join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for hundreds of additional chapters and over a dozen stories
Twenty minutes later.
The doorbell rang.
Amamiya Natsuki got up and went to open the door. Two girls, one big and one small, stood gracefully outside the door.
It was Juju and Komi.
"Kohai-kun, good morning."
Juju raised her hand to greet him.
"…"
Komi still treasured her words like gold, not saying a single word. She immediately bowed and handed over a Japanese confection as a gift.
"Come in." Amamiya Natsuki moved aside, "It's hot outside."
This Komi is super shy and timid, unable to accept close contact with people in public. The best way is naturally to take her directly home.
Juju was worried that Komi would be bullied, so she followed along.
"There's green tea, barley tea, cola, and juice in the fridge. What do you want to drink?"
Amamiya Natsuki walked to the fridge, opened it, and asked casually.
As the host, when guests visit, it's natural to fulfill the duties of a host.
"I'll have green tea."
Juju quickly made her choice.
As companions who have gone through life and death together, there's no need to be polite about small matters.
Amamiya Natsuki turned his head and said:
"I recommend milk."
"No way!" Juju sat up straight and couldn't help but exclaim, "And milk wasn't even an option you just mentioned!"
Amamiya Natsuki took out a can of green tea and then looked at the black-haired girl: "What about Komi?"
"…"
Komi sat upright, as if she were a job applicant in an interview. Hearing this, her body trembled slightly, and she turned to look at Juju.
Amamiya Natsuki's mind-reading activated: "Same as Juju?"
"…"
Komi nodded quickly.
Amamiya Natsuki walked back to the sofa with two cans of drinks, one for each of the two girls.
"Hmph."
Juju snorted lightly, unhappily taking the drink.
He just suggested I drink milk, was he actually saying that my development was too poor?
Only elementary school student need to drink milk to promote development; that kind of thing is useless for high school students!
If drinking milk was useful, I wouldn't be this short!
Hoo-hoo-hoo~
Hearing the sound of eating, the silly dog in the house ran over, squatted in front of Komi and Juju, panting with its tongue out, and looked over with eyes pleading for food.
"Mmm—"
Seeing the dog, Komi's eyes quickly brightened. She turned her head and looked at Amamiya Natsuki expectantly.
"You can pet him as much as you want." Amamiya Natsuki nodded, "He doesn't bite."
Upon hearing this, Komi's eyes brightened even more. She cautiously extended her right hand and stroked the dog's head. Before long, a faint, sweet smile appeared on her pretty face.
I have to say, it was incredibly beautiful.
"Tug—"
Amamiya Natsuki suddenly felt someone gently tugging at his shirt sleeve.
He turned his head to look and saw Juju's face flushed red. She turned her head away, biting her lower lip with her pearly teeth, and in a very embarrassed posture, held up the drink can in her hand.
"You want me to drink a drink you've already drunk?"
Amamiya Natsuki was shocked.
"Who told you to drink it!"
Juju glared at him angrily. If she had drunk it, she wouldn't let him drink it; that would clearly be an indirect kiss!
"It's the tab!" Juju lowered her voice, "Look closely!"
Amamiya Natsuki took a closer look and realized that the pull tab of the can hadn't been opened. He was immediately speechless.
After so long, she still couldn't open the tab. Does a weak girl who can't even open a can really exist in this world?
Amamiya Natsuki looked at Juju and suddenly smiled:
"Beg me."
"Huh?!"
"When asking someone for help, you should use a requesting tone. That's common sense."
Juju's eyes widened, and her rosy cheeks quickly puffed out: "…I'm not drinking it anymore!"
It's just a small favor, not asking you to go through fire and water, yet he's making me formally ask? He's clearly bullying me!
"Give me the drink."
Amamiya Natsuki reached for the drink.
"I'm not drinking it!" Juju turned her face away and huffed, "I won't drink it even if you open it!"
"Tsk~" Amamiya Natsuki clicked his tongue lightly, his gaze dropping to Juju's legs. Today, Juju was wearing a pair of white over-the-knee socks, making her already slender legs appear even more delicate. Then his gaze slowly moved upwards, and he said in a low voice, "Just now you said you'd drink it, and in a blink, you say you won't. You know the consequences of a child being too willful, right?"
Juju: "…"
To avoid being spanked again, Juju could only endure the humiliation and hand over the can.
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"What should you say when asking someone for help?"
Juju clenched her small fists, suppressing her shame and anger, and stammered in a low voice: "Please, please help me open the drink."
"I've received your request."
Amamiya Natsuki flicked his finger, pulled open the tab, and handed the drink to Juju.
