"Kaidan?" Amamiya Natsuki said speechlessly, "Are they just more internet rumors?"
Ever since the Nameless woman incident, Fujiwara Moeha had become particularly enthusiastic about various kaidan, often telling Amamiya Natsuki about the kaidan she had collected—it was normal for young girls of this age to like kaidan, but it had proven that they were all various internet rumors.
Now that Fujiwara Moeha brought up kaidan again, Amamiya Natsuki was completely uninterested.
"No, they're not." Fujiwara Moeha raised her right hand and quickly assured him, "This time it's definitely a kaidan, no mistake!"
Amamiya Natsuki nodded and said:
"Then tell me what's happening this time."
"Mhm, mhm." Fujiwara Moeha nodded happily, tilted her small face up, her eyes the same blue as the sky, just like Chika's, and chirped, "This kaidan is about a strange door."
Amamiya Natsuki played along:
"What's strange about it?"
"My classmate told me, the person who encountered the kaidan was her brother." Fujiwara Moeha extended a finger and said excitedly, "My classmate's brother is a NEET. He dropped out of school for some reason, lives alone in a rented place, and doesn't have a good relationship with his parents, but his relationship with his sister is quite good."
"A few days ago, my classmate suddenly received a message from her brother, saying he saw a strange door."
"It's said to be a red wooden door. One day, my classmate's brother went out and saw that door on the wall in the hallway. He found it very strange at the time, so he complained to my classmate. Later, my classmate's brother suddenly disappeared."
"The last message he sent to my classmate before disappearing was…" Fujiwara Moeha changed the subject, looking expectant, "Senpai, Senpai, guess what it was?"
"Let me guess." Amamiya Natsuki rested his right hand on his chin, pondered for two seconds, and then said, "Is it 'Play stupid games, win stupid prizes'?"
"Ugh…"
Fujiwara Moeha's cheeks quickly puffed up, and she couldn't help but retort, "Of course it's not that phrase!"
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"In short, your classmate's brother entered that door, right?"
"That's right… but the message said that the door appeared in his home." Fujiwara Moeha nodded, "He couldn't be contacted for the next few days. My classmate was very worried, so she went to her brother's place and checked the surveillance. She found that her brother entered the apartment and never came out, but he simply disappeared into thin air."
Amamiya Natsuki mused:
"Is that door still in the room?"
"No, it's not." Fujiwara Moeha shook her head, "My classmate said she searched for a long time but couldn't find the door her brother described."
After a pause, Fujiwara Moeha continued:
"All the previous kaidan were things I read online, but this time is different. It's my classmate's personal experience, so it definitely can't be fake."
First it was your whole class, and now it's your classmate's brother—you've encountered too many kaidan!
However, with Moeha speaking so confidently, Amamiya Natsuki couldn't be sure it was necessarily fake. Perhaps it really was a strange phenomenon invading from another world.
Fujiwara Moeha's eyes sparkled with anticipation:
"Senpai, when are we going to investigate?"
Amamiya Natsuki shook his head and said:
"We're not going to investigate."
"Eh?"
"Did you forget the dream woman you encountered before?" Amamiya Natsuki said seriously, "If it's a fabricated rumor, investigating is a waste of time. If it's a real kaidan, you should stay even further away."
"Ugh…"
Fujiwara Moeha mumbled, clearly dissatisfied with the answer.
"It's getting dark soon." Amamiya Natsuki patted Moeha's small head, "Hurry home for dinner."
"Got it~" Fujiwara Moeha was a bit dejected, "Senpai, I'm going home."
"…"
Watching Moeha board the Train Station, Amamiya Natsuki took out his phone and called secretary Chika.
"President?" Secretary Chika's familiar voice rang in his ear, "Why are you suddenly calling me?"
Amamiya Natsuki said gently:
"I miss Fujiwara Mama."
Fujiwara Chika immediately raised her voice: "I told you not to use that title!"
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"As the saying goes, 'one day apart feels like three autumns.' It's been many autumns since I've seen you, I really miss Chika."
