"Natsuki-kun~ Let's try it too, to see if we can transform the side effects into positive buffs?"
Haruno's eyes were bright as she said coquettishly.
Natsuki nodded and said:
"Then let's try it."
No sooner said than done.
Natsuki held Haruno's right hand and activated the skill [Quantum Entanglement].
"Hmm…" Haruno blinked, tilted her head, and said, "How magical, that uncomfortable feeling throughout my body has indeed disappeared."
Natsuki reminded him:
"Check your status bar."
"Alright."
Haruno opened her status bar, chose to display it publicly, and indeed, a new buff appeared on her character panel.
[Buff: Heavenly Effort]
[Reaping What You Sow: As you diligently train, every drop of sweat yields a reward—"As heaven maintains vigor through movement, the superior person strives unceasingly."]
[Current Buff Duration: Twenty hours]
"Not bad." Natsuki said with satisfaction, "This buff is quite useful."
What people fear is not effort.
But the confusion of not seeing growth after putting in the effort.
The Heavenly Effort buff, which allows one to continuously grow stronger simply by putting in effort, can be said to be a top-tier buff.
"Well, it does look good, but…" Haruno extended a slender finger and gently tapped her lips, "But I have no idea how to train."
Natsuki pondered:
"One hundred push-ups, one hundred squats, one hundred sit-ups, and then a ten-kilometer long-distance run?"
"No! Absolutely not! One hundred percent no!" Haruno quickly shook her head, "That would make me bald, wouldn't it?"
Natsuki said:
"As long as you can become stronger, being bald doesn't matter."
"That's what you boys think." Haruno puffed out her cheeks and complained, "For girls, hair is second only to life in importance."
"Anyway, Haruno-nee, you can explore it first." Natsuki pinched Haruno's cheek, taking advantage of a female university student, which had a subtle feeling of insubordination that made one unable to stop, "Since training has no special standard, then it should just be regular exercise and training."
Haruno tilted her head and said:
"Then should I go to the gym?"
Natsuki said:
"You can."
Haruno looked up at the sky and said:
"But there are a lot of men in the gym, and if I exercise and train, I'm sure to sweat a lot, and my shirt might even get soaked…"
Natsuki: "…"
The gym is a proper place for exercise and fitness, don't say ambiguous things that make people think wrongly!
It's like when everyone hears "foot bath city," they always unconsciously think wrongly and color it with a few shades, but in fact, most foot bath cities are very legitimate, providing proper foot care, massage, and massage services, and are legitimate businesses.
"Hey hey~"
Haruno extended her arms, wrapped them around Natsuki's arm, tilted her head to look at him, a mischievous smile appearing on her pretty face, and said cheerfully:
"Natsuki-kun, do you mind if I go to the gym?"
Natsuki said expressionlessly:
"Am I such a petty person?"
"Of course Natsuki-kun is a very generous person." Haruno extended a finger and drew circles on Natsuki's chest, "Then I'm going, okay?"
Natsuki took a deep breath, then raised his right hand.
Slap!
A crisp slapping sound suddenly echoed in the apartment.
"Ah…"
Haruno let out a soft cry, quickly covered her buttocks with her hand, and said aggrievedly:
"How mean, Natsuki-kun actually committed domestic violence against me."
This counts as domestic violence?
You've forgotten the scene where you cried and begged for mercy in the dream world, haven't you!
Haruno has a typical mischievous personality; when unfamiliar, she seems like a gentle and intellectual older sister, but once familiar, she reveals her demonic nature of enjoying playing with people.
To be fair, Natsuki doesn't dislike it.
But for some reason, his hands just itch so much.
Natsuki said expressionlessly:
"I suddenly thought of a new training spot."
"Eh?" Haruno asked curiously, "What place?"
Natsuki said:
"If all that's required is sweating, then exercising in bed should be fine, right?"
Haruno: "…"
Natsuki took Haruno's soft hand and turned around, saying:
"Let's go, we'll go to the Love Hotel to do it right now."
"…"
Of course, the two couldn't possibly go to a Love Hotel.
Having just taken advantage of Yukino, and then immediately dragging Haruno to a Love Hotel, even with Natsuki's shamelessness, he truly couldn't bring himself to do such a thing.
Fortunately, Haruno usually had a habit of exercising, and the apartment had a treadmill and yoga mat, which were completely sufficient for daily exercise and training.
