"It's so hot... Kitahara-kun, do you want a drink?"
Upon arriving at the driving school, Gotō Hitori looked up and said softly:
"My treat today."
Kitahara Makoto put his hands together:
"Then thank you very much for Hitori-sama's treat. I'd like a bottle of iced cola."
"Okay…"
Bocchi-chan shuffled to the vending machine, bought two drinks, and then went with Kitahara Makoto to the driving school's lounge area.
"Everyone was so strange last night, especially Kita…" Gotō Hitori took a sip of juice and asked, confused, "It was like she was a completely different person."
It was still the same person, but the Soul Swap had indeed occurred.
Kitahara Makoto said calmly:
"What's wrong with Kita?"
"Last night, when we were all working, Seika-nee drank some alcohol and said a few drunken things," Gotō Hitori whispered, "Kita actually criticized Seika-nee… It was so strange. Kita used to never criticize anyone, let alone Seika-nee, who is a senior."
Kita certainly wouldn't.
But the soul in Kita's body now was Nijika, and it was perfectly fine for Nijika to criticize her own sister.
"And Ryo-senpai…" Gotō Hitori pursed her lips and continued, "The old Ryo-senpai always looked lazy and rarely smiled. Last night, Ryo-senpai kept smiling at me. She suddenly seemed so dazzling… It was scary."
No wonder.
Kita was naturally bright and radiant, so dazzling that people couldn't look directly at her.
Although her soul was now in Ryo-senpai's body, her cheerful, enthusiastic, and bright personality, which loved to smile, couldn't change in a short time.
"Finally, there's Nijika. She's suddenly become so lazy…"
Gotō Hitori looked up, a worried expression on her small face:
"Everyone is so strange. Could they be possessed by something weird?"
Kitahara Makoto: "…"
They weren't possessed by ghosts or monsters; it was just a Soul Swap.
But Kitahara Makoto had to pretend not to know, so he naturally couldn't tell the truth:
"Don't be nervous. Maybe Kita and the others are just going through a rebellious phase?"
"It's too strange for three people to enter a rebellious phase at the same time." Gotō Hitori was clearly unconvinced. She tilted her small face slightly, her beautiful peach blossom eyes looking through her bangs, and asked expectantly, "Um… Kitahara-kun, could you ask that answer book?"
"About that…"
Kitahara Makoto pondered for two seconds, then quickly said:
"Today's questioning chances are already used up. If Hitori is very worried, I'll give you the answer book tomorrow, and you can ask it yourself."
The secret of the bracelet could only be discovered by Bocchi-chan herself.
"Thank you, Kitahara-kun," Gotō Hitori said softly, "Then I'll ask tomorrow."
"Don't just thank me verbally." Kitahara Makoto's gaze was intense, and he lowered his voice, "Shouldn't Hitori give me a little reward?"
Bocchi-chan's small face quickly turned red, and she stammered nervously:
"Th-there's surveillance in the lobby…"
Kitahara Makoto said simply:
"Then we'll go to the stairwell. There's no surveillance in the stairwell."
Gotō Hitori's small face was burning, her eyes shy:
"B-but class is about to start…"
"There are still ten minutes until class starts." Kitahara Makoto simply held Hitori's soft hand, "Enough for me to replenish Hitori's energy."
Gotō Hitori: "…"
Pulling Bocchi-chan to the stairwell, and after teasing the shy and wronged Hitori, Kitahara Makoto felt completely refreshed.
The rest goes without saying.
The two checked in at the driving school, attended a few theory classes, and then went home.
5:00 PM.
Kitahara Makoto arrived at the school again, ready to film today's short film scenes.
Shiraishi Ayane chose high school students as protagonists precisely for "authenticity," so filming was quite easy, passing directly after two takes.
Before long, it was evening, and today's filming progress came to an end.
"Kitahara-kun, shall we go?"
Chihaya Anon walked over with her hands behind her back, her steps light, then tilted her pretty face slightly, showing an expectant expression that seemed to say, 'Hurry up and praise me.'
As expected, Anon had changed into a brand new outfit again today.
"Is there something in the sky?"
Kitahara Makoto feigned confusion, then looked up at the sky.
