The days passed like this, one after another. Either Satoru Gojo was beating me up in the name of martial arts training, or that shameless teacher was dragging me out to exorcise Cursed Spirits while he went off to line up for limited-edition desserts!!!
The following was Takechi's recollection:
"Go, Edano! Your teacher has already put up a [Curtain] for you! There's something absolutely urgent I need to take care of, so remember to contact me when you're done!" Satoru Gojo's voice was so sugary that he sounded like one of my high school girl classmates.
It gave me goosebumps all over. Truly, nobody did sleazy charm like Gojo!
"Yeah, yeah, don't worry. Go on, Gojo-sensei. I can handle this."
But when I easily exorcised the Cursed Spirit and went to find Satoru Gojo after receiving his text, I spotted an incredibly conspicuous white-haired man, who looked about six foot three, towering over the crowd. He was lining up for desserts again!!!
I felt utterly helpless and screamed inwardly.
Satoru Gojo, you're twenty-eight, not eight! Your student is busting her ass fighting Cursed Spirits while you're buying desserts. What kind of person does that?!!!
Meanwhile, Satoru Gojo grinned like an idiot, showing all his teeth. As though afraid I wouldn't see him, he raised his hand high and called out at the top of his lungs, "Edano~ Your teacher is over here!"
I know you're there! You're so conspicuous that ignoring you would be harder! Now everyone is looking at me. I'm going to shatter into pieces, aaaaaah!
I lowered my head, mortified enough to dig a three-bedroom apartment into the ground with my toes. My ears and face felt ready to explode from blushing. Feeling all those intense stares, I decided to pretend I didn't know him.
"Ahahaha, this ground sure is ground. Hahaha, these shoes sure are shoes, ahahaha." I turned decisively. "Huh? I think someone's calling me. I'll go check over there, hahaha." Then I acted as though nothing had happened and prepared to walk away.
"What! Edano, you're pretending you don't know your teacher? I'm so hurt, boo-hoo..." With that, he left the line, rushed over, hugged me, and buried his head in the crook of my neck, sobbing.
Huh??! His fluffy hair tickled my neck. Feeling that presence so utterly different from a girl's, I turned so red I was practically the Mount Fuji on Jogo's head, and my head went fuzzy too. Satoru Gojo, respect some personal space, you scumbag!
I wanted to push him away, but with everyone around us looking at me like I was a scumbag, I had no idea what to do. All I could do was awkwardly raise both hands to show I hadn't done anything, then try in a whisper to awaken a shred of that rotten teacher's conscience. "Satoru Gojo! Hurry up and explain!"
Out of my sight, Satoru Gojo smiled triumphantly, then said in that sugary voice, "Ah~ Whatever shall we do~ Your teacher doesn't know how to explain either."
I took a deep breath and softened my tone, trying to negotiate with this old man who was pushing thirty but had the mental age of three. "Gojo-sensei, Satoru Gojo, Gojo-kun, how about I buy you a limited-edition dessert? Stand up straight first, and we can talk things through."
"Hehe, then I want the limited-edition Strawberry Daifuku that Edano buys for me." Satoru Gojo nuzzled my neck in a spoiled little gesture. It tickled. He was like a clingy white kitty...
"Okay, okay, okay! Whatever you want!"
At that, Satoru Gojo finally raised his head in satisfaction and pulled me by the arm to the back of the line.
I looked up at Satoru Gojo, who looked as smug as a white peacock that had won a fight, then at the long line, and tugged on the hem of his clothes.
Satoru Gojo bent down, bringing his head close to mine. "Hm? What is it, Edano?"
Ignoring Satoru Gojo's wounded gaze, I pushed his head a little farther away. "Gojo-sensei, aren't you the Gojo Clan Head? Why do you have to line up for desserts yourself?"
"Right, right, so that's what you wanted to ask. Because it makes it feel like an occasion! Don't you think it builds your anticipation for the dessert to the max, Edano?" Satoru Gojo looked at me excitedly.
