"I don't know what's so fun about a bunch of people having a snowball fight outside," Kanae Terashima said, drawing a card from Melong Qingling's hand. She found no matches.

"I think snowball fights are fun, but I don't like crowds," Mai Hanai replied. She drew a card from Kanae’s hand, also finding no matches. She now held the most cards in the group.

"By the way, Melong, what do you think Haruno Harano is doing right now?"

Melong Qingling carefully organized her cards, drew one from Mai’s hand, and played her leftmost card along with it—a pair of threes. "Who knows? He’s probably huddled in some corner with his two friends, admiring pretty girls in down jackets." Her voice was cold and detached, as if the handsome Haruno’s flirtations were of less consequence than the game in her hand.

"Pfft!" Mai Hanai burst out laughing. "The way you put it, I can actually picture the scene."

"Melong, aren't you worried?" Kanae asked. Given the importance the young miss placed on Haruno, one would expect her to want him tethered to her side. Yet, here she was, playing cards with an air of complete indifference.

"Worried about what? Haruno isn't by my side, but the person who covets my boyfriend is," Melong said pointedly.

"Hey, the room is only so big. Do you mind not badmouthing me to my face? I can still hear you," Yukino Qingling said from the other side of the table. She was elegantly flipping through a thick book titled *A Brief History of Time*, which seemed quite philosophical. "If we're playing cards, let's play. It’s already a waste of time, and yet you can't even focus while trying to have fun. Honestly..."

"I wasn't talking to you, so don't get excited," Melong replied with a smile. "Or are you actually coveting my boyfriend?"

Kanae and Mai exchanged a headache-inducing look. These two sisters, who clearly couldn't stand each other, had been assigned the same cabin for the next three days and nights.

"Are you afraid?" Yukino closed her book, lifting her face—as delicate as a porcelain doll—with a skeptical smile.

"Instead of worrying about me, you should think about how to get Haruno Harano to ask you to dance at the bonfire party," Melong retorted without hesitation.

"I’m just worried for you, sister. What if Haruno doesn't ask you, but asks me instead? How sad would you be?" Yukino replied with a giggle.

"You!" Melong’s face turned cold, her eyes sharpening.

"Alright, alright, let's keep playing," Kanae quickly interjected, sensing Melong couldn't win the verbal spar against the younger sister.

"Hmph." Melong let out a cold snort and focused on her cards. Yukino Qingling smiled, her gaze toward her sister becoming intriguing. Is it true that the greatest danger is always by your side? Perhaps that little girl wasn't even on her sister’s radar. The image of Yuriko Ogata—that delicate, fragile little thing—flashed in her mind. Such an alluring, innocent appearance. She’d heard some men had a weakness for girls with that build. She wondered if Haruno Harano was that type.

As for herself? It seemed she had put too much pressure on her sister, which only made things more interesting. If she actually managed to snatch Haruno Harano away, that would be truly amusing.

Haruno Harano, was it? She traced her slender fingers over the high-quality cover of her book, her gaze drifting to the snowy landscape outside. With a porcelain-like face filled with contemplation, she wondered what kind of person could be so deeply missed by a beautiful girl.

"Achoo!"

Suddenly, Yukino, the girl pondering philosophy and human nature, sneezed. She rubbed her fair nose, her confusion deepening. Could she have caught a cold? Neither a fever nor a cold was something she desired, so she stood up to pour a glass of hot water. As she watched the steam rise from the glass, her delicate brows furrowed. Something felt strange, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it—the feeling of being spoken ill of behind one's back.

***

Outside, in a corner of the camp.

"Mmm..."

Haruno Harano pinned Yuriko Ogata against the wall, using his thighs and the strength of his well-trained core to suspend her, leaving her short legs dangling weakly against the wooden wall. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, her pink down jacket hanging open. The cold wind brushed against her, and a chill seeped through the gap in her sweater.

Along with the wind, a cold hand slipped inside. Yuriko’s eyes widened, then softened almost immediately. Haruno searched carefully, finding no buttons or complications; Yuriko wore only a thin camisole underneath. It was unavoidable, really—she was already starting to rival the younger Miss Qingling in that regard.

*[Wow, only a camisole, and Yuriko’s skin is so smooth and tender! A bit of an "airport" situation, but it has its own unique charm. Speaking of which, you thought about how Yukino Qingling is the same—what a pity! It makes you wonder what she feels like.]*

Haruno had learned to automatically ignore these scrolling texts. They only became "true" if he believed them. Yes, exactly—like right now, it was total nonsense! Would he think of Yukino Qingling? Even if she was also as flat as a runway!!!

"Harano-kun..." Yuriko lifted her small head, her hands threading through his hair as she hugged him tightly. She felt very different from the elder Miss Qingling or Mrs. Uehara; she had a unique, raw, and youthful allure, like a green apple—enticing yet innocent. Her small frame seemed to hold a magical power. If he weren't genuinely afraid of Yuriko falling ill by tomorrow morning, he really would have lifted her sweater to see what that camisole looked like.

