"Eh... Why hasn't scumbag-kun gone back yet?"
Chihaya Anon turned her pretty face away in embarrassment, completely unwilling to be seen.
Last night, besides the final step, they had basically tried all the other poses from the doujinshi.
If it weren't for the concern of disturbing her parents next door, they might have already...
Kitahara Makoto's expression was innocent:
"I really wanted to go back last night, but Anon clung to me like an octopus. I couldn't get up, I simply couldn't get up."
"Pfft~"
Chihaya Anon couldn't help but softly spit, her pretty face burning:
"It's all because scumbag-kun forced me~"
Kitahara Makoto was speechless: "When did I force Anon?"
"Hmph, you did!"
Chihaya Anon's pretty face was burning hot. She absolutely refused to admit that she had been half-willing, but rather, she was worried about waking up her parents next door, so she could only reluctantly let herself be handled.
Forced.
It was clearly forced!
"Since Anon says so..." Kitahara Makoto rolled over, looking menacingly at the pink-haired girl beneath him. "Then I'll force you again."
Chihaya Anon's heart immediately sped up. She quickly shook her head:
"No, no, Mom and Dad must already be awake."
Kitahara Makoto: "Since it's forced, of course I won't ask for Anon's opinion."
Chihaya Anon: "You idiot scumbag-kun, what if someone hears us?"
Kitahara Makoto: "Anon, you can just bite on a towel."
Chihaya Anon: "I don't want to bite on something like that... Don't... don't kiss me... Ugh..."
"..."
After teasing the pink-haired girl who brought it upon herself, Kitahara Makoto walked to his desk feeling refreshed and silently chanted Hana's name in his heart.
Before long, Hana, with a cupcake in her mouth, emerged from the mirror.
Kitahara Makoto turned his head and looked at the panting pink-haired girl behind him:
"Anon-chan, do you want to continue tonight?"
"No, no!"
Chihaya Anon gasped for air like a fish thrown out of water, and shivered at his words:
"Scumbag-kun, hurry up and go home!"
"Hmm?" Kitahara Makoto raised an eyebrow slightly, "What did Anon call me?"
"Scumbag-kun~"
"It's still early, I'll go back a bit later."
"Eh, eh, Kitahara-kun."
"Not enough."
"Kitahara-kun~"
"Still not enough."
Chihaya Anon's pretty face flushed crimson. She naturally knew what Kitahara Makoto wanted to hear, and her voice became sweet and soft:
"Master, Master, Master~ Is that enough now?"
Kitahara Makoto nodded: "Barely satisfied."
"What the heck." Chihaya Anon couldn't help but puff out her cheeks, "I even called you Master, and you're only barely satisfied? You measly scumbag-kun, know when to stop!"
"Tsk~"
Kitahara Makoto let out a small 'tsk' and made to walk towards Anon.
"I'm sorry, I was wrong." Chihaya Anon was adaptable and quickly changed her tune, "Master, please forgive me."
"..."
Faced with such a sensible Anon, Kitahara Makoto was speechless:
"What time are we going to buy yukata this afternoon?"
Chihaya Anon quickly replied:
"Twelve o'clock."
Kitahara Makoto's mouth twitched slightly:
"No, isn't twelve o'clock too early?"
"We still have to film in the morning, and after that, we can have lunch together." Chihaya Anon's bright eyes glared at him, and she couldn't help but whine, "Kitahara-kun, are you unwilling?"
"Of course, I'm willing." Kitahara Makoto's expression was calm, "Then I'll see you at noon."
"..."
After discussing the afternoon's arrangements, Kitahara Makoto, with Tomori's help, quickly traveled through the mirror and returned to his home.
It was still very early, only seven in the morning.
With the Night Emperor ability, although his sleep time last night was relatively short, he felt exceptionally energetic and didn't need to catch up on sleep at all.
Kitahara Makoto simply ate a bag of bread, then sat on the sofa, opened his phone's memo, and checked today's schedule.
"Lunch and shopping for yukata with Anon..."
"Going to see the fireworks festival on Sumida River tonight..."
"There's nothing much to do in the morning, so I'll just complete today's daily fitness tasks."
While brushing his teeth earlier, Kitahara Makoto had already seen the content of today's four daily tasks. There were no specific targets, so none of them were difficult.
"I also need to go to the Otherworld to continue picking Eden Fruit..."
A hint of hesitation appeared on Kitahara Makoto's face.