Fujiwara Chika's voice seemed a little shy: "I don't believe it… President and Kaguya are together every day, you must be having so much fun you've forgotten all about me, right?"
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"When does your grounding end? Hurry up and come out for a date."
Fujiwara Chika's voice was clear:
"Ugh, Mom is so mean, I'm still grounded for two more days."
Amamiya Natsuki said: "Where does Chika want to go play?"
Fujiwara Chika: "Of course, shopping… Wait, I want to go play with Kaguya, not with you."
"…"
After chatting with secretary Chika for a while, Amamiya Natsuki finally brought up encountering Moeha and told Chika to pay attention to her sister's movements—junior high students of this age are particularly curious. They'd even stare at an ant nest for a while, and it's possible she might secretly investigate the kaidan alone.
In short, a reminder, just in case.
Another two days passed in a flash.
After Fujiwara Chika's grounding was lifted, she was like a bird out of a cage, eager to fly out. She called Kaguya and Marin to go shopping at the mall.
Amamiya Natsuki had no interest in shopping. He stayed at home alone, played a game for a while, then picked up his phone and sent a message to Hayasaka Ai.
"Ai-chan, are you there?"
Hayasaka Ai: "No."
Amamiya Natsuki: "You can talk even if you're not there?"
Hayasaka Ai: "No."
Amamiya Natsuki: "Echo-chan?"
Hayasaka Ai: "No."
Amamiya Natsuki: "You mentioned that skill, 'Psychic Power 100%' before. I plan to go copy it from the person. Want to come with me?"
Hayasaka Ai: "No."
"…"
Looking at the message on his phone, Amamiya Natsuki silently edited a new message: "Then never mind, I'm going to find Marin."
Thump, thump, thump!
Hayasaka Ai bit her silver teeth, stomping her feet in anger.
He only said a few words and he's already going to find someone else. That lecherous president, he really should be sent to the gallows!
Even though she knew Amamiya Natsuki was deliberately annoying her, Hayasaka Ai still couldn't control her fingers and started editing a message. If she didn't respond, the lecherous president might really go find Kitagawa Marin, and then… Thinking of that possibility, Hayasaka Ai bit her silver teeth with a huff.
Even kittens and puppies get jealous.
So, no girl can accept sharing a boyfriend with other girls.
If it weren't for so many inseparable bonds, she would have broken Amamiya Natsuki's legs when he cheated!
Hayasaka Ai cursed herself for being weak while sending the message:
"The desserts at this cold drink shop are delicious."
Amamiya Natsuki clicked on the picture, did a quick search, and found it was a cold drink shop near the Train Station. He smiled and replied:
"I'll go buy some right away."
"Hmph."
"…"
Twenty minutes later.
Amamiya Natsuki got off the Train Station and immediately saw a blonde girl with a side ponytail standing in the shade of the eaves. She had a lollipop in her mouth, was wearing a cute little dress, white over-the-knee socks, and black leather shoes, and was looking down at her phone.
"Hey, look, that blonde girl is so cute!"
A gasp of admiration sounded in his ear.
Amamiya Natsuki turned his head and saw two boys who had just gotten off the train with him, now staring intently at Hayasaka.
"She's even wearing white stockings, white stockings are indeed the best."
"By the way, I wonder if she has a boyfriend…"
The other boy delivered a merciless blow: "Dream on. A girl that cute definitely has a boyfriend."
"That's not necessarily true." The speaking boy was unconvinced, "I heard that the prettier a girl is, the fewer people actually pursue her. I'm going to ask for her contact info right now."
"Tsk, keyboard warrior, then go on."
"Don't look down on me, I'm going right now."
"…"
Hayasaka Ai seemed to sense something and looked up, her gaze pausing slightly on Amamiya Natsuki before she looked away with a disgusted expression, as if she didn't know him at all.
The two boys who had been talking about asking for her contact info, after being swept by Hayasaka Ai's gaze, backed down, hesitating to approach.
