What? Why?

After indulging in personal gratification for an extended period, I realized it was imperative to devise a strategy for engaging with him tomorrow. I spent the night pondering various approaches, considering his potential reactions and how best to convey my intentions without causing any misunderstandings. The weight of the situation pressed on my mind, making it clear that this encounter needed careful planning and execution.

While I was lost in thought, a troubling notion surfaced: what if he has a girlfriend?

This single idea unsettled me, sparking a wave of restlessness and nervousness. I couldn't shake the fear that my destined one might be taken from me before I ever had a chance. 

Following a brief internal argument, I devised a solution.

So what if he had a girlfriend? With such striking features, it would be odd if he didn't. In fact, it might be even better if he were a playboy, changing women as frequently as his clothes. This would ensure my constant involvement in his everyday life. When the moment arrived for him to choose me, I would hold onto him forever.

Feeling secure with my foolproof plan, I smiled as I decided it was time to head to sleep.

. . .

The next day, I decided to prepare a bento for him as my way of expressing gratitude for his help in saving me.

Following my friends' advice, I made my way to the first-year floor, section D. And there he was, positioned at the very heart of the classroom, his presence commanding attention with an air of effortless elegance. His expression, though cool and distant, added an extra layer of challenge to approaching him. Yet despite the obstacles, my heart raced with each step closer, overwhelmed by the depth of my burgeoning affection.

After a few attempts to evade me, he finally relented and accepted the bento I had painstakingly prepared for him that morning.

The pleasure I felt watching him eat the food I made was so overwhelming that it's now a blur in my memory. However, one thing I'm absolutely sure of is that those chopsticks, now blessed by his touch, will never see the inside of a sink again.

As I gathered a few innocuous details, the lunch bell rang, signaling the end of the break. I savored the moment so intensely that it seemed to stretch into what felt like a mere ten minutes. Reluctantly, I rose from my seat and hesitantly made my way towards the exit, stealing glances back at him from time to time. Each glance captured a precious memory—snapshots to replay in my mind during the upcoming classes.

Just as I neared the entrance, a sudden realization struck: I had forgotten my main objective in the midst of savoring the moment. With a mix of nerves and determination, I turned back towards his table, bracing myself for whatever might come next.

I was so nervous that I didn't even notice the crowd gathering around us.

Then, with nervous resolve, I finally asked him if he had a girlfriend. His answer, a straightforward "yes," struck me deeply.

Though I had braced myself for this moment, a pang of pain throbbed in my chest. I realized that even if he had told me otherwise, I would have believed him without hesitation.

Well, even if he did lie to me, it's still a win-win situation for me either way.

Despite the disappointment welling within me, I maintained a composed exterior, having prepared for this outcome. I thanked him sincerely for his honesty and left without uttering another word.

_________________

*DING*

[ANTAGONIST SYSTEM

ACTIVE QUEST 1/5

AKARI REI: 51%

COMPLETED QUEST 0/5

Congratulations on completing 50% on a single main quest, As a reward for your achievement, you have unlocked system shop]

What? Why?

What exactly is this "system shop," and why does Akari's progress keep advancing despite just experiencing public rejection? Is this a flaw in the system, or perhaps is she a masochist of some sort?

Let's hope she's not, as that would be quite troubling. As for the shop, I'll just have to check it out myself.

. . .

What a useless system. While there were some potentially useful products like system upgrades, X-ray goggles, and even an extra life, their prices were absurd, starting at nearly a million points. Meanwhile, my current system points barely reached a hundred, and I had no clue which of my activities earned me those points in the first place.

At this rate, you're just teasing me with products I'll never be able to afford.

Well, enough about that. I'm done with this whole system thing, and considering Akari's progress seems to be the only reason I'm earning points, with fifty percent progress only giving me a hundred points, it's clear that interacting with more heroines isn't the best strategy. I'll just leave Akari's progress as it is, avoid triggering any more main quests, and let the useless system rot away unused.

That's right, that should be my next move: ignoring the system completely and focusing on securing a successful retirement.

_______

It's been three months since I last received a notification from the system, and I've more or less adjusted to my new environment. I now have casual daily conversations with my family and have been diligently catching up on my academics. Though I haven't made any new friends yet—likely due to my cold and distant demeanor—I've surprisingly found myself in the company of Akari. Strangely enough, she has been visiting me every day, bringing along a homemade bento. Although I no longer reject her after witnessing her persistence in those first few days, I still don't welcome her presence or show any reaction to her bento.

Even though her progress continues to increase slowly whenever I check, it doesn't bother me anymore. If I maintain this pace, a peaceful retirement is not just a distant dream but a foreseeable reality.

Or so I thought. Little did I realize how vexatious the system would prove to be.

*DING*

_____________

Hello author here

I have a question for you

If two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do, where does that leave us?

Also thanks for reading it ^∆^