[Intern System 4399 reporting in, finally found you, my host!]
[Detected a problem with time... oh no, host, how have you spent decades in this world?!]
Hearing the mechanical voice of the system, Makoto was even more surprised than it was: "So after all this time, I actually do have a system?"
[Yes, host, the system was supposed to cross over with you, but... I got lost.]
"You're even more useless than an FW knife."
[Please don't scold me! I'm just an intern!]
"So, the reason I got stuck in a time loop is because you couldn't find me?"
[That seems to be the case.]
"Rubbish!"
Makoto felt a bit conflicted.
So in the end, this whole mess was the system's fault.
[Host, you've spent too long here, so the system tasks were forcibly updated. Now I can't graduate from my internship. Tragic.]
Makoto thought for two seconds, then raised a finger like that meme: "I have a plan."
[Hmm? Please tell me more, host.]
"You just give me benefits according to your own rules, and I'll help you complete your internship tasks. Isn't that a win-win?"
[That does make sense... but since you've been here for decades, your tasks have been forcibly updated.]
"No problem. The strong never complain about their environment."
Makoto was full of confidence.
In the time loop, he had learned a lot.
If not for the fact that his physical condition reset every morning, he might have turned into a "superhuman" after decades of training.
Fortunately, the skills and experience he acquired weren't reset.
Now, with this useless intern system tagging along, he had to rely on himself to push forward.
He even thought that his situation was just like that joke:
You've mastered offense and defense. Good. Now you can challenge Genichiro Ashina.
[Host, my entire internship journey depends on you now.]
[Now issuing new beginner missions (choose one out of three): We've detected that you already know Yukinoshita Yukino. Please become her most beloved elder. You must earn her genuine recognition, and she must call you with a title showing respect.]
[Mission Reward: Badge of the All-Rounder Girl.]
[Beginner Mission 2: You have met Nakano Ichika. Please become the elder she trusts the most, with the same conditions as above.]
[Mission Reward: Nakano Ichika's Potential Badge.]
[Beginner Mission 3: You have met Matsukaze Mayu. Please become the person she likes the most among the opposite sex—whether as a lover or a close friend, either way counts.]
[Mission Reward: "Saint Mayu" Aura.]
The beginner missions were this tough?
Makoto suddenly felt lucky. Thankfully he had gone through a time loop—otherwise completing these missions would have been extremely difficult.
But thinking again, it was exactly because the useless system had gotten lost that the beginner tasks were forcibly updated.
As for the "Saint Mayu" mentioned in the missions, he naturally knew about her.
Mayu had an extremely gentle personality. No matter who she interacted with, she was always soft-spoken and responsible, making her extremely popular at school.
While "Saint" often had a negative connotation on the internet these days, in Mayu's case, it was genuine high praise.
[Host, are you confident?]
The system asked hesitantly.
"Why do I have to pick only one? I'll take on all three missions at once. That way I can complete three tasks simultaneously, and you can graduate faster too."
[Huh? Are you serious, host?]
I'm gonna fight ten people!
Makoto exuded the aura of Donnie Yen.
Under his firm insistence, the useless intern system was persuaded. Plus, eager to finish its internship as soon as possible, it issued all three beginner missions at once.
In addition, there was a starter gift pack.
[Your starter gift pack has been distributed (Time Loop Card *3): You can choose any day to initiate a time loop, and continue looping until you're satisfied.]
Perfect.
More chances to "grind experience."
Three time loop cards to match three beginner missions.
The advantage was his.
This confirmed his guess even more clearly: he had entered the time loop because the system couldn't find him in time.
Originally, this power was supposed to be under his control.
After finishing his morning routine, Makoto finally saw the message from Yukino.
Just a simple "You lied to me," but it was filled with a girl's anger and doubt.
She might be wondering whether yesterday's experience was all arranged by Makoto with hired actors—but if it were actors, there would be too many inconsistencies.
Facing a Yukino full of doubt, and thinking about his beginner mission...
Makoto simply sent her a smiling emoji.
The kind of polite, ambiguous smile that looked like he had a lot to say but chose not to.
After all, in this situation, the more he explained, the more trouble he'd invite.
