"Next up is the Kessoku Band poster…"
Kitahara Makoto put away the pet collar and took out the Kessoku Band poster from his backpack.
A prompt popped up again.
[You have obtained an optimizable item. Do you want to optimize it now?]
"Optimize."
Kitahara Makoto silently issued the command.
Dots of starlight quietly floated down, merging into the poster.
[Item: Kessoku Band Poster]
[Current Status: Optimized]
[New Entry: Person in the Painting. When the Kessoku Band poster is smoothly affixed to a wall, one can enter and exit the space within the painting through the poster. This entry is limited to the girls appearing on the poster.]
"Person in the Painting…"
Kitahara Makoto looked thoughtful, pondering what use this item could have.
"It seems it could be used as a portable storage space?"
Kitahara Makoto's eyes suddenly lit up.
"It's a pity only Sakiko, Soyo and them can enter and exit; I can't go in…"
All in all, it was still satisfying.
If the poster could truly be used as storage space, the construction speed of the Eden project could be rapidly increased.
The afternoon was reading time.
Kitahara Makoto and Bocchi-chan read together, and of course, bullying Bocchi-chan was indispensable during that time.
Time flew by, and it was evening in the blink of an eye.
When the temperature dropped a little, Kitahara Makoto took Hitori out again. There was a Driving School enrollment point not far away.
They arrived at the enrollment point, paid the fee, and registered, all in one go.
When they walked out of the Driving School enrollment point, Bocchi-chan was still a little dizzy:
"This, this is already successfully registered?"
"Registration is always simple." Kitahara Makoto pinched Bocchi-chan's little face, "Next, we'll finish the theoretical courses, and then it's practical training. If all goes smoothly, we can get our driver's license before the summer vacation ends, then ride a small motorcycle and start a spontaneous trip."
Gotō Hitori slightly tilted her small face up, her peach blossom eyes peeking through her bangs:
"But Kitahara-kun has to go film a movie, so he won't have time, right?"
"It's a short film." Kitahara Makoto corrected her, "Also, Ayane-nee has already revised the script, so my scenes are actually not many."
At Kitahara Makoto's suggestion, Shiraishi Ayane reversed the script, with Kitahara Makoto becoming the 'White Moonlight,' and then Anon and Kita becoming the heroines, turning it into a story of musical girls.
"It's getting dark." Kitahara Makoto glanced at the time, "Should we have dinner together before going home, or…"
"Let's go back!"
Gotō Hitori quickly shook her head, turned, and ran:
"If I don't go back soon, Mom will worry!"
"…"
Back home.
Looking at the empty house, Kitahara Makoto sighed lightly, unable to bear it any longer. He took out his phone and sent a message to Yamada Ryo:
"Ryo-senpai, it's been a few days since we challenged the game space. Are you free tonight to come over and play games?"
Three days!
It had been three days since he last taken advantage of Ryo-senpai!
Once evolved from a herbivore to a carnivore, enduring three days was the limit; he really couldn't hold back anymore.
To be safe.
Kitahara Makoto chose to send a mass message, directly sending it to the Kessoku Band chat group—Nijika and Ryo were still in a state of Soul Swap, and he still had to pretend not to know the truth.
"…"
At the same time.
The underground live house.
"Kitahara asked me to come over tonight to play games."
Yamada Ryo saw the message in the group, then looked up at 'herself' behind the bar:
"Nijika, should we go tonight?"
Ijichi Nijika's pretty face quickly flushed. She naturally knew what she would face if she went tonight. Her gaze flickered, and she nervously lowered her voice:
"It's not the agreed-upon time yet."
"It's almost here." Yamada Ryo lay on the bar, like a fish that had been flopping on the shore for a long time and was about to dehydrate, "It's been three days. Do you know how I've spent these three days?"
Ijichi Nijika replied guiltily:
"Of course I know, we've been together these three days, haven't we?"
"Since you know, let's go to Kitahara Makoto's house tonight and switch our bodies back." Yamada Ryo said weakly, "My summer vacation was supposed to be all about eating, drinking, and playing, but now, as soon as I open my eyes in the morning, I have to make breakfast, clean, and then help out at the shop… I can't live another day like this."