"N-never mind… Her gaze just now seemed really disgusted."
"I felt that too…"
At this moment, Amamiya Natsuki stepped forward and said sternly:
"Of course, we can't just let it go."
"Eh?"
The two boys looked at Amamiya Natsuki, who was standing nearby, in surprise, then looked embarrassed. Being overheard while quietly commenting on someone else was inevitably a bit shameful.
Amamiya Natsuki said seriously:
"It's normal not to want to give out contact information, but to look completely disgusted is a bit much. We must administer righteous punishment to her. Once I successfully pursue her, then I will cruelly abandon and humiliate her."
"…"
The two boys simultaneously cast strange glances at him.
She's been playing on her phone the whole time and hasn't even looked at you, what big talk are you spouting!
"Where there's a will, there's a way. You'll never know if you can succeed until you try."
Amamiya Natsuki said, walking resolutely towards Hayasaka, and under the wide-eyed gaze of the two boys, he bowed and said, "Hello, I fell in love with you at first sight. Will you be my girlfriend?"
The two boys heard him clearly from not far away and were immediately flustered.
Hey, hey, what about getting her contact information as planned?
Who just goes straight for a confession like that?
Is this guy a straight man?
He must be!
Hayasaka Ai put away her phone, glanced at the two boys, and crossed her arms, saying, "I'm sorry, I refuse."
The two boys were not surprised.
A stranger you just met, who goes straight for a confession—it would be a miracle if she said yes!
"What?" Amamiya Natsuki's face showed a surprised expression. "You agreed?"
She clearly said no; you must have heard her perfectly well!
Amamiya Natsuki took a step forward, grasped Hayasaka's right hand, and said expectantly, "Let's get married. I've already thought of names for our children."
Hey, hey, she's already rejected you, and you're still holding her hand? You'll be seen as a pervert!
The two boys had already begun to imagine Amamiya Natsuki's tragic fate of being taken away by the police, but for some reason, a faint blush appeared on the fair, doll-like-like cheek of the blonde, side-ponytail girl. She neither struggled nor called the police, only huffed softly and said, "Let go of my hand."
"No," Amamiya Natsuki said righteously. "You just agreed to go out with me. Is there a problem with holding my girlfriend's hand?"
After a pause, Amamiya Natsuki continued, "It's too hot outside. Let's go to a cold drink shop."
"..."
Watching Amamiya Natsuki lead Hayasaka into the cold drink shop, the two boys stood by, dumbfounded, and began to question life.
Who am I?
Where am I?
He actually led her into the shop?
This world, which judges by looks, should really be destroyed!
Walking into the cold drink shop, a blast of cold air hit them.
Hayasaka Ai glanced at the two bewildered boys outside the window, huffed softly, and said, "Are you satisfied now? Let go of me quickly."
"No," Amamiya Natsuki gently squeezed Hayasaka's fingers. "Of course, I can hold my girlfriend's hand whenever I want."
Hayasaka Ai put on a stern face and said, "Let go of me. If you want to hold a girlfriend's hand, go find your Kitagawa Marin."
Undoubtedly, this was a standard sarcastic remark. If Amamiya Natsuki had actually let go, Hayasaka would have truly gotten angry.
So Amamiya Natsuki pretended not to hear, led Hayasaka to the counter, and asked, "What do you want to eat?"
Hayasaka Ai said with a straight face, "I don't want to eat anything. I'm already full of anger."
"..."
Having spent so much time together, even if Hayasaka didn't say it, Amamiya Natsuki knew what flavor of ice cream she liked.
After much back and forth, Amamiya Natsuki bought two ice creams, then led Hayasaka out of the cold drink shop. After they finished eating, they boarded the train.
The Player who possessed the "Psychic Power 100%" skill lived in Kyoto. To copy someone else's skill, he had to go there himself, rather than have the other party travel all the way to him.
The journey was silent.
Amamiya Natsuki and Hayasaka arrived in Kyoto at noon.
