NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: Chapter 14: The Forced "Intimate Bond" Card
Classroom 3-J.
Yukinoshita's seat, like Hikigaya's, was in the second-to-last row by the window.
At this moment, the teacher was lecturing at the podium, but Yukinoshita wasn't paying attention.
One reason was that the material was something she had already mastered, so listening was optional.
The more pressing reason, however, was that she had a terrifying nightmare last night.
In the dream, a line of women queued up, taking turns entering her and Hikigaya's marital bedroom.
She could only watch helplessly as her boyfriend—no, her husband—Hikigaya shouted things like:
"You're amazing, [Name]!"
"You're leagues better than Yukinoshita!"
"Sorry, Yukinoshita…"
Yukinoshita shuddered at the memory, trying not to think about the tragic events of her dream.
No, no—that was just a dream! It wasn't real!
For now, she needed to stay calm and strategize. How could she ensure Hikigaya successfully wooed Megumi Kato?
Wooing Kato, huh...
Sigh, this is going to be so hard.
Yukinoshita sighed inwardly.
From what the system had told her, Kato Megumi was an extremely passive girl. Even more passive than Hikigaya.
Otherwise, she wouldn't still be completely friendless, with a presence so faint even Hikigaya would be ashamed in comparison.
After much consideration, Yukinoshita concluded that Hikigaya would have to take the initiative to get close to Kato.
But the problem was...
Hikigaya's favorability toward Kato was negative five.
This...this was going to be pure torture for him.
But there was no choice.
To earn points and save your life, Hikigaya-kun, you'll have to endure this and take the lead.
Still, before that, Yukinoshita had to think of a proper excuse to push Hikigaya closer to Kato.
"...Headache."
She sighed again.
"Just wooing Kato is this hard. Is it really possible to accumulate a million points in three years?"
Honestly, even if she were given half a year, Yukinoshita doubted she could completely win Kato over.
---
[System: While working on Kato Megumi, the host can also encourage Hikigaya Hachiman to "bond" with other potential targets to earn additional points.]
"By that, do you mean Yui or Komachi?"
Yukinoshita recalled the 10 and 50 points she'd earned from them yesterday.
[System: Not just Yui Yuigahama and Komachi Hikigaya. Hikigaya Hachiman has many potential targets. The host can earn points from all of them.]
"...Excuse me? Many?"
Yukinoshita frowned and asked, "How many, exactly?"
[System: At least 30 within Sobu High. Beyond Sobu High, at least 50 more.]
Yukinoshita: "??"
What kind of absurdity is this?!
Eighty-plus women have compatibility with my Hikigaya?!
---
Yukinoshita's headache intensified. She realized she'd have to watch out for all these potential rivals in the future.
But at the same time, she would need to let them "bond" with her Hikigaya to earn points.
Sigh. Why do such cruel things happen to me?
Hikigaya-kun, help me out here!
"...Oh, right. Open the system shop."
Yukinoshita sighed listlessly, recalling that she'd unlocked it this morning but hadn't checked it yet.
---
The shop contained only three items.
The first two were familiar:
• The Strengthening Potion she had taken before.
• The Charisma Boost Potion she had given Hikigaya, priced at 50 points.
She wasn't interested in the charisma potion. The last thing she wanted was for Hikigaya to become an irresistible "charm demon."
The strengthening potion, priced at 100 points, caught her attention. She stared at it for nearly ten seconds.
The third item, however, was new: a one-time-use Forced "Intimate Bond" Card.
---
Curious, Yukinoshita clicked on the description.
[System: This card forces Hikigaya Hachiman to instinctively "bond" with the nearest potential target (Note: This card does not affect Kato Megumi)].
[System: The first purchase costs only 20 points.]
---
Forced bonding?
Can something like this really work?
[System: Highly recommended for the host, especially since the host isn't great at coming up with ideas. This card can "force" bonding when needed.]
"Who are you calling dumb?!"
My grades are the highest in Sobu High!
Yukinoshita took a deep breath, trying to calm down.
"If I use it, Hikigaya won't notice anything unusual, right?"
[System: While the bonding will be instinctive, Hikigaya himself will not realize it's out of the ordinary.]
"Alright, buy it."
After some hesitation, Yukinoshita decided to spend 20 points on it.
As long as Hikigaya doesn't run into Yui, this should be worth it.
Might as well give it a shot.
---
[System: Forced "Intimate Bond" Card purchased. Would you like to use it now?]
"Huh?" Yukinoshita blinked, caught off guard.
"Use it now?"
[System: Understood. Using the card...]
"???"
I was asking! Not confirming!!
---
[System: Locating Hikigaya Hachiman's nearest potential target...]
Yukinoshita: "?!?"
[System: Target confirmed. Activating Forced "Intimate Bond"...]
---
[System: Under the card's influence, Hikigaya Hachiman instinctively touched Utaha Kasumigaoka's trembling nylon-clad foot. System points +80.]
[System: As Kasumigaoka's foot is one of her weak points, an additional 100% bonus applies. Points +80.]
---
"Huh?"
Yukinoshita was dumbfounded.
She had just earned 160 points in an instant.
And for only 20 points?
...That's such a bargain!
Wait, no!
---
Hold on.
It's still class time, isn't it?
I actually made Hikigaya-kun touch a girl's foot?!
Dismayed and conflicted, Yukinoshita felt a pang of regret.
Hikigaya-kun… Are you alright?
*********************
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