"That person you mentioned is Wang Meiyu, right?"
Hasebe blinked.
"How did you know?"
"All the other girls in class know. With her personality, it'd be hard to keep something like that secret. A little prompting was all it took for her to tell me."
"I see."
"The girls in class are all so jealous of her. She even has the nerve to play roleplay games with you?" Hasebe narrowed her eyes and scrutinized him. "Come on, tell me. What exactly is your relationship?"
"Can I keep it to myself?" He hesitated.
"No. If you don't tell me, I'll just assume you're dating."
"Ah, fine. Actually, she's... my ex-girlfriend."
At that, Hasebe clicked her tongue and eyed him. "I can't believe you went after a girl like that. Is your type someone who's easy to control?"
"No, it was my first time dating. I just wanted to try it..."
Try what?
Obviously, he hadn't wanted to try dating. He'd wanted to see if the system was real.
Of course, he couldn't tell her that.
Hasebe watched him for a while, then suddenly smiled. "So who's your next girlfriend going to be? Horikita, maybe?"
"Yeah—"
He figured there was no point hiding it. Everyone in class already knew the rumors about him and Horikita, so he might as well admit it.
But just then, the system's long-silent voice sounded in his mind.
[Potential breakup target generated: Hasebe Haruka. Mission reward: Jeet Kune Do (master-level martial arts)] [Jeet Kune Do: Created by Bruce Lee, it combines the strengths of martial arts such as Wing Chun, boxing, and Muay Thai while discarding their weaknesses. It breaks away from choreographed forms and favors simplicity. Its focus is on intercepting an opponent's attack and countering, or launching a swift assault that leaves the enemy unable to defend. At its core, it is a comprehensive set of fighting techniques built from basic moves, covering how to counter and defeat an opponent in various situations.]
"..."
(So I can pursue two people at once, system?)
[As long as you complete the mission, dating two people at the same time is also possible.]
(Okay.)
He looked at Hasebe, a hint of interest in his eyes.
Honestly, he really needed this martial art. With his current fighting ability, challenging Ayanokouji head-on would be suicide, and he couldn't beat Ryuen either. But if he learned Jeet Kune Do, he was confident he could wipe the floor with Ryuen and at least defend himself against Ayanokouji.
After all, this was Jeet Kune Do—dozens of times stronger than flashy martial arts like Taekwondo.
And he remembered that the student council president, Horikita Manabu, was already at least a black belt in karate. With his current physique, learning Jeet Kune Do would surely let him beat Horikita.
"Actually, Horikita and I are just ordinary classmates."
"But you two seem pretty close. You're the only one in class who can talk to her. Isn't that special enough?" Hasebe said doubtfully.
"Although I'm closer to her than everyone else is, we're not actually friends yet. She hasn't even admitted that I'm her friend..."
Hasebe furrowed her brow. "I didn't think she was like that. I knew she looked down on everyone, but I didn't realize she treated you that way too. That's awful! Little Bai Ye, don't talk to her anymore!"
"Uh... well..."
"Just hang out with me from now on. Forget about that woman!" Hasebe hugged his arm and raised an eyebrow. "You're too nice, that's why you put up with people like her."
Hasebe seemed to have misunderstood something, but if he contradicted her now, she might get annoyed with him. He'd better play along.
Still, feeling her softness pressed against his arm, and seeing that mysterious silhouette just by looking down, he shifted his gaze away.
Noticing his strange reaction, Hasebe immediately realized how intimate their pose was. She quickly let go of him, a blush flashing across her face. "How about I be your... big sister from now on?"
"?"
Faced with his odd look, Hasebe tried to act calm as she explained, "You like roleplaying, don't you? I kind of like playing the big sister. So, why don't we..."
"I don't like roleplaying."
"What a shame..."
Hasebe pouted forlornly, glancing at him from time to time. Her eager, childlike expression nearly gave him a nosebleed.
"How can a big sister be this cute..."
"Cute..." Hasebe grew embarrassed again. "M-maybe we should forget it for now. We can talk about it later... yeah."
"Yeah, we'll talk about it later."
His forceful nature wouldn't let him call another girl big sister. It was too embarrassing.
Unless circumstances forced his hand, he supposed he could manage to call her that once or twice.
After all, he'd heard that some men who strutted around like big shots outside still curled up in their wives' arms at home and called them "Mommy"... Uh.
"Are you free tonight? I could come hang out in your dorm."
"...Why?" Bai Ye asked, a little surprised. "You're a girl. Are you really comfortable hanging out in a guy's room... alone with him?"
"What kind of nonsense is that? You're not going to eat me, are you?" Hasebe rolled her eyes at him. "I trust you. You're not like those guys who think about nothing but sex. I don't see any of that in your eyes."
"Well, if you don't mind..."
He quietly took out his phone and texted Wang Meiyu, telling her not to come over that night.
She immediately replied with a crying emoji.
As he typed, Hasebe leaned over to look. He quickly moved the phone away and turned off the screen. "It's getting late. Let's go have dinner first."
"Come to think of it, can you cook, Little Bai Ye? I want to try something you make."
"No. The maid usually does the cooking."
"A maid?" Hasebe's eyes widened. "Little Bai Ye, are you some rich young master?"
Crap, he'd let that slip.
"N-no... I meant at a maid café..."
"Oh, so you like going to places like that."
"..."
Hasebe patted him on the shoulder. "No need to explain. I understand that guys like places like that."
There was no explaining his way out of this.
"Anyway, let's go eat first!"
He hurriedly grabbed Hasebe's hand and strode toward the school cafeteria, wanting to escape the awkwardness.
When he suddenly took her hand, Hasebe froze for a moment, her cheeks turning slightly red. But she didn't pull away, letting him lead her along without a word.
Leading the way, Bai Ye slowly calmed down. Only then did he notice how quiet it was beside him. He turned around.
Hasebe was looking all around, as if taking in their surroundings.
That was when he noticed their joined hands.
Honestly, it was a little awkward. He wanted to get closer to Hasebe, but they weren't intimate enough for hand-holding yet.
But she didn't seem all that opposed to it. Should he pretend not to notice?
Better not. As far as he could tell, Hasebe didn't like him that way. She was probably staying quiet to spare his feelings.
He couldn't take advantage of that.
So he let go of her hand and said, "I didn't notice just now. Sorry."
"Hm? What?" Hasebe tilted her head, confused.
"...Nothing."
Hasebe giggled and took his hand herself. "Come on, it's just hand-holding. If you want to hold my hand, go ahead. Just think of it as holding your big sister's hand."
"Then I'd rather not."
He pulled his hand back and snorted.
"Little Bai Ye, you're so cute~"
"..."
Before you continue