Ms. Sato left soon after.
Seiji Fujiwara returned to his room, replaying the video he had just recorded while waiting for Utaha to come back.
It didn't take long.
Utaha, freshly washed and dressed in casual clothes, stepped in expressionless.
"You…"
Her eyes widened when she saw Seiji watching the footage of her. Panic flickered across her pale face, followed by a surge of humiliation and anger. She had expected this, but seeing it happen still rattled her.
Would she ever be able to get that recording back?
Even if she did, how could she be sure he hadn't made backups?
From the moment she stood in front of the camera, she had left behind a fatal weakness. But for her mother's sake, she had no choice but to walk right into the trap.
I'll just have to take it one step at a time.
Utaha let out a silent sigh, forcing her emotions down.
She stood before him, her expression cold. "The money."
"Here." Seiji stopped the playback and handed her the remaining balance without hesitation.
Then he pulled out another envelope stuffed with bills.
"These cover the nursing care, hospital expenses, and all the extras. Plus, your twenty thousand yen monthly allowance is in here."
He pushed the envelope toward her.
"…"
Utaha's delicate hands curled into fists as she stared at it.
She needed the money.
The surgery fee was only the beginning. Afterward, life would go on.
With her mother bedridden, there would be no income. Three million yen wasn't enough. She needed more.
"What do I have to give up for it?" she asked warily.
The contract terms already scraped the bottom line of human dignity. Any further, and she'd be no different from a slave.
She still wanted to be human. Not a hollow puppet like in some degrading doujin.
"It's not about more demands," Seiji said with a faint smile, noticing her suspicion. "Think of it as an incentive. Don't just lie there like a corpse—it kills the mood."
"As for the extra cash, consider it an extension. Fifty thousand yen a month, and the contract runs longer."
He never planned to ruin her completely.
A Collectible had value only if it kept its personality and charm. Once that broke, what difference was there from a doll?
"I see."
Utaha exhaled softly, relief slipping through her tone. "Then extend it to a year."
"Fine. Adjustments can be made later." Seiji nodded, then stood, smiling.
"Now… it's time you fulfill the contract terms."
…
That night.
In the luxury apartment in Minato Ward, with its rent of 480,000 yen a month.
The furnishings weren't complete yet, but it didn't matter.
An hour later, Seiji leaned back with a satisfied look.
Of course, he noticed something. Utaha hadn't truly yielded.
Deep in those crimson eyes, flashes of stubbornness and hatred still burned.
But Seiji didn't mind. If anything, it thrilled him.
That resistance made the conquest sweeter. If she broke too easily, became a docile pet overnight… it would be boring.
…
The next day.
Kyoto Third Central Hospital.
The surgery bill for Mrs. Kasumigaoka was fully paid, and she was wheeled into the operating room.
The operation was a success.
Afterward, she was placed in a private top-floor recovery room overlooking a serene courtyard. Two skilled nurses rotated shifts, providing twenty-four-hour care.
Money had paved the way.
"Did you hear? The bill for Mrs. Kasumigaoka in Room 6 was paid in full yesterday!"
"No way. I heard the second surgery plus care was nearly three and a half million yen!"
"It's true! My friend in accounting said not only did they settle everything, but they even donated extra to the hospital foundation. The transfer record said the payer was Seiji Fujiwara."
"That Kasumigaoka girl's so lucky! To land a boyfriend with that kind of money…"
"Seriously. Being beautiful makes all the difference. Some people have it all…"
The whispers, thick with envy and gossip, never reached Utaha's ears.
But she knew the truth.
Her debt had only deepened. With things as they were, she would be trapped in Seiji Fujiwara's grasp for the rest of her high school years.
…
A few days later.
Seiji returned to the old apartment to end his lease.
Utaha helped him pack.
The neighbors were stunned.
In their eyes, Utaha Kasumigaoka had always been the sharp-tongued, cold beauty—the thorned rose of the building.
Now she trailed after Seiji quietly, like a wife in training.
Her face was blank, but her hands moved with practiced ease, carrying boxes downstairs, scrubbing the now-empty room spotless.
Her obedience seemed unreal.
"Am I seeing things? Isn't that Kasumigaoka from the second floor?"
"She's helping Fujiwara move? Even cleaning his place?"
"When did the ice queen get tamed?"
"Damn… looks like that guy pulled it off. Took down the toughest one without anyone noticing!"
The young men who witnessed it stared openly, their eyes filled with envy, jealousy, and the unspoken understanding only men shared.
Seiji accepted the looks calmly, even with a touch of pride.
Utaha ignored them all.
After what she had already endured, whispers and stares meant nothing.
Everyone knew she couldn't cover the medical bills on her own. Depending on someone else was the only option.
And the rest… was obvious.
After the move, Utaha stayed with her mother in the hospital, renting her a comfortable apartment nearby.
But she herself kept her end of the deal—living in Seiji Fujiwara's home.
…
In the new apartment, Seiji soaked in the bath, eyes closed in contentment.
He had been utterly indulgent these past few days, yet his body felt stronger than ever.
"Ever since my memories awakened, even my stamina's better," he mused.
Perfect.
He'd be collecting plenty of girls in the future. If his body couldn't keep up, that would be a waste.
"Time to check my system rewards."
He summoned the interface.
He had been too distracted by Utaha's allure until now.
[ Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing Phase One of the conquest of 'SSR Collectible: Utaha Kasumigaoka'! ]
[ Progress: 1/3 ]
[ Phase One Reward: Full set of the light novel A Certain Magical Index! ]
A flood of detailed outlines, worldbuilding notes, and polished drafts filled Seiji's mind.
"Index, huh?"
He stroked his chin, deep in thought.