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The sun set in the west.
The evening glow was dim and yellow.
Unconsciously, it was already evening.
A red sun was slowly sinking below the horizon, with shimmering light on the water and still reflections on the doll-like-like surface. Countless seabirds still circled in the sky, a beautiful scene of peace and tranquility.
"The cruise ship at the dock is temporarily out of service due to a malfunction. Engineers are rushing to repair it and expect it to be fixed by tomorrow morning," Shinomiya Kaguya read softly from her phone, reporting the day's Island news. "...This is news from half an hour ago."
Everyone exchanged glances, understanding.
"It seems that mother doesn't want anyone to leave."
There weren't that many coincidences in the world.
The cruise ship just happened to break down just as they were about to leave; someone was clearly meddling in the shadows.
"Never mind that," Amamiya Natsuki looked at Chika and the others, and said, "Let's complete your instance quests first."
The protection quest was difficult but also simple. As Amamiya Natsuki said before, as long as the protected target remained under his watchful eye, most crises could be averted.
The quest to explore the abandoned Hospital was complete. Next, Kaguya, Yukino, and Hayasaka planned to act together with Marin and the others.
At the same time.
Amamiya Natsuki's 'Shadow Hunter' quest also needed to proceed. This time, he didn't need to bring Sayu and Hino; his new teammate was Shadow Chika.
"I want to act with the President!"
Fujiwara Chika stepped forward, clenching her fists and speaking decisively.
Shadow Chika tilted her head and looked over, her tone cold, "Don't worry, you can leave the President to me."
At that moment, several girls simultaneously shouted in their hearts:
"It's precisely because he's with you that we won't be at ease!"
Shadow Chika's audacious words from before were still fresh in their minds: she only had three days to live and wanted to try the taste of a boy... If they were left alone, who knew if they would sneak off to do something strange!
Shinomiya Kaguya crossed her arms and said, "Let Chika and the President act together. They can look out for each other and be safer."
Acting alone was out of the question.
Although she was a replica, her body was no different from a human's, even her lips were thirty-seven degrees Celsius. Plus, she had no shame. If they were alone, she would definitely use those curves to tempt the President, right?
That kind of thing was absolutely unacceptable.
"Exactly," Fujiwara Chika nodded quickly. "The President and I are the Seize and Eliminate Evil duo. It definitely wouldn't work without me."
Kitagawa Marin followed, "Ahem... I also think Chika-chan should act together."
She was the official girlfriend. Right now, besides her, no one else was a girlfriend. If Shadow Chika got to Natsuki before her, she would be so depressed, she would be depressed for life.
Yukino and Haruno remained silent, saying nothing.
The senpai sighed helplessly, rubbing her forehead.
Juju, on the other hand, looked disgusted.
As for Komi... she was like a quail, sensing the heavy atmosphere, she didn't dare to look up at all.
At this moment, Amamiya Natsuki made the final decision: "Since that's the case, Chika and I will act together. It's settled."
"..."
The teams were divided.
The two groups quickly went their separate ways.
"Hoo..." Fujiwara Chika let out a sigh of relief. "President, how do we find the Shadows?"
Amamiya Natsuki turned to Shadow Chika and asked, "Chika, how do you think we should find them?"
"Hmm—"
Hearing Amamiya Natsuki use her name to address someone else, secretary Chika couldn't help but puff out her pink cheeks slightly.
However... the Shadow girl was also herself, and her name was indeed Chika. It felt so uncomfortable.
"I don't know," Shadow Chika said calmly, her expression serene. "I don't have radar capabilities and can't scan the whole Island. However, as long as I get close to them, I'll be able to tell who is a Shadow replica."
Actually, there was another not-so-good method: Shadow creatures, because their true form is a shadow, really dislike being stepped on, and occasionally their body and shadow might be out of sync. But it wasn't very useful, as it's hard to constantly stare at someone's shadow after dark.
"Understood," Amamiya Natsuki nodded. "Then the next step is to stroll around the Island."
Just like in a game of 'chicken,' actively seeking out enemies has a higher probability than waiting in the grass for them to come to you.
"Hmm."
Shadow Chika nodded gently.
Amamiya Natsuki said, "Then let's go... Let's start by walking around the Commercial Street."
