Dream session ended.
Kitahara Makoto and the girls ate and drank, adjusting their physical and mental states. Next was waiting for the game disc to cool down.
During the wait, some read books, others played board games, so it wasn't boring at all.
Several hours passed in a flash.
Kitahara Makoto closed the book in his hand and stood up to stretch:
"The game space can be opened again."
Hearing this, the girls' eyes lit up.
"We can finally challenge it again."
Nagasaki Soyo extended her right hand, her voice gentle and firm:
"Everyone, let's go! We must defeat the Boss this time!"
Tomori followed, extending her right hand and placing it on Soyo's hand:
"Let's go."
Seeing Tomori extend her hand, Shiina Taki naturally didn't hesitate, following suit with her small hand:
"Let's go! This time, I definitely won't let everyone down."
Mutou Ren's face was expressionless, choosing to go with the flow:
"Let's go."
The four girls gathered together. Nagasaki Soyo turned her head, her eyes filled with anticipation:
"Sakiko, come over quickly."
"..."
Togawa Sakiko lightly moved her lips, but in the end, she still didn't voice a refusal. Although the Kessoku Band couldn't return to how it was before, everyone's goal was completely aligned at this moment. She took a deep breath, stepped forward to the girls, extended her right hand, and softly said:
"Everyone, let's go."
Click.
Kitahara Makoto raised his phone and silently took a photo.
For some reason, he felt that this scene was very much worth collecting.
"Makoto-kun." Takamatsu Tomori turned to look over, "Only you are left."
Kitahara Makoto raised an eyebrow in surprise:
"Me too?"
Although Tomori was mostly sensitive and introverted, she occasionally spoke astonishing words:
"Makoto-kun is everyone's backbone."
"..."
(Here it comes! Here it comes!)
A glimmer of anticipation flashed in Shiina Taki's eyes.
(Tomori's words clearly amount to a confession, right?)
(Soyo and Sakiko will definitely be jealous and unhappy, and then I'll find a way to get evidence to make everyone see Kitahara's true nature as a scumbag who doesn't initiate, doesn't refuse, and doesn't take responsibility. Then Tomori will finally wake up!)
However, the script was completely different from what Shiina Taki imagined.
Nagasaki Soyo softly said:
"Kitahara-kun, come over quickly."
Togawa Sakiko: "Hurry up, we can't truly relax until we get the Eden Fruit."
Shiina Taki's eyes widened, her expression bewildered.
(What's going on?)
(Shouldn't there be a love triangle explosion at a time like this?)
(Why aren't you guys jealous at all?!)
"Alright, count me in then."
Kitahara Makoto stepped forward and placed his hand above the hands of the five girls.
The oath ended.
Next was game time.
It's worth mentioning that Shiina Taki's identity this time was actually a Magic Cat, a support character who could possess teammates, providing shields and attribute bonuses.
As expected, there was still a small accident when fighting the Boss.
Although they had specifically practiced dodgeball during the dream cultivation last night, the situation on the battlefield changed rapidly, and Shiina Taki was still accidentally hit by an acid missile.
"Damn it!"
Shiina Taki's small face flushed crimson, and she quickly raised her hand to cover her chest.
As long as you're hit by an acid projectile, you become scantily clad. Is this game too indecent?
That's right.
Up until now, Shiina Taki still didn't realize that she was actually playing an 18+ game.
Boom!
After spitting out the acid missile, the Boss slime suddenly leaped into the air, then surged downwards.
As the ground trembled, a visible shockwave rolled outwards.
Once hit by the shockwave, in addition to losing health, one would also fall into a forced knockdown state.
"Oh no..."
Shiina Taki was distracted by the'scantily clad' reason. Seeing the shockwave rapidly sweep towards her, her mind went blank under tension, and it was too late to dodge.
Fortunately, at this moment, a figure rushed over, abruptly picked up Shiina Taki, and rolled in mid-air, dodging the slime's shockwave.
Shiina Taki breathed a sigh of relief, looked up at Kitahara Makoto, and whispered her thanks:
"...Thank you, Kitahara-kun."
Although she held a prejudice against Kitahara Makoto because of Tomori, she wasn't someone who couldn't distinguish right from wrong.
