Ninety-eight

[Task Completion: 80%]

...

Haruhino Genya methodically pressed each of her toes, the soft elasticity of her feet occasionally accompanied by crisp, bone-like sounds.

The soles of the feet contain many acupressure points; effective pressing can relieve up to seventy percent of bodily fatigue.

Take Mrs. Momotani, for example. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead; her rosy cheeks glowed with good health. She bit her lower lip gently, striving not to make any odd noises.

Her breathing rose and fell, causing her body to ripple like water, her chest heaving in waves.

It was almost dizzying to watch.

Genya struggled to keep his gaze from drifting toward the movement ahead.

He gently laid down the warm jade-like foot in his hand. The lingering heat in his palm seemed to carry a faint, pleasant fragrance, reluctant to part. Yet, he faced a pressing dilemma.

[Task Progress: 80%]

Even after massaging Mrs. Momotani’s entire body, the task progress stubbornly stalled at eighty percent.

No, there were only two areas he hadn’t pressed yet.

Thinking this, Genya’s eyes involuntarily glanced up and down.

Curves.

Looking past the towering form, his gaze settled on Momotani Eri’s flushed face. Genya swallowed hard.

Wasn’t this practically inviting him to commit a crime?

A young man of virtue being pushed to such a point—it was infuriating!

[Detected player task progress stall. Spend five auxiliary points to activate task guidance?]

[Yes/No]

[Please make your choice.]

Startled by the sudden virtual screen before him, Genya hesitated. Spend auxiliary points for guidance?

Auxiliary points? The last time he used any was on Miss Kiyoringo.

Spending points then randomly yielded a weakness or interest—too unpredictable, like a lottery.

Often, the information gained was already known.

Hence, Genya rarely used them except in special cases, saving some for future needs.

Like now—spending points to activate task guidance was a first.

With the system stepping in, could his earlier thoughts have been wrong? Damn, was he just indulging in dirty thoughts?

Time for self-reflection, Genya!

He could weigh the importance of auxiliary points against the mysterious gift.

[Auxiliary Points: -5]

Once deducted, the virtual panel transformed into two pure white beams of light, shining like dazzling visual effects, swirling with flair, and floated before Mrs. Momotani.

To Genya's shock, the beams split in two and settled exactly where he had guessed earlier.

????????

Silence.

The high school boy was left silent, head bowed, his expression hard to read.

All his previous hesitation seemed wasted; those beams appeared to mock him as a fool.

The system wasn’t contradicting him but confirming:

Go ahead, Genya. What you just thought is exactly right! Be your best self, and go for it!

[System instructions confirmed. Please complete the task according to the prompt.]

[PS: Touch the light orb for 10 seconds to complete the task.]

[PS: Do not interrupt pressing; otherwise, the task fails.]

Touch the light orb for 10 seconds?

Well, spending auxiliary points did help—it at least gave a clear metric.

But—

Genya couldn’t help but glance again at those two forbidden spots. They really couldn’t be touched!

He took a deep breath and tentatively asked,

“Eri-nee, may I press your side shoulder and lower abdomen again? I read online those spots feel really good.”

He scratched the back of his head sheepishly and flashed a bright, sunny smile like an innocent young boy.

He looked harmless, especially with those clear, deep-set eyes, lending credibility to his words.

Momotani Eri bit her lower lip, hesitating briefly, but then glanced at the earnest boy before nodding in agreement.

Surprised she agreed, Genya’s heart leapt. Taking a deep breath, he felt a rush of excitement and nervousness, his fingers trembling slightly.

The side shoulder was close to the edge of the light orb. Mrs. Momotani extended her arm to facilitate his work.

Whether it was imagination or not, Genya felt the flesh there was much softer than elsewhere.

Even through the fabric, his fingers sensed the astonishingly tender skin, smooth and soft like tofu.

Eri closed her eyes to enjoy the massage. Genya observed carefully before slowly moving elsewhere.

His pace was cautious, advancing two steps and retreating one.

Throughout, Mrs. Momotani kept her eyes tightly shut, as if asleep, allowing Genya free rein.

Genya behaved like a timid thief, periodically checking if her eyes opened and monitoring his finger’s progress.

