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"Haruno, please have some self-respect."
Amamiya Natsuki decisively stepped back half a step and reached out to stop her.
"Eh?" Yukinoshita Haruno tilted her head and looked over, her rosy lips curving slightly into a sweet smile, "Isn't Natsuki curious about my repayment?"
Still curious?
It's clearly a plotline where a young lady, having received a life-saving favor with no way to repay it, offers herself in marriage!
If it were Hirano, that would be one thing, but I've only met you once, and you're so old. Who would be interested in you?!
Amamiya Natsuki said expressionlessly:
"Not curious at all, Haruno-nee, please go back."
"Well..." Yukinoshita Haruno continued to unbutton her second button, subtly revealing a hint of her fair, delicate collarbone, and smiled, "You say that, Natsuki-kun, but you haven't closed your eyes."
You're a girl, unbuttoning your clothes without shyness, so why should a boy close his eyes?!
Yukinoshita Haruno continued to unbutton her third button and smiled:
"I came with sincerity, you know."
Amamiya Natsuki sighed softly and said calmly:
"Haruno-nee, what exactly do you want to do?"
Yukinoshita Haruno smiled: "Of course, I want to repay Natsuki-kun."
Amamiya Natsuki raised an eyebrow slightly and said:
"Are you sure?"
"One hundred percent sure."
"Alright then."
Amamiya Natsuki decisively took two steps forward, opened his arms, and was about to pull this Haruno into his embrace.
"Eh? Eh? Eh?"
Seeing the boy rushing towards her, Yukinoshita Haruno let out a soft cry, instinctively took half a step back, and leaned against the door.
She often teased others before, but she had never encountered a boy like Amamiya Natsuki, who was so ungentlemanly and just went for it. For a moment, she was flustered.
"I thought Natsuki-kun would be a very gentle boy." Yukinoshita Haruno covered her chest with both hands and couldn't help but complain softly, "I didn't expect him to be not gentle at all."
"The most useless thing in the world is gentleness that accomplishes nothing." Amamiya Natsuki was unfazed, "It's almost six-thirty, Haruno, if you have anything to say, say it quickly."
Anyway, Amamiya Natsuki didn't believe Haruno was simply coming to repay a favor—the agreed-upon meeting time was approaching, and with so little time, there wasn't enough time to do anything. If she were truly sincere, she would have snuck over in the middle of the night, not shown up right on time.
After returning to reality last night, Amamiya Natsuki didn't interact much with Haruno, but he did hear Yukinoshita Haruno's conversations with other girls, and he had already formed a general impression.
A social butterfly, always with a gentle, sweet smile that makes people feel like they're bathed in spring breeze, able to talk to anyone, even Juju could find topics to chat about, except for Shoko, of course.
Communication disorders are too terrifying; even top social experts are helpless against them.
Then there's her strong psychological resilience.
After a near-death experience, surviving a terrifying bizarre incident, she not only didn't lose composure but was also able to gently comfort others—that Glasses Girl Kohsaka, after crying for a while yesterday, directly fell into a deep sleep.
In short, for such a strong-willed and psychologically resilient girl, merely a life-saving favor would obviously not be enough to make her throw herself into someone's arms.
In other words... Yukinoshita Haruno's visit now actually has an ulterior motive.
"Hmm... Natsuki-kun is very smart." Yukinoshita Haruno pursed her pink lips, no longer using small tricks, and said softly, "I heard Chika-chan say that her first time entering what you call 'the game' was because of a dungeon invitation letter?"
"And then... Natsuki-kun has an invitation letter in his hand?"
Amamiya Natsuki finally understood Haruno's purpose and raised an eyebrow, saying:
"Haruno-nee wants to become a Player?"
Because of her 'Max-Level Social Butterfly' talent, just from the brief time together last night, Yukinoshita Haruno and Chika's favorability skyrocketed, and then she asked Chika to join the Player Mutual Aid Group.
The Mutual Aid Group is essentially just a place for Players to huddle together for warmth; it's not an official organization, and there's no rule against inviting ordinary people, for example, Miko is in it.
In fact, many unlucky individuals, when first chosen by the game and then fortunately clearing it, would tell their friends and family about the game, but unfortunately, they were all dismissed as pranks or mental issues.