After getting off the train, the scorching sun poured down, making the air near the ground slightly distorted. The terrifying heat of midsummer meant that not only pedestrians but even evil spirits dared not wander in the sun.
"It's too hot. Let's take a taxi."
Amamiya Natsuki, being wealthy, directly hailed a taxi. Under the delivery of a seventy-year-old driver, they headed to the agreed-upon restaurant.
Before leaving Tokyo, Amamiya Natsuki had already arranged the time and place with the other Player via phone, making full preparations. As for whether the other party would stand him up like an online dating chat partner... Amamiya Natsuki was very confident that they wouldn't dare.
The old man started the taxi and smoothly drove into the traffic.
Hayasaka Ai fastened her seatbelt, then curiously looked out the window. Kyoto, as Japan's political center with over a thousand years of history, preserved a large number of ancient buildings, offering a completely different experience from Tokyo.
Amamiya Natsuki leaned close to Hayasaka's ear and whispered, "Ai-chan hasn't visited Kyoto before?"
"No," Hayasaka Ai shook her head. Because he had been coaxing her the whole way, the Spy Maid's anger had subsided a lot, and she could temporarily speak properly. "Kaguya did not participate in the junior high field trip."
"I see."
As Kaguya's personal maid, she naturally had to stay close to Kaguya. Since Kaguya did not participate in the field trip, Hayasaka Ai naturally wouldn't either.
Amamiya Natsuki intertwined his fingers with Hayasaka's and whispered, "My junior high field trip was to Kyoto. After I copy the skill, I'll be your guide and we'll explore Kyoto."
"Idiot President," Hayasaka Ai rolled her eyes. "The sun is so strong, who would go out to play in this weather?"
Amamiya Natsuki said, "There are many places we can visit. We can go out for a stroll in the evening."
"Hmph."
"..."
As they chatted, the taxi soon stopped in front of a restaurant.
The two got out of the car. Amamiya Natsuki took out his phone and sent a message to the other Player. Before long, a tall woman wearing a strapless top, revealing a certain indescribable cleavage, rushed out. Upon seeing Amamiya Natsuki, her eyes lit up, and she enthusiastically said, "Natsuki-kun, good afternoon."
Amamiya Natsuki smiled and returned the greeting, "Miss Tamura, thank you for your trouble."
This other Player was someone he had met in the Fog Village instance. She naturally had a deep impression of Amamiya Natsuki and was especially enthusiastic.
"It's hot outside," Miss Tamura greeted warmly. "Please come in quickly. I've already booked a private room."
Following the woman into the restaurant, they wound through several turns before entering a private room. It was a traditional Japanese tatami room with a low table where everyone had to kneel on either side of it.
After sitting down, the customary pleasantries began.
The Fog Village instance hadn't been that long ago, but for Players, it already felt like a lifetime ago.
During their casual chat, Miss Tamura shared her life story. She was actually an office worker who had been working for two years, enduring harassment from her balding boss and workplace infighting every day. Her life was muddled, without a future or hope, and after being chosen by the game, she almost had a mental breakdown.
Fortunately, she met Amamiya Natsuki, who not only saved her in the instance but also helped her find a way to sell game items for cash after joining the Player Mutual Aid Group. She had now achieved financial freedom, so she simply resigned and began to enjoy the rest of her life. Between her words, she was naturally full of gratitude towards Amamiya Natsuki.
After they had chatted for a while, Amamiya Natsuki got to the point and said, "Miss Tamura, have you used the 'Psychic Power 100%' skill yet?"
"Not yet," Miss Tamura shook her head, and while speaking, she bent down to pour water for Amamiya Natsuki, shaking her head with a wry smile. "It's been several days, and I haven't accumulated 100% emotional progress."
As she spoke, she also displayed the "Psychic Power 100%" skill to show that she wasn't lying.
However, Amamiya Natsuki's attention was drawn to something else...
The weather was so fair.
The moon was so large.
