Watching the shy Little Rabbit slowly push the crepe toward her, Su Youzi understood the girl's feelings.
She accepted the crepe.
Perfect... This will let me see just how much the system can tolerate regarding its rule that "all expenditures made to raise a girl's affection will receive double compensation."
When a girl returned food that had been fed to her.
Or when she returned the money spent on her, would the double compensation still take effect?
Su Youzi took a generous bite of the crepe.
The orange flesh the owner had added to the crepe came from a citrus fruit called Hassaku.
It tasted sour.
The flesh dissolved easily.
Its citrus fragrance was also quite pronounced.
Su Youzi loved the sweet, sour, delicate fragrance of citrus fruits.
But... the Little Rabbit in front of her seemed unable to handle it.
Saotome Yukina was a "small animal" with a sweet tooth.
The first bite, with crepe and cream, had been fine.
But when she bit into the orange flesh, a mist seemed to gather in her watery blue eyes, and tears nearly spilled down her cheeks.
However... Saotome Yukina did not want to embarrass herself in front of Senpai.
She had chosen the flavor herself, so she had to swallow it even through her tears.
"This Hassaku thing tastes awful."
"Compared to Senior Youzi... it's worlds apart."
With the grim determination of a warrior severing her own arm, Saotome Yukina closed her eyes and prepared to bite down, intending to swallow it whole without even chewing.
Lightly... the girl's wrist was caught.
When Saotome Yukina opened her eyes in confusion, she found that Senior Youzi's crimson eyes were already very close.
"Sen...pai?"
Su Youzi pushed the crepe in her hand toward Saotome Yukina. She had already picked out and eaten all the orange flesh.
"Eat mine."
A thick mist seemed to cover the watery blue eyes.
Saotome Yukina stared at the crepe pushed back in front of her... the one missing a corner, and her heart surged.
[Beep--] [Sharing: Saotome Yukina Affection +3.] [Received Affection Boost Reward: One-time Cat Tail (White).] [...]
The experiment proved that... something as minor as a crepe.
Even if she shared it with Saotome Yukina, the system would not take back the money it had compensated her with.
Su Youzi suddenly had some bold ideas.
For example... buying a house near the school for Saotome Yukina.
However, Su Youzi soon abandoned this near-cheating idea.
According to the reminders in "Operator Cultivation," actions eligible for double resource compensation were limited to "feeding" and "cultivation."
The idea of treating the girl like a money tree and shopping without restraint was destined to fail.
But... "feeding"?
Su Youzi carefully read through the lines of pale-blue notes.
There was no problem with "feeding."
There was also no problem with eating food the girl could not finish or wanted to share with her.
In that case... if she treated Saotome Yukina or Teacher Unohana Chiyo to every meal, she might be able to save a large sum on food expenses.
She might even make some extra money.
To be honest, ever since escaping from that place.
Su Youzi's finances had remained rather tight.
After the girl finished the crepe, Su Youzi looked at Saotome Yukina, who was waiting with her little head lowered.
Su Youzi slowly rose to her feet.
The "Mixed Martial Arts class" Saotome Yukina had asked Su Youzi to teach was a very important subject in the final assessment at Shiritsu Megumi Garden Academy.
As everyone knew--
A mage who could not use a sword was not a good mage.
The same was true of Ability Users.
On a battlefield against Altered Users or Calamity Beasts, Altered Users would not care whether you were a frail Ability User.
So even Saotome Yukina, who was a Healing Type.
Had "Mixed Martial Arts class" among her compulsory courses.
Su Youzi looked at Saotome Yukina's soft, ample breasts.
Judging from how the girl became slightly breathless after running only a few steps, her physical condition was truly poor.
If she had the chance later, she would have to find some special items that could improve her constitution.
After completing "cultivation."
She would also receive double compensation.
Why not?
Speaking of which, just in time--
In the "Operator Cultivation" module, Saotome Yukina's Chibi Figure had finally recovered its energy.
