My Love Simulation with Them

For Riko-Riko—

18,000 yen wasn't huge—

But it wasn't small either.

As a Riko-Riko employee—

Chisato definitely couldn't just take money from the register to pay him back.

But at the same time—

She couldn't not pay.

So—

"Will 5,000 yen do?"

Minami looked at the bills she handed over.

Then—

He looked at her.

"..."

"...This is only 5,000 yen."

"...It's all I have left."

Chisato's voice—

Got small.

Her big, shiny eyes blinked up at him.

She even looked a little pitiful.

This woman.

She knew exactly how to use her cuteness.

She angled her face slightly upward—

So that when she looked up at him—

She'd instantly trigger a man's protective instincts.

But—

"Hand over your wallet."

"Uuuu..."

Chisato let out a dramatic groan—

And clutched her pathetically thin wallet.

Like a mother protecting her newborn.

"Hurry up."

Minami urged.

"Minami-kun, you're totally the type—"

"Who would shamelessly take his wife's money to go play pachinko."

Chisato muttered—

As she reluctantly handed him her wallet.

Pachinko—

Was one of Japan's most infamous gambling games.

People bought metal balls for 20 yen each—

And used them to play for prizes.

Of course—

Most people lost.

Which is why pachinko was mostly filled with deadbeat gamblers.

"Yeah, you're probably right."

Minami nodded without hesitation.

Minami couldn't even be bothered to argue.

Taking her wallet—

He counted the money while continuing:

"Nishikigi-san, you should never fall for a guy like me—"

"The kind of man who'd emotionlessly take his wife's money to go play pachinko."

"It's fine!"

"All the money I earn is yours, Minami-kun!"

"Whether you spend it on pachinko or whatever else, I don't mind at all!"

Chisato rested her chin on her hands,

Watching Minami carefully count her money.

Then—

She giggled.

"Even the way you count money is handsome…"

"As expected of the man I set my sights on."

Minami glanced at her sideways.

"Is that so?"

"Well, since Nishikigi-san is so willing—"

"From now on, just talking to me will require a 2,000 yen 'friendship fee' per month."

Even as he said this—

Minami paused.

He couldn't help but wonder—

"Am I going too far?"

After all—

Charging someone 2,000 yen a month just to be friends—

Even for Nishikigi Chisato—

"What a bargain! I'LL PAY!"

A shocked exclamation.

Then—

SMACK.

Two crisp, fresh 1,000-yen bills landed in his hand.

Minami blinked.

And looked up.

Chisato—

Satisfied—

Had already retracted her hand.

She propped her chin up again—

Smiling cheerfully.

"Ahhh, I never expected Minami-kun to be this cheap..."

She sighed—

Then raised her index finger and thumb—

Making a tiny pinch gesture.

"Actually, I still have a little bit of secret savings."

"Can I add more money and upgrade our relationship—"

"From 'friends' straight to 'boyfriend and girlfriend'?"

Then—

She pulled out her phone,

Opened the calculator app,

And began tapping on the screen.

"Hmm... A 'friendship fee' is 2,000 yen per month."

"Then a 'boyfriend fee' should be about 12,000 yen per month, right?"

"Minami-kun, does that sound reasonable?"

"..."

Minami stared.

"…You don't think there's something seriously wrong—"

"With buying a boyfriend with money?"

[Rent-a-boyfriend]

This girl.

Her thought process was so far removed from normality—

It was like she lived in a parallel dimension.

Minami sighed.

"Also—"

"Isn't the usual reaction to despise a deadbeat husband who blows money on pachinko?"

But—

Instead of the expected reaction—

Chisato looked at him like he was crazy.

"Minami-kun, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"How could I ever despise you?"

"..."

Minami—

Speechless.

"Besides—"

"Minami-kun, maybe you don't understand—"

"Even if a relationship starts from money—"

"It's still a real relationship!"

Chisato tilted her head.

Her bright, lively eyes filled with determination.

