Chapter 8: The Charisma Boost of Hachiman Hikigaya

"Sorry, sorry, I'm late~"

A lively short-haired girl pushed open the door to the Service Club's classroom, apologetically smiling as she greeted everyone. When she smiled, a small fang peeked out from her lips, making her all the more adorable.

However, as soon as Komachi entered the room, her sharp nose quickly detected that the atmosphere was off. Her brother, Hikigaya Hachiman, was sitting with his head lowered, quietly reading, while the other two senpai were blushing, exchanging glances in silence.

"Huh? Did I come at a bad time?"

Komachi blinked her eyes, feeling inexplicably excited.

Meanwhile, seeing Komachi enter, Yuigahama quickly recovered from the awkwardness that had just occurred. She smiled at Komachi and smoothly tried to change the subject, "Ah, hello~ Komachi, you're just in time. We were just... just talking about the class assignments for this semester."

As expected of Yuigahama.

She had a knack for diffusing awkward situations.

Komachi, who had been full of curiosity, was soon diverted by Yuigahama's comment, and the two girls started discussing their class assignments eagerly.

On the other hand, Hachiman and Yukinoshita both breathed a sigh of relief in silence.

Especially Yukinoshita, who was sweating with anxiety. It was her first time "sending off" her boyfriend, and her lack of experience made her fear being caught, making her extremely nervous.

The conversation continued cheerfully in the Service Club for about half an hour.

As the time neared, Komachi, now the president of the Service Club, stood up with an air of authority and said, "Well, today's Service Club activities will be wrapping up."

No one objected.

It was normal for the first day of school to be light on activities.

However, before everyone could leave, Komachi suddenly smiled and wrapped her arm around Yuigahama's, speaking in a sweet tone, "Hehe~ Yui-chan, can you come with me to buy a hair clip later? I have a hard time picking one out, and I could really use your help!"

Yuigahama smiled and, without hesitation, agreed, "Mm, sure, let's go together! I was planning to buy a few things too."

"Thanks, Yui-chan! Well then, Onii-chan, I'm going with Yui-chan now, okay?"

"Oh... okay..."

Hachiman responded faintly, his mind filled with wry thoughts as he glanced at Komachi's subtle hint.

With Yuigahama and Komachi leaving first, the Service Club was left with only Hachiman and Yukinoshita.

The atmosphere suddenly became a bit delicate.

At this moment, Yukinoshita remained outwardly composed, but internally, she was incredibly nervous. She was wondering whether Hachiman had noticed the intentional push she gave Yuigahama earlier.

If he had noticed, it would be so embarrassing.

What kind of girlfriend pushes another woman into her boyfriend's arms?

Sigh.

I was too reckless earlier.

Such a dangerous move; next time, I need to think it through more carefully before acting. I can't let something like this happen again.

As Yukinoshita reflected on her actions, she instinctively pressed her lips together, preparing to speak first, "Hachiman..."

"I... I have nothing going on with Katou, okay?!"

Before Yukinoshita could say anything, Hachiman blurted out, cutting her off.

"Eh? Uhm..."

Yukinoshita was momentarily stunned, but she quickly relaxed. She hadn't expected Hachiman to immediately explain himself about that situation.

What a relief.

Honestly, when she checked the data panel and saw that Katou's affection for Hachiman was only 50/100 (just a normal friend) and Hachiman's affection for Katou was even negative, she knew their relationship wasn't as she had feared.

Hehe, my Hachiman is so self-disciplined, there's no way he'd cheat so easily.

Looking at Hachiman's nervous expression, Yukinoshita's demeanor softened as she smiled and reassured him, "Mm, I trust you, Hachiman. This morning was just an accident."

Eh? Why is his leg shaking? Is he going to kneel?

"Eh, really?"

In fact, Hachiman had briefly thought about kneeling. He raised his head, hesitantly looking at Yukinoshita.

"Really. But... you did give her a ride today, hmph~ You already have a girlfriend, yet you did something so unfaithful. As punishment... you'll have to take me home!"

Seeing Hachiman still looking nervous, Yukinoshita secretly smiled, feeling an unexpected sense of joy, though she still maintained a somewhat "angry" expression on the surface.

Hachiman naturally didn't dare to argue, "No problem, I'll take you home."

On the way back.

Yukinoshita sat on the back of Hachiman's bike, her right hand carefully resting on his back.

When she noticed that there was no reaction or system prompt for the physical contact between them, Yukinoshita couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment and regret.

She quietly asked the system, "By the way, how did Hachiman getting close to Yuigahama give him system points? Isn't it only Katou who can give points?"

[Yuigahama Yui is a potential target, meaning she's also a romance option. Therefore, any physical contact with her also grants a certain amount of points.]

"She's also a romance option?" Yukinoshita blinked, thinking for a moment before asking curiously, "Can I see her data panel?"

[That's not possible. Until you complete the route with Katou Kei, the host is not allowed to view the data panels of other potential targets.]

"Eh? I can't look?"

Yukinoshita felt a bit frustrated and worried.

When Yuigahama suddenly flung herself into Hachiman's arms earlier, blushing, her heart had tightened in fear that her boyfriend might be stolen away.

[You can't view her data yet, but you can check the affection score of Hachiman Hikigaya towards Yuigahama Yui.]

"Oh, let me see that."

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

Eh? Only 67 for Yuigahama?

Phew!

As expected, my Hachiman is still so reliable!

Feeling relieved, Yukinoshita's unease about Yuigahama being pushed into Hachiman's arms earlier faded a little.

Whether Yuigahama's affection for Hachiman was high or not was irrelevant—what mattered was that she could now clearly see that her boyfriend was as solid as ever!

After all, Yuigahama had known Hachiman for so long, yet his affection for her was only 67!

[Hachiman Hikigaya has low affection for other girls, which is not beneficial for getting close to them. Please keep this in mind, host.]

The system's reminder broke her satisfaction, and Yukinoshita snapped at it, "You really think I'd let Hachiman fall for them? Hachiman is my boyfriend now!"

[This is for your benefit, host. You don't want Hachiman to die three years from now, do you?]

Yukinoshita: "..."

Forget it. I can't be bothered to argue with you.

After all, arguing with a system would make her seem petty.

[In any case, the priority for the host now is to increase Hachiman's charisma. This will greatly help him attract other girls.]

"Oh! Right, Hachiman's charisma really needs some improvement."

The thought of her boyfriend's painfully low charisma made Yukinoshita feel immense sympathy.

"Hachiman, please stop for a moment."

Yukinoshita called out to Hachiman, who was riding the bike.

Then, claiming she was thirsty, she bought a bottle of Hachiman's favorite Max Coffee, drank half, and secretly poured a charisma-boosting potion into it before handing him the rest.

After a moment's hesitation, Hachiman drank it obediently.

[Ding! Hachiman Hikigaya's charisma +20.]

[Ding! Hachiman Hikigaya's current charisma: 59/100.]

[PS: Hachiman Hikigaya's current score: 29/100 for personality, 89/100 for appearance (Despite his gloomy and solitary aura, when his bangs are pushed aside, his face is surprisingly handsome).]

"Eh?"

Hearing the system's voice, Yukinoshita suddenly lost her composure.

His appearance score is already over 90?!

Hey, hey, hey!

Isn't this a little too much?!

Don't turn my Hachiman into a male succubus!

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