(About 1 Hour Ago)
***
Reiji was up early, even though it was a wonderful Saturday and he should realistically be lounging around without a care in the world, like a normal teenager would do.
But nope, he was up and about, toiling in the kitchen to make a large pot of Japanese Curry.
Ever since he had tasted Ren's incredibly spicy dish, he had wanted to try and create his own version with a more subtle and deeper flavour profile.
Before transmigrating, Alex didn't have much experience with Eastern cooking styles or recipes, so he was primarily making Japanese meals to catch up on this lack of experience.
"And I'm sure those two will like it," he chuckled.
But there was a trace of hidden worry laced in his words.
Because he knew what would happen today.
Technically, the next major event would happen on Monday, when Haruna would request Hina to tutor her in order to make a push for the Top 10 spot for the scholarship prize.
She wouldn't outright tell her about the debt situation, which no one at school was supposed to know, but simply ask her friend for help.
But Reiji, who had played the entire game, knew that her urgency was because she received a notice from her landlord informing her to pay the rent, otherwise they would be evicted.
The player/Riku would overhear their conversation, and as always, would be given a list of choices.
1) Propose they all study together for the midterms
2) Propose tutoring Haruna yourself, without Hina joining in
3) Step back and let Hina teach Haruna one-on-one
4) Ask Hina to tutor you one-on-one instead
Because the Player was supposed to be unaware of her financial situation at this point of time, especially in the first playthrough, many would think the given options would just determine which Heroine to aim for.
They'd assume that tutoring either Haruna or Hina one-on-one would help raise affection levels with them, while the group option would lead to a balanced result.
Letting the two women study with each other 'might' just forgo the opportunity to get close with them, so it was the least popular choice.
However, the only option here that would actually let Haruna take the Top 10 spot was if Hina taught her by herself.
The catch is, this would come at the cost of her own grades falling a couple of spots due to exhaustion and not being able to work on her own weak areas.
Although Hina didn't really mind because she was still ranked highly, Haruna felt slightly guilty.
The devs truly were cruel; occasionally, there was never an option that would make everyone completely happy.
Oftentimes, someone would have to lose out, which was why getting a harem ending was much more difficult than one would expect.
'Well, that doesn't matter anymore. I can change that with my own two hands.'
Reiji started sealing the pot, planning to take it over to their house as an excuse to find a way to help them out.
He previously considered paying off their debt right away, since he had more than enough after all.
'But they'd kill me when they find out.'
As kind and righteous as those two were, that was also their most frustrating aspect. When the player managed to raise enough money by himself to repay Haruna's debts, the guilt ate them up on the inside.
In those routes, even if the player marries Haruna, she would always feel more guilt and obligation rather than love.
Though Reiji wasn't doing this to get into her pants, the guilt was still a factor.
'Plus, wouldn't it be more gratifying and fulfilling to pay it off with your own efforts?'
Reiji had a plan on how to help Haruna make money with her own hard work, but the priority was still to help her get into the Top 10.
This would buy him some time to put the plan into motion.
He changed into some casual outerwear, a pair of black pants and a white full-length t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
Since he was carrying a large pot, he hailed a taxi instead of taking the 15-minute walk. Within a few minutes, he reached the building that looked like it was built a hundred years ago.
'It's kinda similar to that blackmailer's apartment, just slightly bigger.'
As he walked over to the stairs, lugging the still-warm pot in his arms, a grumbling man with a massive wobbling belly descended at the same time.
"Those poverty-stricken little shits.... I'm gonna get my money if it's the last thing I do," he muttered under his breath.
Reiji narrowed his eyes and glared at the man's flabby back as he toddled off on his comparatively tiny feet. He had an urge to walk over and smack his sweaty face, but he reigned in his anger.
'My fucking temper....tch.'
He shook his head and decided to focus on why he was here in the first place.
He climbed the stairs and knocked on their door, waiting for a few seconds with no answer.
A bit of confusion took over as he couldn't even hear the faintest whisper from beyond the plank of wood separating them.
'Don't tell me they're not home....'
He knocked a second time and still got no answer.
This time, he recalled the irritated look of the man leaving the building and had a thought.
'Maybe they're pretending not to be home?'
"Haruna? Granny? Is nobody home? .....What am I gonna do with all this food?" he called out, hoping that his voice would be heard if they were inside.
A loud thumping movement was finally heard after another moment of no response, steps approaching the door rapidly as Haruna flung the door open in surprise.
"Reiji-tan? What are you doing here?"
Her confusion was evident, but so was her happiness.
Reiji snorted and walked in as if he owned the place, kicking his shoes off because his arms were occupied.
"Did both of you have headphones on or something? I thought no one was home," he asked.
Haruna stared blankly at the giant pot in his arms, her mouth watering involuntarily as the heavenly aroma wafted through the closed lid.
"Can you cook some rice? I made curry and thought you guys might like some," he said, placing the vessel on the stove before turning to Granny. "What's wrong with you? Finally decided to act your age?"
The old woman, who was looking at him with soft eyes, hardened her expression before retorting.
"Why are you here, you brat? Decided to ruin my weekend as well?"
"If my curry somehow ruins your weekend, you need to get new taste buds because yours have probably rotted with age."
He saw the cut-up pieces of fruit on the counter and the tea, and understood that Haruna was making his recipe.
"I can finish making the iced tea while you make the rice," Reiji stated, picking up the knife.
"...I'm so lost right now," Haruna mumbled, with a wide smile on her face.
"Why?"
"I mean, who just shows up to someone's house with this much food? What if we weren't home?"
"Then I'd just go back?" Reiji tilted his head as if the answer was obvious.
"..."
Haruna turned away and knelt down to take out the rice from the pantry, her faint blush and racing heart making it difficult to look at him straight.
"Need any help?" Granny called out, though her relaxed demeanor suggested she had no intention of getting up.
"Nah, don't want your bones crumbling while walking over here," Reiji chuckled, carefully making the infusion.
"Hmph, my bones are as strong as iron! How do you think I carry my wheelbarrow every day?"
"Witchcraft."
"Go to hell!"
"You'd probably get there well before me," he said, sticking his tongue out.
Granny couldn't help but burst out laughing, admitting defeat in this particular battle.
But the War of Words was far from over; she'd get her chance in the future.
While preparing the drinks, Reiji was scanning the room for the notice the man had probably dropped off.
He saw a piece of paper, slightly crumpled and tucked away behind a flower pot on the countertop ledge. Checking that neither of them was paying attention to him, he reached over and unfolded the document.
He needed a way to bring up the topic naturally, and this was the easiest and simplest method.
He read the paper carefully, a knowing sigh escaping his lips as he took in the contents. The owed amount was pretty big, considering the main debt they also had to account for.
"What's this?" Reiji asked, feigning confusion as he held out the paper.
Haruna turned back, but when she saw him with the notice in his hands, her eyes widened in horror.
Shame and embarrassment coursed through her body as she turned red, clutching her shirt in discomfort.
Granny's expression was also dark, standing up without knowing what to say.
They both stood quietly, waiting for his next sentence as they looked down at their feet quietly.
"Hmmm..... I guess we gotta make some money?"