David sat at his desk, pretending to scroll through spreadsheets on his company laptop. The ¥1,300,000 start-up fund he'd received after entering Slot C was mostly untouched—he was waiting for the right moment to invest it, ideally without drawing too much attention.
"Morning, David," came a soft voice.
He looked up and saw Yukari Himemizu standing at the doorway, her arms folded as usual, expression unreadable.
"Morning," he replied, offering a polite smile.
She stepped in, holding a tablet. "We're visiting a partner company today. Try not to embarrass me."
David grinned. "I'll do my best to keep my jokes under five per hour."
She gave him a sideways glance but didn't respond. Her silence was either deadly or indifferent—David had yet to decide which.
Once Yukari left, another message blinked in his system interface.
SYSTEM NOTICE: Route Progress – [Yukari Himemizu] Affection Level: 8% Hidden Event Chance: 12% Stay alert.
"Yeah, because business meetings are just so romantic," David muttered under his breath.
Just as he turned back to his screen, there was a soft knock.
"Come in," he said automatically.
The door creaked open, and Airi slipped inside like a shadow—smiling in a way that meant trouble.
"Yo," she said, popping a strawberry candy into her mouth. "Busy, boss?"
David glanced at the door. "You know Yukari doesn't want you around during work hours."
"I'm not technically in the company. I'm freelancing," she said with a wink. "Anyway, I brought tea. The good kind."
She slid a cup toward him and leaned down just a little too close, her lips almost brushing his ear. "You look stressed. Maybe I can help."
David coughed. "You can help by not getting me fired."
"Where's the fun in that?" she purred, plopping onto the couch and stretching like a lazy cat. "So, have you asked her out yet?"
He blinked. "What?"
"Yukari. Ice Princess Extraordinaire. Come on, you two are alone in an office all day. Isn't there, like, sexual tension or something?"
David looked horrified. "No! And lower your voice, she might still be in the building."
Airi grinned. "Relax. She probably left to go yell at another CEO."
The system pinged again.
SYSTEM ALERT: Side Route Event Triggered – Airi Minase Affection Boost: +4% Condition: Flirtation success
David sighed. "You're doing this on purpose."
"Doing what?" she asked innocently, swinging her legs.
He rubbed his temples. "You know flirting with me while I'm in the middle of this Yukari route is going to cause chaos."
"Exactly," she said with a little hum. "But only if she finds out. Which she won't. Unless you say something."
David gave her a look. "I won't."
"Good." She stood up and smoothed her skirt. "Oh, by the way, I signed you up for a dinner party with some executives. Don't worry, you'll thank me later."
"Wait, what?" David started to protest, but she was already halfway out the door.
"Oh, and wear something hot," she called back. "I like my men confident."
The door shut behind her with a soft click, leaving David in silence.
He stared at his laptop, then at the tea she left behind. It had a little heart drawn on the lid in pink marker.
"I'm going to die," he muttered.
SYSTEM WARNING: Cross-route Interference Detected Risk Level: Moderate Tip: Keep interactions discreet to avoid suspicion
No pressure.
Later that evening, Yukari invited David to a high-rise dinner on the 37th floor of Himemizu Tower. The view? Beautiful. The pressure? Soul-crushing. It wasn't a date—God, no—it was just business. At least that's what she said.
David sat across from her, dressed in a sleek black blazer Airi made him wear.
"Still with me, David?" Yukari asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Huh? Yeah. Totally. Just… processing the numbers," he replied.
Yukari didn't look convinced, but she didn't press. "You've been spacing out lately."
SYSTEM NOTICE: Hidden Route Flag — Yukari Himemizu [Activated] Scenario Unlocked: "Evening Elegance" Dialogue Choices Available: [A] Compliment her hair [B] Ask about her company [C] Say nothing
David internally sighed. "Why is this more stressful than fighting monsters?"
He chose [A].
"I like how you styled your hair tonight. Looks really good on you."
Yukari blinked. Her fork stopped halfway to her mouth. "…Thank you."
Silence hung for a moment too long. Then she picked up her wine glass. "You're being oddly… bold today."
David shrugged. "Just trying to be honest."
Her lips twitched like she was trying not to smile. "Careful. Honesty is dangerous."
SYSTEM UPDATE: Yukari Affection +6% Progress: 14% Status: Curious
After the dinner, David walked her to the parking garage, pretending not to see the awkward way her fingers hovered near his arm before pulling back.
Just as she stepped into her black company car, she paused. "By the way… that girl. Airi. She's been around a lot, hasn't she?"
David froze. Crap.
"She's just… helping with some planning," he lied.
Yukari stared at him for a second. "Right. Planning."
The door shut.
SYSTEM WARNING: Suspicion Level: Low Be careful.
Back at his dorm, David collapsed onto his bed, only for Airi to pop up from behind his desk holding chips.
"Guess who hacked the internal memo board and got you a half-day off tomorrow?" she grinned.
"Airi. I swear. You're going to get me killed."
"Don't be dramatic. I'm helping you build the harem of your dreams," she teased.
David rolled over and groaned into his pillow. "I didn't ask for a harem."
"Too late. You're the protagonist now, baby."
SYSTEM MEMO: Questline: [Slot C] Active Side-Route "Flirtation with Fire" [Progress: 35%] Main Route "Himemizu Heiress" [Progress: 14%]
David stared at the glowing interface in his mind and muttered, "This is going to explode in my face."
Airi.
Wearing a black cardigan draped over a simple skirt, her presence was like a whisper from another world.
"You... you're not supposed to be here," David said, eyes wide, unsure if he was dreaming or if the system had glitched again.
She smirked. "Who said I follow the rules?"
She slipped inside, the scent of vanilla trailing behind her. He shut the door slowly, heart pounding faster than it should. The system didn't ping—no new quest, no new route. Just her.
"I missed you," she said, walking closer, eyes holding his like a spell. "It's hard... watching you play along with a world that doesn't know who you really are."
David didn't say anything. His throat was dry.
Airi stepped in, placing a hand against his chest. "You've been patient. With them. With this world. With everything."
"Airi—"
She silenced him with a kiss. It started soft, slow. But it deepened fast. Too fast.
Her hands slipped under his shirt, her breath warming his skin. "Say it," she whispered. "Tell me you want this."
"I do," he breathed. "I want you."
She pushed him gently toward the bed. Her eyes glinted, playful and daring. "Then take me."
Their lips crashed again. Every touch burned, every second felt stolen.
Clothes fell away between rushed kisses and breathless moans.
"Ahhh…" Airi gasped, her body arching into him. "Yess… faster…"
David groaned, kissing her neck, his hands roaming her back.
"I want you," she whispered again, voice trembling, desperate. "All of you."
He pressed closer, responding to every cry, every breath.
"Don't stop," she said, gripping the sheets. "Please… don't stop…"
They moved in sync, rhythm building, hearts pounding louder than the rain outside.
"Faster," Airi gasped again. "Harder… David… Ahh—yes!"
He lost himself in the moment. In her.
Time blurred. It wasn't about the system or quests anymore. It was about this—something real. Something raw.
When it finally slowed, when their breathing settled, David held her close. Airi rested her head on his chest, fingers tracing invisible circles on his skin.
"No one can know I was here," she murmured.
"I know."
"Not even Yukari," she added, her voice softer now. "She doesn't know the truth. About any of it."
David nodded. "She won't."
The room was quiet, except for the steady rhythm of their hearts.
And for once, the system stayed silent.