Is This All Your Calculation, System?!

What he needed to do was actually quite simple.

Namely, to avoid getting entangled in Haruno's reality.

For example: If a man cheating with a rented girlfriend ran into his wife on the street, how should the rented girlfriend act amidst the couple's argument?

Yuu had seen a related answer online: "Thank you for the invitation. I'm at the agency office, just finished a date…

First, try to preserve the client's dignity to avoid being berated afterward. Don't deliberately reveal your identity either—just observe how the client defends themselves and cooperate obediently.

Second, if cooperation isn't possible, keep your distance, do nothing, and prepare a video recording just in case you get caught in a messy situation without evidence.

If there's trouble from the other party, use the agency's rules; if harassed or attacked, you can call the agency or the police. In short, don't get involved in the mess."

And this guideline, of course, could be applied to a rent-a-boyfriend.

So, after greeting the group, Yuu stood to the side, observing coldly.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

It had to be admitted, Haruno's performance was exceptional.

With just a few words, she blended seamlessly into the group of five, laughing and joking as if she'd been out with them from the start.

And without the others noticing, she took control of the conversation; not only did she make Yuuki Kouichirou, clearly the group's center, nod along in agreement, but she also shifted their attention away from Yuu, successfully redirecting the focus to herself.

Was this like a tank pulling aggro to protect a fragile ADC?

Haruno was indeed quite formidable…

Honestly, based on Yuu's observations over the past two days, he didn't think Haruno needed to be matchmade.

Even without anyone's help, this woman, with her own abilities, could likely achieve great success.

Maxed-out social skills, exceptional learning ability, nearly all-capable… Without the system, Haruno would be the monster in his eyes.

Yuu recalled what Haruno had said last time—

[She wasn't forced by her family into an engagement. Instead, after weighing the pros and cons and seeing it would benefit the family, she immediately planned to sacrifice herself.]

Compared to her small personal happiness, Haruno prioritized the bigger picture. She understood her identity and was willing to compromise.

Clearly, she could have abandoned the sacrifice and not made such a mature decision, but she had no such plans.

Unless the Yukinoshita family was far more powerful than imagined, so much so that even someone as strong as Haruno couldn't escape being used as a social tool by the elders…

Yuu shook his head, dispelling these complicated but meaningless thoughts.

That was Haruno's reality, and it had nothing to do with him.

He only needed to complete the system's mission before Haruno no longer needed a rent-a-boyfriend, then move on to another target. Before the mission ended, he should collect as many rewards as possible from her to strengthen himself—that's all he needed to care about.

With these thoughts, Yuu waited indifferently for Haruno to finish talking with the group, while pondering the connection between rock climbing as the sixth trial and the permanent status granted by the system.

At that moment, his phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.

He took it out and saw it was a message from his sister, Kasugano Sora.

Sora: {Yuu, do you have time today?}

Yuu: {Whether I have time depends on what you're about to say.}

Sora: {…You know the Aoba Game Center, right?}

Yuu: {Yeah, it's got a bunch of branches downtown. Why?}

Sora: {They're holding an event there. If you can break a record on any machine, you get tickets, and the tickets can be exchanged for prizes at the counter.}

Sora: {One of the prizes is a big pack of assorted surprise potato chips. I want it.}

Yuu: {Break a machine's record? You trust me that much?}

Sora: {If I don't trust you, who else would I trust?}

Yuu gave a fond smile.

Yuu: {Alright, I'll get it for you. Wait for me to get home.}

Sora: {Thanks! As a reward, I'll give you a massage tonight.}

Massage…

Recalling the incident from two days ago, Yuu couldn't help but purse his lips, feeling a bit resigned.

Yuu: {Thanks, but no thanks.}

Sora: {Tch, fine if you don't want it. Who cares?}

Yuu: {How about instead, you call me Onii-chan for a day?}

Sora: {No way, stupid Yuu.}

The text conversation ended there.

Yuu checked the time. If he could finish the sixth trial early, he might have time to swing by the Aoba Game Center before dinner.

He could break a record on some shooting game, then bring home the surprise potato chips for his sister and see her flushed, shy, awkward face as she called him Onii-chan.

"Hehehe…"

Thinking of this, Yuu couldn't help but let out a small laugh; it was a bit perverted, but thankfully no one was looking his way.

His expert-level acting skill activated, and his smile instantly shifted back to the icy, cool demeanor of a handsome, reserved guy. With this skill, he could precisely control every muscle in his face, expressing whatever he wanted.

Except for ahegao—don't ask why.

Pocketing his phone, Yuu looked up, catching sight of a sign he hadn't noticed before.

[Aoba Game Center].

Beside it was an advertisement board reading: [Event in Progress! Exciting Prizes Await Legendary Players!].

"…"

Barely controlling his expression, he closed his eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh.

Was this really all a coincidence?

Or…

(System, is this all part of your calculations?)

…

Of course, the lousy system never answered him.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

On the other side, Haruno and the five university students.

"Eh~ I see. Well then, have fun! I need to hang out with my coach for a bit, so I'll head off~"

Haruno ended the conversation at the perfect moment, preparing to part ways with them.

According to her original plan, she should've seized this chance to build a rapport with Yuuki Kouichirou in front of her.

Like now, joining their little group, observing and gathering info through others' stories to understand what kind of person he was, whether he had exploitable weaknesses, how to deal with him more effectively, and other such details—preparing for a future matchmaking was the best strategy.

Unfortunately, the timing was completely off.

There was a little monster behind her who could shoot, play (ball), and might not even be human, watching her. How could she just leave him be?

No need to think twice—compared to Kouichirou, Yuu's importance and danger were clearly higher.

Regardless of the family background already investigated, Yuu himself was full of question marks and mysteries.

And mysteries make people cautious, while consecutive losses make them wary.

So, after saying goodbye to the five, Haruno turned to walk toward Yuu.

At that moment, Kouichirou, who hadn't spoken much from the start, suddenly spoke up:

"Haruno-san, if you guys have time, how about playing together here? With that Tenkuji-kun too."