Tokyo: Starting with a fake boyfriend

(Reward: Mindset - Greed, Minami Yamabuki's study notes, sharing a bed, 100 million yen.)

[Option 4: Taking advantage of the situation, class monitor, you don't want your parents to get divorced either, do you?]

(Reward: Talent - Beginner-level Negotiation Skills; Yamabuki Minami's disappointment and hatred will most likely lead to a complete breakdown in relations, and she will hate you for life.)

Since the first world line convergence was completed, the options have not changed much, but the rewards have become much richer.

"Not again?" After glancing at the last option, Shiratori Osamu was almost amused by his exasperation.

This is the third time so far that all four options have been included as a turning point in life... The other options and rewards have changed several times, but the fourth option remains unchanged, always starting with "you don't want to."

Silence, and more silence.

"Shiratori-san, I know my request is troublesome, but my mother and I can't hold on much longer..."

Seeing him lost in thought like last time, Minami Yamabuki couldn't help but speak up, wanting to try and persuade him.

Although Shiratori-san's plan was very strong, and even though her father still tried to persuade her to break up whenever he had the chance, she could just ignore him. After all, she was an incurable love-struck daughter, and she had even teamed up with her mother.

But her father was too smart, which put too much pressure on her.

With Shiratori not by her side and no one to back her up, and knowing that things would spiral out of control if they were exposed, she was filled with anxiety.

She was terrified and couldn't sleep well last night, dreaming that she was afraid of being exposed.

In just one night, she began to miss it, missing the sense of security that came from Shiratori-san working alongside her and supporting her from behind.

Chapter 37 Cooperation Again

When people feel lost and helpless, they often hesitate when faced with several choices.

But once you have a goal, things change.

After mentally criticizing the beginner-level negotiation skills, Shiratori Shu's gaze was immediately drawn to the first reward.

(Rewards: Character design - Sincerity, Minami Yamabuki's study notes, Minami Yamabuki's private tutoring, sharing a bed, 60 yen per month.)

He didn't have a choice before, but now he only wants to get into Tokyo University.

He can easily resist the allure of special CGs during his adolescence, but he simply cannot resist the temptation of Yamabuki Minami's study notes and the extracurricular tutoring from top students.

These are top students' study notes! Even though everyone's study notes may have different ways of recording knowledge points and key points due to personal habits, and you have to put yourself in their shoes to understand them effectively, they are extremely helpful for learning.

Moreover, the owner of the notebook will also provide explanations and guidance, making its value self-evident.

There's also 60 yen every month... He had researched a lot of information at internet cafes beforehand. University tuition fees in Japan are quite expensive, and students are usually burdened with debts that are called "scholarships" but are actually called "student loans".

Compared to the previous single appearance fee of 50 yen, 60 yen a month may not seem like much, but the long-term benefits are still quite considerable.

Whether it's helping him get into university or learning programming and game development after getting into university, it's a great source of start-up capital.

As for the character traits of sincerity and sharing a bed, while they are not bad, they are not as important as the previous rewards; they are at most just extras.

"This reward is too luxurious." After reading the reward for option ①, Shiratori Xiu couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

"Shiratori-san..."

Seeing that he was deep in thought, Minami Yamabuki called out to him softly.

"Don't rush me, I'm considering the feasibility of this... You're the top student in the grade, aren't you being a bit impatient?"

Shiratori Osamu felt somewhat helpless seeing her eagerness to reply.

People with good grades are not necessarily exceptionally intelligent or have a superior IQ, but they are usually very patient because they understand the principle of delayed gratification.

Despite this, Minami Yamabuki, the top student in her grade, occasionally reveals an anxious side... It was like this last time, and it's like this again this time.

“I’m sorry…” Yamabuki Minami was taken aback upon hearing this. Her pretty face flushed slightly as she lowered her head and clutched the hem of her school uniform, trying to make amends with embarrassment, “Because this matter is too important.”

She realized she was being too hasty, which shouldn't have been the case, but she was genuinely worried that Shiratori-san would reject her.

