When it came to resource management, Shū Tsukikawa had his own little schemes.
For instance, setting aside a considerable portion to "recruit talented wives" and complete system missions.
Though most of these resources were obtained through Tsukikawa's efforts, Hitori Gotō wouldn't raise any objections to how he used them.
Still, in a society that upheld monogamy, such things weren't easily accepted—even for someone as pliable as Bocchi. She'd need to be eased into it, step by step, before she could fully embrace the idea.
Of course, Tsukikawa made sure to reserve enough resources for Gotō's own growth and advancement.
After discussing their plans, Tsukikawa walked Gotō all the way to her doorstep.
"Um…"
Gotō fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, hesitating before asking, "Do you… want to come inside?"
"Are your parents not home?" Tsukikawa smirked.
"They are. There's Mom, Dad, my little sister, and… oh, the dog too," she counted on her fingers.
"So you're already bringing me home to meet the family?" he teased.
"Ah—! I-I didn't mean—!"
Panic set in.
She hadn't thought much of it—her bandmates often dropped by, so inviting Tsukikawa felt like a natural extension of that habit.
But now it hit her: bringing her boyfriend home was basically introducing him to her parents. Which meant… marriage was on the table?!
Well, technically, they were already married in the Otherworld, but still—
Gah! I haven't figured out how to explain any of this to my family!
"Let's hold off for now."
Seeing her distress, Tsukikawa chuckled and waved. "I'll head out."
"O-okay. Bye."
Gotō stood at the door, waving back until his figure disappeared down the street. Only then did she lower her hand, her gaze lingering for a moment longer.
Then, suddenly, a smug, giddy grin spread across her face.
Hehe… a boyfriend. I have a boyfriend.
It was real. The Otherworld wasn't a dream. Neither was the fact that she—yes, her—had landed herself a boyfriend.
Bocchi's mood swings were nothing if not rapid. One moment, she was a flustered mess; the next, she was practically floating on air.
Even during dinner, she kept zoning out, chopsticks hovering over her bowl as memories of their time together—especially the intimate parts—flooded her mind. A silly grin crept onto her face, and she occasionally let out a dreamy giggle.
She was already fantasizing about their future dates.
Hehe… my boyfriend… hehehe…
Unbeknownst to her, her entire family was staring.
Right now, Gotō looked like a complete idiot, lost in her own delusional bliss.
"Big sis is acting weird again," Futari Gotō remarked, swinging her short legs under the table.
Despite being just an elementary schooler, Futari was far more socially adept than her older sister—bright, outgoing, and brutally observant.
"Dear… do you think we should take her to a doctor?" Mrs. Gotō whispered to her husband.
"We already covered her room in protective charms, but they don't seem to be working," Mr. Gotō muttered, deeply concerned.
"Should we call an exorcist?"
"At this point, maybe a psychiatrist too."
"Eh, she probably just had something nice happen at school," Futari chimed in. "Like, someone randomly said hi to her, or she actually got included in the class's Valentine's chocolate exchange."
"…Would that really make her this happy?" Mr. Gotō's frown deepened.
"My poor girl…" Mrs. Gotō looked ready to weep.
"Anyway, there's no way big sis made a new friend."
Young, innocent Futari delivered each word like a dagger to the heart—something Gotō was all too familiar with.
Finally snapping back to reality, Gotō caught her sister's remark.
"Hmph. Oh, my foolish little sister."
Unlike before, where such comments would crush her, Gotō now smirked, resting her chin on her hand with a theatrically condescending air—like some cheesy villain reveling in their triumph.
"Your dear older sister didn't just make a friend." She grinned smugly. "Not a friend. A boyfriend."
"A boyfriend!"
She shot up from her seat, hands on her hips, looking down at her family with the pride of a conquering general. Even the family dog cowered under the table.
"Really? Liar~" Futari singsonged, unfazed.
"It's true! Your sis is officially no longer single! I've ascended from NEETdom to normie status!"
Yet…
The room fell silent. All eyes were on her, heavy with skepticism.
"Uh… could it be one of the 'Three Great Delusions'?" Mr. Gotō ventured cautiously. "You know, like when a guy is nice to you, and you mistake it for romantic interest—"
"No, no! He literally asked me out!" Gotō insisted.
Mrs. Gotō: "…"
Mr. Gotō: "…"
Futari: Big sis got confessed to during a game of Truth or Dare, didn't she?
"It's real! Ugh—how do I explain this?! From today onward, I am officially not single anymore!" Gotō stomped her foot in frustration.
This was her one chance to gloat—why was no one taking her seriously?! Where was her moment of glory?!
"Dear, we really should take her to a specialist," Mrs. Gotō said mournfully. "She's so lonely, she's started hallucinating."
"I'm sorry, Hitori. We failed you as parents," Mr. Gotō added, on the verge of tears.
"Big sis… I'm sorry too." Futari, now old enough to grasp the gravity of the situation, looked genuinely heartbroken. "I shouldn't have teased you so much before. I didn't realize how much it hurt you."
"Aaaaaah! I really have a boyfriend! Why won't you believe me?!"
Gotō was at her wit's end.
"I'll call the clinic first thing tomorrow," Mr. Gotō said solemnly.
"And I'll book an exorcist," Mrs. Gotō nodded.
"Stay strong, sis." Futari clasped Gotō's hand. "You'll get through this."
Even the family dog gazed up at her with worried eyes.
Gotō: "…"
Why is no one taking me seriously?!
Fine. I'll just bring him over one day. Then we'll see who's laughing!