Ding-dong!
[System Reward] has been deposited. Please check your account.
[System Notification]: Urgent Mission [Pest Control (School Edition)] has been completed!
[Mission Evaluation]: Grade A! Achieved perfect elimination with minimal commotion and the fastest time, using just a few punches and kicks. Successfully maintained the 'frail' disguise in front of the target. Superb acting skills, commendable!
[Mission rewards are being distributed...]
System Completion: +1% (Current Total Progress: 1%)
Abstract Skill Card: [Six Strikes in One Second] x 1 (Stored in system space)
Butter Coins: 50 (Deposited into account. Can be used to exchange for items in the system mall.)
Physical Fitness: +1. Current Constitution: (Slightly stronger than 'frail as a reed'.)
"Holy...'slightly stronger than frail as a reed'?"
A cheerful notification sound echoed in her mind. Natsuhi listened for a while but could only manage to mutter that last Make complaints.
System: [Well, isn't it true?]
"Damn, I can't even think of a rebuttal. Could it be you don't know any words for something just a bit stronger than 'frail as a reed'?"
System: [How could that be... The program was written that way. Maybe the original programmer was too lazy to look it up.]
[Never mind, you wouldn't understand anyway. You probably have a lot of questions for me now, right?]
"I do have quite a few. Why did Wada Saki faint as soon as I approached earlier? It can't just be a coincidence."
Natsuhi asked the system while throwing combination punches into the air.
"It does feel like my physical fitness has improved a tiny bit. Not bad."
It was supposed to be shadow Boxing, but it looked more like dancing.
Her body swayed lightly. Even though she was right there, it gave the impression that no attack could land on her.
Her punching motions didn't look particularly fast, yet they were exceptionally coordinated. Just watching from the side was quite pleasing.
Boxing really is amazing.
Just as the system was about to explain to Natsuhi—
"Ugh, these things in front are so in the way! Annoying!"
She had felt discomfort since starting her run earlier. Combined with the numerous jumps and dodges just now, it made her irrationally think this place would be better if it were flatter (for herself only).
System: [Wh-what are you saying?! Could you have some decency? You're a girl now.]
"Ah, sorry. But this isn't something I can get used to right away. Let's get back to the previous question."
Perhaps realizing herself it wasn't appropriate, Natsuhi scratched her head to cover the awkward atmosphere.
System: [Back on topic. The reason Saki fainted earlier was because a forced event was triggered.]
[Remember the world rules I explained at the beginning? To eliminate the virus (the blond-haired guys) while ensuring the world operates normally, the system needs to activate [Safe Mode].]
[That means whenever you decide to intervene in the plot, the system will automatically intervene in reality, generating a [Forced Unconsciousness Event]. This prevents the target from witnessing the process while you're executing the mission, avoiding unnecessary trouble.]
[Once the plot begins, it won't be affected by external factors. The normal rules of the world can't manage it either. Only you can intervene.]
"Ah, I see. That explains why Mr. Hat never showed up when I was reading those comics before..."
Natsuhi punched her palm, looking as if she had a sudden epiphany.
System: [Is that all you care about... Fine, I'll continue.]
[After the event ends, their memories will be modified. All parts that don't conform to common sense will be 'rationalized' to avoid causing confusion in the protected person's consciousness.]
Natsuhi: "So that's how it is. The setting of fainting as soon as you enter an event is a bit like Kogoro Mori."
System: [You could understand it that way.]
"Uh... Hmm..."
At that moment, a soft groan came from the alley. Natsuhi, from the corner of her eye, saw the eyelashes of Wada Saki, lying on the ground, flutter.
"Oh no, the event is over! She's waking up!"
Judging by what the system just said, the protected person would forget their memories from this period after the plot ends. So what would happen if Saki woke up and found herself here?
According to her understanding, it was best if she wasn't present, to avoid any potential bugs in the 'rationalization filter'.
She made a run for it. With the speed of a 100-meter dash... (though the speed of her current body was quite pitiful) she slipped out of the alley and ran towards the crowd on the main street.
Since it was after school and work, the streets were quite crowded. Thank goodness.
This time, she didn't go back to the café. It wouldn't be good if Saki remembered her initial stalking and came looking for her.
Saki rubbed her aching temple, sitting up groggily with half-open eyes.
"Mmm... What happened to me...?"
"Huh? Is that... Natsuhi?"
For a moment, she thought she saw a bespectacled figure with braids, their back looking somewhat panicked as they... ran away?
She shook her head to clear her mind a bit. Her vision cleared, revealing the empty alley entrance.
"Must have been my imagination. Right, there's no way Natsuhi could run that fast."
——————
"Whew~ Saved. She probably didn't see me."
System: [If she didn't come chasing out, she didn't see you.]
"Hmm, such rigid logic... Ouch! My leg cramped!"
Natsuhi's sudden, intense movement had directly caused a leg cramp, giving her another clear concept of her current physical condition.
(Actually, mainly because she pulled a thigh muscle from running too fast just now...)
Earlier, she had been focused solely on escaping and hadn't paid attention to the direction, just rushing into the nearest shop.
Only now did she realize it was a store dealing in accessories and clothing. It wasn't large, and there weren't many people, just a few female high school students who had just finished school browsing leisurely.
Seeing Natsuhi burst through the door, they merely glanced at her before turning their attention back to selecting items.
What made Natsuhi collapse wasn't that, but the fact that inside this exquisitely decorated shop, there wasn't a single chair for customers to rest on!
Which meant she had nowhere to sit and rub her leg right now...
"Hello, welcome. Please feel free to look around."
A polite and gentle voice sounded, one that wouldn't make anyone feel Rejection, even an introvert.
"Huh? Student Ito? I didn't expect to meet you here."
"You are... Student Nikaido?"
Natsuhi turned towards the source of the voice, flipping through the memories in her mind.
The class's popular figure, Nikaido Rinka. She had strikingly eye-catching pink-and-white highlighted short hair (mostly pink), with a neat and handsome hairstyle.
Athletically All-round, rumored to hold an important position in the student council too. She was the type of leader who carried an aura wherever she went, very popular among girls.
It was said she received love letters daily (regardless of gender), though she herself had no scandals to date.
She and Ito Natsuhi, the class's invisible introvert, were practically polar opposites.
She seemed to have helped Natsuhi when she was in trouble before, giving the impression of a flawless, perfect girl.
Now, she had shed the generic school uniform, He changed into a set well-tailored black dress (probably a work uniform).
At the collar was a bow tie, adding a touch of abstinence elegance.
If not for the Just right curve at her chest, one might believe she was a dashing playboy.
At that moment, the system notification The sound suddenly rang out:
[Ding! New protectable target detected: Nikaido Rinka (plot-relevant)! It is suggestion the host actively interacts and cultivates a friendly relationship.]
[Huh? Another one?]
This Direct prompt left Natsuhi dumbfounded. She swore she had randomly run into this shop. And she could still run into a female lead here?
System: [Less nonsense. Why do you think I called you over? Just tell me, will you protect this beautiful girl or not?]
Natsuhi: [You really are treating me like a workhorse. Fine, I'll protect her! I like the highlights. Long live beautiful girl!]
[Ouch! My leg hurts! I pulled it again!]
(x_x;)