Tokyo: Love Begins with Controlling the Rich Girl

Shimada Sho came from a poor background, but he had never actually swept the floor much.

Following the young lady's instructions, they began sweeping the fallen leaves from the edge of the square towards the center, one by one.

How big is your family's shrine?

While working, he observed the ancient shrine in front of him and chatted casually.

"It's not very big," Yukine Kamishiro replied after thinking for a moment. "It covers an area of ​​about 10,000 square meters."

Is 10,000 square meters not considered big?

Shimada Sho was speechless.

"Behind the main hall is a grove of trees, which is the burial ground of the ancestors of the Kamishiro family. To the left is the Kagura Hall, and to the right is the Treasure Hall. Further back is a tea room where my mother sometimes entertains guests."

As Yukine Kamishiro introduced the shrine, her words were filled with enthusiasm.

Shimada Sho couldn't help but ask, "Are you very familiar with this place?"

"Hmm." Her tone was flat. "I used to come here to play a lot when I was little."

After she finished speaking, she asked, "Would Mr. Thug like to take a look around?"

"Let's finish sweeping first," Shimada Sho said, continuing to sweep.

The square wasn't big, and he swept it clean in about twenty minutes.

After piling the fallen leaves in a corner, Shimada Sho put down the broom and began wiping the stone lantern.

The surface of the stone lantern was wet, and he wiped it piece by piece with a rag. It was really hard work to clean the uneven surface.

"Mr. Thug".

"Ok?"

Do you know why stone lanterns need to be cleaned?

"do not know."

“My mother said it was so that God could see the way.”

"There's such a saying?" Shimada Sho found it quite interesting.

The young lady answered with a devout tone, "Every morning, the god comes out of the stone lantern to inspect the shrine. If the lantern is too dirty, he can't see the way."

"I see," Shimada Sho replied, indicating that he understood.

She suddenly asked, "Does Mr. Thug believe in God?"

"I don't know," Shimada Sho replied casually.

He definitely doesn't believe it.

As a staunch atheist, even if something like time travel or reincarnation happened, I simply cannot connect it with gods.

But after learning about the young lady's identity as a shrine maiden, he felt it was best not to bring up such a thing for debate.

“When I wipe the lantern, I can feel that there is something inside. I’ve even made a wish on it before.”

Shimada Sho continued wiping the lantern, and in the quiet morning light, Kamishiro Yukine spoke softly.

Shimada Sho didn't ask her what specific wish she had made.

After wiping the last stone lantern, he put the rag aside, straightened up, and exhaled.

The morning mist had mostly dissipated, and sunlight streamed through the gaps in the cedar trees, making the roof of the main hall gleam with a golden sheen.

"What's next?"

Shimada Sho asked her about the next steps and glanced at the countdown timer.

Ten minutes left.

"Go inside the main hall and offer incense to the statue of the deity."

In her mind, Yukine Kamishiro explained what to do next.

He followed the instructions and entered the main hall, where he saw a statue of a deity enshrined in the very center.

The stone statue's features were obscured by a curtain hanging down from its head.

Below it are incense burners and offerings, and on both sides are several ever-burning lamps with flickering flames.

"The fragrance is there."

Shimada Sho took out an incense stick from the box next to him, lit it with the flame of the ever-burning lamp, and put it into the incense burner.

Wisps of smoke rose and swirled in the dim light.

What else do we need to do?

"Bow down and you can make a wish."

Shimada Sho clasped his hands together and bowed slightly.

"What did Mr. Thug wish for?"

"I didn't make a wish," Shimada Sho answered bluntly.

"Then why do we worship?"

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

"Oh," Yukine Kamishiro responded, then whispered, "I've made the promise."

"What was promised?"

"Don't tell you."

Shimada Sho shook his head and smiled, no longer asking questions.

After leaving the main hall, he glanced at the time again; there wasn't much left.

Yukine Kamishiro probably sensed it too, so she whispered a reminder in her mind, "Mr. Thug, don't forget to come with me to Nozomi's house after school this afternoon."

