Helena looked flustered, her cheeks turning red as she misinterpreted Levi's request. Even as a young girl, certain thoughts were inevitable.
"Sir, let's not tonight... maybe after we know each other better," she said hesitantly.
Levi looked confused by her response.
"What do you mean not tonight? I'm asking for your bank account number."
"Why do you want my account number then?" Helena asked nervously.
"I'm throwing in some tip," Levi replied casually with a grin.
Helena's eyes widened slightly.
"Huh? Money? Why would you transfer me money?" she asked puzzled.
"Let's just say I want to meet you again."
She couldn't fully understand what he meant, but she gave him her account number anyway. Levi transferred the money right then and there through his phone.
Helena gasped when the notification came through.
"Fifty... fifty... fifty thousand zenni!!" she cried out in shock, staring at her phone screen.
[SYSTEM - 50,000Z SPENT] [CASHBACK REGISTERED: 150,000Z] [BONUS: HELENA AFFINITY SURGE]
Yes, it worked. I knew it would. If I directly gave her money, the system wouldn't register it. But now it does. So I do need some kind of bonding with the other person. It can't be random every time, Levi thought to himself.
[SYSTEM - HELENA AFFINITY: 48 → 86]
She smiled at him, her entire demeanor shifting. "Let's exchange contacts. We can have dinner together."
Money really is a scary thing, huh? The affinity jumped to eighty-six just like that.
Levi closed in on her and whispered in her ear.
"Can I call you Helly then?" he asked softly.
She blushed and nodded.
Is she a schoolgirl?
He walked toward the door to leave.
"Well, Helly, let's meet again next time."
After leaving, Levi took on two more orders for his taxi mission. He'd been steadily working through them whenever he had free time.
[SYSTEM - TAXI MISSION PROGRESS: 70% COMPLETE]
He took a break and wandered around the city for a bit, exploring different areas and enjoying the afternoon. But then his phone rang. It was Sera Vert.
"Hello?"
"Hey, are you free right now? I needed a lift," Sera asked.
Levi was happy to help her after she'd been so supportive during his difficult times.
"Send me the location," he replied immediately.
Forty minutes later, Levi pulled up to the central park where Sera was waiting. She got into the car, but he immediately noticed something was off. She seemed to be fiddling with her hands throughout the ride, her leg bouncing slightly.
Is there some problem going on with her?
"What kind of problem are you having? Is it personal or some business matter?"
Sera looked at him, surprised that he'd picked up on it so easily.
"You noticed, huh?"
"Well, it's quite easy to see that. We've known each other for a long time, you see. And even Ms. Jessica keeps talking about you," Levi replied with a slight smile.
She smiled back at him.
"It's a business matter. Aside from being a laboratory teacher, you know I work as a vice president of my uncle's company too."
"Is that so? That's news to me."
"Well, I do work, but people see it as family favor so I don't talk about it much. But still, it helps pay the bills," Sera continued.
She's not even in her thirties but working in two places. She's such a hard worker.
"So, what's the problem?" he asked.
"Ah, it's just that the company wants to hold an event for its thirtieth anniversary, and as the head planner I've been asked to arrange it. But there are literally no free hotels or restaurants. It's quite troublesome, and the higher-ups won't agree to anything less than a five-star one."
Levi thought for a moment, an idea forming in his mind.
"Why don't you try the one named Atmos?"
Sera laughed thinking he was joking.
"Haha, don't be ridiculous. The Atmos is one of the most popular five-star hotels in this city. It's not that I don't have the money, but it's impossible to book," she said dismissively.
"Well, try it at least. Maybe you'll be surprised. Let's go right now," Levi said turning the car around.
"No, Levi, wait—" Sera started to protest but he was already heading toward the Atmos.
During the drive Levi decided to add some stakes to the situation.
"What will you do if you actually get it? I too need some reward, you know," Levi said with a grin.
"On the off-chance that we actually get to reserve it, what do you want?"
"Hmm, I've seen those pictures of your college days when you used to do hip-hop dances in the girl group. How about you show me a step or two?"
Sera became shy immediately.
"Why do you want to see something so shameful?" she asked covering her face slightly.
"Rewards are like that, you know."
Sera had already called the hotel staff hours ago and they'd told her the place was booked for at least three months. She thought she was safe making this bet.
"Okay, I'll do it, but only if you win," she said confidently.
"Hehe."
They arrived at the Atmos Hotel, and Sera walked up to the receptionist with determination.
