Renji Kamisaka clearly had no intention of continuing his interaction with the spiritual girl. Especially since Yotsuya Miko had been so frightened she'd wet herself, her skirt completely soaked. Wouldn't she be even more embarrassed if he started a conversation at this moment, he thought. He simply left a piece of clothing to cover her skirt, an impulsive act perhaps unexpected from someone usually so indifferent. Perhaps they would meet again someday, a vague thought crossing his mind as the train doors closed, separating them.
He didn't realize that Yotsuya Miko behind him was gesturing, waving sadly, her face hidden behind the curtain of her black hair.
Compared to the fear and anxiety she always felt—now exacerbated by her wet pants—it wasn't easy to meet someone who could see evil spirits like her. And someone who could crush an evil spirit's teeth just by standing still, making the evil spirit wail and flee. Yotsuya Miko certainly wanted to know such an extraordinary person, someone capable of dismissing her greatest fears as if they were nothing.
However, what made her want to cry was that this extraordinary person had actually fled! She could only stand there, comforting herself, "Perhaps this handsome man has urgent business to attend to," she thought, trying to suppress her despair. Since he had already fled, it was too late for her to chase after him.
Yet, the girl had already remembered the station where he got off. "Next time, I'll go shopping there with my best friend," she resolved, "maybe I'll meet him again." A small hope bloomed in her heart.
Thinking this, the girl suddenly moved her feet, her steps quick. She clutched her skirt tightly with the clothes Renji Kamisaka had given her. When she reached the station where she needed to alight, she immediately jumped off the train, almost leaping. She ran to the nearest clothing store to buy underwear and change her skirt, her face still flushed with shame and a faint hope.
Renji Kamisaka, after getting off the train, soon arrived near Sakurasou. The name "Suimei University of the Arts High School" was clearly displayed nearby. You might ask, why didn't Renji Kamisaka choose to study at Suimei University of the Arts High School, which was so close? Later, when Mashiro Shiina, that cute little girl, arrived, wouldn't he be able to commute to and from school with her? Wouldn't he be able to get the first opportunity?
However, rather than waiting, Renji Kamisaka preferred to take the initiative. Moreover, Sobu High School was an excellent school. There were also more people he knew there. And at Suimei University of the Arts High School, the only people he knew were those at Sakurasou. "Damn it, he hasn't triggered a single quest from them yet," he grumbled inwardly. Only after he took in Sayu did he gain his first skill, the "Unyielding Golden Spear."
The characters from the original anime, The Pet Girl of Sakurasou, besides Mashiro Shiina and her best friend Rita Ainsworth, as well as the hardworking part-timer Nanami Aoyama, he had met them all. He hadn't triggered any quests. Apart from those people, he didn't know anyone else.
Furthermore, Renji Kamisaka didn't plan to develop in the arts. He wanted to simply lie back and live off rental income. So, he decisively gave up on Suimei University of the Arts High School.
And Sobu High School was far more appealing to him. Yukino Yukinoshita, Yui Yuigahama, Yumiko Miura, and so on, a series of interesting characters were all at this school. School would start in two days. "Maybe he can even catch the famous scene of an empty-eyed man saving a dog and getting hit by a car," thought Renji, a wry smile gracing his lips as he imagined the awkward Hachiman Hikigaya.
Renji Kamisaka considered various things and checked his savings. There was still about 1.2 million yen left. It seemed like a lot, but it was actually only equivalent to 59,000 Chinese yuan—not a huge sum.
Studying at Sobu High School, the first year required a fee of 600,000 yen, which included registration fees, uniform fees, and various miscellaneous expenses. The second year was about 70% of the first year, which also required about 420,000 yen. This didn't include accommodation and food expenses. Generally, students would eat at home in the morning and bring packed lunches during the day. Some students lived at school, but they generally didn't choose to do so. Because dormitory fees also required about 200,000 yen, it would be better to rent a house outside. The cheapest only required 80,000 yen a month.
After careful calculation, Renji Kamisaka suddenly realized that he was a bit short on money. He now had a total of 1.2 million yen. After paying 600,000 yen for tuition, he would only have 600,000 yen left. This was enough for his daily living expenses, but with Ogiwara Sayu to support, his life would be very difficult.
The available funds were 600,000 yen. Plus, the rent for Sakurasou was 150,000 yen per month, and there were 5 people paying rent. At that time, he still had 1.35 million yen. After calculating, he still had enough money. But to simply shop and buy things was, of course, impossible. Renji sighed, luxury still seemed far away.
