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A night without words.
The next day.
Except for Miko, who was feeling wronged, everyone else had a great time.
"The Theater feels a bit too monotonous," Fujiwara Chika suggested during breakfast, "Should we go to the amusement park when we have time and unlock the amusement park map?"
"Chika-chan is right." Kitagawa Marin's eyes lit up. "We're usually so busy we don't have time to go to the amusement park. If we unlock the amusement park map, we can play whenever we want."
Amamiya Natsuki was drinking milk and said upon hearing this:
"Then let's go to the amusement park this weekend."
"Speaking of which, only getting one game coin a day, isn't that too little?" Tsubame-senpai brought out omurice from the kitchen, "Shouldn't there be more ways to earn them?"
"The revenue should be positively correlated with audience feedback," Amamiya Natsuki said. "We can find a densely populated residential building, pull everyone into the Theater, and let Sadako go in and out seven times…"
"Let's not," Koyasu Tsubame glared over. "With such a big commotion, it would be too conspicuous no matter how you think about it."
"That's true."
Amamiya Natsuki sighed regretfully.
Everyone in the entire building entering the same Theater would be too special and easily attract strong attention.
"I thought of a place," Fujiwara Chika suddenly extended a slender finger, proudly raising her chin. "Even if everyone is pulled into the Theater, there's no need to worry about exposure."
Amamiya Natsuki looked over curiously and asked:
"What place?"
"Heh heh…" Fujiwara Chika lightly waved her finger in the air, saying proudly, "It's a Love Hotel, where everyone goes secretly to have fun, the exit and entrance are not together, and even if you meet someone, you won't exchange words."
"…"
The dining table immediately fell silent.
"Cough…"
Tsubame lightly coughed, breaking the silence, and softly said, "Thinking carefully, such a place indeed wouldn't attract attention."
"I'm only curious about one thing…" Amamiya Natsuki's tone was faint, looking at Chika secretary. "Chika-chan, why do you know so much?"
Fujiwara Chika drank her milk and casually said, "Of course, because I've been there."
"Eh?!" Kitagawa Marin's beautiful eyes widened, looking over in shock. "Chika-chan has actually been to a Love Hotel?"
As Kitagawa Marin spoke, she bit her lower lip aggrievedly, glaring resentfully at Amamiya Natsuki.
She actually went to a Love Hotel with Chika-chan behind my back… Wait, wait a minute!
Kitagawa Marin suddenly realized.
If it were with Natsuki, Natsuki wouldn't have asked why she was so familiar just now, so… it wasn't Natsuki?
Thinking of this, Kitagawa Marin couldn't help but widen her eyes.
Since it wasn't Natsuki, who did Chika-chan go to a Love Hotel with?
"Why are you all silent?"
Fujiwara Chika tilted her head and looked over, her tone puzzled.
Koyasu Tsubame coughed twice, glanced at the silent Amamiya Natsuki, and quickly said:
"Um, Chika-chan, did you go to the Love Hotel alone out of curiosity?"
Fujiwara Chika shook her head and said nonchalantly:
"Of course I went with someone else."
Koyasu Tsubame: "…"
The eco-friendly products in my bag were an accidental gain, you wouldn't have gone to the hotel by accident too, would you!
Kitagawa Marin carefully said:
"Um… was Chika-chan tricked?"
"I wasn't tricked," Fujiwara Chika shook her head and said, "I'm not a three-year-old child, how could I be tricked into such a place?"
Since she wasn't tricked, then it was voluntary?
Amamiya Natsuki silently put down his chopsticks and stood up, saying:
"You guys chat, I'm going to the park to walk the dog."
Fujiwara Chika asked, puzzled:
"Didn't you already walk it?"
"…"
Amamiya Natsuki didn't answer and continued to walk out.
Tsubame secretly extended her right hand, tugged at Chika secretary, and blinked continuously.
Secretary tilted her head in confusion, and under the reminders from Marin and Senpai, finally reacted, her pretty face quickly flushed, and she quickly said:
"What are you thinking? I went to the hotel with my Cousin!"
