At the hotel entrance.
Mitsui had planned to send a driver to take everyone back, but everyone refused. The train station was not far from the hot spring hotel, so there was no need for trouble.
As for the rewards for eliminating the Strange Tale this time, they would be disbursed in the next few days. In short, there was no way they would renege on the payment.
"Home, home!" Chika stretched, "I haven't been back in days, Moeha must be super worried about me!"
Compared to worrying about you, Moeha is actually more curious about the supernatural events you encountered!
"Oh, right." Chika turned her head, looked at Natsuki, and said in a clear voice, "President, has Moeha sent you any messages?"
Natsuki nodded:
"Of course, she sent messages."
Just as he came out of the hotel, he received many messages from Moeha. Because he had asked for lewd demands to stop for half a day, messages still came in at night.
One could only say that junior high students' curiosity was super strong.
Chika's eyes widened, and she quickly said:
"Eh, eh, President didn't tell Moeha what happened inside the hotel, did he?"
"No." Natsuki complained, "Of course, I left it for you to tell Moeha."
Besides being a self-proclaimed love detective at school, this Chika also held the title of gossip girl. In short, she really liked gossip.
"That's good." Chika's face showed a bright smile, and she waved, "Goodbye everyone, I'm going home now."
"Aoi, shall we go home too?"
Tsubame held her adopted daughter Aoi's hand and said gently.
"Wherever Mama goes, I go." The adopted daughter was very well-behaved, staying close to Tsubame, never leaving her side.
But after walking a few steps, seeing that Natsuki hadn't moved, the adopted daughter looked up in confusion, her eyes wide, and asked, puzzled:
"Mama, isn't Papa coming home with us?"
"Cough cough…" Tsubame couldn't help but cough twice, glancing at Natsuki, and said with a flushed face, "Papa… he still has things to do, so he won't be going back with us for now."
"Oh…"
The little loli visibly became disappointed.
Natsuki stroked the adopted daughter's small head and said gently:
"Aoi, go home with Mama first. As long as Mama texts me saying she misses me, I'll come back."
"Natsuki-kun!"
Tsubame bit her lips lightly, her bright eyes glaring at him teasingly.
Watching Tsubame lead her daughter away, Natsuki turned to Hirano and asked:
"Is Yukino going back to Chiba?"
"Of course not." Haruno smiled beside him, "It's summer vacation now, there's nothing to do back home. Yukino will stay with me for now. Natsuki-kun, if you want to come over and play, you're always welcome."
Natsuki said:
"Then it depends on whether Yukino welcomes me."
Yukino folded her right arm across her chest and said expressionlessly:
"I don't welcome you."
The smarter the girl, the more she holds grudges, and this Yukino was just like that.
In the Deserted island Nightmare, when they encountered the hailstorm and could only hide in a tree hollow, Natsuki actually forced her to use her hand... She would definitely remember this grudge for a lifetime! She would not easily forgive him!
"Oh, Yukino doesn't welcome you." Haruno extended a slender finger and lightly touched her lips, "Natsuki, what do you think we should do?"
Natsuki pondered for two seconds and said:
"Then when I go to play, should I ask Yukino to leave first?"
Haruno nodded in agreement, her smile sweet:
"Hmm, that makes sense."
Yukino: "..."
Are you two already being so blatant now?
Yukino lowered her eyes, took a deep breath, turned and walked away, saying:
"Sister, let's go back quickly."
If it was purely a matter of mutual benefit, she would never want Haruno to be involved. A physical transaction without feelings would definitely lead to regret later.
But in the Ouija board nightmare at the anomalous hotel, her sister had already clearly expressed her fondness for Natsuki. Did she still need to stop her?
If she didn't stop them, would it eventually become… a sisters rice bowl?
Yukino's pretty face flushed slightly, and she quickly bit her silver teeth, driving away the terrible images in her mind.
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
Even if her sister didn't mind, she would never agree to such a sisters rice bowl!
"What about Marin and Sayu?"
Natsuki then looked at Marin and Sayu, asking if the two girls were going home.
"Not going back for now, I'm super energetic and want to go shopping." Marin put her right hand on her hip, her waist-length golden hair especially radiant in the sunlight, "Shopping! Next up is shopping time!"