"Ugh—"
Chihaya Anon pouted her cheeks at his words:
"Wrong answer, try again."
"Did Anon win the lottery today?"
"No, I didn't."
"Then you picked up money outside."
"Even if I picked up money, I'd definitely return it to the owner."
"…"
Seeing Kitahara Makoto deliberately play dumb, Chihaya Anon extended a slender finger, puffed out her cheeks, and gently poked Kitahara Makoto's waist:
"Pervert Kitahara, hurry up and praise me!"
Kitahara Makoto then showed a look of sudden realization:
"So you wanted me to praise you, Anon? Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"…Annoying!"
Chihaya Anon's small fangs at the corner of her mouth glinted coldly, and her poking turned into pinching.
"I'm sorry, I was wrong." Kitahara Makoto quickly raised his hands in surrender, "Anon-sama, please forgive me."
"Hmph~ It's too late to apologize now."
"…"
The two chatted as they walked towards the Train Station.
Tomori had been "not coming home at night" for the past two days, and her parents were starting to worry, so she decided to stay home obediently today and not go out for dinner.
Getting on the train, they found an empty corner and stood there. Chihaya Anon cautiously observed her surroundings while lowering her voice:
"Ever since watching yesterday's video, I've been on edge whenever I take the train, afraid of encountering monsters… What exactly is going on with that monster? There isn't really an evil company conducting human experiments, is there?"
"The possibility of human experiments is very low," Kitahara Makoto said in a low voice, "Even if such a person did escape, they would absolutely not dare to openly take the subway."
Chihaya Anon nodded in agreement:
"Makes sense."
"If you want to know the truth, you can ask the answer book tomorrow. Guessing is meaningless," Kitahara Makoto said softly, "However, when taking the subway or train in the future, you really should be more vigilant. If you notice anything unusual, don't hesitate, run immediately."
"Eh?"
Chihaya Anon blinked, surprised:
"Does Kitahara mean that yesterday's subway incident could happen again?"
Kitahara Makoto's expression was serious:
"If you find one cockroach at home, then in the unseen dark corners, there are definitely a thousand more cockroaches. You should always consider the worst-case scenario."
"Eww~" Chihaya Anon hugged her arms, her face full of disgust, "That example is so gross."
"…"
Chatting all the way, the train quickly arrived safely at the station.
Kitahara Makoto and Anon got off the train and went to the barbecue restaurant. The short-haired girl, Karin-chan, whom they hadn't seen in a long time, had already arrived.
"Anon-chan, Kitahara-kun, you're here!"
Karin-san stood on tiptoes and waved, especially happy.
After some time, this short-haired girl had gotten a bit darker, and was now a standard dark skinned girl.
"Karin-san, long time no see."
Kitahara Makoto nodded slightly, greeting her.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the three walked into the barbecue restaurant. For the rest of the time, the two girls mainly chatted, while Kitahara Makoto was in charge of eating and drinking, and incidentally grilling meat for Anon. The atmosphere was quite good.
After the barbecue, they finished with a dessert, fruit salad.
Kitahara Makoto was slowly enjoying it when he suddenly felt a gentle poke at his waist.
"Hm?"
Kitahara Makoto looked up and saw Anon secretly winking at him.
Then a message came through:
"I forgot to ask earlier because there was too much going on, but seeing the fruit salad suddenly reminded me… I want to eat Eden Fruit too! I haven't tasted what it's like yet!"
Kitahara Makoto replied: "The Eden Fruit is too fragrant. Eating it in a restaurant definitely won't work. Anon, come to my place tonight."
Anon: "Tsk~ Don't think you can trick me into going over."
Kitahara Makoto: "If you don't believe me, you can ask Tomori. I might lie, but Tomori definitely won't."
Anon: "…Then I'll ask."
After getting a definite answer from Tomori, Chihaya Anon immediately hesitated.
(Tomori said it's really super fragrant, and everyone in the whole restaurant might be attracted… So, go to Kitahara's house?)
(But going by myself is very dangerous. I might lose my innocence if I'm not careful, right?)
"Eh, wait!"
Chihaya Anon's eyes lit up:
"A restaurant won't work, but any enclosed room is fine, right? Let's get another room at an onsen hotel!"