"I can't forget it," Shimada Sho answered instinctively.

We agreed yesterday that I would testify today and help resolve the issue with Sasaki... no, wait!

Shimada Sho suddenly realized.

He did not promise anything in his capacity as Mr. Thug.

This was an agreement that the young lady made with him offline.

He shouldn't know this now.

The young lady shouldn't have given that kind of advice...

“Mr. Thug.” Yukine Kamishiro’s voice rang out again, with a hint of a smile, “You agreed so quickly.”

"...What?" Shimada Sho chose to play dumb.

Yukine Kamishiro said calmly, "I asked Mr. Thug to come to Nozomi's house with me after school this afternoon, and he agreed without even asking."

"..." Shimada Sho didn't know how to respond to that.

After thinking for a long time, he awkwardly tried to make amends, "Because... I will agree to anything you think is important."

"Is that so?" Yukine's voice held a hint of slyness. "Does Mr. Thug know where Nozomi's house is?"

"……do not know."

"Then how will you come with me?"

Shimada Sho fell silent again.

Of course he knew.

He not only knew where Nozomi Sasaki's house was, but he had also been there once.

But as a thug, he shouldn't have known.

“Mr. Thug,” Yukine Kamishiro’s voice was light and airy, “Are you hiding something from me?”

"No." Shimada Sho replied without changing his expression.

"Oh," Yukine Kamishiro responded, without asking any further questions.

But Shimada Sho always felt that she was trying hard to hold back her laughter.

Chapter Thirteen: The System's Hypnotic Tools

【Ding! 】

This connection did not trigger any tasks, and no rewards will be awarded.

[A slight change in the character "Kamishiro Yukine's" mindset has been detected; character progression is updating...]

【Kamidai Yukiyin】

Age: 16

[Tags: Lack of common sense, speedrunner of a Tokyo delinquent group, copycat madman, bloodhound, transfer student, daring]

Current progress: 63% (+3%)

[Connection Cooldown: 11 hours 59 minutes 03 seconds (Reset)]

Shimada Sho's consciousness returned to the classroom, and the results panel popped up in front of him.

Looking at the newly added "[Boldly in]" tag, Shimada Sho shook his head and smiled wryly.

The young lady was clearly teasing him on purpose.

Using that knowing-it-all question, I smiled and watched him slip up.

But he couldn't lash out; he could only grit his teeth and pretend to be stupid.

The once innocent young lady suddenly learned how to flirt, and ironically, she fell for it herself.

It's both infuriating and hilarious.

He looked away from the label with some frustration and glanced at the progress bar below.

This time it increased by 3%, returning to the position of 63.

Since that sharp drop to 45%, the progress has been climbing at a snail's pace, taking several days to go from 60% to 63%.

Shimada Sho kept an eye on the progress and finally felt a little relieved.

Putting aside the young lady's flirting with him, at least his training progress has increased.

Rewards were unlocked the first time I broke through 20% and 50%.

If the price increases further, will there be any new rewards?

50% is for character slots, will 70% be available? What about 100%?

Will new features be added, or will there be more advanced rewards?

Thinking about the reward, Shimada Sho was unusually excited.

Currently, among the three characters, the young lady has 63%, Ayase Yuki has 0%, and Amami Chizuru has 75%.

The young idol is making the most progress, not far from 80%.

She is the most likely to reach 100% first.

Of course, the prerequisite is to first solve her current health problems.

Clear away those uncontrollable impulses fueled by the Bond Quest.

Otherwise, it's not impossible for the progress to get stuck at 75%.

The necklace needs to be given to her as soon as possible.

Shimada Sho glanced at the time; there were still three classes before lunch break.

Let's start class.

With that in mind, he closed the system panel, took out his books, and focused on his studies.

Perhaps because his studies have improved and he can keep up with the course progress, he no longer finds the most tedious island history lessons boring.

He was so engrossed in class that he didn't have time to observe Chizuru Amami's condition.

On occasional glances, you'll notice that her face is always flushed.