That afternoon, Roland never expected to receive such an unusual birthday gift from his mother.
Even though it wasn't actually his birthday, she had simply made up an excuse to give it to him.
And this birthday gift turned out to be... a System.
You heard right—the kind of System that serves as a cheat-like advantage for transmigrators. His mother had casually handed it over to him.
Roland had been transmigrated to this world for nearly eighteen years. Apart from retaining his memories as a young teenage chef from his previous life, he had never gained any special advantages.
Roland had long given up on ever getting a cheat system, never imagining he'd acquire one in such a way.
This system had originally been bound to his mother. After she transferred it to him, it was renamed the "Mother's Little Task" System.
Only now did Roland belatedly realize that his mother had been a cheater all along!
But none of that mattered. Obtaining the system was something to celebrate.
At least, that's what he thought until the system's first mission popped up...
When he saw the mission, he finally understood why this broken system was called that.
[System re-binding complete. Renamed "Mother's Little Task" System.]
[Current Mission: Go on a blind date.
Mission Description: Choose one of the three targets listed below as your blind date partner.
Note: Once a target is locked in, they will never marry anyone other than the host. Please take this mission seriously.
Target Selection:Yukino Yukio (Mother Yukio), Yukino Haruno, Yukino Yuki.
*Please make your selection within 10 minutes, or the System will randomly choose a target for the mission.
Mission Objective: Achieve 100% favorability with your arranged marriage partner and complete the corresponding favorability breakthrough mission.
Mission Rewards: 1000 Points, one self-selected supernatural ability.
The Points Mall has been unlocked.]
Roland: "..."
After reading the System's mission description, Roland's mind was filled with question marks. You call this a System? he thought. It's clearly just a wild app to make him a scumbag.
Forcing him into an arranged marriage at 18 was bad enough, but why would the target he chose be unable to marry anyone else? What if he bonded with someone but failed to complete the mission? Would that condemn them to a lifetime of solitude?
And you still call this a System?
"Mom! What's this System mission all about?" Roland demanded, his face darkening as he confronted his mother.
Judging by the System's name, this arranged marriage mission probably wasn't arranged by the System itself, but by his own mother.
"Your son isn't ugly, you know. Are you so worried he won't find someone that you had to resort to this?"
Actually, Roland was quite handsome and close to his neighbour girl. He shouldn't have any trouble finding a girlfriend, right?
"It seems the mission has been triggered. All those Points I spent transferring the System to you weren't wasted," his mother said, completely ignoring his displeasure and nodding with satisfaction.
"So you were behind this mission! Why would you set up something like this?" Roland demanded angrily.
"What do you think? You're practically an adult and you've never even been in a relationship. Your mother is worried about you," she said, shaking her head in disappointment.
"I'm only eighteen! I have college entrance exams next year. Do you think now is the time for romance?"
"Exams don't matter at all. But is youth without love even youth at all?"
"Listen to yourself! Is that something a mother should say?" Roland's lips twitched involuntarily. Other mothers would kill for their children to focus on studying. Why was his mother acting like academics were irrelevant?
"And even if you wanted me to date, couldn't you have just told me directly? Why involve the System?"
"What a wonderful System! Can't you use it for something more serious?"
"Say whatever you want~. The System is already bound to you. You can't shake it off now," his mother said with a smug smile.
"What kind of mother sets her own son up like this? And why is Aunt Yukio even on the target list? Don't you think that's completely absurd?"
"Well~, I don't know exactly what type of woman you like. The Yukino Family has all three types—mother, elder sister, and younger sister—so I thought I'd give you more options."
"But I could never choose Aunt Yukio!"
"Why not? Your Aunt is mature, alluring, and still has her charm. She dotes on you so much. Are you really going to turn her down?"
"It's not about turning her down! She's my elder!"
"So what if she's an elder? You're not related by blood or family ties. If you like her, go for it son. I, as your mother will support this forbidden romance."
"You really have no shame," Roland said, despairingly rubbing his forehead.
How shameless would he have to be to target someone else's mother? And shameless is his mother for trying to set him up with her best friend.
If he actually went through with it, how would Haruno and Yuki view him afterward?
He couldn't bear that humiliation.
"Well~, it's your choice, but time's running out. If you don't decide soon, the System might randomly pick Aunt Yukio for you," his mother said with a gleeful expression.
