The room was silent late at night, with only the faint hum of the air conditioner. Okabara Kyogumichi lay on his bed, lightly tapping his fingertip in the air, and a pale blue system panel immediately floated before his eyes, its soft glow illuminating the side of his face.
After spending time with everyone these past few days, the data on the panel had changed significantly, especially the bond progress and points, which had grown far beyond expectations.
Host: Okabara Kyogumichi
Physique: 177 (Normal adult is 60) Spirit:203 (Normal adult is 60)
His basic attributes had seen a slight increase, and the rise in spirit value was likely due to consistent high-intensity practice.
In the skill list, the levels of several commonly used skills had increased. The bottom of the panel thoughtfully displayed upgrade instructions: [Note: Skill levels can be increased by accumulating training sessions. Each effective training session will increase skill experience, and the skill will automatically upgrade when experience is full].
Skills: Basic Swordsmanship (lv.4), Martial Arts (lv.4), Basic Japanese (lv.3), Basic Observation (lv.2), Basic Perception (lv.2), Danger Perception (lv.2), Sewing Mastery (lv.3)...
The upgrades in Basic Swordsmanship and Martial Arts were thanks to his consistent morning exercises each week. Although it was only basic training, the levels naturally increased once enough sessions were accumulated. Sewing Mastery leveled up while he was helping Kitagawa Marin alter clothes, and now he was adept at handling complex fabric splicing. The improvement in observation and perception allowed him to better capture others' emotional changes in daily interactions.
When the panel switched to the points page, Kyogumichi couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. What was originally only 1300 points had now become [Points: 16300], an increase of over fifteen thousand points.
Points Source Explanation: Increasing the bond progress with Natsume Takashi and the heroines will earn points. There will be an additional point reward when it reaches 30%. Also, points can be claimed from tasks issued by the system.
It seems the system's rewards for "bond" type quests are exceptionally generous. Kyogumichi looked at the string of numbers, feeling for the first time that those expensive high-level skills in the skill shop were no longer out of reach. He scrolled through the shop page, paused at the Devil Fruit section for a moment, then shook his head. He couldn't afford it yet; he needed to save up points first.
The bond progress page, which Kyogumichi cared about most, showed a significant increase in the percentage after each name.
Character: Shiina Mahiru Bond Progress:42% (Triggered events: Monthly Exam Review Tutoring, Bento Daily Life, Late Night Study Companion) Event Evaluation:She has integrated you into her life. The kitchen light stays on for you late into the night, her textbook notes are filled with concern for you, and the seeds of trust have quietly sprouted.
Seeing Shiina Mahiru's bond progress nearing halfway, a warmth spread through Kyogumichi's heart. During the monthly exams, the two of them studied together in the library almost every day. She not only helped him organize detailed notes but also prepared nutritionally balanced bentos daily. One night, after studying late, she insisted on accompanying him to his apartment building. Her figure under the streetlights remains vivid in his memory to this day.
Character: Kitagawa Marin Bond Progress:38% (Triggered events: Cosplay costume final alteration completed, try-on evaluation, convention attendance) Event Evaluation:You are not only an understanding person of her passion but also a creative partner. The lights of the sewing club witnessed your tacit cooperation, and she has begun to look forward to sharing more of her passions with you.
Kitagawa Marin's bond growth was equally significant. On the day the cosplay costume alteration was completed, the girl's excited expression as she twirled in front of the mirror wearing the finished product was infectious to Kyogumichi. When he suggested, "I can help you with any costume emergencies at the convention," the progress bar on the panel instantly jumped by five percentage points.
Character: Yukino Yukinoshita Bond Progress:25% (Triggered events: Monthly Exam competition, subtle interactions before results are announced, jointly handling tricky situations) Event Evaluation:She has begun to acknowledge your abilities. Her outward antagonism hides her attention towards you. She will unconsciously discuss problems with you, and the promise of being first in the grade has become a special connecting bond.
