03. Contract Dating

<House pt.1>

It's the House. No point opening anything else since the characters can't use them right away anyway. You need currency for that, which you can get from content that unlocks later.

Pressing the home button brought up a dark screen with the House standing all alone in it.

Drag #Lee Ina in there and she flinched in surprise, looking around the House while scoping out the interior.

She looked around the empty House, and when she opened the door to see the empty blackness beyond, she got startled, closed it again, and paced around the room.

A god-tier game with a life sim you can watch like The Sims or Inzoi!

She even flinched with a startled face when I touched her.

Once more motions unlock later, I can pull off all sorts of pranks, and watching her expressions change with every touch of mine is part of the fun.

So when this god-tier game suddenly got service-terminated, #Hashtag Gallery lost its shit.

└ Still no recovery?

└ Anyone know the devs?

└ Says there's no dev company lololol

Now it's a land where ghosts breathe and live.

Hashtag Gallery itself didn't vanish; strategy posts are still hanging around.

My savior SAIMIN HITOZMA-nim's posts remain like ancient ruins, and I've backed them all up from the start.

Just in case they disappear and all hell breaks loose.

Udeuk

Stretching out my knuckles to loosen up my hands, time to make a 2-Star following the Guidebook.

<#Hashtag Story Registration>

<#Story>

The input fields in the Story follow a set theme. Problem - Reason - Method - Solution. I wrote it according to that rule.

The first time I saw this in the Guidebook, I snorted.

Most people slap on straightforward, lewd hashtags fitting for an adult game, like <#SexPartner>, <#TabooThrill>, <#Affair>, <#PureLoveRoute>, <#FirstLove>—easy, convenient ones. But this guy tried to control her with something as lame as cold sweat.

And it fucking works.

I forced a Contract Dating contract on Lee Ina, making us a couple.

In other words, if we don't look like we're dating to others, it means breaking the contract, so cold sweat keeps pouring out nonstop.

And in reality, there's a similar condition.

Hyperhidrosis.

Sweat pouring from your whole body?

If you've had it since childhood, maybe you adapt, but if it suddenly starts all over your body, you'd go insane.

And as the Alteration Rate goes up, the solution automatically pops into your head?

Then you'd do anything to keep the contract.

That guy's got human psychology nailed down tight.

Ah, not "guy," -nim. Sorry about that.

Loading takes forever again, but I'm not impatient at all.

No reason to be tense or rushed when following the Guidebook.

<#Lee Ina★★>

<#Contract Dating> - <#Contract Progress>

It popped up.

He even matched the contract to make the hashtag. What the hell does that guy do for a living?

Probably some proper expert.

Hello, 2-Star.

Mini-games after I get back from my convenience store shift.

If a customer shows up during a mini-game, it's game over. Gotta save Fatigue.

§

<Lee Ina>

Two days had passed since the little incident at the music academy.

The sky was overcast, dumping huge snowflakes everywhere.

"Eeek, so cooold."

I zipped my long padded coat up to my chin and pulled the hood down so only my eyes peeked out.

Now I look like a black penguin.

"Ina-ya."

"......"

My shitty sister called out, so I shut my mouth.

"You told people at the academy that Inmok's your boyfriend?"

A quick glance showed her eyes already brimming with mischief.

"Inmok's nice. Don't hurt him."

"Ah, shut up. Piss off."

"Gotta tell Inmok you got a girlfriend!"

"Aaah! Piss ooooff!"

Tadadak!

I hated sticking around her anymore, so I just bolted.

Leaving footprints in the piled-up snow, I dashed to the first bus coming and hopped on.

My sister followed, still grinning mischievously.

Looks like today's gonna be a shitty day all around.

§

<#Shisen-Sho>

<Get ready~!>

<10~!>

...

<1~!>

<Start~!>

At 2-Star, the stacks went to two layers, and the patterns increased from two to three.

<#Racing>

A simple triangular track added to the circular arena, lengthening the course.