As evening approached, the summer heat quietly receded, and the sea breeze became cool, making the Commercial Street even livelier.
The indigenous people of the Island, as well as tourists stranded due to the cruise ship malfunction, all came out.
Various signs along the roadside flickered with Japan lights in the night, the air was filled with the aroma of various dishes and barbecues, the streets were bustling with pedestrians, elderly people walking together, parents holding their children's hands. The atmosphere of human life was exceptionally clear, making one wonder if this was even the instance space.
"President," Shadow Chika looked up, her pink eyes reflecting the sunset and clouds in the sky, and said softly, "I want takoyaki."
Amamiya Natsuki nodded, "Buy it right away."
Shadow Chika then said, "That grilled fish looks delicious too."
"Buy it."
"And that tri-color dango..."
"Buy it."
"Wait a minute!" Secretary Chika grew more and more frustrated as she watched, and couldn't help but exclaim, "You just ate these foods not long ago, why are you still eating them?"
Shadow Chika's expression was calm as she said indifferently:
"Because I can eat as much as I want and never get fat."
Secretary Chika: "..."
Damn it!
We're supposed to be exactly alike!
I really want a physique where I can eat anything and not get fat!
"Um..." Secretary Chika raised a finger and suggested, "We're exactly alike, and the turnaround on the street feels too high. Don't you transform? How about you turn into a bracelet instead?"
"I refuse," Shadow Chika said calmly. "It's not like there are no twins in the world; walking together won't arouse suspicion."
Amamiya Natsuki nodded:
"At Juju's school, I even met five girls who looked exactly alike. There are quintuplets, so twins aren't strange."
"President..." Secretary Chika puffed out her cheeks, her tone resentful, "Whose side are you on, anyway?"
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"Of course I'm on your side."
Shadow Chika tilted her head and looked over: "You are me. The President's words are correct."
Fujiwara Chika: "..."
After buying food, the three walked to a bench near the Sea and sat down. Amamiya Natsuki sat in the middle, with the two Chikas on either side. A refreshing Sea breeze blew in their faces, making it exceptionally comfortable.
"Here you go."
Amamiya Natsuki handed the food to Shadow Chika.
However, Shadow Chika didn't take it. Instead, she raised her right hand, gently tucked the wind-blown strands of hair behind her ear, then slightly lifted her pretty face, opened her pink lips, and said:
"President, feed me."
Upon hearing this, Amamiya Natsuki turned to look at secretary Chika.
"Why do you need the President to feed you?" Secretary Chika crossed her arms. "You can clearly eat by yourself, can't you?"
Shadow Chika said indifferently:
"When out on a date, it's naturally more enjoyable to have your boyfriend feed you."
Amamiya Natsuki was startled and said:
"Boyfriend?"
"N-No, he's not my boyfriend!" Secretary Chika's pretty face flushed, and she quickly said, "I haven't agreed to date him yet!"
Shadow Chika's expression was calm as she said indifferently:
"You've clearly already agreed in your heart, you're just too embarrassed to say it."
Secretary Chika's pretty face turned red: "I haven't!"
"You have."
"Ugh..."
Secretary Chika puffed out her cheeks, sulking. The girl next to her was herself, possessing the exact same memories and emotions, leaving her no chance to deny it.
Amamiya Natsuki listened, a slight smile appearing on his face.
The next second.
His waist hurt.
Secretary Chika extended her right hand, placing it on Amamiya Natsuki's waist, her pretty face flushed crimson as she warned, "Don't laugh!"
Amamiya Natsuki restrained his smile: "Yes."
"She is her, and I am me," Secretary Chika tried hard to keep a straight face, choosing to be stubborn. "What she agreed to, I haven't agreed to yet."
Sure enough, everyone has that stubborn trait.
"President," Shadow Chika tugged at Amamiya Natsuki's sleeve, "Hurry and feed me takoyaki."
Amamiya Natsuki picked up a bamboo skewer, poked a piece of takoyaki, and brought it to Shadow Chika's mouth.
"Ah-Wahhh..."
Shadow Chika bit into it, her cheeks puffing as she ate, then said:
"The takoyaki the President fed me is indeed tastier than this afternoon."
Fujiwara Chika: "..."
That's clearly my line, don't steal everything!
After swallowing, Shadow Chika looked up again, her eyes filled with anticipation:
"President, I want more."
