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In just over ten minutes, the ferry docked at Sakurajima's port.
"Get your things ready, prepare to disembark."
Amamiya Natsuki put away his phone and walked off the ferry with Kitagawa Marin, following the crowd.
"It's a volcano." Kitagawa Marin raised her hand to her forehead, looking at the smoking crater not far away, her voice filled with awe, "A live volcano."
Amamiya Natsuki also looked up. Under the clear sky, the crater billowed smoke, standing out remarkably:
"Mount Fuji is also an active volcano."
"That's different." Kitagawa Marin retorted, "Mount Fuji doesn't smoke every day."
"Sometimes, a silent volcano can be even more dangerous."
"That actually sounds right… Eh, will the volcano suddenly erupt today?"
The Succubus Girl quickened her pace by half a step, reached out, and tugged on Amamiya Natsuki's sleeve, asking in a low voice.
"The fact is, there are still several thousand permanent residents on Sakurajima." Amamiya Natsuki carried his backpack, "Sakurajima volcano erupts so many times a year, and I've never heard of anyone being in life-threatening danger. At most, some unlucky person gets hit by falling volcanic ash debris."
Sakurajima is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, with extremely active volcanic activity. Although not large in area, it has three active volcanoes, erupting on average once a day. One of the daily routines for Kagoshima residents is to clean up volcanic ash.
At this very moment.
One of the craters on Sakurajima was indeed spewing thick smoke and dust, with volcanic ash occasionally fluttering down from the sky.
For first-time visitors, it's hard not to worry about a volcanic eruption, but for residents who have lived on the Island for a long time, they treat it like a large firework and don't care at all.
"Where is your dad?"
Amamiya Natsuki asked.
"Here…" Kitagawa Marin handed over her phone, "I just asked Dad to send me a photo."
Amamiya Natsuki looked at the phone. On the screen was a middle-aged man in a suit, handsome, but looking a bit dispirited… Then again, not many middle-aged office workers can be full of energy.
Kitagawa Marin looked around and suggested:
"It looks like we can rent bicycles. It doesn't seem far, shall we ride bikes there?"
Amamiya Natsuki looked down. Black over-the-knee socks, a sky-blue school uniform skirt, the sea breeze blowing, and between the skirt and the stockings, a glimpse of an absolute territory was vaguely visible—because she had rushed over, the Succubus Girl was still wearing her high school uniform.
Normally, skirts shouldn't be this short, but for some reason, all gyaru high school students across Japan have a common hobby: shortening their skirts.
"Isn't it inconvenient to ride a bicycle in a skirt?"
Amamiya Natsuki reminded her.
"Of course, I can!" The Succubus Girl put her right hand on her hip, not realizing the risk of exposure, and said in a clear voice, "I used to ride often."
"It's windy today, and your skirt is too short."
"Eh?"
Kitagawa Marin froze, her pretty face slightly flushed, and she quickly covered her skirt with both hands: "You've been peeking at my skirt all this time, Natsuki, you're a pervert!"
"I wasn't peeking." Amamiya Natsuki's expression was composed, completely unashamed, "I, you see, was openly admiring it."
"Shameless."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"…"
As they spoke, the sound of a bicycle bell suddenly came on the sea breeze. Kitagawa Marin turned to look, her eyes instantly brightened, and she quickly reached out to tug on Amamiya Natsuki's sleeve, tilting her pretty face up, looking at him with the hopeful gaze of a dog begging for a big bone.
A boy riding a bicycle with a girl on the back whizzed past them.
"Natsuki, Natsuki, shall we ride bicycles there?"
The Succubus Girl's eyes sparkled, filled with capital letters of anticipation.
"Wait a moment." Amamiya Natsuki silently took out his phone, "Hello, I'd like to report something."
"Eh?"
Kitagawa Marin blinked blankly.
Amamiya Natsuki reported seriously:
"Officer, there was just a bicycle speeding at 180 kilometers per hour, and it was carrying a passenger on the back, which constitutes dangerous driving…"
"What?! A bicycle can't possibly go 180 kilometers per hour!" Kitagawa Marin couldn't help but retort, "And only motorized vehicles can commit dangerous driving, right!"
Amamiya Natsuki feigned surprise: "You actually know that?"
"I'm not an idiot." The Succubus Girl puffed out her pink cheeks and hugged Amamiya Natsuki's arm, "If others can ride, so can we… Maybe there are some special regulations, let's go ask first."
According to Japan's laws, bicycles can only be ridden by one person and cannot carry passengers, with the exception of infants. In addition, there are many complex regulations, such as no single-handed riding, no riding under the influence of alcohol, and so on.
Of course, this matter is like underage drinking; as long as you are not caught on the spot, there will be no prosecution afterward.
The bicycle rental place was not far from the port, just two steps away, and there were quite a few tourists renting bikes.
Upon asking, the employee's answer was ambiguous.
"In principle, it's not allowed, but there aren't many other vehicles in Japan besides the sightseeing bus..."