The expression on its face had returned to the (≧∇≦) look.
Su Youzi opened Saotome Yukina's Chibi Figure, then checked "Beginner Combat Record" again on the [Cultivation] screen.
[Beep--] [Saotome Yukina cultivation successful.] [Saotome Yukina's combat experience increased.] [Level.2-Water Ability User experience: 25%→47%.] [Cultivation: Saotome Yukina Affection +1.] [Received Affection Boost Reward: Red Stamina Potion.] [Received compensation for cultivation resources consumed.] ["Beginner Combat Record"*2.] [...]
The corner of Su Youzi's brow lifted slightly.
Su Youzi looked at Saotome Yukina's Affection Boost Reward.
[Red Stamina Potion].
Unlike the [Blue Vitality Pill], the [Red Stamina Potion] only had the effect of slowly restoring a large amount of stamina.
Her guess had indeed been correct.
Whether it was the Training Combat Gloves from the beginning.
Or the various sexy and adorable catgirl maid accessories afterward.
Saotome Yukina's Affection Boost Rewards were ultimately all things that could be used on the girl herself.
"That's interesting."
Just in time--
She had been worrying that the Little Rabbit would be too exhausted to get out of bed tomorrow.
When sleep came, a pillow had been handed to her.
But... Su Youzi was pleased.
Saotome Yukina, who had just been preparing to rise with Su Youzi, suffered immediately.
Saotome Yukina staggered and nearly fell.
Fortunately, the table was right in front of her.
The Little Rabbit's watery blue eyes widened helplessly. She bit her lip tightly, and her ear tips turned a bright, pale pink.
Again... "Grace"?
A warm current flowed through her limbs and bones.
It felt very comfortable.
But why did it always have to make her embarrass... embarrass herself in front of Senpai like this?
Or was it... precisely because she had drawn close to Senpai.
That she had received "Grace"?
Saotome Yukina's mind was a muddle.
Su Youzi gently took her hand. "Another 'Grace'?"
"Saotome, do you still have the strength to train?"
"If you can't..."
"Don't force yourself."
"Tomorrow will be fine too."
Su Youzi felt that she had been somewhat too hasty.
She had wanted "Combat Records" a little too badly.
She had somewhat neglected Saotome Yukina's feelings.
She could clearly have waited until Saotome Yukina finished training before using the "Beginner Combat Record."
That way... she was already exhausted anyway.
A little more exhaustion would not matter.
Relaxing might even help her rest better.
"I... I can!" When Senior Youzi caught her hand, Saotome Yukina suddenly felt as if her entire body were filled with strength.
In front of Senpai... she absolutely could not say she couldn't.
Even if she cried until she went limp, until she melted, she could not say that she was incapable.
Her toes were still trembling, but Saotome Yukina shakily propped herself up.
Looking at the Little Rabbit forcing herself to keep going, Su Youzi felt helpless.
But she could only support Saotome Yukina as they walked toward the combat training grounds.
Come to think of it... Su Youzi asked Saotome Yukina, "Saotome, why did you think of coming to find me?"
Because she had no ability enhancement.
Su Youzi's Mixed Martial Arts skills were indeed among the best.
But... when facing Ability Users with physical enhancement or physical mutation abilities, she often returned defeated.
Her results on paper were not among the top.
She could only barely be called excellent.
Su Youzi was curious.
How had the Little Rabbit learned about her Mixed Martial Arts grades?
Su Youzi did not believe that there was anything called "the compulsion of fate" in this world.
Hearing Su Youzi's question, Saotome Yukina's eyes suddenly became somewhat blank.
"It was..."
"Yes..."
"Why did I think of coming to find Senpai?"
The girl only felt that her mind was completely blank regarding this matter.
Su Youzi's brows drew together.
She had seen a similar expression before.
She had seen similar symptoms.
This was...
--Mental Manipulation.
"Soga... Toyura."
Before you continue