After completing his laps, Shirase exited [Fixed Hosting] mode and returned home. As he'd expected, Kana-san wasn't back yet.
Though the place wasn't large, at least it was fully furnished. Kojima Kana wasn't particularly distant in private; whenever they chatted, the house felt a bit livelier.
After checking the fridge to confirm he didn't need to head out for groceries, Shirase sank into the sofa, lost in thought.
He was currently struggling over whether to try [Free Hosting] mode again.
The reward itself wasn't important. What mattered most was—he deeply appreciated the system's way of handling things... Okay, even he didn't believe such nonsense.
He was just craving the rewards.
Of course, what concerned him the most was the progress bar at the bottom of the hosting system panel.
Currently, the progress was at 90%.
He had noticed this thing from the very first day. According to the system, once the progress reached 100%, he'd unlock a new feature called [Wheel-of-Fortune Lottery].
Shirase was extremely eager about this.
A lottery—obviously a great thing.
Having read plenty of novels in his past life, Shirase clearly understood what the [Wheel-of-Fortune Lottery] implied.
Maybe he could even win one of those legendary "skills"?
If he wanted to fill up that progress bar, he had to keep using the hosting feature frequently.
From the day he'd acquired the system, he'd been consistently using hosting for various tasks.
From simple physical training to memorizing vocabulary and participating in the soccer club activities.
But he'd always stuck to [Fixed Hosting] mode, and every time, the progress crept forward at a snail's pace.
However, when he tried [Free Hosting] just once that day, the progress had suddenly jumped by a whole 10%.
Literally more than ten times faster!
I remember the dog system also mentioned something about five-star ratings and cashback rewards being exclusive to [Free Hosting] mode...
After hesitating briefly, Shirase decided to go for it.
As they say: risk it once, fight for more—Arnold Schwarzenegger turning into Rambo.
Besides, he only needed a little more progress to unlock the [Wheel-of-Fortune Lottery].
[Ding-dong. Welcome back, host, to the [Free Hosting] experience! Our system will sincerely ensure your comfort and joy, allowing you to experience the carefree, salted-fish happiness of being fully hosted!]
[Please note, the system will now make various decisions on your behalf. Remain calm; the system naturally knows limits and will add excitement to your life.]
[[Free Hosting] mode activated. Remaining time: 60 minutes.]
A series of mechanical announcements rang out in his mind, yet Shirase was completely unbothered.
These lines were identical to last time, differing only in the duration he'd selected.
After [Free Hosting] activated, Shirase watched himself stand up from the sofa.
[System detected that host currently has nothing to do.]
[System contemplating…]
[System has decided to perform heroic acts!]
Seeing his body walk straight out the door, Shirase couldn't resist speaking up, "Is there nothing else you know besides 'heroic acts'?"
[Rest assured, host. System always knows its limits.]
I'm not worried about your limits. I'm worried you might make me lose a few centimeters if you get me injured—that'd be a real tragedy.
With mixed feelings, Shirase watched himself arrive on a bustling street. His pace wasn't fast, just a normal walking speed.
Yet his destination was frighteningly clear.
Clear as if this dog system really knew exactly where trouble would pop up.
...
Five minutes later.
Looking at the two blond-haired punks he'd just slapped to the ground in a dark alley, Shirase thought, as expected. The system must have some kind of radar to pinpoint trouble this accurately.
There was a popular arcade nearby. Earlier, the system had guided him directly into this alley, offering no chance for the two delinquents to talk, immediately knocking them flat.
The reason? They'd been attempting to extort a middle-schooler's pocket money.
[Heroic act successful! Congratulations, host, you've prevented a crime. Great merit has been earned.]
Heh, I don't really want merit points, thanks.
To quickly unlock the lottery and earn cashback rewards, Shirase didn't bother arguing.
[Ding-dong. Acquaintances of host detected nearby; they've already noticed you.]
[System contemplating…]
[They have no intention of initiating conversation. System will ignore them and continue heroic acts to accumulate more merit for host.]
"Wait, who exactly are these acquaintances you're mentioning?"
Shirase instinctively tried to look back, but his viewpoint was controlled by the system. Unless the system turned him around, he had no way to see behind him.
Unfortunately, this system wasn't intelligent enough for perfect communication. It simply kept moving forward.
Across the street, near the entrance of a convenience store, Nakano Ichika and Nakano Itsuki stared blankly after Shirase's departing figure, momentarily speechless.