"My Cousin recently suddenly fell in love with drawing manga. Some time ago, she told me she wanted to go to a Love Hotel for material, but she didn't dare to go alone, so she asked me to go with her… The chat history is still on my phone! You'll believe it if you look!"
"So that's how it is," Koyasu Tsubame breathed a sigh of relief.
Kitagawa Marin also relaxed: "I thought Chika-chan was tricked by a bad person."
Amamiya Natsuki stopped, turned to look at Chika: "Is that Cousin of yours, is she decent?"
"…"
After breakfast.
Everyone went to school together.
After the life-and-death adventure in the Dungeon, campus life seemed extraordinarily dull, and even the ubiquitous evil spirits gradually became commonplace.
In a blink of an eye, it was time for school to end.
After the daily chores of the Student Council were completed, everyone went to the school's Culinary Department together.
"I've already arranged with Rinko-chan from the Culinary Department, today the Culinary Department is borrowed for our use," Fujiwara Chika walked briskly, leading the way. "No one will come to disturb us."
Amamiya Natsuki complained:
"Making Witch Potion with an induction cooker and gas stove is very subtle in every sense."
The few of them were now going to the Culinary Department together, naturally to make the Witch Potion, the Night Vision Potion.
The environments of the Dungeons were mostly dim and eerie, with very poor visibility. If the Witch Potion could be successfully maked and mass-produced, it would undoubtedly become one of the essential items for players.
"I actually think the induction cooker is very easy to use," Kitagawa Marin said excitedly. "It's easier to control the heat and temperature."
"Culinary Department, arrived."
"…"
The school was quite wealthy, so the activities naturally wouldn't be shabby. The Culinary Department had all the cooking utensils imaginable, comparable to the kitchen of a five-star hotel.
"Natsuki, take out the stuff," Kitagawa Marin took out a hair tie, tied her hair into a refreshing single ponytail, then tied on an apron, rolled up her sleeves, revealing a section of her snow-white wrist. "I'm going to make the potion."
The raw materials for making the Witch Potion had already been brought over in the morning and stored in the Student Council office, ready for use at any time.
"There are many materials, so everyone can make together," Shinomiya Kaguya suggested. "It's convenient for horizontal comparison and to determine whether only Marin-chan can make the Witch Potion or if everyone can."
Koyasu Tsubame tied on an apron and came over to help: "Let's begin, everyone."
The making steps for the Witch Potion were very complex, and while the quantity of raw materials wasn't that strict, the order of adding the raw materials was very particular.
In these two days, Kitagawa Marin had already written down the making steps, one copy for each person.
"Understood," Amamiya Natsuki said. "It's like frying tempura, the first step is definitely to pour oil."
In a blink of an eye, half an hour later.
Everyone had finished making.
At this moment, the air was already filled with a super strange smell.
Amamiya Natsuki looked over one by one.
In the frying pan in front of Chika, there was only a puddle of black liquid, still bubbling with black bubbles, like the black mud in the Holy Grail, which made people feel fear at first sight.
"Cough cough…" Fujiwara Chika clenched her small fist, lightly tapped her head, and tilted her head, saying, "I accidentally put the wrong order just now, mistakes are inevitable the first time."
"Stop acting cute," Amamiya Natsuki said faintly. "Go open the window and get some fresh air."
"Yes, I'll go right away."
"…"
Amamiya Natsuki then looked at the Sheltered Young Lady.
Shinomiya Kaguya was wearing an apron, with a towel wrapped around her head, a bit of black ash on her nose at some point, and now she was biting her lip with her pearly teeth, looking at the frying pan in front of her, clearly very dissatisfied.
Noticing Amamiya Natsuki's gaze, Young Lady slightly turned her pretty face away and softly uttered a few words:
"...I messed up."
You didn't mess up, you blew up the pan, didn't you!
Chika's maked potion was at least still liquid, but in your frying pan, there was only a layer of black residue!
Amamiya Natsuki said with a subtle tone:
"Understood."
