Of course, Yuu's sexual orientation wasn't problematic. The proof was his various hidden websites and hard drives—types of things he'd have to ask someone to throw his computer into water and delete all his accounts before he died.
However, after obtaining the system, although his stamina increased, his "drive" actually decreased. He also gained better control over his desires—in simple terms, he became more stable and made far fewer late-night video calls with distant "virtuous women."
He could do it ten times in one night, but he didn't need to.
He could control himself, be gentle, be firm. Now that was a real man.
Yuu was very satisfied. Drowning in lewdness wasn't good. This was a healthy man's life.
After teasing his cutest little sister in the whole world, he tidied his things and returned to his room.
"Hmm…"
After closing the door, Yuu looked around his room.
For some reason, that strange feeling that someone had visited returned.
Yet, the bed, floor, and everything else were as neat as when he'd left the room in the morning, without any sign of disorder or obvious evidence like stray hairs.
Although he had some suspicions, since he couldn't prove anything and didn't want to make a fuss over small things, Yuu just stayed slightly vigilant, then ignored it and began doing what was important.
First, using the Finance skill he'd gained today, he allocated seventy percent of the large sum provided by the system to be invested in the market.
The effectiveness wasn't visible yet, but he'd already spent time registering an internet tech company at a law office. He could use the remaining funds and the company name to start rolling the snowball.
For example, tedious tasks like outsourcing website development, ad promotions, internet marketing, and bank loans. He worked on all these from six in the evening after dinner until ten at night, only finishing a basic prototype… After all, procedures took time. No matter how powerful the system was, it couldn't make him succeed overnight.
Looking back, the boy who once said he wanted a relaxed life and only needed to support his lazy little sister was now busy struggling to build a business.
"From an intern handing out flyers to becoming a company CEO. If you ignore the system's influence, this story is actually quite inspiring, right?"
Looking at the large text 〈Tenkuji Network Co., Ltd.〉 on the website, Yuu laughed and shook his head, feeling quite moved.
Honestly, if not for the system, he wouldn't have taken this path. Simply living a stable life with Sora forever would've made him extremely satisfied.
But now, to have sufficient capital to speak with successful adults and avoid being looked down on or blocked by social status compatibility issues during his mission, he was working hard to accumulate wealth.
Though useless beyond being rich, merely establishing his own company was a qualification that could make others see him differently. Yukinoshita-san was still uncertain, but at least Yuuki Kyoko valued this, and Masuzu's father might feel the same.
Regarding this person, Yuu already had a preliminary understanding after several days of operation:
Natsukawa Ryoji, head of the fairly well-known Natsukawa family in Chiba city. Once, he was as famous as the Yukinoshita family and had significant influence in the city council. His power and wealth couldn't be underestimated. He'd long traveled overseas and now used Sweden as his second base, developing a fairly large multinational corporation. Judging by capital, he could be said to surpass the Yukinoshita family.
There were rumors of marriage scandals, but the information was deeply hidden. It seemed he cared greatly about his reputation. Yuu spent a lot of money but couldn't get accurate information, let alone any dirt…
Of course, no matter how much he investigated, he wouldn't know more than the young lady of the Natsukawa family.
But he wasn't that stupid to directly ask about family matters. Clearly, there were hidden issues, even affecting his worldview. Only Masuzu could reveal them when she wanted to talk. Anyone who asked would be seen as disrespectful.
In short, Yuu had done all he could. He calmly waited for the day Masuzu could face him. He wouldn't repeat the mistake of only being able to argue emptily when questioned.
And now…
"Alright, let's begin the experiment."
Yuu shifted his gaze from the computer screen and opened the system panel.
He'd already gained a good understanding of the You Are Looking At Me status. His lost stamina had also gradually recovered. The hollow, exhausted feeling finally left him, making him nostalgic for the times when he had to stand upright despite weak legs.
Wait, maybe there was nothing to miss.
He focused on the status list, and at the very bottom, he saw the new status he was about to test—Miraculous Transaction.
But before that, he noticed something odd.
"Didn't I also have Heart's Intent Technique (Limited)? Why isn't it here?"
While touching his chin, Yuu narrowed his eyes in thought, carefully checking the status list in front of him.
He truly didn't see that strange status he'd obtained from Asuna and never used.
"System, what else are you doing behind my back?"
Since his memory wasn't wrong, the fault must lie with this system that always wanted to cause trouble.
System: "Due to special reasons, this status has been used and cannot be restored, so it has been removed from the list."
Yuu's eyebrows twitched slightly: "So, I'm asking, what special reasons?"