When it was time to say thank you, she would naturally do so sincerely.
Kitahara Makoto's gaze shifted downwards, falling on the black-haired, long-haired girl in his arms. After being hit by the acid projectile, Taki's already sparse clothing became tattered, and indescribable cleavage was faintly visible.
"...Pervert!"
Shiina Taki's small face hardened, and she glared at him angrily.
Kitahara Makoto lightly raised an eyebrow, saying lazily:
"If you say that, then I'll just keep looking."
Shiina Taki: "..."
Shameless!
I really can't let Tomori be with this kind of guy!
Nagasaki Soyo suddenly spoke:
"Taki, after you level up, your new skill is possession, right?"
"Eh?" Shiina Taki was startled, and subconsciously said, "How did Soyo know?"
"Because I previously gained the identity of a magical cat," Togawa Sakiko said with a serious expression, taking over the conversation. "Taki, I hope you use your skill to possess Kitahara-kun and quickly defeat the Boss slime."
Shiina Taki's lips parted, her small face quickly flushed, and she couldn't help but say, "Since Togawa has also been a magical cat, then she should know that to possess someone, one needs to meet the prerequisite, right?"
"I know," Togawa Sakiko said, her expression unchanged. "But right now, defeating the Boss is the most important thing."
"Strike while the iron is hot, then it will decline, and then exhaust."
"Whether we can clear this, depends on now."
"If we fail this time, the probability of clearing it next time will only be lower."
Takamatsu Tomori quickly asked, "Taki, what is the prerequisite?"
"It's…"
Shiina Taki's lips parted, but she was truly too embarrassed to speak.
"It's a kiss on the cheek," Togawa Sakiko explained from the side. "After all, it's an 18+ game, so the prerequisite is a bit… unpleasant."
"Eh?" Shiina Taki looked over in shock. "This is an 18+ game?!"
"Now is not the time to talk about this," Takamatsu Tomori quickly turned her head to look at Shiina Taki and said seriously, "Taki, we must defeat the Boss to save Mutsumi, so I'm counting on you."
Shiina Taki widened her eyes and couldn't help but retort, "You're asking me to do something like this… Doesn't Tomori care at all?"
"I don't care," Takamatsu Tomori replied directly. "Right now, Mutsumi's safety is the most important."
"Contact in a crisis is fine," Nagasaki Soyo pursed her lips. "Or are you saying that in Taki's heart, Mutsumi's life is not important to you at all?"
"…Of course not!"
Shiina Taki retorted decisively.
Mutsumi was also a former Kessoku Band member, how could she be unimportant!
This long-haired Kessoku Band girl took a deep breath, her small face flushed as she looked at Kitahara Makoto, then gritted her teeth, suddenly stood on her tiptoes, and fulfilled the prerequisite.
The next second.
Shiina Taki's body suddenly transformed, turning into a Black Cat, appearing on Kitahara Makoto's shoulder.
"I've become stronger."
Kitahara Makoto checked his status, and after confirming the attribute increase, he decisively gripped the Brave's Sword and charged towards the Boss slime again.
A moment later.
With a sword technique that descended from the sky, the Boss slime, which had blocked everyone for a long time, finally burst open with a puff, turning into a sky full of Shimizu.
"Ah, we finally defeated the Boss."
"Everyone really did it!"
"…"
The girls cheered endlessly, exceptionally happy.
Only Shiina Taki covered her chest with both hands, her small face flushed, hiding alone in a corner, her mood at this moment quite complex.
(Why… why did it turn out like this?)
(I just wanted to protect Tomori, why did I end up sacrificing myself?)
Although it was for Mutsumi's safety, she felt inexplicably wronged.
"Should we continue to challenge the next level, or stop here and return to the Otherworld?"
Kitahara Makoto asked the girls for their opinions.
After a brief discussion, the girls all voted to end it here, first go to the Otherworld to pick Eden Fruit, and the next level could be discussed later.
Buzz.
Kitahara Makoto and the girls' souls returned to their bodies.
"Makoto-kun, did you get that Unyielding Will you mentioned?"
Togawa Sakiko looked over expectantly.
"I got it."
