After school.
The breeze toyed with the curtains, sunlight spilling into the quiet classroom in slanted orange beams. Yukinoshita Yukino sat upright on the left side of the small wooden table, posture perfect as always, a book resting elegantly in her hands. To any casual observer, she was the picture of composure—refined, calm, and focused.
But her heart told a different story.
Almost an entire day had slipped by. Yet the so-called beginner's mission given to her by the system was still incomplete.
Originally, Yukino had entertained a faint glimmer of hope. Maybe Hikigaya Hachiman—her hopeless, socially allergic clubmate—might accidentally brush against a girl during the day. A bump in the hallway, an unintentional brush of hands while shopping… things like that happen in normal high school life, don't they?
Unfortunately, reality was cruel.
Hikigaya's self-preservation instincts were far too strong. He had managed to avoid even the faintest physical contact with any girl, maneuvering through the day like a socially distanced ninja.
So while Yukino was relieved by his restraint, she was also increasingly anxious. Her simple "accidental contact" plan had gone up in smoke, and she now had to consider other strategies for forcing Hikigaya into proximity with the opposite sex.
And now, with the school day over, she had only one last chance.
"Host, surely you're not going to fail such a basic mission? Aren't you supposed to be Soubu High's smartest girl?"
"Shut up," Yukino muttered under her breath.
Even the system was mocking her now. How humiliating.
Yukino let out a quiet sigh, glancing toward the door. Hikigaya would be coming soon. This was her last window of opportunity.
"…Hikigaya-kun is such a disappointment sometimes," she whispered bitterly. "How can his charm score be that low?"
The system hadn't exaggerated—his charm value really was atrocious. A pitiful 39 points.
So low it made even Yukino feel sympathy for him. Most people probably wanted to instinctively avoid him on sight. And who could blame them? He had those dead-fish eyes. That gloomy, reclusive aura.
Yes, yes. Understandable.
She almost pitied him.
Charm value, according to the system, was a composite measure: temperament, appearance, physique—all bundled together. The maximum score was 100.
Yukino's own charm value was 92 points, already dangerously high. The system had mentioned that if it weren't for a severe deduction in a certain… delicate category, she might have easily scored 95. And once a person's charm exceeded 95, well… they were practically indistinguishable from a succubus. Even stray cats and dogs would want to rub against them.
With that in mind, Hikigaya's 39 was… depressingly tragic.
"No wonder he acted like a total recluse on our last… date," Yukino murmured to herself, cheeks heating slightly at the word. "If he keeps being so unconfident, it'll never do. I must get that Charm Enhancement Potion for him, no matter what."
She firmly nodded, trying to convince herself of her noble motives.
This wasn't about getting Hikigaya closer to other women, no, no. Definitely not. She simply pitied him. With such a pathetic charm score, if they ever went out together in public, people might mistake him for her butler, or worse, a servant trailing after his mistress. That would surely crush his fragile ego, maybe even trigger a spiral of inferiority.
Yes, exactly! That was it!
The real reason I'm doing this mission… is to protect Hikigaya-kun from humiliation, not to make him flirt with other girls.
Yukino repeated this justification over and over in her mind, clinging to it like a shield. Still, her gaze flickered toward the classroom door every few seconds.
So slow.
Don't tell me… he's not coming?
Just as she was about to sigh again, the door creaked open.
Her eyes instantly lit up, sharp as a hawk's. But when she lifted her gaze, her expression faltered.
It wasn't Hikigaya.
Instead, a bubbly girl with pink hair tied into playful twin buns bounced into the room, carrying her usual sunshine with her.
"Ya-hallo~ Yukino-chan!" Yuigahama Yui greeted with her trademark cheer, skipping into the clubroom with her characteristic clumsy energy.
"…Ya-hallo." Yukino's disappointment was carefully tucked away, replaced with her practiced polite smile. She set her book down and inclined her head. "Good afternoon, Yuigahama-san."
"Mhm, mhm! Oh, is Hikki not here yet?" Yui asked as she slid into the chair on Yukino's right.
"He hasn't arrived," Yukino replied smoothly.
