Chapter 463: Erina Finally Reveals Her True Nature (1)

"Sui, are those new clothes? I don't think I've seen you wear them before. You've got great taste!" Yoshino remarked, noticing Sui's outfit.

Sui rolled his eyes. The person who picked the clothes certainly had good taste—except when it came to choosing underwear. He suspected Erina had deliberately picked out the tacky design to tease him.

Just then, Erina and Hisako approached.

Hisako took a glance at Sui's lower body and covered her mouth, giggling quietly. Clearly, she knew that Sui was wearing the underwear Erina had picked for him the day before.

"These must have been bought by Miss Erina, right?" Ryoko teased, flashing a mischievous smile.

Erina's face immediately flushed bright red.

"That's so nice, Sui. You've got a girlfriend to buy clothes for you," Sōma said, envious.

"Speaking of which, Sōma, you could use some new clothes yourself. You've been wearing the same outfit for nearly a year now," Yoshino commented, eyeing Soma's coat with disapproval.

"Haha, well, Dad hasn't sent me any living expenses lately," Soma replied, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.

"Wow, this land is excellent! I bet we can grow some amazing vegetables here," Isshiki chimed in. Sui had invited him to help, as Isshiki also tended a vegetable garden at the dormitory.

At that moment, Isshiki was working the soil, wearing only his signature loincloth. His toned, fair body glistened in the sunlight, sweat dripping off him as he carried a hoe over his shoulder.

"What an indecent man! Erina-sama, please don't look!" Hisako exclaimed, blushing furiously as she stood in front of Erina to block her view of the half-naked Isshiki.

"Y-yes," Erina muttered, cheeks turning slightly red as she averted her gaze. But secretly, she glanced back, thinking mischievously, 'Maybe I should get one of those loincloths for Sui to wear as a prank.'

She stuck out her tongue playfully, a sly grin forming on her lips.

Sui noticed her smile and asked, "Erina, what are you giggling about?"

"Uh, nothing!" Erina quickly replied, feeling a bit guilty, sticking her tongue out again in a mischievous gesture.

Sui was left speechless. He was beginning to realize that Erina, much like her cousin Alice, had a playful side and enjoyed teasing others. Despite her outward tsundere attitude, her true, lively personality had started to surface again, thanks to her time with him.

By this time, with the help of Isshiki, Soma, and the others, the grass had been cleared, revealing the rich, fertile black soil underneath.

Isshiki knelt down, scooping up a handful of soil. "Sui, the soil here is excellent. You'll definitely be able to grow some great vegetables."

Sui smiled and nodded. Now, he wouldn't have to rely on the vegetables sent from the Polaris Dormitory. He could grow fresh produce right in his own backyard.

He then pulled out two mineral earthworms—one of which he had bought from the system the day before. Though small, it had cost a hefty five million yen.

But the effect was worth it. Wherever these earthworms lived, the land became extremely fertile. Not only that, they could also accelerate the growth of vegetables.

"System, will they stay in one place or wander off?" Sui suddenly thought to ask.

"The mineral earthworms will remain within an acre of the land where you release them. They won't travel beyond that boundary," the system responded.

"That's good," Sui breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried they might roam off.

With these two mineral earthworms, he could enrich two acres of land, more than enough to grow enough vegetables for his entire household.

"Hey, Sui, what are those?" Isshiki's eyes were glued to the two earthworms.

The others, too, were staring at them curiously.

"These are special earthworms that purify water, enhance soil fertility, and even shorten the growth period of vegetables," Sui explained.

After hearing this, Isshiki's eyes lit up with envy. 

"That's incredible," Soma and the others chimed in, equally amazed.

For people like Isshiki and Ryoko, who tended vegetable gardens themselves, the appeal of such earthworms was immense.

"Sui, could you sell me one of those earthworms?" Isshiki asked with a smile. "I know it's a bold request, but I'm willing to pay whatever it costs."

Sui hesitated for a moment before responding, "I'll give you one."

The steep five million yen price tag still stung a bit, but Isshiki had frequently gifted Sui and Erina with vegetables he grew himself. Yoshino often shared her home-raised chickens, Ryoko gave him homemade natto, and others provided ingredients from their own farms. It only felt right to repay them.

"Really? Are you sure?" Isshiki asked, surprised by Sui's generosity.

"You don't have to worry. I've received plenty of gifts from all of you in the past," Sui replied with a smile as he handed over one of the earthworms. He figured he could always buy another later.

"One earthworm can improve an acre of land. Just release it onto the soil, and it won't stray beyond that area," Sui instructed.

"Thank you so much, Sui!" Isshiki accepted the gift excitedly. "I'll dedicate an acre at Polaris Dormitory for this earthworm, so everyone can benefit from it."

"I guess I'll have to learn how to farm now too," Ryoko added with a smile.

"Let's call that plot of land 'Sui's Garden!'" Yoshino suggested.

Sui raised an eyebrow. "Couldn't you come up with a better name?"

But everyone seemed to like the name, much to Sui's chagrin.

"Well, I think it's quite an accomplishment."

Erina couldn't help but chuckle softly. "After all, the Polaris Dormitory manages its finances independently. Ten, maybe even twenty years from now, your name, Sui, will be remembered by the future generations of Polaris."

"Do you think I'm some kind of legendary figure?" Sui rolled his eyes in exasperation.