"The buff only lasts for twenty-four hours, don't waste time." Natsuki reminded her, "Hurry up and train."
"Yes, yes~" Haruno nodded in agreement, "I'll go to the room to change my clothes first."
As she reached the door of the room, Haruno turned her head and looked back, saying:
"Natsuki-kun, don't leave in a hurry, stay and help, okay?"
Natsuki said speechlessly:
"What can I help with?"
Haruno waved her hand with a smile:
"Natsuki-kun will know very soon."
"…"
Yukino was still showering in the bathroom and probably wouldn't be out for a while, so Natsuki wasn't in a hurry to leave; he sat on the sofa and played on his phone.
A moment later.
Light footsteps sounded behind Natsuki.
"Ta-da~"
Haruno, with her hands behind her back and legs together, hopped in front of Natsuki, smiling sweetly and saying:
"Natsuki-kun, how do these clothes look?"
Natsuki looked up and said speechlessly:
"Didn't you just change into a white shirt?"
Haruno, who had just returned, was wearing a long-sleeved jacket with a sun hat. Now she had only changed into a white short-sleeved shirt. A Bulbasaur was embroidered on the chest of the shirt, revealing two sections of snow-white arms like lotus roots. Her lower body was still a short skirt paired with stockings. It didn't seem to have changed at all.
However… the Bulbasaur's bounce just now seemed a bit too lively, didn't it?
"This isn't just any ordinary white shirt, Natsuki-kun will know soon." Haruno raised her chin, revealing a section of her snow-white, slender swan neck, "Come here, come here, help me with leg presses."
"Hmm?"
"I decided to start my exercise with sit-ups. Yukino-chan is still showering, so of course, I'm asking Natsuki to help with leg presses."
"…"
Sit-up training indeed requires someone to help hold the legs down, which is reasonable and poses no problem.
Natsuki stood up and followed Haruno to the exercise area. The bright sunlight happened to stream in from the window, and he couldn't help but say:
"Should I close the curtains?"
"No need." Haruno said sweetly, "If the curtains are closed, I won't be able to see clearly."
Natsuki said speechlessly:
"It's just sit-ups, it doesn't matter if you can't see clearly, right? And the sun is so strong, it must be very hot."
"It doesn't matter. Since it's exercising, of course, I have to sweat a little more." Haruno raised her chin, pointed with her hand and said, "Natsuki-kun, go get the yoga mat."
Natsuki always felt that Haruno had an ulterior motive, but he didn't intend to ask too many questions. Anyway, he would definitely figure it out soon.
Turning to the corner, he picked up the yoga mat, and Natsuki rolled it out flat on the floor.
"Alright."
"Thank you, Natsuki-kun~"
Haruno stood on her tiptoes, not stingy with her reward, and lightly touched Natsuki's cheek with her rosy lips, saying with a smile:
"This is your reward."
Natsuki said:
"I can have more rewards."
"No." Haruno sat on the yoga mat and then lay down. The once lively Bulbasaur immediately flattened out. It proved that no matter what level a girl is, as long as she lies flat, she will become unremarkable. "You can only get rewards after completing the task… Natsuki-kun, come and help me with leg presses."
Natsuki narrowed his eyes and said:
"I suddenly remembered a book. Haruno-nee, have you read it?"
"Eh?" Haruno asked curiously, "What book?"
Natsuki said:
"'The Evil Woman's Loyal Dog Training Manual'."
Haruno quickly denied it three times:
"I'm not, I didn't, I absolutely didn't read anything like that."
And you say you haven't? Completing tasks and giving rewards—this is clearly the most common method used by dog trainers!
"Natsuki-kun, hurry up and help me with leg presses." Haruno urged, "Yukino-chan will be done showering soon."
"…"
Natsuki narrowed his eyes, stepped forward, sat down, and helped hold Haruno's feet down.
"Natsuki-kun, don't play on your phone, pay attention." Haruno reminded him, "I'm about to start."
Hey, hey, that's too much! You're just doing sit-ups, why can't others play on their phones?
Natsuki reluctantly put down his phone and looked at Haruno.
The white shirt on Haruno was noticeably loose.
As Haruno cupped the back of her head with her hands, the hem of her white shirt was pulled upwards by her arms, revealing a slender, snow-white waist that could be grasped with two hands.
"Tsk~ As expected of sisters."