"Mhm, mhm." Sayu nodded, "I also have many things to buy, so I'll go shopping with Marin this afternoon."
The two girls were already very close, and now, as comrades who had fought side by side, their intimacy level had risen another notch.
"Juju, do you want to go shopping with us?"
Marin turned her head and asked.
"I won't go." Juju shook her head, "I haven't been home for several days, my sister must be very worried, and shopping is so tiring. Right now, I just want to go home, turn on the air conditioning, and eat watermelon."
"Eh, alright then." Marin then looked at the the timid girl, "Shoko? Do you want to go shopping with us?"
"I, I'm also going home…"
Komi's voice was faint. For some reason, she seemed to have reverted to being a communication-disordered girl.
Watching Shoko and Juju walk towards the train station, Marin blinked, confused:
"Something's not right… I feel like Juju and Shoko are both acting very strange today. Natsuki, do you know why?"
Not only did he know, but he was also the male lead in the live broadcast.
The problem was that he had been given a gag order and was not allowed to speak.
"Don't ask me, I don't know." Natsuki waved his hand, "Aren't you going shopping? You two hurry up and go."
As the girls left one by one, soon only Mrs. Shimizu and Hayasaka were left. Natsuki turned to look at them and said softly:
"Shall we go home too?"
"Home, home!" Mrs. Shimizu clenched her right fist and happily shouted, "I miss my phone, tablet, and handheld console so much!"
"I won't be going over for now, I still have some things to deal with." Hayasaka bit on a lollipop, her arms crossed, and glanced at Natsuki, instructing, "President, move away, I have something to say to Kaguya."
Natsuki's expression turned serious as he said, "If I leave just because you tell me to, won't I lose face?"
"Hm?" Hayasaka tilted her head and looked over.
Natsuki stepped back, "You must be thirsty. I'll go buy you some juice."
"What did Hayasaka want to say?" Kaguya subconsciously puffed out her cheeks.
Even now, although she had tacitly accepted Natsuki having a harem, she still got jealous. She couldn't help it, absolutely couldn't.
Hayasaka lowered her voice and said, "Miss, you need to take safety measures."
"Eh?" Kaguya was startled, asking in confusion, "What do you mean by safety measures?"
Hayasaka explained in a low voice, "It's just..."
"Wh-what are you talking about!" After hearing the explanation, Kaguya's pretty face quickly flushed red, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "I haven't done that kind of thing with the President!"
Hayasaka casually said, "Just because you haven't done it now doesn't mean you won't in the future. Miss, there will be a day when you can't hold back."
Kaguya cried out in embarrassment and anger, "I won't hold back!"
"Yes, yes." Hayasaka pulled the lollipop from her mouth with a soft pop, "What if the President shamelessly begs you?"
"Ev-even if the President begs me..."
Kaguya's voice clearly became less confident.
"In any case, Miss, try to hold back for now. If you really can't, then you must make sure the President takes safety measures." Hayasaka said in a low voice, "I asked Mitsui this morning, and a certain player indeed has the passive skill [Good Pregnancy in Pairs]. We'll talk about it after we copy [Good Pregnancy in Pairs]."
Kaguya's pretty face was flushed like fire, utterly embarrassed:
"Wh-why do we need to copy that skill?"
"Isn't it good to have two of the strongest babies at once?" Hayasaka tilted her head and said, "Does Miss think two are too few and want to have five at once?"
"Two is enough!" Kaguya subconsciously covered her lower abdomen and blurted out, "Five is too exaggerated no matter how you think about it!"
"That's a golden legendary skill, we can't waste it." Hayasaka waved her hand, "It's settled then. Miss, you must pay attention to safety measures. Don't let the President sweet-talk you into agreeing to everything."
"Th-that's enough!" Kaguya's pretty face was scalding hot and crimson, utterly embarrassed, "Stop talking!"
"Yes, yes."
"..."
Seeing the conversation end, Natsuki, holding the juice drinks, walked back to the two girls.
"I'm leaving now~" Hayasaka took a bottle of drink from Natsuki's hand, waved, and walked away elegantly, "Miss, don't forget what I told you."