Currently, the shelter domains of Sakiko, Tomori, Anon, Taki, and Mai's house have not yet been opened. Logically speaking, he should enter the Otherworld with them to pick Eden Fruit.
However...
Kitahara Makoto couldn't help but tap on the golden-haired side ponytail girl's avatar and send a message:
"Nijika-senpai, are you free tomorrow?"
The message quickly showed as read.
Nijika: "...No."
Kitahara Makoto: "I have something very important to tell Nijika-senpai."
Nijika: "What is it?"
Kitahara Makoto: "I missed Nijika-senpai. Did you miss me, senpai?"
Nijika sent a small dried fish tapping head emoji:
"Not at all. I still need to cook for my sister, don't bother me."
Kitahara Makoto: "Alright, I plan to continue going to the Otherworld to pick Eden Fruit. Tomori's energy has been depleted and needs to be replenished."
Nijika: "It ran out so quickly... Kitahara-kun, can't you go with someone else?"
Kitahara Makoto: "That's different. No one else has the same tacit understanding as Nijika, Ryo-senpai, and I. Besides, Auntie also needs to continue receiving Eden Fruit offerings."
Looking at the message on her phone, Nijika's pretty face flushed slightly, and she bit her lower lip. She naturally saw through Kitahara Makoto's little scheme.
Tacit understanding was fake; wanting to go to the Otherworld to take advantage of people was the real goal, wasn't it?
She wanted to refuse, but for some reason, the message her fingers typed out changed involuntarily:
"Let's talk about it tomorrow."
"..."
Kitahara Makoto smiled and agreed.
Nijika didn't refuse immediately, so it was undoubtedly a promise.
After taking a sip of tea, Kitahara Makoto sent a message to Yamada Ryo, explaining about going to the Otherworld to pick Eden Fruit.
Yamada Ryo naturally wouldn't refuse; instead, she was very enthusiastic:
"Seize the opportunity, I want to double queue with Nijika!"
Kitahara Makoto: "..."
What an incredible pervert.
Yamada Ryo's fetish really has a big problem!
After arranging to go to the Otherworld together tomorrow, Kitahara Makoto sent a message to Hitori.
"Hitori, are you awake yet?"
Hitori: "Just woke up, haven't gotten out of bed yet."
Kitahara Makoto: "It's about time to go to driving school today, otherwise you won't finish before summer vacation."
Hitori: "But I haven't told the instructor in advance..."
Kitahara Makoto: "Leave it to me, I'll tell them. There's still time."
Hitori: "I'll leave it to Kitahara-kun."
A week had quietly passed, and Hitori's sense of shame had finally cooled down, and she was willing to continue going out for driving school.
Kitahara Makoto: "Then Hitori, wash up and eat first. We'll meet at nine o'clock, and I'll come pick you up."
Hitori: "Mhm mhm."
"..."
He put down his phone.
Kitahara Makoto began his daily fitness routine.
After an hour of exercise, a quick shower, Kitahara Makoto changed into clean clothes, walked out of his house feeling refreshed, then went to a convenience store and bought a bicycle, riding it to Hitori's doorstep.
Today's third daily task was to ride a bicycle with someone, so Kitahara Makoto simply bought a bicycle. Having money meant he could do whatever he wanted, buying whatever he desired.
Arriving at Hitori's doorstep, Kitahara Makoto had just taken out his phone and hadn't even had time to send a message when a pink-haired girl quickly opened the door and quietly slipped out, clearly having been waiting eagerly in the entryway.
"Hitori, good morning."
Kitahara Makoto smiled and patted the bicycle:
"We're riding bicycles today."
"Eh?" Hitori blinked, walked over curiously, "Kitahara-kun's new bicycle?"
"That's right." Kitahara Makoto said casually, "There are too many passengers on the train, it's crowded and doesn't smell good. The driving school isn't far, so we'll just ride bicycles there."
As Kitahara Makoto spoke, he took off the sun hat on his head and placed it directly on Hitori's head:
"Hitori, put on your sun hat."
"Ah..."
A gentle breeze blew, rustling the girl's skirt and hair.
Hitori quickly covered her skirt with one hand and held down the sun hat on her head with the other.
Kitahara Makoto's eyes lit up, and he quickly took out his phone.
Click.
Photo taken successfully.
"Hitori-chan just now was super cute."
Kitahara Makoto was generous with his praise.
Hitori's small face quickly flushed red, and she shyly lowered her head:
"I'm, I'm not cute at all..."
"Hitori, see for yourself."
Kitahara Makoto held up his phone in front of Hitori.
"Mmm..."