Amamiya Natsuki poked another piece of takoyaki: "You can eat as much as you want."
Although this Shadow Chika doesn't smile much, has no expression on her face, and speaks coldly, it must be said that she is very good at acting spoiled and is quite endearing.
A moment later.
Watching the two continuously feed each other, secretary Chika finally couldn't hold back. She reached out and tugged at Amamiya Natsuki's sleeve, looking up and saying:
"President, I want to eat too."
Amamiya Natsuki looked at Chika and said:
"Aren't you afraid of getting fat?"
"It's just getting fat, I can just exercise more when I get back," Secretary Chika clenched her fists. "Besides, we're three people acting together, and only the two of you are feeding each other. I'm angry!"
"I'm not angry," Shadow Chika interjected from the side, "I just feel a little lonely."
"Ugh..."
Amamiya Natsuki skewered a piece of takoyaki and handed it to secretary Chika.
"Ah-Wahhh!"
Secretary Chika bit into it, and as she ate, she tilted her head to look at Shadow Chika, her eyes challenging.
Shadow Chika, however, remained calm, as if her eyes only saw the delicious food.
Amamiya Natsuki, feeding them both left and right, finally finished feeding all the food he had.
"Happy."
Shadow Chika covered her flat, smooth stomach. Even though she had eaten so much, her stomach remained as flat as before; she didn't know where all the food went. Then she turned to Amamiya Natsuki and whispered:
"The date was very happy. I want to give the President a reward."
"Hmm?" Amamiya Natsuki looked over curiously, "What reward?"
"President, don't move."
Shadow Chika whispered, then supported herself on the bench with her hands, leaned closer, and gently kissed Amamiya Natsuki on the cheek.
"You..."
Secretary Chika sat on the other side, wanting to stop her, but it was already too late.
Watching 'herself' kiss the President felt quite strange.
"Can you do it?"
Shadow Chika tilted her head, her gaze passing over Amamiya Natsuki to secretary Chika.
"Of course I can!"
Secretary Chika was immediately angered. The feeling of being provoked by herself was unbearable, so she leaned closer and forcefully kissed Amamiya Natsuki on the cheek.
"Heh."
Shadow Chika remained calm, continuing to give rewards, and got up to kiss Amamiya Natsuki's lips.
"I can too."
Secretary Chika continued to follow suit, completely unwilling to lose to herself.
Shadow Chika tilted her head and thought for a moment, then suddenly extended her right hand, slipping it under Amamiya Natsuki's white shirt.
Amamiya Natsuki instinctively tensed his body and asked curiously:
"What are you doing?"
"I've always wanted to touch the President's abs," Shadow Chika said calmly, stating her reason.
Secretary Chika's pretty face quickly flushed red, and she nervously defended herself:
"I never thought of such a thing!"
"Humans always like to deceive themselves," Shadow Chika tilted her head and said, "You clearly like to touch, so why deny it?"
Only magic can defeat magic.
Secretary Chika, who had always been uninhibited, even causing Hayasaka Ai a deep headache, finally met her lifelong rival.
"Don't say it!" Secretary Chika's cheeks flushed, and she couldn't help but say, "And quickly take your hand out! Touching a boy's abs in public, you'll be seen as a pervert!"
"One of the roots of human suffering is caring too much about what others think," Shadow Chika said calmly. "For example, you clearly want to touch, but because you care about what others think, you're unwilling to reach out. When you look back on it later, it will become a lifelong regret, won't it?"
Secretary Chika's confidence was clearly lacking: "A lifelong regret is a bit exaggerated, isn't it?"
"Not even daring to face one's own heart," Shadow Chika shook her head and said, "I was so pathetic."
"...I'm not pathetic!"
Secretary Chika's cheeks puffed up high, like a squirrel stuffed with chestnuts. She extended her right hand and took possession of Amamiya Natsuki's abdomen.
Only Amamiya Natsuki felt subtle; the current feeling was like a pet at home, being played with by a group of people.
Shadow Chika tilted her head and thought for a moment, then her right hand suddenly slipped out of the shirt, sliding down little by little.
"Wait," Secretary Chika looked over in shock, "What are you doing?"
Shadow Chika said calmly:
"Of course, I'm going to touch the [censored]."
"Ahhhhhh!!!"