System: "On the night of September 21, the Host experienced strong emotional waves within the game, which automatically triggered Heart's Intent Technique."
"…"
He calmly waited several seconds, but there was no further continuation.
"Just tell me, what were the consequences?" Rubbing his temples, Yuu gave up arguing with this useless system. He directly asked the thing he cared about most, "Don't tell me, like that wooden comb, something was left near Asuna, right?"
System: "That should be the case."
"Should be?" Yuu frowned. "By the way, whether I use Injure Time or not causes problems, so why did I bother doing it…"
System: "If that status hadn't existed, Injure Time could have prevented timeline deviations and fully restored overflowing emotions and energy."
"You're the one saying that." Yuu clicked his tongue, too lazy to argue. "Fine, explain what 'should be' means. I'm almost used to your buggy system."
The system remained unaffected: "Due to the massive energy provided by Heart's Intent Technique, the wedding ring in the game could become physical and appear in the real world, specifically beside Yuuki Asuna."
"Hmm, then?"
Although Yuu wanted to curse, he at least already had Yukinoshita Haruno's wooden comb as a lesson. He merely raised his eyebrows, crossed his arms over his knees, and calmly waited for the system to finish speaking.
System: "However, when it was about to be placed on Yuuki Asuna's ring finger, due to the other party's subconscious rejection, the ring judged that Yuuki Asuna didn't need this heart's intent, and disappeared by itself in the real world."
"Disappeared? Thank goodness…" Yuu sighed in relief. "Although I don't know why she rejected it, at least no other problems arose… A comb is fine. I don't want someone coming and introducing me with a ring."
Of course, there were still many things he wanted to ask—like whether "disappeared in the real world" was just wordplay, or whether the same thing would happen again in the future.
However, the system was vague or didn't give definite guarantees, giving a suspicious impression as if "even though I can't lie to the Host, System-chan also doesn't want to reveal what conspiracy she's planning~"
System: "As long as it doesn't violate rules, the system won't do anything harmful to the Host. This is a reward for completing the mission—the Host can rest assured."
After leaving this sentence, the system fell silent.
"Easy for you to say…"
Yuu shook his head. He truly couldn't do anything with this creature in his mind.
After all, this wasn't a "Host is my dad" system like in Fei, nor could it be considered a "Host is my husband" Cattail system before its form was realized—now he could complete missions by his own will, refusing to be a puppet and tool was already very good. If he wanted to challenge this dog system, he'd have to wait until he found the system's weakness or became strong enough not to fear time reversal.
Cheating wasn't easy. Yuu sighed.
"Back to the main topic." For now, he set those things aside. Yuu opened the small fridge in his room and took out a bottle of water. "Miraculous Transaction, let's see just how miraculous you are."
He placed the water on the computer desk, then activated the status.
A prompt box appeared:
[Do you wish to perform a transaction with this item? (Note: Once per day. Energy consumed is proportional to the item obtained, results are random.)]
"What can be exchanged for this bottle of water?"
>Groundwater, drinks, Nongfu Spring, computer components, energy supplements, type B blood, holy water, ○ juice, ○ juice, dirty potion…]
Before even finishing reading, Yuu couldn't help but complain:
"Hey, hey, hey, why are there so many weird things mixed in here?!"
As a note, the two juices were different, only given the same censor, not duplicates.
In short, he couldn't trust the system's promises. With the intention of trying, Yuu confirmed the transaction.
Light flashed, and the mineral water disappeared before him.
[First use of transaction function. Transaction program will execute in five minutes. Please prepare, Host, for energy loss.]
"Even takes five minutes? Useless system, get out of the group!" He waved his hand in disgust. Just as his phone vibrated, Yuu brought it to bed. While replying to Masuzu's messages, he waited for the five minutes to pass.
"She got caught in the rain. She won't catch a cold tomorrow, right… Or did she intentionally get sick?"
After chatting briefly with his girlfriend, the five minutes passed. Yuu put down his phone.
[Transaction initiated. Item will appear tomorrow morning at six.]
After this system message appeared,
Yuu's eyes widened in shock, as if all his blood was sucked out by a vacuum cleaner. As his energy drained completely, the world before him began to blur, and his hands and feet slowly grew weak.
"T-t-this familiar feeling…"
"A-am I going to be exhausted again?!"
"W-what item was transacted that required so much energy from me…"
Heavy sleepiness enveloped his entire consciousness, leaving only this faint thought. Yuu closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
"I hope… it's something good."
"If it's ○ juice, I'll lock this status forever."