Two days had passed since I started cleaning the bathroom.
That day marked the end of Miyuki's supervision over me.
Even though we'd built up quite a bit of favorability, the distance between us was still considerable.
But even so, I cleaned the bathroom with meticulous care.
Even if Miyuki wasn't watching, she might hear from someone else that the bathroom had been spotless lately.
In the classroom, she seemed to chatter endlessly.
But it wasn't during class time.
I tried to follow the professor's lesson as best I could.
It was the same now. I was enduring drowsiness while listening to the math lecture.
"Now, for this problem… Hmm…"
The middle-aged professor, who had drawn circles and letters on the blackboard, trailed off.
When our eyes met, I froze.
Because it seemed like he was about to call on me.
It must have looked strange for me to be paying attention in class…
"Matsuda-kun, would you like to solve it?"
As expected, the professor singled me out.
All eyes turned directly toward me.
Miyuki's curious gaze stood out among them.
I desperately wanted to earn applause for solving it brilliantly, but…
I had no idea what was on the blackboard.
Even though I'd known he wasn't good at studying, I remembered it hadn't been this bad before I possessed this body…
From now on, I'd have to learn how to study from Miyuki, but for now, I was completely in the dark.
Scratching my head, I replied in a curt tone.
"I have no idea."
"Uh, is that so…? Alright. Miyuki-san, please come up and solve it on the blackboard instead."
Miyuki rose from her seat with an expression that seemed to say as much.
She deftly wielded the chalk, displaying her elegant handwriting.
It looked impressive somehow.
I glanced at Tetsuya, his eyes wide as he watched Miyuki solve the problem.
The guy who didn't even have a shred of courage and rejected her confession…
You don't deserve to look at Miyuki like that.
Break time after class.
As I rested my arm on the desk, Miyuki approached with a somewhat gentle stride, her face full of exasperation.
"Why again?"
"Matsuda-kun."
"What."
"If you don't know, you should at least pretend to try or ask the professor. That's how you improve."
Ignoring her advice, I turned my head toward Tetsuya.
"Miura. Your mom's nagging me when I didn't do anything wrong—shouldn't you stop her?"
Tetsuya looked flustered by my playful attitude, but he glanced at Miyuki and said in a hesitant voice.
"Uh, Mom… Miyuki…"
"It's a joke, man. To take it seriously…"
"Matsuda-kun."
Miyuki interrupted our conversation with a stern tone.
I raised both hands in an exaggerated gesture.
"Ah, fine. I'm scared—I won't even joke around."
"It's not a joke; it's bullying."
"You call that bullying? Hey, Miura. Did I bully you?"
As I asked Tetsuya with a straight face, Miyuki stepped between us.
"If you say it in such a threatening way, who would tell the truth?"
"No, this is just how I talk—what can I do?"
"You could be kinder. Make an effort."
"My very kind Miura-kun, did I offend you by any chance? No? Good. Then can you clean the bathroom for me after class today?"
"Matsuda-kun."
There was something I'd learned as Miyuki's attitude toward me changed significantly after the molestation incident.
It was that when I did something she disliked, she'd call my last name in a low voice.
Like a sister disciplining her sibling, or a mother.
I shifted my attention from Tetsuya and leaned back in my chair.
Then I said it deliberately.
"Ha… What are you, my mother-in-law? Why meddle in every little thing?"
"You're the one making me interfere."
"Not a single comeback… Hey, just go. Head to the store with your puppy."
"Puppy?"
"Miura behind you."
"Haa… I'm worried I'll get angry if we keep talking, so I'll stop. Are you going to do a good job cleaning the bathroom today?"
Of course.
"I can't say I'm great at it, but I will."
"Is your hand okay?"
"So-so."
"Be careful not to get it wet."
With that, Miyuki left with Tetsuya.
Just as I'd thought before, it seemed they were heading to the store.
That damn guy… I want to go to the store with Miyuki too, but he's monopolizing her.
The more I see him, the more my fists itch.
**
In every dating sim, there are various favorability events.
Among them, there are important ones like the subway molester incident I resolved a few days ago,
And there are events that offer a service scene with little to no increase in favorability.
Right now, I was at the site of an event that provided such a service scene.
Originally, it was an event with nothing but the service scene, and no rise in favorability at all, but now it was different.
Why? Because I knew Miyuki's personality well.
Miyuki was the epitome of a childhood friend's first love.
She was truly sincere and had a very warm heart.
She was also a woman who never overlooked someone in an unfortunate situation.
Why was I thinking this now?
It was because there was a beggar wandering near where Miyuki was at the moment.
This beggar was missing one leg, moving around on a square cart that could support his belly.
He was an eccentric who begged for money by pushing forward, and a madman who grabbed passersby and threatened to hit them if they didn't carry him across crosswalks on their backs.
He'd even become infamous in this area.
Why do NPCs like this appear in some games?
An NPC who gives you a big break if you compromise your conscience a little when you're low on funds.
In Tokiaka, this beggar served exactly that purpose.
If you gave him a pair of smelly socks, he'd hand over some of the money he'd begged for.
'When I played as Tetsuya, I made good use of this guy.'
From now on, I intended to use this beggar.
Simply put, to pretend to be kind.
I'd treat this beggar kindly and let Miyuki witness the scene.
With the plan fully formed in my mind, I moved toward the beggar.
I could see him making rattling noises and yelling at passersby.
What would happen if I gave this guy the socks I was wearing right now?
Would he give money like in the game?
After pondering, I shook my head.
Because Ken Matsuda wasn't short on money.
There was only one thing I wanted from this beggar.
To increase Miyuki's favorability toward me.
"Hey! Hey!"
He was shouting at passersby who ignored him.
