The System Won't Work Unless I Have Girlfriends

It's been two weeks since Grandpa and I moved abroad.

In that time, I've come to realize that Grandpa isn't just an old man—he's a talented engineer. Still, he's been having a rough season lately. I hope he didn't feel down after what I told him earlier, though he always laughs no matter the situation.

Anyway, after sharing my information with him, he agreed to let me use the money my father gave him. He opened an account under his name so I could enter the stock market. Yeah, I'm still a minor, which is why we had to do it this way. However, he only gave me 70 grand—about 10 million yen. I don't mind. I just need to prove myself, and then he'll give me the remaining 930,000.

In my room, I sat at my desk, staring at a computer straight out of 2007. How nostalgic. The internet is painfully slow compared to the last time I was alive. I couldn't help but smile, excited about the future and the prospect of becoming rich again.

Knock! Knock! Knock! Someone rapped on the wooden door as I was studying.

"Masamune, are you coming with me or not?!" Grandpa called.

"Alright, alright!"

I quickly changed into my formal suit. But damn! Glancing at the mirror, I muttered, "How the hell did I get this short and I'm so fat!"

I left my room and headed downstairs, where Gramps was already waiting for me. Now that's what a man should look like. Even though his hair has turned white, he isn't bald. His slick, shiny hair is combed back neatly, and he has a slight beard that complements his sharp jawline. For this occasion, he wore a black suit similar to mine, tailored to fit his ripped physique.

"Haha! You've still got work to do, young man."

I clicked my tongue. "Don't jinx it."

We put on our winter coats and headed for the front door. As he opened it, the cold wind hit my face. It was 6:00 p.m., and snow was falling outside our two-story Victorian house.

We had moved to Oxford, England, because Grandpa is working for the Honda F1 team. He commutes from Oxford to Brackley and rarely comes home these days. But tonight, for the first time, he's bringing me along somewhere.

"Where are we going?" I asked as Grandpa drove his '95 NSX.

"We're heading to his mansion on the outskirts of town. My friend invited me to his charity event."

I hummed thoughtfully. "So, you've got rich friends, huh? Are you sure you're just a mechanic?"

He chuckled. "I am."

As time passed, we finally arrived. I couldn't tell how many square meters it covered, but it was massive. It was essentially a mansion, or maybe even a manor. I didn't need to ask how rich Grandpa's friend was.

After Grandpa introduced me to the people he was close with, he continued talking with them while I stood there, not sure what to do. He told me to look around, so why not? What? You expected me to socialize with these people?

As I wandered around, I suddenly realized I'd gotten lost. Somehow, I ended up in a hall full of artwork. I passed a few staff members who paid me no mind, so I figured it was okay to explore. I found a bench and sat down, deciding to observe two paintings in front of me for no particular reason.

"Hmm... maybe 2 million?" I hummed, trying to estimate their worth. The one on the left seemed to depict an underwater scene, while the one on the right showcased a large ship from the 18th century.

"How's it look?"

I turned my head to see a girl in a blue gown standing nearby. She had long blonde hair and blue eyes, and she seemed to be around my age. If she was asking me about the paintings, she was probably either the owner or the artist.

"It's good," I replied.

She giggled. "May I know which one you prefer?"

I glanced back at the paintings. "Normally, I don't care much for art, but if I had to choose, I'd prefer the one on the right."

"Really?! Ahem! I mean, could you elaborate why?"

Before I knew it, she had already sat beside me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Where did this effect come from?

"I just prefer a ship carrying goods over a view of the sea," I said plainly.

She hummed, unimpressed. "Isn't that a bit shallow? I expected more, considering how closely you were observing."

"Sorry, I'm no art enthusiast. But I could give you a few thoughts on modern art."

She smiled, stifling a laugh. "Then you're definitely in the wrong place—there's no modern art here."

I chuckled. "So, you're saying modern art is garbage?"

"Ohoho~ I never said that! For your information," she pointed at the left painting, "unlike the right one, the one on the left actually won an award. So, I guess you were just being so honest for being clueless about art."

Well, I wasn't going to argue with that.

"Let me guess—the one on the right is yours, isn't it?"

"That's correct!" She suddenly stood up. "Thanks for the little break." She then walked a few steps then stop in front of me. "Nice to meet you. I'm Rita." She extended her hand in a teasing manner.

I stood up and took her hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Masamune."

"Oh dear~ So you're Japanese? Did you grow up here?"

"No, I just arrived two weeks ago. By the way, could you show me the way back to the charity event?"

"Eh?! So you're my guest this whole time?! I thought you were one of our employees or something. But there's no way our butler would hire someone so young."

My smile twitched at her princess-like attitude. "Never mind. I think I remember the way."

I started to walk past her, but the brat grabbed my shoulder. "Hm~ Wait a minute. I'm really sorry. Don't be mad! How about we become friends, Masamune?"

I sighed. "Thanks for the offer, I'll think about it." I gently removed her hand from my shoulder.

"So cold. I was going to invite you to our atelier."

"I'm not interested in a tea party at your place, Miss."

"It's not a tea party! I was just saying you could come study art with us! Hmph!" She crossed her arms and pouted.

"Well, good for you. Now, if you'll excuse me—"

"Masamune, can you wait here? I need to visit the bathroom and fix my hair."

I sighed and sat back down. "Alright. Don't take long."

She lifted her skirt slightly as she ran down the hall. I gulped, hoping she wouldn't trip and knock over one of the priceless pieces of art. Should I just bail? Nah, it's not like I have anything better to do.

I glanced back at the painting Rita had mentioned—the one depicting the view under the sea.

"Hmm… honestly, with a little more observation, this painting is drawing me in. Hm… it's better than I thought. Maybe... I was wrong." Stroking my jaw, I crossed my arms and hummed, feeling a sudden dizziness as I stared at the artwork.

"Thank you…"

"Shi—!" I jumped, startled. How dare someone interrupt me when I was on the verge of some great enlightenment!

"Excuse me, Miss?"

The girl tilted her head, looking either completely innocent or clueless.

"Thank you... it's my drawing," she said.

"Eh... okay?"

"Hey... what color do you want to be?" she asked suddenly.

"I beg your pardon?"

"What color do you want to be?" She repeated the question instead of explaining. I sighed, feeling like she'd lifted that line from somewhere. Judging by her eccentricity, it seemed likely she was the one who had painted this.

"What color do I want to be? Hm... maybe... grey."

"Why?"

"I think grey is a color that can blend with anything. It's adaptable, like me."

"I see."

We fell into silence, just staring at each other. Neither of us seemed inclined to break it. I turned back to the painting, thinking about how I'd imagined the artist would be an old man with white hair, or maybe a sophisticated woman—definitely not a kid my age like Rita, but with an entirely different personality.

I turned to see her looking slightly spaced out.

"And what about you?"

"Me? Maybe… white."

"White? Good for you."

"Thank you."

"I wasn't complimenting you."

"You weren't?"

This was exhausting. I should've left instead of waiting for that brat to finish her hair.

"Sorry for making you wait, Masamu—Mashiro?" Rita's voice made me turn. She had finally finished whatever she was doing with her hair, and it still looked exactly the same.

"I was about to leave. Thank God she stopped me," I muttered.

"Ara~ that's not very gentlemanly, is it?" Rita teased as she approached, then paused, looking at the other girl. "Mashiro? I thought you didn't like social events."

"I don't," Mashiro replied curtly before glancing at me. "Masamune… hm... I like your name."

Rita cleared her throat. "Right... our new atelier member."

"Girl, I never said I'd join you."

"You didn't?"

And just like that, I'd met these two at someone else's charity event.