At Takumi Yuuya's home.
Nishimiya Yaeko signed the contract.
It was an employment agreement drafted with the system's help.
After ten years, if Yaeko wished to continue working at the manor, her annual salary would rise to fifteen million yen.
Through the system, one hundred million yen was directly transferred into her account.
At the same time, Yuuya handed her a bank card.
"There's another hundred million yen on this card. The PIN is Shouko's birthday. You'll need to buy a new car, hire two security guards, and two maids."
"I understand."
Yaeko accepted the card and stood up.
"I'll resign from the hospital immediately."
"I usually don't need much, so you won't have to stay at the manor all the time. Just take Shouko to the School for the Deaf each morning. On weekends, you can bring her to the manor."
"…That counts as work?"
"Of course. With you caring for her, I can rest easy."
Yuuya smiled.
Yaeko nodded.
The two walked toward the entrance—just as the door opened.
Yaeko froze.
Standing there was Kawasaki Saki.
Saki didn't look surprised; after all, a car was parked right outside. She was simply curious.
"This is Nishimiya-san, the manager of the manor. She just signed a contract with me."
"And this is my girlfriend, Kawasaki Saki."
Yuuya made the introductions.
"Hello, Nishimiya-san."
"Hello, Kawasaki-san."
Affection from Kawasaki Saki +50.
Yuuya wasn't surprised at the system prompt.
"Saki, can you go prepare dinner?"
"Mm."
She changed into indoor slippers and went inside.
Yuuya and Yaeko stepped outside.
In the car, Shouko glanced at Yuuya as they approached.
He leaned in and kissed her gently on the forehead.
Her face flushed crimson as she bowed her head.
Yaeko pretended not to see.
"Be careful on the road, Nishimiya-san," Yuuya said.
"Goodbye, Yuuya-sama," she replied from the driver's seat.
He stepped back, watching the car drive off.
——
Affection from Nishimiya Shouko +50.
Affection from Nishimiya Shouko +50.
Affection from Nishimiya Shouko +50.
While eating dinner, Yuuya glanced at the floating prompts.
No doubt Yaeko had said something to Shouko that left her especially grateful to him.
Sure enough, she would message him soon.
"What's this about a manor?" Saki asked.
"I bought one in the Chiba countryside. Since no one was managing it, I hired Nishimiya-san."
"Sounds a bit wasteful."
"We can spend time there over summer vacation. The estate even includes a beach."
"…Your finances won't be a problem?"
"I still have just over twenty billion yen. I'll transfer the extra to you later."
"That one million yen you gave me before isn't even used up yet."
"From now on, it'll be an annual salary—ten million yen each year."
"That's too much."
"It's not. After all, you're my girlfriend."
He smiled at her warmly.
Her gaze softened.
Affection from Kawasaki Saki +50.
——
After dinner, a message arrived from Shouko.
"Thank you for hiring my mom. I'll work hard to become the girlfriend you like. You're a good person."
Yuuya chuckled as he typed back:
"I'm not a good person. I'm a bad guy. I hired your mom, so as my girlfriend, you'll just have to let me bully you."
A long pause followed.
Then Shouko replied:
"You can bully me. I won't resist. I won't even tell my mom."
Clearly, she had misunderstood the word bully.
Yuuya thought for a moment, then clarified.
"Not that kind of bullying. When I kiss or hug you, that counts as bullying too. It means you have to listen to me. Got it?"
Minutes later:
"I… I understand. I don't mind if you bully me."
Her shy reply was obvious from the tone.
Yuuya smirked and put his phone away.
Meanwhile, Saki had finished washing the dishes. She stepped out of the kitchen and went to the bathroom.
Only then did Yuuya instruct the system to process the transfers.
22.87 billion yen total.
Two billion already with Nishimiya Yaeko.
The remaining 870 million yen he sent entirely to Saki.
Afterward, a thought struck him.
"System, can you deposit the rest into an interest-bearing account?"
"Interest table generated. Please select a bank."
He reviewed the options and chose one that yielded twenty thousand yen in daily interest, with no withdrawal restrictions.
The system would manage the account completely, making it safer than any bank in the world.
Moments later, Saki stepped out of the bathroom, her face full of surprise.
"Yuuya-kun, did you transfer the wrong amount? Why so much money?"
"No mistake. Just keep it. From now on, whenever we go out, you'll handle all the expenses." He smiled.
"…O-okay."
"Now, grab some snacks and drinks. Let's watch anime together."
——
Nine o'clock that night.
Inside Saki's room.
Yuuya lay beside her, turning his head to look at her.
Her cheeks were flushed pink as she lowered her gaze.
He wrapped his arms around her gently, stroking her long hair.
"I really want to bully you right now, Saki."
"Y-you said you wouldn't…"
"Exactly. That's why I can only think about it, not actually do it."
"…But what if you…"
"Of course I will, someday. But I'm close to my goal already. Just telling myself that helps me suppress those thoughts."
"Can I… help you?" Saki raised her head slightly.
Yuuya kissed her on the forehead.
"You can help me—once we cross that stage together."
"Then when that time comes, you have to teach me what to do."
"I will. I'll show you everything."
"…Will it be difficult?"
"No. It's simple."
"Is it something like martial arts? Like tai chi?"
"Saki, I wasn't talking about training."
"Then what can I do?" She looked puzzled.
He leaned close and whispered in her ear.
Immediately—
Her face turned scarlet as she buried her head in his chest.
She had thought it was about training too.
But it turned out to be something else entirely…
——
Monday morning.
Yuuya woke up early as always, jogging for two hours before breakfast prepared by Saki.
When he left for school—
A goodbye kiss lasted several minutes.
Saki's face was as red as a tomato.
At school, after parking his bike, they parted ways at the building entrance.
Yuuya waited a few minutes.
Soon, Yukinoshita Yukino approached.
She stopped in front of him.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Yukinoshita-san."
"I heard from my sister… that you purchased a manor from someone?"
"She told you?"
"She said you're impressive."
"Really? Does that mean I might have a chance with you?"
Disgust from Yukinoshita Yukino +30.