Even though she was Roland's mother, he couldn't help but think, What a scumbag woman.
Whose fault is it that things have come to this?
Still, his mother wasn't wrong about one thing: he really didn't have much time left to hesitate.
Now that the situation was staring him in the face, no amount of complaining could change the reality. In the end, he had to face it seriously.
So, the question now was: how should he choose among the three women of the Yukino Family—the mother and her two daughters?
First, he'd skip Aunt Yukio.
Next was Haruno. In Roland mind, she was the perfect devilish older sister, possessing qualities equal to or even surpassing her younger sister's, especially in social skills and... well, her plump chest.
Don't let her dazzling smile fool you. After years of knowing her, Roland understood it was merely a mask to disguise herself. Her true nature was far more assertive, making her incredibly difficult to win over.
Finally, there was Yuki, Roland classmate. Aside from occasionally walking home together after school, they hadn't had much deeper interaction.
Roland's impression of her remained superficial: "A beautiful girl with long, straight black hair, but a terrible personality."
Their relationship wasn't bad, but it wasn't particularly good either. The difficulty of winning her over remained unclear.
This left Roland in a real bind...
After all, this matchmaking mission wasn't just a casual affair. Failure could condemn someone to a lifetime of spinsterhood.
Given these high stakes, Roland couldn't afford to make a hasty choice unless he was absolutely confident of winning someone over.
Unless one of them stepped forward and declared they didn't mind never getting married, Roland would undoubtedly choose her.
Wait a minute... now that I think about it, there actually is someone who wouldn't mind not getting married again.
Roland's gaze hesitantly returned to Yukino Yukio.
Aunt Yukio, 40 years old, married (Widow).
As a married woman with two grown daughters, the chances of Aunt Yukio remarrying were extremely low.
In other words, if Roland chose Yukio, even if he didn't actively pursue her, he wouldn't have to worry about her future marriage prospects.
Thinking it through, Aunt Yukio seemed like his best option.
But... could he really choose someone who was his elder?
As this thought crossed his mind, the image of Aunt Yukio—a mature, voluptuous, and elegant lady—surfaced in Roland mind, stirring a flicker of deep emotion within him.
Mother was right. Aunt Yukio wasn't just doting on him; she was an absolute beauty.
Few could meet Aunt Yukio without feeling a stir in their heart. None could control themselves liking a woman like that.
So... should he choose Aunt Yukio?
Roland couldn't help but admit that a rebellious thought had flashed through his mind. Despite knowing Aunt Yukio was his elder and the mother of someone he knew well, he still felt an overwhelming urge to choose her.
The impulse was so strong that he couldn't control his hand!
By the time Roland regained his senses, the System had already locked onto Aunt Yukio, sealing his fate.
Ah... I'm doomed.
But not entirely!
Upon reflection, while this choice was undeniably audacious and somewhat forbidden, it was merely a desperate measure to appease the System task.
Besides, choosing her didn't necessarily mean he had to pursue her. He didn't need to worry about Aunt Yukio's marriage prospects anyway. If things got too awkward, he could simply slack off and avoid the pursuit altogether.
As for whether this decision would be unfair to Aunt Yukio's husband...
Come on, Aunt Yukio doesn't even have a husband! Her husband was taken by kxk Syndrome seventeen years ago, remember?
Thus, Roland made this decision with remarkably little guilt...
Well, aside from his mother's teasing smile, he felt relatively guilt-free.
"Have you made your choice?" His mother looked at him with a playful expression, as if she already knew what he had decided.
Roland's heart skipped a beat. Could she actually see my choice? After all, this System used to be hers.
"I've decided..."
"Then tell your mother quickly. Who did you choose?"
"Uh... it's... Big sister Haruno." Roland hesitated, too embarrassed to admit he had chosen Aunt Yukio, whom he regarded as his elder, an aunt whole life. He could only apologize to Haruno in his heart.
"Are you sure it's Haruno?" His mother narrowed her eyes.
"Yes... I'm sure."
"Alright~, let's say it's Haruno. Then Mommy will go inform your~ Aunt Yukio and have little Haruno come keep you company for your matchmaking." His mother smiled faintly, said no more, and moved aside to contact Aunt Yukio.
This left Roland feeling deeply uneasy. Could it be that everything I've done has been part of this mother's calculations all along?