Just as the final dish was plated, the system panel, which hadn't appeared in a while, popped up grandly, obscuring Yuu's vision.
[System Task Update.]
[Please select the task execution target, Host.]
[Time Limit: Within five minutes.]
[Instructions: Choose one of the four individuals (Kasugano Sora, Tachibana Kanade, Isshiki Iroha, Yukinoshita Yukino) to execute the task. Become their ideal boyfriend. If a choice is not made within five minutes, the system will automatically select all four individuals above as task execution targets and simultaneously activate the final trial task.]
[Hint: The Last Trial of Humanity will cause irreversible impacts on this world and all living beings in it. Please choose carefully, Host!]
How to put it…
Upon seeing this content, Yuu was beyond shock. His mood calmed instead. He even had the leisure to scoff bit by bit.
(Disappearing for days, and this is all you've got?)
(Letting me choose the task target myself is new. What's this about wanting all of them if I can't pick one out of four? Are you telling me to start a harem, or are you the one who wants a harem? What's this Last Trial of Humanity nonsense? Are you bold enough to unleash Azi Dahaka?)
If Yuu were truly insane, he might wait five minutes to see what this so-called Last Trial of Humanity was—As for what would happen to the world, what did that have to do with him?
At worst, it couldn't be worse than his current situation. Might as well drag everyone down with him. Maybe his mood would feel lighter.
…Unfortunately, even if he felt helpless, Yuu wouldn't choose such a despairing end right now.
He had to protect his little sister. He also had to protect Yuigahama, who was waiting for him to confess his love—a person who promised to be a hero must at least have the courage not to break.
So, now there was only one problem, very simple.
Who among the three should he choose as the target for this task, to become the ideal boyfriend the system spoke of?
Either of the two juniors could work, but he couldn't read Kanade's mind. In comparison, Iroha was easier to handle—he felt Iroha had a decent fondness for him. If he seriously pursued her, he might complete this fourth task quickly.
Even if Iroha knew he was a two-timing jerk, Yuu was confident that, just like the three times before, he could make her…
(If I really have thoughts like this, I might never come back.)
As cold as ice, he told himself inwardly, rejecting this shortcut.
Yuu was someone used to overthinking and thinking too far ahead. Precisely because he'd consider the situation ten steps ahead when only the first step emerged, he could never take that first step decisively.
He always tried hard to think and rack his brain for the best solution—he was afraid of making any choice he'd regret, until the most perfect and correct outcome appeared.
The contradiction between rationality and sensitivity was the main reason Yuu was slow to decide.
And now, the system kindly gave him five minutes to think.
To think about who would be the fourth victim.
(Haha, is this what they call freedom? So generous. How about being even more generous and giving me more time?)
Of course, the system didn't respond. It seemed to revert to its initial mode with only basic functions. Only cold words flashed with translucent light before his eyes.
The five-minute countdown began. Four minutes fifty-nine seconds, fifty-eight seconds…
Watching the time tick by, Yuu suddenly felt helpless and confused.
The system's tactic was too cruel. Why now, why at this moment, when he needed all his courage just to pursue a normal relationship, did the system force him to make a choice like this?
(What should I do…)
(Who should I choose…)
(Should I just give up…)
(What if I randomly pick someone, tell them about the system, and repeat an endless death loop? That way, I wouldn't have to choose…)
(No, I might as well just be a jerk. What's wrong with toying with a girl's feelings? Those players aren't punished. Why should I be so hesitant…)
(Big thoughts flooded in. Though Yuu tried to convince himself, they only piled up in his mind with a heavy burden, as if trying to crush him.)
The steaming dish in front of him suddenly blurred.
At that moment, the sound of footsteps came from behind.
Yuu snapped out of it. He just remembered there was someone else in the kitchen besides him.
His friend, and also one of the task choices, Yukino, was behind him.
A vague idea suddenly emerged from the depths of his mind.
As if grasping a lifeline, Yuu tried hard to suppress his instinct to overthink. He gritted his teeth, turned, and called out to Yukino, who was about to leave.
"I want to ask you something."
Perfect Acting. All his hesitation was hidden the moment he turned.
But seeing her resigned expression, perhaps this attempt to hide only made him look more pathetic.
No matter.
Yuu wanted an answer.
He wanted courage.
He wanted to, like the system, dump the burden of choice onto someone else.
That way, he could keep moving forward.
So, Yuu spoke calmly to the cold, elegant girl in front of him.
"I promised Yui…"
(Sorry, Yukinoshita.)
"I'll be in a relationship with you, Isshiki, Tachibana, one of you… Or rather, be the ideal boyfriend for one of you."
(Sorry. This is the most correct way I could think of for myself in such a short time.)
"What do you think, who should I choose?"
(Yukinoshita Yukino, I trust you.)
(Even for an absurd question like this, you can give me an answer, right?)
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Perhaps because she was too shocked.
Confusion filled Yukino's mind. It made her stare at Yuu with a look of incomprehension. After frowning and pondering for a few seconds, she asked as if to confirm:
"You just said you're certain you'll be in a relationship with Yuigahama-san, but you also want to be the ideal boyfriend for one of me, Isshiki-san, or Tachibana-san?"
"Yes." Yuu nodded.
"You're not joking?"
"You can tell."
"Yes, I can tell. Your brain is truly broken." Yukino confirmed with her usual sarcastic tone.
"Not broken. This is the question I want to ask you."
Yuu looked at her expectantly.
Though her cold, piercing gaze was frightening and hurt his heart, he still stubbornly and seriously met her eyes.
"Yukinoshita, just give me one answer. Three choices. Who do you think I should choose to cause the least damage?"
"…"
If she were still holding the wooden container, she'd probably have dropped it and the rice on his head—Yukino's expression was that cold and ruthless.
Her small, translucent white hands, faintly showing her veins, clenched gently at her sides.
"Tenkuji-kun… no, Tenkuji Yuu."
She took a shallow breath. Her small mouth parted slightly. Her voice was cold and emotionless.
Just as Yuu braced himself to be scolded and mocked thoroughly.
Yukino let out a heavy sigh. Her sharp gaze showed a hint of resigned softness. She spoke softly to him, as if looking at a naughty child rolling in muddy dirt:
"So, this is what you meant back then, the thing you couldn't control?"