Ijichi Nijika also knew that Ryo had indeed been working hard these past few days. She bit her lower lip lightly, finally making a decision, her voice full of shame:
"Then, then let's go play games tonight…"
No time like the present.
They couldn't keep their bodies switched forever; it had to happen sometime anyway.
Yamada Ryo's eyes lit up:
"Then it's settled. Nijika, don't be a coward at the critical moment. Don't worry, it doesn't hurt at all now, only feels good…"
Ijichi Nijika's pretty face was crimson, and she couldn't help but glare over:
"You don't need to say the rest!"
"Well, anyway, Nijika will know tonight." Ryo-senpai propped her chin with her right hand, reminding her, "Remember to prepare a large glass of water by the bed tonight."
"Eh?"
"Because you'll get dehydrated…"
Ijichi Nijika's pretty face flushed, and she couldn't help but retort:
"That's too exaggerated!"
Ryo-senpai lowered her voice:
"Nijika will know tonight. I suspect Kitahara Makoto is really not human; his ability in that regard is terrifying…"
"Stop, stop!" Ijichi Nijika's pretty face was crimson, and she quickly raised her arms, crossing them in front of her chest, "This topic ends here, don't say anymore!"
"Alright." Ryo-senpai was finally no longer a lazy salted fish; she cheered up slightly, "First, tell Kitahara Makoto, then after the shop closes tonight, we'll go upstairs to get the bracelets…"
Nijika and Seika lived upstairs from the live house. Their daily life was on the second floor. Ryo-senpai hadn't gone home these past few days and had been sleeping in Nijika's room.
To avoid being discovered by Ijichi Seika, Ryo's life these past few days could be described as that of an ox or a horse.
"Nijika, what are you two talking about?"
A voice suddenly sounded behind them.
"Ah…!"
Ijichi Nijika was startled and quickly turned around to see Kita Ikuyo, dressed in her work uniform, walking over. She quickly explained:
"Nothing, just chatting… What's wrong, Kita?"
Kita Ikuyo's voice was clear:
"A customer wants an iced beer with ice cubes."
"Just a moment, I'll make it right away."
Ijichi Nijika poured the beer while secretly glancing at Kita.
Seeing that Kita's eyes were as clear and innocent as ever, Ijichi Nijika secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
(Kita shouldn't have heard our conversation just now, right?)
(Don't worry, probably not.)
(Otherwise, Kita would definitely be asking questions.)
Kita Ikuyo indeed hadn't heard everything, only the last one or two sentences.
(If I heard correctly, Nijika just mentioned a bracelet?)
Kita Ikuyo's ears were sharp, and she was sure she hadn't misheard.
(At that time in Otherworld, Hana also mentioned the Kessoku Band bracelet. It seems it really is the bracelet that's making Ryo-senpai and Nijika so abnormal.)
(Ryo-senpai was beating around the bush, looking very guilty… No, I must find out the secret of the bracelet!)
"Ryo-senpai, I just saw Kitahara-kun send a message, asking us to come over tonight to play games. Are you two going?"
Kita Ikuyo asked casually.
"Uh…" Ijichi Nijika's gaze flickered, and she said guiltily, "I've been working hard all day, so tonight I just want to rest well. I won't be going to play games."
(Something's wrong!)
(Ryo-senpai is very problematic!)
Kita Ikuyo quietly clenched her fists, her curiosity to uncover the truth growing stronger.
(Ryo-senpai is a super game enthusiast. How could she not play games just because she's tired from work? Absolutely impossible!)
(They say those who are addicted to games get itchy and uncomfortable if they don't play for a day.)
(Ryo-senpai is practically a different person now; something is very wrong!)
Kita Ikuyo inexplicably had a premonition.
(Ryo-senpai says she won't play games, but when she speaks, she avoids eye contact and doesn't dare to look at people. She's clearly feeling guilty… I have a feeling she'll secretly go play behind my back.)
In the blink of an eye, it was nine o'clock in the evening.
The performance ended.
The live house had quietly fallen silent.
"Ryo-senpai, Nijika-senpai, I'm going home first."
Kita Ikuyo put on her backpack and waved goodbye.
