This was a problem.
I couldn't believe Hayashi didn't like sweets.
It meant the Reward Strategy I’d painstakingly devised was going to fall through before I could even put it into action.
What on earth was I supposed to do?
I let out a low, frustrated groan.
Well, it didn’t necessarily have to be sweets. The point was to give Hayashi something that would make her happy for hitting her targets—something to keep her motivated and help her push past her anxiety.
So, what kind of reward would actually work for her?
It was a difficult question. I couldn't think of a single specific thing.
Thinking about it now made me realize that our relationship was still very much a work in progress. If we’d been truly in sync—if, for example, Kasahara had been the one dangling a carrot to get Hayashi to study—she probably would have come up with a perfect suggestion in seconds.
But there was no point in lamenting how shallow our connection was. Regret and worry were a waste of time. I had to work with the hand I’d been dealt and figure out what I could actually offer her.
That was the best I could do right now.
In situations like this, it helped to switch perspectives. If I were in her shoes, what would I want as a reward?
Money? Power? Freedom?
Was I some kind of philosopher?
None of those held the slightest appeal. Then again, the reason I found them unappealing was likely because I didn't have a single ambitious bone in my body. Maybe I’d feel differently if I actually wanted something, but I didn't.
Unfortunately, Hayashi didn't seem to harbor any grand ambitions either—and even if she did, it wasn't as if I had the means to grant them.
I finished that useless train of thought and shook my head. This really was difficult. Even if our roles were reversed, I couldn't think of a single reward Hayashi could give me that would make me happy.
Reaching that conclusion made me feel slightly pathetic. My own lack of material desire was staggering.
Something I’d actually enjoy as a reward...
Cleaning?
Currently, Hayashi limited my daily cleaning to just one hour. If that restriction were lifted as a prize for getting a high score on an exam... honestly, that would be incredible. I’d study like a man possessed for that.
"Hayashi, do you want to try cleaning?"
"What?"
Her face contorted as if I were talking complete nonsense.
Right. Now that I thought about it calmly, that was a reward tailored strictly to my own interests. There was no way it would appeal to her.
"I’ll teach you everything," I added. "Step by step."
"I mean, I don’t mind, but are you sure? Wouldn't I just be getting in the way of your hobby?"
"...You’re right. Forget it."
She had a point. I couldn't stomach that kind of reward. Good grief. What kind of heartless person would even suggest such a thing?
Oh, right. It was me.
"Hayashi, is there anything you actually want?"
After agonizing over it, I finally arrived at the obvious solution: it was much faster to just ask her directly.
"...Wait, how did the conversation even get to this point?"
She tilted her head in a cute, confused gesture. I realized then that I’d been so caught up in my own thoughts that I’d failed to explain them to her. I’d been spinning my wheels in silence.
I gave her a brief rundown of my reasoning.
I understood her current anxieties, but they were likely to persist until she actually passed the exam. My biggest worry was that her motivation would crumble under the weight of that stress. The Reward Strategy was my way of keeping her focused.
"So, I want to do my part to help you reach your goal," I concluded.
"...Why?"
"Because we’re roommates."
"Just because we’re roommates doesn't mean you have to go that far. If anything, you're the one in charge here. You could just make me wait on you hand and foot."
"But you already do everything for me, don't you?"
"Since when?!" she snapped, her voice tinged with emotion. "...Are you doing this for your own sake, too?"
"I suppose so."
"Then you’re a real softie, aren't you?"
Her tone was sarcastic. I wasn't sure how I was supposed to take that, so I just stayed silent with a conflicted look on my face.
"Anyway. Is there anything you want, Hayashi?"
"Not really... I don’t have much in the way of material desires."
"I figured as much."
Having lived with her for two months, I knew that was true. I’d suspected it was a long shot from the start.
I scratched my head, feeling stuck. It was then that I felt a strange, intense gaze from her.
"...There is one thing," she murmured.
"Oh? What is it?"
Hayashi turned her head away and looked down. Was it just my imagination, or were her cheeks turning red?
"Hayashi?"
"...My head."
"Hmm?"
"I want you to... pat my head..."