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"Natsuki-kun, over here, over here."
On the neon-lit streets, a pink-haired girl stood on tiptoe, hiding behind a utility pole and waving.
Amamiya Natsuki walked over, and said seriously:
"Excuse me, are you Miss Chika, the national idol who's secretly out and about?"
Fujiwara Chika put her hands on her hips and proudly raised her chin: "That's right, it's me."
She agreed without hesitation; her mental fortitude could leave Komi ten blocks behind!
This Chika was not wearing a school uniform. She was dressed in denim overalls, her long hair tied into a neat ponytail, and she wore a black baseball cap and black-rimmed glasses. Only the jet-black bow on her bangs revealed her identity.
"Last time I came here with my cousin for an interview, I disguised myself," Fujiwara Chika said, pulling her baseball cap down to cover half of her face, and whispered, "After all, it's a place like a Love Hotel. It would be terrible if someone I knew saw me."
Amamiya Natsuki feigned surprise: "I thought Chika-sama was fearless, but I didn't expect her to have something she's afraid of."
"Someone who isn't afraid of anything is a robot," Fujiwara Chika raised her chin, "Let's go quickly."
Amamiya Natsuki's gaze shifted to the Japan-flashing hotel sign not far away, the "Love Hotel" sign was particularly conspicuous, and he whispered:
"Is that it?"
Fujiwara Chika nodded:
"My cousin and I came to this Love Hotel that time. It's very large, and there must be many guests… Let's hurry inside while the entrance is empty."
Amamiya Natsuki followed Chika and walked into the Love Hotel.
Upon entering, the light suddenly dimmed, giving a hazy, soft feeling.
As is well known, Japan in the past had a large family-style living, but the houses were all made of wood, with poor sound insulation. A sneeze could be heard by everyone in the house, making any activity impossible.
It wasn't until the Edo period that an old brother who ran a teahouse had a sudden idea to transform the rooms for young couples to rest, quickly making a fortune and attracting many people to follow suit—from then on, proper teahouses disappeared, transforming into today's Love Hotels.
"Love Hotels don't have a front desk. Everyone chooses their theme room on a machine and pays on the machine," Fujiwara Chika pointed to a machine at the entrance and whispered, "That's it."
Compared to the uniform style of regular hotels, the feature of Love Hotels is their various theme rooms.
Amamiya Natsuki walked up to the machine and found that there were an overwhelming variety of themes, at least sixty or seventy kinds by a rough count.
Train theme, prison theme, campus theme, infirmary theme, pirate ship, construction site, boxing ring… everything imaginable, making one dizzy.
There were even some brand-new theme games Amamiya Natsuki had never heard of, such as a forest theme, which might involve beastmen and a stranded elven princess.
Unfortunately, most of the theme rooms were already shown as occupied, leaving not many options.
Amamiya Natsuki looked at Chika and asked:
"What theme room do you want to stay in?"
"Hmm…" Fujiwara Chika blinked, "How about the prison theme?"
Goodness, you went for the prison right away. I didn't expect you to have such a heavy taste!
"Places like trains or classrooms, you see them every day, so they feel meaningless," Fujiwara Chika whispered, "I've never seen what a prison looks like."
This Chika secretary's curiosity is super strong; her sense of shame has to take a backseat.
"Since we're already here…" Amamiya Natsuki nodded, "Then the prison theme it is. I'm quite interested in it too."
"I'll pay."
Fujiwara Chika took out her wallet and began to pay.
The entire process was self-service, requiring no contact with anyone.
Watching Fujiwara Chika pull out a Fukuzawa Yukichi, Amamiya Natsuki felt quite strange.
It was his first time at a Love Hotel with a girl, and he even let the girl pay. Luckily, no one saw them, otherwise he would definitely be considered a kept man.
Click.
A room card dropped out.
Fujiwara Chika reached out and picked up the room card, whispering: "Let's go to the room."
"Okay."
The two walked up the stairs.
Thump-thump-thump.
The footsteps were quite clear.
"Why do the footsteps sound a bit loud?" Amamiya Natsuki whispered, "Didn't they say the soundproofing was good?"