If she hadn't personally experienced the bizarre invasion incident, even Yukinoshita Haruno wouldn't believe in the existence of the game and the bizarre. Humans, after all, only believe what they can hear and see.
Last night, Yukinoshita Haruno barely slept, spending most of her time gathering information in the Mutual Aid Group, weighing and analyzing, and finally making a well-thought-out decision...
Yukinoshita Haruno pursed her lips and said softly:
"That's right, I want to become a Player, just like Yukino."
Amamiya Natsuki said calmly:
"Game dungeons are quite dangerous; a slight mistake can lead to death. In fact, in every dungeon, some people are left behind forever."
"I've heard everyone talk about it." Yukinoshita Haruno said softly, "But the real world is also very dangerous, isn't it?"
"Just gathering with friends and playing a normal script-killing game, we got caught in a bizarre invasion incident. Besides me, Kobayashi and Misaki, they were left in that space forever and can never come back... All their friends and family have forgotten them completely."
"Can Natsuki-kun guarantee that we won't encounter bizarre invasions again in the future?"
"In fact, according to your speculation, bizarre invasion incidents will only become more frequent in the future, won't they?"
"This time was good luck, but if we encounter another bizarre invasion next time, we might just die..." Yukinoshita Haruno took a deep breath, clasped her hands together, and bowed, "So, no matter what, I don't want to be a defenseless ordinary person anymore."
...
Ordinary people who get caught in bizarre invasion incidents and then miraculously survive will likely become frightened, hoping they never encounter similar situations again.
This Haruno actually actively wants to become a Player. It must be said that this mindset is quite commendable; it already surpasses most ordinary Players.
But it's not enough.
Dungeons are not sightseeing trips or dinner parties; they are places where there is genuine danger to life.
Amamiya Natsuki and his group seemed to have an easy time, but that's because their team was strong. In fact, in every dungeon, there are unlucky Players who quietly die in a corner, it's just that no one knows.
Yukinoshita Haruno's mindset is resilient, but that doesn't mean she can become a Player; there are simply too many variables and risks involved.
Amamiya Natsuki frowned and said:
"Does Yukino know about this?"
Yukinoshita Haruno shook her head and said truthfully:
"No, I haven't told Yukino yet."
Your sister!
You came here without telling her! If I give you the dungeon invitation letter and let you participate in the Player trial, and something happens, won't your sister resent me for life?!
"Natsuki-kun, don't worry." Yukinoshita Haruno assured, "I have a way to convince Yukino-chan."
"Then wait until you convince Yukino before we talk about it." Amamiya Natsuki waved his hand to dismiss her, "Haruno-nee, please leave, I need to pack my things."
Yukinoshita Haruno clasped her hands and looked over: "That invitation letter..."
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"I do have one. As long as you can convince Yukino, it's fine to give it to you."
"Thank you, Natsuki-kun~" Yukinoshita Haruno immediately smiled, "I'm not feeling well today. Once I've rested, I'll come back to repay the favor."
Go as far away as possible, I don't want to eat a Sisters Rice Bowl!
"Then I'll go out first."
Yukinoshita Haruno waved happily and pushed the door open to leave the room.
"Eh...?"
Haruno's steps suddenly stopped, and she let out a soft cry.
Immediately followed by a clear, familiar voice of a girl, tinged with surprise and doubt: "Sister, why are you...?"
Amamiya Natsuki looked over in the direction of the voice. A girl with long black hair stood outside the door, just meeting Haruno head-on.
It was Yukinoshita Yukino.
"Why are your shirt buttons undone, Sister?"
Hirano's eyebrows furrowed. She looked at Amamiya Natsuki in the room, and upon seeing Amamiya Natsuki's disheveled appearance, she immediately bit her lower lip, took a deep breath, and turned to leave.
"Yukino, let me explain—"
Amamiya Natsuki decisively called out to Yukino.
When there's a misunderstanding, it's natural to explain it immediately. Only fools would leave a misunderstanding until tomorrow.
Amamiya Natsuki didn't care about getting dressed. He quickly walked to the door and grabbed Yukinoshita Yukino's slender wrist.