Ever since she had cleared things up with Kaguya on the barren island, this Hayasaka had clearly become much more free-spirited and casual, with a distinctly heroic and dashing aura in her silhouette.
Natsuki twisted open the cap and handed a bottle of blueberry juice to the Miss, asking curiously, "What did Hayasaka say?"
"She didn't say anything." Kaguya turned her pretty face away, the tips of her ears tinged with crimson, and she chugged down half a bottle of juice, "Let's go home quickly."
"..."
The journey home was silent.
The two soon arrived home.
"Kaguya, you go inside first." Natsuki said, "I'll go check on Miko."
"Mm."
Kaguya nodded lightly, lifted the vase by the door, took out the key, opened the door, and went inside.
As things stood, as long as he wasn't openly affectionate with others in front of her, she could turn a blind eye.
After Kaguya went inside, Natsuki turned and walked to Miko's house next door, then pressed the doorbell.
A moment later.
Footsteps quickly sounded from behind the door.
"Natsuki?"
Miko's voice came from the door.
"It's me." Natsuki replied from the doorway, "It's so hot outside, open the door quickly."
Click.
The door opened, and Miko poked her pretty face out: "Come in quickly."
As Natsuki stepped into the genkan, his gaze fell on Miko, and he said warmly, "Miko, long time no see."
Miko raised her hand to tuck a strand of dark hair behind her ear and gave him a look: "It's only been three or four days."
Natsuki sighed leisurely, "For us, it's already been a month detached from reality."
"Eh?" Miko's beautiful eyes widened, "What happened? What's going on?"
The summer was scorching hot.
It was already nearly forty degrees Celsius outside.
Ever since Miko became a 'Potion Master,' she had quit all her previous part-time jobs and spent her summer vacation at home making potions. At this moment, she was only wearing an oversized loose shirt, and with any movement, the snowy cleavage below her neck was clearly visible.
"Don't look around!"
Noticing Natsuki's gaze, Miko's pretty face flushed, and she quickly covered her chest.
Natsuki withdrew his gaze and said nonchalantly, "Auntie isn't home, is she?"
Miko grew even more wary upon hearing this:
"What do you want to do?"
If Natsuki tried anything improper, she would grab a broom and chase Natsuki out the door.
Natsuki said seriously, "It's too hot, and I've sweated a lot. I want to take a bath."
"Hmm..."
Miko immediately hesitated.
Being covered in sweat was super uncomfortable. If it were her, she'd also want to take a bath, but... Natsuki wouldn't do anything improper, would he?
"You can take a bath." Miko hesitated for a moment, then said softly with a blush, "But you have to promise not to do anything improper."
"I promise in front of Uncle." Natsuki raised his right hand, "I definitely won't do anything against Miko's will."
In the living room, Miko's father, transformed into a bound spirit, was still sitting by the dining table, reading a newspaper whose content never updated.
"Hmph~"
Miko gave a soft hmph, then looked at him: "Go take a bath quickly."
"..."
Seeing Natsuki obediently enter the bathroom, Miko quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Unfortunately, not long after, Natsuki called out from the bathroom:
"Miko, there's no towel."
Miko bit her lip lightly: "Use my towel."
Natsuki: "Are you sure?"
Miko: "Yes."
Natsuki then asked,
"Then can I use your soap?"
Miko: "...Yes."
Natsuki said, "Can you help me scrub my back?"
Miko: "Yes... What did you say?"
"Help me scrub my back." Natsuki's voice came from the bathroom, "Since you've already agreed, you can't go back on your word."
"Pah~ You wish!"
Miko clenched her small fists in anger, wanting to hit him.
Boys, these creatures, always like to take an inch when given a mile. She couldn't let them easily succeed!
After washing up.
Natsuki came out of the bathroom. Because Miko's father's bound spirit was still in the living room, he didn't stay long in the living room and went straight upstairs to Miko's room.
"Sit down." Miko pointed, warning, "Don't come near me."
Natsuki's voice was aggrieved: "I haven't hugged Miko for a month."
Miko's pretty face was taut as she said, "Bear with it."
Natsuki asked, "What if I can't bear it?"
Miko pointed and said, "If you can't bear it, jump out the window."
