A black Volkswagen cruises through the streets of Akihabara.
Soft music fills the car, mingling with the faint scent of perfume in the air.
Gazing out at the passing scenery and bustling crowds, Sayako Kawai's slender fingers fidget with the seatbelt. Her timid eyes steal glances at Tetsu Fuyukawa, who's driving beside her.
Is he waiting for me to make the first move?
Sayako's large, expressive eyes shimmer with a hint of grievance.
To be honest, she had braced herself for some kind of "harassment" from this boy, who's several years her junior. But ever since they got in the car, Tetsu hasn't said much at all. And she—
She's beautiful, with decent skills, but after years of navigating the workplace, she's still just a junior employee. Her biggest struggle? Figuring out how to handle relationships with male superiors. Workplace harassment has forced her to switch companies more than once.
Frankly, she's not the type to initiate conversation.
What's he thinking?
What's she thinking?
Gripping the steering wheel, Tetsu catches a glimpse of Sayako's conflicted expression in the rearview mirror, a spark of curiosity in his eyes.
Above Sayako's head, red and green numbers flicker: +1, -1, +1, -1.
Green numbers mean her mood is improving; red means it's dropping.
He's not surprised by the system's function.
What does surprise him is that, despite him saying and doing nothing, this woman's mood keeps swinging up and down like a rollercoaster.
Is she nervous because I haven't said anything?
It's going up and down, but overall, it's trending upward. Guess staying quiet is the way to go.
Tetsu finds the system incredibly useful.
In his past life, he wasn't exactly a loser, but he definitely wasn't a master at reading women's hearts.
A woman's mind isn't something you can navigate by just talking more or less.
Knowing when to speak, when to stay silent, when to act aloof, or when to turn on the charm—it takes finesse.
But now? The system's practically holding his hand through the art of charm.
As Sayako's mood continues its wavy climb, Tetsu keeps his silence.
Interestingly, the less he says and the more he keeps a stoic expression, the more Sayako's mood dips—and then spikes even higher.
What a peculiar trait.
The faster her mood rises, the more Tetsu leans into his "don't mess with me" vibe. And the more he plays it cool, the more Sayako panics inside.
His aura… it's nothing like a 25-year-old guy.
Is he… taking me straight to a hotel without even talking? What kind of woman does he think I am?
A wave of anxiety hits Sayako. She wrestles with how to bring up getting out of the car. But then, the Volkswagen pulls up in front of a high-end steak restaurant. Her tension eases, and her gaze toward Tetsu's profile grows more complex.
+50.
Whoa?
Tetsu turns to see a burst of green numbers above Sayako's head—her mood surging.
A fancy restaurant and her mood skyrockets? Is she a gold-digger?
We're practically made for each other.
Every yen he spends gets converted into consumption points. Tetsu Fuyukawa fears no gold-digger.
"How about this place?"
"Whatever you decide."
Sasaki Enzou is a charcoal-grilled meat restaurant. It's upscale but not in a European style. Pushing aside the noren curtain, the air is thick with the bold aroma of spices.
Guided by a server, the two settle into a small tatami-mat private room.
"What do you feel like eating?"
Tetsu flips through the menu, glancing at Sayako, who's kneeling primly across from him.
Under the soft lighting, Sayako's sleek black hair glimmers faintly. Her large eyes sparkle, and with her blazer off, the white blouse accentuates her curvaceous figure. A jade teardrop pendant rests in the valley of her chest.
But that's not the main attraction.
Following primal instincts, Tetsu's gaze drifts downward to her delicate feet, wrapped in sheer stockings, tucked beneath her shapely hips.
Sensing his stare, Sayako shifts her toes uncomfortably. "I'm fine with anything, but I can't handle spicy food right now."
Can't handle spicy food right now.
A hint.
Sayako's dropping a hint, but Tetsu doesn't pick up on it—or rather, his attention is elsewhere.
"No problem. Miss, I'll have this, this, and this, and then…"
Spending money earns consumption points, which can be exchanged for "secrets." Tetsu orders freely until Sayako quietly mentions she can't eat that much, and he reins it in.
The waitress slides the shoji door shut, leaving the room quiet except for faint laughter from the neighboring table.
Tetsu sips his barley tea, ready to get to the point. But seeing Sayako's increasingly awkward posture in their private setting, he rests his hands on his knees and smiles. "I heard you've been working through lunch breaks lately. Is the workload too much?"
"No, no, I just want to do my job well."
Sayako's expression falters slightly. She can't exactly admit she works through lunch to leave on time for her second job, can she?
Tetsu doesn't know her thoughts, but the +1 green number above her head is clear as day.
As expected, the more assertive I am, the more her mood rises.
But there's a balance to strike.
Tetsu blinks.
He's well-read enough to know some people respond better to a strong, dominant approach.
The logic? For those under heavy life pressures and lacking security, a strong, dependable presence makes them feel small yet safe.
The key is making them feel that strength and security.
It's a delicate dance.
With that in mind, Tetsu speaks up. "NTsoft is lucky to have an employee like you, Sayako. But I heard you've been short on cash lately. Is that true?"
"Che-kun, that's personal."
Caught off guard by his bluntness, Sayako's eyes flash with embarrassment and irritation. Above her head, a red -100 appears!
Her mood plummets, but Tetsu doesn't flinch. He nods. "I know it's personal, and don't worry, I haven't told anyone. But I do know about it, and with the company cutting jobs lately… how about we make a deal?"
A deal?!
-500!
Despite her mental preparation, the blunt and humiliating word hits hard. Sayako realizes she can't accept this.
Her face flushes as she prepares to stand and leave. But then, Tetsu pulls a document from his briefcase and slides it across to her.
Employment Contract
"Huh?"
Her hips barely lift off her calves before she freezes, staring at the document. She looks at Tetsu, bewildered. "This is…"
"I know you're tight on money, and I know you're a talented artist. I'm planning to make my own game but need help. So, how about joining me as an illustrator?"
It's not about something shady?
He's asking me to be an illustrator?
+800!
[Sayako Kawai's Mood Breakthrough: Neutral → Friendly]
[Current Friendship Level Unlocks Skills for Imprinting: Intermediate Scene Illustration, Intermediate Character Illustration]
(Imprinting grants theoretical knowledge and intuition; practical skills require hands-on practice to master fully.)
[Consumption Point Cap Increased: 500,000 yen → 2,000,000 yen]
[Achievement Unlocked: You Have a Friend]
[Achievement Rewards: Free Skill Imprint x1, Skill Upgrade Scroll x1]