Kitahara Makoto: "I want to hold Anon and sleep together. We missed that last time."
"I knew you had ill intentions." Chihaya Anon tilted her chin slightly, charmingly chiding, "Pervert Kitahara, go home early tonight, wash up, and go to sleep. You'll have everything in your dreams."
"…"
Click.
The sound of a phone camera suddenly rang out.
Chihaya Anon quickly looked up and saw Karin-chan, who was sitting across from them, holding up her phone and taking a picture.
"Karin-chan, what are you doing?"
Chihaya Anon asked, confused.
"Sorry, sorry." Karin stuck out her tongue and put her hands together, "I just thought Anon-chan and Kitahara-kun looked so much like a couple just now, so I couldn't help but take a photo."
Chihaya Anon's pretty face flushed slightly:
"What kind of thing is that?"
"Anon-chan, see for yourself, you really look super compatible."
The dark skinned girl turned her phone and held it up in front of them.
Kitahara Makoto looked over curiously and saw the pink-haired girl in the photo turning to look at him, her pretty face slightly tilted, her lips curving slightly upward, and her eyes full of charming smiles. Her eyes, especially, sparkled under the light, full of highlights.
"…It's fake, right?"
Looking at herself in the photo, Chihaya Anon's pretty face couldn't help but feel hot.
It was only because a friend secretly took a photo of her, and out of helplessness, she had Kitahara Makoto pretend to be her Boyfriend-kun. How did it become real now?
Chihaya Anon clearly remembered that at the time, she had told Kitahara not to harbor wishful thinking, that fake was fake and could never become real, and that as soon as they had fooled everyone, they would 'cheat and break up' immediately.
As a result, the boomerang had now landed on herself…
"Karin-san's photography skills are so good, she must already be at the level of a professional photographer, right?"
Kitahara Makoto did not stint on his praise.
"Not at all."
Karin-san's face was slightly red, and she waved her hands repeatedly, "I just casually took a picture… It's Anon-chan and Kitahara-kun who are super compatible."
Pausing, Karin-san said softly:
"Actually, when everyone first heard that Anon-chan was back from England, they were a little worried. Anon-chan had worked so hard to get into a school in England; without a major incident, it would be impossible for her to drop out so easily, right?"
Chihaya Anon: "…"
"Also, when Anon-chan was in middle school, she often said she wasn't interested in boys her age and preferred mature and stable older types. I didn't expect her to start dating Kitahara-kun so soon after coming back."
"Everyone was a little worried about Kitahara-kun's character and thought about helping Anon-chan vet him."
"Now there's no need to worry. When you like someone, the light in your eyes simply can't be hidden."
Chihaya Anon's face was burning: "…It's not that obvious, okay!"
"And Kitahara-kun is indeed a super excellent person. He's very handsome, treats people very gently, and is very warm and considerate…"
Chihaya Anon's pretty face flushed crimson, and she quickly interrupted:
"This guy isn't as good as Karin-chan says!"
Fleeing back to China as a loser was a wound Anon never wanted to reopen.
But now, Chihaya Anon no longer cared about that experience at all, because she had a better life.
What is lost in the morning is found in the evening.
Such are the serendipitous encounters of life.
"There is, you know."
Karin-san extended a finger and tapped the grilled meat platter in front of Anon, "When we were eating grilled meat just now, Anon-chan didn't grill a single piece herself, did she?"
"Eh?"
Chihaya Anon was slightly startled and involuntarily recalled.
"It seems… I really didn't grill any myself?"
"I was quietly watching from the side. From beginning to end, Kitahara-kun was the one who prepared all the grilled meat for Anon-chan."
Karin-san rested her chin on her hands, "Also, when Anon-chan's cup was empty, Kitahara-kun helped refill the water, and when sauce accidentally dripped onto the table while eating grilled meat, Kitahara-kun also helped wipe it clean, you know."
Chihaya Anon: "…"
Perhaps, it seems… perverted Kitahara Makoto really did so many things silently?
But no matter how considerate he is, he's still a harem Scumbag-kun!
"No more, no more."
Chihaya Anon quickly coughed twice, "Let's go to the onsen."
…
Summer is the off-season for onsen. Kitahara Makoto and the two girls arrived at the onsen inn. The entire inn was deserted, with hardly any guests.