Yukino Yukinoshita's progress bar, though still bearing the label of "aloof," had indeed grown significantly. When they met by chance after the monthly exam, even though she said, "Don't think you can beat me," she still lent him her compiled physics mistake collection. This kind of contradictory tenderness made Kyogumichi feel that this sharp-tongued girl wasn't so difficult to get along with after all.
Character: Chitanda Eru Bond Progress:40% (Triggered events: Historical problem solving, ancient book club data organization, shared status updates) Event Evaluation:You not only answered her questions and accompanied her on adventures but also cared about the people she cares about. The tacit understanding during the joint organization of ancient books has made her develop a trust in you that transcends academics.
Chitanda Eru's progress increase mainly came from shared updates. Now, she actively shares interesting stories from the ancient book club and occasionally sends historical trivia. Their relationship is gradually warming up.
Character: Yui Yuigahama Bond Progress:25% (Triggered events: Service Club tea party, post-exam comfort, social media interaction) Event Evaluation:She has truly included you in her circle of friends, sharing small daily worries and genuinely cheering for your progress. Her warm smile is like winter sunlight, silently warming the bond.
Yui Yuigahama's bond growth was the most gentle yet steady. After the exam, she specially prepared small comfort gifts for classmates who didn't perform well, and also gave Kyogumichi a "keep up the good work" lucky charm. This girl, who always thinks of others, maintains everyone's relationships in her own way.
Character: Hitori Bocchi Bond Progress:40% (Triggered events: Guitar skill guidance, band rehearsal observation, original song listening) Event Evaluation:You have become a supporter on her musical journey. She has begun to be willing to show you unfinished works. The vibration of the strings conveys trust, and the lonely notes are becoming warm.
Hitori Bocchi's progress bar particularly surprised Kyogumichi. Last week, when he went to observe the band rehearsal, the girl bravely played her original song. Although the ending was a bit flustered, it was full of spirit. When Kyogumichi pointed out, "The chorus part could have a stronger rhythm," she didn't shrink back like before, but instead carefully wrote it down in her notebook, and the panel progress also increased significantly.
Character: Kaguya Shinomiya Bond Progress:28% (Triggered events: Monthly Exam academic confrontation, student council work collaboration, secret study mutual assistance) Event Evaluation:She gradually recognized your strength in competition, asking for help with difficult problems when no one was around. Beneath her outward arrogance lies an appreciation for an equally matched opponent, and academic resonance is breaking down barriers.
During the monthly exam review, the two once debated a physics problem in the office until dark, ultimately deriving the optimal solution together. Although Kaguya said, "It's just a basic problem type," she secretly wrote down Kyogumichi's problem-solving approach in her private notebook, and even actively asked for his opinion on business cases during student council meeting breaks.
Character: Natsume Takashi Bond Progress:35% (Triggered events: Nyanko-sensei feeding routine, yokai story listening, library chance encounter study) Event Evaluation:He considers you a friend with whom he can share secrets, takes you to find the sweetest taiyaki stall, and occasionally reveals interesting yokai stories. The gentle bond is like spring sunlight, silent yet warming the heart.
The two often sat next to each other by the window in the library. Natsume Takashi would share stories of his hometown's customs, while Kyogumichi helped him correct grammatical errors in his essays. Nyanko-sensei napping between them became a warm scene.
Character: Megumi Katou Bond Progress:40% (Triggered events: Club activity chance encounter, quiet companionship in the library, anonymous problem solving) Event Evaluation:She has grown accustomed to your presence, quietly reading in the same area of the library, sharing daily trivialities in the most understated tone. Seemingly casual greetings hide subtle concern, and quiet companionship has become a tacit understanding.
When Kyogumichi said, "Because if I want to find it, I can find it," she knew she was probably already deeply involved. She never actively expressed concern, but when he arrived late at the library, she would quietly save his usual seat. This subtle companionship deepened their bond unknowingly.