"Goodbye, Nijika." Ijichi Nijika instinctively reminded her, "Be careful on the road, and send me a message when you get home."
"Got it~" Kita Ikuyo casually complained, "Ryo-senpai has become as caring as Nijika-senpai now."
"Cough, cough…"
Ijichi Nijika lightly coughed twice, her gaze shifting away guiltily.
I'm sorry.
You guessed right, I am Nijika.
After Kita left, Yamada Ryo walked over, crossing her arms and saying:
"I've already told my sister, we're going to my place tonight to watch a movie. Let's go, go upstairs and pack some clothes and the Kessoku Band bracelet."
Ijichi Nijika's pretty face flushed slightly, and she bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth, saying:
"Otherwise, maybe today…"
"No 'otherwise'." Ryo-senpai was expressionless, grabbing 'her own' wrist, "If you don't come today, I'll take Nijika's first time."
Ijichi Nijika: "…"
The two girls went upstairs to pack their clothes, greeted Ijichi Seika, and then left the live house.
The journey was silent.
Half an hour later.
Kitahara Makoto was reading in the living room when he suddenly heard the doorbell ring. His eyes lit up, and he quickly got up to open the door.
As expected, the girls outside the door were Ryo and Nijika.
"Ryo-senpai, Nijika-senpai, good evening." Kitahara Makoto moved aside, "Come in quickly, it's hot outside."
"Good evening, Kitahara."
Ryo-senpai walked in as if nothing had happened.
"G-Good evening…"
Ijichi Nijika stepped into the entryway, her heart rate involuntarily and quietly accelerating. Even though she deliberately kept her head down and avoided eye contact, she could clearly feel how fervent Kitahara Makoto's gaze was.
(It feels like he wants to eat someone…)
Nijika's palms were sweating, and she felt flustered, unconsciously recalling what Ryo had said on the way:
"It's been three days since we last met. Nijika will probably be taken advantage of into tears tonight, right?"
(This is so bad, so bad, so bad…)
(Doing that kind of thing with Ryo's body, it's just too awful to even think about!)
Ijichi Nijika's heart pounded, wanting to run away, but she couldn't move her feet.
She was already here.
She couldn't back out at the last minute…
At the same time.
A Hana came running over, hugging Nijika's thigh, and looking up with her small face, she shouted:
"Mommy!"
"Eh?" Kitahara Makoto deliberately showed a puzzled expression, "Ryo-senpai, why is Hana calling you Mommy today?"
"I, I don't know either…" Ijichi Nijika stammered, her gaze drifting, "Maybe Hana just felt like it."
Saying that, she quickly handed the small cake in her hand to Hana:
"Hana, here's your small cake, go eat it quickly."
"I see." Kitahara Makoto skillfully changed the subject, "Kita and Hitori have already sent me messages saying they won't be coming to play tonight. Ryo-senpai, Nijika, do you want to shower first or play games first?"
"Shower first." Ryo-senpai said expressionlessly, "I sweated a lot walking over, I feel uncomfortable all over."
"Then you two go shower first."
"…"
Ryo and Nijika were both members of the flat-chested club. Although there was a slight difference in size, it wasn't significant, so showering together wouldn't cause resentment. After a brief conversation, the two girls took out their respective changes of clothes from their backpacks and went to the bathroom to wash up.
Half an hour later.
The bathroom door was pushed open, and a blonde girl with a side ponytail walked out first.
Kitahara Makoto looked over at the sound:
"Nijika-senpai, are you done washing? Do you want me to help you blow-dry your hair?"
"I'll blow-dry my hair later." Yamada Ryo walked over, her tone calm, "Nijika is still soaking in the bathtub and refuses to come out."
Kitahara Makoto was startled, feigning confusion, he said:
"What is Nijika-senpai talking about?"
"…"
Yamada Ryo walked up close and sat directly on Kitahara Makoto's lap, her beautiful eyes clear and bright:
"Kitahara, you've already discovered the secret of me and Nijika swapping bodies, haven't you?"
"…"
Kitahara Makoto still wanted to deny it, but looking at 'Nijika-senpai's' calm gaze on him, he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue:
"Alright, I did discover it… Why is Ryo-senpai so certain?"