"Karin-chan."
Chihaya Anon raised the shopping bag in her hand, "Let's go set up the room first."
The candles had already been bought on the way. Although Tomori wasn't here today, as long as the light was dim enough, it didn't matter if the two of them performed the Stripping of the curse, and Karin was also there to help.
"Okay!"
The dark skinned girl readily agreed.
Chihaya Anon turned her head and looked at Kitahara Makoto again:
"Kitahara-kun, go get another room."
Kitahara Makoto nodded: "Got it."
"Eh?"
Karin-san was startled, then her face quickly showed a knowing expression, and she lowered her voice in surprise, "Anon-chan is so wonderful."
Chihaya Anon didn't react for a moment:
"What's wrong?"
The dark skinned girl raised her hand to cover her mouth and whispered in her ear:
"I didn't expect Anon-chan to have already crossed that line with Kitahara-kun… Is that kind of thing comfortable?"
Chihaya Anon's pretty face quickly flushed red, and she finally understood what she meant:
"Karin-chan, you're thinking crookedly! I told Kitahara Makoto to get another room not for that kind of thing. He's a boy, he certainly can't bathe with us in the onsen, right!"
"I understand, I understand."
The dark skinned girl raised her hand and swore, "I promise not to tell anyone."
…
Kitahara Makoto had just finished getting the room and taken off his clothes when there was a knock at the door.
He casually picked up a bathrobe and wrapped it around himself, then turned to open the door.
As expected, the person knocking was Anon.
"Eh?"
Chihaya Anon quickly raised her hand to cover her eyes, turning her head shyly and saying:
"You, how did you take off your clothes in the blink of an eye?"
"Since I'm already here."
Kitahara Makoto replied righteously, "This is an onsen inn, it would be a waste not to take an onsen, right?"
"The preparations are basically done."
Chihaya Anon hummed softly, took her hand away, and walked into the room, "My friend will be here in a while. The routine is the same as last time. Although Tomori-chan isn't here, Karin-chan can help… Where's the Eden Fruit? Let me taste it quickly."
Kitahara Makoto tapped his shoulder: "My back is a little itchy. I want Anon to help me scrub it."
"…I knew you'd take advantage of me!"
Chihaya Anon snorted softly, unable to resist glaring at him:
"Karin-chan is right next door. If we don't go over soon, Karin-chan will definitely get suspicious, right?"
Kitahara Makoto asked knowingly: "Suspicious of what?"
Chihaya Anon's pretty face flushed slightly, and she glared at him: "Of course, suspicious that we're doing that kind of thing."
Kitahara Makoto shamelessly said:
"We're already in a relationship, so doing that kind of thing is normal, right?"
"We're not in a relationship at all!"
Chihaya Anon snorted disdainfully:
"A Scumbag-kun who wants a harem, and he's super perverted. How could I easily agree to date you?"
Kitahara Makoto opened his arms:
"If scrubbing my back is out, a hug for a while should be fine, right?"
Chihaya Anon hesitated for two seconds, then whispered:
"A minute at most. If we're late going back, Karin-chan will definitely get suspicious."
"No problem."
Kitahara Makoto took a half step forward and embraced the pink-haired girl.
Sniffing the fresh scent of Anon's hair, Kitahara Makoto began to push his luck:
"Reporting, Anon-sama, I want to kiss you."
"No… Mmph!"
Unfortunately, before she could finish speaking, Anon's words were blocked in her mouth.
Their eyes met.
Kitahara Makoto spoke with his eyes:
"I'm sorry, that was a notification, not a question."
Chihaya Anon: "…"
After the kissing and hugging, Chihaya Anon, remembering her friend next door, didn't give Kitahara Makoto another chance to take advantage of her.
"Th-that's enough…" Chihaya Anon panted, her pretty face flushed crimson, and she said pitifully, "Otherwise, Karin-chan will definitely make fun of me."
"Alright, that's enough for today."
Kitahara Makoto temporarily let Anon go, "But I want to hear Anon say something."
"Eh?"
"Say you like me, quickly."
"…You're taking advantage!"
"Not saying it?"
Kitahara Makoto raised an eyebrow, "Then I'll continue."
