Infinite Evolution: My Idle Evolution System

— In the downtown area of Hoshito City, inside Sushi Haven, at a windowsill table —

*Nom, Nom, Nom.*

"You must really love sushi," said Cassius, a fond smile painting his handsome, attentive features. On the other side of the table was a bunny-like girl with long, silky brown hair and large doe eyes that squinted in joy after each voracious chew.

Realizing that she was being a bit uncouth, Grace swallowed one last piece of sushi with a look of euphoria before reluctantly placing her chopsticks to the side. "I-I'm sorry… You must think less of me now…" Imaginary bunny ears seemed to droop atop her head as she silently moved her small pink lips.

Cassius rested his chin on his hands, a warm, soothing smile gracing his features. "Pay no mind to me; I think watching you eat is far more enjoyable than eating alone—or even eating at all."

"T-That is…" Grace's face flushed red, yet she readily took him up on his offer. After all, she hadn't eaten anything before coming to the date because she wanted to do more things with him.

Cassius also began choosing from the large assortment of sushi he had ordered. At first, Grace had tried to insist that she would pay, but he firmly rejected that proposal. As a man—albeit a pathetic one—how could he let a woman pay for the date? Even though he didn't have much money, he still had a part-time job, which he just so happened to need to show up for tomorrow morning.

It was merely a library gig, but the people there were welcoming and kind, so it served as a comfort from the grueling training he had endured when he first started completing the system's Daily Quests. The current Quests were just as physically difficult, but his mind had long since grown accustomed to how tough the system's Quests were. Even the Side Quests and Urgent Quests it gave him had left him on the verge of death… yet he still pushed through them.

'Speaking of which, on the matter of money, I wonder if I can make use of my strength to acquire more of it—but do so without attracting too much attention to myself…'

Bringing this matter up to Grace, she spoke in between adorable chews. "I don't know much about making money because my family won't let me work, but you seem very strong. I know you're not awakened, but if you can somehow match up to the weakest of Hunters, you can explore Gates with a Party or Guild and obtain some Magic Shards."

"Though, it is very dangerous… I would prefer you didn't do this…" Her tone dampened, and her imaginary bunny ears once again drooped. "I-If you really need money that badly, then I can ask my family…! I'm sure they can—"

"That won't be necessary," Cassius said gently, seemingly in deep contemplation about something. "Don't worry; I won't do anything I know I can't handle. But you mentioned these 'Magic Shards'—what are they, if you don't mind my asking?"

Although still worried, Grace replied, "Magic Shards are what lie inside the bodies of monsters, sort of like their cores. If you… slice them open, you can find them."

"They vary in size, color, and the number of pointed edges depending on the strength of the slain monster." She gagged a little at imagining something so gruesome yet quickly forgot about it when lines of sushi were stuffed into her gerbil-like cheeks.

"Inside of them… Ahh… Damn…" Cassius suddenly recalled a few shiny things protruding from the corpses of the monsters he killed.

He felt a tinge of regret over not snatching them up and obtaining some pocket money. Though, unbeknownst to him, the combined Magic Shards from all the monsters he had slain would have been enough to buy him a small house or a nice car.

"Izzz shomthingg da matttter?" Grace asked through her munching, tilting her head cutely.

Cassius sighed before shaking his head and returning that warm smile to his face. "It's nothing much. Though, sometimes I wonder if I'm just empty air up here." He comically knocked on his head, which made Grace chortle. A bit of food spat out of her mouth, causing her to shrink in embarrassment. Yet Cassius only chuckled in response before eating more of the sushi himself.

"Just make sure to eat to your heart's content," he requested with a smile.

"Mhmmhkay~!" Grace had no qualms. Even with a few customers staring at her beauty, she devoured the plates like she had been starved her whole life.

"Hah…"

The atmosphere inside that corner of Sushi Haven really was like a little slice of heaven. But the same could not be said for a large bush sitting directly outside the window the pair was dining at.

'Fucking fluffers!! Why are they acting so chummy in there!? Don't they have any shame!? Where is the morality!?' Aya thought as she shamelessly wiggled her plump figure all around inside a bush, successfully scaring away nearby pedestrians.

Suddenly realizing how she was acting, she frantically corrected herself. 'I-It's not like I'm jealous or anything…! I just wish they would learn some shame! Damn adulterers!!'

Seeing the bush jump all around and hearing terrifying grumblings, several pedestrians reported it to the authorities out of fear of a pervert being inside.

For a while, Aya had to outrun the police in a bush…

When she finally managed to lose them with her D-Rank Stats and return to the restaurant window, she was distressed to find that they had already left! It wasn't until five minutes later of extensive searching that she found the adultering couple laughing and giggling while heading toward the…

"Hunter's Association??" Aya blurted out, attracting the attention of a small child.

"Mama, that bush over there is talking…!"

"What nonsense are you speaking— Wait, that's the pervert from earlier! The police—I must call them!"

"!!!" 'They're onto me again! Time to ditch the bush!'