"For me—"

"This is just the first step!"

"I don't care if it's twisted or weird—"

"I'm going to get you to be my boyfriend, no matter what!"

Yes.

A preemptive strike!

Who cares if the method is unorthodox?

Who cares if it's questionable?

The only thing that matters—

Is securing Minami Shouji as her boyfriend.

No matter the cost.

She was willing to use any method to achieve that goal.

"So, Minami-kun, what do you think?"

"Shall we upgrade the service a little?"

Chisato rubbed her hands together excitedly.

"No."

Minami—

Expressionless—

Refused.

"Ehhh—?"

Chisato dragged out the sound in protest.

"Won't you reconsider?"

"The price is totally negotiable!"

"This isn't a flea market."

"I'm not haggling with you over relationship fees."

Minami sighed.

Honestly—

Chisato Nishikigi's determination and execution speed were terrifying.

So—

Minami finally used his "Data Scanner."

[TARGET: CHISATO NISHIKIGI]

Appearance: 8

Athleticism: 8

Academics: 6

Special Traits:

Optimism LV5 Reflexes LV5 Action-Taking LV5 Execution Ability LV5 Social Skills LV4 Cooking LV1

Current Impression of the Host:

Irreplaceable, Romantic Feelings, Emerging Genuine Admiration

System Evaluation:

She is utterly captivated by you. Every action and word of yours draws her in deeper. If you choose to respond, her naturally cheerful and passionate nature will return your feelings tenfold. You may not see her as your one and only— But to her, you are everything.

"..."

Minami glanced at the data panel.

Then—

He glanced at Chisato,

Who was staring openly at his face.

LV5 in Action-Taking and Execution...

LV4 in Social Skills?

"What kind of social monster is this...?"

And her Execution Ability and Action-Taking were insanely high.

Literally the moment she thinks of something,

She'll immediately do it without hesitation.

No wonder—

She had zero hesitation when taking the Universal Cure Pill.

Minami sighed.

"As expected of the strongest Lycoris in the original 'Lycoris Recoil' plot..."

Even if she was born this way—

Her innate ability to take action...

Even Minami himself couldn't match it.

Only problem was—

That insane action-taking ability was clearly being used in all the wrong places.

As he felt Chisato curiously press her soft hand against his chest,

Minami frowned.

"What are you doing?"

"Eh—? I'm just checking if Minami-kun has muscles~"

Caught red-handed,

Chisato was completely unashamed.

Not only did she not blush—

She even tried to pull up his shirt to take a peek.

Minami grabbed her wrist.

Stopped her.

Then—

Without hesitation—

He returned her pathetic, empty wallet.

"The 2,000 yen you just gave me—"

"I'll count it toward your debt."

"Including the initial 5,000 yen—"

"You still owe me 11,000 yen, Nishikigi-san."

"Eh? Wasn't that my friendship fee?"

Chisato tilted her head.

Confused.

"I'm not so broke that I need to charge people for friendship."

Minami smacked her lightly on the head.

Honestly—

If this were Yamada-san,

She probably would've taken the 2,000 yen without hesitation and fully expected him to keep paying her.

But—

Minami wasn't that kind of person.

Besides—

"2,000 yen? I'm not that cheap."

"Mmm... that's true."

Chisato nodded in agreement.

If 2,000 yen was all it took to buy Minami Shouji—

She'd empty her entire savings and buy a whole litter of him.

Minami glanced around.

The Riko-Riko was completely empty.

Then—

He turned back to Chisato.

"If Nishikigi-san is feeling fine now—"

"Then I don't really have a reason to stay here any longer."

He thought for a moment.

Then—

He warned her:

"Inoue-san and Kurumi went out for supplies."

"For now, only Nakahara-san is in the shop." (Mizuki)

"But when I arrived earlier, I saw her looking for hangover medicine."

"I have no idea where she disappeared to now."