"He's just a junior, yet he's so arrogant…" Juju glared at him angrily, "Just you wait!"
After finishing the drink.
Amamiya Natsuki chatted with Juju for a while, and Komi finally finished petting the dog to her heart's content.
"Give me your hand."
Amamiya Natsuki looked at Komi, ready to get down to business.
Komi blinked, then suddenly shook her head quickly.
"Eh?"
Juju was startled, not reacting, and asked in confusion: "Why are you shaking your head?"
Komi blushed and picked up her notebook, preparing to write to convey her thoughts.
Amamiya Natsuki guessed beside her:
"You want to wash your hands, right?"
"Mm-hmm!"
The black-haired girl nodded quickly.
"Go straight down the hallway." Amamiya Natsuki pointed, "The room at the very end on the right is it."
Komi quickly got up, bowed, and went to the restroom.
"How did you know what Komi was thinking?" Juju looked up with a puzzled expression, "Don't tell me you have mind-reading?"
Amamiya Natsuki said matter-of-factly:
"Washing hands after petting a dog is common sense."
Juju: "…"
After washing her hands and coming out.
Amamiya Natsuki began to paste the Evil Spirit Banishing on Komi.
But before the time was up, the doorbell suddenly rang.
"Someone's at the door." Juju turned to look, her voice low and alert, "I'll go see who it is. It might be the NHK fee collector."
"No need to look." Amamiya Natsuki said casually, "It should be Marin."
"Eh, eh?" Juju quickly looked over, "Why would it be Marin?"
"Marin messaged me on your way here, saying she was bored alone and coming over to play a game together." Amamiya Natsuki looked at Juju, "You go open the door."
"…No!"
Juju immediately shook her head upon hearing this.
"Hmm?"
Amamiya Natsuki looked over in confusion.
"I didn't tell Marin that Komi and I were coming over." Juju said nervously, lowering her voice, "Won't it be strange if Marin sees us now?"
Amamiya Natsuki said speechlessly:
"I think you're overthinking it."
Marin isn't an outsider, and besides, our clothes are all neat and tidy, so there's no need to feel guilty.
"W-we should hide first!"
Juju quickly stood up and asked in a low voice, "Where's your room?"
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"Upstairs, the first room on the left."
Juju took off running: "Komi, let's go hide in the room for a bit."
"Mm-hmm."
Komi nodded quickly.
Watching the two girls go upstairs, Amamiya Natsuki stood up speechless and opened the door.
"Natsuki, good morning."
A girl with a black choker around her neck stood outside the door. Her golden hair shimmered with fragmented golden light, and the bright smile on her face was almost comparable to the sunlight. It was none other than Kitagawa Marin.
"Morning."
Amamiya Natsuki stepped aside from the door.
During Golden Week, the two had 'cohabited' for several days, so Kitagawa Marin was naturally familiar with the place. She stepped into the house, changed her slippers, and fanned herself by hooking her finger into her collar.
"It's so hot. It's not even June yet, and the weather is already this warm."
Amamiya Natsuki said, "Global warming, you know."
"It's so boring being home alone. Evil Spirits keep appearing, and I can't even focus on my homework," Kitagawa Marin said, turning on the electric fan and fanning herself. "Let's play a game first, then do homework after we finish the game."
"Wait," Amamiya Natsuki said. "Why not do homework first?"
The Succubus Girl put her right hand on her hip and said righteously, "It's too hot, I can't calm down."
"…"
At the same time.
Second floor.
Amamiya Natsuki's room.
Juju leaned against the door, took out her phone, and secretly messaged Amamiya Natsuki.
"Don't tell Marin that Komi and I are at your house."
"When Marin goes to the bathroom, or you get Marin to leave, message me, and Komi and I will quickly leave."
"…"
Upon receiving Amamiya Natsuki's affirmative reply, Juju breathed a sigh of relief and curiously surveyed the room's environment.
"So this is a boy's room?"
The room wasn't large, but it was clean and tidy, with no strange odors in the air, no scattered underwear, and plenty of light.
There was a desk, a water cup, a computer, a chair, a wardrobe, a fan… and against the wall, a bookshelf filled with various books.
From birth until now, this was Juju's first time entering a boy's room, and she had to admit, she was quite satisfied. Her initial nervousness quickly dissipated.
Juju withdrew her gaze and looked at Komi, who had been standing in the center of the room, and whispered, "Komi, don't just stand there, let's find somewhere to sit for a while?"
"…"
Komi nodded quickly.
"…"
Wordless silence quietly enveloped the two.
Being alone with someone who spoke so little was indeed a bit awkward.