"Let go..."
"Come in and talk."
Amamiya Natsuki used force and pulled Yukinoshita Yukino into the room.
Immediately followed by a 'bang' as he closed the door, shutting Yukinoshita Haruno outside.
"Let's be clear first." Amamiya Natsuki explained decisively, "Nothing happened between your sister and me. I didn't even touch her with a single finger."
Yukinoshita Yukino pursed her pink lips tightly and said expressionlessly:
"Then please explain why your sister's shirt buttons are undone?"
The two of them weren't dating, they weren't in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, but they had kissed and hugged. Waking up in the morning and seeing her sister walk out of a boy's room disheveled, Yukinoshita Yukino wasn't strong enough to accept it calmly.
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"Of course, your sister unbuttoned them herself."
...
Yukinoshita Yukino pursed her pink lips and turned to leave.
"Wait, your sister really took off her clothes herself, I'm not lying." Amamiya Natsuki took a deep breath and said, "I can prove my innocence."
Yukinoshita Yukino looked up and asked:
"How do you prove it?"
Amamiya Natsuki took half a step forward, stretched out his arms, and pulled Hiranoshita into his embrace.
"Let go of me." Yukinoshita Yukino's eyebrows immediately furrowed, and she began to struggle.
He just did that kind of thing with my sister, and now he's hugging me again...
"Smell me." Amamiya Natsuki said quickly, "If I did anything strange with your sister, there would definitely be a scent left on me, right? Smell carefully if there is."
...
Yukinoshita Yukino was silent for two seconds, then gently sniffed her nose.
The scent of osmanthus from shower gel quietly wafted into her nostrils.
It really wasn't her sister's scent.
She had slept in the same bed as Haruno last night and knew exactly what her sister's scent was like.
Amamiya Natsuki looked down and said:
"Do you believe me now?"
Yukinoshita Yukino's expression softened slightly: "You can let go of me now."
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"Aren't you curious why Haruno secretly came to find me?"
Yukinoshita Yukino's attention was immediately diverted, and she no longer cared about being held in the boy's embrace. From the dungeon to reality, she had been hugged many times, and unconsciously, she had gotten used to it: "...Why did Sister come to find you?"
Amamiya Natsuki had no intention of keeping Haruno's secret and spilled everything:
"It's like this..."
After listening to the narration, Yukinoshita Yukino quickly furrowed her brows: "Sister wants to become a Player?"
"That's right." Amamiya Natsuki said, "Your sister's psychological resilience is quite suitable for becoming a Player."
Yukinoshita Yukino said:
"Did you give her the invitation letter?"
"Not yet." Amamiya Natsuki said, taking out the invitation letter and handing it to Yukino, "I was planning to give it to you later, but since you happened to run into us, I'll give it to you now. You decide whether you want to give it to your sister."
Yukinoshita Yukino hesitated slightly and reached out to take the invitation letter.
This matter required careful consideration and could not be decided easily in a short time.
"Let go of me." Yukinoshita Yukino's pretty face tightened, and only then did she realize she was still being held in Amamiya Natsuki's embrace. "I'm going out now."
"Yes, yes."
Amamiya Natsuki knew when to stop and let go of Hirano.
Yukinoshita Yukino raised a hand to tuck the strands of hair falling to her chest behind her ear, then turned and pushed the door open.
Just as she took half a step out, Yukinoshita Yukino's body suddenly froze.
"Eh? Yukino-chan?" Fujiwara Chika looked over curiously, "Why are you coming out of Natsuki-kun's room?"
Yukinoshita Yukino: "…"
Having finished packing, Amamiya Natsuki and his group bid farewell to the two sisters of the Yukinoshita family, then took the Shinkansen back to Tokyo. Yukino had originally planned to have them stay for breakfast, but there wasn't enough time, so they had to give up.
The two sisters saw Amamiya Natsuki and the others off at the station. Before they left, they sincerely thanked them again.
As for how to repay the life-saving grace… Yukinoshita Yukino hadn't thought of it yet.
"We're leaving."
"Yukino-chan, come to Tokyo when you're free."
"I'll take you out to eat, drink, and have fun."
"…"
Everyone waved goodbye and boarded the train.