Kitahara Makoto nodded in satisfaction, got up, and walked out of the cave:
"Let's go, we're going to pick Eden Fruit."
[Ability: Unyielding Will]
[Category: Active]
[Description: After activating this skill, you will be immune to all controls for a short period, lasting five seconds]
Leading the girls out of the cave to the spot where they last picked Eden Fruit, Kitahara Makoto opened his backpack, took out the answer book, and began to ask questions.
"After eating the magic cookie and turning into an animal, can the collar's second attribute be activated?"
Rustle.
The answer book opened by itself without wind, and a line of text quickly appeared on the blank page.
[Yes].
Upon receiving the affirmative answer, Kitahara Makoto immediately relaxed, turned to look at the busy girls:
"No need to tie ropes anymore."
"Eh?" Togawa Sakiko looked over in confusion. "What's wrong?"
"Sakiko, here's the bell for you…"
Kitahara Makoto took out the pet collar from his backpack, described the effect of the 'enchanted' collar, and then said, "When I turn into an animal later, remember to use the bell to summon me."
Togawa Sakiko's expression was serious, she nodded earnestly, and tightly gripped the bell:
"Leave it to me."
Nagasaki Soyo's eyes showed some worry:
"But Kitahara-kun doesn't know which biscuit will turn him into an animal, right?"
"Don't worry," Kitahara Makoto naturally had a plan. "I'll just eat them all."
"…"
As he spoke, Kitahara Makoto had already begun to take off his clothes.
"He, what is he doing?!"
Shiina Taki's small face flushed, and she quickly turned her head away.
"When you turn into a small animal, your clothes won't change with you, and instead will hinder movement and block your vision," Takamatsu Tomori explained softly. "So you need to take off your clothes beforehand."
Shiina Taki secretly looked around and found that, except for herself, everyone else looked calm, no one averted their gaze, nor did they show shy expressions, at most they were a little red-faced.
A guess quietly emerged in her mind:
"Could it be that everyone except me has already seen Kitahara-kun naked?"
"…"
Quickly stripping off all his clothes, leaving only his last pair of close-fitting shorts, Kitahara Makoto stopped, put on the pet collar, handed the bell to Sakiko, and then strode towards the Eden Tree.
The girls stood behind, watching nervously without blinking.
In contrast, Kitahara Makoto was calmer, after all, he had one successful 'peach-stealing' experience, so now he was quite familiar with the process.
Activating [Sage Time] to keep himself rational, he walked under the tree, then activated the Brave's skill [Unyielding Will], directly soaring up and jumping onto the Eden Tree.
Then it was harvest time.
This time there was no need to consider how to get back, Kitahara Makoto used both hands, rapidly picking the Eden Fruit from the tree, directly stuffing the picked fruit into a small net pouch, which was firmly tied to the collar.
"Five seconds."
"Four seconds."
"Three seconds."
"Two seconds…"
[Unyielding Will] was about to end, Kitahara Makoto knew when to stop, swallowed all the biscuits he had held in his mouth beforehand, and simultaneously jumped down from the Eden Tree.
Bang.
The moment he landed, the duration of [Unyielding Will] ended, and Kitahara Makoto instantly lost control of his body, but fortunately, Sage Time had not yet closed, and his consciousness remained clear.
Two more seconds passed.
The effect of the magic cookie took hold, and under the watchful eyes of the girls, Kitahara Makoto directly transformed into a dog-like creature.
During this time, the collar, as indicated by the answer book, remained firmly on Kitahara Makoto's neck and did not fall off.
After turning into a dog-like creature, the temptation of the Eden Tree continued, Kitahara Makoto's steps stiffened, and he continued to walk towards the Eden Tree.
Fortunately, the next second, the sound of the bell shaking rang out.
The collar on Kitahara Makoto's neck lit up with white light, and his figure distorted and suddenly disappeared.
Bang.
A moment later, Kitahara Makoto appeared directly in Togawa's arms through instant movement.
"Kitahara-kun is back."
Seeing Kitahara Makoto successfully return with the Eden Fruit, the girls all breathed a sigh of relief.
"Speaking of which, the dog-like creature Kitahara-kun turned into is super cute."
