"...Perverted president, do you really not know, or are you pretending not to know?"
Hayasaka crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head, questioning him.
Natsuki was startled and asked, puzzled:
"What do you mean?"
Hayasaka sneered:
"Was last night's night raid very enjoyable?"
"Eh?"
Natsuki raised an eyebrow in surprise, carefully scrutinizing the Kaguya in front of him.
This Kaguya... is very off.
Given Kaguya's personality, even if she knew he had night raided Hayasaka last night, she would only sulk and ignore him, not confront him directly—
Regarding the matter of having a harem, he had already openly discussed it with Kaguya, and with psychological preparation, Kaguya wouldn't go dark because of his 'betrayal.'
Not only that.
The tone of voice and the expression in the eyes of the Miss in front of him were completely different from Kaguya's usual demeanor.
A guess surfaced in his mind, and Natsuki said uncertainly:
"You are... Hayasaka?"
Hayasaka's pretty face tightened as she said:
"That's right, it's me."
Natsuki said in surprise:
"What's the situation now?"
Hayasaka pressed her fingers to her temple and said:
"It should be a side effect of the new potion, allowing souls to swap."
"A brand new side effect, huh... Wait!" A flash of inspiration suddenly struck Natsuki. "You swapped bodies with Kaguya? When exactly did this happen?"
Hayasaka crossed her arms over her chest and sneered at his question:
"When did the perverted president notice something strange last night?"
Natsuki: "..."
There were too many strange things last night. For example, the usually stubborn maid suddenly became silent, and she, who was usually always awkward, suddenly became exceptionally docile and obedient last night.
But to say when he first noticed something strange...
Natsuki remembered that when he had just entered the room last night and was night raiding the maid's doll-like feet, the girl hiding under the covers was so nervous that all ten of her toes were tightly curled up.
Sneaking up on her toes wasn't the first or second time, there was no need to be so nervous.
So... Kaguya and Hayasaka had already swapped bodies at that time?
Natsuki pressed his fingers to his temple and asked, puzzled:
"Why didn't she say a word last night?"
Hayasaka snorted lightly:
"If it were anyone else, do you think Kaguya wouldn't fight back with all her might?"
Natsuki: "..."
"Not only that," Hayasaka sighed, "When the perverted president night raided, she probably didn't even realize the body swap, which is why she let the perverted president succeed so easily."
Natsuki said softly:
"Even if you two hadn't swapped bodies, I think it would have been very easy to succeed..."
Bang.
Hayasaka's face was expressionless as she kicked Natsuki's shin.
"I'm sorry, I was wrong," Natsuki put his hands together in apology. "Please forgive me."
Hayasaka snorted and said:
"The reason I came to tell the perverted president is to make you be careful, don't talk nonsense, and don't do strange things. The Miss probably can't accept what happened last night. If the perverted president knows the truth, she might kill you to silence you."
"Simply put, it's about keeping it a secret, right?" Natsuki raised his right hand and made a zipping motion. "I promise to keep my mouth shut. I won't say I know the truth even if it kills me."
"Good that you know," Hayasaka smiled, her eyes narrowed, a sharp murderous glint in them. "The Miss's matter is resolved, now it's time to talk about the debt between us."
"Wait," Natsuki took half a step back. "What's between us?"
Hayasaka clenched her small fists and tilted her head:
"That's my favorite pillow. I usually can't bear to get it even a little dirty, but the perverted president actually used it for that kind of thing. You tell me, isn't that an unforgivable sin?"
Natsuki keenly noticed a blind spot and said:
"How do you know I used your pillow last night?"
Hayasaka's pretty face flushed slightly. Of course, she wouldn't say that she had been gritting her teeth and watching the surveillance for a long time. She immediately clenched her small fists and threw a punch:
"Stop talking nonsense, perverted president, just accept your death!"
"..."
After a round of punches and kicks, Hayasaka finally let out a sigh of relief, lifted her chin, and left contentedly.
Natsuki grimaced, clutching his ribs. After he recovered, he changed his clothes and left the room to eat breakfast.
The three-day agreement had passed, and the Strange Tale hadn't come for revenge, so it was highly unlikely they would. Therefore, Natsuki originally planned to say goodbye and go home after breakfast.
However, now… I can take a half-day break.
