The system quit decisively this time—from picking up the pen to giving up and "drowning," it only took ten minutes.
After tidying up the living room, it just stood there, motionless.
[Detected: host's hunger level is low, no desire to eat.]
[System is thinking…]
"Don't think. Come on, get in the room. I'll teach you some problems," Shirase said, teasing.
The system didn't respond. It stood still for a full minute before a delayed message popped up.
[The system has decided to perform a heroic deed.]
Figures.
Shirase stayed calm.
There was a time he might've believed this damn system genuinely enjoyed fighting evil and upholding justice—but now he knew better. It was just avoiding math homework by suddenly deciding to go be a hero.
As usual, it grabbed the wallet and phone, changed into casual clothes, and headed out.
It didn't walk fast, like it hadn't detected any evil nearby yet.
Shirase relaxed.
After a bit, the sound of a soccer ball bouncing echoed down the street, followed by children's laughter.
The system stopped, too.
Up ahead was a soccer field where a bunch of kids in professional-looking jerseys—some even wearing kneepads and branded sneakers—were running around.
Judging by their height, they were elementary schoolers at most, maybe first-year middle school.
A few adults stood nearby, watching—mostly couples, probably parents.
Shirase watched for two minutes and, with an experienced eye, picked out a few kids who were actually pretty good: solid technique, decent speed.
[Detected host's passion for soccer. The system has decided to play soccer.]
"Play soccer?"
Shirase froze, glancing around. "There's no other field nearby… Wait—damn system, don't tell me you're actually gonna play with them? They're kids!"
He was stunned.
He'd long known the system had no sense of decency or shame, but bullying a bunch of little kids—really?
Even when Shirase played with casual hobbyists, he'd hold back. If someone stopped having fun, he'd leave right away.
But now this damn system just walked straight onto the field.
Some parents noticed, but figured he was just a passerby curious about the game, so they didn't care.
Only when the ball went out of bounds and the kids stopped did the system step forward and ask confidently, "Mind if I join?"
Shirase: "…"
The kids froze.
Parents blinked.
Then one boy laughed. "Big brother, you wanna play with us? Sure—but if you suck, we're subbing you out, okay~?"
That set off a wave of laughter from the kids, and the parents smiled, too.
They clearly hadn't realized what was coming.
The system replied coolly, "When it comes to soccer, I'm invincible."
"Please, stop embarrassing yourself," Shirase muttered.
Nobody took the high-school-aged boy seriously. From their point of view, he was just joining to humor the kids.
So, amid friendly smiles, the system joined the weaker team—the one opposite the "elementary school ace" Shirase had spotted earlier.
Within a minute of kickoff, the parents' smiles started to fade.
Because they realized—this teenager wasn't there to play with the kids. He was there to destroy them.
The system didn't know restraint or sportsmanship.
Shirase's natural skill and speed were already impressive, but against elementary schoolers, he was unstoppable.
In less than five minutes, the kid Shirase had praised earlier stood pouting miserably.
When he saw "Shirase" drive the ball into the goal yet again, he burst into tears.
Meanwhile, the kids on the system's team were laughing their heads off, practically ready to celebrate with fireworks.
Thankfully, the system didn't push it too far—after demolishing them for a bit, it left the field on its own.
As it walked off, a few wide-eyed kids ran up, staring with admiration. "Big brother, can you teach us soccer?"
"Soccer again? Have you raised your grades yet?"
This time, instead of physical damage, the system went for psychological warfare.
Under the kids' terrified yet awed gazes, it strode off like a wandering swordsman from some old TV drama.
"Damn system, I'm certain now—you really have no shame," Shirase said.
[Please don't say that, host. The system was simply helping the host look cool.]
"Looking cool in front of a bunch of kids? Seriously?"
[Children that age are the purest. Didn't the host notice how much they admired you?]
"Oh yeah, sure. Their parents looked at me like I was some clown from a weird variety show—'master of twisted humor suddenly appearing out of nowhere.'"
After a bit of bickering, Shirase noticed the system had stopped again.
Just as he wondered if it was about to bully more kids, a familiar voice called out:
"Oh—it's you, Shirase."
He turned and saw Hikigaya Hachiman standing on the sidewalk, holding a shopping bag—probably on his way home.
The system said nothing, not recognizing him.
Hikigaya hesitated, then said, "Are you thinking about when you invited me to join the soccer club? I watched your match afterward. It was impressive. I could really feel everyone's fighting spirit and desire to win."
The system's gaze drifted to the keychain hanging from Hikigaya's keys—a bright purple charm. "A grown man using such a gaudy, seductive purple color—strange."
Hikigaya froze. "Ah—Komachi, my little sister, picked it. She said purple has great charm."
That line sounded oddly familiar.
Shirase frowned slightly.
As if not wanting him to dwell on it, Hikigaya quickly added, "Honestly, I'm terrible at soccer. Just thinking about those intense matches gives me a headache."
---
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
discord.gg/wisetl
patreon.com/wisetl