"There are so many people," Fujiwara Chika said in surprise, whispering, "We left so early, I thought there wouldn't be anyone on the train."
Amamiya Natsuki's gaze swept across the car. Besides their group, almost everyone was a white-collar worker in suits and ties, both men and women. The oldest was an old man with white hair and age spots on his face, dozing off in his seat.
"They're all office workers," Amamiya Natsuki murmured, "No wonder everyone wants to be a capitalist."
Living in Tokyo is not easy.
Rent, utility bills, and other expenses are substantial. Many office workers choose to commute between two places to save money, working in Tokyo during the day and then taking the train back to Chiba at night.
"I heard the retirement age has officially been extended to seventy," Fujiwara Chika grumbled softly, "Having to work at seventy is too inhumane."
"Indeed, this world is too cold," Amamiya Natsuki said in a low voice, "They say it's for the economy of society, to make the elderly suffer a bit, but in the end, it's just the upper class exploiting the lower class, so…"
"So what?"
Fujiwara Chika looked over curiously.
She thought Amamiya Natsuki was going to say something like 'I want to run for prime minister and change the world,' but then Amamiya Natsuki changed the subject:
"So I need warmth."
"Eh?"
"Have you seen 'monday's Warmth'?" Amamiya Natsuki turned his head to look at Chika secretary, "Today just happens to be monday, Chika-sama, please warm people's hearts for world peace."
Fujiwara Chika's pretty face flushed, and she covered her chest with both hands, unable to resist glaring at him: "I'm not doing that!"
Amamiya Natsuki whispered:
"Please, this is my life's request."
Fujiwara Chika: "When you say that, prostrate yourself first."
"…"
The journey was uneventful.
Everyone quickly returned to Tokyo.
The peaceful campus life resumed.
But the girls were all very happy.
"We're finally back."
"Going to school is still the happiest."
"I hope it can stay peaceful until the end of summer vacation."
"Chika-chan, don't jinx it."
"…"
Only after experiencing various life-and-death adventures can one truly appreciate the preciousness of a peaceful daily life.
Student Council.
Office.
"President."
Shinomiya Kaguya had already adjusted her mindset and once again took on the duties of Vice President: "All the work to be handled today is here."
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"There's very little work today."
Fujiwara Chika said from the side: "Because summer vacation is coming soon."
Upon hearing this, Amamiya Natsuki turned to look out the window.
Outside, the sun was bright.
Cicadas chirped.
As midsummer officially arrived, the weather grew hotter, and summer vacation was approaching. Most club activities had already stopped, and the Student Council's work naturally became much lighter.
Currently, two matters remained: Linjian School and the final exams.
Once the final exams were over, summer vacation would officially begin.
The dismissal bell rang in a flash.
Amamiya Natsuki packed his school bag, went to the Student Council first to finish the remaining tasks, and then headed to a cold drink shop near the school.
"Natsuki-kun, you're here?"
Mizuhara Chizuru waved happily.
"Chizuru-nee, I hope I haven't kept you waiting," Amamiya Natsuki replied politely.
"No," Mizuhara Chizuru quickly said, "I just happened to have no classes this afternoon, so I only arrived a short while ago."
After a doctor's diagnosis, cousin Koyasu Tsubame's anorexia had been successfully treated, and she was about to be discharged. Upon hearing this news, Mizuhara Chizuru sent a message saying that Amamiya Natsuki didn't need to go to the Hospital anymore, and it would be more convenient for her to come directly, as the Copy and Paste skill could be used anywhere.
Amamiya Natsuki extended his right hand and said:
"Chizuru-nee, give me your hand."
"Mm." Mizuhara Chizuru eagerly extended her hand, "I didn't have time to ask in detail before, what did Natsuki experience in Chiba Prefecture?"
Amamiya Natsuki recounted what happened in Chiba Prefecture while Copy and Pasting.
"Eh, how dangerous!"
"…"
As the Copy and Paste was nearing completion, Amamiya Natsuki suddenly felt a shocked gaze fall upon him.
Turning his head, he saw a petite, short-haired girl standing at the shop entrance, covering her pink lips with both hands, her eyes wide, looking over with an expression of utter disbelief.
