After returning home, Shirase picked up his phone to check messages. Kojima Kana hadn't sent anything, meaning Kirisu Mafuyu-sensei's cockroach dungeon hadn't respawned yet.
In other words, that beautiful teacher was still holding the line.
Feeling relieved, Shirase opened the system interface, ready for another round of [Free Hosting].
[Detected host's intention to study. System decides to help.]
Under Shirase's gaze, the damned system actually took out the same math workbook from the bookshelf again.
"...Just how obsessed are you with math?" Shirase asked.
[The system's mission is to provide intelligent hosting for the host's worry-free life.]
[System decides to tackle math problems.]
[System thinking…]
Seeing how stubborn the damned system was, Shirase switched to spectator mode to enjoy the show.
After five minutes, the system was still gripping the pen motionlessly.
After ten minutes, the system finally began to write.
"You got this question wrong," Shirase pointed out helpfully.
The system didn't respond verbally, but it manipulated Shirase's hand to cross out the just-written formula.
"You got it wrong again."
[This problem is too hard. System can't solve it.]
"You clearly don't know what you're doing. Maybe you should just get a factory job instead? Or teach me cooking or something. Math is obviously not your thing."
[System only responsible for host's intelligent hosting. Does not work at factories.]
"You got this function problem completely wrong."
[What's a function? System is puzzled.]
Under Shirase's enthusiastic "guidance," the system repeatedly tried and failed, failed and tried again at various function and geometry problems.
After almost 40 minutes, the system finally solved one function question correctly.
"Congratulations! You can graduate now," Shirase praised generously, purely for entertainment.
[System feels immense accomplishment receiving host's praise.]
"I set the hosting timer for 120 minutes today anyway. How about I just teach you math instead?" Shirase seemed to have discovered a new hobby.
[System deeply moved by host's willingness to teach.]
[Therefore, system decides to go perform a heroic act.]
Shirase: "???"
After closing the book and putting it back, Shirase watched himself get up and leave the room.
The system didn't forget to grab the keys and wallet before stepping outside. Shirase finally understood—the damned system was running away.
"You're giving up already?" Shirase deliberately teased.
[This isn't giving up. System suddenly realizes that since host is skilled at math, there's no need for system to waste time. After all, combining host and system equals a math genius.]
So if I team up with the richest man in the world, does that make me the richest too?
Shirase realized this damned system wasn't just mathematically inept—it was shameless as well.
Out on the bustling streets, Shirase's uniform immediately drew attention from several young girls. Especially those cute, mask-wearing girls outside shops enthusiastically soliciting customers—they instantly marked him as their prime target.
"Go away. I hate women the most."
That was how the system coldly responded to every girl attempting to approach him.
After passing through one street, the gazes from those girls became distinctly complicated.
"So, where exactly are you planning to perform your heroic act?" Shirase asked nonchalantly, even thoughtfully helping the system analyze. "Right now is the liveliest, messiest hour for young people. If you really want to be heroic, I suggest avoiding streets full of cafés and dessert shops, and instead heading toward promotional event areas."
[Promotional events? System doesn't understand.]
"I mean places running prize events—like shooting games for plushies, or arcades with coin pushers."
The system suddenly went quiet.
Five full seconds later, its mechanical voice finally replied: [Host is trying to get system to make money at an arcade? System lacks such function.]
"No, you definitely have that ability," Shirase affirmed confidently.
Just like when the system previously took control during heroic actions, executing martial arts moves he couldn't possibly perform on his own.
Including advanced cooking techniques he currently couldn't replicate.
In other words, though nominally a "Hosting System," this damned thing was actually omnipotent.
As long as it didn't involve math problems.
Unfortunately, the system ultimately refused to go to the arcade to make money. Shirase felt slightly disappointed; he could only prepare more function problems next time to torment the damned system again.
After wandering the streets for a while, Shirase heard his phone buzzing—a notification sound indicating a new message.
Luckily, the system's obsession with heroic deeds wasn't intense enough to ignore everything else.
Shirase guided the system in unlocking the phone, noticing the message was from an unknown number.
The message was simple:
This is Yukino's older sister. Are you free right now? I'd like to treat you to a meal—there's also something I'd like to ask.
An address was included below.
It was a restaurant Shirase had seen before; their specialty, amadai—also known as tilefish—was supposedly excellent.
"I thought Haruno-san would arrange another 'coincidental' encounter at school. I didn't expect her to invite me directly to a restaurant."
Shirase pondered this. He guessed Yukinoshita Yukino would probably be there as well—after all, he wasn't familiar with Haruno. Having someone he knew around would at least ease the atmosphere somewhat.
[System detected host has no intention of performing heroic deeds, only wishes to eat with a pretty girl.]
[System considering…]
Shirase calmly countered, "What do you mean 'wanting to eat with a pretty girl'? I haven't even eaten dinner yet, okay? Besides, Haruno-san gave me a gift before, and regardless of her intentions, that gift genuinely helped me. It's only proper to thank her."
[System understands host's reasoning.]
[System temporarily abandons heroic deeds to eliminate hunger meter.]
The system quickly replied to Yukinoshita Haruno's text message, even thoughtfully editing the contact info in Shirase's phone.
Without needing Shirase's guidance, the system seemed to have an internal radar—the route it picked matched Shirase's memories exactly.
"As expected, apart from math, you're great at everything," Shirase concluded.
[System detects host's condescending tone.]
"I'm not condescending. You genuinely don't know math. Math is my forte; even with me guiding you, you took forever to solve a simple function problem. Clearly, it's not your strong suit."
[But system and host combined equals a math genius.]
"And Kobe and I combined scored 81 points!"
[System detects host bragging. Host doesn't even know any basketball players.]
"Your mo—"
[Host, you're speaking coded language now.]
"..."