<#Hidden Object Game>

Curvy lines appeared on the colorful shapes, like them melting or something.

<#One Card>

No changes. But as stars increase, the dumbass AIs that toss cards recklessly play faster and more aggressively.

<#Tetris>

The pieces fell faster. Still easy, but around 4-Star it'll ramp up.

<#Puzzle Solving>

Pieces up to 20, with a tree picture added.

And 2-Star was still too easy for me. Just more patterns.

<1,1>

<2,4>

<4,1>

Ooh, dice rolling nice this time?

Sucks there's no Fatigue.

Still, a few days and 2-Star Alteration Rate hits 100%.

Around then, Lee Ina should come find me on her own, right?

§

<Lee Ina>

"Dad! Dad! Hear the news? Ina got a boyfriend! Her academy teacher told her!"

Fucking hell again.

"Kiddo."

"Ah, that friend?"

Zero interest on his face.

Pulling this prank once is funny, but spamming it builds tolerance—even Dad's got immunity now.

I'd gotten so used to her bullshit that I just ignored it.

"Daughter, you hot? Why're you sweating so much?"

"Huh?"

Mom's words from the living room while prepping dinner finally clued me in.

Why?

Boiler's on and it's warm, but not sweat-level warm?

I rushed to the bathroom ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mirror—my forehead was drenched.

She had no clue it was the <#Contract Progress (36%)> effect.

Next day.

Thought it'd get better, but the cold sweat poured even harder.

"Ugh..., it's soaked......"

Naturally, the sweat soaked my underwear first.

Sticky and uncomfortable.

It was when Progress hit 60%, and the reason popped into my head.

No idea why I thought that guy I met that day was trustworthy, but anyway, we made a contract.

......Did we make a contract?

Hadn't seen him since the car that day, but the Alteration wasn't that easygoing.

We did. Why didn't I remember?

When that doubt hits, 100% Alteration Rate fills the gap seamlessly, like it was always there, and the weirdness fades fast.

<#Contract Progress (100%)>

At 100% Alteration Rate, she finally knew crystal clear why the cold sweat.

"Aaah...!"

Why the fuck did I make that contract!

Driving me craaaazy!

Even out alone on the street, guys still asked for my number.

I straight-up said I had a boyfriend.

"What if I get to university......?"

Then the secret's busted?

He's even a senior in my department!

If someone asks for my number, I'll lie and say Gwak In-mok's my boyfriend, and boom—truth outs instantly?!

Keunjeok~!

But worst of all, the sweat's making me insane.

It's a dating contract. So I gotta date. Even if just to fool people.

Not doing it means nonstop cold sweat.

Shower, and it's soaked again in a minute.

Woke up yesterday to sheets completely drenched—total shock.

Only a few days since it started, but it's getting worse by the day.

......You okay?

Even my damn sister worrying means it's serious.

......Inmok oppa......, sunbae? Agh! Whatever, gimme his number.

My hair soaked, face and collarbone dripping, even my pajamas soaked through—no teasing from sis.

"Ah~, hurry!"

"Brat. Hold on. But shouldn't you go to the hospital?"

......I'm fiiiine!

Ah! But what do I even text him?

§

"We made a contract? When?"

Honestly curious. What does she think?

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Her shrill voice over the phone embarrassed me.

Ah, so that's how it went down.

Without Dad or Hana in the same space knowing.

Fun.

No thought of canceling the contract.

Hashtag power, I guess.

"Got it. Where should we meet?"

"Then the cafe out front? Sending the address."

-Yep...!

Phone hung up, and I snorted.

"But what's the real principle?"

Staring at the game console, pondering, then shook my head.

What good's knowing? Not using it anyway.

"But what to wear...?"

In isekai hero mangas, they're one-outfit guys.

But as a modern Korean living reality, I got seasonal clothes—one per season. A whopping four outfits.

Grabbed my winter long padded coat, headed to the cafe, and waited—soon Lee Ina appeared at the door.

I'd seen her naked daily on the game console, but face-to-face was second time.