Juju wanted to play on her phone, but felt it would be strange for two people to just play on their phones independently. After a slight hesitation, she whispered, "Um, do you want to read manga?"
"…"
Komi nodded swiftly.
Juju walked to the bookshelf. Besides classical literature and study books, there were also many manga and light novels.
As a cosplayer, Juju was naturally a fan of manga and light novels. She had read most of the manga and light novels on the shelf. After a final selection, she found a manga titled "Wildcat Girl."
"I haven't read this one, the art style looks pretty good…"
Juju pulled out the manga, sat next to Komi, then opened the manga, and they began to read it together.
The content of the first chapter was simple.
The protagonist was a high school girl with a tragic background. After her only relative passed away, she was driven out of her home by relatives vying for inheritance. She could only arrive at the male protagonist's doorstep on a rainy night—the two were not related by blood, but their mothers had once been close friends and had promised to support each other.
"Um, I… I have nowhere else to go…"
In the cold, rainy night, the slender girl's eyes were timid, like a homeless stray cat.
"It's still raining outside… It would be too cruel to just send you away… Fine, come in."
"Thank you, I'll try not to cause you any trouble."
"…"
After finishing the first chapter, Juju quickly understood why it was called Wildcat Girl.
Homeless, with nowhere to go, finally mustering the courage to seek help from a stranger with whom she had almost no connection. After entering the house, she was like a small wildcat, shy, hiding in a corner, moving cautiously, trying not to make a sound, and not to cause trouble for others… Undoubtedly, this was a girl with a very tragic life.
They continued to the second chapter.
The male protagonist was a single office worker, working from nine to five every day, always looking tired, but kind-hearted. Although he said she could go to a welfare institution, he eventually tacitly allowed the Wildcat Girl to stay and did not drive her away. When he came home in the evening, he would even bring an extra half-price bento box.
At the same time, the room was quietly changing. The messy room gradually became tidy, and the male protagonist's scattered clothes were also washed and hung to dry on the balcony.
"This must be a mutually healing manga, right?"
Juju made her judgment.
The art style was healing, the content was healing, and the story was healing.
Two lonely and solitary people, in this vast world, mutually giving each other warmth and solace.
"Mhm."
Komi nodded in agreement, making a rare faint sound.
The two girls continued to read.
But not long after, Juju felt something was off.
One night, the male protagonist returned home and saw the Wildcat Girl, who had just finished showering and was only wearing a bath towel. Because he had been drinking, he impulsively said something that didn't fit the previous art style.
"By the way, living with a stranger, you should know how dangerous it is, right?"
"It's okay."
"What?"
"I said it's fine."
"Wait…"
"Are you all talk?"
Upon reading this, Juju already showed a hesitant expression.
Something's wrong!
Very wrong!
Why did the plot suddenly become strange!
As a cosplayer, Juju, though not having extensive reading experience, had certainly come across explicit material and already sensed something peculiar.
In contrast, Komi was completely unprepared.
Although this long-haired black-haired girl wasn't as naive as Kaguya, she had never encountered restricted manga and didn't know the wickedness of human hearts.
After finishing one page, seeing Juju hesitate and not move, Komi proactively reached out and turned the manga to a new page.
The next second.
Both girls' eyes widened simultaneously, followed by their faces heating up at the same time.
Juju was fine, after all, she had seen explicit material before and had already prepared herself mentally.
Komi, however, was not. Without any mental preparation or experience, as the new page of the manga appeared before her eyes, the strong visual impact instantly made her eyes widen, her breathing stop, her body stiffen, and then white steam billowed from the top of her head.
"What kind of healing manga is this? It's clearly something terrible!"
Slam!
Juju quickly closed the manga, then turned to look at Komi, clearing her throat twice and saying, "Um… I think I picked up the wrong manga."
Komi looked down at her toes, her pretty face flushed crimson, almost bleeding, even the tips of her ears turning into red agate. She trembled, swaying precariously, as if about to break.
Not good, not good, not good.
Her face is so red, could this be Komi's first time seeing this kind of material?
She's already a high school student, yet she hasn't even seen this kind of material, she's too pure!
Fortunately, the awkward atmosphere didn't last long, as a knock on the door quickly sounded.
Bang bang.
Both girls jumped in fright.
"Ah…"
Juju quickly got up, swiftly put the manga back on the bookshelf, then tiptoed to the back of the door.
"Open the door."
Amamiya Natsuki's voice came from outside the door.
Juju took a deep breath, clutching her chest, and opened the bedroom door.