Natsuki lightly clicked his tongue, his gaze involuntarily falling on Haruno's lower abdomen.
Above her snow-white, slender waist was a vertical navel. It seemed most girls had vertical navels, and he didn't know why.
As Haruno began to exert herself, clear ab lines quickly appeared on her abdomen, showing that she truly exercised and trained regularly, not just talked about it.
"Heave-ho~"
Haruno chanted a slogan while starting her sit-ups.
Natsuki's attention was initially focused on Haruno's abdomen, but soon his gaze was drawn to the little bunnies… No, it should be the Bulbasaur.
As mentioned earlier, Haruno's white shirt was not tight-fitting but loose, and as she did push-ups, the neckline naturally fell open due to gravity…
Natsuki only took one look and could no longer tear his eyes away.
The two moons from last night were perfectly shaped, large and white.
Haruno continued her push-up training. Perhaps it was too hot, or for some other reason, but even though she hadn't exercised for long, a lovely blush had already bloomed on her pretty face, exceptionally alluring. Her lips parted slightly as she said:
"This is a reward for Natsuki-kun helping me press my legs~"
Natsuki: "…"
Good heavens.
No wonder you went back to your room to change clothes…
No wonder you said pulling the curtains would make it hard to see…
If we're talking about who's best at charming people, Marin and Sayu combined can't compare to you!
Twenty minutes later.
Hearing that Yukino was about to come out of the bathroom, Natsuki decisively said his goodbyes and left the apartment.
Haruno was training.
Natsuki was also training, though he was training his self-control.
After leaving the apartment, Natsuki clearly felt that his self-control had improved significantly, which was truly gratifying.
"Hoo…"
Natsuki exhaled lightly, squinting at the setting sun on the horizon.
Unbeknownst to him, time had already reached evening. A red sun on the horizon slowly began to descend westward, with layers of fiery clouds, exceptionally dazzling.
After pausing to admire the sunset and clouds for a while, Natsuki walked to a vending machine, bought a can of iced cola to cool himself down, and simultaneously took out his phone to compose a message.
Don't forget, Haruno wasn't the only one with a succubus physique.
Natsuki: "Shoko, I'm entering the dungeon tomorrow."
Komi: "…Eh, why?"
Natsuki: "It's a long story. I'll tell you in detail when we meet later."
Komi: "…"
Natsuki: "Counting the time, it's about time for you to replenish your magic, isn't it? You don't want to be unable to eat all day and make your aunt and uncle worry, do you?"
Komi: "…"
Natsuki: "That settles it, I'm going to your house now."
Komi finally regained her ability to speak: "No, don't, I'm not home."
Don't try to fool me, you're a super homebody, where else would you be during summer vacation!
Komi: "Mom said summer vacation is almost over, and to commemorate the gone-forever summer vacation, she brought me to the sea today to watch the fireworks display."
Natsuki's mind conjured an image of Shuuko, and he quickly understood.
Commemorating was fake; her desire to go to the sea was likely the real reason.
Natsuki asked:
"Where are you?"
Komi: "…Kamakura."
"Then I'm very familiar with that place," Natsuki said with a smile. "Send me the address, I also want to commemorate summer vacation."
Komi: "…"
After receiving the address, Natsuki decisively boarded the train, then transferred to the Shinkansen, heading straight for Kamakura.
The journey was uneventful.
Before the setting sun on the horizon had completely dipped below the sea level, Natsuki had already stepped onto Kamakura's beach.
Although it was evening, there were many tourists on the sea: parents with their children, elderly couples holding hands and strolling, and of course, most numerous were young people who looked like students, enjoying the last vestiges of summer vacation by the sea.
Natsuki raised his hand to his forehead, searching for the Shoko in the crowd.
Soon, a black-haired girl standing in front of a convenience store appeared in his sight. Although it was only her back, Natsuki still recognized her at a glance; she was clearly the Shoko.
However, in front of the Shoko, there were also two unfamiliar men, who appeared to be high school students as well.
One of the boys, blushing, nervously said:
"I'm sorry, although it's very rude, I still want to ask… Could you please tell me your contact information?"
"…"
Although the Shoko had grown somewhat and could speak softly with close acquaintances, facing a stranger's pick-up attempt, her communication disorder immediately flared up. Besides nervously shaking her head, she couldn't utter a single word.