Nagasaki Soyo's pretty face showed a joyful smile, and as she spoke, she extended her right hand and gently stroked Kitahara Makoto's head.
"It's really cute."
Takamatsu Tomori's eyes sparkled, and she also reached out to gently stroke the dog-like Kitahara.
"I want to touch it."
Mutsumi was as straightforward as ever, saying exactly what she wanted.
"You can," Nagasaki Soyo smiled. "Touch it if you want, Kitahara-kun definitely won't be angry. Remember Taki likes small animals, do you want to touch it?"
"…I don't want to."
Shiina Taki let out a soft hmph and turned her head away.
It was true that she liked small animals, but as soon as she thought that the dog-like creature was transformed from Kitahara Makoto, she completely lost the desire to touch it.
Togawa Sakiko said softly, "Kitahara-kun, I'll take the Eden Fruit off your neck first."
"Mmm, it smells so good~"
The girls all held their breath, wanting to prevent the fragrance from entering their noses, but unfortunately, they couldn't resist at all. The Eden Fruit had strange patterns on its surface, looked extremely good, and emitted an incredibly strong fragrance, making people constantly salivate madly.
Takamatsu Tomori said softly, "It's a bit like the Devil Fruit from One Piece."
Shiina Taki looked over curiously:
"When did Tomori start liking manga?"
"Makoto-kun likes it," Takamatsu Tomori said casually. "So I specifically looked into it."
"…"
Shiina Taki, having suffered ten thousand points of critical damage, felt depressed and said nothing, feeling wronged.
To think Tomori actually went to learn about manga for the sake of a boy... Tomori, you've changed!
Suppressing the urge to devour it all at once, Togawa Sakiko placed the Eden Fruit in a corner and covered it. Only then did she quietly breathe a sigh of relief:
"Let's distribute it after Kitahara-kun turns back into a human."
The girls sat in a circle, waiting in silence.
Unfortunately, none of them were in the mood to read, or even chat.
The aroma of the Eden Fruit permeated the entire cave, directly tempting them on a soul level, making them swallow their saliva incessantly.
They couldn't resist.
No matter what, they couldn't resist.
Fortunately, before long, Kitahara Makoto's transformation time quietly ended.
Togawa Sakiko only felt a weight in her arms. She subconsciously released her hands and saw Kitahara Makoto suddenly transform back into a human.
"Eeh? Eh? Eh?!"
Looking at Kitahara Makoto who suddenly appeared in front of her, Shiina Taki widened her eyes. After a second of blankness, her small face instantly flushed red at a speed visible to the naked eye. She panic raised her hand to cover her cheeks, greatly startled.
"P-Pervert!"
Mutsumi tilted her head and carefully examined him, exceptionally blunt:
"Giant snake…"
"Mutsumi, close your eyes." Nagasaki Soyo's pretty face was slightly red. She quickly reached out and covered Wakaba Mutsumi's eyes. "Children can't look."
"Kitahara-kun, quickly put your clothes on."
Togawa Sakiko's pretty face was slightly red as she directly tossed the clothes beside her over.
"I'll put them on right away."
Kitahara Makoto caught the clothes and walked to the corner of the cave to put them on.
"I'm done." Kitahara Makoto turned around and walked back, sitting down in front of the folding table. "Sakiko, go get the Eden Fruit."
"Okay."
"Soyo, there's a fruit knife in the backpack."
"Leave it to me."
"Tomori, bring the wet wipes over so everyone can wash their hands."
"…"
Seeing the girls all beginning to move, Wakaba Mutsumi raised her right hand and said:
"Makoto-kun, I want to help too."
"Hmm…" Kitahara Makoto pondered for two seconds. "My shoulders are a little sore. Mutsumi, come over and help me massage them."
Mutsumi was exceptionally obedient and actually walked over to help massage his shoulders.
"…"
Kitahara Makoto's gaze shifted, looking at the last black-haired straight-haired girl.
Their eyes met.
Shiina Taki's small face was flushed red. She quickly turned her head away, avoiding his gaze. She was still apprehensive and didn't dare to look directly at Kitahara Makoto.
Kitahara Makoto interlaced his fingers:
"I'm thirsty. Taki, you can just get me a bottle of water."