But just sending an emoji would keep Yukino's curiosity piqued.
There was a good chance she would seek him out again today.
After all, strategy was all about playing the right tricks.
After breakfast, Makoto headed out and happened to bump into Mayu, who was also on her way to school.
They lived on the same floor of the apartment building, which was why she had been so friendly with him yesterday.
"Good morning, Matsukaze-sensei."
"Good morning, Fushimi-kun~"
Today Mayu was again wearing her usual light-colored, waist-cinching top and a long skirt.
Because of her short stature, the long skirt covered the fact that her legs weren't particularly long, while beautifully highlighting her mature curves.
The waist-cinching top further emphasized her full chest, and the tapered waistline flowed downward, outlining a breathtaking waist-to-hip ratio.
"Do your best in art class this afternoon~" Mayu said sweetly.
"Maybe I'll surprise you during art class," Makoto replied.
"Eh? So confident?"
Seeing Mayu's surprise, Makoto didn't bother explaining much.
He had practiced drawing for a long time during the time loop.
Because drawing was the key to "unlocking" Mayu.
Just like he had learned screenwriting and photography in the loop—to unlock Ichika.
Working hard to win over beautiful girls—well, that was just human nature.
Upon arriving at school, Makoto parted ways with Mayu and headed to his classroom.
He had quite a few acquaintances in his class: Hayama Hayato, Miura Yumiko, and even Nakano Itsuki, who was dozing off on her desk.
"Good morning. You seem to be in a good mood today?"
Hayama Hayato smiled and greeted him, ever the friendly type no matter who he talked to.
"Yeah, something good happened," Makoto nodded.
"I see."
Sensible as always, Hayama Hayato didn't pry further. Unless Makoto brought it up himself, he wouldn't go digging into others' private matters.
Soon, more students arrived. Everyone who greeted Hayama Hayato received a warm response.
So warm. Seriously.
Makoto idly watched for a bit before noticing that Nakano Itsuki, sitting to his right, kept glancing at him.
When he turned his head, Nakano Itsuki quickly averted her gaze.
After thinking for a moment, he figured out why. He immediately asked, "Did Ichika mention me to you last night?"
Nakano Itsuki was visibly stunned, clearly not expecting him to talk to her.
She responded curiously, "Yeah, Ichika mentioned you during dinner. Are you two friends already?"
"I'd like to be her friend, but I'm worried she might not be willing," Makoto said with a helpless tone.
This instantly piqued Nakano Itsuki's curiosity. "Why?"
Makoto looked even more troubled. "Because I accidentally found out one of her secrets. I guess she might come talk to me about it today."
"Eh?"
Nakano Itsuki's beautiful eyes widened in surprise.
Covering her rosy lips, she whispered, "She did mention wanting to talk to you—and also to that famous Yukinoshita girl."
Then, unable to resist, she leaned closer to Makoto, bringing along her pleasant fragrance.
"Fushimi-kun, what's Ichika's secret?"
She didn't hide the curiosity in her eyes at all.
After all, they were quintuplets who had grown up together. They usually knew each other's secrets pretty well.
Now that Ichika wanted to secretly discuss something with a guy, of course she was curious.
What Nakano Itsuki didn't know was that Makoto had deliberately phrased things that way.
Under her expectant gaze, Makoto showed an apologetic smile. "Sorry, since Ichika didn't agree to let me tell others, I don't dare reveal it for now."
So it was such an important secret?
Nakano Itsuki's eyes shimmered.
She grew even more curious.
Out of the corner of his eye, Makoto saw Hayama Hayato still warmly greeting classmates.
That guy was a warmhearted person.
While he himself was a highly aggressive master of strategy.
So, at this moment, he decided to reveal his trump card: "Itsuki, how about this — once I confirm that she's okay with me sharing it, I'll tell you first."
The phrase "tell you first" carried a bit of ambiguity, a sense of something special.
Especially when said in front of the opposite sex.
Nakano Itsuki's cheeks flushed slightly.
But then she quickly realized — how would he manage to tell her first?
He didn't even have her contact information.
What should she do?
It was so hard to guess.
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