Shirase Haruto was never one for procrastination. Since the progress bar for unlocking the new function was almost full, he decisively activated the [Free Hosting] mode.
The timer was still set at 60 minutes.
But before activation, he prepared a little something else.
Because he wanted to verify if this damned system really only knew how to do heroic acts.
He spread out some newly purchased math practice books on the desk, arranging pencils, scratch paper, and other stationery neatly.
Earlier, he'd noticed the living room was dusty. Usually, he and Kojima Kana took turns cleaning, but this time he deliberately left it untouched.
[Welcome, host, to [Free Hosting] mode once again. Your body will now be fully controlled by this system. Please remain calm…]
Still the same old announcement. Shirase was as calm as still water.
[Detected: Host currently has nothing to do.]
[System deliberating…]
Ten seconds later, Shirase noticed his viewpoint changing.
He saw "himself" sitting down at the study desk.
All kinds of math problems entered his field of vision.
Shirase's interest immediately spiked.
It seemed his speculation was correct. This stupid system could do more than just farm karma points—it could perform other tasks as well.
[Ding dong! Detected host's intention to solve math problems.]
[System is examining the questions…]
[System has discovered it doesn't know how to solve these problems and has decided to give up.]
Shirase: "???"
You haven't even started yet and you've already given up?!
Fucking system, you're truly trash.
If you have nothing else to do, you might as well learn that meme trick of a useless sword biting a lighter.
[Ding dong! Detected living room is dirty; system has decided to start cleaning.]
Under Shirase's disdainful gaze, the system controlled his body and began cleaning the living room.
From the living room to the bedroom, then the bathroom, and finally every corner of the balcony—nothing was spared.
Only when the entire apartment sparkled did the system stop.
[Cleaning complete. Detected mealtime has arrived; host's hunger level gradually rising. System has decided to cook.]
"Oh, so you can't solve math problems, but you sure know how to cook, huh?" Shirase couldn't help remarking sarcastically.
The system ignored him, picked up ingredients, and went into the kitchen before the prompt sounded again.
[Detected host's cooking skill is far below that of a professional chef. System recommends host activate the Triple-Experience Card.]
"But I'm pretty satisfied with my current cooking skill," Shirase protested.
His cooking naturally couldn't compare with professional chefs, but whipping up delicious home-cooked meals was still a piece of cake for him.
Yet seeing the system's attitude, did it intend to train him into a professional chef?
The next second, the system's voice confirmed his guess.
[All ingredients and seasonings are prepared. System evaluating host's abilities…]
[Host's sense of taste and smell: excellent, capable of easily distinguishing various seasonings and quickly adapting to guests' tastes.]
[Host's physical condition: excellent, fully able to handle prolonged standing and rapid food preparation during peak hours.]
[Host's creativity: unknown. Creativity indicates a chef's potential for innovation and improvement in dishes.]
[Evaluation complete. Does host wish to activate the Triple-Experience Card?]
"This detailed?"
Shirase, who initially wasn't too interested in upgrading his cooking skill, finally perked up.
"Then go ahead and use it. This thing's easy enough to acquire anyway."
[Triple-Experience Card activated. Remaining duration: 120 minutes.]
As the system officially began cooking, Shirase lost interest in paying attention to anything else.
Fast!
Incredibly fast!
Whether it was knife skills, ingredient preparation, or seasoning—the system moved with astonishing speed.
When the first dish was plated, Shirase knew from just one glance that this traditional katsudon would taste absolutely amazing.
"Now that I look at it, stupid system, you've got some real skills. Truly eye-opening," Shirase reluctantly praised the system.
...
Thirty minutes later, Shirase noticed the system's movements suddenly stop.
Just as confusion surfaced, a notification rang out:
[Progress bar full. Congratulations, host, on successfully unlocking the [Wheel-of-Fortune Lottery] function. After each [Free Hosting] session, host may perform one draw. This lottery guarantees a 100% win rate, no empty draws.]
Oh, finally unlocked.
Shirase had been so engrossed watching "himself" cook, he'd completely forgotten about this.
With the new function unlocked, he lost all interest in watching the system cook any further.
After this round of [Free Hosting] concluded, he casually collected another Triple-Experience Card from the evaluation reward, too lazy to care further, and immediately opened the [Wheel-of-Fortune Lottery].
But he merely glanced at the supposed lottery wheel once and froze.
It was exactly like the promotional lottery wheels used by ordinary stores.
It had four segments.
The prizes were: [Nintendhell Portable Console], [Adidas Limited-Edition Easter Soccer Shoes], [Bandai Perfect Strike Gundam Figure], and…
[Nakano Itsuki's Favorite Meat Bun].
Shirase immediately fell silent.
[Wheel-of-Fortune Lottery activated. Please begin your draw as soon as possible. Best of luck.]
Shirase asked in a complicated tone, "System, explain clearly to me first—isn't there something weird mixed in here?"
[All prizes provided by this system are randomly generated and completely genuine. Please rest assured.]
"That's not what I'm asking."
Shirase took a deep breath. Fine, he should have long been accustomed to this damned system's nonsense.
Worst-case scenario, he'd just ignore the last prize.
He was interested in the first three prizes anyway, and even if he didn't need the soccer shoes, he could always resell them online.
At least the label said limited edition—surely they'd fetch a good price.
With a one-in-four chance, there was no way he'd actually draw that so-called meat bun, right?
"Begin the draw."
As soon as Shirase's words fell, a glaring blue pointer started spinning rapidly on the wheel.
About fifteen seconds later, Shirase watched, dumbfounded, as the pointer came to a halt directly on [Nakano Itsuki's Favorite Meat Bun].
[Congratulations, host, you have drawn Nakano Itsuki's Favorite Meat Bun. The system will obtain your prize in the shortest possible time.]
"You did that on purpose, didn't you, damned system?"
Yet just as he prepared to furiously curse out the system, he suddenly realized his body was no longer under his control.
"What the hell are you doing system?"
[Host, please remain calm. System will now obtain your prize.]
Shirase's questioning and protests were completely ignored by the system. He watched helplessly as his viewpoint constantly shifted. Soon he was leaving his home, decisively heading toward the apartment where the Nakano quintuplets lived.
Coincidentally, a resident ahead was entering the building by punching in the door code, allowing him to quickly follow inside.
"Wait a minute. I drew a meat bun. Why are you bringing me here?" Shirase realized something was wrong.
The system continued to ignore him.
When he stepped out of the elevator, stopping in front of the Nakano sisters' door, his arm naturally raised, knocking firmly.
The door swung open, revealing Nakano Yotsuba's adorable smiling face, and Shirase's heart suddenly sank heavily.
He finally understood what this damned system intended to do.