Shiina Taki: "…"
Seeing that everyone was busy, this black-haired straight-haired girl opened her lips, but ultimately didn't say a word and brought over a bottle of mineral water.
Before long, the preparations were all complete.
Kitahara Makoto washed his hands clean, took the fruit knife, and began to cut the Eden Fruit.
After cutting it open, the indescribable fragrance instantly intensified several times, making people feel refreshed and as if every pore on their body was opening up.
Without any exceptions, everyone couldn't help but swallow their saliva.
It smells so good!
This fragrance was clearly not only acting on the sense of smell, but also affecting the soul.
At this time, the girls finally believed that what Kitahara Makoto had said was not alarmist. Faced with this kind of temptation, there was really no way to resist it.
"One piece for each person, take it yourself."
Kitahara Makoto finished cutting the Eden Fruit and took a piece for himself first.
The girls were already impatient and reached out to take the Eden Fruit. Even Mutsumi and Taki were no exception. Faced with the ultimate temptation, they couldn't maintain their composure at all.
"Mmm~"
The moment the Eden Fruit entered their mouths, the girls couldn't help but hum softly.
"So magical, it actually melts in your mouth."
"You can't taste what flavor it is, but it seems to contain all flavors."
"To think there's such a delicious thing in the world, unbelievable!"
"…"
The one with the greatest reaction was actually Mutsumi.
Wakaba Mutsumi narrowed her eyes slightly. Her usually expressionless pretty face actually flushed red at this moment, and even a hazy mist welled up in her eyes.
"Mutsumi, what's wrong?"
Takamatsu Tomori asked with concern.
"Nothing…" Wakaba Mutsumi wiped her eyes, her tone puzzled. "There's something warm flowing in my chest, like lying on a lawn in spring, very comfortable. I don't know why my eyes got wet."
The happiness and joy originating from the soul level, even the emotionless girl Mutsumi, couldn't resist it at all.
Nagasaki Soyo said softly:
"That's the feeling of happiness."
"…"
Kitahara Makoto was still feeling unsatisfied and sought the girls' opinions:
"Does everyone want to eat another one?"
Hana: "I want to eat."
Hana, who was only interested in petit fours, was exceptionally enthusiastic about the Eden Fruit.
Mutsumi: "I want to eat."
Soyo: "I want to eat."
"…"
The girls all cast their votes in agreement.
"Then let's eat another one."
Kitahara Makoto simply took another Eden Fruit and cut it open.
After eating three Eden Fruits in one go, everyone finally stopped, still feeling unsatisfied. The main reason was that their stomachs were only so big and they really couldn't eat any more.
There were still the last two left. Holding them in his hands, he couldn't resist the fragrance. Kitahara Makoto simply had band Togawa-chan put them into the poster. The poster could isolate the scent and was perfect for storing the Eden Fruits.
"Kitahara-kun, ask about the curse on Mutsumi. How is it?"
Togawa Sakiko raised her eyes and looked over, saying expectantly.
Kitahara Makoto nodded, took out the answer book, and handed it to Mutsumi:
"Mutsumi, you ask."
Whirr.
The answer book flipped pages rapidly.
[Curse has been lifted]
Seeing the answer on the book, the girls all breathed a sigh of relief.
"Mutsumi is okay. We can finally rest assured."
"Everyone worked hard."
"Since the curse on Mutsumi has been lifted, let's go back to real world now?" Tomori suggested softly. "If Taki suddenly disappears, her family will definitely be worried."
"Tomori…"
Shiina Taki looked over, touched.
Kitahara Makoto naturally agreed:
"If Tomori says to go back, then we'll go back."
The other girls also had no objections. The Save Mutsumi Operation had already ended successfully. There was indeed no need to continue staying in Otherworld.
"Hana-chan, we're going back."
Kitahara Makoto rubbed Hana's small head.
Hana obediently nodded, stretched out her small hand, activated the space node, and led everyone back to real world.
"It should be the next day, right?"
Kitahara Makoto glanced at the bright sunlight outside the window, took out his phone, and after automatically connecting to the internet, the time quickly calibrated. It was indeed 10:00 AM on the next day.