Ichinose's Plea

Watching Matsushita's expression gradually firm up, Suzuki Tsubame felt relieved.

Additionally, Suzuki Tsubame had noticed something.

The rewards for long-term tasks seemed to be closely tied to their personalities or identities.

"Relax, their relationship isn't actually that complicated."

Suzuki Tsubame chuckled lightly. His goal had already been achieved; there was no need to keep pressuring her.

Matsushita was speechless. Then why did you have to be so serious just now?

She had always thought Karuizawa was threatening Hirata into being with her.

After all, Hirata was a nice guy, while Karuizawa came across as flashy.

Even though she knew Matsushita Chiaki wasn't the type to run her mouth.

Suzuki Tsubame still reminded her:

"I'm only telling you this, so don't go telling anyone else."

Matsushita nodded vigorously, indicating she understood.

She knew the basics of keeping a secret.

"Actually... Karuizawa wasn't always the blonde gyaru she is now."

"Back in middle school, she was just as introverted and frumpy as Sakura, and she got bullied a lot."

"Now she dresses like a gyaru so no one dares to bully her anymore."

So that's how it was. Matsushita finally understood.

No wonder she always felt Kei was a bit off, a little too deliberate.

"As for her relationship with Hirata... they don't actually have any romantic feelings for each other. It's purely a cooperative arrangement."

"Karuizawa wants to use Hirata's influence to solidify her position in the class."

"And Hirata does it for the stability of the class. He doesn't want bullying to happen either."

After Suzuki Tsubame finished explaining the whole story.

Matsushita's face was a picture of shock. Her worldview had been shattered.

In this country, romantic relationships among students were very common, some even starting as early as fourteen.

But their concept of love was quite conservative. Starting from school and walking down the aisle was extremely common in current society.

A relationship like theirs, formed for a specific purpose, was still very rare among students.

"Now that you know about their relationship, how do you feel?"

Suzuki Tsubame took in the girl's expression.

Honestly, if you thought about it, there wasn't really a problem. They were just getting what they needed from each other.

As long as they weren't doing anything harmful to society, it was fine.

Matsushita gave an awkward smile and didn't answer. She shared Suzuki Tsubame's view.

Speaking of which, what she'd originally wanted to ask was why Suzuki-kun had lent so many points to Kei.

Oh well, better to let sleeping dogs lie.

Before they knew it, the library was almost in sight.

The study session ended.

After a long time... Suzuki Tsubame received a text from Ichinose.

Feibo: Suzuki-kun, can I ask you for a favor tomorrow afternoon? Accompanied by a crying cat emoji.

Looks like she'd picked and chosen, and still thought I was the best fit.

Suzuki Tsubame couldn't help a little self-flattery.

Even though he was a staunch Horikita supporter, he still chose to agree.

It was purely for the reward.

As for Ichinose as a person, his evaluation of her was actually quite average.

Even though she was just as beautiful as Horikita.

Ichinose's warmth was like sunlight, shining equally on everyone, without favor.

Maybe... it would be different once they got to know each other?

But Suzune was different. She was cold to everyone, but she made an exception for Suzuki Tsubame.

Like an... electric blanket that belonged solely to Suzuki Tsubame.

All her warmth was almost entirely tilted toward Suzuki Tsubame alone.

Although her personality was somewhat stubborn, Suzuki Tsubame actually saw that as a plus.

Naturally, Suzuki Tsubame would also lean more toward her.

After finishing dinner at Horikita's dormitory.

Suzuki Tsubame took the elevator back to his own dormitory, lying on the bed with nothing to do.

With nothing else to occupy him, he might as well check his personal stats.

"Open Personal Panel."

[Suzuki Tsubame]

[Intelligence: 9.8]

[Physique: 10]

[Skills: Board Games Mastery, Ball Sports Mastery, Photographic Memory, Martial Arts Mastery, Plant Mastery, ...]

[Items: Universal Surveillance, Human Enhancement Serum ×8, Emotion Spotlight, Presence Regulator.]

All the skill-type stuff came from farming Suzune.

As expected... Suzune's strongest trait was actually her learning ability.

Suzuki Tsubame had considered sharing the Enhancement Serum with others.

But... the Serum was said to have the ability to cure all deficiencies in the human body, practically a one-time Horse Talisman.

Such a divine artifact—using it just to boost a few stats would be far too wasteful.

Mm... since he'd looked at his personal stats, he might as well check the long-term quests too.

This matter—he hadn't done it in a long time, many days had passed.

[Long-Term Quests]

[Solitary Maiden: The girl mistakenly equates solitude with loneliness. Progress: 50%]

[Heaven-Jealoused Talent: Admire her powerful mind, pity her frail body. Progress: 50%]

[Timid Star: What comes before dazzling brilliance is boundless terror and phantoms. Progress: 10%]

[Hidden Prodigy: The girl's wisdom lies in cherishing herself, unaware that brilliance invites harm. Progress: 10%]

[Kind Mask: Yearning for attention and praise, but malice devours her first. Help Kushida Kikyo.]

[Cowardly Gal: The darkness of the past oppresses the present self; nowhere is free of bullying. Help Karuizawa Kei.]

[Obsessed Teacher: Obsession clings like a bone-deep maggot; the more you struggle, the deeper you sink. Help Chabashira Sae.]

[Imprisoned Thief: Enjoying the tightrope of freedom, loathing the silver chains of the cage. Help Kamuro Masumi.]

[Maverick Eccentric: Is it curiosity driving me? Or am I controlling the curiosity? — Morishita Ai.]

[Sensitive Angel: An angel flawless on the outside, a fragile child within. Help Ichinose Honami.]

[Fragile Child: Weakness is the girl's instinct; love tempers it into strength. Help Shiranami Chihiro.]

[Solitary Heretic: The majority does not mean right; the minority does not mean wrong. Help Himeno Yuki.]

Kushida and Suzune—they were both farmed on the same day.

Suzune was already at 50%, but Kushida hadn't budged at all.

Also, over the past few days, Suzuki Tsubame could clearly sense that Kushida Kikyo was starting to stir.

It seemed that because Suzuki Tsubame hadn't spoken to her last month, her boldness was growing.

Wait... what was this extra Morishita Ai about?

Scratching his head, Suzuki Tsubame was certain he had never seen her before.

The trigger condition for quests was very simple—just having the target within his line of sight.

But if he had seen her, there was no reason he wouldn't have any memory of her.

Forget it, overthinking was useless.

Sleep was more important.