Chapter 82: Yuki's Weakness (Please Subscribe)

"Achoo!"

Inside the small rented apartment, Meirong Qingling rubbed her pale, delicate nose in confusion. Was the weather getting colder lately?

She shook her little head. The pink apron fit her perfectly, and the petite chef adored this look—yes, Haruhi liked it too, especially when she was in the kitchen.

Thinking this, Meirong couldn't help but glance out the window. Dusk was gradually descending, the sky bearing the first traces of dimming light. She calculated inwardly when Haruhi would return.

Yes, she would make a little extra food tonight.

On the other side, Haruhi, after carefully examining the detailed information about Miss Qingling's younger daughter, couldn't help but look across at the kimono-clad beauty.

There was one thing that particularly caught his attention.

That line about wanting to seize Meirong Qingling’s toy—what did it mean?

A toy—a toy? At their age, fighting over a toy? Was it really that fun?

Noticing Haruhi’s gaze, Yukino Qingling set down her teacup, chuckled softly, and continued, "I know all about you and Meirong Qingling. I must say, you’re quite bold, Haruhi Harano."

Her voice was lively and pleasant, with a hint of teasing.

Haruhi frowned, saying nothing.

"From a small rural town in Hokkaido, you actually dared to pursue the eldest daughter of the Qingling family. Do you really think you’re safe just because it’s modern society?"

Her tone sharpened, and her eyes, usually alluring, grew cold as if winter had set in. She fixed Haruhi with a chilling stare, searching his expression for fear or panic.

Clearly, she was disappointed. Not only was Haruhi unruffled, he even seemed amused.

Who could blame him? With a porcelain doll’s face like Yukino Qingling’s, her threats were utterly ineffective!

Things were going off-script. Why did he look like that? Yukino couldn’t understand.

Despicable! Absolutely despicable!

Her opinion of Haruhi was dropping by the second.

It was like boasting about something for ages only to be met with a flat, emotionless "Oh?"

She had already endured his earlier look, which seemed to belittle her figure; now he even looked down on the Qingling family?

Taking a couple of deep breaths, her chest heaved ever so slightly—so slightly that Haruhi didn’t even notice. For all his ability to read the moods of Kasumi Uehara, Eri Momodani, or even Meirong Qingling, with Yukino it was impossible to tell.

After adjusting her mood, Yukino reminded herself: It’s fine, he’s just a country bumpkin; it’s normal he doesn’t fear the Qingling family—perfectly normal.

Still, Yukino, who had aimed since childhood to be the Qingling family’s successor, possessed remarkable composure. Though she’d suffered both physical and mental affronts in less than ten minutes, her expression remained serene—at least outwardly. Her lips parted, and she spoke with a calm detachment:

"In the East, there is an old saying: ‘A newborn calf fears no tiger.’ It seems you fit this description well, Haruhi." She even covered her mouth and laughed. "Sometimes, I envy people like you—ignorant yet fearless."

Her expression was light as clouds, but her childish face uttered words of adult arrogance, creating such a stark contrast that Haruhi nearly laughed aloud.

Especially seeing Yukino’s earnest, almost forcedly relaxed demeanor.

If he couldn’t see people’s inner states, he might actually believe her.

[Current state of Yukino Qingling: Furious at feeling insulted by Haruhi Harano (strong); furious at Haruhi Harano’s ignorance (strong); thinking about taking something from Haruhi because of his relationship with Meirong Qingling (strong)...]

In Haruhi’s mind, this was the "Triple Strong" mentality—akin to the "Three Highs"—and it was clear Yukino was far angrier inside than she appeared.

But Haruhi wasn’t worried. He sipped his tea, fragrant and a little bitter, then set down the cup and smiled. "I know. But do you usually watch anime?"

Instead of responding to her threats, he asked a question, showing not a hint of intimidation. He’d already tested the power of his Enchanting Gaze in the car—ten seconds was more than enough to do a lot.

A pity it was only ten seconds; so much more could be done with more time.

Yukino shook her head, her refined features calm. "I don’t watch that sort of thing." Despite her curiosity, she gave nothing away.

"Well, no wonder. I’ve seen this scene at least dozens of times—it’s too cliché, Miss Second Daughter," Haruhi teased.

At these words, Yukino’s porcelain-doll face darkened for the first time; she simply couldn’t control her expression—the guy was infuriating.

