Initially, Yuu hesitated about whether he should go through the trouble of finding her.
The reason for his hesitation was simple—as a boyfriend, how could he sit idly at home knowing his girlfriend was in a bad mood and facing more problems lately?
Of course, he had to find a way to surprise her!
That's what logic dictated. But Yuu wasn't an ordinary boyfriend; he was a rental boyfriend who had to separate "reality" from "fiction."
For a rental boyfriend, this wasn't a surprise—it was meddling too much, bringing personal feelings into work. It was fine if the other party took the initiative, but he shouldn't proactively interfere in Haruno's "reality."
And just as Yuu was about to dismiss the impulsive idea that didn't feel like him, he saw her message:
Perfect, there's the reason.
All doubts vanished, and Yuu set off immediately, ready to cross over a hundred kilometers.
"By the way, our relationship isn't just an ordinary rental anymore, so shouldn't we just do what we want?"
Only then did he realize this truth.
Looking back—if there were no rental relationship, no system, with the mutual affection they had now, would he follow Haruno's order and travel that far to find her?
The answer was absolutely not!
…At least his tone would be a bit nicer.
Considering Haruno had paid so much and treated him well, going once wasn't a big deal. Yuu wasn't that stingy.
So, after telling Sora he'd be going far and might return late, Yuu began gathering information.
Seeing her "Just kidding~" reply later, Haruno likely wouldn't be upfront, so Yuu shifted his target to the "dumb guy her age" she mentioned.
Smoothly, he got their current address from Kouichirou, looked up transportation and basic info about Four Seasons Resort Manor online, and boarded the shinkansen.
From Tokyo to Karuizawa, one hour and twenty minutes.
Clear weather, fragrant air, passing through a clean, beautiful small town like a different world from the big city. With a taxi driver's help, Yuu finally arrived at the main gate of Four Seasons Resort Manor.
After observing briefly, as Kouichirou said, security was tight. Every vehicle passing the gate was thoroughly checked; even with a tourist bus, he couldn't sneak in if they didn't disembark.
While Yuu stood outside the gate, observing like a curious tourist, a security guard soon turned his gaze toward him, approaching with a serious expression.
Yuu glanced at the system panel, praying the "status" would work as expected, then boldly stepped forward.
"Sir, excuse me…"
"Oh, Brother Kubo, uh… good morning." Glancing at the name tag on his chest, Yuu scratched his head, showing the expression of a shy teen who was [slightly anxious, a bit awkward, but forced to smile].
"Sorry, I'm heading to the security post now. I left something there last time."
The security guard named Kubo paused, his eyes slightly confused, then nodded: "I-I see… You were sneaking around looking into the area, so I thought you were suspicious."
Tugging at his collar, Yuu flushed slightly, stammering with difficulty:
"I'm scared of getting scolded, okay? Please don't tell anyone… If Brother Maro finds out, I could get fired."
Pointing upward, his eyes showed fear and trepidation.
Kubo understood immediately, patting his shoulder sympathetically, comforting him: "Muro from HR can't keep his mouth shut. He's chewed out so many people they've run off, and we've only been open a short time… It's fine, I'll keep it quiet. Go ahead!"
"Thanks, Brother Kubo!"
Yuu nodded vigorously with gratitude, then circled around Kubo, lowering his head and jogging through the gate.
His face, hidden in the shadows, slowly revealed a sly [all according to plan] expression.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
In Google Maps reviews, many park employees gave one-star ratings.
Without exception, they all initially praised [Four Seasons], then harshly criticized an HR manager named Maro in the park. He was rude, loose-lipped, used connections to suck up to superiors, treated subordinates like they weren't human, always found faults, and had driven away over five employees so far.
After Yuu memorized this info, he refreshed the page, and the negative reviews mysteriously vanished.
"Even controlling reviews, that's impressive."
But it had nothing to do with him. What mattered was that it could be used—and as it turned out, he succeeded in infiltrating the Manor without even needing that info.
No Suspicion Whatsoever.
This was a single-use status he got one day alongside Waterproof. Its effect was like Doraemon's stone hat, letting someone enter and exit any place without the slightest suspicion.
It could be a women's bathroom or the prime minister's residence. Human eyes and security cameras would automatically assume "there's no issue with him being there; his actions aren't suspicious at all." It was arguably the perfect infiltration method, short of storming through a crowd.
Of course, to be safe, Yuu still used Perfect Acting as a backup, making himself seem like a low-level employee, infiltrating the Manor with "No Suspicion Whatsoever."
"Three-story building by the lake… Oh, hi, good work."
He greeted a real employee naturally, looking around for the building Kouichirou described.
No one doubted his identity, just as no one cared about a butterfly fluttering by.
After finding the right place, Yuu realized he forgot to ask which floor. No matter—searching floor by floor would do.
Like exploring a monster-filled map in stealth mode, finding it intriguing, Yuu took the risk this time, opening every door on the first floor.
