Chapter 343: It seemed like I got scammed…

The claw machine battle was a big victory!

One Johnny the Panda plush, along with seven or eight other kinds of dolls – the trophies were many.

However, in Yukinoshita’s eyes, there seemed to be only Mr. Johnny.

Yukinoshita was only interested in “Mr. Johnny,” hugging him tightly in her arms, often reaching out to stroke him, liking him a lot. She didn’t even glance at the other dolls, so the difference was clear.

“You like it that much…” Himekoji said.

Only after Himekoji spoke did Yukinoshita suddenly seem to remember something. With an awkward look, she stared at the panda plush one last time, like she didn’t want to let go, then quickly turned her face away and pushed the plush straight at Himekoji.

“You caught this, so it’s yours.”

There was only one Johnny the Panda in the claw machine, which really disappointed Yukinoshita. After she learned how to work the claw machine, there was no doll she wanted to catch anymore.

The only panda plush was already picked out by Himekoji when he showed off his flashy hook-throwing technique. It became a prop for showing off.

Since Himekoji caught it, it belonged to him.

In some ways, Yukinoshita was also a stubborn person.

She was fair, but she was also awkward and stubborn.

“You used your money, right? You should keep it.”

Himekoji naturally didn’t fight Yukinoshita for the plush.

Why would he want this strange-looking panda plush?

It was totally opposite to his taste.

“If you have to give me a doll as thanks, then I’ll choose this Mr. Frog.”

Himekoji picked out a toad from the seven or eight other plushies and held it in front of him.

As something to cover himself, it could hide the ugliness between his legs a bit…

“Oh, right, I used my money.”

Yukinoshita convinced herself with Himekoji’s words. She then looked at the doll in her arms, relieved, but suddenly thought of something and glared at Himekoji cautiously.

“Even if you ask for it later, I won’t give it to you.”

“I already said I don’t want it…”

Who would want such a scary-looking doll?

Besides, Yukinoshita was hugging the panda plush so tightly. How clueless would he have to be to grab it from a girl?

Still, seeing Yukinoshita like this suddenly seemed kind of cute too.

This cool and aloof person actually had a girly side like this.

Yukinoshita seemed to notice Himekoji’s slightly amused gaze. She shyly turned her head away, her face a bit flushed.

“…Really, this plush thing probably doesn’t suit me? It feels more fitting for someone like Yuigahama-san.”

Himekoji didn’t avoid the question. He honestly said what he thought.

“Honestly, it surprised me a little that you like plushies.”

Yukinoshita didn’t show any reaction or strangeness to this. She just hugged Mr. Panda tightly.

“I only like Johnny; I’m not interested in other plushies.”

Yukinoshita played with Mr. Panda’s hands. Those sharp claws made a scary “creak” sound.

Together with Mr. Johnny’s fierce expression…

Hmm…

Yukinoshita’s taste was really weird.

No wonder she usually treated me so badly—now, that wasn’t hard to understand.

Because I’m a handsome man, totally opposite to her taste!

Himekoji held the toad with one hand and stroked his chin with the other, happy with his own thinking.

“I’ve always loved collecting various Mr. Johnnies. Sadly, many styles still only come from raffles and claw machines, which always makes it hard. You can buy them online too, but I don’t trust the quality…”

That was a very Yukinoshita reason.

“But you really like Mr. Johnny…”

Seeing this side of Yukinoshita, Himekoji blurted out that thought without thinking.

“It’s probably because it was a birthday gift I got when I was little.”

As if remembering years ago, Yukinoshita’s eyes suddenly softened.

“It might be why I have such feelings for it, s-so…”

Yukinoshita buried her face in the plush, embarrassed.

“So, thank you for helping me get this plush.”

“Huh?”

Himekoji froze for a moment.

For a second, he thought he saw or heard wrong. Was this shy person thanking him really Yukinoshita?

Could it be someone pretending to be her?

The Yukinoshita he knew was super cool!

…

The date with Yukinoshita ended smoothly.

Huh, could it really be called smooth?

Anyway, on the way back, Himekoji felt uncomfortable the whole time.

He often had to press his little brother down with Mr. Frog in his hand. He had to be extra careful with his movements to avoid getting strange looks from others or Yukinoshita…

When they got back to the inn, everyone else was waiting for them, ready.

The onsen was already reserved for everyone.

But before going to the onsen, there was a problem they needed to discuss—

“In other words, we have to sleep in the same room as Pervert-kun tonight?”

Yukinoshita just learned this news and couldn’t believe it.

“Don’t worry, Yukinoshita. The room is big, and there are enough blankets.”

Hiratsuka-sensei waved her hand carelessly, trying to soothe her.

“No, Sensei, what we need to worry about is clearly not that.”

“Ah, pillow fight? There will be one, as usual. No need to worry about that either.”

The female teacher looked like she had thought things through.

“It’s not that we’re worried about!”

Yukinoshita held her forehead, annoyed at the female teacher for playing dumb.

“What Yukino-chan is saying is that sharing a room with a boy—it’s impossible to sleep!”

Finally, Yuigahama said it for Yukinoshita.

“Then, let’s stay up all night tonight! Cheers!”

The Female Teacher got excited when she heard Yuigahama say that. She exclaimed and raised her beer can.

Sitting nearby, Kasumigaoka also joined in the fun like it was no big deal. With a “PONG” sound, she clinked her can against Hiratsuka Shizuka’s…

Himekoji watched with black lines forming on his forehead.

“Are you really a teacher?”

Several empty cans rolled around the floor—obviously not their first drink.

Even Kasumigaoka seemed to have had quite a bit.

“Yep, what about it?”

Faced with such a not-caring-at-all reply, Himekoji basically went numb. This time, he didn’t even feel like making a snarky comment.

The only good thing was—the Task Refresh Card Himekoji used before returning to the inn seemed to be working.

The System hadn’t forced him to mess with Hikigaya yet.

That was some relief in the mess.

…

The Task Refresh Card, just as the name says, forcibly refreshed all his tasks at once. After refresh, tasks were random, rewards were random, punishments were random.

Totally random!

Very awesome but also very scary.

He got it last week from a 10-draw combo.

Himekoji hadn’t dared to use it before now.

Because behind the seeming usefulness hid massive unpredictability and chaos.

Who knew what messed-up tasks it might give him instead?

Would they be less annoying? Or even worse?

Either was possible!

But no matter what, the unknown meant risk.

So Himekoji had avoided touching it.

But now…

He had no choice!

He had only one chance left for that Hikigaya task!

He’d definitely fail!

So why not take the gamble?

When Himekoji used the refresh card, thirteen tasks were still piled on him.

Tasks refreshed one by one, and each refresh took quite a while.

The later ones took longer, too.

The System showed some kindness by giving him breathing room between tasks…

[Ding!]

Half an hour later, Himekoji’s first “brand new” task finally popped up:

[Make Yukinoshita and Yuigahama have a baby. Start with a mini goal tonight—get them in bed!]

[Make Yukinoshita and Yuigahama have a baby.]

“Huh?”

Himekoji compared the new task to the old ones and suddenly felt he’d gotten totally scammed…

…