"You think I’m playing house with you, Haruhi Harano? Your family and friends are all in Hokkaido, aren’t they..."

Her voice was icy, cutting, laced with overt threats.

She was making it plain: if he didn’t behave, who knows what might happen to his loved ones.

That air of superiority was on full display.

For those who failed to show proper deference, Yukino believed a lesson was necessary—one Haruhi would never forget.

Such was the true fear of the Qingling family.

Yet Haruhi’s mind was elsewhere.

[Event triggered.]

[Arrogant Yukino Qingling is eager to prove the greatness of the Qingling family to you. Unfortunately, the more she speaks, the more you silently recite the Sutra of Indifference, her pride growing insignificant in your heart. Facing her flustered rage, you decide:]

[A. Reach out and pinch Yukino Qingling’s cheek, laughing, “What’s the Qingling family to me? No matter how powerful, it won’t change your fate at Tokyo International Airport.” Quest reward: Temporary Skill Upgrade Card.]

[B. Submit sincerely, kneel before Yukino Qingling, proclaim that Meirong Qingling isn’t fit to touch her little finger, and declare her the most beautiful being in the world. Quest reward: Title—Champion Simp!]

[C. For heaven’s sake, how did you let a little girl climb on your head? She even dares to threaten you—just slap her and let her taste the dangers of society! Quest reward: Stamina +3.]

[D. No, I’m really scared, but I don’t want to be beaten or betray beautiful Meirong. In that case, I’ll just call Meirong Qingling and let the little chef at home rescue me! Be the gentle man behind a successful woman! Quest reward: Title—Kept Man.]

[Temporary Skill Upgrade Card: Temporarily boosts a skill acquired by the player.]

"Enchanting Gaze": Duration increases from 10 seconds to 3 minutes (single use only).

"Golden Finger": Effect is greatly enhanced (single use only).

[Green Title: Champion Simp—Grants +2 Stamina, no skill effects.]

(Comment: Champion Simp—if you’re going to flatter, flatter one; flatter two, even better; flattering two sisters at once is truly sublime!!)

[Green Title: Kept Man—Grants +1 Appearance, no skill effects.]

(Comment: Kept Man—Doctor says my appetite is poor; I’ve eaten soft rice since I was a child.)

Seeing the first quest reward, Haruhi couldn’t help but rejoice. Just what he needed, right when he needed it.

A Temporary Skill Upgrade Card—three minutes! Three minutes was enough to do so much. If, and he emphasized if, he could finish in three minutes, how would she react?

Of course, that was impossible. Three minutes? Still too short!

He considered and decided to spend some support points.

Give me two of Yukino Qingling’s weaknesses!

The first was free; the second cost points.

[Player receives Yukino Qingling’s weakness: She wants to take whatever belongs to her older sister—including the player.]

[Player receives Yukino Qingling’s weakness: She aspires to be the Qingling family’s head, so she is especially concerned about her own reputation.]

Reading the first weakness, Haruhi remembered Yukino’s profile. Likes to snatch toys—damn, so he was the "toy"!

...

"But, if you admit you’re wrong and leave Meirong Qingling now, I might consider..." Yukino sat on her cushion, still muttering on, pride and composure on her face.

But as she spoke, she realized the boy in front of her wasn’t paying attention at all.

He stared straight ahead in a daze, occasionally breaking into a meaningless smile.

Bang!

A crisp knock on the wooden table snapped Haruhi out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Yukino bracing herself on the table, her whole body suspended as her delicate hands, reddened from the impact, pressed hard into the wood.

Her flawless face was cold and expressionless; the allure in her eyes had faded to stillness. She stared at Haruhi, teetering on the edge of an outburst.

The atmosphere froze—even the fish in the pond grew obedient, not daring to break the surface.

Only their breathing and the endless sound of water trickling from the rockery could be heard.

After a brief silence, Haruhi was the first to speak.

"With all that commotion, isn’t your hand hurting?"

He spoke with genuine concern, and without hesitation, took her soft little hand in his, gently massaging it with a tenderness that was all too intimate.

Yukino’s expression didn’t change; she let Haruhi have his way. Her cold eyes radiated nothing but murderous intent.

"Do you really have a death wish?"

[Warning!]

[Warning!]

[Yukino Qingling’s favorability –1]

[Yukino Qingling’s favorability –2]

[Yukino Qingling’s favorability –3]

...

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(End of chapter)