I became the emperor in the comic book series.

I like you!

Toyokawa Shoko: "???"

The favorability rating remained unchanged.

Akira Higashino added, "I like your body."

The favorability rating jumped suddenly to 64.

Shoko Toyokawa's heart skipped a beat. Realizing she'd been tricked again, she glared at the rascal who'd suddenly started talking nonsense, then crawled back into bed, not wanting to talk to the idiot.

If she were in human form now, she would most likely be blushing with embarrassment.

Akira Higashino: "..."

See it.

Those with talent don't need to be taught, while those without talent can't learn.

The so-called favorability score is the external manifestation of the new authority [Fate] after the system update. Originally, it was not like this, but rather a series of dark and gray lines. However, it was too unintuitive to look at. Under Akira Higashino's control, it evolved into a way to roughly judge the range of the other person's favorability score based on the fate between them.

As for whether [Bound by Fate] has any other special abilities and uses, we can only say that we are still exploring it.

Time was too short, and there was very little that could be figured out.

A system that doesn't provide a user manual works like this: the system only needs to release version updates and give rewards, while the host has to consider many more things.

But one thing is certain: after Higashino Akira has thoroughly investigated and eliminated everyone he's ever had a connection with, he might not remember who had a good impression of him, but he would definitely remember who had a negative impression, who harbored ill will towards him, or even who was his mortal enemy. That guy had better hope he'd be completely forgotten.

Akira Higashino hadn't forgotten that a month ago, she was attacked by an unknown force on the train back to her hometown, and that she might have been targeted by some unknown ghost before she was even born.

Accumulating more gas and money is not enough; you need to get enough gas to cover your stomach.

This thing is so useful that it's like a panacea. Whether you use it to access other system capabilities or to protect yourself in daily life, it works seamlessly.

Even Higashino Akira speculated that the reason Xiangzi could briefly revert to human form when she was near him at midnight every night was because that was precisely when his daily new Qi value was being refreshed. At that time, because she had received his decree and was close enough, she also briefly enjoyed the benefit of being immune to evil.

That's why, after being continuously cursed and hunted by Kayako, Akira Higashino felt nothing except for having his "qi" deducted once a day, let alone being injured.

Theoretically, if a method could be developed to transfer one's own energy into another person's body, Higashino Akira could rescue her without having to personally confront the being that cursed Shoko.

Unfortunately, he cannot do this yet, perhaps because his current level is not high enough to sense the Qi Lu and he cannot actively control it. He can only use it for passive defense or to be passively deducted when it is conferred a title.

I slept soundly through the night without saying a word.

The next day, Higashino Akira went out to accompany Kongming to go through the procedures to integrate his businesses. Kongming's first step in his smuggling plan had already achieved some success. By smuggling and reselling rice, and even taking advantage of the Lunar New Year, he made a fortune, accumulating more than 300 million yen.

This should have been an amazing achievement, but when he saw Higashino Akira casually pull out the daily budget for him to adjust some plans, open up more industries, recruit more employees, and win over the people, Kongming felt a little melancholy.

Kongming felt that he had won by doing nothing. He hadn't even had a chance to fully utilize his abilities when the most difficult stage of accumulating funds was so easily accomplished by his lord. Even without him, they could have found a few capable and trustworthy people to carry out the work step by step.

When Kongming first heard his lord say that he was the only one to assist him, he was truly prepared to die from overwork and was ready to dedicate himself to the great cause.

"Let's leave it at that and proceed according to plan. Now that we have the initial funding, we don't need to focus solely on cities anymore. We can turn our attention to a wider area beyond metropolitan areas. Money is not important. From now on, in addition to the land area, we need to shift our focus as soon as possible to orthodoxy and the will of the people."

After a busy day, Higashino Akira and Kongming arrived at Fanxing and watched Tsukimi Eiko's performance. She had indeed improved a lot, with significant progress in song selection, stage rhythm, and overall skill level.

After the performance ended, Kongming stayed behind to observe the performances of other competitors, while Higashino Akira had other things to do and got up to leave early.

RiNG, the same familiar location, only this time the protagonist has changed.

As Higashino Akira entered, Nagasaki Motoyo, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately stood up and gave him a gentle and polite smile.

"Have you been waiting a long time?"

“I just arrived not long ago either.” Nagasaki Sosei slowly shook her head. “Besides, I was the one who invited my senior to meet me, so I should have arrived at the meeting place earlier.”

"So, Nagasaki, what brings you here? Can you tell me now?"

Higashino Akira sat opposite Nagasaki Motoyo, looking at this seemingly gentle and considerate girl who also exuded a sense of irrationality and collapse, knowing that this change was probably because of Shoko again.