Fujiwara Chika, as someone experienced, said knowledgably: "It's to remind people inside the rooms that there are guests in the hallway, to avoid the awkwardness of suddenly meeting. Only after entering the room can you experience the powerful soundproofing effect."
"I see."
Amamiya Natsuki nodded in realization.
It must be said that this type of Love Hotel design is clearly a blessing for those with social anxiety.
The only downside is probably the high cost.
The two went upstairs and soon arrived outside room 404.
Fujiwara Chika swiped the room card, and after opening the door, there was another door inside.
"Once you're in the room, if you want to eat snacks or buy other things and don't want to go out, you can order using the TV," Fujiwara Chika explained, "The staff will deliver it then. Don't open the door when they knock; the items will be placed directly at the entrance, and you can go out to get them after the staff leaves, so you don't have to meet anyone."
Knowing so much, she truly is an experienced person!
Entering the room.
Amamiya Natsuki curiously surveyed the environment and found that the area was not small. The bathroom and toilet were a given, but there was even a kitchen, complete with a microwave, oven, and everything else imaginable.
Amamiya Natsuki highly suspected that these kitchen utensils had not been used since the day they were put in.
Who would waste precious time cooking when they came to a Love Hotel!
Amamiya Natsuki walked over for a closer look and was shocked to find that the kitchen utensils actually had signs of use, realizing his own ignorance.
Goodness, there are actually people who come to a Love Hotel to cook. How much leisure do they have!
Amamiya Natsuki suddenly remembered a survey on X, formerly known as Twitter—
It is said that over a million people in Japan consume at Love Hotels every day, accounting for about one percent of the total population. It's normal to have some eccentric guests among them.
Amamiya Natsuki withdrew his gaze and continued to explore.
The room was clean and tidy, the air was fresh, there was no strange smell, the soundproofing was good, and there were no cameras in the corners, which was indeed very satisfying.
It's just that the lighting was very improper, either pink or eerie blue.
"Natsuki-kun, come and see the prison," Fujiwara Chika called, waving.
Amamiya Natsuki walked over. Behind a small door was the prison, with iron bars on the walls, a table, a powerful desk lamp on the table, and props like handcuffs, leg chains, and a whip… It was clearly an interrogation room, and the scene was quite reduction.
"Natsuki-kun, you are arrested," Fujiwara Chika picked up the handcuffs, pointed, "Go to the chair and accept the interrogation."
It was still early, several hours until midnight, so Amamiya Natsuki cooperatively sat on the interrogation chair.
Click.
Fujiwara Chika took the handcuffs, bound Amamiya Natsuki's hands behind his back, then walked behind the interrogation table, pushed up her glasses, and said seriously:
"Confess and be lenient, resist and be strict. Honestly confess your crimes and strive for lenient treatment."
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"I won't say anything until my lawyer arrives."
"You're not pleading guilty," Fujiwara Chika picked up the whip from the interrogation table and lightly flicked it, "It seems Natsuki needs to suffer a bit."
Hey, hey, do you know that torture is an illegal act? In common law, evidence is especially important. Any evidence obtained by illegal means not only cannot be used to determine guilt and sentence, but it will also give the lawyer a handle!
Amamiya Natsuki leaned back and cooperated: "Alright, I plead guilty."
There was also a criminal investigation notebook nearby. Fujiwara Chika picked up the notebook: "Natsuki-kun can now honestly confess the crimes he committed."
Amamiya Natsuki said faintly: "…I've killed people."
"Eh?!?"
Fujiwara Chika's eyes widened at the words, and she looked over in shock, "That's fake, right?"
"It's true," Amamiya Natsuki's voice was low, echoing in the interrogation room, "It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, and I was walking in the forest when a group of bandits suddenly rushed out, wanting to steal everything I had. As a monster hunter, of course, I wouldn't just surrender…"
Fujiwara Chika said speechlessly: "The person you're talking about, isn't it Geralt?"
Amamiya Natsuki said: "Correct answer."
"You scared me to death," Fujiwara Chika rolled her eyes, "You should have said so earlier."
After playing a role-playing game for a while, Amamiya Natsuki felt his bladder getting full, so he said:
"Chika, unlock the handcuffs. I drank too much water, I need to go to the restroom."
