If there's a chance to get combat or supernatural rewards, that's fine.
But for now, I can only bide my time and build strength.
Ding! Host detected at Eri Kisaki's residence. Check in?
Check in!
A click echoed in Ishikawa Takeshi's mind.
On the system's interface, a photo appeared him and Eri Kisaki together in the bedroom. The image shimmered, turning into a purple-gold light that merged into a treasure chest.
The chest opened, releasing a stream of light straight into his mind.
Ding! Check-in successful. Reward acquired: Passive Skill Pear God Fall Lv1!
Pear God Fall: Passive aura. Increases both the Host's chance of falling and the chance of nearby women falling.
Ishikawa Takeshi: (╯‵□)╯︵┻━┻
What kind of ridiculous system is this? Can it even get any worse?
Before he could curse further, a gentle female voice came from his side.
"Child, are you awake? Let me check if you have a fever."
He turned his head. Eri Kisaki who had been peacefully sleeping was now awake, her sharp phoenix eyes open with concern.
She stood, reaching out a hand toward his forehead… but the moment she rose, her legs gave out from sitting too long.
She stumbled forward straight onto him.
His small face was instantly smothered.
Woo! Woo! Woo!
Ishikawa's eyes widened. He couldn't breathe! Instinct kicked in. He pushed with all his might, but in his child's body even with a strength stat of 5 he couldn't move her an inch.
Buried in softness, surrounded by a sweet scent, his lungs screamed for oxygen.
Finally, Eri snapped out of her daze and quickly got up. Ishikawa sucked in a long, desperate breath.
"Child, are you alright?"
But he was already retreating, clutching the thin blanket, scooting all the way to the corner of the bed.
That was terrifying. He'd almost died just now.
This system's skills were dangerous. Too dangerous.
Still, looking at Eri Kisaki's concerned face, he almost wanted to say: Why not do that again?
Instead, he put on the perfect act of a frightened child.
"Who are you? Why am I here? What do you want?"
Eri took in his appearance messy short hair, pale porcelain face, bright starry eyes, clutching the blanket tightly like a fragile little creature. He looked like a lost elf, too beautiful for this world.
Her heart melted. This was worse than when she first held her daughter as a newborn.
She forced herself to speak gently.
"Child, Aunt Fei isn't a bad person. I'm a lawyer, Eri Kisaki. I saw you collapse on the street yesterday and brought you home. Do you remember your parents? Their number? I can call them to pick you up."
She sighed inwardly. Such an adorable child if she sent him back now, would she ever see him again?
Ishikawa's expression softened, as though lowering his guard.
"I don't have parents. I've never had parents. The director Grandpa Director hit me, so I escaped. I'm not going back. I'll never go back."
He made his eyes wide with fear, trembling like a cornered animal.
Eri's heart ached.
An orphan? And abused? What kind of orphanage director would hit a child like this? Unforgivable.
Without thinking, she pulled him into her arms, one hand stroking his back.
"Don't be afraid. Aunt Fei won't send you back."
If anyone who knew her saw this scene, they'd be shocked. The sharp, imposing queen of the courtroom was gone replaced by a warm, gentle woman.
Leaning against her, Ishikawa's face grew warm. She was truly approachable… and easy to fool.
More importantly, the hug felt nice. Very nice.
He felt energy surging into him.
Ding! Close contact with high-quality female. Yin energy +5!
The log showed that while unconscious before, he'd gained only +1 per contact. Hugging, apparently, was far more efficient.
Eri reluctantly released him, worried he might think she was strange.
"Child, what's your name? Which orphanage were you from?"
"My name is Ishikawa Takeshi," he said quickly. "Please don't send me back to Aoyama Orphanage. Grandpa Aoyama will beat me to death."