There was no doubt that the "System Interface" Ikezawa was currently seeing was nothing more than an illusion created by Sparkle using her ability.
Although Sparkle's Identity had long since completed her "Elation" quest, why pass up an opportunity for some amusement?
Truth be told, she hadn't initially known Ikezawa and his friends were at the movies. After all, she wasn't a stalker—why would she waste time keeping tabs on him?
It all started when Lü Heng recommended "The Final Lesson" in their chat group during the movie, specifically tagging Shu Cat, Peace Dove, and Today I Want to Eat Soup Dumplings, urging them to see it too.
Naturally, Sparkle couldn't resist the scent of potential mischief.
If she'd arrived any later, after Ikezawa had seen the credits and realized Sparkle existed in this world, he likely wouldn't have fallen for her trick. But there are no "what ifs" in life. Now that she was here, she wouldn't let her cover be blown so easily.
As for how to prevent Ikezawa from seeing the credits? That was child's play. The System could simply issue a random quest to distract him.
Ikezawa's exchange with the Fake System continued:
[Ding! This System is dedicated to nurturing a cute and beautiful young girl director, not a male. Initiating unbinding...]
Ikezawa: No! Please don't do this! I can't live without you, Little System! Don't leave me! I'll do anything!
[Really?]
Ikezawa nodded frantically. Absolutely!
[Then try your best to act cute and show me your most adorable side.]
Ikezawa: Ah... Ah?! R-right now?
[Ding! System unbinding in progress...]
Systems came in countless varieties. Some were completely silent, ignoring their hosts and offering only basic functions, like Sparkle's. Others had System Spirits that could converse with their hosts. There were even cases where anthropomorphic systems ended up marrying their hosts. Given this diversity, Ikezawa had no reason to doubt the System before him.
Threatened with unbinding, he gritted his teeth. A real man knows when to bend! What's the harm in acting cute?
After a moment's hesitation, he clenched his fists, placed them beside his cheeks, and whispered softly, "Meow meow meow~!"
"Pfft—" At that moment, Ikezawa heard a snort of laughter nearby, but he had no time to react. He could clearly see Lü Heng and Invincible Bro, standing right beside him, leaning back simultaneously with expressions of utter horror.
No! My entire reputation is ruined! Ikezawa lamented inwardly. But there was no choice. To keep the System, he had to go through with it.
The next instant, a [ System Unbinding Paused ] notification appeared before him, and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Just then, Li, who had also witnessed Ikezawa's "meow," tilted her head in confusion, unsure of what he was doing. Then, she raised her tiny hands and struck a similar pose, asking, "Meow?"
From Lü Heng and Invincible Bro's perspective, Li, wagging her tail, was undeniably adorable. But when they glanced back at Ikezawa, a shiver ran down their spines. The contrast only amplified their horror.
A beautiful girl acting cute? Acceptable! A burly man acting cute? Blegh—!
Lü Heng tentatively asked, "Dude, did you... get so emotional watching that movie that you're having a cat fit?"
"Uh..." Although the System had been saved, Ikezawa was stumped on how to proceed. Spotting Li beside him, he had a sudden idea and quickly changed the subject. "Li, can you meow a few more times? You're just too cute~!"
Li readily complied, obediently meowing several more times. Her soft, adorable voice was so sweet it made Ikezawa's ears feel like they were melting.
Even though she was technically a Doggirl rather than a Cat Girl, what was wrong with a dog meowing anyway?
[Ding~ It is recommended that the Host leave this place as soon as possible and choose a more suitable location to continue the Newbie Quest.]
Ikezawa: Wait, I'm not a beautiful girl! Can't this Newbie Quest be changed? And now I have to *seduce* him?!
[Ding~ The Newbie Quest has already been replaced once and cannot be replaced again.]
Only then did Ikezawa remember seeing a notification that the Newbie Quest had been replaced once due to the detection of the rare purple-grade potential actor, Lü Heng.
Crap!
If he couldn't change it, he'd just have to grit his teeth and complete it.
Following the System's prompt, Ikezawa quickly made up an excuse about treating everyone to dinner. They left the cinema, completely forgetting their earlier plan to watch the movie credits.
On the way, Ikezawa kept fretting, "Wait, how am I supposed to increase his favorability? Isn't our friendship already good enough? We're clearly best buddies, right?"
He even began to suspect that Lü Heng might be secretly plotting something, just pretending to be friendly while harboring ulterior motives.
But that didn't make sense. Lü Heng had selflessly helped him escape the Dimensional Rift without asking for anything in return. How could someone like that be scheming behind his back?
[Ding! According to our analysis, this high-quality actor named Lü Heng is suspected to be attracted to men. The Host can leverage this information to his advantage.]
Suddenly, several vivid illusions flashed before Ikezawa's eyes, replaying the time Sparkle tricked Lü Heng into confessing his feelings to Invincible Bro—only to be rejected.
Though these were illusions created with Illusion Art, they were based on real events. Sparkle's "deceptions" were no mere tricks!
[Ding! Detected: The target may have recently experienced a failed romantic relationship. This is the perfect opportunity for the Host to capitalize on their vulnerability and strike.]
Ikezawa was deeply shocked. He never imagined Lü Heng could be like this.
His lips trembled slightly as he waged an intense internal battle.
No way... he thought. To complete this Newbie Quest, do I really have to seduce my own brother? Seduce a gay man?
But he was straight! Was unlocking this System really worth being pursued by a gay man?
Ikezawa's expression shifted rapidly, clearly showing his extreme inner turmoil.
[Ding! Host, rest assured. In the entertainment industry, unspoken rules are commonplace.]
Gritting his teeth, Ikezawa retorted inwardly, Those are usually directors exploiting actors! You're supposed to be a director System—how did I end up being the director getting taken advantage of by the actor?!
Meanwhile, Sparkle, maintaining her "psychological invisibility," skipped merrily behind Ikezawa. She eagerly anticipated his decision and couldn't wait to see his reaction when he finally realized it was all a prank orchestrated by Miss Sparkle herself.