"I sent Marin to the supermarket to buy things, you two…" Amamiya Natsuki's gaze fell on the two girls' faces, her voice paused slightly, then her tone became subtle, "What were you two doing in my room?"
"We didn't do anything!"
Juju quickly denied it.
Completely unconvincing.
Komi was clutching her chest, her eyes flustered, her face flushed, like a startled fawn. Something must have happened!
Amamiya Natsuki didn't ask further, but said, "Marin will be back from the supermarket in about ten minutes. You two can come out now."
"Phew…"
Upon hearing this, Komi clearly made a sigh of relief, as if Amamiya Natsuki's room was a terrible den, eager to leave.
"Wait, why are you running?" Amamiya Natsuki called out to Komi, extending her right hand and saying, "The Evil Spirit Banishing didn't stick successfully before, we need to do it again."
Komi's black hair trembled slightly, and a hesitant expression appeared on her face.
"Hurry, give me your hand," Amamiya Natsuki instructed, "Let's not waste time."
Komi quickly extended her right hand.
Once Amamiya Natsuki held her hand, she immediately became like a flustered fawn, quickly looking down at her toes, and steam once again billowed from the top of her head.
Amamiya Natsuki asked doubtfully, "It's not the first time I've applied a skill for you, why do you seem more nervous than the first time?"
Why?
Of course, it's because of that terrible manga in your room!
Juju crossed her arms over her chest, glaring with a flushed face.
You should hide things like that properly, under the bed or on top of the wardrobe, don't just put them openly on the bookshelf, you idiot!
Unfortunately, she couldn't say that.
For Komi's reputation, the matter of reading the explicit material together must be kept secret.
A few minutes later.
"Alright."
Amamiya Natsuki released her right hand.
Komi quickly hid her hand behind her back, bowed in gratitude as if granted a great pardon, then hurried to take her leave.
"Hmph."
Juju snorted lightly, following Komi, ready to leave together.
"Wait a minute." Amamiya Natsuki reached out and stopped Juju. "Komi's matter is settled, now it's our turn, isn't it?"
"W-what matter do we have?"
Juju was stunned, her little face quickly flushed red.
"I worked so hard to paste skills for Komi; even if I don't get credit, I put in effort." Amamiya Natsuki said seriously, "As her guardian, shouldn't you show some appreciation?"
"How can there be a guardian of the same age?" Juju whispered, "What do you want to do?"
Amamiya Natsuki pointed to his thigh and said:
"I didn't do anything, yet you've been fierce with me all day. Disobedient children must be punished."
"Pfft~!"
Juju's eyes widened, and she quickly covered her buttocks with both hands.
You actually want me to willingly lie down and let you spank me? How could I possibly agree to such a humiliating thing!
This Juju turned and ran, changing into her shoes at the entrance, and, with Komi, vanished in a flash.
The timing was just right; not long after they left, Kitagawa Marin returned, carrying things.
The afternoon was game time. Amamiya Natsuki and Marin played games, finished their homework, and lingered until evening, when the blonde girl finally bid farewell reluctantly.
The night passed uneventfully.
The next day.
monday.
It was monday, time for classes again.
At 7:30 AM.
Amamiya Natsuki was dressed and ready, stepping out of his room. He turned to look next door, and Miko happened to come out at the same time.
"Miko, good morning."
"Morning~"
Ever since Miko learned that Amamiya Natsuki could exorcise evil spirits, she had been going to school with him every morning, a habit she had unknowingly formed.
"Natsuki-kun, good morning."
elementary school student Kyosuke looked up and called out.
"Morning."
Amamiya Natsuki reached out and ruffled the elementary school student's hair, then looked at Miko and whispered, "Did you not make up for sleep when you went back this morning?"
"No." Miko raised a hand to cover her mouth, yawning. "I wasn't sleepy when I got back, tossed and turned, couldn't fall asleep, so I got up and read for a while. By the time I felt a bit sleepy, it was already time to prepare breakfast."
"You can go back later tonight."
"No, it would be terrible if Mom found out."
"..."
Walking forward, before long, an energetic shout came from ahead.
"Miko, Natsuki-kun, good morning."
A blonde girl with short blonde hair and a magnificent bosom happily waved.
"It's Yurikawa-chan!"
Mrs. Shimizu's eyes lit up, and she quickly went to Yurikawa's side, playing the 'stick-together' game.
"Hana-chan, good morning."
Miko greeted her, already accustomed to it.
At first, seeing Mrs. Shimizu and her good friend sticking together, her feelings were somewhat complicated, but now her heart was as still as water. One had to admit, habit was indeed a terrifying force.
After parting ways with elementary school student Kyosuke, the three walked to school together.