"Which means—"

"Right now, you're the only person left in Riko-Riko."

As he said this,

Minami glanced at Chisato again.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

After all—

Today was a weekend.

For the food and beverage industry,

Weekends were the busiest time.

Riko-Riko wasn't a big café—

But it was fully equipped.

With only Chisato to run the entire place—

Was that really okay...?

"Ah... it's fine. I'm used to it."

Chisato laughed cheerfully.

She seemed completely unfazed.

As she walked behind the counter,

She tied on her white apron.

"Minami-kun, you saw it yourself, right?"

"Even on weekends, Riko-Riko barely has any customers."

"I can handle it alone."

"That's true."

Minami glanced around.

Even on a weekend—

The café was completely deserted.

The few customers who did come in—

Ordered a single coffee and nothing else.

"This business situation..."

Even though he'd already seen it in the simulation—

Seeing it in real life still made Minami frown.

"Since Minami-kun is an all-knowing psychic—"

"You should already know why this café exists, right?"

Chisato wiped a plate as she spoke.

"More or less."

Minami nodded.

The Riko-Riko existed because Mika—

The director of the orphanage—

Wanted to use the café to financially support the orphanage.

"Mika-sensei may be a 48-year-old old man—"

"But he's still very kind."

As she spoke,

Chisato tried to keep her tone light.

But—

There was still a trace of heaviness in her voice.

"And his coffee is really good."

"Definitely good enough to run a café."

She sighed.

"The problem is—"

"None of us can match Mika-sensei's cooking skills."

Chisato placed the cleaned plate on the drying rack.

She let out another sigh.

Minami didn't comment.

Because—

Chisato was absolutely right.

In the simulation, Minami had already witnessed Mika's coffee-making skills.

As a barista, Mika's technique was undoubtedly professional.

Most of LycoReco's few loyal customers only kept coming back because of his coffee.

In contrast—

Chisato Nishikigi...

Seemed to have allocated all her skill points into Reflexes, Execution, and Action-Taking.

Her cooking skill?

LV1.

Which meant—

She could at best make simple home-cooked meals or arrange parfaits nicely.

"It feels like we're just holding Mika-sensei back... What do you think, Minami-kun?"

Chisato rested her head on the counter, looking a little dejected.

Anyone who saw this usually cheerful angel looking so downhearted would probably offer some comforting words.

Then—

"I think you're right. Your cooking skills are terrible."

"Gah—!! Cough! Cough!"

Chisato choked.

She thought she was going to get some encouragement.

Instead, she got roasted.

Her mouth opened and closed like a goldfish.

Then—

Her cheeks puffed up in frustration.

"Normally, this is the part where you comfort me, right?! Right, Minami-kun?!"

She tried to argue.

But—

"Comforting you won't improve your cooking skills. So it's pointless."

"You—! You—!! Fine! If that's how it is, then Minami-kun, you're going to taste my cooking yourself! Just wait there!"

"..."

Minami was about to refuse.

But when he saw the golden-haired girl bouncing away toward the kitchen—

The words stuck in his throat.

Honestly—

With LV1 Cooking Skill...

He had zero expectations.

And the result was exactly what he expected.

Chisato came back, dripping with sweat, carrying a plate and spoon.

"Hm-hm! Minami-kun, enjoy! Chisato Nishikigi's special 'Cute Girl Omurice'!"

She stood confidently, hands on her hips.

As for Minami—

He lowered his gaze.

Looked at the plate.

Fell silent.

He hadn't tasted it yet.

So he couldn't judge if it was good or bad.

But as for the "cute girl" part—

The dish absolutely lived up to its name.

In his vision, a notification from the Love Simulation System popped up.

[1.1/10 Rating]

A plate of Omurice soaked in a beautiful girl's sweat.

While it may not be particularly delicious, certain individuals with unique tastes might find this feature appealing.

"...."

Minami felt his appetite vanish.

"To eat..."

"Or not to eat."

"That is the question."