An indescribable deep cleavage was presented before him, causing Amamiya Natsuki to involuntarily cast his gaze upon it. This was a biological instinct; he truly couldn't resist.
And then...
A quiet pain shot through his waist.
Hayasaka Ai tilted her head to look over and smiled as she sent Amamiya Natsuki a message:
"I feel very redundant. How about I go out, and President can call me after you and Miss Tamura finish eating?"
If I let you go out now, it would take ten days to coax you back into a good mood!
Without Hayasaka's reminder, Amamiya Natsuki could also see Miss Tamura's 'special intentions'—
The Player community walks on the edge of life and death, and it's quite normal to use one's body to gain the protection of the strong, after all, there's nothing more precious than life.
Miss Tamura, dressed in an evening gown in the middle of the day, was undoubtedly trying to use the 'seduction technique,' and her target, naturally, went without saying.
Amamiya Natsuki straightened his posture, pointed to the maid beside him, and said seriously, "I didn't have time to introduce her earlier. This is my girlfriend."
"Ah..."
Miss Tamura naturally understood Amamiya Natsuki's subtext. A hint of awkwardness flashed across her face, and she quickly sat up, extending her hand and saying, "Hello, I'm Tamura Yuka. Nice to meet you."
The Spy Maid smiled and replied, "Hello, I'm Hayasaka Ai. Nice to meet you."
"..."
Seeing Amamiya Natsuki introduce Hayasaka's presence directly, Miss Tamura extinguished her small intention of repaying his kindness with her body, and thus the atmosphere finally became harmonious.
In a blink of an eye, lunch was over. Amamiya Natsuki gave her a few bottles of Witch Potion, then took out a blank skill scroll and said, "Miss Tamura, I'll be relying on you next."
Miss Tamura asked curiously, "How do I cooperate?"
"Don't be nervous," Amamiya Natsuki said gently. "You just need to press your hand on the blank part of the scroll."
"Okay."
Miss Tamura took a deep breath and agreed.
Of course, skill copying has a chance of failure. To increase the success rate, Amamiya Natsuki also flipped a coin to give himself a luck buff.
"We can start."
Amamiya Natsuki placed the scroll on the table.
Miss Tamura nodded and pressed her right hand on the blank part of the scroll. Soon, fine black lines appeared on the blank skill scroll.
Having used a blank skill scroll once before, Amamiya Natsuki knew clearly that this was a sign that skill copying was beginning. When the black lines covered the entire scroll, it meant the skill copying was successful; otherwise, it was a failure.
The private room became quiet.
None of the three spoke, beginning to wait silently.
A moment later.
The black lines finally covered the entire scroll bit by bit, and the unremarkable scroll suddenly emitted a faint purple glow.
Hayasaka Ai couldn't help but sigh with relief and said, "Copying successful."
"Psychic Power 100%" was actually a purple-tier skill, and the success rate for copying it wasn't high. Fortunately, with the luck buff, he successfully copied the skill.
Amamiya Natsuki nodded and said, "Miss Tamura, you've worked hard. You can take your hand back now."
"Got it," Tamura said, quickly retracting her right hand, looking curiously at the skill scroll. "I thought it would hurt a lot."
Amamiya Natsuki stood up, preparing to leave, and said, "Thank you, Miss Tamura. Well then, I'll take my leave."
The desired skill had been successfully copied. If he stayed any longer, Hayasaka might get jealous, which wouldn't be worth it.
"I'll see you out."
Tamura quickly stood up to see them off. Her mandatory quest was approaching, and she actually wanted Amamiya Natsuki to join her in the dungeon, but she knew very well that Amamiya Natsuki wouldn't agree. It was just copying a skill; it really wasn't worth risking a mandatory dungeon. Besides, Amamiya Natsuki had not only given her a Witch Potion but also promised that she could find him anytime she needed to paste a skill in the future. The words reached her lips, but she swallowed them back down.
The three walked to the restaurant entrance, then formally said goodbye. Amamiya Natsuki took Hayasaka's hand and walked onto the street.