I passed right in front of him, pretending to be on my way.
Yes,
"Hey! You there!"
As expected, the beggar called out to me in a loud voice.
I turned my head halfway, looking down at him, and responded.
"Why."
The beggar's face twisted in disbelief, as if stunned by my curt reply.
He stared up at me blankly for a moment, then lowered his filthy mouth.
"Have you seen such a rude brat…? How old are you! Huh!?"
"Twenty."
"Your head's not even dry yet…! I've lived three and a half times longer than you, you punk! Someone who didn't even get proper home education…! What's the world coming to…!"
He was fuming, just as I knew he would.
"I'll make you pay for not respecting your elders! You punk, carry me on your back right now and cross the crosswalk!"
"Fine? I can do that much."
As I readily accepted the demand, the beggar's eyes widened.
"Huh…? Really?"
"Yeah. Shall I carry you then?"
"Uh, sure…? Yeah… Do it now. Take care of my cart too."
I nodded and crouched down in front of the beggar, who had his arms outstretched.
Then, after hoisting him up, I picked up the worn cart in one hand.
The stench emanating from him was no joke. Between cleaning the bathroom and this guy's smell… my nose was going to suffer.
"Hmm… I must have misjudged you. Your manners are rough, but your heart is kind. Your back is broad too—it'd be comfortable to sleep on. I'll close my eyes for a bit, so let me know when we cross the crosswalk."
He pointed to a spot far away.
I clicked my tongue and pretended to head there, but as soon as I heard the beggar's steady breathing from my shoulder, I turned around.
After that, I headed toward where Miyuki was.
A quiet street a little removed from the bustling area.
I approached a small cell phone accessory shop in a place with very few people, and through the transparent glass, I spotted Miyuki.
She was selecting keychains with her friends.
As Miyuki crouched down to examine them closely, her skirt rode up, revealing white panties between her shapely thighs.
Thanks to the tight fabric, the full, soft curves were clearly visible.
It looked so inviting that a touch might sink in, only to bounce back with elasticity.
Seeing this in real life made my lower body throb.
Tetsuya, that bastard, must be somewhere around here… Too bad.
Unlike the original event, you won't get to see Miyuki like this.
Why? Because a commotion was about to start.
"Grandpa. We're here."
I set the cart down and shook my upper body to wake the beggar. Looking around, the beggar smacked his head! Making a thud, he screamed.
"Oh, damn! Why are you hitting me, you bastard!"
"You idiot! When did I tell you to bring me here! I just said to cross the crosswalk!"
Yes. That's right.
"What are you saying now? You must have brought me to a quiet street!"
"Are young people these days all like this…? Useless… Tch… How am I supposed to beg here with no one around? Because of you, today's earnings are halved—take responsibility!"
"Why should I be responsible!? Don't mumble in the first place and speak clearly! Get down now!"
As the sudden commotion erupted, the attention of the few people nearby focused on us.
The same went for the open cell phone shop.
The customers inside looked at me arguing with the beggar.
Of course, Miyuki was among them.
Feigning nervousness, I set the beggar down and placed him on the cart.
Then, I waved both hands as if shooing away annoying flies.
"I've done my part, so go now."
"Go…? You punk, don't you know basic decency!?"
"Isn't Grandpa going too far? I carried you this far, and not only do you not thank me, but you're getting angry?"
"It's because you didn't listen properly!"
"Sir… You're being ridiculous. Is this what you need? Take it and go."
When I pulled a thousand-yen bill from my wallet and held it out, the beggar, who had been yelling, shut his mouth.
His expression softened instantly as he snatched the bill and wheeled away, humming a tune.
Seeing him drag the cart with his hands on the ground was a bit irritating, even though it was part of my plan.
Watching him go, I let out a deep sigh and muttered.
"Just my luck…"
"Matsuda-kun."
Miyuki's beautiful voice calling me.
I turned around in surprise.
"Hanazawa? What? Why are you here? Aren't you studying? Finals are coming up soon."
"I came out to clear my head for a bit. What about you?"
"You don't need to know."
As I bristled, Miyuki's eyes curved into crescents.
"Actually, I heard everything. Was he pranking you? He's famous for being mischievous, but you didn't know, did you?"
"To a beggar, what kind of person…"
"Matsuda-kun. That man has lived much longer than you. You can't talk like that. Didn't you insult him earlier? It was really unpleasant to see."
"Ha… Here comes the mother-in-law again."
"If you keep talking like that, people won't see your true intentions. Look now. You not only fulfilled his request but even gave him money, yet the people staring at you have cold eyes. It's prejudice from your aggressive attitude."
When I looked around, just as Miyuki said, several people were giving me icy stares.
They seemed displeased by the fuss in broad daylight.
I scratched my head, pretending to be embarrassed.
"Don't worry about it."
"If I wasn't really concerned, I wouldn't have noticed people glancing around. Right?"
"…. What do you want to say to me?"
"Try to swear less in the future. And fix your habit of getting angry easily."
You said it again? Alright.
From now on, I'll gradually transform into a new person.
On the surface, you'll nag and hate hearing it.
But I'll show through actions.
So, as you watch me change, I want you to know I'm keeping your advice in mind.
Please enjoy guiding me like that.
"It was the same at the academy earlier, and now this… If you can't meddle, do you have a disease that makes thorns grow in your mouth? Want me to widen it?"
"Matsuda-kun."
Miyuki called me in that stern, corrective tone.
I pretended to be momentarily shaken, then turned my body and showed her my back.
"…. I'm going. I need a quick shower because I reek. After running into all these weirdos… It's rough out there… Damn…"
I deliberately passed by Miyuki with an exaggerated grumble.
Of course, there was no swearing in the muttering.