[Ding! Mission "Stick Close to Hikigaya Together" by Kasukigaoka Utaha and Kawasaki Saki — Complete.]
[Ding! All three mission conditions fulfilled. You've earned 3,000 points and a new "Empathy Card."]
[Ding! Kasukigaoka Utaha and Kawasaki Saki continue interacting closely with Hikigaya Hachiman… Points +200, +150, +25…]
"It's done!"
Hidden deep in the grove by the school field, Yukinoshita, peeking through special observation glasses, trembled with joy.
She had finally completed that three-person mission!
It hadn't been easy—but now, she could just sit back and rack up points… How delightful~!
Wait a second…
Ugh. What's so delightful about this?! My boyfriend is out there getting close with other girls in the woods—how is that something to celebrate?! Ughhh… I'm supposed to be happy, but all I want to do is cry!
Hachiman… please don't fall any deeper. Please… stay strong.
[Host, would you like to try the Empathy Card?]
"Eh?"
Yukinoshita blinked as the system's voice snapped her out of her despair.
"Empathy Card?"
Oh, right. Completing the mission didn't just earn her points—it also unlocked a brand-new card: the Empathy Card.
[When used, the host can select either Kasukigaoka or Kawasaki and directly experience what they're feeling—especially in relation to your boyfriend, Hikigaya Hachiman.]
[PS: The realism level is extremely high. It will feel just like reality.]
"Wh-Who would ever use such a ridiculous card?! Hachiman is my boyfriend! If I want to know how he feels, I'll just talk to him! Why would I—ugh! I-I'm never using that awful card!!"
Yukinoshita immediately rejected the idea without hesitation.
[Using the Empathy Card grants bonus points.]
"???"
Her righteous anger wavered.
"…Bonus points? How many?" She cleared her throat. "N-Not that I'm interested, of course. I'm simply curious for the sake of… optimal point collection."
[The number of bonus points depends on your emotional engagement. The more immersive and satisfying the experience, the higher the point gain.]
"Ah?"
[Would you like to use it? First use is free.]
"Wait, what?! First is free?! That means you plan to charge me afterward?! How scammy can you be?!"
[So—will you use it or not?]
"I…"
Yukinoshita gritted her teeth.
No use getting angry at a heartless system. She needed to think this through rationally.
"Sssss…"
She sucked in a breath and looked around warily. Even though this grove was near the field, it was still far too risky. What if she got too into it and lost herself here? That would be mortifying!
No, no—today is definitely not the time to use it. She'd need to pick the right moment.
"Not using it. Maybe another day."
She adjusted her glasses and turned her attention back to "the show."
But the moment she looked again—
"W-What in the world…?!"
Her eyes widened, hand flying to her mouth in disbelief.
Ughhh.
Her chest ached.
Why… Why was this happening?
Hachiman, my Hachiman…!
Yukinoshita gripped her chest, consumed by a mix of anguish and—strangely—envy.
She couldn't help imagining: If only I were there too… maybe it wouldn't feel so suffocating.
[Ding! System detected a daring thought—new mission unlocked.]
"…Huh?"
[Mission: Since the host has expressed bold inner desires, it's time to act on them. You must now team up with any one female companion to help your boyfriend Hikigaya Hachiman grow—together.]
[Time limit: 30 days.]
[Reward: 2,000 points.]
"Eh?! Wh-What?!"
Yukinoshita stared in disbelief.
Are you serious right now?! Another mission already?! Can't you give me a break?! Do you even know how many tasks I've already got on my plate?!
And… what kind of absurd mission is this?!
Help Hachiman "grow" with another girl alongside me? What am I, his love coach?!
"Absolutely not! There's no way I'm doing this! You can forget it!!"
[If you refuse, points will be deducted.]
"You—!"
[Besides, this mission was based on your own thoughts. Don't blame the system—it merely responds to your desires.]
"I—! I did not have that kind of thought!!"
Yukinoshita's cheeks flushed red, flustered as she shouted at the system.
…
The class bell was about to ring.
Inside the grove, Hachiman and the others hurried to clean up and prepare to leave.
But—
"Ssss… I—I can't hold it… I really need to use the bathroom…"
Kawasaki blushed furiously, clutching her abdomen in distress as she turned toward Hachiman and Kasukigaoka.
"Same here, honestly,"
Kasukigaoka nodded and scanned the area thoughtfully.
"Why don't we just… go right here?"
Hachiman: "?"
Yep, that's Kasukigaoka for you. She always manages to say the most explosive things with a straight face.
Kawasaki: "?!"
"W-What do you mean, right here?!"
Kawasaki's expression twisted in alarm as she turned toward Kasukigaoka.
"Hey, when nature calls, what can you do? We're in a forest—it's not a big deal."
Kasukigaoka shrugged nonchalantly, completely unbothered.
"If you really need to go, go by yourself! I'm not doing anything that crazy!"
Kawasaki frantically waved her hands and shook her head.
"Well, suit yourself. I'm going."
Kasukigaoka casually began to crouch down, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
"W-Wait! You're actually serious?!"
Kawasaki's face paled as she turned to the stunned Hachiman.
"H-Hikigaya! Don't look!"
She was terrified that Kasukigaoka would once again drag Hachiman into her nonsense—especially with the bell about to ring and students possibly passing by.
"Kukuku~ Come now, Saki. It's just a bathroom break. If I don't mind, why should you?"
Kasukigaoka teased with a sly wink toward Hachiman.
"Air-kun, if you're curious, just look as much as you want~"