*[So conflicted, can't hold back! Should I lift the sweater and take a look? If I do, in this weather, little Yuriko is so fragile, she’ll definitely get sick! Ahhh! So conflicted! Maybe just a peek?]*

Get lost!!!

Seeing the text, Haruno felt a sudden pang of guilt. He quickly dismissed the stray thoughts, pulled away from her fair neck, and kissed her collagen-rich cheek. This thing was truly annoying. How could it spread such rumors? Did he really want that?

After a long while:

[Yuriko Ogata:]
[Stage Mission:]
[Mission 1: Favorability reaches 40 (Completed). Holding hands and kissing (Completed). Reward: 10 million yen.]
[Mission 2: Favorability reaches 70 (Completed). Hugging Yuriko for 10 minutes (Completed). Reward: 50 million yen.]
[Mission 3: Favorability reaches 80 (Completed). Fulfill Yuriko Ogata’s wishlist (Incomplete). Reward: Mysterious Grand Gift Bag.]
[Mission 4: Locked.]

Stage Mission 2 was complete. Haruno had already raked in 60 million yen from little Yuriko!!! He looked at her with eyes sparkling with greed—a little rich girl! His mobile piggy bank!

"W-what is it, Harano-kun?" Yuriko shrank her neck, slightly intimidated by his gaze. But then, gathering her courage, she pressed her head against his sturdy chest. "It's okay, you can do whatever you want. If it's Harano-kun, I don't mind..." she whispered softly.

A pitiful, lovely girl leaning on your chest, saying something like that—it was cute enough to be a crime! It was enough to make a man lose his mind! Haruno was stunned for a moment before reacting.

*[You were just thinking about how to reward this mobile treasure chest, and she unexpectedly issued this invitation. In an instant, the feeling of heart-pounding desire overflowed! Even if you know it’s wrong, that’s a problem for later—what does it have to do with now? So... you thought about her Stage Mission 3, and you were surprised. Could this be Yuriko Ogata’s wishlist???]*

[Event Triggered]
[The Grand Invitation!!!]

[Yuriko Ogata’s favorability for you has reached an incredible level! In this secluded environment with no one else around, she has made such a request. So, you decide:]
[A. Reject her harshly! Let her know dreams aren't so easily realized! You won't indulge her!!!]
[B. Accept her. Choose directly! You deserve it!]

Looking at the event trigger, Haruno wanted to curse. Did the system have to manifest his inner thoughts to disgust him? The romantic atmosphere had been blown away by the cold wind. It was freezing, and he didn't want his "assets" to catch a cold.

"Yuriko, do you have any wishes?" Haruno asked, looking at the newly refreshed Stage Mission 3.

"Wishes?" Yuriko tilted her head, curious.

*[In this atmosphere, in this scene, could the little girl’s wish be for you to be her boyfriend? You thought about it for a second—this won't do, you must...]*

The scrolling text seemed to confirm his thoughts. Haruno’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly pressed a finger to her lips.

"Hmm?"

"Don't say it now. Go back, think about it properly, and tell me later," Haruno said with deep affection, his eyes seemingly filled with endless stars. Just one look was enough to drown in them.

"O-okay." Yuriko nodded vigorously, acknowledging him.

In truth, she had wanted to say that she hoped Haruno would return to the person he used to be—the way he was when she was the only one silently watching him, liking every little thing he did. Not like now, where he was the center of attention, the focus of everyone’s eyes... She had been pushed into a corner for a long time. The light radiating from Haruno had attracted countless delicate flowers, making her feel less brilliant, hoping only that her master would look at her a little more...

But wouldn't saying that be bad for Haruno-kun’s health? She was the one who came first, yet she kept being cut in line.

"Good, be a good girl. Just tell me later," Haruno said, ruffling her hair before trying to set her down.

But unexpectedly, the usually obedient Yuriko clung to him again, as if she had been wronged. "No, let me hold you a little longer. Once we go out, I won't be able to do this again..." Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s hum, but Haruno caught the hint of grievance in it.

Poor little thing. He felt a pang of heartache. "Alright, just a little longer." Haruno sighed helplessly.

"Mmm." Yuriko nodded firmly and buried her head back into his chest.

Nearby, branches rustled, occasionally dusting them with a faint layer of snow. In the silent night, the lively scene nearby continued, seemingly growing more frantic, but it did not reach them here. Haruno held Yuriko, standing motionless, the warm jade-like girl in his arms, yet his thoughts drifted elsewhere.

He felt a sense of lament, a sense of helplessness. Such is the impermanence of life.

The hour of free time was nearly up. As it ended, the teachers emerged from various cabins to restore order. The high schoolers, who had just spent their youth and snowballs with abandon, still wore excited, flushed expressions. The only ones who looked calm were those who had returned to their cabins early.

The Qingling sisters were among them, the elder miss’s cold expression betraying her impatience with the spectacle.