"Oh no…"
Kitahara Makoto quickly held his breath, trying to distract himself to calm down.
But it was useless.
Kitahara Makoto was just an ordinary mortal. With the long-haired girl in his arms, her soft, warm body against him, he simply couldn't remain calm. Instead, his mind was racing, filled with distracting thoughts!
"You, you, you…"
Noticing the change in Kitahara Makoto's body, Shiina Taki froze for a second, then her small face rapidly flushed red at a visible speed.
"Lewd!"
"Pervert!"
"Boys really are just like what they say on the internet, no matter if they like you or not, as long as it's a girl, they'll get excited?!"
Shiina Taki was not an innocent girl unaware of worldly affairs, so she naturally knew what had happened. Embarrassed and angry, she bit her teeth, glaring at Kitahara Makoto with murderous intent while quietly shifting her body.
"Hiss~"
Kitahara Makoto lightly drew a cold breath, his entire body tensing up.
Hey, hey, don't move around. Your current actions won't solve the problem; instead, they'll have the negative effect of adding fuel to the fire!
However, Shiina Taki showed no intention of stopping.
She had studied in an all-girls school since childhood. Forget dating experience, she had never even let a boy hold her hand. Now, encountering such a terrible situation, she was too ashamed and angry to calm down.
Shiina Taki had only one thought now: to quickly get away and absolutely not be sullied!
Unfortunately, the sofa was only so big, and there wasn't enough space to maneuver.
In the end, she accidentally got stuck in a strange place…
"Eh, eh, eh?!"
Shiina Taki's eyes suddenly widened, white steam bubbling from the top of her head as she frantically tried to get up.
"Don't move."
Kitahara Makoto held the black-haired girl tightly, his gaze signaling:
"You don't want Tomori to see our current posture, do you?"
"…"
Damn it!
Damn it, damn it, damn it!
Shiina Taki bit her lower lip tightly, almost drawing blood. Her usually serious little face was now filled with panic, shame, fear, grievance, unwillingness, and other emotions, making her expression incredibly vivid and spectacular.
But to avoid being discovered by Tomori, Shiina Taki ultimately chose to endure it silently.
(I… I actually… I won't be able to get married in the future…)
In the darkness.
They could clearly hear each other's rapid heartbeats.
Kitahara Makoto didn't know how Taki was feeling, but his current feelings could be described in one sentence:
"Pain and pleasure."
I told you not to move. Now you're suffering the consequences, aren't you?
You're reaping what you sow; you can't blame anyone else!
Thump, thump, thump.
Footsteps passed by them. Luckily, Tomori didn't turn on the light, only using the light from her phone screen to illuminate the way.
Shiina Taki tensed her body, held her breath, and buried her face in Kitahara Makoto's chest, continuously praying to all the gods and Buddhas, hoping not to be discovered by Tomori.
If Tomori saw them in their current posture, they wouldn't be able to clear their names even if they jumped into the Yellow River, right?
Absolutely not that!
Fortunately, they were lucky.
Takamatsu Tomori's footsteps didn't pause. She quickly walked through the living room with her phone raised and entered the bathroom.
Bang.
The sound of the door gently closing rang out.
Shiina Taki immediately let out a breath, as if a condemned prisoner had heard a pardon. She quickly pushed against Kitahara Makoto's chest with both hands and abruptly sat up.
"Hiss~"
Kitahara Makoto lightly drew another breath.
If you're so sudden, you'll turn someone into a criminal!
Shiina Taki bit her lower lip tightly, rolled over, and quickly escaped from Kitahara Makoto. Her little face was flushed, almost dripping blood. She covered her nightgown with her hands, feeling ashamed, angry, and wronged:
"Lewd!"
"Awful!!"
"Worst!!"
"Go commit seppuku now!!"
"…"
Kitahara Makoto looked very innocent:
"Taki-san was the one who pushed me onto the sofa; I'm the victim…"
"Shut up!!"
Shiina Taki was full of murderous intent. If looks could kill, Kitahara Makoto would surely be riddled with holes by now.
"Don't call my name!"