"Hello, I'm Sera Vert from Miller Finances. I would like to meet your manager James Westford."
The receptionist's gaze shifted to Levi, and she immediately recognized him—he was the same guy whose ex had caused a scene a few days ago. More importantly, she'd been informed he was one of the board members now. She smiled looking at him.
"I will go and inform him right away," the receptionist said with a bow.
Sera was shocked by how differently she was being treated compared to when she'd called earlier.
She was led to one of the managers, who also greeted her politely.
"Hello, I'm from Miller Finances. I would like to know if the auditorium is free for the first week next month," Sera asked.
Levi stood slightly behind her, giving the manager a subtle nod—a signal that he should agree or .....there would be consequences.
"Ah, yes. We actually got a call that all the plans for next month were cancelled, so you can book it," the manager said aware of the silent threat he'd been giving him from behind.
Sera's eyes went wide with shock.
"Really? Then I will go ahead and tell my boss. We're expecting the event in around ten days," She said, barely containing her excitement.
"No problem Mam. Today you can do the paperwork and some advanced payments."
After an hour of paperwork they were back in the car. Sera was practically glowing with happiness.
"Levi, how did you know? It's like you predicted it."
"I did tell you it would work out. Now you do remember our gamble too, right?" Levi replied with a smile.
Sera blushed.
"You! making your teacher do such things," she said shaking her head.
"You should've thought about it before. I didn't ask you to do something bad, you know," Levi replied.
He leaned forward toward her seat and Sera's eyes widened slightly.
"Wait... not now, not here," Sera said quickly, putting her hands up.
Levi pulled the seatbelt and fastened it properly.
What is she even thinking?
She realized her own thoughts had become far too perverted and felt embarrassed by her assumption.
* * * *
The next day at university, Levi was wandering around the cafeteria lost in his own thoughts.
What should I do now? I do have enough money and I've even bought houses, so I rarely visit Ms. Jessica's place. Well, that place itself is quite erotic, so I better stay there only once in a while.
While lost in contemplation, his shoulder suddenly crashed into someone. It was Mike, his friend from high school.
"Hey, Mike, what's up with you? Why are you...did something happen?" Levi asked noticing Mike's distressed expression.
Mike's hand trembled as he spoke.
"Levi... my crush... she went to a movie with that damned club captain."
Levi faked a smile of concern, even though internally he was thinking something else.
Aah, that girl. He hasn't even talked to her once. Hell, she doesn't even know you exist. What else will she do? Well, we are roommates, so I guess I can help out.
"Is that all?" Levi asked.
"Are you seriously making fun of me?"
"No, look there," Levi said while pointing ahead of them.
Two girls from the next division were walking toward them. One of them was Freya, a girl Levi didn't immediately recognize. He'd been so focused on dating Ayuri that he rarely talked to any other girls. But the other girl walking with Freya was the one Mike had been crushing on.
Mike's face practically glowed with hope as he whispered urgently.
"So she only went there and came back quickly? They didn't... thank god, I still got a chance," Mike said with his spirits lifting instantly.
Getting a girl has made you give up your dignity, man. When will you grow up?
Freya happened to glance at Levi as they passed, and he immediately scanned her affinity level.
[SYSTEM - FREYA] [AFFINITY: 73]
He was quite shocked by the number.
How is her affinity even higher than the professor?
Freya blushed at his look and both girls walked past him. As they passed, Levi heard their conversation clearly.
"Freya, did you know Levi got dumped by Ayuri?" one girl asked.
"Huh, really?" Freya replied.
"Levi... tsk tsk. I shouldn't have asked you to help him and set up meetings with him. He only ended up getting dumped by that money-grubber. Rich guys are bad anyway, but he's still cocky after his family went bankrupt," the girl said dismissively.
Levi watched as Freya's expression changed and her interest and affinity dropping. The light in her eyes dimmed as she heard what her friend was saying.
I finally found someone who thinks highly of me after all that happened, but why is her value dropping like crazy?
He turned back to Mike who was already plotting his move.
"Hey, you won't try on her, would you?" Levi asked.
"Mine was stolen, so I will at least try proposing on fifty more."
"Why do you have to tell them you're my friend then? You always do that."
"Don't you know? Because you got that face. But you're not richboy anymore," Mike replied with a grin.
"Is that so? Then I'm giving it a shot."
He turned and jogged after Freya leaving Mike standing there in shock.
"Hey, are you serious?" Mike called out but Levi was already gone.