This Kaguya was a true Miss, she hadn't even made instant noodles herself. Although she had taken cooking classes, cooking classes were always team-based, and others would at most let her wash ingredients… Simply put, she was completely clueless about cooking.
Asking her to make Witch Potion right away was indeed difficult for her.
Finally, only Amamiya Natsuki, Senpai, and Marin were left.
Regardless of whether they succeeded or not, at least in the frying pans in front of the three of them, all were calm liquids that were black with a hint of clarity.
Koyasu Tsubame asked curiously, "Does this count as successful making?"
"I guess so?" Kitagawa Marin wasn't sure either. "After all, they're two different worlds, and we're using frying pans and induction cookers… But it looks pretty similar to the Witch Potion in my mind."
Amamiya Natsuki took a few transparent glass bottles: "To know if it's successfully maked, just see if the game recognizes it."
If it was successfully maked, the game would provide identification content; if it failed, there would naturally be nothing.
The three quickly poured the liquid from the frying pans into the glass bottles.
Amamiya Natsuki held the bottle, and game identification quickly appeared before his eyes.
[Item: Night Potion (Player-made)]
[Type: Witch Potion]
[Quality: Medium]
[Usage: Oral]
[Attribute: This potion is made by the player. After consumption, your night vision ability in the dark will be greatly enhanced, and you will be able to see traces left by ghostly creatures. The effect lasts for one hour. Please note that the quality of this potion is not perfect, and there is a certain chance of side effects after consumption. Please rest assured, the side effects are not permanent and will not endanger life.]
[Note: Perhaps you can try injecting it into your body via suppository.]
Hey, hey, what's a suppository?
What's that strange injection method?!
Senpai's voice quickly rang out: "I succeeded in making it."
Kitagawa Marin put her right hand on her hip and said, "I also succeeded, and the potion's quality is medium."
After placing the three bottles of Witch Potion together and identifying them one by one, everyone began to summarize today's making experience.
"As long as the making steps are correct, anyone can make the Witch Potion, not just Marin."
"The potion quality is all medium, which shouldn't be a coincidence, but a common rule… This point can be further verified later."
"The specific effects of the potion need a user experience report."
"And then there are the side effects…"
When the girls mentioned this, they all looked at Amamiya Natsuki.
"Why are you all looking at me?" Amamiya Natsuki was quite speechless and complained, "If you want to do an experiment, it's more appropriate to find a white mouse in the laboratory, right?"
Fujiwara Chika raised her chin and said:
"White mice can't talk, and you can't see side effects, so Natsuki-kun is more suitable."
"That's right," Kitagawa Marin nodded in agreement. "For the sake of science, Natsuki, it's you."
Hey, hey, this is Witch Potion, it has nothing to do with science, right!
"I think we can directly sell it in the mutual aid group," Amamiya Natsuki intertwined his fingers. "The game has already given its approval, it won't deceive anyone no matter what. After selling it, we can ask the purchasing players to fill out an experience feedback form to collect user big data…"
"That's too much!" Kitagawa Marin couldn't help but complain, "Selling products with no guarantees and then asking everyone for user experience feedback, you black-hearted capitalist!"
Fujiwara Chika followed up: "…Be careful not to get strung up on a lamppost!"
"…"
Everyone chatted for a while longer, disposed of the kitchen waste, and then went home.
It was still daytime; even if they wanted to test the Witch Potion, they would have to wait until nightfall.
Leaving school, Amamiya Natsuki and his senpai went to the Hospital, planted a Gluttony Mushroom for his Cousin, and then applied a healing skill to Mizuhara Chizuru, ending their outing and preparing to go home.
Just as he reached the Train Station, his phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated.
He took it out and saw it was a message from Juju.
"Um… do you have time now?"
Amamiya Natsuki stopped in his tracks: "If Juju misses me, I always have time."
Juju: "Hmph, I don't miss you at all, Shoko has something to do."
Amamiya Natsuki: "What's wrong with Komi?"
Juju explained: "She just got home and said a hornet flew into her house at some point… and her aunt and uncle don't know when they'll be back, so she messaged me for help."
Amamiya Natsuki was understanding: "Are you scared?"
