"3RD PERSON POV"
After a long walk through the rain, Aravind finally arrived at his café. He came to a stop in front of the entrance, tilting his head up to look at the signboard glowing softly against the night.
"Coffee and Beans."
The name shone brightly in the dim evening, illuminated by warm lights. Letting out a quiet sigh, he shifted his gaze toward the large glass windows, peering inside. As expected, the café was nearly empty.
It wasn't that his café was in a bad location—far from it. Situated on a busy street near the marketplace, it had the perfect spot to attract customers. Nor was it an issue of quality—his coffee was excellent, and the service was just as good. Yet, for some reason, the number of customers remained underwhelming.
It wasn't that business was bad—the café was profitable. But even after two years, it was nowhere near as popular as the other cafés in the area.
Aravind sighed again as he approached the café doors. As he neared, he folded his umbrella, shaking off the excess water before stepping inside.
The moment he entered, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped him, instantly warming his senses. The café's soft lighting cast a cozy glow, and the gentle hum of low-volume music added to the peaceful atmosphere. Despite the empty seats, the place still held a charm that made it feel like a refuge from the cold, rainy night.
"Good evening, boss," his baristas greeted him with warm smiles.
Aravind returned the gesture, setting his umbrella aside before replying, "Good evening to you too. Seems like it's a slow night."
One of the baristas, a young man with neatly combed hair, chuckled. "Yeah, it's been like this since the rain started."
Aravind hummed in understanding as he made his way to the counter. "The downpour's showing no signs of stopping. I doubt we'll get many customers tonight. You all should head home early—I can manage things here."
His staff exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. "Thanks, boss. We've already calculated today's sales."
Aravind nodded as he took a seat, pulling out the ledger to review the numbers. "Good work, guys."
His words were met with smiles and appreciative nods before the staff started gathering their belongings and leaving one by one. Within moments, the café fell into silence.
After finishing his review of the sales, Aravind leaned back in his chair, letting out a weary sigh. He stood up, pulling off his damp hoodie and tossing it onto a nearby chair before stretching his sore muscles.
With slow, practiced movements, he walked toward the coffee machine. The familiar clicks and whirs filled the air as he began preparing a cappuccino for himself—his own little comfort on a cold, lonely night.
After finishing his cappuccino, Aravind walked back to the counter and settled into a chair, finally allowing himself to relax. He took a slow, satisfying sip of his drink, letting the warmth spread through him.
Just as he was about to enjoy the moment, a transparent screen suddenly appeared in front of him.
[Host, the update is complete.]
Aravind's eyes lit up in surprise. "Finally!" he muttered, but his excitement quickly faded as he frowned. "What the hell, SYS? You could've at least warned me beforehand! And what's with this sudden update?"
[Apologies for the abrupt update, Host,] SYS replied in its usual emotionless tone. [But it has been three years since you last interfered with a movie plot—directly or indirectly. In that time, you have continuously ignored all potential scenarios, rendering the system… well, useless.]
Aravind sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not like that, SYS. I just want to live a quiet life."
Hearing this, SYS continued in a calm yet firm tone.
[SYS understands the Host's intentions, but ever since that day—the incident in Kashmir, when Host's parents passed away—you have been different. The moment that tragedy struck, your past life memories awakened, and our bond was formed. I know Host does not like to dwell on the past, but since that day, you have lived a difficult life, constantly struggling, never truly allowing yourself to enjoy anything. As your system, I only wish to be useful.]
Aravind fell silent, his fingers tightening around the warm cup in his hands. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he stared at the reflection of the café lights in his coffee.
"…I get it, SYS," he said at last, his voice quieter but steady. Then, with a small smile, he looked at the screen. "So, tell me—what's new? What did we get from this update?"
The tension in the air lessened as SYS immediately responded.
[Host, the update has introduced several new functions. Would you like a full breakdown?]
Aravind smirked slightly. "Might as well. Hit me with it."
Hearing Aravind's words, SYS immediately responded, its mechanical voice carrying an unmistakable hint of excitement.
[Congratulations, Host! You no longer need to actively interfere in movie plots. Instead, from now on, the movie plots will come to you. Your luck has been adjusted so that you will unexpectedly stumble into significant movie events, whether you like it or not.]
Aravind raised an eyebrow. "Great. Just what I needed—plot armor that forces me into trouble."
Ignoring his sarcasm, SYS continued.
[Congratulations, Host! You have unlocked 'Normalcy.' This ability allows you to have multiple female partners without facing any social backlash. No one will question or criticize you for having a harem, as it will be naturally accepted by everyone around you.]
Aravind nearly choked on his cappuccino. "Wait, what? That's an actual function now? What kind of nonsense—"
Before he could finish, SYS kept going.
[Congratulations, Host! You have unlocked 'Harem Management.' This function allows you to be acutely aware of your partners' emotional and physical needs. You will instinctively understand their feelings and ensure that each of them feels loved, valued, and appreciated. Additionally, your time management skills will improve, allowing you to balance your relationships effortlessly. Any potential conflicts within your harem will be easily resolved, and none of your partners will ever doubt your love for them.]
Aravind set his cup down, rubbing his temples. "...So, you're telling me that not only am I going to be dragged into movie plots against my will, but now I'm also some kind of ideal harem protagonist?"
[Affirmative, Host!] SYS replied cheerfully.
As if ignoring his growing frustration, SYS continued delivering updates in its usual emotionless tone.
[Congratulations, Host! You have unlocked 'Sexual Calibration.' From now on, there will be no awkward moments in your intimate activities. Both you and your partners will always be fresh, clean, and pleasantly scented, ensuring the best possible experience every time.]
[Congratulations, Host! You have unlocked 'Harem Luck.' You will now encounter heroines and beautiful female characters unexpectedly, and your first meeting with them will always leave a lasting impression. No matter the circumstances, they will never forget their first interaction with you, and you will always make a good first impression.]
Aravind's eyes twitched. He leaned forward, staring at the glowing screen in front of him as lines of irritation formed on his forehead.
"The actual fuck, SYS?" he muttered, his voice filled with disbelief. "Do you seriously think I'm that horny? Are you trying to turn me into some harem protagonist from an ecchi novel? This is ridiculous!"
SYS, unfazed by his reaction, responded in its usual monotone.
[Host, this update is designed for your benefit. It will enhance your quality of life and ensure that you have fun. As your system, my purpose is to make your life easier and more enjoyable.]
Aravind buried his face in his hands, groaning loudly. "I am so screwed…"
He sat there for a moment, trying to process the absurdity of his situation. First, he had been forced into a system that he never asked for. Then, after years of avoiding trouble, the system suddenly decided that he could no longer escape the madness. And now, not only was he guaranteed to be dragged into movie plots, but he was also being set up to live the life of a walking wish-fulfillment protagonist.
Taking a deep breath, he leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.
"Peaceful life, my ass…" he muttered.