"Figures…" Yui puffed her cheeks before perking up again. "Oh! By the way, Yukino-chan, I got my new class assignment today…"
As always, Yuigahama took the initiative in conversation, her words spilling out in a stream of complaints about the new class divisions for third year. Apparently, many of her close friends had been separated into different classes, and she was clearly distressed about it.
Yui leaned closer as she spoke, her body practically tilting against Yukino's shoulder.
Yukinoshita's smile stayed in place as Yuigahama leaned close, her voice spilling with chatter, but her eyes couldn't help drifting for the briefest moment toward Yui's… more noticeable areas.
Hmmm. Is it just my imagination? Or… has Yuigahama-san grown again since the last time?
Yukino pressed her lips into a thin line, sighing inwardly. Outwardly, she maintained her composure, listening attentively, even smiling faintly at Yui's dramatic complaints.
Minutes passed like that until—
The door slid open once again.
This time, the arrival made Yukino straighten just slightly in her seat.
A familiar figure trudged inside, carrying his school bag with the usual lack of energy.
"Hikki~! Ya-hallo~!" Yuigahama greeted brightly, waving.
"…Ya-hallo." Hikigaya muttered back, forcing a crooked smile before habitually moving toward the far side of the table. He dropped his bag down and pulled out a chair with the kind of weary resignation that screamed: another day, another disappointment.
Yukino's sharp eyes caught it immediately.
Strange…
His aura today was even heavier than usual, like a balloon losing all its air. He seemed deflated, exhausted.
If Yuigahama hadn't been sitting right there, Yukino would have seized the chance to cut him down with a classic "Zako-kun" insult, savoring his reactions. But instead, she settled for the next best thing.
"Good afternoon, Hikigaya-kun. On the very first day of school, you already look as weak as a sickly chicken. Please don't drag down the morale of the entire student body."
"Wh—who even asked you?!" Hikigaya snapped back weakly, glaring at her with those trademark dead-fish eyes that carried no real power behind them.
"Hikki, are you really okay?" Yuigahama leaned closer, concern painted across her face. "You don't look so good… are you sick or something?"
Before Yukino could stop her, Yui leaned even further, peering into his face like she was about to press her forehead to his.
Yukino's eyelid twitched.
Her rational side told her to let it go. But as his girlfriend—even if only secretly—her instincts screamed to yank Yuigahama back.
And then… an idea hit her.
A dangerous, reckless idea.
Wait… this is it. This is my chance!
If she could "accidentally" push Yuigahama closer, then physical contact with Hikigaya would be guaranteed. Mission complete.
Her fingers curled slightly.
No, no, no… this method is way too clumsy. If I get caught, I'll never live it down.
But then again—what other option did she have? If she let this chance slip, today's mission would definitely fail.
Yukino… if you hesitate now, it's over. Burn your bridges. Do it for the sake of Hikigaya-kun's future!
Her lips pressed together, rosy teeth biting down gently as she steeled herself.
Yes… this is all for him. The Charm Potion is essential. Besides, Hikigaya-kun has such ridiculous self-control… even if a girl fell right on him, he wouldn't react. That's just the kind of stoic he is.
Taking a small breath, Yukino stood gracefully, approaching the pair.
"Yuigahama-san, how is Hikigaya-kun's condition?" she asked in her usual composed tone, but her hand drifted slightly—just enough to nudge Yuigahama's body.
"Eh? Hikki, he's—whoa!"
Yui yelped as Yukino's subtle push forced her balance forward. She toppled against Hikigaya, practically landing in his lap before she caught herself, her face turning bright red.
[Ding! Yuigahama Yui was pushed into Hikigaya Hachiman's arms by the Host. System Points +10.] [Ding! Novice mission complete. Reward unlocked: Charm Potion ×1.]
Phew… finally.
Yukino exhaled in relief. The weight of the mission lifted off her shoulders at last.
But when she looked up, her stomach dropped.
Yuigahama's face was crimson as she clutched her chest, too flustered to move. Hikigaya, meanwhile, was also faintly red, staring anywhere but at the girl in his arms.
Yukino froze.
Wait… this isn't right. This isn't right at all!
Her inner alarms screamed as she realized she might have just created a brand-new problem—one far worse than a low charm value.