"Understood." Amamiya Natsuki looked at Marin, "Let's rent a bicycle."
If it's not allowed in principle, then it is allowed.
The two rented a bicycle and pushed it onto the road.
"Heave-ho~"
The Succubus Girl sat sideways on the back seat of the bicycle, one arm wrapped around Amamiya Natsuki's waist, the other hand pointing to the sky, her voice as clear as a silver bell:
"Let's go!"
Amamiya Natsuki rode the bicycle, slowly moving forward, "It's too hot, don't hold so tight."
"No, I won't fall if I hold on tight."
"..."
The morning sun was bright.
The sea breeze was gentle.
Gulls circled.
The sky and sea were one.
Aside from the occasional wandering evil spirits and the constantly smoking, unnerving volcano, the cycling trip was actually quite enjoyable.
Twenty minutes later.
The two safely arrived at Akamizu Observatory Square.
"Natsuki, stop." Kitagawa Marin's eyes lit up, and she pointed at the middle-aged man talking to someone in the plaza, overjoyed, "That's my dad!"
The father and daughter only saw each other during the New Year and Obon Festival; although they could video chat normally, it was not as good as meeting in person.
"I see him."
Amamiya Natsuki stopped the bicycle.
"Let's go over quietly and give Dad a surprise." Kitagawa Marin put her hands on her hips and hummed proudly, "You park the bicycle first."
Amamiya Natsuki agreed, parked the bicycle, and casually glanced over: "No need to surprise your dad anymore."
"Eh, why?"
"Your dad seems to have spotted us."
"..."
Kitagawa Marin turned her head and indeed saw her dad staring in astonishment, dumbfounded.
"Can't see me, can't see me!"
The Succubus Girl quickly raised her hands to cover her face.
"Stop covering up." Amamiya Natsuki complained, "Your dad is walking over."
A moment later.
The middle-aged man had already walked over quickly, still looking somewhat incredulous: "...Marin?"
The Succubus Girl raised her hand to tuck the strands of hair behind her ear, a smile brighter than the sun appearing on her pretty face:
"Dad, I'm here to see you."
After half a year, the father and daughter met again, naturally overflowing with joy.
"Tokyo is so far from Kagoshima, why did you suddenly come?"
"A few nights ago, I was sleeping and suddenly dreamed of Dad." Kitagawa Marin naturally had a plan; she couldn't talk about the player matter, but other things were fine, "At that time, I missed Dad so, so much. If I didn't have classes, I would have come over right then."
"Why didn't you tell me in advance?"
"I wanted to give Dad a big surprise."
"..."
After the father and daughter exchanged a few words, Kitagawa's dad's gaze shifted, falling on Amamiya Natsuki, and he said calmly:
"Are you Marin's boyfriend?"
"Hello, Uncle. It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I'll be in your care from now on."
Amamiya Natsuki smiled and bowed, impeccable in his manners.
"Dad, what are you talking about!" Kitagawa Marin's pretty face quickly flushed, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "We're not like that!"
He hasn't even officially confessed, so he's not a boyfriend!
Amamiya Natsuki said from the side:
"I've always wanted to travel to Kagoshima, and Marin happened to say she was coming to surprise Uncle, so we came together."
"That's right." Kitagawa Marin quickly nodded, "That's exactly it!"
Kitagawa's dad was silent for a few seconds: "Do you think I believe you?"
"..."
Amidst their joy, Amamiya Natsuki naturally didn't forget the main task and gave Marin a look.
The purpose of their visit was not just to travel thousands of miles to see family, but also to determine if Kitagawa's dad had become an unlucky player.
The verification method was simple.
Players could all see evil spirits, and no player wanted close contact with evil spirits. By walking in front of an evil spirit, they could naturally draw a conclusion.
Coincidentally, there were wandering evil spirits in the plaza. After being reminded, Kitagawa Marin led her dad to walk back and forth in front of an evil spirit seven times, finally concluding that her dad was just working hard and lacked sleep, fortunately not a player.
After confirming that her dad was not a player, the rest of the matter was simple.
Kitagawa's dad took the two around Japan for a tour. In the afternoon, Amamiya Natsuki got up to say goodbye, saying he wanted to travel alone in Kagoshima.
The Summer Time Rendering instance required players to reach specific locations to trigger it. For the Seize and Eliminate Evil team to enter the instance together, Chika and Sheltered Ojou-sama and the others had to come in person to trigger the instance.
Unlike Marin, who had a fear of flying, Fujiwara Chika and the others chose to fly directly and would arrive at Kagoshima Airport around three or four in the afternoon.
So, the next actions could not be done with Marin's dad.
"Dad and I still have a lot to talk about, you go have fun first." Kitagawa Marin waved goodbye, "...Let's go back to Tokyo together tomorrow morning."
"..."
Bidding farewell to the Succubus Girl, Amamiya Natsuki arrived alone at Kagoshima Airport.
Four o'clock in the afternoon.
As a plane landed at the airport, Amamiya Natsuki quickly saw the arriving team members.