Seeing the photo on the phone, Hitori's peach blossom eyes widened involuntarily.
In the photo, her hair was flying, her skirt was fluttering, and behind her was the Tyndall effect formed by strands of light... Although it was just a candid shot, she was indeed super cute.
Hitori even had some doubts whether the girl in the photo was herself.
She, who was merely a plankton, couldn't possibly be that cute, could she?
"It's decided." Kitahara Makoto said seriously, "I'll use Hitori's photo as my phone wallpaper today."
"No, don't..."
Hitori quickly pleaded shyly.
Kitahara Makoto lowered his voice:
"As long as Hitori says she likes me, I won't set it as my phone wallpaper."
"..."
Hitori's face was crimson, and she could only stammer softly:
"I…I like…Kitahara-kun…"
Kitahara Makoto immediately smiled:
"Did your aunt say when she wants me to visit?"
Hitori quickly lowered her head shyly and stammered:
"I…I told Mom that Kitahara-kun is very busy…and doesn't have time to come over…"
Kitahara Makoto didn't mind and continued to smile:
"Did your aunt make red bean rice for Futari to eat?"
"Y-yes, she did…"
Steam faintly rose from the top of Hitori's head, and her small head drooped directly to her chest.
Futari, as expected, couldn't keep a secret. She said she wouldn't tell Mom, but when Mom came home from work that evening, she immediately rushed over and told her about her kiss with Kitahara Makoto. Then Mom made red bean rice to celebrate that very day…
In other words.
In the eyes of Mom and Futari, her relationship with Kitahara Makoto was already a legitimate dating relationship.
Seeing Hitori so embarrassed she wanted to run away, Kitahara Makoto knew when to stop and said:
"Hitori, get in the car quickly, we're going to the driving school."
"Okay…"
Hitori quickly agreed, turned her body, and sat her small bottom on the back seat of the bicycle.
Japan's laws indeed stipulate that bicycles are not allowed to carry passengers, but rules are rules, and in reality, not many people follow them.
The law states that minors are not allowed to drink alcohol, but the fact is you can drink as you please, and no one will stop you. If you are under eighteen, you are not allowed to buy adult magazines, but if you insist on buying them, no one will stop you.
When Hitori got on, Kitahara Makoto said with a clear voice:
"Hitori, hold me tight."
"Ah…"
Hitori reached out her arms, her small face flushed, and hugged Kitahara Makoto from behind.
"Let's go."
"…"
The sun was just right.
The breeze was gentle.
The sky was like a clear blue mirror, without a single cloud.
From somewhere in the distance, pleasant wind chimes drifted from under someone's eaves.
Smelling the fresh scent of laundry detergent on Kitahara Makoto's white shirt, Hitori's arms subtly tightened, and a small wish couldn't help but arise in her heart:
"If only this could go on forever…"
The journey was silent.
Kitahara Makoto rode the bicycle, carrying Hitori, to the driving school.
Next was class time.
Both of them had already passed the written exam, so naturally, the next step was practical training.
A small motorcycle was not much different from a bicycle, and Kitahara Makoto quickly got the hang of it, so the practical training was no problem for him. But Hitori was different.
Clumsy and timid, she completely failed to meet the course requirements, and by the end of half a day, she was completely disheartened:
"I-I'm sorry…"
Hitori apologized in a low voice.
Kitahara Makoto asked, puzzled:
"Hitori, why are you apologizing?"
Hitori lowered her small head, pitifully whispering:
"I'm so clumsy…I can't remember any of the key points the instructor said…"
"Is there a possibility…" Kitahara Makoto extended his right hand, gently placed it on Hitori's small head, and softly said, "that it's not Hitori's fault for not learning, but the instructor's fault?"
"Eh?"
Hitori looked up in confusion.
"One instructor teaches several students. Hitori will definitely be very nervous practicing in front of so many people," Kitahara Makoto said softly. "When you're nervous, your movements will naturally become unbalanced. So Hitori needs a better instructor, like me."
Hitori blinked, stammering softly:
"Kitahara-kun is still a student himself."
"Learning has no precedence; the skilled come first." Kitahara Makoto's expression was composed. "Hitori, why don't you come to my house tonight through the mirror?"
Hitori immediately recalled what happened that night, her small face rapidly flushed at a visible speed, and she quickly shook her head in panic:
"N-no…"
"Don't worry, I won't take advantage of Hitori." Kitahara Makoto said with a righteous expression, "I'm just asking Hitori to come over to learn how to drive."