Finally, sensing an extra layer of fabric beneath her thin T-shirt, he touched the light orb.

[Timer started.]

The system kindly displayed a countdown.

[10]

[9]

[8]

Watching the numbers tick down, Genya felt the ordeal keenly, as if time crawled.

Though it felt pleasant, the anxious thrill dominated. If Eri suddenly opened her eyes and slapped him, he’d have no defense.

Because his position was utterly sleazy!

No matter, no matter—it was a massage to help her stretch and relax muscles.

He was doing a good deed. Yes, a good deed!

Letting the ever-weary Momotani Eri enjoy a rare moment of relaxation.

He’d heard no other boys had ever massaged her before—it was pitiful. He was doing this purely for her benefit with no other thoughts.

Reassuring himself, Genya focused intently, eager for the time to pass swiftly.

Damn, why was it like watching a slow-motion clock after class? So slow!

Suddenly, Eri, quietly lying prone, lifted her arm. The already nervous Genya jumped, his fingers retreating two steps, leaving the orb’s area.

[Player left the area. Progress failed. Please start again.]

[PS: Do not repeat the previous action just for pleasure; it is inappropriate.]

Just as he calmed down, reading that message nearly made him spit blood.

What nonsense—“pleasure”? Where did they get that he was enjoying himself?

Though it felt good, he wasn’t doing it intentionally! Genya felt compelled to defend himself lest people think ill of him.

Taking a deep breath, he slowly moved his hand back to the orb’s edge.

[Timer started]

[10], [9], [8]

The countdown resumed. This time, no mishaps. At the system’s beep, Genya withdrew his finger immediately.

He calmed his pounding heart.

[Task Progress: 90%]

One body part added ten percent—this system was thorough. But who in their right mind would massage those areas properly?

Only one region left.

Genya repeated the trick, but this time, Mrs. Momotani reacted strongly.

Her beautiful brows furrowed as if something itchy troubled her.

Though it was barely above ten degrees outside—the season when even a slight breeze made one pull their collar up—the two in the room were drenched in sweat, as if they had exhausted every ounce of energy.

He wore a tank top and shorts; she, a T-shirt and yoga pants—both dressed lightly. Strange.

After ten seconds, the light orb vanished. Calm returned.

The virtual panel before Genya began scrolling rapidly.

[Task Progress: 100%]

[Congratulations! Task completed: The Weary Wife]

“Wife, may I massage you again? Momotani Eri has helped the player greatly in fitness, and out of a desire not to owe her, he wants to help her relax.”

[Event content: Please assist Momotani Eri with a full-body massage anytime, anywhere.]

[Task reward: Mysterious gift.]

[Ding!]

[Congratulations! You have obtained an epic game item: One bottle of Corruption Potion.]

[Ding!]

[Momotani Eri’s affection level increased!]

[Current affection: 69! Keep it up—you might soon enjoy a life of luxury!]

As the virtual screen’s text scrolled, Genya’s mind was elsewhere, staring at the sweat stains at the split of her yoga pants, lost in thought.

“Haruhino, are you done with the massage?” Eri opened her eyes, a mix of fatigue and satisfaction in her gaze.

“Yes, Eri-nee. How do you feel? I’ve been secretly practicing this move for a long time,” Genya replied, grinning brightly like a sunny youth.

“Then go take a shower. You’re drenched in sweat.”

“Okay, Eri-nee.”

“Haruhino! Pass me the ball! I’m unbeatable!”

Inside the National High School indoor gymnasium.

This was the National High School basketball club’s dedicated training ground. When no club activities took place during the day, it was used for other classes’ physical education.

But after school, it belonged to the basketball club—a group of towering young men, each around six feet or taller, pouring their youth and passion into the game.

Even in Japan, basketball-playing boys were highly popular at school.

During daily training, a few young fans would often linger at the windows, gazing dreamily at the handsome, sweaty players.

When the players glanced back, those girls would shyly note their appearances.

A little inquiry would reveal a letter filled with youthful pink fantasies waiting in their shoe lockers the next day.

Of course, aside from a few who went straight home, most students had their own clubs, only occasionally sneaking glances at the basketball club. After all, thoughI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.