There was nothing he could do; the Young Lady's cooking was actually quite salty, and Amamiya Natsuki had drunk a lot of water before leaving.
"Okay."
Fujiwara Chika agreed, came over, and prepared to unlock the handcuffs.
Just then, her phone suddenly rang.
"Oh, it's Moeha."
Fujiwara Chika picked up her phone, quickly put a finger to her lips in a shushing gesture, and whispered, "Natsuki-kun, wait a moment, I need to take a call."
The two sisters whispered about something, and after more than ten minutes, Fujiwara Chika finally came over:
"Natsuki-kun, I'm back."
Amamiya Natsuki was already very anxious now: "Quickly unlock the handcuffs."
"Coming."
Fujiwara Chika squatted behind Amamiya Natsuki, fiddled with the handcuffs twice, and then stammered:
"Um… Natsuki-kun, have you seen the key?"
Amamiya Natsuki couldn't help but fall silent, turning his head to look: "The key isn't in your hand?"
"I'm sorry, I seem to have accidentally lost the key," Fujiwara Chika clasped her hands together, her apologetic attitude quite good, "It was just here a moment ago… I'll go look for it right away!"
A few more minutes passed, and Amamiya Natsuki was already feeling tormented. He couldn't help but ask:
"Have you found the key yet?"
"Not, not yet…" Fujiwara Chika stammered, "Natsuki-kun, please hold on a little longer."
Amamiya Natsuki gritted his teeth: "I can't hold on any longer."
"Then what should we do?"
What to do?
Of course, find the key quickly!
It's bad enough that the handcuffs are on your front, but you cuffed them behind your back. I can't even solve it myself!
"I have an idea!" Fujiwara Chika excitedly ran over, "Although I haven't found the key, Natsuki can turn into a shadow, right?"
"Good idea," Amamiya Natsuki nodded, "The problem is I don't have the duplication skill."
"Eh?"
"It's not like challenging a dungeon, so I definitely won't duplicate skills every day."
"I thought of another way!"
Fujiwara Chika extended a finger and quickly said, "Natsuki-kun can paste the Sheep Transformation Technique and turn into a lamb. You won't need a key to get out of the handcuffs."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Amamiya Natsuki's body tensed, his facial muscles twitching slightly, "I can't hold on for another five minutes."
If he had used the Sheep Transformation Technique earlier, nothing would have happened. But she made a phone call, then looked for the key, wasting too much time.
"It's all my fault…" Chika suddenly took a deep breath, her expression firm. "I'll take full responsibility!"
How will you take responsibility?
Are you going to help with the laundry?
"Natsuki-kun, get up." Chika walked over, helped Amamiya Natsuki to his feet, and said with resolute eyes, "Let's go to the restroom."
Amamiya Natsuki stood up, frowning tightly, and said, "My hands are tied behind my back, so even if I go to the restroom, there's no way…"
"We'll… we'll see about that later!"
"…"
The restroom was only a few steps away. After entering, Amamiya Natsuki felt his bladder was about to explode, reaching its limit. Just as he was about to close his eyes and give up, he suddenly saw secretary Chika squat down.
"What are you doing?"
Amamiya Natsuki asked subconsciously.
Secretary's pretty face was flushed crimson, burning hot, and even her voice trembled slightly: "D-Don't speak…"
There was no other way; this was the only thing to do.
Making that call for so long, and then accidentally losing the key—it was all her fault, and she had to take responsibility!
The Fujiwara family motto: Never shirk responsibility!
"…"
Amamiya Natsuki had already understood and chose to remain silent.
Between wetting his pants and Chika, he certainly knew what to choose.
A moment later.
"Chika…"
Amamiya Natsuki finally couldn't help but speak in a low voice.
"Don't say anything," Chika said, her pretty face flushed, turning her head away, still struggling with the belt. "The Fujiwara family motto is not to shirk responsibility. It's all my fault, and I will definitely take full responsibility."
"No, you misunderstood." Amamiya Natsuki took a deep breath. "Could you be a bit faster? I'm really at my limit."
Chika: "…"
Whoosh.
The sound of the toilet flushing rang out.
A faint wisp of steam seemed to rise from secretary Chika's head. She quickly stood up, turned on the faucet, and hurriedly washed her hands.