Xiangzi used him as a shield last night, and today she invited him out.

Upon hearing this, the girl feigned a shy demeanor, but unfortunately, she didn't even blush, making it seem somewhat fake.

"It's like this, I've lacked a sense of security since I was little. After seeing my senior's video last time, I started to care about their past, and eventually I couldn't help but develop feelings for them. I didn't want to hide these feelings anymore, so I invited them out..."

That's too direct, a bit unprofessional.

Higashino Akira inwardly scoffed, but outwardly remained calm as he retorted, "You should know about the relationship between me and Shoko, right? Is it really appropriate to say something like this under these circumstances?"

Chapter 45 This woman is already broken

Nagasaki Motoyo's face paled slightly upon hearing this, but she still did not give up.

No matter what, she could no longer accept this person clinging to Xiangzi and preventing him from returning to everyone's side!

This person only uses so-called love to bind Xiangzi, causing him to lose himself, forget his ideals, and abandon his friends!

It's all his fault!

Xiangzi was too deeply deceived by him. He had to let Xiangzi see his true colors, even if it meant doing anything to make her do it and paying any price. Once Xiangzi knew his ugly side, she would definitely no longer like him!

Nagasaki Motoyo smiled somewhat reluctantly, "I know, but I don't want to hide my feelings. If you don't want to, I can keep our relationship a secret. As long as you're willing to accept me!"

With that, Nagasaki Motoyo got up and sat down next to Higashino Akira, took his hand and placed it on her lap, "What Xiangzi can do, I can do too! And I'm even better off than Xiangzi!"

Higashino Akira remained silent.

He could always sense that after Toyokawa Shoko learned about his character, she was unwilling to contact her friends or take action against them herself. Although Higashino Akira himself was also unwilling to take the initiative to try to win over these well-off and talented girls.

However, this time it was Nagasaki Motoyo who delivered herself to him, not him who took the initiative!

Akira Higashino felt that he had done a lot for Shoko, but he couldn't let that make him feel guilty.

During Higashino Akira's silence, Nagasaki Motoyo gritted her teeth and even pulled his hand to her chest. A sickly flush crept onto her pale face, and although she was smiling gently, her eyes lost their original lively light.

This woman is corrupt.

The deep purple aura is basically enough to step into the gold level. Higashino Akira no longer cares about the rewards of the gold level aura, but he can't ignore the 5000 aura points that this level can bring every day. Anyway, he won't lose out. Higashino Akira doesn't care that she doesn't really like him. He has always been a pure body-eater.

Whether the melon is sweet or not doesn't matter, as long as it quenches your thirst.

As for what troubles might arise in the future?

The trouble was caused by Xiangzi, but it wasn't directed at him, so what business is it of his?

Higashino Akira pulled his hand away from her chest and looked intently at her face.

"I can tell you don't really like me."

"But I don't care."

"But are you really sure you want to do this?"

"There's only one thing Xiangzi didn't lie to you about: my possessiveness is indeed very strong. If you really become mine, then I will never let you leave again, nor will I abandon Xiangzi because of you. And your life from now on will belong only to me."

Nagasaki Motoyo didn't dare to take the topic, fearing that her purpose would be exposed, and she didn't believe that the proud and strong-willed Sho would still be willing to be with him after knowing his true colors!

She simply held his hand, looked at him with an admiring gaze, and nodded gently.

The conditions have been met.

'Imperially granting Nagasaki Soyo the title of maiden'

[Name: Nagasaki Soyo]

[Official Rank: No formal grade]

[Air dryness and harvest]

After the imperial decree was completed, Nagasaki Motoyo's originally deep purple aura underwent a small transformation, advancing to a light gold level.

In fact, whether it's Saki Kawasaki or Motoyo Nagasaki, the basic principle of bestowing titles is that the other party agrees. A simple-minded person like Kaga would naturally not object if given the boss's brain, so it was almost impossible for the bestowal to fail.

However, for a person, the person must agree. Therefore, Higashino Akira would convincingly grant the title before doing so, rather than simply granting it to any woman he saw on the street who had a beautiful appearance.

Even Toyokawa Shoko, who was initially a cat, only agreed to be granted the title after hearing Higashino Akira say that she had to become his cat in order to eat his royal food. However, Shoko was not yet proficient in her cat form, and sometimes she would trip over her own feet while walking, which did not meet the standard. She failed the first time she was granted the title of guard, and only succeeded in the second time when she was granted the title of entering the harem.

"Let's go. Would you like to go to a hotel or my place next?"

Akira Higashino got up, not wanting to waste any more time there.

Upon hearing this, Nagasaki Motoyo decisively chose his house.

