"Where is that brat? I'm going to kill him!" Aoko Aozaki cried as she yelled in rage.
"I..." Haruka Kasugano reached out, intending to offer some comfort.
But Aoko stood up abruptly. The pain of her "deflowering" was so sharp that she nearly stumbled. Staggering over to her suitcase, she popped it open and tossed a blue bracelet to Haruka Kasugano.
Forcing herself to look calm, strong, and utterly indifferent, she laughed. "Hahaha! Even though... that happened between us, please just forget this unpleasant memory!"
"As compensation for the harm I've caused you, take this bracelet. It can save your life in a life-threatening situation!"
"And don't go thinking this is some token of love. I stole it from my nasty sister, so don't go pining for the wrong person!"
"Goodbye, stranger!"
She quickly changed into fresh clothes, grabbed her suitcase, and prepared to leave. Though she put on a brave face, her disheveled hair and the dejected look in her eyes as she walked away betrayed how chaotic her heart truly was.
Watching her go, Haruka Kasugano couldn't help but sigh, feeling a twinge of guilt. I really did ruin a good girl...
But damn, that was amazing!
He looked down at the messy grass and the "cherry blossom pink" stains left behind.
What an unforgettable day and night...
Shortly after, Haruka Kasugano dressed himself and, clutching his aching waist, limped away. He headed back to the hospital to check the situation, only to find Aoko throwing a tantrum.
"What? You're telling me that brat was discharged? And his family took him?"
"What do you mean he's been gone for three days? Then that means I've been..."
"Give me his home address!"
Naturally, the hospital refused to breach patient privacy, and security eventually kicked her out. Watching from afar, Haruka Kasugano was stunned.
Shiki Tohno was discharged three days ago? Then how many days did Aoko and I spend together in that field?
Augh... my back is killing me...
Even with A-rank Endurance, he was feeling the strain. Haruka Kasugano decided to check himself into the hospital just to get some fluids.
[Ding! Congratulations Host! You have completed the mission to conquer Aoko Aozaki!]
"???" Haruka Kasugano was baffled. "Isn't Aoko Aozaki just a single woman? How does she qualify as a 'Netori system' target?" (Note: "Netori system" targets are usually those who are married or have partners).
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[Ding! System detection indicates that Aoko Aozaki claims to have a 'spare tire' (backup suitor), thus she fits the system's mission criteria!]
"I see... I was wondering why she qualified," Haruka Kasugano thought as he sat on a metal hospital bench, hooked up to a glucose IV drip. "So I ended up cuckolding that backup guy. Who is it? Soujuurou? Or Nasu Kinoko? Whatever, she belongs to me now!"
[The system rates Aoko Aozaki as an A++ beauty! The Host will receive ultra-premium rewards!]
Haruka Kasugano stared in disbelief. Aoko's rating was actually a level higher than Artoria's! As expected of the author's "favorite."
[Since Aoko Aozaki is the Fifth Magician, the Host has also completed the extra mission: Conquer the 'First Magician'!]
[Because Aoko Aozaki believes she 'defiled' the Host, she feels immense guilt. Infidelity Progress +30%!]
Whoa, it's just jumping straight up without me even needing a second plan?
[Because Aoko took the lead and 'rode' the Host, she feels deeply ashamed. Infidelity Progress +20%!]
And more...
[Because Aoko squeezed the Host until he fainted, she feels unbearably shy. Infidelity Progress +20%!]
[Because Aoko continued to seek pleasure even after the drug wore off while the Host was unconscious—indulging in 'horseback archery'—she is filled with a sense of immorality. Infidelity Progress +10%!]
[Because she enjoyed herself for several consecutive days, she feels shameless. Infidelity Progress +10%!]
[Because of her 'Tsundere' nature, she chose to flee. Her self-blame is immense. Infidelity Progress +9%!]
[Because the Host was her first man, her body has begun to crave the sensation and she feels possessive. Infidelity Progress +1%]
[Aoko Aozaki's Infidelity Progress has reached 100%! Congratulations! She has officially 'cheated' and become your woman!]
Wait... that's it? It's full? Does that "backup guy" have so little weight in her heart? Haruka Kasugano was floored. It turns out Aoko didn't run away because she hated him, but because she was too shy to face what she'd done.
[Congratulations! You have obtained the new Passive Skill: 'Magician C'! Like Aoko, you gain a Magician's defense, including resistance to Magecraft, Fate (Instant Death), Time (Duration Extension), and Purging (automatically upgrades 'Invincible' defenses to 'Purge Defense')!]
I got her constitution by taking her first time? Hahaha!
[Congratulations! New Skill: 'To That Era, Once More!' (Rank EX). This is an educational guidance magic fueled by the longings and hopes of youth. Using it on yourself restores youthful vigor! Using it on others guides lost souls toward their deepest desires!]
This must be a manifestation of her guiding the lost Shiki Tohno... another great skill for my collection!
[Merging the 100% progress reward: Permanent Noble Phantasm!]
Haruka Kasugano's heart leaped. A permanent Noble Phantasm?
[Congratulations! You have obtained the Permanent Noble Phantasm: 'Grasp the Sword, Silver Arm C+'!]
This allows the Host's right arm to temporarily gain the strength of Excalibur—the 'Golden Right Hand'! Releasing the True Name: 'Flash of Silver, Agateram (Rank A)' unleashes an Excalibur-level mana burst!
This arm... aside from fighting, I bet it has other uses... Hehehe!
[Final Reward: 'The First Star'! The bodies and souls of the Host and Aoko Aozaki will mirror each other like the first star in the sky. No matter the distance or time, you will always be able to sense one another.]
My god! This means Aoko is completely mine forever!
Haruka Kasugano looked at the blue bracelet she gave him. A Mystic Code that can save my life? I'll have to ask Sola about it.
After finishing his IV, Haruka Kasugano left the hospital. Aoko was long gone, probably off wandering again. But it didn't matter. He was now the only "home" for her wandering heart. The Aozaki family trait was "Wind"—they vanish as soon as a breeze blows because they avoid deep connections. But now, she was anchored to him, heart and soul.
...
That night, Haruka Kasugano finally returned to the hotel. Sola burst into tears of anger. He had left without a word and disappeared for days. To comfort her—and to test the "durability" of his new Golden Right Hand—Haruka Kasugano sent Sola straight to the heavens. She thrashed like a fish, her eyes rolling back in pure bliss.
Two days later, the mark Sola left at Touko's workshop was triggered. Touko Aozaki was finally responding.
Knock, knock, knock!
Haruka Kasugano knocked on the door of Garan no Dou again. "Nobody? Again?"
"Did she stand us up twice?" Sola asked.
"I'm losing my patience..." Haruka Kasugano couldn't wait. He scaled the wall and climbed onto a window ledge to see if anyone was actually inside.
CRASH!
He broke through the window. A second later, he froze.
He had landed in the bathroom. Touko Aozaki was standing under the shower, staring blankly at the intruder.