First time, drunk blacked out, car too dark anyway.

"Wow...."

Too dark then to see, but now it's crystal clear.

Bob cut with blue-purple secret two-tone dye. Never thought I'd see this for real.

Isekai's all bald black-heads.

She goes to music academy, does busking sometimes, local events too, right?

Small face, pale skin, round eyes, two-tone dye—soon as she entered, every eye locked on her.

Yeah, she's a total beauty. Her sister Hana's hot too, so rumor spread to other departments and Do-jin dashed. Jealous.

Some guy approached Lee Ina asking something, and she pointed at me.

"......?"

Does she know my face?

§

<Lee Ina>

Such a familiar face. That dumb, blank expression.

I'd shown it to every approaching guy so much, I'd memorized the photo face.

"That's my boyfriend."

"Ah.... I see.... Ah. Ah~. Yep."

Why the disappointed face at my boyfriend? I wouldn't give you my number anyway.

Pisses me ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠off.

Squeezed between tables and sat across from him.

"Hi! Sunbae-nim!"

"Yeah? Ah, hi."

Compared to Si-hoo ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠oppa, he's such a himbo.

That Si-hoo oppa modeled for fittings—his build, proportions, handsome face put most average guys to shame, but that wasn't even on his radar.

"Um..., sunbae-nim! Sorry."

"......Huh? For what?"

Totally clueless what she did wrong, still himbo-faced.

"When sunbae was drunk, I...! Suggested contract dating to use you, sorry! But it was handy chasing off number-askers!"

"......Well, if it was useful, fine."

Didn't sound accusatory.

If I had to analyze his eyes, it was like <Played a ton, but this reaction's new?>—some subtle mystery.

Still, relief. Not holding it against me big-time.

"And..., at university too, wanna keep the contract? Okay?"

"Yeah? Ah, sure. Can't make a girlfriend while school's on anyway, and you're Hana's little sis. Fine."

Oops. Didn't think of that.

Thought only of me, not that Inmok sunbae can't get a girlfriend either.

"Planned to just study during school anyway. No more drunk invites thanks to you. Good."

Whoa! He's shining!

"Sunbae-nim, you're cool! Respect!"

"......Suddenly?"

He really is trustworthy!

"But coming out in this snow and cold just to talk...?"

"Of couuurse! Gotta apologize in person! And......"

Now the real talk.

Leaned over the table, whispering.

"To not get caught contract dating at school, gotta date ahead of time!"

Reason I'm pushing this hard? Separate.

Cold sweat stopped while talking to Inmok sunbae. Days of torment vanished instantly!

"Later it'd be all awkward, right?"

"Yeah? Let's do it then. You came out, so drink something—got cocoa 'cause it's cold. Shoulda got tea?"

"Ah!"

A guy like this exists!

School, academy, family—all itching to tease me, but unconditional consideration!

Blinding! So bright!

"Anything's fine!"

Guess I got good eyes for people.

"But how we dating?"

Warm cocoa slurped down, but cold sweat trickled down Lee Ina's back.

Not from breaking contract—for real fluster.

"Su...nbae-nim. Never dated, no clue how."

"......Thought you had."

Momentarily, saw his eyes flick to my hair.

"Ey~! Dyed it after CSAT. Not a delinquent. Busking concept's color, academy group dye."

"Ah, yeah? Sorry. Judged by looks."

Calm, gentle voice.

Another type I'd never seen around.

Must be from university, cradle of learning.

But why's my damn sister such a mess?

"Got it, I'll plan it."

"O? Sunbae-nim's dated some?"

People love peeking at others' romances!

"......Talk just like Hana. Makes sense, sisters."

"Th-that harsh......"

"R-really?"

Follow-up was normal. Met via CC, dated well, then army and he cheated.

"Hic! Sob!"

But why tears......!

"Su...per sensitive, huh? I'm really fine."

"Aaaah! He's a jerk!"

Hard to believe second meeting, but we clicked fast.