The entire building seemed reserved by them. Aside from one large private room with people, the others were empty. He could only sigh at the elegantly decorated small building, likely costing a fortune.
"Excuse me, does the sake need a refill?"
"No need, thank you."
"Very well, enjoy."
Closing the sliding door, Yuu walked upstairs, pondering.
He couldn't tell which father was whose, but the mothers were obvious…
The woman in an elegant kimono, well-proportioned, with black hair pinned up, exuding calm, was clearly Haruno's mother.
Her face and gaze bore some resemblance.
(Will that woman end up like her someday?)
Yuu thought briefly, then shook his head, amused.
In his eyes, Haruno's facade had almost completely crumbled.
So he knew Haruno wasn't calm or elegant.
She was just a girl forced to act mature, selfish and mischievous.
As for what Kouichirou's mother looked like, that wasn't his concern.
Yuu went upstairs, opened the [Spring] room's door, and saw a goofy, slightly foolish college student sitting by a low table, lost in thought.
"Excuse me, does the sake need a refill?" he asked deliberately.
Kouichirou snapped out of it, not recognizing him at all, nor finding it odd that in this luxury resort, a waiter worked in casual clothes.
"Oh, no, just get me a glass of water."
"Get it yourself." Replying casually, Yuu scanned the room, confirmed Haruno wasn't there, and headed to the terrace.
After Kouichirou said Haruno was getting some air on the terrace, Yuu temporarily turned off "No Suspicion Whatsoever."
Since he'd set the status's activation condition to "this action," as long as he met Haruno and returned home safely, he could freely toggle "No Suspicion Whatsoever" without fear of being automatically ignored when meeting her.
Ignoring Kouichirou, who'd recognized him, Yuu quietly opened the floor-to-ceiling window.
In the sunlit terrace corridor of the beautiful three-story Japanese-style building, an elegant yet lonely college girl, like a puppy, was voicing their chat messages.
Yuu didn't interrupt, just watched from behind, the corners of his lips unconsciously forming a gentle smile.
During that time, he admired the picturesque summer mountain and lake scenery while watching Haruno's back; and from Haruno's back, he admired the picturesque summer mountain and lake scenery.
When Kouichirou approached to say something, Yuu turned with a smile, giving a cold stare that said, "If you dare speak or disturb us, you're the next punching machine."
So Kouichirou obediently retreated, kindly closing the floor-to-ceiling window and curtains quietly.
The terrace scenery was left to just the two of them.
After Haruno finished her solo drama and closed her eyes to rest, Yuu took out his phone and sent a few messages.
Look behind you.
Haruno slowly turned, her pupils shrinking, mouth opening as if speechless.
"Your (rental) boyfriend, here to meet you."
To avoid eavesdroppers behind the window, he mouthed the word "rental."
It felt like a century before Haruno spoke.
"That was fast. Looks like I can't help but give a five-star rating this time."
"Customer, good ratings only come after the rental."
"Alright, then I'll think about it… Hm, how about a deep kiss as a reward?"
Yuu couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Wow, I'm thrilled~"
(This girl, how obsessed is she with kissing?)
Though it was indeed pleasant, and touching something soft during a kiss, especially the satisfaction of overpowering an opponent with kissing skills, was indescribable…
Fine, Yuu, who was getting used to and even enjoying the "sport" of kissing, had no right to judge her.
He was momentarily speechless, but seeing Haruno's face, he couldn't stop the corners of his lips from lifting, laughing from the heart.
(So you can make that kind of expression too.)
An expression that ignored all truth and lies, transcended all complexities and worries, shed all disguises and calculations.
Just laughing like a silly girl, an utterly beautiful expression.
Yuu couldn't help but nod in satisfaction: (This way, crossing 131 kilometers for this surprise wasn't in vain.)
Even without system rewards, the current mood made this impulsive trip worth it, even if he had to take another hour-plus shinkansen ride home.
As he thought this, Haruno suddenly hugged him.
Unlike before, her hug was gentle, cautious, as if afraid Yuu would run if touched.
Yuu froze, then slightly panicked, placing his hands on Haruno's shoulders, ready to hold her back:
"Calm down, don't kiss here! There's a dumb guy peeking behind us."
"Hm, I know~"
Haruno winked, her smiling gaze glancing at the floor-to-ceiling window, where the slightly parted curtain quickly closed tight.
She looked back into his eyes, her fair cheeks flushed enticingly, smiling with a curved lip, her full lips forming an arc:
"Next time, I'll find a place where we can be alone, and I'll pay back everything from today, as thanks."
She said it frankly, as if deciding something, leaving no room for argument.
So after hugging him gently, Haruno nimbly let go, standing about a meter in front of him.
"And before that, there's a lot I want to ask you."
As her words ended, Yuu received several system notifications.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host has received reward: Athletics (Proficient Level)]
[Congratulations, Host has received reward: Learning (Proficient Level)]
[Congratulations, Host has received reward: Emotion Transfer (Status)]