First was Fujiwara Chika.
The chaotic alignment girl wore a sun hat, pulled a suitcase, had a small backpack slung over her shoulder, and wore a blue and white floral dress, the standard outfit for a traveling girl.
"Natsuki-kun!"
Fujiwara Chika's eyes lit up, and she waved happily.
Beside Chika was the Sheltered Ojou-sama, empty-handed, still in a black dress, elegant in posture, her cascading black hair tied with a red ribbon, her cool demeanor and extremely high beauty often made passersby turn their heads and then sigh silently.
She was indeed beautiful, and indeed flat.
Beside the Sheltered Ojou-sama was a blonde maid in a maid outfit, carrying a suitcase. Needless to say, it was Hayasaka Ai.
Two steps behind Hayasaka was Juju-sama, who had pink hair.
To Amamiya Natsuki's surprise, beside Juju was even a Komi.
"Kagoshima, here we come!"
Fujiwara Chika was the first to reach Amamiya Natsuki, lifting her sun hat. The girl's smile was exceptionally bright, "Where's Marin-chan? Didn't she come with you?"
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"Marin is with her dad for now."
"Kaguya-chan, Mom misses you so much!"
Mrs. Shimizu was equally overjoyed, floating in front of the Sheltered Ojou-sama.
Shinomiya Kaguya instantly broke down.
She had just seen her at school yesterday; it hadn't even been twenty-four hours, how could she miss her so much!
Mrs. Shimizu complained pitifully, "Last night, Natsuki bullied me."
"Bullied you?"
Shinomiya Kaguya's eyes shifted slightly, and she couldn't help but look towards Amamiya Natsuki.
"That's right." Mrs. Shimizu said aggrievedly, "Last night on the train, everyone else was asleep, but he still wouldn't let me play on my phone."
The Sheltered Ojou-sama's eyebrow twitched slightly, and she couldn't help but retort:
"There are cameras on the Shinkansen, of course you can't play on your phone!"
Amamiya Natsuki looked at Kaguya, asking knowingly:
"Hanamori? Didn't she come with you?"
Hearing the question, Hayasaka Ai casually looked up, her gaze sweeping across Amamiya Natsuki's face.
Shinomiya Kaguya raised her hand to tuck the strands of hair behind her ear: "She said she was very busy in the morning and would come by herself when she had time."
Amamiya Natsuki nodded and looked at the blonde maid beside Kaguya: "Hasaka, long time no see."
"I'm sorry, I was with the Young Lady and saw you during Golden Week."
Facing Shinomiya Kaguya's gaze, Hayasaka Ai's attitude was firm, keeping others at arm's length.
Amamiya Natsuki then walked to Juju-sama's side and held out his hand:
"Let me take your backpack."
"No." Juju-sama turned her small face away, "There are only two changes of clothes inside, I can carry it myself."
Amamiya Natsuki lowered his voice:
"I knew Juju-sama wouldn't leave me alone."
Juju-sama's small face was taut and expressionless, her eyes showing disdain:
"Go away, don't talk to me."
"Yes."
Finally, it was the black-haired, straight-haired girl of few words.
"Komi, it's hard for you to come all this way." Amamiya Natsuki's voice was gentle.
The notebook skill was incredibly useful; if used well, it could become a strategic skill. Now that they were preparing for a group battle, the Sheltered Ojou-sama naturally wouldn't leave Komi behind.
Komi quickly shook her head, holding up the notebook in her arms: "It's not hard."
While talking, Amamiya Natsuki led the girls out of the airport: "Are you hungry? If so, I'll take you to eat something first."
"Not hungry."
"We had lunch on the plane."
"Let's eat tonight, let's trigger the instance first."
"..."
Amamiya Natsuki nodded: "Let's go, we're going to the port."
They took a car to the port, where a ferry had just docked.
Leading the girls, they repeated the morning's itinerary. Without any surprises, the girls soon received the trigger notification for the "Summer Time Rendering" instance.
The objective was achieved, and naturally, the next step was free activity.
"Do you want to go play in Japan?" Fujiwara Chika asked.
"Better not," Amamiya Natsuki shook his head. "It'll be a lot of trouble if we run into Marin and her dad."
"That's true..."
Fujiwara Chika wrapped her right arm across her chest, looked at the clear blue Sea, and suggested again, "Let's all go swimming at the Sea?"
"Sw-swimming?"
Shinomiya Kaguya's steps faltered, and she subconsciously covered her chest.
"It's been raining every day in Tokyo recently, and people are starting to get moldy," Fujiwara Chika said with her hands on her hips, her words irrefutable. "Since we're in Kagoshima today, it would be a shame not to swim."
Shinomiya Kaguya wanted to refuse. "But I didn't bring a swimsuit..."
She didn't want to swim.
She absolutely didn't want to swim!
Wearing a swimsuit in front of Cancer of the Earth would surely lead to a dimensionality reduction attack!
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence: 9 Reader for hundreds of additional chapters and over a dozen stories