"P-President?!"
"He's actually going on a date behind Chika-chan and Kaguya-chan's backs, and with a mature older sister no less?!"
"C-Could it be that he's being kept?"
Amamiya Natsuki waved and said:
"Kashiwagi, come here."
"…"
Kashiwagi quickly shook her head, then turned and ran.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have suggested meeting near the school." Mizuhara Chizuru saw this and apologized, "I've caused you trouble."
Saying this, she stood up and said:
"I'll go explain to her right away."
"I'll explain myself later." Amamiya Natsuki didn't release her hand, "The Copy and Paste is almost done."
Mizuhara Chizuru then hesitated and sat back down, worriedly saying:
"Am I causing Natsuki-kun trouble?"
She was extremely grateful to Amamiya Natsuki.
Firstly, her grandmother's health was gradually improving, all thanks to the pasted healing skills.
Secondly, Amamiya Natsuki treated her with great respect. He never took advantage of her kindness or made excessive demands. Aside from the necessary hand-holding, there was never any other physical contact, nor any frivolous words. If it were any other man…
Mizuhara Chizuru was very confident in her beauty.
If it were any other man, she might already be pregnant with a baby by now.
If she met a perverted guy, her body might even be covered with markings and other vulgar words. So, she had always been extremely grateful to Amamiya Natsuki.
Today, due to a momentary oversight, she chose to meet near the school, and now that Amamiya Natsuki's friend had seen them, Mizuhara Chizuru felt incredibly guilty.
It's decided!
She must help explain clearly no matter what!
"Goodbye, Natsuki-kun."
With the Copy and Paste complete, Mizuhara Chizuru quickly stood up and walked out. There was only about a minute's difference, so she should still be able to find the short-haired junior high school girl from before.
Amamiya Natsuki, however, was not in a hurry. He hadn't finished his cold drink yet, so he sat in the shop and continued to enjoy it.
A moment later.
A clear, sweet shout from a girl rang out again.
"Eh, is that Senpai?"
Amamiya Natsuki turned his head and saw that it was Fujiwara Moeha and her two friends.
The three junior high school girls entered the shop together. Upon seeing Amamiya Natsuki, they were quite happy and came over to greet him one after another.
"Senpai, good afternoon."
"Hello, Senpai~"
"Senpai, Senpai, do you want to go singing together later?"
Because of the previous nightmare incident, the three little ones had a high favorable impression of Amamiya Natsuki, especially Fujiwara Moeha, who was very interested in Amamiya Natsuki.
"Good afternoon." Amamiya Natsuki smiled and nodded in response, "Singing is out of the question, I'm tone-deaf."
"Senpai is lying." Fujiwara Moeha puffed out her pink cheeks, "My sister told me that Senpai sings very well."
After talking for a while, the other two little ones went to the restroom together. Fujiwara Moeha didn't go, choosing to stay behind. She leaned close to Amamiya Natsuki's ear and whispered mysteriously:
"Senpai, Senpai, did you go exorcising again last weekend?"
Amamiya Natsuki said calmly: "No, you're overthinking it."
"Senpai is messing with me again, my sister already told me." Fujiwara Moeha puffed out her cheeks, then suddenly saw the injury on Amamiya Natsuki's hand. She quickly grabbed Amamiya Natsuki's left hand, brought it to his front, and asked with concern, "How did Senpai's hand get injured?"
"It's a long story…" Amamiya Natsuki finished his cold drink, "So I've decided not to tell it."
"H-How mean!"
At the same time.
Mizuhara Chizuru had already found Kashiwagi and explained that she was a distant relative, clearing up the misunderstanding.
"Could it be that I really misunderstood?"
Kashiwagi said she believed it, but still felt some doubt in her heart. She turned and walked back to the cold drink shop, preparing to investigate.
"Eh, eh, eh?!"
Upon clearly seeing Amamiya Natsuki in the shop, Kashiwagi couldn't help but widen her eyes.
"Is that Chika-chan's younger sister, Moeha?"
"That scumbag President!"
"He even preys on junior high students? No, I must tell Kaguya-chan, Chika-chan, and Ai-chan that the President is a scumbag!"
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr