After rattling off her number, Hirose Yoru's feelings were complicated.
Her mind was a tangled mess.
She started to imagine things.
Could it be... because she'd said she liked it, Riku had used his hard-earned part-time money to buy that phonograph for her?
Hirose Yoru immediately shook her head.
This was definitely a sugar-coated bullet from Riku.
After filling out the delivery address, Riku sat down next to Hirose Yoru.
"Not bad at all. It even comes with seven special vinyl records. I made sure to pick Socia's Fourth Symphony for you."
This was way too good!
"This is probably going to wipe out most of my savings." Riku murmured to himself, calculating.
At the same time, his face lit up with excitement and joy.
This rebate would net him a cool 6,000,000 yen directly.
Riku's words reached Hirose Yoru's ears.
For a moment, she couldn't figure this guy out.
On one hand, he did all sorts of scummy things to her. On the other, he was willing to spend most of his money on a gift for her.
After struggling internally for a long time, Hirose Yoru finally spoke up.
Her tone had lost just a tiny bit of its disgust.
"Can you return it? That thing is way too expensive! I don't have money to give you."
"No need. It's a gift for you."
Riku kept his composure on the surface, but inside, he tensed up.
If Hirose Yoru refused the gift, his 300,000 yen would be gone for nothing!
How would his rebate come through if she didn't accept it?
Riku looked at Hirose Yoru and quickly added,
"Those things... I could tell you really liked them. Look, I'm sorry about some of the stuff I did before, it was really over the line. But this isn't compensation for that. I just thought... you'd probably really enjoy having it."
Hearing this, even Hirose Yoru fell silent.
Seeing her affection level creep up to -60, Riku breathed a sigh of relief.
He knew his words had hit the mark.
After a moment of silence, Hirose Yoru finally spoke.
"Sorry, but I'll return the item. I'll give you the money back later."
Riku felt a twinge of frustration. Dealing with negative affection really made spending difficult.
But this also fit the twentyfold rebate condition of the Hedonist system.
Riku decided to play his trump card.
He leaned in close to Hirose Yoru's ear.
"If you don't want what happened today to get out, you will accept this gift."
The moment he said that, the slightly improved expression on Hirose Yoru's face twisted back into one of pure disgust.
"Scumbag!"
And here she was, just starting to think he might not be completely terrible!
"You just want to satisfy your sick, twisted tastes, don't you?!"
At that moment, tears welled up in Hirose Yoru's eyes.
She felt an overwhelming sense of humiliation.
Even when she was threatened before, strong-willed Hirose Yoru could handle it.
But now, Riku had brought her to her favorite shop, used something she loved as leverage against her.
It made her feel absolutely sick!
Watching her ffection level plummet, Riku was stunned.
Hirose Yoru, Affection: -70
Hirose Yoru, Affection: -80
Hirose Yoru, Affection: -90
Hirose Yoru, Affection: -95.
Holy crap!
Just five points shy of hitting -100 affection.
[You have successfully triggered Hirose Yoru's sense of shame. You've touched a nerve and become the person she hates most in the world. No contest.]
[Now you need to gradually break down her psychological defenses, step by step, to easily subdue her. You plan to accompany Hirose Yoru back home. After all, her mother is waiting for her there... and waiting for you too...]
After buying the vintage phonograph, Hirose Yoru's gaze towards him was practically filled with hatred.
Riku sighed.
He supported Hirose Yoru as they left the shop.
Looked like he'd made the wrong call just now.
Along the way, Hirose Yoru didn't speak another word to him.
They arrived in front of Hirose Yoru's apartment building.
From a distance, Riku spotted Satou Shirou pacing anxiously downstairs.
Satou Shirou noticed Hirose Yoru approaching, leaning on Riku.
His face turned green with jealousy.
He stormed over, anger radiating from him.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Satou Shirou glared at Riku.
"Yoru, who is this guy?!"
"What are you doing together?!"
Hirose Yoru kept her head down, silent.
Riku, however, decided to go on the offensive first.
"Your girlfriend just fell, you know that? Her leg's hurt! You're asking me? I should be asking you where you've been! Ask her yourself—I was just passing by and walked her home."
Riku's preemptive strike caught Satou Shirou completely off guard.
"I... I..."
Riku's aggressive demeanor instantly highlighted Satou Shirou's spinelessness.
He stammered, "Yoru, are you okay?"
Seeing Satou Shirou's weakness, Hirose Yoru felt a pang of disappointment.
Head still lowered, she didn't know how to face him anymore. She just said, her voice tinged with sadness,
"Shirou, I'm sorry. I'm not feeling well. Can you please leave?"
Satou Shirou panicked.
"No, Yoru, I was just really worried about you. I wasn't doubting you!"
Riku really wanted to say, 'Your doubts are justified.'
"Sorry, Shirou. I just need some time alone."
Hirose Yoru slowly released her grip on Riku's arm.
After walking this far, her legs had recovered a bit, though her gait was still unsteady.
"Riku-kun, you should go too."
Hirose Yoru staggered away.
Satou Shirou tried to step forward and support her, but she slapped his hand away.
Satou Shirou stood there frozen for a long time.
"Sorry, Shirou. I just need some space for a few days."
He had no idea what he'd done wrong. Everything was fine before they went into the library!
"Yoru!"
...
Riku watched Hirose Yoru walk alone towards the apartment building.
Her affection level had actually gone up.
Hirose Yoru, Affection: -80.
Still -80, but definitely better than -90.
Riku looked at Satou Shirou, standing downstairs looking utterly bewildered. The guy was a walking stereotype of the NTR'ed boyfriend.
The voice-over in his mind sounded.
[You recognize Satou Shirou for the true 'cuckold' he is. You decide to offer him a little comfort, boost his confidence a bit. Though your real motive is simply to gather more ammunition against Hirose Yoru for your next round of coercion...]
Riku walked over and patted Satou Shirou on the shoulder.
"Look, man, you're being a bit dense. You gotta pay attention to a girl's feelings, show you care. Can't be so rigid."
Satou Shirou replied,
"Thanks. I'll give her some space to cool off, then come back. The day after tomorrow is her birthday party. Hey, what do you think I should get her? I heard she likes phonographs, but they're way too expensive. I can't afford it."
[You learn that Hirose Yoru's birthday is the day after tomorrow. You decide to do somethin special at her birthday party, something to further push Hirose Yoru's psychological limits and make her completely lose hope in her boyfriend.]