15: Are You Pretending to be Lonely?

The negative thoughts that had surged before were just that—thoughts.

Suzumiya Chisato wasn't really planning to discard the pure love system. 

After all, even if it seemed useless, it was still a system and might come in handy at some point.

However, he was a bit curious about what kind of woman the pure love system would classify as 'high-quality'.

For example, the woman on the tram with brown curly hair, who occasionally threw flirtatious glances his way, with a curvy figure—would she be considered a high-quality woman by the pure love game?

[No, she's not suitable. Although she passes the appearance test, her inner qualities are... too much like a squid.]

Wait, how does a system even have a sense of smell?

And, chat aside, could you not be so annoying?

[...Okay.]

Suzumiya Chisato silently turned his gaze elsewhere.

There was a girl chewing gum with headphones on, with long legs, good looks, and a figure that was as good as the previous woman's.

[No way! An eight-year-old girl is absolutely not suitable! Rejecting Jewish aesthetics!]

How old is she?

[Eight years old.]

Eight years old!?

[Yes.]

"..."

Alright, if you say she's eight years old, then she's eight years old.

Reality is so bizarre. Suzumiya Chisato continued to look at the next woman.

After the tram arrived at the station, he didn't leave in a hurry. Instead, he stood in a crowded area, scanning the surroundings.

However, unsurprisingly, none of the women received recognition from the pure love system as 'high-quality'.

The reasons given by the system were various and bizarre: 'lacks charm,' 'has body odor,' 'unattractive toes,' 'a hair on a mole under the armpit,' and so on. 

'She's already taken down hundreds of people!'

When the station staff looked at him for the third time, suspiciously pulling out a walkie-talkie and talking into it while walking toward him, Chisato felt he couldn't continue scrutinizing young, pretty women. 

He quickly ran out of the station.

He was getting frustrated. He had glanced at dozens of people, and not a single one had been recognized by the system.

At this rate, with no targets, how long would it take to unlock the so-called mall system?

He was exhausted and no longer interested.

Forget the pure love game. Even if it had no beginner's gift, the guide system was so poorly done that he didn't want to play anymore.

Suzumiya Chisato adopted a defeatist attitude.

[Don't give up so soon!]

Can you be of any help at all?

[!!! I understand! Just provide a specific target! There's a high-quality woman right in your class!]

Suzumiya Chisato looked at the text that appeared before him, a faint smile forming on his lips.

Finally.

…

"Good morning, Chisato-kun. You look handsome today too."

"Good morning. You too, I almost got dazzled by you."

"!"

After entering the classroom, Suzumiya Chisato greeted the girl who cheerfully said hello with polite banter.

But this action made the smiling girl's expression instantly change from cheerful and outgoing to shy and withdrawn, with a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.

She quickly concealed her disbelief, avoiding eye contact with Chisato, and retreated to her small group of friends, where the others began whispering and joking.

Seeing their reaction, Suzumiya Chisato realized immediately.

Although the original self was handsome, his personality was reserved, and his grades were average. 

Thus, he didn't have a significant presence in the class.

The girl's reason for approaching him was probably to see his awkward reaction.

But unexpectedly, the confident and handsome response he gave instead made her teasing attempt backfire.

Oh well, it's a small matter. There's no need to worry too much. 

Teenagers' personalities are as unpredictable as floating fluff in the wind, which is completely normal. No one will pay much attention.

Suzumiya Chisato sat in the last row of the third group. Two students to his right were huddled together, watching anime on their phones.

They gave him a casual glance but didn't greet him.

The original self was indeed a peripheral figure in the class, but that was fine. 

Maintaining complex relationships would be troublesome, and this harmless, transparent image could actually be beneficial for his upcoming school life.

After placing his bag down, Suzumiya Chisato turned to his left.

In the last row of the fourth group, by the window, sat a girl with long black hair. 

She had her arms resting on the desk, sleeping peacefully, with her chest and abdomen rising and falling rhythmically with her breath. 

(Pic Here)

The noisy classroom didn't disturb her serene slumber.

From her body alone, it was clear she was an attractive girl.

Suzumiya Chisato searched his memory but found no relevant information about this girl next to him.

No wonder—this was only the second week of the new term, and the original self was introverted and didn't care about the outside world, so not knowing was quite normal.

However, just because the original self didn't know didn't mean he didn't.

The glance he had just taken was enough for the pure love system to provide information about the girl next to him.

[Touma Kazusa, daughter of a famous pianist, extremely talented in music, introverted, likes quiet and craves attention, currently in a rebellious phase, confirmed as a high-quality woman.]

So, this is the kind of world he has transmigrated into…

Seeing the familiar name, Suzumiya Chisato, who was an old-school otaku in his past life, felt a sense of nostalgia but didn't dwell on it.

After all, since he had accepted the transmigration, the situation he faced now was just a minor issue in comparison.

Since the high-quality woman has been identified, the next steps are quite simple.

He needs to find a way to earn her favor and upgrade to a single heart, and first, unlock the mall feature.

However, reality isn't like a simulation, where you can just act on impulse.

If he remembers correctly, Touma Kazusa is a distant and aloof person, not someone who can be easily approached.

He needs to carefully consider her personality and look for the right opportunity to engage with her, proceeding step by step to steadily build rapport…

[Touma Kazusa is curious about you. Favorability +1.]

"…"

Huh?

Wait, did he just see that correctly?

[Touma Kazusa smells the floral scent of the detergent on your uniform. She likes the smell. Favorability +1.]

"...!"

No way, can you even smell things while sleeping?

Suzumiya Chisato frowned, realizing that things weren't as simple as they seemed.

After thinking for two seconds, he came to a conclusion. So, she has been pretending to be asleep, huh!?

If that's the case, don't blame him for being rude. Chisato stood up and walked over to her seat.

"Touma-san, Touma-san…" He called softly at first, then raised his voice a bit on the second call.

Touma Kazusa slowly lifted her head, rubbed her eyes, and then looked up at Chisato.

Her fair skin and slender, delicate eyes combined to give her a sharp, cold beauty.

"What?" Her tone was sharp, and her expression was anything but friendly.

Suzumiya Chisato was prepared and didn't get angry. He said the words he had planned from the start.

"Touma-san, if you're feeling unwell, you should go to the health office and rest. Sleeping here can lead to a cold and isn't good for your neck."

"Huh? Are you an idiot? Don't bother me."

Whether it was Touma Kazusa's incredulous expression or her distant tone, she exuded an icy attitude that pushed people away.

If it were any other time, Suzumiya Chisato might have been intimidated by her.

But now…

[Touma Kazusa is feeling touched. Favorability +1.]

[Touma Kazusa is feeling delighted. Favorability +1.]

[Touma Kazusa is inexplicably happy. Favorability +1.]

"..."

So, she like to insult people while also liking them?

Suzumiya Chisato suddenly thought that maybe Touma Kazusa wasn't as difficult to handle as he had imagined.