Class 3-J classroom.
Yukinoshita's seat, much like Hikigaya's, was tucked away in the second-to-last row, right by the window on the far left. The sunlight filtered lazily through the glass, dust motes drifting in the air as the teacher droned on at the podium.
But Yukinoshita Yukino wasn't listening. Not even a little.
Her chin rested lightly on her hand, eyes staring blankly toward the blackboard, though her mind wandered far, far away. One reason for her distraction was simple—she already knew the material being taught. Whether she paid attention or not didn't change a single thing.
The more pressing reason, however, was last night.
That horrible, terrifying nightmare.
Yukino's body gave the faintest tremble as she remembered it. In her dream, there had been an endless line of women, queuing up one after another, taking turns stepping in and out of a bridal chamber she shared with Hikigaya.
Her Hikigaya.
No—her husband Hikigaya.
And all she could do was stand there, frozen, powerless to stop it, as that unfaithful scene played out before her eyes. Each time, she could hear Hikigaya's voice from inside the room, saying the most unbearable things.
"So-and-so, you're amazing!" "Compared to you, Yukinoshita isn't even worth a single hair on your head." "I'm sorry, Yukinoshita..."
Her heart clenched all over again just remembering it. She pressed her lips tightly together, drawing in a shaky breath, desperately pushing down the image.
No. No, no. It wasn't real. It was just a dream. Nothing more!
Still, the bitter aftertaste lingered.
Calm down, Yukino. Focus. You can't let yourself spiral because of some nightmare.
She exhaled slowly, forcing her attention onto something—anything—else.
Specifically, the current problem: figuring out how to get Hikigaya to "conquer" Kato Megumi next.
"...Kato Megumi, huh." Yukino sighed inwardly.
That girl was proving far too difficult.
The system had made it clear—Kato Megumi was passive. Extremely passive. Even more passive than Hikigaya himself, which was saying a lot. If she wasn't, she wouldn't still be so invisible in class. Her presence was so faint that even Hikigaya, king of negative charisma, looked impressive by comparison.
After carefully weighing the situation, Yukino had reached one conclusion: Hikigaya would have to be the one to take the initiative with her.
The only problem?
Hikigaya's favorability rating toward Kato Megumi was... negative five.
Yes, negative.
Yukino pinched the bridge of her nose, her temples throbbing.
This wasn't just difficult—it was practically impossible!
But what choice did she have?
To earn system points—points that might very well save his life—Hikigaya had to take on this task. Even if it was unpleasant. Even if it required him to go against his natural instincts.
"Hikigaya-kun, you'll just have to endure it," she whispered in her heart. "Be a little more proactive... with Kato Megumi."
Of course, she still needed to come up with some believable excuse, some way to push him toward the girl without making him suspicious.
Yukino slumped slightly in her seat.
"Just thinking about it gives me a headache..." she muttered under her breath.
Was it really possible to hit one million points in three years at this rate? Forget three years—conquering Kato Megumi alone could take six months.
Her expression darkened.
And then, as if sensing her despair, the system chimed in:
[During the process of conquering Kato Megumi, the host may also direct Hikigaya Hachiman toward other potential conquest targets to accumulate additional points.]
"Other targets...?" Yukino's eyes narrowed.
Her mind immediately jumped to Yuigahama Yui and Hikigaya Komachi. Yesterday, she had already earned 10 points from Yui and a surprising 50 from Komachi.
[Not limited to Yuigahama Yui and Hikigaya Komachi. Hikigaya Hachiman has numerous potential conquest targets. The host may acquire points from all of them.]
"...Eh?" Yukino's brow twitched. "How many are we talking about?"
[Within Soubu High School alone, conservatively estimated over 30 individuals.] [Outside Soubu High School, conservatively estimated over 50 individuals.]
"Wait... what?"
Yukino blinked rapidly, her mind grinding to a halt.
"Eighty... people?" she whispered, scandalized. "At least eighty women could... spark something with my Hikigaya-kun?"
Her headache worsened instantly.
This wasn't just an uphill battle—it was like defending a single fortress against an entire army of invaders.
So many women, all potential "capture targets." She would have to guard against them, watch them, keep her Hikigaya safe. And yet, at the same time, the cruel irony was that she needed to let those very same women get close to him... in order to gain points.
