"Kitahara-kun, here!"
Before Takashi could even hand over her breakfast, Yotsuba had already pulled out an exquisitely crafted cookie from her pocket and presented it to him.
Kitahara raised an eyebrow and pointed at himself. "For me?"
"Yep!"
Yotsuba nodded frantically, like a little chick pecking at grains.
"I've been eating your breakfasts every day, and I have nothing to repay you with."
Kitahara's expression grew complicated upon hearing that.
This foolish girl.
Did she not realize that the most expensive things in life are often free?
"Thanks. Now, your breakfast."
Even though he felt undeserving, Kitahara still accepted it.
At worst, he'd just give Yotsuba a discount when collecting his dues.
Utaha and Eriri had to pay 100,000. Yotsuba, you can have a special price—99,900.
"What's for breakfast today?"
Yotsuba happily took the breakfast bag from Kitahara's hands.
These days, what she looked forward to the most was his cooking.
It was like opening a blind box every morning—always exciting.
"Steamed rice cakes and tofu pudding." Kitahara took a bite of the soft, glutinous cake, speaking with a mouth half-full.
After a moment's thought, he added, "Savory."
Just as Yotsuba was about to open the sealed container, a paw suddenly pressed down on her hand.
She looked up to see the little husky staring at her expectantly.
If his owner got a gift, surely he should get one too?
Where was his?
One girl and one dog locked eyes.
Every time Takashi saw this, he had to hold back a laugh.
"It's asking you for a gift," he said.
"Huh?"
Yotsuba's mouth fell open.
Seeing her reaction, the husky's eyes widened in disbelief.
No... No gift?
"Sorry, Kuro, I forgot to get you something." Yotsuba reached out, but the husky bared its teeth, looking vicious.
"Woof! Woof! (Don't touch me!)"
Dogs hold grudges too.
He swore that as long as it was around, this girl would never step foot into Takashi's house again!
"Sorry! I'll go buy you dog food right now!"
Seeing Yotsuba actually stand up to leave, Takashi rubbed his forehead in exasperation.
"It's early morning. Where are you even going to buy dog food?"
Yotsuba froze and looked at him for guidance. "Then... what should I do?"
"Just grab a bottle of yogurt from the convenience store on your way back."
"Woof! Woof! (Two bottles!)"
Takashi gave the husky a blank stare. "You keep this up, and I'll smack you."
Kuro shuddered, retreating behind Yotsuba with a pitiful expression.
Look at him! Look at how mean he is!
"There, there, don't be sad."
Yotsuba patted Kuro's head affectionately. "How about this—after my run, come home with me. I still have some leftover wagyu beef at my place. I'll feed you that."
Kuro's eyes lit up.
Mom!
This is my mom now! No one can stop me!
Takashi suddenly found his breakfast less appetizing.
Feeding a dog wagyu? Wasn't that a little extravagant?
Even he couldn't bear to eat wagyu.
The only time he'd ever had it was when he freeloaded off Eriri.
'So I really am inferior to a dog now, huh?' Takashi sighed.
Maybe Kato Megumi was right after all.
Was she some kind of prophet?
Come to think of it—Yotsuba, does your family need another pet?
The kind that can use a smartphone, eat when hungry, drink when thirsty, seek shelter when it rains, and sleep when tired?
A 202-month-old loyal dog?
…
"You're actually planning to go home with her?"
After their morning run, Takashi had planned to walk Yotsuba home.
But she, worried about being seen by her sisters, flat-out refused.
At the traffic light where they were supposed to part ways, Kuro stubbornly refused to follow Takashi back.
Instead, it clung to its newly adopted mom's leg like they were in this together, no matter what.
If Takashi didn't know any better, he might've actually believed the little traitor.
"Can you stop embarrassing me?"
He stared at the husky, who was hugging Yotsuba's leg and howling in the middle of the street, and deeply regretted ever saving it.
Yotsuba patted the husky's head. "Kitahara-kun, why don't you let him stay with me for a couple of days?"
She liked Kuro too.
She couldn't own a dog, but keeping one for a short time wasn't a problem.
"No way, you can't handle—" Takashi paused mid-sentence.
Then he remembered Yotsuba's absurd stamina.
Maybe she was actually stronger than him?
"...Fine."
Seeing how badly Kuro wanted to go, and after Yotsuba's repeated pleas, Takashi relented.
"Just remember—don't let him cause trouble!" Takashi crouched down and whispered near Kuro's ear, "I heard that Yotsuba's family has four more just like her. Think you can handle that?"
Since Yotsuba was one of his targets, maybe the others were, too.
Dating all five of them at once… Wouldn't that mean five times the points?
And since they were sisters, the chance of group dates was high.
If all else failed, even getting one was a win.
Kuro's mouth curled into a grin. "Woof! Woof! (Easy peasy!)"
"Good. If you pull this off, you can raid the snack aisle."
Man and dog exchanged a secretive look and smirked.
"Yotsuba-san, I'll leave Kuro in your care for the next two days," Takashi said, solemnly handing over the leash.
He even tried to squeeze out a couple of crocodile tears—but he just couldn't do it.
"Don't worry, Kitahara-kun!"
Yotsuba thumped her chest confidently.
Watching her lead Kuro away, Takashi pulled up his notes and checked off "Spend Saturday morning with Yotsuba."
Then, he turned around and headed home.
As soon as he walked in, he went straight to the bathroom—didn't even grab his clothes.
It wasn't like anyone else was home, anyway.
What he didn't realize was that the moment he stepped inside, his bedroom door creaked open.
A pair of sneaky eyes peeked out.
Ten minutes later, freshly showered and towel-drying his hair, Takashi walked into his bedroom.
The moment he opened the door, he saw Narii sprawled across his bed in a black silk robe, resting her face in her hands.
The robe hung loose, exposing her smooth shoulders and a hint of snow-white skin.
"Wow~"
Narii whistled, eyeing his toned body like a predator.
She had done her research.
And the reality was even better than the rumors.
She patted the bed eagerly. "Takashi, come on up. I'm ready."
Takashi: "..."
Sometimes, life was just... exhausting.
Without hesitation, he took a step back and slammed the door shut.
Bang!
From inside, Narii pounded on the door furiously.
"Takashi, what kind of man are you?! I'm throwing myself at you, and you're not even taking a bite?!"
Takashi held the door firmly shut and sneered. "If I do, I'll never be free again."
Come on.
If he gave in today, he'd be tied down for life—she'd have him changing his name, moving in as her kept man.
Not that he was against being a sugar baby.
A lot of guys would kill for the chance.
But the problem was, if he got involved with her, what would happen to his dates?
Narii wasn't the type to tolerate other women.
Being a rich woman's boy toy was tempting, but the system had way better returns.
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