"Who's scared?" Juju refused to admit it, "…Are you coming?"
"If Juju misses me, I'll go."
"I don't miss you."
"Then I won't go."
"Die!"
"…"
Amamiya Natsuki was already at the Train Station. After receiving the address from Juju, he checked the route on his phone and got directly on the train.
The journey was silent.
Twenty minutes later, Amamiya Natsuki got off the train, bought a fruit cake as a souvenir, and followed the address to Komi's house.
His house and Komi's house were in the same direction. He had even met Komi's mother one night on the way home, so it wasn't too unfamiliar.
A moment later, "Natsuki, we're here!"
A familiar shout came from the side.
Amamiya Natsuki looked in the direction of the voice and saw Juju and Komi waiting in the small park, waving at him.
The two girls quickly walked out of the park and came to Amamiya Natsuki's side. Juju tilted her head up and complained:
"There are so many mosquitoes in the park… Why did it take you so long to get here?"
"I came as fast as I could." Amamiya Natsuki looked at the timid girl, "Komi, good afternoon."
Komi, wearing her school uniform, bowed slightly, her voice faint: "G-Good afternoon…"
Amamiya Natsuki casually said:
"You're not even afraid of evil spirits, yet you're scared by a single hornet and don't dare to go home?"
Hearing this, Komi lowered her head in shame.
Juju, on the other hand, put her hands on her hips and gave him an annoyed glare, her mouth being the only thing tough about her: "It's too stuffy inside; can't Shoko and I come out and sit for a bit?"
"Besides, you can pretend not to see evil spirits, but a hornet won't care about that much, it really will sting you, okay?"
The two talked as they arrived at Komi's doorstep.
Komi took out her key, opened the door as if facing a great enemy, and then both girls retreated behind Amamiya Natsuki.
"Excuse me for intruding."
Amamiya Natsuki pushed the door open and entered the house.
"The… floor… was just mopped…" Komi's voice was faint, "You can wear socks…"
"I can't hear you clearly." Amamiya Natsuki took out his amulet, "How about we use Mind Link instead?"
"…"
Komi's body trembled, and she shook her head quickly.
No Mind Link!
Not being able to control her thoughts was too embarrassing!
"Shoko said the floor was just mopped, and you can go in with socks on." Juju said from the side, "Don't bully Shoko."
"I'm not, don't talk nonsense." Amamiya Natsuki handed the souvenir to Komi and asked, "Where did you see the hornet?"
Juju had obviously already asked this question and acted as Komi's mouthpiece: "In Shoko's room on the second floor. When Shoko got home from school, she went into her room and saw the big hornet, then she got scared and ran out."
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"Let's go, let's check the room."
Amamiya Natsuki walked in front, the two girls followed behind, and the three of them went upstairs together.
There was a cat sign on the door, and the second one had Shoko's name written on it.
"Your room?" Amamiya Natsuki turned to look at Komi.
"Mhm!"
The timid girl quickly nodded, looking over pitifully.
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"You two wait outside for me, I'll go in and check first."
"Be careful." Juju warned, "I heard those hornets are very venomous, and a sting will hurt for a whole day."
Amamiya Natsuki smiled back: "With Juju caring about me, it's worth hurting for a whole day."
"Pfft!"
Juju's small face flushed slightly, she spat lightly, and feigned disgust as she glared over, "Noisy! Hurry up and go in!"
"…"
Amamiya Natsuki pushed the door open and entered the room, observing it curiously.
The room wasn't large, but it was very clean and tidy. A pleasant scent filled the air, the quilt on the bed was neatly folded, and there was a large dog plushie. The bookshelf in the corner was packed full of books.
Thankfully, Komi hadn't lost her image.
Some girls look beautiful and even like celebrities when they go out, but at home, they throw clothes around, leave things everywhere, and their rooms are so messy there's no place to step…
After taking two steps into the room, a buzzing sound suddenly started.
Amamiya Natsuki looked closely; it was indeed a hornet, about the length of his pinky finger. He didn't hesitate, picked up a book, and swatted it.