Because the first person to play the role of the blond boyfriend was Shiratori-san, she can't even find anyone else to impersonate her boyfriend now.

Be patient.

Shiratori offered her a word of comfort, and after some thought, he focused intently on deep contemplation.

The best reward is undoubtedly the one that treats people sincerely; you can choose that without thinking. But you can't just look at the benefits; you also have to consider the process.

Is her rush due to sunk costs?

Before entering a state of flow to continue looking at the options, he turned his gaze away from Minami Yamabuki, and an idea suddenly popped into his mind.

He didn't understand when he was being urged, but after calming down and thinking about it, he understood in an instant.

When he was fully focused, Shiratori Osamu's thinking speed was incredibly fast.

"I'll help you all the way, I agree, but before we cooperate, I need to say a few words to you. Because regarding the fake boyfriend thing, I've already discovered three problems after just a few simple thoughts."

In the blink of an eye, Shiratori Osamu spoke.

"Please speak."

Realizing that he was willing to help, Yamabuki Minami was overjoyed and nodded attentively.

Since Yuki Seto isn't Shiratori-san's girlfriend, she doesn't need to worry about being discovered meeting with him alone after school.

"First of all, there is a big difference in difficulty between short-term and long-term acting. What is fake will eventually be fake, and the more you act, the easier it is to reveal your flaws. So I will not go to your house every day to outwit your dad. I will decide on the timing based on the situation."

"Uh-huh."

"Secondly, your father is very smart and difficult to deal with. I need to be flexible in dealing with him when necessary, and sometimes I may need Mrs. Yamabuki's cooperation. You must reach a consensus with her and make her trust me and cooperate with me as much as possible. The same goes for you."

"Uh-huh."

"Third, our success once doesn't mean we'll always be successful. I will do my best and give it my all in this matter, but I can't guarantee that I won't make any mistakes. If this matter is exposed one day, don't blame me."

"Uh-huh."

"It seems my words have touched your soul. I won't say any more; we'll talk about the rest later."

Seeing that she didn't refute at all and just kept nodding, Shiratori Osamu was very satisfied with her attitude.

He had all his concerns about the collaboration, including his free time, work requirements, and disclaimers, all agreed upon in advance.

"Shiratori-san, this is the payment for this..."

While listening and thinking, Yamabuki Minami waited until he finished speaking and immediately handed the envelope to him.

"Pleasant to work with."

Shiratori Shu took the envelope, placed it on the table, and extended his hand to her.

"Shiratori-san, won't you check the payment first?"

Upon seeing his handshake gesture, Yamabuki Minami did not extend her hand in return. Her lips moved hesitantly, and she felt incredibly guilty.

Compared to the NT$50 reward for a single job the day before yesterday, this time the reward is only NT$60 for a month's employment, which is equivalent to a daily wage of NT$2.

She felt it was necessary to clarify the issue of remuneration.

"No need to look anymore. I just said I'd help people to the end, the amount of money doesn't matter."

Sensing her concerns, Shiratori Osamu, having exited the flow state, smiled and shook his head.

Because of the choice he made at the turning point in his life, he already knew that the envelope should contain 60 yen.

Why don't you take a look first?

Seeing his sincere attitude, Minami Yamabuki felt very guilty.

She had originally wanted to bring more money, but she was out of money. After much pleading and cajoling, she finally managed to get the money out of her mother's savings.

Although 60 is a large sum of money, without comparison there is no sense of superiority or inferiority; the difference before and after is too great.

The task was clearly more difficult and took longer, but the reward was greatly reduced, from 50 per task to 2 per day... which made her feel very bad.

"Okay, let me take a look."

Noticing her slight mood, Shiratori Osamu thought for a moment and decided to go along with her wishes, withdrawing his hand to open the envelope and carefully count the contents.

As expected, just as the reward options revealed, there were 60 bills worth 10,000 yuan each, a thick stack of them.

"Is this one month's payment acceptable?"

Anxiously waiting for him to finish counting, Minami Yamabuki cautiously asked.