Yamada Ryo wrapped her arms around Kitahara Makoto's neck:
"Because Nijika and I only swapped bodies, our daily habits haven't changed. For example, when closing the store at night, Nijika, who is in my body, would proactively remind Kita to be careful… Kita has complained more than once that Nijika and I seem like different people. It's impossible for Kitahara not to have noticed anything."
Kitahara Makoto twitched the corner of his mouth slightly:
"Boys are usually more careless, right?"
"Even if you are careless." Yamada Ryo tilted her head and looked over, "How do you explain all the super serious messages you've sent these past few days?"
Kitahara Makoto: "…"
Alright.
It was precisely because he knew that the soul in Ryo's body was Nijika that the messages sent these past few days were exceptionally serious.
Ryo-senpai's voice was unhurried:
"So, Kitahara, you discovered that Nijika and I swapped bodies a long time ago, didn't you… Was it in the Otherworld?"
Kitahara Makoto: "…"
"Silence means consent. It seems I guessed right." Ryo-senpai said slowly, "Let me guess again, is the Kessoku Band bracelet…"
Don't guess, if you keep guessing, even the colour of my underwear won't be safe!
"Ryo-senpai is so smart, have you ever considered becoming a private detective in the future?"
Kitahara Makoto couldn't help but complain.
"No, being a detective is too hard." Ryo-senpai flatly refused, "My parents only have me as a daughter, so of course, I'll just lie flat and inherit the family fortune."
Hey, hey, that's too much, you should have some ambition in life!
"I'm not pretending anymore, I'm coming clean."
Kitahara Makoto decided to tell the truth:
"The Kessoku Band bracelet actually has little to do with Hana; I 'enchanted' it."
"Of course, the result of the enchantment is completely random."
"When I 'enchanted' the Kessoku Band bracelet back then, I did know it had the effect of soul displacement, but I wasn't clear on the trigger conditions, so I didn't mention it."
Kitahara Makoto let out a light breath, revealing everything:
"As for how to swap the souls back… Ryo-senpai and Nijika-senpai have already asked the answer book, haven't they?"
"We have."
Yamada Ryo nodded and said:
"You just need to [beep] to do it."
Kitahara Makoto: "…"
It could only be Ryo-senpai, who would even be happy to be called a weirdo. If it were anyone else, even the boldest Anon, they would absolutely be too embarrassed to say that word!
Kitahara Makoto reached out his hands, wrapping them around the girl's soft, slender waist, and said with a burning gaze:
"So, Ryo-senpai has already convinced Nijika-senpai?"
"That's right." Ryo-senpai said lightly, "As expected, I still need Nijika to help share the burden. One person really would break down…"
Kitahara Makoto hesitated and said:
"Nijika-senpai wouldn't agree to three people together, would she?"
Ryo-senpai responded in a low voice:
"It'll naturally happen after a few more times."
"Hmm?"
"You go over and raid Nijika's room a bit later tonight. I'll 'fall asleep' beforehand and forget to wear the Kessoku Band bracelet, so you'll have to come again tomorrow."
"…"
Kitahara Makoto twitched the corner of his mouth slightly, unable to help but complain:
"Why is Ryo-senpai so determined to drag Nijika-senpai down with her?"
"It's simple." Ryo-senpai's face suddenly showed a serious expression, "Nijika and I agreed a long time ago to share blessings and misfortunes together. Such a comfortable thing, of course, I have to call Nijika to join in."
Kitahara Makoto: "…"
What a 'share blessings and misfortunes together'! If Nijika heard that, she would definitely be moved to tears!
Although it sounds incredible, this is clearly Ryo-senpai's true intention.
Ryo-senpai is truly unconventional and doesn't care about worldly opinions. Wanting to pull Nijika into 'enjoying the blessings' is completely reasonable.
"There's another reason." Yamada Ryo continued, "That is…"
"…"
But after waiting for a while, there was no follow-up.
Kitahara Makoto said speechlessly:
"Why does Ryo-senpai only say half of what she means?"
Yamada Ryo: "I'm done talking."
"When did Ryo-senpai say it?"