His current physical abilities already far exceeded those of an ordinary person, and he easily killed the hornet. Then he opened the door and said:
"The assassin has been defeated, you can come in now."
"Where's the hornet?"
Juju stood at the door, carefully peering inside.
Amamiya Natsuki pointed to the hornet on the ground, "That's it."
"Phew…"
Upon seeing it, the two girls both let out a sigh of relief.
"Good thing we found it early." Juju said, crossing her arms, "If Shoko got stung, she'd probably cry all night."
"All night is too little." Amamiya Natsuki chimed in, "I bet she'd cry for three days and three nights."
"No way…" The timid girl's voice was faint, she bowed in thanks, and whispered, "…Thank you, Natsuki."
Amamiya Natsuki threw away the hornet and then said:
"The matter is resolved, should Juju and I head back?"
"W-Wait a moment."
Komi quickly shook her head, ran out of the room, and soon came back with three teacups and a pot of tea. Then she ran downstairs again, brought up fruit cake and snacks, and eagerly wrote: "Rest for a while before you go."
Amamiya Natsuki turned and said: "What does Juju say?"
Juju looked out the window and agreed: "It's not dark yet, let's rest for a bit."
Amamiya Natsuki nodded and said: "Then we'll rest."
Komi's lips curved slightly upwards, and she quickly knelt down at the low table, meticulously beginning to brew tea.
"It's a shame you didn't come to play yesterday." Amamiya Natsuki sat down casually, "You saw the messages Marin and the others sent, right? God's Tongue was super fun, and there was Sadako, everyone who saw her said she was cute."
"Not just cute, but also big-chested, right?" Juju crossed her arms over her chest, looking at him with disdain, "You recruited Sadako because you were eyeing those chests, weren't you?"
Amamiya Natsuki said nonchalantly: "They're not as big as Miss Hachishakusama's…"
"You're still talking!"
Juju's small face flushed slightly, and she kicked him under the table.
Amamiya Natsuki then talked about the afternoon's events, taking out the potion he had maked: "The Witch Potion has been successfully maked. Do you two want to try it?"
Juju and Komi looked over curiously.
"I thought it would fail…" Juju asked, "What's the side effect?"
"I don't know." Amamiya Natsuki shook his head, "That's why I want you two to try it."
"Stupid Natsuki!" Juju clenched her small fists in anger, "You're actually using Shoko and me as guinea pigs!"
"To be precise, you're specially invited personnel for the user experience improvement plan."
"Go away."
Komi sat quietly kneeling beside them, not interjecting, her lips just slightly upturned. She handed over the freshly brewed green tea with both hands.
Drinking tea and eating sweets, the evening sun slanted in through the window, and time was quiet and beautiful.
"I'm going to the restroom."
Juju finished her tea, stood up, and walked out. Before leaving, she didn't forget to warn Amamiya Natsuki: "Don't bully Shoko, or you're finished."
Amamiya Natsuki said seriously: "I promise I won't bully Komi."
"Hmph."
"…"
As Juju left, the room quickly became quiet.
Amamiya Natsuki took a sip of tea, then smiled at the timid girl.
Noticing Amamiya Natsuki's gaze, Komi quickly held up her teacup with both hands, pretending to drink tea, but actually using it to block her face.
Amamiya Natsuki slowly said:
"You haven't forgotten about the five lap pillow vouchers you still owe me, have you, Komi?"
"N-No, it was three…"
The timid girl softly retorted.
"Good that you remember." Amamiya Natsuki smiled back, feeling pleased, "I'm going to use one voucher right now, to redeem Komi's lap pillow."
"Th-That…" Komi's pretty face visibly flushed, her eyes became flustered, and she stammered, "Juju is still here…"
"Juju went out. The lap pillow time starts now and lasts until Juju returns." Bullying the timid girl always made him feel happy. Amamiya Natsuki interlaced his fingers, "Komi wouldn't go back on her word, would she?"
Komi's pretty face was crimson, with nowhere to escape, like a small beast caught in a hunter's trap. She resignedly closed her eyes:
"I-I understand…"
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