Xiangzi might be there. Maybe if Xiangzi sees her relationship with this person, he will get angry and leave. Then she can find a way to apologize to Xiangzi later.

Maybe nothing else will happen.

In the worst-case scenario, they would simply have sex, then deliberately let Xiangzi know, so that Xiangzi would understand that this person was not worth her affection and thus leave him.

Unconsciously, Nagasaki Motoyo thought of the girl in the Okumizome countryside shrine who was as clean and kind as a stream, who took her in and befriended her after learning her original intention. She pursed her lips, a hint of guilt flashing in her eyes.

She took Higashino Akira's arm, and the two left together.

Lost in her thoughts, Nagasaki Motoyo was completely unaware that behind her, at the entrance of RiNG's store, a black-haired girl with purple eyes was watching her walk away with a worried expression.

Akira Higashino led Motoyo Nagasaki all the way back to the student single apartment.

On the way, Nagasaki Motoyo's phone kept ringing, and she quickly hung up.

"Aren't you going to answer it? Maybe it's a family member calling."

Nagasaki Motoyo glanced at it and shook her head. "It was just a friend calling."

Akira Higashino opened the door, and Motoyo Nagasaki hesitated for a moment before following him inside.

As soon as she entered the house, Nagasaki Motoyo began to look around. When she saw the kitten lying on the bed playing with its phone, her heart skipped a beat, and a strange feeling welled up inside her.

"What an adorable kitten."

"This cat... I guess Xiangzi brought it with him."

A familiar voice rang out from behind her. Toyokawa Shoko turned around in disbelief, her eyes wide, her cute little cat face showing an expression of utter disbelief.

No, why is Su Shi here?!

Shoko Toyokawa felt herself going a little crazy.

She turned to look at the man, a feeling of betrayal welling up inside her.

Seeing this, Higashino Akira told Nagasaki Motoyo to go take a shower first, while he stayed in the bedroom alone to face Shoko's death stare.

"Don't look at me like that. She made that choice herself. Who told you to use me as a shield?"

Toyokawa Shoko: So it's my fault?

Akira Higashino: What else?

Toyokawa Shoko typed on her phone, trying to persuade Higashino Akira to let Su Shi go back, but Higashino Akira just shook his head slightly.

Once a decision is made, there's no going back. How could a girl who has already been chosen for the imperial harem possibly give up so easily?

Moreover, even if she were allowed to go back, given Nagasaki Motoyo's current state of despair, who knows what foolish things she might do? Although Higashino Akira doesn't consider himself a good person, at least he cares about those who belong to him and won't let anything happen to Nagasaki Motoyo.

Not long after, Nagasaki Motoyo came out of the bathroom, clutching the towel that barely covered her chest and buttocks, and let Higashino Akira go in to take a shower.

After Higashino Akira went inside, she continued to observe the environment inside the house.

Shoko Toyokawa jumped around and meowed in front of her, trying to attract her attention, but to no avail. Instead, Motoyo Nagasaki gently hugged her to her chest and stroked her tenderly.

This is Xiangzi's cat!

Holding it, Nagasaki Motoyo felt as if Shoko had returned to her side.

Unable to persuade her otherwise, and not daring to reveal that she had been turned into a cat by some unknown being, fearing that Su Shi would really do something foolish, she ended up having Su Shi stick face wash on her face. Toyokawa Shoko was so angry that her tail stood up, and she punched Su Shi's big white cat hard in the chest with her cat fist.

Amidst Nagasaki Motoyo's exclamation, he jumped out of her arms and found a place to hide, forced to accept the fact that he would probably have to share hardships with his former friend from now on.

.......................................

.......................................

P.S.: The previous land area data was accurate; I researched and calculated it extensively before publishing it to ensure it wasn't inaccurate. The surge in data is mainly due to the fact that the mountain at the shrine is also part of the shrine's property, and it's normal for a mountain to have a larger area. That mountain even has a large lake on it, resembling a meteorite crater. Moreover, it's from an anime, so reality can't be completely replicated. The existence of such a mountain isn't surprising. Even so, compared to the island nation's overall land area, it only accounts for a fraction of a hundred thousandths. The island nation's land area isn't just square kilometers, but tens of thousands of square kilometers.

32 chapters still owed

Chapter 46 Why are you wearing Xiangzi's clothes?

When Higashino Akira came out of the bathroom and saw the scene in the bedroom, he suddenly stopped in his tracks and his expression became a little strange.

"No, why are you wearing Xiangzi's clothes?"

The idea is to wear Xiangzi's clothes, make them dirty, or even damage them, so that Xiangzi will notice!

You might think that way, but you can't say it out loud.

"I just finished showering and had no clothes to wear. You don't have any other girls' clothes here for me to change into, so I had to wear this."