"Hey, what's gotten into you two?" At that moment, a beautiful figure emerged from the store—it was Nakano Nino.
She waved a hand in front of her sisters, eyebrows knitted suspiciously. "What's with you two?"
Nakano Itsuki stammered out, "We just saw Shirase-kun."
Shirase had specifically cultivated a relationship with Nakano Nino, so naturally, he'd become familiar with her four sisters as well.
"Shirase? Where's that guy?"
Nakano Nino subconsciously responded, then realized she sounded overly concerned. Quickly stiffening her face, she said, "What's so special about seeing Shirase? It's not like someone locked him up at home."
"Oh, that's not it~," Nakano Ichika smiled mischievously. "Just now, Shirase-kun beat up two delinquents."
"Huh?" Nakano Nino froze.
Nakano Itsuki quickly added, "Right! Just over there in the alley, he didn't even speak to them. He just lifted his arm, slapped each of them once, and they instantly burst into tears."
Nakano Nino went silent for a few seconds, complicated feelings surfacing in her eyes. "Why does that guy always do things like that? Could it be he's secretly dreaming of becoming a superhero?"
"Well, either way, he's clearly doing good things~" Nakano Ichika drawled meaningfully.
Nakano Nino eyed her suspiciously, "What are you implying with that tone?"
Ichika's smile widened mischievously as she leaned closer, teasing, "Everyone knows among us five sisters, you're the special one to Shirase-kun~"
Nakano Nino blushed instantly, about to protest when Nakano Itsuki nodded earnestly. "Right, we've all noticed. Nino, do you think Shirase-kun likes you?"
"How would I know?" Nino's face turned awkward. "Besides, even if he really likes me, that's none of my business. It's his right, after all."
"Your mouth says no, but your heart clearly says otherwise~" Ichika teased knowingly.
Itsuki giggled quietly beside them.
Ichika suddenly asked, "By the way, I noticed Shirase-kun usually acts distant at school, but whenever he's with us, he becomes more relaxed. Could it be he has a split personality?"
"That's not aloofness; he just hates trouble," Nino replied flatly. "Did you guys forget what he did at school? Ever since becoming famous, so many people bother him. He's forced to act cold to avoid attention."
Ichika's grin widened triumphantly. "And you still say you're not the special one among us five? None of us knew about this except you~"
Nakano Nino stared, stunned. Had she just… fallen into Ichika's trap?
"Yes, Nino! Confess honestly!" Nakano Itsuki crossed her arms, her already voluptuous figure accentuated further.
"Enough! Let's stop this nonsense and hurry home. I'm starving!" Nino's face flushed bright red as she hurriedly tried changing topics.
She knew exactly how fiercely persistent her sisters could be—especially Ichika, with her innocent-seeming face!
"Wait, don't rush home yet. I still need to buy something."
"I want some meat buns too."
"...Do whatever you want."
...
Compared to the lively atmosphere of the shopping trio, Shirase's side was much more thrilling.
Actually, it probably wasn't thrilling at all to anyone except Shirase himself.
After all, he was constantly worried that the dog system would get him hurt.
After scolding three more groups of delinquents—thankfully all in quiet spots without drawing attention—Shirase mentally calculated that about twenty minutes remained.
[Ding-dong. Host's hunger levels rising rapidly. System has decided to eat.]
The system's announcement sounded again.
Shirase laughed dryly, "You rushed out without taking my wallet or phone. How exactly do you plan to eat?"
Given its previous righteous acts, Shirase wasn't worried the dog system would make him dine and dash.
[Host has no money detected.]
[System contemplating…]
[Ding-dong. Acquaintance detected nearby. System has decided to dine.]
Eh?
Acquaintance?
Confused, Shirase soon saw a familiar figure.
Nakano Itsuki.
Happily clutching her wallet, the girl hurried toward a nearby meat-bun shop.
Just as she was about ten meters from her goal, a figure suddenly blocked her path.
Surprised, Itsuki looked up and smiled helplessly, "Oh, it's you, Shirase-kun?"
"Don't talk."
To Itsuki's astonishment, Shirase spoke solemnly—so serious, as though about to accomplish something grand.
Even she felt compelled into seriousness, whispering quietly, "Did you need something?"
Without responding, Shirase walked toward the bun shop.
"Huh?"
Itsuki followed blankly.
At the shop entrance, Shirase solemnly declared:
"I'm hungry. Treat me to a meal."
Itsuki: "?"
Shirase: :3