章節 5: Chapter 4: The System's Hostility

Fair skin, light orange hair that is accompanied by a loose side bun, and peach-reddish eyes.

She was wearing the standard school uniform: a black blazer with a white collared shirt underneath, a red ribbon tie, and a plaid skirt.

She wore her tie loose and had the top buttons of her blouse undone along with black knee-high socks.

She was the perfect definition of 'cute'.

Yui Yuigahama was the last to make an appearance.

She burst into the clubroom, her cheerful energy completely out of place in the otherwise subdued atmosphere.

"Hikki! Yukinon! Oh, and… uh, you're new!" she said, pointing at me.

"Aomine Daiki," I introduced myself.

"Nice to meet you, Aomine-kun! Are you part of the Service Club now?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.

"Looks like it," I replied.

She smiled brightly. "That's awesome! I'm sure we'll get along great!"

Her optimism was almost contagious.

Considering how she had given Hikigaya and Yukino nicknames, the timeline should be after the cookie-cooking request.

"I'm glad you're from the same class," I said deliberately and Yuigahama was stunned.

"We're from the same class!?" Perhaps asking me that question in such an exaggerated fashion wasn't the best idea.

Hikigaya winced and Yukino seemed curious.

"I mostly keep to myself and haven't really talked to anyone in class." I explained to them and extended a hand towards Yuigahama, "Nice to meet you."

"Yeah!" She shook my hand forcefully but I could tell it was an instinctive response to hide her distaste. It didn't seem she liked any physical contact from any man besides Hikigaya.

"Daidai?" Yuigahama looked at my hand and I came back to my senses.

Daidai? What kind of name was that?

I shook my head and ignored the odd action of mine. Yuigahama seemed to not mind and started annoying Hikigaya. Yukino focused back on the book in her hands and I similarly pulled out my notebook.

Acting like I was reading my notes I stared at the now-changed System Screen.

[Dimension— Oregairu.

Main Mission— Have Intercourse with Yuigahama, Yukino and Hiratsuka. (0/3)

Sub Mission— 1. Meet all the members of the Service Club (✓)

Completed— 100 Karma Points.

Sub Mission— 2. Kiss Yuigahama

Karma Points— 100

Main Path— Lust]

This is troublesome.

I couldn't help but sigh prompting Yukino to look at me.

"Is something wrong?"

"Nothing, I just find this part confusing." I showed her my notebook and the chemistry text inside it.

"Oh, do you want me to help you?" She asked.

"If I were the one asking for help wouldn't you have abused me verbally first!? What is this biased behaviour!?" Hikigaya snapped his head towards us as did Yuigahama.

Seeing the indignation in his eyes Yukino felt pretty satisfied and gave him a dirty look, "Don't compare your rotten self with Aomine-kun."

"Yukinon!" Yuigahama interrupted, "Hikki isn't that bad!"

"The fuck you mean by not 'that bad'?"

"You're a bit creepy Hikki," Yuigahama edged away playfully and Hikigaya couldn't help but sigh.

"Sigh…" Yukino sighed as if knowing that this would happen. She turned back to me and I nodded, "I'd be grateful."

She brought her chair closer but there was still a distant vibe. She slightly leaned in and started explaining.

Seeing us engrossed Yuigahama started bickering with Hikigaya again. While Hikigaya seemed annoyed I could sense some kind of conflict in his attitude. He was enjoying Yuigahama's attention and disliking it at the same time.

What an odd worldview.

Of course, my focus didn't linger on them long, I had to keep a good impression in front of Yukino. Thankfully, I had completed these courses long ago so I already understood everything.

With that in mind, I began to listen half-heartedly.

My mind was still preoccupied with how I should go about doing the missions. There didn't seem to be a time limit so I didn't have to worry in that regard.

I hadn't even been in this world for more than a few hours and felt tired already.

'Will I immediately return to my world upon completing the Main Mission?' I asked mentally and the system responded instantly.

[Yes. You may leave anytime after completing the mission. However, you cannot stay for more than one-month post-completion.]

It would certainly be simple if I could just kidnap the three and leave after doing the deed

Should I…

It was undeniable that morally ambiguous methods that would be more efficient were popping up in my mind.

But— I… I would like to keep those plans as a last resort if possible.

To my surprise, selecting Lust didn't seem to affect my personality in any way. I was still the same dull old me that had lost motivation in life.

"Aomine-kun?" Yukino called and I snapped back to reality.

"Yeah?"

"You didn't answer, are your doubts cleared?"

"Yes, thank you. I think I'll be able to get good grades this semester."

"Hopefully…" Yukino muttered and went back to her original position. Our study session seemed to have lasted for about an hour and Yuigahama had left already.

Hikigaya seemed to be observing us with narrowed eyes, which interestingly enough, he averted once I matched his gaze.

Ah… so he's wary.

It was impressive how sharp Hikigaya's instincts were. In the novel, he had seen through Yukino's sister's façade with unsettling accuracy.

For now, he can't cause any trouble for me. Unless he goes and investigates the Basketball Club. My claims of being bullied might falter but there's no evidence I wasn't bullied plus the Basketball Club wouldn't admit to anything just because he asked, which would be a point in my favour.

Even if Hikigaya somehow figured out my intentions—even vaguely—there was little he could do to interfere.

"I'll be leaving first." Since no one had come by to ask for help, Yukino packed her bag and exited gracefully, not waiting for us to respond.

After Yukino packed her things and left, Hikigaya and I exchanged brief goodbyes.

…

I trailed Yukino discreetly as she exited the school grounds.

After passing through the front gate of Sobu High she entered a luxurious car and left.

Yukino would have to wait.

The only viable places I could ensnare her were the school or on some kind of gathering/trip.

If I did anything to Yukino non-consensually her family would tear me apart before I could see the sun the next day.

I'll have to deal with Yuigahama and Hiratsuka-sensei first.

I wonder which one would be easier out of the two.

This damn system didn't seem to have an inkling of helping me even a little bit.

Would Karma Points help me somehow?

But the System remained unresponsive, I couldn't help but sigh in disappointment. Looks like I'll have to do everything myself.

…

The walk from school to my 'home' wasn't more than fifteen minutes. I unlocked the door and entered the lightless house.

I froze and stared at the dark ceiling in a daze.

A disgusting idea came to my mind.

Having been raised in a religious household I couldn't help but lower my head and clasp my hands together to pray.

The action had no meaning behind it, merely a gesture out of habit.

Ding!

All of a sudden the System began to glitch, completely unprompted. It only took a few seconds for it to recover and I read the new strings of text that appeared.

[Host]

[God does not exist.]

Is that so…?