"This one looks amazing too! Why does everything look so good on you?!"
Shirai Mio stepped out of the changing room and shot Yuigahama Yui a helpless look. The pink-haired girl was practically vibrating with excitement. Mio had already tried on over a dozen different outfits, and apparently every single one was "perfect."
Back before she transmigrated, Mio's shopping strategy was simple: see something that works, buy it, go home. The faster the better.
But judging by Yui's enthusiasm? Yeah, they weren't leaving anytime soon.
Turns out, Mio's prediction was spot-on. Yui immediately shoved another outfit into her arms and pushed her back into the changing room.
This went on for nearly an hour before Yui finally remembered—oh right, she was supposed to be helping Mio shop, not playing dress-up games.
Not that Mio was complaining about the results. Yui had great taste, and she loved everything that had been picked out. The problem? Her wallet. And this was only the first store. So she reluctantly narrowed it down to her two favorites.
As the two were about to leave, the shop clerk said with utmost sincerity: "Thank you for the feast."
"???"
"I mean, thank you for your patronage. Please visit us again," the clerk said without changing her expression.
A fashion show featuring a white-haired, red-eyed beautiful girl—who wouldn't enjoy that?
Originally, Yuigahama Yui had wanted to take Mio to continue shopping at the next store, but since it was already close to noon, after discussing it, the two decided to have lunch first before continuing their shopping trip.
So far, Mio's task still showed no progress, but she wasn't worried at all. After all, there was still plenty of time.
They'd barely sat down when the system's voice chirped in her ear: "Ooh, having a meal with a cute girl? Rare treat! I'm sure you can figure out what comes next~"
"Please find a way to get Yuigahama Yui to feed you voluntarily. Success grants a chance at Yuigahama Yui card sets or item rewards. Failure means drawing from the punishment deck."
"Are you kidding me right now?"
Eriri's task was one thing—she still hadn't finished that hand-holding mission! And now the system wanted to pile on another one? What did it think she was, some kind of errand-running magical girl?
"Host, host, don't get so worked up! You already figured out I can't just spam tasks whenever I want, right? So you should also realize task generation isn't under my control. Otherwise, with a whole day yesterday, how could I resist finding some fu—ahem, I mean sending you benefits?"
"You were 100% about to say 'having some fun,' admit it!"
"Nope, wasn't me, didn't say it." The system's voice dripped with fake innocence.
"...Sure."
Whatever. She'd just chalk this up as paying back yesterday's debt.
Mio refocused her attention on Yuigahama Yui. After Yuigahama finished ordering, Mio deliberately ordered a different set meal from hers.
Only this way would she have a chance to be fed.
While waiting for the food to arrive, Mio asked with feigned curiosity: "Yui, after we finish buying clothes this afternoon, do you have any plans?"
"Well, I haven't really thought about it. How about we go see a movie together?"
"Sure, I actually wanted to see a movie for research material anyway." Going to see a movie had been part of Mio's original plan. Watching a movie was also part of the shopping experience, and in the dim movie theater, holding hands probably wouldn't attract anyone's attention. She just needed to find the right timing and there'd be no problem at all.
When Mio mentioned research material, Yuigahama Yui couldn't help but think back to two days ago when Mio had asked her for help with research.
They were both girls, and it was just holding hands—so why did thinking about it now still make her heart race?
Yuigahama Yui shook her head gently, trying hard not to let her thoughts wander, then casually chatted with Mio.
Before long, their food arrived.
"Mmm, this tastes incredible."
"Right? Good food, good prices—can't beat it," Yui said with a smile.
"Yeah. Hey Yui, wanna try mine?"
The question was barely out before Mio had already speared a piece of fried pork cutlet and brought it right up to Yui's lips. Her expression was perfectly casual, like sharing food with a friend was the most natural thing in the world.
Yui blinked, hesitated for just a second, then opened her mouth and accepted the offering.
She'd just swallowed when she noticed Mio staring longingly at her plate. Not saying anything, but the puppy-dog eyes said everything.
"Want to try some?"
"Mm!"
Mio nodded, a bit embarrassed, and opened her mouth expectantly.
Yui had been about to just fork some food onto Mio's plate, but seeing that expression... well, she didn't overthink it. She brought the food straight to Mio's lips instead.
The instant Mio ate it, time froze.
"Task complete. The host's conquest rating with Yuigahama Yui has increased by 2 points."
[Yuigahama Yui's Secret Homemade Cookies x5]
Cookies with a... unique taste. After eating them, they temporarily mess with your taste buds, making even terrible food taste delicious. Duration: one hour.
[Social Butterfly Syndrome]
Lowers your shame threshold and makes you the most dazzling (read: shameless) presence in any social situation.
[Slacking Off Card]
After use, the system takes a 24-hour vacation from bothering you. Single-use card, disappears after activation.
Mio didn't even hesitate—she grabbed the Slacking Off Card. Sure, it only lasted a day, but that meant a full day of peace without the system randomly popping up to ruin her life.
As she confirmed her choice, time resumed.
Just then, a little girl at the next table tugged innocently on her mother's sleeve and said: "Mommy, are those two big sisters doing an indirect kiss?"
The little girl's mother quickly covered her daughter's eyes and said irritably: "You're too young for that. Where did you even learn about such things?"
"I'm not a little kid anymore! Last time I saw Big Sis and her friend in her room kis... mmph, Big Sis said I can't tell!"
"???"
"Wait, I remember that friend your sister brought home last time was a girl, wasn't she?"
The two weren't speaking very loudly, but since they were right next door, Yuigahama Yui, who had just finished feeding Mio, heard the little girl's words. Her expression suddenly froze, and a blush quickly spread across her cheeks.