"It's too hot. Let's find a place to rest for a bit," Amamiya Natsuki said to Hayasaka after only a few steps. "It's a good chance to test out the new skill."
He had already tried it just now; the Psychic Power 100% skill could be pasted onto others, greatly increasing its utility.
Looking at the Love Hotel in front of them, Hayasaka Ai's pretty face was flushed crimson, like fire. She pinched Amamiya Natsuki's waist in embarrassment and gritted her teeth, saying, "lecherous president, don't push your luck!"
"I'm not, I didn't," Amamiya Natsuki said, deadpan. "It's just the closest place."
"Heh, men."
"We're just going in to test a new skill. I promise I won't do anything."
"Pfft!"
Hayasaka Ai scoffed lightly, her eyes full of disdain, indicating that she didn't believe a single word.
Excuses!
All of them were excuses!
Saying it was for testing a skill, but his intentions were clearly written all over his face!
"Let go of me quickly," Hayasaka Ai said, her pretty face stern. "Otherwise, I'll call the police."
Amamiya Natsuki's expression didn't change. He pulled Hayasaka into the hotel: "I feel like I'm getting heatstroke. I urgently need to rest now."
"If you want to rest, go rest by yourself. I don't need to."
"Of course, I need Miss Hayasaka by my side. Otherwise, what if I faint?"
"Heh heh."
"..."
Hayasaka Ai's pretty face was flushed, and she looked disgusted, but she was ultimately pulled into the hotel by Amamiya Natsuki, under the pretext of preventing heatstroke due to the hot weather.
Of course, whether she was truly disgusted, both of them knew very well in their hearts.
Amamiya Natsuki actually didn't use much strength. If Hayasaka truly didn't want to, she wouldn't have been pulled in by him at all—in short, she was now 'forced,' and it wasn't her own willingness.
A cool breeze came, blowing away the heat from both of them.
"There are still many themed rooms..." Amamiya Natsuki led Hayasaka to the self-service machine and asked softly, "Which one should we choose to rest in?"
Hayasaka Ai's pretty face was hot. Her gaze swept over the self-service machine, then quickly moved away as she said, "Let go of me, I'm leaving."
Amamiya Natsuki intertwined his fingers with hers, of course not letting Hayasaka escape, and said, deadpan, "It's just for a nap. The theme isn't really important... How about that prison theme?"
Hayasaka Ai gritted her teeth in anger: "lecherous president, don't be so perverted!"
Coming to a place like this for the first time and choosing a prison theme, it was just too awful to even think about!
"Then let's change it," Amamiya Natsuki said, his expression unchanged. "How about a normal train-themed room?"
Hayasaka Ai: "Heh heh."
Amamiya Natsuki nodded and said, "Since you like it, then that's the one."
Hayasaka Ai could no longer bear it: "Like my foot!"
"..."
After choosing a themed room, Amamiya Natsuki pulled Hayasaka upstairs to begin their afternoon rest.
"I'm all sweaty. Let's take a shower first, then test the skill," Amamiya Natsuki said, turning on the air conditioner and looking at the Spy Maid. "Do you want to wash first, or should I?"
Hayasaka Ai crossed her arms over her chest and said unceremoniously, "Of course, I'll wash first."
She was sticky all over with sweat, so she really should take a shower. After all... since they were already here.
Amamiya Natsuki raised a hand and suggested, "Actually, we could wash together. It would save water resources."
Hayasaka Ai gritted her teeth, quickly walked into the bathroom, and locked the door: "Don't even think about it!"
"..."
There's nothing more to say about what happened next, just a rest after showering.
However, their rest lasted quite a while, from a little past one in the afternoon until six in the evening.
In addition, Amamiya Natsuki also verified and restored the Time Stop series in a real-world scenario, finding that the effect was as he had guessed: the damage caused during Time Stop would erupt the moment Time Stop ended, and pleasure was likewise. He was then immediately stopped by Hayasaka, who almost fainted.
Finally, there was the charging effect of [Psychic Power 100%]...