Reward

This is a problem.

To think that Hayashi doesn’t even like sweets.

If that’s the case, the reward strategy I worked so hard to come up with will just fizzle out without ever being put into action.

What in the world should I do?

I let out a long groan.

…Well, it’s not like I absolutely have to buy her sweets or anything.

As long as I do something that makes Hayashi happy when she achieves her goals, it’ll help maintain her motivation and keep her anxieties at bay.

So then, what kind of reward should I give her?

This is tough.

I can’t think of anything specific.

Thinking about it like this, it really hits home that my relationship with Hayashi is still a work in progress. If we were as close as, say, Kasahara and Hayashi, for example—if Kasahara were the one dangling a reward to motivate Hayashi to study—she’d probably come up with a great idea right away.

Well, dwelling on how shallow our connection is won’t do any good.

Regret and melancholy are just a waste of time.

I need to think about what I can offer Hayashi with the cards I’ve got.

That’s definitely the best I can do right now.

In times like this, it helps to put myself in her shoes.

If I were the one getting a reward, what would make me happy?

…Money?

…Power?

…Freedom?

Am I some kind of philosopher or something?

Those things don’t appeal to me at all. But maybe that’s just because I don’t have any grand ambitions compared to most people.

If I were ambitious, I might be thrilled at the idea of being offered those things.

Unfortunately, Hayashi doesn’t seem to have any grand ambitions either, and besides, there’s no way I could offer her anything that grandiose.

After mulling over something that didn’t even need thinking about, I shook my head.

This is really tough.

To begin with, if I were in her position, I can’t even imagine what kind of reward from Hayashi would make me happy.

Coming to that conclusion just makes me marvel at my own lack of material desires or selfish wants.

If I were to receive a reward, what would make me happy…

…Cleaning?

Right now, Hayashi limits my daily cleaning to one hour a day.

If getting a high score on a test meant that restriction would be lifted… yeah, that’d make me really happy. I’d probably study like crazy to achieve that goal.

“Hayashi, wanna try cleaning?”

“Huh?”

Hayashi’s face scrunched up, as if to say she had no idea what I was talking about.

…Fair enough.

Thinking about it calmly, that reward was totally specific to me. It wouldn’t resonate with Hayashi at all.

“…I could teach you step-by-step?”

“I mean, I don’t mind, but are you okay with that? Having your hobby interrupted by me?”

“…Yeah, no way.”

Now that she mentions it, she’s absolutely right.

That kind of reward is something I absolutely couldn’t handle.

Man, what a ridiculous idea I came up with!

…Oh, wait. That was me.

“Hayashi, is there anything you want?”

After racking my brain, I finally realized.

The fastest way is to just ask her what she wants.

“…Okay, first of all, how did we even get to this point?”

Hayashi tilted her head cutely, and I realized I hadn’t properly explained my thought process to her. Talk about wrestling with myself.

I briefly laid out my thoughts to Hayashi.

I get that she’s worried right now. But those worries will probably stick with her until she gets her certification. The biggest concern is that constant anxiety might sap her motivation. Hence, the reward strategy to keep her going.

That’s the gist of it.

“So, basically, I’m saying I’ll step up to help you reach your goals.”

“…Why, though?”

“Well, we’re roommates, aren’t we?”

“Just because we’re roommates doesn’t mean you have to go that far. If anything, you’re the one in a position to make me handle all your chores.”

“Don’t I already have you doing all my chores?”

“Since when?”

Hayashi snapped back, her tone a little heated.

“…Is that for your own sake too?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Then you’re one heck of a softie, huh.”

Her words dripped with sarcasm.

I wasn’t sure how to take it, so I just stayed quiet, my expression uncertain.

“So, anyway. Is there anything you want, Hayashi?”

“Nope. …I’m not really into material stuff, you know.”

“…Yeah, I figured.”

After living together for two months, I knew all too well that she wasn’t driven by material desires.

So, yeah, I kinda knew it was a long shot.

I scratched my head, at a loss.

That’s when it happened.

I felt a strange, intense gaze from Hayashi.

“…There is something.”

Hayashi murmured.

“Oh? What is it?”

Hayashi turned away, looking down. Was it my imagination, or were her cheeks slightly flushed?

“…Hayashi?”

“…My head.”

“Huh?”

“I want you to… pat my head…”

Okay, haven’t these two just been flirting lately?

How does the protagonist not notice this!?

It’s so weird!!!!

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