Given that the reward was so low, she was really worried that Shiratori-san would refuse her.

"Sure, it would be a pleasure to work with you."

Shiratori nodded and reached out his hand to her again.

"Pleasant to work with."

Upon discovering that he had already confirmed the payment, Yamabuki Minami, who had been worried that he would refuse, immediately smiled broadly and shook hands with him.

A handshake is different from holding hands; it's just a formality. Ideally, you should just lightly clasp your hands twice and then separate.

"That's great, Shiratori-san, thank you, thank you!"

But through this ritualistic gesture, the weight that had been hanging over Yamabuki Minami's heart was lifted, and she was extremely excited, shaking his hand tightly.

Shiratori-san is such a kind person. Even though this matter was so troublesome, he could have refused, but he was still willing to help her.

"Her hands are so small..."

Seeing the genuine, excited smile on her face, Shiratori Xiu's right hand was tightly held and enveloped by her slender, boneless, and smooth-skinned little hands, and his heartstrings couldn't help but flutter.

Minami Yamabuki isn't actually short, but she's quite light and slender. Coupled with her gentle and delicate personality, she gives off the impression of a small animal—petite and adorable.

Before Shiratori could fully grasp the meaning, words appeared before his eyes.

Chapter 38 Desensitization Exercises

[Turning Point in Fate: Minami Yamabuki's Family Crisis (Continued) has concluded with Option ①: Help Others to the End]

[Perfect world line successfully concluded. Rewards: Character design - Sincerity, Yamabuki Minami's study notes, Yamabuki Minami's private tutoring, sharing a bed, 60 yen per month.]

"Have the world lines converged again?"

Upon seeing these two lines of text, Shiratori Osamu was somewhat surprised.

Being able to reconcile the world lines so easily and obtain the rewards is undoubtedly a good thing for him.

Given this situation, he couldn't help but ponder the differences between the turning points in his life.

It's worth noting that when he first encountered a turning point in his life, he had a strict requirement to stay overnight at Minami Yamabuki's house, but he didn't manage to close the timeline until the next morning.

Different options seem to have some differences in how they determine world line convergence.

Option ③ was the simplest option. He only needed to refuse Minami Yamabuki and continue studying "C Programming Language from Beginner to Expert" to receive a reward in terms of character—treating money as dirt.

Besides, the Perfect World Line system definitely upgraded after the first convergence, but there was no explicit indication of it.

Because from the second turning point in fate onwards, the system's rewards are no longer simply about character design, talent, temperament, and skills; they also include foreseeable delayed rewards.

For example, the rewards such as Minami Yamabuki's study notes, her private tutoring, and even sharing a bed with her were not given to him directly, but were delayed rewards.

"I'm sorry, I was just too happy."

Minami Yamabuki was so excited that it took her a while to come to her senses. She realized that her hands had unknowingly been holding Osamu Shiratori's large hands. She quickly pulled her hands back and apologized, feeling embarrassed.

Seeing that she was very shy, with a slight blush on her fair face, Shiratori was a little embarrassed by her reaction. He coughed lightly and said:

"You don't need to apologize. I'm your boyfriend in name only now. Shaking hands with me or holding hands is perfectly normal behavior."

"Yes."

Feeling extremely ashamed of her actions, which had made her so excited that she forgot herself, Minami Yamabuki lowered her head and twisted her hands together, not daring to look at him at all.

“We’re going to play the role of a couple for a month, so you’d better shake my hand and hold my hand more often, and treat this behavior as a desensitization exercise.”

Seeing that she was very shy, Shiratori Osamu felt that this couldn't go on, so he scratched his head and said.

"Desensitization exercises?"

Upon hearing this, Minami Yamabuki couldn't help but look up at him.

“You can’t be so easily embarrassed. You blush just from shaking hands. If your dad saw you like that, you’d be in big trouble.”

Shiratori Osamu nodded, his attitude firm.

His reason for making that suggestion wasn't because he wanted to take advantage of the situation or have more physical contact with Yamabuki Minami, but because her reaction just now was terrible.