Knock, knock, knock.
Kaguya was spacing out in her room when she suddenly heard a knock on the door. Subconsciously, she looked up and said, "Come in."
Click.
The door was pushed open, and a figure walked in.
"Eh? Eh? Eh?"
Seeing the person's face clearly, Kaguya's beautiful eyes widened, and her pretty face quickly flushed red. She almost let out a gasp.
"Pre-president?!"
"It's me." Natsuki walked in with breakfast, acting as if nothing was amiss. "I didn't see you come out for breakfast, so I brought it to you."
Kaguya's gaze drifted, and she stammered, "Th-that... I'm feeling a bit unwell..."
If it had been her own body last night, it would have been fine, but she encountered the side effect of soul swapping... No matter how she thought about it, it was too terrible! She had no idea how to face the president!
Natsuki sat down by the bed and handed over the breakfast.
"You worked hard last night. Eat something first."
Hearing Natsuki mention last night's events, Kaguya's ear tips turned crimson. She nervously turned her head to look elsewhere, but thankfully, she remembered not to expose the 'secret.' She reached out for the bread and stammered, "Th-thank you, President."
Natsuki suddenly raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"What did you just say?"
"Eh?" Kaguya froze, then carefully looked over. "What's wrong, President?"
Natsuki said, "You never used to say 'Thank you, President"...".
Kaguya couldn't help but puff out her cheeks when she heard this.
Don't need to say thank you, right?
That's right, only the closest people don't need to say thank you. The president and Hayasaka have already done that kind of thing, so of course, they don't need to say thank you... How many times have you two done it behind my back!
Who knew Natsuki would say seriously, "You always say 'Thank you, Master.'"
"Eh? Eh? Eh?"
Kaguya looked up in shock.
"You forgot?" Natsuki said shamelessly, "We made a bet before, and you lost. The bet was that when we're alone, you'd call me Master."
Why would Hayasaka agree to such a bet! She never even called me Master!
"What, is Hayasaka going to go back on her word?" Natsuki leaned closer, his gaze intense. "We agreed then that if you went back on your word, you'd be punished."
Kaguya blinked, quickly realizing what 'punishment' meant. She immediately leaned back, her pretty face flushing as she said, "N-no going back... I'm just organizing my words."
Natsuki straightened up and said, "Then hurry up and say it."
"Whew..."
Kaguya gripped her small fists, placed her right hand across her chest, her pretty face flushed crimson, and whispered, "Thank you... Master."
Shameful!
Too shameful!
To use such a thing as a bet, the president and Hayasaka are too shameless!
Natsuki raised an eyebrow, "Your voice is too soft. Say it again."
Kaguya subconsciously said, "No..."
"What? Are you going back on your word?" Natsuki rolled up his sleeves. "Then I'm going have to punish you."
Kaguya was startled and quickly said, "Thank you, Master."
Last night's experience was too terrifying. She absolutely did not want to experience it a third time...
At least not until she was back in her own body.
"You should have said so earlier." Natsuki sat back down by the bed. "Hurry up and eat your breakfast."
Kaguya felt as if a great burden had been lifted and began eating her bread.
Natsuki was still planning to tease Kaguya for a while, but just then, his phone rang.
He picked up his phone and saw that it was a call from Mitsui.
"Natsuki-kun, we've detected activity of the Strange Tale 'Evil Neighbor.' We need you to come over as soon as possible to assist with the operation."
"...Understood."
Natsuki turned his phone towards Kaguya.
"Looks like I have to go out."
Kaguya subconsciously whispered, "President, be careful."
Natsuki leaned his face closer.
"Just saying it isn't enough. You have to bless me with action."
"Eh?" Kaguya froze, her body tensing and leaning back. "What's the president going to do?"
Natsuki asked, puzzled, "Of course, it's the Kiss of Victory and Vows. When no one else is around, you kiss me once for a blessing. You haven't forgotten, have you?"
This kind of kiss has no blessing effect at all!
"Of course, I haven't forgotten..."
Kaguya had no choice but to blush, lean closer, and gently touch Natsuki's cheek with her soft lips, whispering, "President, be careful."
"Not enough." Natsuki then pointed to his own lips.
"I-I understand..."
Kaguya's pretty face grew even redder. She bit her lip and leaned closer, taking the initiative to offer the Kiss of Victory and Vows.