"I wonder if we'll play tabletop game together today?"
Yurikawa Hana stepped on the white bricks on the ground, her voice filled with anticipation.
Last week, everyone met at the Game Club every morning to play the game of deceiving little lambs. Although Yurikawa Hana lost every day, she still had a lot of fun.
"Don't worry." Amamiya Natsuki said meaningfully beside her, "No matter who's missing, you definitely won't be."
Sticking together is one of life's great joys.
Until I find a substitute, you won't be able to escape!
Talking along the way, the three quickly arrived at school, just encountering Fujiwara Chika at the school gate.
"Hana-chan, long time no see!"
Fujiwara Chika happily stepped forward and hugged Yurikawa Hana.
Yurikawa Hana tilted her head in confusion: "Um... it's only been two days, hasn't it?"
"One day without seeing you feels like three autumns." Fujiwara Chika held up a finger, "In short, I missed you incredibly much."
For Yurikawa Hana, it was just an ordinary two-day weekend, but for the players, it was indeed a long time no see.
"Let's go, let's play a couple of games at the Game Club." Secretary's voice was clear and crisp, "Miko, Natsuki-kun, everyone play together, it's livelier with more people."
Arriving at the Tabletop Game Club, after a short wait, Marin and Kaguya arrived at the battlefield one after another.
The entire Werewolf team was gathered again. Miko was an internal traitor, only Yurikawa Hana, the little lamb, was completely clueless and unaware.
"Marin-chan, good morning."
"Kaguya-chan, morning."
After the girls greeted each other, they quickly took their seats, and then the game began.
A moment later.
"Ah, I lost again. This morning, when I watched the horoscope show, it said today was my day of Mercury retrograde. It was right after all."
Yurikawa Hana slapped her forehead, completely unaware of Amamiya Natsuki and the others' coordinated cheating, still thinking it was just her bad luck.
"A bet is a bet." Fujiwara Chika said, "Hana-chan, accept your punishment."
"Just punish me."
"..."
This good friend's character was quite firm; she always honored her bets and never reneged.
Thus, a heartwarming skill was successfully acquired.
Immediately after, the few of them started a second round. In this round, everyone battled with wits and courage, no longer ganging up to bully the little lamb, which was quite enjoyable.
Two games ended.
Miko stood up and said:
"It's getting late. Hana-chan and I will go to the classroom first."
Yurikawa Hana naturally moved in sync with her good friend: "Miko and I are leaving first. Let's play together again tomorrow."
"..."
The task of routinely bullying the little lamb was completed, and next, of course, was the main business.
Clap.
Amamiya Natsuki took out the Coin of Destiny and placed it on the table:
"Let's discuss the coin."
"I have something to say." Fujiwara Chika raised her right hand, "Natsuki-kun said in the inn that this coin isn't really about pure luck, but rather like a thief, it first steals our luck and then gives it back as feedback, right?"
Amamiya Natsuki nodded and said:
"Precisely."
In the infinitely restarting loop of the inn, Amamiya Natsuki introduced the setting of the Coin of Destiny—it wasn't a random roll of the dice, but rather it first absorbed the thrower's luck and then provided feedback.
Because of this, it took many throws to get a single heads.
Shinomiya Kaguya mused:
"Can Natsuki-kun see when the coin will land on heads?"
"Yes." Amamiya Natsuki said, "But it requires Miko's ability."
"Super good news." Kitagawa Marin's eyes lit up, already understanding the meaning behind Kaguya's words. "Bad luck is nothing, it's not life-threatening, just bear with it and it passes. Not knowing when it will land on heads is the most frustrating part. Now it's good, knowing when it will land on heads, the motivation instantly surges."
Being able to see the coin's hidden attribute, in other words, as long as it's fully charged, it will definitely land on heads, turning randomness into a 100% determined attribute.
This Succubus Girl clasped her pink fists and said happily:
"In the game I've been playing recently, a new five-star character appeared, along with exclusive weapons. It's too hard to pull them myself. Now with the luck boost, one ten-pull will make the game company cry."
Yes, yes, yes, the entire game company is crying, begging you to pull a few less ten-pulls!
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"What do you all want to do with the Lucky Coin?"
Marin: "Gacha pulls."
Kaguya: "Game Blind Box."
"Heh heh heh." Fujiwara Chika proudly lifted her chin, hands on her hips, and said, "I want it all."
"Very well, next we need to verify if the coin's charging times have a pattern..." Amamiya Natsuki handed the coin over. "Chika-chan, you start."
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence: 9 Reader for hundreds of additional chapters and over a dozen stories