Character: Chika Fujiwara Bond Progress:28% (Triggered events: Student council tea break sharing, exam stress relief mini-games, impromptu piano accompaniment) Event Evaluation:She sees you as an interesting companion, dragging you to play childish stress-relief games, and saving the last piece of cake for you during tea breaks. The piano music hides her recognition of you, and her lively smile becomes the brightest scenery in the student council.
Chika Fujiwara's bond progress bar was always accompanied by laughter. As the student council secretary, she always found fun during intense study breaks, dragging Kyogumichi to play "Knowledge Quiz Challenge" where the loser had to make a funny face. Although she loved to play pranks, it was surprisingly pleasant.
Character: Saki Kawasaki Bond Progress:28% (Triggered events: Younger brother discipline support, basic kendo guidance, bento ingredient sharing) Event Evaluation:She sheds her cold exterior in front of you, asking for your help in supervising her younger brother's studies, sharing exclusive kendo striking techniques, and occasionally offering homemade pickles that hide her unspoken concern.
When Saki Kawasaki learned that Kyogumichi practiced kendo, she actively shared her family's inherited basic mental cultivation method and even lent him her father's old protective gear. When her younger brother passed his exam, she awkwardly brought him homemade rice balls, saying, "They're just leftovers I couldn't finish," but her ears turned red when Kyogumichi praised the taste.
Character: Kyoko Hori Bond Progress:25% (Triggered events: Home Economics Club skill exchange, future planning sharing, recipe teaching) Event Evaluation:She sees you as a confidant with whom she can be honest, dragging you to research new recipes, sharing exclusive household tips, and quietly revealing her truest life aspirations amidst the flour flying while kneading dough.
When Kyoko Hori learned that Kyogumichi could cook, she enthusiastically invited him to visit the Home Economics Club. The strawberry cake they collaborated on won a gold medal in the club competition. While teaching him how to quickly peel garlic, she earnestly said, "My dream is to become a full-time bride, keep the house in perfect order, and wait for him to come home for dinner every day." As she said this, her whisk slowed down by half a beat, her cheeks flushed with a different kind of redness than flour.
Kyogumichi smiled with satisfaction, looking at these significantly increased bond progresses. Behind these cold numbers lay real companionship and understanding, the countless little moments they experienced together. Every interaction, every act of care, every sincere conversation was making these bonds stronger. So, these cold numbers represent the most genuine human emotions.
He clicked on the skill shop, looking at the dazzling array of options, feeling confident for the first time. [Tempest Kick (lv.1)] and [Iron Body (lv.1)] could now be easily purchased, and even the high-level skill [Armament Haki (lv.1)] became within reach.
· Soru (lv.1): Requires 1000 points
· Tempest Kick (lv.1): Requires 1000 points
· Iron Body (lv.1): Requires 1000 points
· Moonwalk (lv.1): Requires 1000 points
· Armament Haki (lv.1): Requires 2000 points
"It seems I can plan things out properly now," Kyogumichi murmured softly, his finger sliding across the panel. Soru would give him faster movement speed, Iron Body would greatly enhance his defense, Paper Arts would improve his evasion ability, and Moonwalk would provide the possibility of three-dimensional mobility. These skills combined would greatly enhance his survival capabilities.
The moonlight outside the window grew brighter, spilling through the curtains onto the panel, coating the cold numbers with a warm glow. Kyogumichi closed the panel, and the room fell back into darkness, but his heart was ablaze. Both the constantly growing bonds and the generous point rewards were telling him that this period of living earnestly was yielding the most precious returns.
As night deepened, Kyogumichi drifted into sleep with a smile, dreaming of the scent of fabric from the sewing club, the rustle of turning pages in the library, the vibration of guitar strings, and the warm smiles of everyone.
These real and beautiful scenes proved more than any system data that his life in this world was becoming increasingly wonderful.
Remaining points: 10300