Secretary Chika was completely flustered.
Touching a boy's abs in public was already embarrassing enough, but she actually wanted to go further? How could she be such a shameless girl!
Slap.
Secretary Chika decisively reached out, grabbing Shadow Chika's wrist and pulling her hand out: "Stop it!"
"Why?" Shadow Chika tilted her head and said, "You clearly also want to..."
"I never thought of such a thing!!"
"..."
Not only secretary Chika, but even Amamiya Natsuki couldn't sit still anymore. He decisively stood up and said:
"That's enough. Let's continue."
The sun hadn't set yet, and visibility was good. Pedestrians nearby were already secretly looking over. If they continued, they would end up on the front page of the island's newspaper.
Shadow Chika stood up as well, as if nothing had happened, and said calmly:
"Let's go."
The three continued along the Sea.
A moment later.
Shadow Chika suddenly stopped and whispered, "I sense a shadow presence nearby."
"Eh?" Secretary Chika quickly lowered her head, secretly looking around. Nearby was a beach with tourists, fishermen returning from their catch, and so on. People came and went, all looking normal. She asked curiously, "Who is the shadow?"
Amamiya Natsuki also secretly looked around, focusing on the shadows on the ground. Unfortunately, the sky was already darkening, and the shadows on the ground were somewhat blurry and unclear.
"It's that doctor in the white coat," Shadow Chika said calmly.
Amamiya Natsuki looked over at the sound. It was a middle-aged man in a white coat, wearing glasses, looking refined. He seemed to have just gotten off work and was standing at the entrance of an izakaya, seemingly about to go in for a drink.
At that moment, the doctor suddenly turned his head and looked their way.
Secretary Chika quickly whispered, "Did he find us?"
Shadow Chika said calmly, "When I found him, he had already found me."
"He seems to be going in for a drink," Secretary Chika whispered. "What should we do now? Should we wait outside for him to finish drinking and come out?"
"No need for such trouble, just call him over."
Shadow Chika's expression was indifferent as she directly walked towards the doctor in the white coat.
Unsure what they discussed, the white-coated doctor quickly followed behind Shadow Chika, standing unguarded under the streetlamp. He even nodded slightly, greeting Amamiya Natsuki and Chika.
"You guys can make your move," Shadow Chika said calmly.
The white-coated doctor's expression was puzzled: "What do you mean by 'make your move'?"
Secretary Chika pointed a finger: "You're Don, the Outlaw, right?"
"I'm sorry, you've got the wrong…" Halfway through his sentence, the white-coated doctor suddenly felt his mouth move uncontrollably, "I am Don!"
Amamiya Natsuki extended his left hand and placed it on the white-coated doctor's shoulder, saying seriously, "Mr. Don, you are under arrest."
When resting at the hotel in the afternoon, it had already been verified on Shadow Chika that once touched by the Seize and Eliminate Evil skill, Shadow creatures also cannot move, and trying to hide the entity in the shadow to escape is also impossible.
The white-coated doctor's face showed surprise for the first time: "What…what did you do to me?"
"Of course, I won't tell you."
Pedestrians occasionally passed by outside the alley, so it wasn't the place to act. Amamiya Natsuki grabbed Doctor Don and led him to a nearby forest.
A moment later.
"This should be it."
Amamiya Natsuki looked around, nodded slightly, and then a hammer appeared out of thin air in his right hand, which he slammed down onto the shadow on the ground.
Bang!
Dirt splattered.
The Shadow Doctor, having received a fatal blow, instantly distorted his body, turned into a puddle of black mud, and then transformed into a black mark imprinted on the ground.
Secretary Chika was a little surprised and whispered, "It was handled so easily?"
"Because he had no guard against me whatsoever," Shadow Chika said calmly. "Otherwise, he wouldn't have been caught so easily."
These shadows are born from the mother body, and it can be said that they are of the same kind, just like ants in an anthill. They would never expect to be betrayed by their own kind, so they had no guard whatsoever and thus fell into the trap.
"I understand…"
Secretary Chika blinked, pushed an imaginary pair of glasses up her nose with her right hand, and said in a low voice, "I am the doctor, everyone please note… there's a traitor among us."
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters|Every 100 powerstones=1 extra chapter|Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr | There's 16 novels being updated, I can't read your comments