"What miserable fate is this?" Yukino groaned quietly, lowering her head to her desk for a moment. "Hikigaya-kun, help me..."
Her mind was spinning, exhaustion tugging at her thoughts—until she suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, that's right... the system store."
Lifting her head, she spoke weakly in her heart.
"Open the system store."
[System store has been opened for the host.] [PS: Due to the host's current low points, many permissions remain restricted. As the host accumulates more points, additional items and categories will unlock naturally.]
The menu appeared before her eyes, neat and simple.
At present, there were only three items listed.
The first two she recognized immediately: the enhancement potion she had used previously, and the charm-boosting potion she had once given to Hikigaya. Their prices remained steep—100 points and 50 points, respectively.
Yukino pursed her lips. The charm potion was of no interest. The last thing she wanted was for Hikigaya to transform into some kind of walking succubus, luring in women left and right.
But the strengthening potion...
Her gaze lingered on it for a long ten seconds. Twice the cost, but infinitely more practical. Still, she hesitated.
Finally, her eyes drifted down to the third option.
A one-time-use card labeled simply: Forced Affection Card.
"Eh? What is this?" Yukino frowned. "It looks... sketchy."
Cautiously, she tapped on the description.
[Forced Affection Card: After activation, Hikigaya Hachiman will instinctively seek close contact with the nearest potential conquest target. (Note: This card cannot be used on Kato Megumi.)] [First-time purchase only requires 20 points.]
Yukino blinked, stunned.
"...Forced affection? That's even possible?"
Before she could even process it fully, the system chimed in again, almost smugly:
[It is strongly recommended that the host purchase this item. Since the host is not particularly intelligent and has difficulty devising effective strategies, the Forced Affection Card can be used to 'force' Hikigaya into getting closer to nearby women.]
At that, Yukino's eyebrow twitched furiously.
"...Excuse me?" she hissed inwardly.
"Who are you calling stupid?! My grades are the highest in Soubu High School, thank you very much!" she snapped in her heart, though her lips only pressed into a thin line outwardly.
"Hmph..." She drew in a long, steady breath, trying to calm herself. "If I really do use this, will Hikigaya-kun notice anything strange?"
[Although the Forced Affection Card creates forced proximity, the effect manifests as a natural, instinctive reaction. Hikigaya Hachiman will not be consciously aware of it.]
Yukino's gaze sharpened.
So in other words... he wouldn't even realize.
After a moment's hesitation, she clenched her fist slightly and nodded to herself.
"...Alright then. Buy it."
It was only 20 points. Practically pocket change compared to the potential payoff. As long as Hikigaya didn't end up doing anything questionable with Yuigahama Yui in particular, this could be considered a worthwhile gamble.
Buy it now. Test it out. See what happens.
[Purchase confirmed. Forced Affection Card obtained.] [Host, would you like to use it immediately?]
Yukino froze, blinking.
"Eh? Wait—use it immediately? That was a rhetorical—"
[Acknowledged. Forced Affection Card in use.] [Searching for Hikigaya Hachiman's nearest potential capture target...]
"W-Wait a second!" Yukino's heart leapt into her throat. "I didn't mean it literally, you idiotic system!"
But the mechanical voice ignored her protests.
[Ding! Nearest target confirmed. Forced affection activating...] [Ding! Under effect of Forced Affection Card, Hikigaya Hachiman unconsciously reached out and touched Kasumigaoka Utaha's trembling black-silk-wrapped jade foot. System points +80.] [Ding! Weakness detected—Kasumigaoka's foot identified as a sensitive point. Additional 100% bonus applied. System points +80.]
Yukino's eyes nearly bulged out of her head.
"H-Huh?!"
In an instant... she'd earned 160 points? Off a single accidental use?
Her pulse quickened. That kind of return from a measly 20-point investment was... insane. So satisfying that for a brief moment, she almost smiled.
...Almost.
Because then the reality sank in.
"Wait, wait, wait—this is during class, isn't it?!"
Her cheeks flushed as she slammed her hands down on her desk, quickly catching herself before anyone noticed.
She had just made Hikigaya-kun... touch a girl's foot.
A classmate's foot.
In the middle of class.
Her heart tightened with guilt, a gnawing worry twisting in her chest.
"Hikigaya-kun... you're not in trouble right now... are you?"