Suddenly, a system voice appeared, as if reading his thoughts.
[Ding, player's desire detected, completing future tasks will increase money rewards.]
"This is great. It's like someone offering a pillow when you're already sleepy," thought Renji, a wide smile spreading across his face. He immediately abandoned the idea of making money in other ways. With the Game Life System, he could just be a player, do tasks as required, and be lazy, enjoying life.
With a way to solve his money problems, Renji Kamisaka's steps became much lighter. He planned to go straight home, bringing Sayu's favorite roast meat.
However, as he passed through a narrow, dark alley, he saw a figure with pigtails, wearing a simple yet elegant long dress, being surrounded by several sinister-looking individuals.
[Ding, quest triggered: Pigtailed Girl's Trouble.]
[It's rare for the weather to be good today, and the girl, hiding her figure and beauty, went out to buy her favorite soy sauce-flavored roast meat, preparing to indulge her stomach.]
[Unexpectedly, she might not have checked the almanac before going out today, and was ambushed in the alley by several troublemakers on her way home, who, seeing her ordinary appearance, wanted to redirect the anger they received from others onto her.]
[Please help the girl in front of you drive away the villains, the quest completion reward is a skill or item entry, and a fixed reward of 1 million yen.]
Upon receiving the command, Renji Kamisaka stiffened. Not from fear, but from the tempting target and reward. His fists completely clenched.
"This quest must be completed. Driving away a few villains can yield 1 million yen, truly incredible," he thought, calculating the pros and cons rapidly in his mind.
"Hey, you village girl with pigtails," one of them sneered, "do you know that you are an eyesore to this daddy?"
"Being ugly isn't your fault," another added mockingly, "but appearing to scare people is your problem, isn't it?"
There were 5 culprits. They were flamboyantly dressed, their shirts open at the chest, revealing skinny, chicken-rib-like chests. They also wore earrings and dyed their hair, appearing like the irritable type at first glance. Perhaps still school graduates, but unemployed, wandering around all day as good-for-nothings.
The harassed girl unconsciously shrank her neck, her body trembling slightly. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
She planned to soften her stance first, her hand in her bag, quietly clicking on her phone, ready to call the police. At the same time, there was also pepper spray in her bag. Pretending to be weak to deceive the enemy, then delivering a fatal blow to the enemy, seizing the opportunity to escape, that was her strategy, a clever tactic that a character like Utaha Kasumigaoka, always one step ahead, might appreciate.
"What's the use of apologizing? Why do we need Uncle Police? You're so ugly, you've offended us! Quickly take out some money to compensate us, to appease our souls that have been offended by your ugliness!"
"That's right, hurry up and give us money! Otherwise, be careful, we'll strip you naked and tie you to a telephone pole, so everyone can come and watch!"
While talking, the delinquents showed lecherous smiles. The girl's delicate body trembled instantly, somewhat frightened, her strategy nearly collapsing amidst these vulgar threats.
Just as she was about to say something, a righteous male voice suddenly came from behind, breaking the tension in the narrow alley.
"Stop right there!"
"What are you doing? Could it be that some grown men are bullying a girl? Do you have no shame?" Renji Kamisaka's voice was cold and direct, without preamble.
Renji, carrying the box of soy sauce-flavored roast meat, carefully placed it along with his school uniform on the ground. Then, he walked towards them with a cold expression, his eyes sharp.
"Hey, kid, you want to be a hero to save the beauty... oh no, is that a gigolo saving a village girl?" One of the hoodlums scoffed, brittle laughter erupting from his friends' mouths.
"Hahaha, gigolo, do you know that being a hero comes at a price?"
The villains exchanged glances and smiled, all displaying cruel expressions, ready for a fight.
Renji Kamisaka's lips curved, revealing a confident smile—the smile of a predator who knew exactly how to end this game.
A few minutes later.
Under the astonished gaze of the spectacled, pigtailed village girl, Renji Kamisaka stripped the five villains down to their underwear. Then, mercilessly, he used their clothes and pants as ropes to tie them to a telephone pole in a circular fashion, a humiliating yet comical sight.
He then made a call and contacted the police, before turning to look at the stunned girl.
"Alright, it's fine now." Renji smiled faintly.
"Girl, you must be careful with your safety when you go home later. You won't always meet me, a hero, to save the beauty." His tone was slightly sarcastic, yet there was a veiled kindness within it.