"I-I'll say it then."
Chihaya Anon was quite flexible, her pretty face flushed crimson, and she turned her head away, her voice embarrassed, stammering softly, "L-like Kitahara… perverted-kun. Are you satisfied now?"
…
After bullying Anon, Kitahara Makoto naturally kept his promise, pasting the poster on the wall and having Band Togawa take out the Eden Fruit.
"Eh eh eh, it smells so good!"
"It smells way too good!"
Chihaya Anon's eyes sparkled, and her saliva began to flow wildly.
"Wipe your drool first."
Kitahara Makoto took out a fruit knife, "So far, we don't know what the original sin is, so be careful after eating it. If your body feels strange, tell me immediately."
"Got it, got it~"
Chihaya Anon quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth. If she didn't cover it, her saliva would really flow out.
At this moment, Anon's phone suddenly vibrated.
"Mmm, a friend is here…"
Chihaya Anon had no choice and quickly got up and said:
"Wait for me a moment, I'll be right back!"
A friend's friend is not necessarily a friend. Anon and Karin are very close, but the girl who needed to have her curse removed tonight had a very ordinary relationship with Karin. Neither of them had contact information, so Chihaya Anon had to go out and pick her up.
Anon covered her mouth and rushed out of the room, arriving in the hallway, where she happened to see the dark skinned girl Karin.
"Eh?"
Karin-san's eyes widened as she looked at Anon, whose pretty face was flushed crimson and who was covering her mouth. Her face showed a shocked expression:
"Anon is truly too bold!"
"What do you mean?"
Chihaya Anon was startled, then quickly reacted, immediately feeling indignant, "I didn't do that kind of thing! Karin-chan, don't think nonsense!"
"I understand."
The dark skinned girl quickly raised her hand and swore, "I promise not to tell anyone else."
"I told you, you misunderstood!"
…
After settling her friend, Chihaya Anon rushed back and finally ate the long-awaited Eden Fruit.
"Mmm~"
The girl's joyful hum instantly turned the entire room pink.
"Super delicious!"
After eating the Eden Fruit, it was time for the exorcism.
Just like the last exorcism, the room was not allowed to have lights on, only a circle of candles was lit, making the environment dim. Coupled with Anon's deliberate reminder for her friend not to open her eyes, the process of Stripping the curse was completed smoothly and without incident.
"I'm going back first."
Kitahara Makoto sent a message to Anon after his bath, then put on his clothes and prepared to leave the onsen inn.
"Go back~ Kitahara-kun, you worked hard today."
Chihaya Anon quickly replied, "I'll be staying at the onsen inn with my friend tonight."
Stepping out of the onsen inn, a wave of scorching heat hit him.
It was already half past eight in the evening, but it was still midsummer, and the scorching heat had not yet dissipated.
Amidst the loud chirping of cicadas, Kitahara Makoto walked towards the Train Station, heading to Soyo's.
The journey was uneventful.
At nine o'clock in the evening, Kitahara Makoto arrived punctually downstairs at Soyo's.
"Kitahara-kun, please come in."
Nagasaki Soyo opened the door and bent down to take out slippers from the shoe cabinet:
"I messaged Mom a while ago, and she said she'd be home around ten o'clock, so let's wait a bit."
"It's still early, should I take a shower first?"
Kitahara Makoto asked, "I'm quite sweaty and a bit uncomfortable."
"Of course, you can." Nagasaki Soyo nodded lightly, "I'll get Kitahara-kun a bathrobe. Just throw the clothes you take off directly into the washing machine, and they'll be dry before Mom gets back... Let's take Kitahara-kun to the bathroom first. There are two Bathrooms in the house; Mom uses one, and I use one."
Entering the bathroom, Kitahara Makoto began to shower.
He had already showered at the onsen hotel earlier, so now he just needed a quick rinse.
"Soyo, can I use the towel hanging on the wall?"
Kitahara Makoto asked with his eyes.
Soyo's reply quickly came from outside the door: "You can use any of them."
Kitahara Makoto casually picked up a pink towel, brought it to his nose, and felt a rush of fragrance.
"Wait, wait a minute!"
Soyo's voice suddenly became flustered:
"Which towel is Kitahara-kun using?"
"..."