"Very good, I accept Hayasaka's sincerity." Natsuki smiled and waved. "Then I'll be going."
Most of the time, Miss Kaguya was very reserved, unless she was drunk, otherwise she wouldn't be as obedient and cute as today, letting him kiss her.
Bang.
The door closed.
Natsuki left the room, feeling satisfied.
After only a few steps, he saw a black-haired, red-eyed fake 'young lady' at the corner of the hallway.
Hayasaka raised her delicate eyebrows slightly and questioned, "Perverted president, what did you do in there?"
Natsuki said nonchalantly, "I didn't do anything..."
Bang.
Hayasaka raised her right foot and kicked Natsuki's calf, biting her silver teeth lightly as she said, "Still lying, you haven't even wiped off the lipstick mark on your face."
Natsuki took half a step back to dodge.
"Anyway, I didn't expose the secret. I was teasing Kaguya, why are you angry?"
Hayasaka became even angrier: "That's my body, why do you think I'm angry!"
Natsuki shamelessly said, "Aren't you already mine anyway?"
Hayasaka cracked her knuckles and sneered, "The president really wants to die once."
"..."
After some playful banter, Natsuki left the estate. A special car was already waiting at the entrance.
After confirming his identity, Natsuki got into the back seat of the special car.
The journey was silent.
He played on his phone for a while on the way, and then quietly arrived at the operation site.
"Natsuki-kun, you're here."
Mitsui, who had been directing everyone with a cold expression, immediately broke into a bright smile when she saw Natsuki arrive.
Natsuki smiled and said, "You have dark circles under your eyes. It looks like you've been working hard these past two days."
"It's not all because of the Strange Tale..." Mitsui shook her head gently, rubbed her brows helplessly, and quietly complained, "After becoming a player, there are all sorts of evil spirits everywhere—on the road, in the bedroom, in the refrigerator, under the bed... I feel like I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown."
Natsuki said, "You'll get used to it. No one can adapt easily at first... After the operation, I'll give you an Evil Spirit Exorcism sticker."
Mitsui's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she softly said, "Then I'll leave it to Natsuki-kun."
"..."
The main force of this hunting operation was the Strange Tales Management Bureau. As the Strange Tales Management Bureau gathered more and more players, their power naturally grew. Among them were naturally capable individuals, so there was no need for Natsuki, a high school student, to take the lead. The reason Natsuki was called to help was mainly as a precaution.
"How do we solve the problem of memory alteration?"
Natsuki asked.
Mitsui did not hide anything and softly said, "There's a player who can create a special potion. After drinking it, it can temporarily suppress the strange erosion, but of course, the potion has significant side effects... This operation, besides hunting the Strange Tale, is also to test the effectiveness of the potion."
Natsuki nodded lightly, not surprised.
With so many players in the world, it would be strange if there weren't a few hidden talents.
"Oh, right." Natsuki began, "I obtained a new potion recipe from the crystal ball yesterday."
In the face of collective strength, individual strength is quite small. So after a brief discussion yesterday, Natsuki, Hayasaka, and Kaguya reached a consensus to hand over the potion recipe to the Strange Tales Management Bureau. Not only could they gain favor, but they could also receive many benefits—not to mention the implicit benefits of goodwill, there were also many explicit benefits, such as unlimited free supply of potions for Natsuki and his group.
Mitsui's eyes lit up, and she quickly said, "Natsuki-kun, what kind of potion is it?"
"Mind Potion..."
Natsuki did not hide anything and recited the potion's recipe. Mitsui, in turn, took out her notebook and diligently recorded it.
Next up was action time.
This group of players was clearly an elite force trained by the Strange Tales Management Bureau; they cooperated tacitly, were calm and steady, and spoke little. One of them was skilled in tracking techniques, and actually succeeded in tracking down the traces left by the evil neighbor and successfully killing the opponent.
The regrettable thing was that this was still a clone, and the true body's location remained unknown.
After the operation, Natsuki went to the headquarters of the Strange Tales Management Bureau again to record a video of the new potion's production, and only then did he finally finish and go home.
After two days of lazing around at home, summer vacation was almost over. Natsuki was about to hurry up and finish his summer homework when he suddenly received a notification from the game.
Dungeon incoming…