"Then I'll bear it." Natsuki sat up straight, "Miko, I'm thirsty. I want some fruit."
"...Wait."
Miko, helpless, went downstairs to wash fruit and soon brought up a plate of watermelon.
Natsuki continued, "Miko, feed me."
"Eat it yourself!" Miko couldn't help but say angrily, "You need to know when to stop!"
Natsuki lay down on the floor, acting like a rogue: "If Miko doesn't feed me, I'm not getting up today."
"Shameless!"
"..."
Miko had no choice but to poke a piece of watermelon and hold it to Natsuki's mouth.
"The watermelon is super sweet." Natsuki smiled contentedly.
Miko gave him an exasperated look: "Don't talk while eating."
After a pause, Miko couldn't resist her curiosity and asked about what happened at the hotel.
"A lot happened at the hotel..."
Natsuki ate the watermelon Miko fed him while recounting his experiences at the hotel.
The terrifying nightmare that sealed memories and made people sink into it, and finally the survival on the barren island where the anomalous entity was located... Just a simple narration took half an hour.
After listening, Miko let out a soft sigh and murmured, "I feel like this world is getting more and more dangerous. Ordinary people encountering an anomaly have no chance of escaping, do they?"
Natsuki became serious and said softly, "The Strange Tales Management Bureau acts very quickly. If you encounter an anomaly, report it immediately, and you might be rescued."
Miko looked at him suspiciously, "Is it really that fast?"
Natsuki nodded and said, "It's really fast, because in the face of an anomaly, there is true equality for everyone."
There are some things you have to admit, such as the gap between people, which is sometimes greater than the gap between people and pigs.
Between ordinary people and the rich, apart from the fact that they breathe the same air, everything else is different.
For children from ordinary families, a can of milk powder costs a few hundred yuan, but for children from wealthy families, even the water for mixing milk powder has to be imported from France, and a bottle of water is more expensive than a can of milk powder for ordinary families.
There was also the incident where Fukushima discharged nuclear wastewater into the sea. In fact, local fishermen in Japan organized many protests, but it was like mud flowing into the sea, unable to stir up a single ripple.
What if the water is polluted?
What about nuclear-contaminated fish?
Anyway, ordinary people will ultimately pay and consume it. The truly wealthy lords don't have to worry about their health problems at all.
As long as the true interests of the wealthy lords are not touched, it will always remain at the level of protests and demonstrations.
But in the face of an anomaly, humanity has truly achieved equality for all.
No matter if you are a commoner or a high-ranking official, you must kneel before an anomaly. No one is nobler than anyone else; it is truly equality from birth.
So the wealthy lords panicked. Their wealth and power could not buy them mercy from the Strange Tales. In this situation, the development of the Strange Tales Management Bureau can be said to have been given the green light, expanding rapidly.
Natsuki stroked Miko's little head and said seriously, "Pay close attention. Once you find that Auntie or Kyosuke encounters something strange, don't hesitate. Tell me immediately."
"I understand."
Miko nodded seriously, then a hint of hesitation appeared on her pretty face.
Natsuki raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "What's wrong?"
Miko hesitated and shook her head, "Nothing..."
Natsuki reached out and pinched Miko's cheek, "What did you just promise?"
"Don't pinch my face." Miko covered her cheeks and pursed her lips, saying, "Lately, when I sleep, I always have a strange dream..."
"In the dream, I walk on the deserted streets of Shibuya. There are clothes scattered on the ground, and there's no one in the entire city. It's eerily quiet..."
Natsuki raised his eyebrows and said, "Do you have this dream often?"
Miko nodded.
Natsuki then asked, "How clear is the dream?"
"It's fairly clear." Miko bit her lip lightly, "It feels very real in the dream, but after waking up, the experiences in the dream gradually become blurry."
Natsuki frowned and said, "When did the dreams start?"
Miko looked away guiltily and whispered, "It's been half a month..."
Natsuki took a deep breath, "You haven't told me for half a month?"
"I'm sorry..." Miko apologized softly, "At first, I thought it was just an ordinary dream... Besides dreaming about it often, there was nothing strange..."
Slap.
Natsuki slapped his thigh, looked at Miko, and commanded, "Get over here yourself."
Miko: "..."