The Passive Income System

AN: I'll be completely honest; I forgot what I've mentioned for some skills so the list you see in this chapter is the updated/cannon list. I'm going to be writing this one down and I'll be focusing on skills for the next few chapters now that I feel more comfortable.

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While Mahiru slept, I scrolled through my phone, meticulously organizing its contents. Photos, notes, emails, and passwords were cleaned up and sorted with care. Each task felt like peeling back layers of the old Amane's life—remnants of a story I wanted to preserve out of respect but no longer felt entirely mine.

By the time I finished, three hours had passed, and it was almost noon. I didn't mind the time spent; respecting his memory while carving out my own space felt like the right thing to do. He met an untimely demise, and I felt it was unfair to completely forget his existence. I hope this gesture allows you to rest in peace, my man.

Everything I sorted was stored in a Google Drive folder. I even paid for a subscription to increase my cloud storage to about 2TB, along with other benefits. One folder was named "Amane V1" and another "Amane V2"—V1 being the original and V2 being me. If anyone asked why it was labeled so weirdly, I'd just say it was before I got a girlfriend... though that might raise even more questions! You know what, though? It's my stuff, so I can do what I want.

I got up from my chair, and stiffness assaulted my body.

Pop~ Pop~

"Ahhhh~"

That felt amazing! I cracked my neck and fingers, relishing the euphoric pleasure it brought. I'd heard somewhere that doing this excessively was bad, but it felt too good to stop. I walked into my room and plugged my phone into the charger, making sure it was on silent. I didn't want to wake the sleeping angel I was trying to make amends with.

"What should I do now?" I sat down on my bed with my arms supporting me as I leaned back. I really had nothing to do—at least not anything pressing! I'm sure I could find something if I looked hard enough, but for now, I was enjoying the relaxation.

[Side Quest: Improve relationship with Mahiru]

[Reward: All skills raised by 200 points]

What a random side quest... I think this is the first time it's asked me to improve a relationship too! Normally, the system gave improvements as a reward, but it had never given me a quest to improve a relationship. There was one with Sawako to make her night, but I don't believe that counts... though maybe it technically does.

The reward was great as well, but it also reminded me to actually check my skills. It's been a while, and I'll be completely honest, I've forgotten what everything was at.

"System Skills!"

[Rearranging... updating... separated into old and new]

"Uh? I appreciate it, but system, when did I get this quality-of-life update?" I muttered under my breath but as I thought would happen. 

[Updated list!]

No response, I figured as much.

[Old list]

Listening: Level 4 (763/1,250) ← Level 4 (100/1,250)

Confidence: Level 4 (502/1,250) ← Level 3 (40/250)

Fitness: Level 3 (242/250) ← (25/250)

Studying: Level 3 (120/250) ← (40/250)

Cooking: Level 1 (08/10) ← (0/10)

[New additions]

Emotional Control: Level 3 (05/250) ← Level 2

Communication: Level 3 (01/250)

Management: Level 1 (09/10)

CQC (close-quarters combat): Level 1 (06/10)

Emotional control, figures. Communication? So just talking... Management, yeah, I guess. And CQC? Ohhh, must be from when I acted on my stupid intrusive thought.

I read each and every skill, but that's when I realized that I don't really know what the skills do! At least, I didn't feel much different, but who the hell really knew? It's hard to notice changes in yourself, so I could be really different for all I know.

Walking out of my room, I glanced at the sleeping angel to make sure she was comfortable. She was hopelessly passed out still, so the only thing to do was study! I never thought I would ever suggest studying. I don't know whether to laugh or cry at that fact...

Like that, more time passed, and evening had long since come. Mahiru was still passed out, and I was starting to get a little worried! I mean, how long had she not slept? There was no way it had been over a day, right? Right?!

I got up from the kitchen table, where I had been studying, and went up to her. I bent down, getting close enough to hear her breathing. Her breaths were calm, and her body showed no signs of pain, so from that, it didn't seem like I had anything to worry about.

"Hmmng~" Mahiru turned over in dissatisfaction, probably from sleeping on the couch. But whenever she woke up, she'd really feel the pain.

Jeez, she'll wake herself up at this rate! When she turned, some of her hair fell over her face, tickling her nose and clearly agitating her more. I took my right hand and brushed it back behind her ear. Fortunately, her face was toward the couch cushions, so if she did wake up, I could quickly explain myself!

"Seriously, how can two women be this cute? If they ever meet, I could only imagine the danger..." I whispered as I fully got up and made my way back to my room. I promised her pizza when she woke up, and there was no way she would sleep the whole night! I had to get the order in before any place closed.

I don't need her thinking I'm a liar while also thinking of me as a pervert.

I stopped at the doorway, glancing back at Mahiru. Her face was calm, her breathing steady, and there was now a soft, almost unnoticeable smile on her face. She looked so at ease that it was hard to believe she'd been so guarded the other day.

The faint light from the window highlighted the stray strands of hair I'd brushed behind her ear. She shifted slightly, murmuring something I couldn't make out, but her breathing stayed even. Whatever dreams she's having, I hope they're as peaceful as she looks.

"Since you want to sleep so long, I'll just go pick our food up," I muttered under my breath. With that, I stepped back to my room to call in the order, a small grin creeping onto my face. "But when you wake up, there'd better not be complaints about the pizza."