"I said it, you just didn't hear it." Ryo-senpai said expressionlessly, "I just received a warning from the unknown, so time flowed backward."
Kitahara Makoto: "…"
A moment later.
Yamada Ryo got up, tidied her messy bathrobe, walked into the bathroom, and pulled Nijika, who was still playing ostrich in the bathtub, out.
Next was entering the game space.
Ijichi Nijika's mind was filled with thoughts of the night raid, and she was completely distracted. Ryo-senpai also didn't get a good character, so the outcome for the three of them was naturally being defeated by the slime Boss once again.
"It's already 10:30 PM, let's stop here for today." Yamada Ryo raised her hand to cover her mouth, yawning, "I want to sleep with Hana tonight."
Kitahara Makoto cooperated from the side:
"Nijika-senpai can sleep however she wants, just make yourself at home."
"Go upstairs and sleep."
Yamada Ryo got up decisively, then reached out and pulled up 'herself' with a conflicted expression.
"Ryo, hurry up and go upstairs to rest."
"..."
Ijichi Nijika parted her pink lips, but before she could speak, her pretty face was already flushed.
(I've already come this far, if I back down now, Ryo will definitely be super disappointed, right?)
(The Soul Swap has been going on for a long time, I really can't cause any more trouble for Ryo...)
(Stay calm! Don't panic!)
(Anyway, I've already experienced it through the bracelet in the Otherworld, it's not as scary as I imagined.)
The three of them silently went up to the second floor.
"Ryo-senpai, Nijika-senpai, good night."
Kitahara Makoto pushed the door open and entered the master bedroom first.
Ryo-senpai stopped, looked at 'herself' with a flushed face, then opened her backpack, took out a small rectangular box from it, put it into Ijichi Nijika's hand, and at the same time leaned over slightly, whispering into her ear:
"Nijika, be careful, don't cause a death, or I'll be in a lot of trouble."
Ijichi Nijika: "..."
I don't need you to prepare this kind of thing, I have a box in my own backpack too!
"Good luck tonight, you must get your body back."
Yamada Ryo waved her hand and walked into Hana's small room.
"Hoo..."
Ijichi Nijika looked down at the box in her hand, the temperature on her pretty face rose even higher, she wanted to return it, but the words got stuck in her throat, she couldn't say them no matter what, she could only let out a light sigh, quietly clutching the box, and walked into the guest room with a messy mind.
After turning on the air conditioner, Ijichi Nijika lay alone on the bed, tossing and turning until eleven o'clock, her mind still a mess, completely without any sleepiness.
Normally, after a busy day, she would have been exhausted by this time.
"It's already eleven..."
Ijichi Nijika pursed her pink lips, looking at the pillow not far away; under the pillow was the 'safety tool' Ryo had kindly provided, her heart filled with shame and conflict:
"What should I do, do I have to go to Kitahara-kun's room on my own initiative?"
"No, no!"
"That kind of behavior is too shameless!"
"Ryo might be able to do it, but I absolutely can't do such a thing!"
"But if I don't get my body back, Ryo will have to do that kind of thing with Kitahara-kun using my body, and for the first time, I still want to experience it myself... Hmm?"
Ijichi Nijika suddenly froze.
"This feeling... did someone use the Kessoku Band bracelet just now?"
"Is it Ryo?"
"But I can't see anything, is it because Ryo didn't open her eyes?"
"..."
When using the Kessoku Band bracelet, only the five senses are shared, not consciousness.
At this time, you only need to close your eyes, and no one will know the identity of the person linked by the Kessoku Band bracelet.
Unfortunately, Ijichi Nijika guessed wrong.
It wasn't Ryo-senpai who just linked to her with the Kessoku Band bracelet, but someone else.
"...How awful, she really went to Kitahara-kun's house behind my back!"
Kita Ikuyo took off her Kessoku Band bracelet, opened her eyes, and rolled over to hug her body pillow.
"You said you wouldn't go over to play games tonight, right?"
"The room I just saw was clearly the guest room at Kitahara-kun's house!"
"The face reflected on the phone screen was clearly Ryo-senpai's... Could Nijika also be at Kitahara-kun's house?"