"I really mean no harm," the unfamiliar passerby said nervously. "I just want to get to know you, please don't mind, if I'm causing you trouble…"
Before he finished speaking, the passerby suddenly saw the girl's eyes brighten, and she took an expectant half-step forward. Her expression was as if… a lost little beast had suddenly seen its protector?
"You guys are doing it wrong."
A gentle voice sounded behind the two boys.
Natsuki slowly walked behind the two pick-up artists, saying nonchalantly:
"When hitting on a girl, you have to be creative. Asking for contact information right away will definitely make a girl resistant and awkward."
The two pick-up artists looked over in confusion:
"…Do we know each other?"
"If asking for contact information is too old-fashioned, then what should we do?"
"It's simple."
Natsuki walked past the two pick-up artists and approached the Shoko.
Their eyes met.
Looking at the sparkling-eyed Shoko, Natsuki extended his right hand and bowed:
"From the first moment I saw you in the crowd, I already fell in love with you. Please go out with me!"
"…"
The two passerby boys were instantly speechless.
You actually call this a creative pick-up line?
You don't even know her name and you're directly confessing? What girl would you successfully pick up like that?
However, the next second.
The two passerby boys watched in shock as Komi, blushing, lightly clasped Natsuki's right hand.
"Look," Natsuki took the Shoko's hand, turned to face the two passerby boys, and said with a smile, "Didn't it work?"
The two passerby boys' eyes were blank, their faces filled with expressions of doubting life itself.
Who am I?
Where am I?
It actually worked like that?
"I've given you the method. See you again if fate allows."
Natsuki, holding Shoko's hand, turned and left.
Watching their retreating figures, the boy who had failed to pick up the girl finally shouted indignantly:
"Why did he succeed?"
The other boy whispered:
"Because he has an eight-pack?"
"…"
"And he's good-looking?"
"…"
Natsuki, holding Shoko's soft, slightly cool hand, strolled along the beach in the afterglow of the sunset, then turned his head and said:
"When someone tries to pick you up, Shoko, why don't you say you're already going out with me?"
The Shoko lowered her head, stammering softly:
"I'm sorry… I couldn't speak…"
"Tsk~"
Her communication disorder hadn't been cured yet. Asking Shoko to communicate with strangers was indeed asking too much.
Natsuki pondered for a few seconds, then suddenly said:
"I've thought of a way."
"Hmm?"
The Shoko looked up.
"It's okay if you can't say it, but you can prove your identity with other things, for example…" Natsuki suddenly stopped speaking. "I'll keep it a secret for now and tell you later."
"Oh…"
The Shoko obediently nodded, not asking further out of curiosity.
It must be said, this Shoko was super obedient, a standard easy-going personality. Even if she was taken advantage of at school, she would only endure the grievances with teary eyes, afraid of worrying her parents.
"Luckily you met me. If it were someone else, you'd be in trouble."
Natsuki extended his right hand and pinched the girl's cheek, the sensation exceptionally springy and smooth.
There was nothing wrong with her easy-going, timid personality, but Shoko happened to be a player. If she hadn't met him back then and instead encountered other evil players, who knows how she would have been humiliated.
"Mm-hmm."
The Shoko didn't refute, nodding in agreement.
Although she had a timid personality, she wasn't foolish and clearly knew her luck was indeed very good.
Even though Natsuki liked to tease people, he never forced her to do things she didn't want to do. In the mutual aid group, she had seen the miserable plight of many female players, becoming playthings for other players in dungeons, all their equipment and items plundered… In short, it was utterly tragic.
"Are you and your aunt staying in Kamakura tonight, or going back?"
Natsuki asked softly.
Komi replied softly:
"We'll watch the fireworks display with Mom, then go home."
It was to be expected.
Kamakura and Tokyo were only an hour's train ride apart. Many office workers living in Kamakura even took the train to Tokyo during the day and returned by train after work in the evening. Watching the fireworks display would only be around nine o'clock, so going home was the most normal choice.
Natsuki sighed:
"It seems I won't be able to tease Shoko today."
There were many tourists on the beach. Given the Shoko's shyness, she definitely wouldn't be able to accept magic replenishment, and they couldn't go to a hotel or similar place, or Shuuko would surely worry after a while.
It seemed the only option was to use his ability to reverse the side effects of the succubus physique, just like Haruno did.
Natsuki squeezed Shoko's fingers and whispered, "I'm here this time to replenish your magic...."
