Chapter 49: The Hypnotic Potion

"Hoo~~~ Ha~~~"

That night, Hachiman was working out at home.

Currently, he was doing squats.

This week, he had been focusing on push-ups and squats. Now, he could easily do 30 push-ups and 40 squats in one go.

Come on, Hachiman!

You've got to fix that kidney deficiency once and for all!

Hachiman silently swore to himself.

Honestly, push-ups and squats were manageable now, so he just had to continue building up gradually.

The real problem at the moment was running.

But...

Running was so exhausting.

Every few steps, he felt like giving up.

Ugh.

This wouldn't do. Running could improve a man's stamina.

He had to find a way to get himself to run more.

If his upper and lower body strength improved, but his endurance didn't, it would all be for nothing.

At some point, Komachi, having just finished her bath, appeared beside Hachiman.

Seeing her brother's handsome face covered in sweat, she couldn't help but murmur, "It's strange, the more I look at you this week, the more I think you've still got it."

"??"

Hachiman, in the middle of a squat, nearly lost his balance.

He shot a glance at his sister.

"Heh, I think Komachi's still got it too."

Growing up quite nicely, huh?

Looks like drinking milk every day really does have an effect!

Maybe I should recommend Yukinoshita drink more milk too?

Uh...

On second thought, she'd definitely flip out.

Hearing this, Komachi blushed and instinctively covered her chest with her hands, scolding, "Ugh! Perverted brother! Die-hard siscon!!"

The siblings laughed and teased each other.

---

Meanwhile, at Yukinoshita's house.

Her black hair up in a bun, Yukinoshita sat in the bathtub, naked, enjoying a hot soak. As she relaxed, she reflected on the week's developments.

[Hachiman's affection for Kato Megumi: -5/100 (Fear)]

[Hachiman's affection for Kasumigaoka Utaha: 58/100 (Friend)]

[Hachiman's affection for Sawamura Spencer Eriri: 35/100 (Friend)]

[Hachiman's affection for Isshiki Iroha: 70/100 (Good Friend)]

[Hachiman's affection for Yuigahama Yui: 67/100 (Good Friend)]

[Hachiman's affection for Kawasaki Saki: 71/100 (Friend)]

[Hachiman's affection for Kirisu Mafuyu: 59/100 (Respect)]

[Hachiman's affection for Yuigahama Asuna: 59/100 (Respect)]

[Hachiman's energy level: 48/100]

[Hachiman's corruption level: 5/100]

[Current system points: 2870]

She thought to herself, I never expected, out of all these people, that Hachiman would have the highest affection for Kawasaki and Isshiki...

She had to admit, these two had higher ratings than Yui, which Yukinoshita couldn't quite comprehend. Especially Kawasaki.

It was known that Kawasaki and Hachiman rarely talked. They had that accidental kiss in the bathroom today, but aside from that, they hardly interacted in school.

Sigh... Hachiman's thoughts really are hard to understand.

Oh well.

If she couldn't understand it, so be it.

Anyway, all these women would eventually become Hachiman's stars... cough cough... they're just tools for me to earn points.

Yeah, they're just tools.

She glanced at her system points.

After a week's worth of effort, the point gains weren't bad.

But it was far from enough. After all, the mission required one million points!

Sigh... Tomorrow I have to go to the senpai's house. I must complete the mandatory task, no matter what.

Yukinoshita sighed. If she failed the mandatory task, not only would this week's points be wasted, but the following weeks would be as well. She absolutely couldn't let that happen!

But...

How can I get the two of them into bed without it being suspicious?

Yukinoshita pondered as she absentmindedly stroked the little rubber duck floating in the bath.

She thought for nearly half an hour, but no good ideas came to her. After all, most of her intelligence had been focused on her studies. When it came to these kinds of messed-up situations, she was basically a blank slate!

"System, what do you suggest?"

[The system suggests that the host purchase a newly unlocked item from the shop.]

"Oh? A new item?"

Yukinoshita's eyes lit up.

"Let's see."

The system revealed the latest item.

It was a strange bottle of liquid.

[Hypnotic Potion - Hachiman's Special Edition: After taking the potion, Hachiman will be hypnotized five minutes later and enter a trance (during this time, Hachiman's mind will be slightly confused, and he will mistake all nearby girls for the host).]

[Cost: 1000 points]

[Effect Duration: 1 hour]

[Note: This hypnotic potion is a special version for Hachiman. It will only work for him, and has no effect on others.]

"Hypnotic potion? After taking it, Hachiman will think all the girls are me?"

Yukinoshita's eyes widened in surprise.

This was ridiculous!

It completely defied logic.

Ah, well... I guess the system itself isn't logical.

But still, the potion was absurd, yet it cost 1000 points!

I only have just under 3000 points now!

It's going to take almost a third of my points?!

[The system strongly recommends purchasing this item.]

[With this item, the host just needs to have Hachiman take the potion, and he will mistake Kasumigaoka Utaha for the host. Gradually, everything will naturally fall into place.]

Yukinoshita calmly thought over what the system had said.

It actually made sense!

At least Hachiman hadn't betrayed her; he still loved her!

It was just that he mistakenly thought the other woman was her, and wanted to get with her—not because of any ulterior motives.

"Perfect! This makes sense! Let's do it!"

Yukinoshita excitedly stood up.

After hesitating for a few seconds, she decided to spend 1000 points on the hypnotic potion.

You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a lamb.

Spend!

Hehe, now Hachiman would have a reasonable excuse to sleep with the senpai!

"...Hmm? Wait! Why am I so excited?"

Yukinoshita slapped her cheek and sank back into the bath.

Calm down.

My boyfriend is going to sleep with another girl, and I'm actually happy about it.

This isn't right!

This isn't what I wanted at all!

Yukinoshita pressed her hand to her chest, her eyes filled with complexity and pain as she reassured herself, "Hmm, I'm doing this for Hachiman. It's all for our future happiness..."

I have no choice.

Otherwise, what girl would willingly share her man with another woman?

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