"Alright, then I'll call you Shiina-san." Kitahara Makoto lowered his voice, then posed a question, "If you were worried about Tomori finding out, you only needed me to hide on the sofa. Why did Taki hide as well?"
Shiina Taki: "…"
Kitahara Makoto, in an understated tone, dealt ten thousand critical damage points to the black-haired girl:
"Taki-san was just coming out to use the bathroom. There was no need to hide, right?"
"…"
The fatal critical hit completely flustered Shiina Taki.
Why… why didn't I think of that?
If I had thought of it earlier, I wouldn't have lost my purity, would I?
"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
Shiina Taki came back to her senses and glared at him in shame and anger.
Kitahara Makoto's expression became even more innocent:
"After pushing me onto the sofa, Taki-san immediately covered my mouth. How was I supposed to say anything?"
Shiina Taki: "…"
"Damn it, damn it, damn it!"
Shiina Taki wanted to be angry but didn't know whom to be angry at. In the end, she could only bite her teeth and squeeze out a sentence:
"Don't tell Tomori about what just happened, or you're dead!"
"…"
Seven thirty in the morning.
Tomori, Mutsumi, and Taki, the three girls, came downstairs one after another.
"Good morning, everyone."
Kitahara Makoto greeted them, his gaze falling on Shiina Taki.
It seemed that after going upstairs, this Taki hadn't slept, as she had faint dark circles under her eyes.
Their eyes met.
Shiina Taki silently bit her lower lip, turning her head away with a blush.
"Tomori, Mutsumi, go wash your faces and brush your teeth." Kitahara Makoto said casually, "Taki, come help out in the kitchen."
Shiina Taki hesitated for two seconds but still took steps, reluctantly walking into the kitchen.
"Taki-san, do you want to ask yourself, or should I help ask?"
Kitahara Makoto took out the answer book.
Shiina Taki didn't hesitate, her little face tense as she said:
"I'll ask myself."
"Here."
Kitahara Makoto nodded and handed over the answer book.
The way to ask was simple; Taki had already asked in the Otherworld before, so no more words were needed.
"Hoo…"
Holding the answer book, Shiina Taki's little face showed a hint of hesitation.
(What is my true talent?)
(Will I… have no talent at all?)
(The world population has already surpassed 8.2 billion; 6 billion people are already a thing of the past. With so many humans, there must be many ordinary people with no talent at all, right?)
(The saying 'everyone has a talent' is clearly just for comfort…)
Fortunately, Shiina Taki was not indecisive. After only a short hesitation, her eyes firmed, and she opened her mouth to ask about her true talent.
Whoosh, whoosh.
The answer book flipped rapidly.
A line of text appeared on the blank page:
[Painting Talent]
"…Huh?"
Shiina Taki's eyes widened, her little face showing an expression of disbelief.
She actually possessed painting talent?
Why had she never discovered it before?
During art class, the teacher did say her work was not bad… but that was something said to every student, wasn't it?
"The principle is simple. Even if Taki possesses painting talent, she still needs to undergo diligent practice to reveal her gift." Kitahara Makoto said softly, "To become a genius, effort and sweat are indispensable."
"I know…"
Shiina Taki naturally knew this principle; it was just hard for her to accept it for a moment.
Kitahara Makoto said casually:
"Does Taki want to paint in the future?"
"I…" Shiina Taki's expression was very confused. She subconsciously shook her head, "I don't know."
It was like someone who had played basketball for many years was suddenly told that their true talent was actually soccer. It was perfectly normal to feel confused.
Kitahara Makoto pondered for two seconds, then took the answer book from Taki's hand:
"How about this, I'll ask the answer book what Taki's highest achievement would be if she chose painting as her talent."
"…"
Shiina Taki parted her lips, wanting to refuse, but she was also very curious, so she ultimately chose silence.
Whoosh, whoosh.
The answer book flipped on its own, turning pages rapidly.
Soon, a line of text appeared on the blank page. The text was a bit long:
[Thirty years later, Kitahara Taki's portrait will hang on the wall of the Tokyo University of the Arts]
Seeing the answer in the book, Shiina Taki's heart suddenly sped up.
Whose portrait could hang on the wall of a university academy?
Of course, it's someone super famous!
To have a portrait hanging on the wall of a university college, it's not just about being famous; it's practically making history, right?
"The future me is actually that wonderful… …"
Shiina Taki covered her chest, a beautiful blush unconsciously rising on her small face.
"Wait a minute… … Huh?!"
Shiina Taki suddenly widened her eyes, noticing a detail she had overlooked earlier.
"Kitahara Taki?"
"Why has my name become Kitahara?"
"Unless it's… …"
Shiina Taki quickly looked up, her small face burning hot, glaring at Kitahara Makoto with embarrassment and annoyance.
In Japan, only after a man and woman marry will the woman change her surname to the man's.
"So you're saying… … the future me married the scumbag Kitahara?"
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
Kitahara Makoto said innocently:
"There are millions of possibilities for the future. The future in the book is just one possibility. Taki-san won't necessarily marry me in the future… …"
Shiina Taki clenched her small fist, snorting softly with embarrassment:
"It's not 'not necessarily,' it's absolutely impossible! And there are so many people with the surname Kitahara, it's not just you. Stop being so presumptuous!"
Kitahara Makoto didn't argue:
"Whatever Taki says is what it is."
"Hmph."
Shiina Taki snorted softly, turning her head to look elsewhere, saying in a low voice:
"Thank you… … for today."
From the time she had memories, Shiina Taki had lived under her sister's dazzling halo. Her parents' gazes were also on her sister. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't be as dazzling as her sister.
Although Shiina Taki didn't give up on herself or choose to rot and lie flat, her personality at home became increasingly gloomy and withdrawn, and the lingering sense of inferiority grew stronger.
But now, that lingering inferiority and sense of being inferior suddenly vanished like smoke.
"I'm no worse than my sister, and I'm not an inferior product."
Shiina Taki clenched her small fist, her heart surging, feeling incredibly relaxed, as if the whole world had come to life:
"It's just that I haven't discovered my true talent yet."
"The future me, her portrait can even hang on the wall of a university!"
As for how to choose her future, whether to give up music and choose painting, or to continue playing music, Shiina Taki couldn't make a decision for the time being.
Only one thing was absolutely certain.
"Kitahara Taki?"
"Impossible!"
"I will never marry this harem scumbag!"
"… …"
After finishing breakfast, Tomori, Mutsumi, and Taki, the three girls bid farewell and left together.
Kitahara Makoto cleaned up, completed his two fitness tasks for the day, and simply changed his clothes to go out.
Half an hour later.
Kitahara Makoto had already arrived downstairs at Soyo's apartment building.
"Soyo, are you home?"
The message quickly showed as read.
It was only nine o'clock in the morning, so Soyo was clearly not out:
"I'm home… … What's wrong, Kitahara-kun?"
Kitahara Makoto: "I'm downstairs. Open the door and let me upstairs."
Nagasaki Soyo: "… …"
Coming to my apartment building so early, what does he want to do!
Nagasaki Soyo's pretty face quickly turned red. She helped open the door, and then quickly walked into the bathroom and started putting on makeup.
Although her skin had become quite good after eating the Eden Fruit, still being hydrated and smooth even without makeup, but as the saying goes, women primp for those who please them, so of course she still wanted to make herself a little cuter.
A moment later.
The doorbell rang.
Nagasaki Soyo walked out of the bathroom with a flushed face, came to the entrance, and opened the door.
"Good morning, Soyo."
Kitahara Makoto stood smiling outside the door.
"Good morning."
Nagasaki Soyo's pretty face was flushed. "What are you doing here so early, Kitahara-kun?"
Kitahara Makoto raised the breakfast in his hand, saying with confidence:
"The key to a day lies in the morning. Thinking that Soyo might sleep in and not get up, I specially came to bring Soyo a loving breakfast."
"Tch ~"
Nagasaki Soyo couldn't help but spit softly.
I've never seen you bring me a loving breakfast before. You came all the way here to bring breakfast today; it's clearly just an excuse to take advantage of me, right?
"I wouldn't sleep in."
Nagasaki Soyo took the breakfast, her eyes shining, the corners of her lips rising uncontrollably. "But I did just get up not long ago, and I haven't had breakfast yet… … Thank you, Kitahara-kun."
Although she knew that bringing breakfast was an excuse to take advantage of her, she was still very happy.
Kitahara Makoto lowered his voice:
"What did Soyo call me?"
Nagasaki Soyo's eyes flickered:
"Of course I called you Kitahara-kun. Is there a problem?"
Kitahara Makoto said shamelessly:
"Call me your boyfriend from now on."
"I don't want to."
Nagasaki Soyo shyly looked away, her voice delicate. Rather than rejecting, it was more like acting coquettishly. "We're not officially dating yet, so I'm not your boyfriend~"
Kitahara Makoto walked into the living room, looking around:
"Your aunt shouldn't be home, right?"
"W-What are you going to do?"
Nagasaki Soyo's heart suddenly sped up. She took two steps back nervously, her pretty face blushing, "That kind of thing isn't allowed. I'm still a little tired… …"
"Soyo-san, please don't fill your head with dirty things."
Kitahara Makoto looked righteous. "I'm here for serious business."
"Tch ~"
Nagasaki Soyo glared back shyly.
My head is full of dirty things?
You're the one who's saying that!
"I've mastered a new ability and wanted to find Soyo to test it out."
Kitahara Makoto sat on the sofa, briefly explaining the effects of the [Night Song] ability. "Soyo, eat breakfast first, and we'll try it out after you finish."
"Okay."
"… …"
A moment later.
Nagasaki Soyo finished breakfast, went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and rinse her mouth, and then walked to Kitahara Makoto's side with a slightly flushed face and sat down.
"How do you make that contract?"
Kitahara Makoto reached out and pulled the cunning young lady directly onto his lap, his eyes burning:
"The way to make a contract is very simple… …"
Saying that, he lowered his head and directly blocked the girl's soft, lips.
In fact, the ritual to make a contract is very simple; just kiss her forehead. A heart full of love is the truly harsh condition.
But Soyo can 100% fulfill this condition. Kitahara Makoto had no doubts.
[Contract has been made]
[Current contract partner: Nagasaki Soyo]
[Shared ability: None]
A realization arose in Kitahara Makoto's heart. Sharing abilities isn't a complete share; at most, you can only share one ability. As for responding to prayers and descending across space, it can only be used at night and cannot be activated during the day.
The matter of sharing abilities was quickly thrown to the back of Kitahara Makoto's mind. There were more wonderful things to explore now.
"F-First, let's go back to the room… …"
Nagasaki Soyo's breathing was rapid, pleading shyly.
"We're not going back. There are no cameras in the living room."
"Ugh… …"
"Oh right, put on this pet collar first."
"P-Pervert… …"
"This is an enchanted collar that can double the pleasure."
"Eh, eh, eh, don't… … my mind will break… …"
"… …"
It was noon at twelve o'clock in the blink of an eye.
Nagasaki Soyo regained consciousness in a daze, and a trace of fear flashed across her pretty face as she recalled what had happened.
Starting from nine o'clock in the morning, it had continued until now, with almost no rest in between… … Humans aren't that exaggerated, right?
"I can't do it anymore."
"A person will really break."
"If someone could help share the burden… …"
Thinking about it, a blush quickly rose on Nagasaki Soyo's pretty face.
If it were before, even if she tacitly allowed Kitahara Makoto to create a harem, she would never agree to do that kind of thing with someone else. Sakiko wouldn't even be allowed, but now she suddenly hoped that Sakiko could help share the firepower.
"Soyo, are you awake?"
Kitahara Makoto pushed the door open and walked into the room, saying softly:
"The food is ready. Are you going out to eat, or should I bring it in?"
Nagasaki Soyo's voice was aggrieved, and she couldn't help but want to act coquettishly:
"I'm so tired; I can't get up."
"Then I'll bring the food in."
Kitahara Makoto turned around and brought the food. "Soyo, eat well, take a nap after eating, and then… …"
Nagasaki Soyo's eyes were flustered:
"Y-You still want to?!"
"Listen to me finish."
Kitahara Makoto said speechlessly. "I just shared an ability with you. After eating and taking a nap, Soyo will be back to full health."
After a brief moment of thought, Kitahara Makoto decided to share the Night Emperor ability to help Soyo recover her stamina as quickly as possible.
Ability: Night Emperor
Category: Passive / Innate Blessing
Description: Perpetual motion machine. Your energy will never run out; no matter how much energy you expend, you can restore your body to its peak state through sleep.
Note: This ability can only restore energy and cannot prevent genetic mutations within the body.
"But I don't feel anything right now…"
Nagasaki Soyo was half-believing, half-doubting.
"Eat first." Kitahara Makoto handed over the bowl and chopsticks. "Eat and then sleep. You'll know the effect of the ability when you wake up."
Nagasaki Soyo sat leaning against the headboard, taking the bowl and chopsticks, and said:
"I need to rest well this afternoon, you can go home after eating, dear… Eh eh eh?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Nagasaki Soyo's pretty face quickly flushed red.
What did she just call him?
Why did she call Kitahara 'dear?'
[T/N: lit. Boyfriend-kun]
She… she remembered…
Vague memories surfaced in Nagasaki Soyo's mind. She only remembered that at the time, she was teary-eyed and was forced to call him many embarrassing names, with 'dear' being the most frequent, so she unconsciously blurted it out.
Take it as a warning!
She must take it as a warning! What if she accidentally called him 'dear' in front of Sakiko one day? That would be terrible!
After all, she had promised Sakiko before that she would definitely advance and retreat with her… Now that she had secretly run off alone, Sakiko would definitely be angry, right?
After lunch.
Kitahara Makoto tidied up and was then kicked out of the apartment by Soyo.
After a short rest in the afternoon, he went to the Academy to film the short film. Several shots were done in one take, earning him much praise from Shiraishi Ayane. However, during this time, Kita's eyes darted around evasively, blushing occasionally, looking very guilty.
Kitahara Makoto was initially curious until he received a text message from 'Ryo-senpai', only then did he understand why 'Kita' was blushing.
"Everyone is coming over to play games tonight."
The challenge game was a pretense; the real goal was to switch bodies back.
Now Nijika was in Kita's body, and Kita was in Ryo-senpai's body. The two of them had to switch bodies back first, and then Nijika would switch bodies with Ryo… In other words, Nijika couldn't escape tonight no matter what, no wonder she kept blushing.
"I just don't know if Hitori will join in…"
Kitahara Makoto felt a strange sense of anticipation.
In the evening.
At the entrance of Tsukinomori Academy.
"Togawa, good evening."
Kitahara Makoto walked up to Sakiko, and casually handed her an ice cream:
"It's too hot. I bought two ice creams when I just got off the car."
"Thank you." Togawa Sakiko thanked him softly. "The weight loss business appointment is already set for tomorrow morning."
Kitahara Makoto lowered his voice and said:
"Actually, I prefer evening business hours."
"Pfft~"
Togawa Sakiko's pretty face quickly flushed red. She immediately recalled the incident that night when the weight loss business went on very late, and then, due to a moment of soft-heartedness, she let Kitahara Makoto stay overnight, resulting in a 'tragic repayment of kindness' that night. She bit her teeth lightly and said:
"I will never do evening business again!"
Kitahara Makoto's tone was innocent: "Sakiko was clearly very… that night."
"Don't say it!!!"
Togawa Sakiko shot him a furious, murderous glare.
"Yes, yes, I won't say it."
"…"
The two talked as they walked to the music classroom.
Pushing open the door, they heard the ethereal voice of ghost Senpai ringing out, filled with surprise and anticipation:
"Kitahara-sama, Saki-chan, you're finally here!"
"Hmm?"
Kitahara Makoto raised an eyebrow, surprised, and looked over.
Ghost-senpai… actually came out without a summoning ritual?