"You only need to… resolve every problem faced by the girls in this village."
Kai stood still in his place upon hearing that. His mind seemed to process the old woman's words. He still didn't understand the reason, but he felt that what she said made perfect sense.
He then looked toward the girls there. They all seemed to turn their faces away from him, as if hiding something so he wouldn't find out. But that only made Kai realize that every one of them had their own problems.
Kai also noticed that Kurt had turned his face away from him as well, but he chose to ignore it. That guy was probably just thinking about how to get closer to Katie or about his exploding belongings. Kai had no interest in helping him with that—at least not now. He had something else to worry about.
Kai finally realized why Grandma Lyla's words felt so reasonable. It was because what she said was something completely normal in a dating sim game. He felt embarrassed for only realizing such a simple thing now.
They were all surely dealing with personal problems that weighed on their hearts. Kai didn't know what kind of issues were on their minds, aside from the village's problem of potentially being evicted at any time by that annoying rich man. Even so, Kai felt that he could resolve those problems. After all, he was the one chosen by the Goddess.
After thinking for a moment, Kai turned back toward his friends, wearing a wide and confident smile.
"If you have problems, just tell me and I'll solve them. Leave everything to me!"
Kai declared loudly and confidently, thumping his chest with his right hand. His broad smile didn't fade as he observed his friends' reactions.
"Why would I tell my problems to someone like you?!"
"I'm sorry, Kai… even though I know you want to help me… I just can't tell you… I'm sorry."
Claire and Elly replied in turn. Even though their tones were completely different, the pain that struck his heart felt just as strong upon hearing their refusals.
Kai had expected Claire to reject him, given her tendency to never be honest with him. However, he never imagined that Elly would also turn him down without hesitation. At this point, Kai could only look at them with slumped shoulders and a deeply disappointed expression.
"In that case, Kai… could you help me—"
As Kurt raised his right hand to get Kai's attention and ask for help, Kai immediately shot him a sharp glare, clearly showing his displeasure.
Kurt instantly dropped the idea of asking for help. They had only met yesterday, but Kurt understood well enough that Kai didn't want to be bothered right now. He was certain that Kai was focused on getting closer to Claire and Elly, and had no concern for him or any intention of helping. If he pushed it, they would probably end up arguing again like before.
Kurt stepped back, choosing not to interfere any further. If that guy got into trouble, Kurt had no intention of helping him either.
"If I may ask… why don't you want to tell me your problems?"
Kai asked, forcing an awkward smile. He couldn't afford to give up just because they rejected him once.
"This is my problem! I don't want an outsider like you interfering in it!"
Claire replied firmly. Her eyes made it clear—if Kai dared to get involved, she would make him regret it.
Kai could only nod awkwardly, then shifted his gaze toward Elly, hoping she would give a better answer than Claire.
"I'm sorry, Kai… like I said before, I can't tell you my problem… it's not that I don't trust you… but I feel it wouldn't be right to burden you with my personal issues… I want to solve it on my own."
Elly's response was much gentler than Claire's.
Kai still hadn't managed to find out what their problems were, but at least he had confirmed that they were indeed dealing with personal issues. What he needed to do now was figure out what those problems were and resolve them so the girls would fall in love with him. Of course, it wasn't just the two of them—there were other girls in the village who needed his help as well, so he would have to work hard.
Kai began to think back on everything that had happened so far, searching for clues about what he should do next.
Kai suddenly recalled what the Fairy Goddess had told him yesterday. He needed to get closer to the girls if he wanted to save the village. So that was how it worked—he finally understood.
It really was just like in a game. First, Kai needed to raise their affection parameters toward him before he could trigger events that would complete their routes and ultimately make them fall in love with him. And not only that—by increasing their affection, he could also obtain all the items Grandma Lyla had mentioned, which would allow him to save the village and become its hero. Of course, if he managed to accomplish all of that, then obtaining a harem would no longer be just a dream.
A wide smile spread across Kai's face as he finished thinking. That smile made everyone who saw it take a step back. They all knew he was thinking about something unpleasant—or dangerous.
"Kai, if you're planning something strange again, I won't hesitate to drive you out of this village and forbid you from ever returning!"
Claire warned, watching his every movement cautiously.
"You don't need to worry! I've finally figured out what I need to do!"
Kai replied, directing his grin at Claire. The girl felt like she might throw up upon receiving that smile. She hugged herself, overcome with nausea as cold sweat drenched her body.
"Claire, are you alright?"
Elly asked, clearly worried about her friend. Claire could only manage a smile to reassure her, but it looked so horrifying that it only made things worse. In a panic, Elly tried to help Claire, but in the end, she did nothing except make awkward gestures in front of her, unsure of what to do.
Meanwhile, Kai—completely unaware of Claire's worsening condition—was gazing at the sun that had already set. With his chest puffed out and his arms crossed, he looked toward a tomorrow that might never come, that same unsettling smile still etched across his face.