Hitori's small face was burning hot: "H-how can I learn to drive at night?"
"Of course, by learning in a dream." Kitahara Makoto whispered enticingly, "Learning to drive in a dream won't be watched by others. You can practice freely by yourself, Hitori can secretly become stronger, and then amaze everyone."
Hitori: "…"
Although secretly going to a boy's house at night was very embarrassing, Hitori was indeed tempted.
There were many students and instructors at the driving school, and when she practiced driving, she would be stared at by many people. Hitori was naturally introverted and socially anxious, and she absolutely did not want to be the focus of so many eyes.
Cultivating in a dream was no different from reality, and it was indeed the best choice.
Seeing Hitori hesitate and not speak, Kitahara Makoto knew what she was thinking and said gently:
"Tonight, you can also call Kita, Nijika, and Ryo-senpai to come over and play together. Hitori should feel more at ease then, right?"
Hitori blinked, feeling that it made a lot of sense, and whispered:
"Will it cause trouble for Kitahara-kun?"
Kitahara Makoto held Hitori's small hand and said seriously:
"I love Hitori-chan so much, so if Hitori is willing to come over and play, I will only be super happy."
"…"
Although it wasn't the first time she had heard Kitahara Makoto's straightforward confession, Hitori's heart still raced and her small face flushed. She nervously lowered her head to look at her toes, completely daring not to look up at anyone.
"Then it's settled. Come over tonight to learn to drive in a dream." Kitahara Makoto squeezed Hitori's small hand. "Let's go, let's continue with class."
"Okay…"
In a blink of an eye, it was half past eleven.
The two practical training classes in the morning were quickly finished.
"Hitori, I'm going to get the bike. We can go home now."
Kitahara Makoto placed the sun hat on Hitori's small head.
"I…I'll buy a can of drink…"
Hitori held the sun hat on her head and walked towards the vending machine by the roadside.
When Kitahara Makoto pushed the bicycle over, he saw Hitori squatting on the ground, her small hand fumbling under the vending machine.
"Hitori, what's wrong?"
Kitahara Makoto asked curiously.
"My coin accidentally rolled under the vending machine just now… Ah, I found it."
Hitori successfully found a coin from under the vending machine, but after seeing the denomination of the coin, a hint of doubt quickly appeared on her small face:
"Eh, I clearly dropped a 100 yen coin, how did it become 50 yen?"
Looking at the coin in Hitori's hand, Kitahara Makoto let out a soft "hmm."
A faint light shimmered on the dull gray 50 yen coin.
"An optimizable item?"
Kitahara Makoto extended his right hand and said:
"Hitori, give me this coin."
"Okay."
Hitori was very obedient. She didn't ask anything and dutifully handed over the coin.
Kitahara Makoto didn't rush to 'optimize' it. Instead, he semi-squatted, reached out and gently lifted the vending machine directly:
"The coin should still be inside, Hitori, take a look."
Hitori tilted her small head and looked under the vending machine, quickly exclaiming:
"Ah, so many coins."
Without being told, Hitori quickly picked up the coins.
Picking up money was the happiest thing in the world.
A moment later.
Hitori held a pile of coins of different denominations in her hands, at least a dozen of them, her peach blossom eyes sparkling:
"Kitahara-kun, so many coins~"
"Indeed, quite a few." Kitahara Makoto nodded gently. "I thought there would only be three to five coins under there, but Hitori, collect them all. Consider it good fortune for today."
"Eh?" Hitori couldn't help but become nervous. "…These coins are someone else's lost property, is it really okay to take them home?"
"They are not lost property, they should be abandoned property." Kitahara Makoto explained, "Coins falling on the ground make a sound, so it's impossible not to know. And the denominations are not large. Coins that fall under a vending machine and people are too lazy to pick up, even though they know they're there, are considered abandoned property. There is no ownership, so taking them home is absolutely fine."
"Th-then okay…"
Hitori quietly breathed a sigh of relief, finally putting her mind at ease.
"Ah, I forgot to buy a drink!"
While Hitori was buying a drink, Kitahara Makoto picked up the 50 yen coin he had just found. After confirming that no one was around, he simply used his [Optimize] ability.
Tiny specks of starlight drifted down.
Although it was just an ordinary coin, Kitahara Makoto was surprised to find that it consumed a considerable amount of stamina.
A moment later.
The coin was finally optimized.
Item: Revival Coin
Current Status: Optimized
New Entry: Revival. When you encounter a non-natural death, you will revive on the spot after ten seconds.