"Okay, when you put it like that, it really does." I patted his arm in agreement.
Huh? Come to think of it, he didn't have Limitless on?
Returning from my memories, I lay on the soft, large bed in my dorm room, relaxed my body, and spoke to Xiao Ba in my mind.
By the way, Xiao Ba, what identity did you arrange for me? Why does it feel pretty impressive?
Hehehe, dear host, Xiao Ba secretly upgraded while you were training! Xiao Ba is no longer a beta version, but the full release, with new features unlocked. Opening your personal panel now.
[Name: Takechi] [Gender: Female] [Age: 18] [Height: 171] [Cursed Technique: Netherworld Crossing Guide (unawakened)] [Constitution: Word Manifestation, plus version] [Move: Soul Sealing] [Cursed Tool: Special Grade Cursed Tool · Silk Ribbon] [Identity: The only daughter of a reclusive family long settled in China, and sole inheritor of a large fortune. Born due to the curse of a secret family art, with a frail constitution that cannot be ignored.]
Ah... Doesn't this identity leave out way too much? Isn't it way too half-assed?
Right, right, leaving so much out is exactly what gives you room to improvise! Don't worry, host. Make up whatever you like. With Xiao Ba here, even the Six Eyes won't spot anything!
Fine, you've barely convinced me. Also, shouldn't you tell me what this unawakened Cursed Technique of mine is?
Ah, well... Xiao Ba doesn't know the specifics either, dear. But darling, you can unlock your potential through a brush with death. Maybe that'll awaken it, dear! That syrupy little-boy voice made me seriously suspect Xiao Ba had been secretly taking lessons from Satoru Gojo.
I suddenly noticed something was off.
...Xiao Ba, are you hiding something from me? It was a question, but my tone was certain.
Ahahaha, of course not, dear host...
You keep pushing me to the brink of death. Don't tell me you get something out of it?
Ah, how could I-no, no, dear host, you're overthinking it. Even Xiao Ba's little-boy voice had lost its sugary sweetness. The guilt might as well have been written all over his face.
Your guilt is practically written on your face. Tell me the truth!
...Fine, host. It's actually because when you enter an enlightenment state, I gain energy to upgrade. And fear of death is the best way to draw out your potential, so I...
But I swear, I absolutely never meant to harm you, dear host! Entering an enlightenment state really does benefit you!
So, this is a win-win?
I sighed. What actually upset me was that Xiao Ba had hidden it from me. If he'd told me outright, I wouldn't have minded; I would have worked even harder instead. I was afraid there was no such thing as kindness without a reason in this world. Knowing there was a motive actually made me feel safer.
Xiao Ba, don't hide things from me next time. You're the person closest to me in this other world. I don't want you keeping secrets from me... I'm really upset...
Boo-hoo-hoo, dear host, I'm sorry! I'll never hide anything from you again! The main system rewarded me after my upgrade. I'll give it all to you right now, boo-hoo-hoo...
The system's notification chime rang out.
[Ding! Received Roulette Draws ×3] [Ding! Received bank deposit: 80 million] [Ding! Received "How to Improve the Relationship Between a System and Its Host" ×1] [Ding! Received "Three Sentences to Make Your Host Obey Your Every Word" ×1] [Ding! Received Delicious System Energy Orbs ×5]
Poor kid. I'd conned him out of everything, right down to his underwear.
My conscience twinged a little.
I'll keep the money and the draws. He can have the rest back.
I silently selected the items, then clicked send.
Oh! Dear host, you're so good to me! From now on, whenever Xiao Ba gets anything good, I'll give it to you right away! The voice of that sweet little dimwit rang out in my head.
It's fine, it's fine. Xiao Ba is my absolute favorite system. Who else would I be good to? How had I never noticed how innocent this poor kid was? Oh no, now my conscience hurts even more.
Hehehe, dear host, Xiao Ba loves you most of all!
Before you continue