Looking up at the mirror, Chika quickly averted her gaze as if her eyes had been scalded.
Her face was so red.
From birth until now, her face had never been as red as it was today.
She'd never be able to get married now…
Seeing Amamiya Natsuki walk towards her, secretary Chika, like a startled rabbit, quickly dodged away, about to flee the restroom.
"Wait," Amamiya Natsuki called out, "First, look at what that is."
"Y-You actually want me to look?"
Chika's pretty face flushed, and she looked over in shock: "Lewd! Ecchi! Pervert!"
"Don't slander my innocence." Amamiya Natsuki's expression didn't change, his thick skin firm enough. He lifted his chin, indicating, "What's that next to the hand soap bottle?"
"Eh?"
Chika paused, then cautiously walked over to look, and her eyes widened instantly: "The key?!"
Secretary said incredulously: "Why is the key in the restroom?"
Amamiya Natsuki shrugged: "You'll have to ask yourself that… First, help me unlock these handcuffs."
"I-I remember now…"
Chika's eyes were blank as she murmured, "After I finished the call, my palms felt a bit sweaty, so I came in to wash my hands."
At that time, she casually placed the key on the railing above the washbasin.
After remembering, the highlights in secretary Chika's eyes quickly faded away.
The key was right there in the restroom, yet she hadn't noticed it and had even helped with her hand…
She was tired; let it all be destroyed.
This world really should be destroyed.
Leaving the restroom, the atmosphere was quite silent. Secretary Chika still hadn't calmed down, hugging her knees and shrinking into a corner, not speaking.
Amamiya Natsuki cleared his throat and suggested:
"It's only a little past nine; it's still early. How about we go out and get something to eat first?"
Secretary Chika turned her face away: "I don't want to eat."
"Take a look at this first."
Amamiya Natsuki picked up his phone and found a late-night food porn video. He sent it over.
"Sending something like this at night is so mean."
Before the video was even finished, Chika couldn't hold on any longer and got up to walk out.
Today, she would turn her shame into appetite and eat a hearty meal!
The two changed into their shoes and left the Love Hotel through the back door, emerging into a small parking lot.
Amamiya Natsuki was surprised to find that both the front and rear license plates were covered with special coverings. He had to admit, the attention to detail was quite good.
This Love Hotel was already located in a bustling area, and after Amamiya Natsuki and Chika walked a short distance, they arrived at a Commercial Street.
The street was brightly lit, with Japan lights interwoven, and many pedestrians. The aromas of various dishes mingled together, and the sounds of various voices filled the air. The scent of human life wafted over them.
Amamiya Natsuki looked at Chika: "Takoyaki?"
"Yes."
"How about yakitori skewers?"
Chika raised her chin: "I want to eat all of it."
Blowing in the cool night breeze and taking a bite of the freshly bought food, secretary Chika quickly cheered up.
The joy of a foodie girl was that simple.
At the same time.
Shinomiya Kaguya had already finished her shower, her silky black hair cascading over her shoulders. She sat on the sofa reading a book, but occasionally checked her phone.
"I wonder if the President has arrived yet… He should have, right?"
"What is the President doing?"
"Why hasn't he sent me any messages?"
Not sending messages for so long makes people worry, you know!
Shinomiya Kaguya closed her book, picked up her phone, and idly unlocked the screen. Suddenly, Mrs. Shimizu's smile before leaving flashed in her mind.
"Mom's smile was so strange just now… Why?"
Shinomiya Kaguya pursed her pink lips, thought for a moment, and then her heart stirred. She searched for "Love Hotel" on her phone.
A few seconds later.
"I-It's actually a place specifically for guests to have deep (negative distance) interactions?!"
The Sheltered Young Lady's eyes widened, and she quickly gripped her phone.
There were only the President and Fujiwara inside the hotel, a single man and a single woman, alone in a room, dry wood and raging fire, adding fuel to the flames…
"How could I possibly ignore this?!"
Shinomiya Kaguya decisively stood up and turned to walk towards the entrance.
"Kaguya-chan, where are you going so late?"
Hayasaka Ai, sitting on the sofa, asked curiously.
Shinomiya Kaguya: "…To the Love Hotel!"
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr