Unable to hold back anymore?
Thinking back to how Hayato had stripped the supernatural female staff member's clothes and torn her stockings in the first-floor lobby, Hoshino Ai thought about it carefully and figured she could accept it.
In this eerie and dangerous hotel, Hayato might look calm and composed on the surface, but the pressure must be crushing him, too.
The time stop superpower was strong, sure, but it couldn't directly solve the current crisis or clear the game and let them escape.
Hoshino Ai's face flushed red. She fidgeted a bit, her hands unconsciously tugging at the hem of her clothes. Her bright eyes wandered around the room, looking anywhere but at him.
"Um... Hayato-kun, isn't this... a bit too fast?"
Finally, she voiced it, her voice small and uncertain.
This hotel was too dangerous. It wasn't suitable for doing that kind of thing. Plus, she was completely inexperienced. As an idol, she yearned for a pure, proper romance.
What she desired was dating and hanging out with a boyfriend she loved, holding hands and sharing sweet moments, then finally enjoying a beautiful night together. Not jumping straight to the final step like this.
"Fast?"
Seeing Hoshino Ai's flustered reaction, Hayato immediately understood what this girl was thinking.
Oh. She thinks I meant...
"I actually think it's too slow. Hurry up and wash. After you're done, I'll wash. Rule 8 doesn't specify an exact bathing time, but I think it's safer to finish bathing before 10 PM."
The time points in the rules often hinted at critical changes.
After 10 PM, this hotel would very likely undergo some kind of drastic transformation.
After hearing this, Hoshino Ai immediately understood. Her hands suddenly didn't know where to go, fluttering uselessly. Embarrassment flooded through her entire body. She'd completely misunderstood!
"Yes, yes, I know. I'll go right away."
But just as Hoshino Ai turned toward the bathroom, Hayato's voice came again.
"Hoshino, were you just overthinking things? Wanting something to happen between us?"
That faint teasing smile in his voice made Hoshino Ai's fair cheeks instantly flush crimson, spreading down her neck.
"No way... I wasn't overthinking anything." But Hoshino Ai, who'd practically fled into the bathroom, clenched her fists and stomped her feet once inside, lowering her voice to an angry whisper. "All he knows is how to bully people."
Soon, Hoshino Ai pressed a few switches on the wall panel. The bathroom's heating kicked on with a low hum. Water began flowing from the showerhead with a steady splash, splash, splash.
She slowly removed her clothes, placing them piece by piece on the washstand, each item folded carefully despite her flustered state. Her fair, graceful form was exposed to the warm air. A subtle tension filled the space.
So much had happened tonight.
When warm water finally wet her long purple-black hair, cascading down her back, Hoshino Ai briefly experienced a moment of genuine relaxation. Her shoulders loosened, tension melting away.
Showering and bathing were essential relaxation sessions for her after grueling practice and exhausting concerts.
But this time, she wouldn't be taking a long, leisurely bath.
"Phew..."
She let out a soft breath, eyes closing as the warm spray hit her skin.
Wait.
Why did it feel like someone was watching me?
A prickling sensation ran down her spine.
Hoshino Ai instinctively looked to the other side. In an instant, she froze completely.
The glass wall that should've been frosted for privacy had turned crystal clear, completely transparent. Through the glass, she could see straight into the bedroom. Hayato sat on the bed, and his gaze was aimed in her direction. He could definitely see her body, all of it!
Ugh...
Hoshino Ai immediately covered her chest with both arms, trying desperately to conceal herself. The blush that had just faded came roaring back across her face, burning hot.
Why, why... why is this happening? Why did the bathroom glass suddenly turn transparent?!
Right then, Hayato gave a small nod and withdrew his gaze, turning his attention elsewhere.
Not bad. The scene of a beautiful idol girl showering is indeed quite nice.
Hayato wasn't the kind of scum who'd force himself on someone, but he wasn't exactly a saint either. Faced with unexpectedly appearing scenery like this, he wouldn't refuse it outright.
He'd already transmigrated to an anime world. Why pretend to be all innocent? He wasn't innocent to begin with. If there were benefits that fell into his lap, he'd take them.
This particular benefit Hoshino Ai was unknowingly providing could be considered partial repayment for the help he'd given her in this love hotel.
With that pragmatic mindset, Hayato had simply enjoyed the brief view. But now that Hoshino Ai had noticed, naturally he wasn't shameless enough to keep staring.
Click...
As Hoshino Ai came back to her senses and fumbled for the switch with shaking hands, the transparent glass shifted back into gray frosted privacy mode.
But Hoshino Ai's shame didn't diminish at all. If anything, it burned hotter.
"What do I do? He saw everything. Uuugh."
She covered her face with both hands, mortified.
The clock's hands crept forward.
Finally, they reached 10 PM.
The hotel's main lights flickered once. Twice. Three times.
Then they went out completely.
Only a few dim mood lights remained working, casting long shadows and providing barely enough illumination for the room.
The bathroom lights hadn't changed, still bright and steady. But the flowing water suddenly cut off mid-spray.
As Hoshino Ai looked up in confusion....
Sputter... sputter...
The water came sputtering back.
Dark red liquid suddenly sprayed out from the showerhead.
In an instant, Hoshino Ai's eyes widened in pure terror. She stumbled back several steps, feet slipping on the wet tile, and fell hard to the ground with a painful thud.
"What happened?"
Hayato was on his feet immediately.
"Blood, it's all blood..."
Her voice came out high and panicked.
Rushing to the bathroom doorway, Hayato saw the dark red liquid spraying from the showerhead in violent spurts, splattering across the tiles. In one swift motion, he reached in with both hands, grabbed the girl who'd fallen on the wet floor, and dragged her out of the bathroom quickly. He carefully avoided getting contaminated by the dark red liquid as he reached back in to twist the shower knob off.
The spray stopped.
Silence fell, broken only by their heavy breathing.
At 10 PM, there was definitely a problem.