Upon hearing the words 'replenish magic', Komi immediately shook her head in a panic, saying, "On the beach... no!"
"Don't worry, I definitely won't take advantage of you on the beach," Natsuki comforted her gently, "In fact, this morning I just learned a Golden Skill that can reverse the side effects of the succubus physique."
"Eh?"
Komi looked up in confusion.
Natsuki whispered, "There are too many people on the beach, there might be players, let's go swimming in the sea, and I'll help you reverse the side effects along the way."
Komi didn't doubt him, but just whispered, "I'll take the strawberry smoothie back first."
Natsuki said, "Just eat it in two bites."
Komi shook her head and said, "It's a smoothie I bought for Shuuko."
...
It's reasonable and perfectly fine for a mother to ask her daughter to run errands and buy things when they are out.
Natsuki pondered for a moment and decided not to meet Shuuko.
Firstly, it would require explanations and he would definitely be teased and played with, and secondly, time was limited, so it was better to spend more time secretly with Shoko.
A moment later.
Komi walked over with small steps on the beach, carrying a bag in her arms.
"Let's go," Natsuki waved, "We can talk while we swim."
"Wait, wait a moment," Komi called out to him, whispering, "Let's put on some sunscreen first."
Natsuki looked at the sky, where a red sun was slowly sinking below the horizon, and the magnificent sight of the sea and sky merging into one was refreshing to the soul:
"It's already evening, do we still need sunscreen?"
Komi tilted her pretty face slightly and whispered, "Yes, we need to... there are a lot of ultraviolet rays even in the evening, which will sunburn the skin."
Natsuki felt that with his current defense, even if he were exposed to the midday sun for an entire day, he wouldn't get hurt, but since it was Komi's intention, he couldn't refuse.
"Since you say so..." Natsuki looked around, pointed to a deserted reef not far away, "Let's go over there, Shoko, help me put on sunscreen."
"Oh."
Komi meekly agreed and obediently followed Natsuki towards the deserted reef not far away.
"Not bad," Natsuki looked around, saw no tourists approaching, and then sat down on the ground, "Just put on the sunscreen directly."
Komi agreed, knelt on the beach, squeezed sunscreen into her palm, then pursed her lips, widened her eyes, and began to apply the sunscreen very seriously.
Natsuki casually said, "Has Shoko put on sunscreen?"
Komi's pretty face flushed slightly, and she quickly replied, "I've already put it on."
"Tell the truth."
"I really have put it on..."
"Then put it on again."
...
After applying the sunscreen, Natsuki patted his thigh and instructed, "Lie down, I'll help you apply sunscreen."
Komi's pretty face was as red as fire, her hands tightly covering her chest, and she stammered in a low voice, "We'll... we'll be seen..."
Natsuki guaranteed, "The moment someone appears, I will immediately use Time Stop and then cover you with a cloak."
...
Komi couldn't find a reason to refuse, so her pretty face flushed red, and she cautiously lay on Natsuki's lap.
It must be said that people have inertia.
From the initial taking advantage of in the park to the later magic replenishment, Komi had unconsciously gotten used to being taken advantage of... In short, like Juju, she had basically been successfully trained.
Natsuki extended his right hand and untied Komi's swimsuit straps, his movements casual and natural, without any awkwardness.
Then he squeezed in sunscreen, spread it evenly in his palm, and then placed it on Komi's snow-white back.
Slap.
The contact between his palm and her skin made a crisp sound.
"Mmm..."
Komi's body trembled slightly, and then she tightly covered her lips with the back of her hand.
He quickly spread the sunscreen evenly on the girl's back, but Natsuki was not satisfied and continued to squeeze out sunscreen, applying it downwards, his fingers quickly sweeping past her waistline and reaching the perky area.
"No, don't!"
Komi tensed her body nervously and quickly pressed down on Natsuki's right hand, saying pitifully, "I can apply it myself..."
Natsuki stopped his movements, then said unhurriedly, "The sunscreen hasn't been applied yet. Either I help with the front, or I continue... Shoko, choose one."
Komi: "..."
Whether it was the front or other places, she didn't want anyone else's help!
However, Shoko knew very well that once Natsuki started taking advantage of, he wouldn't stop easily, so she could only choose the lesser of two evils, her pretty face flushed red, and she stammered out her choice.
"The, the front..."