"Yesterday... in the evening?"
Amamiya quickly tried to recall.
Last evening, aside from seeing Miko who come over to help with a back massage, he couldn't remember anything else significant happening.
Could it be that I actually enjoyed being stepped on by Miko?
Alright, I admit it.
When Miko stepped on his back last night, it did feel strangely good.
"Amamiya-kun, did you remember?"
Chika's eyes widened as she looked over, curious.
"No." Amamiya glanced away. "I can't remember anything."
Kaguya's brows furrowed slightly. Her expression revealed what she was thinking—clearly, she didn't believe it.
"Ah, I see," Chika blinked, a knowing smile appearing on her face. "So it's 'that' kind of thing. No wonder Amamiya-kun doesn't want to admit it."
Admit what?
What are you talking about, 'that kind of thing'?!
"I've heard that boys are quite happy and satisfied when they do that," Chika continued, clasping her hands before her chest. "It's too bad Kaguya-chan and I can't help out. We can only watch from the sidelines."
Amamiya was shocked.
These two... want to watch boys do 'that kind of thing'? Are they perverts?!
Chika continued, unfazed, "Although I heard that playing that kind of game too much is bad for your health... Still, for Big Sis, I guess you had no choice but to help her."
"Wait," Amamiya couldn't help but rub his forehead, "What kind of game are you talking about?"
"Huh?" Chika tilted her head, puzzled. "Of course, I mean bishoujo games. What else could it be?"
Amamiya was speechless. "..."
"Just this morning on my way to school, I met a friend. She was complaining that her younger brother, who's in middle school, keeps locking himself in his room to play bishoujo games and never wants to go out." Chika spoke in her usual clear tone. "She said boys love bishoujo games. It must be true, right?"
So you're still innocent in some areas, after all...
Amamiya decided to change the subject. "I saw a skill in the mall yesterday..." He silently displayed the skill attributes for everyone to see.
"You can get stronger just by lying down?" Kaguya looked over, intrigued, but when she saw the name of the skill, she was at a loss for words.
What's the difference between getting stronger by lying down and getting something for nothing? Why does a skill like this even exist?
Chika's eyes sparkled with excitement. "What an interesting skill! I want it too, so I can let Moeha step on me."
"That depends on when you can actually get it," Amamiya replied, casually.
Since there's a skill for getting stronger by lying down, who knows? Maybe there's one for breathing, or basking in the sun. Anything seems possible now.
"So, does someone have to step on your back for you to get stronger?" Chika asked curiously. "Did you ask Big Sister to step on you last night?"
"I didn't! Don't spread false rumors." Amamiya quickly glanced at Kaguya, trying to clear things up. "It was Miko who helped me last evening."
"Yotsuya Miko-chan from the next class?"
"You know her?"
"Of course," Chika said nonchalantly. "I've got plenty of friends in the next class."
Great for you.
As expected from a social butterfly. Her networking had expanded beyond her class and now covered the entire grade.
"What's your relationship with Miko-chan?" Chika asked, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "I saw you two going home together the other day."
"We're neighbors," Amamiya replied calmly.
"I see. No wonder you asked her to help you." Chika nodded, then turned to Shimizu. "Big Sis, did your energy recharged at that time?"
Shimizu hesitated slightly, a hint of confusion flashing across her face. "I'm not sure," she admitted softly. "I just woke up yesterday, and everything feels a bit muddled. The only thing on my mind is Kaguya."
Amamiya sighed, exasperated. "Please, become Shinomiya-san's guardian spirit already."
"Apologies, but that doesn't seem possible."
"..."
"In that case," Chika raised her hand excitedly, "Why don't we test it out now? Amamiya-kun, lie down on the sofa. Kaguya-chan and I can step on your back and see if it works."
Hearing this, Amamiya instinctively lowered his gaze. His eyes fell on the legs of the two girls.
Chika was wearing white thigh-high socks. Her legs were well-proportioned and shapely.
Kaguya, on the other hand, was wearing black over-the-knee socks. This cool, composed young lady seemed to have a particular fondness for black stockings. As far as he could remember, she never wore stockings of any other color.
Compared to Chika, Kaguya's legs were thinner, straighter, and appeared longer. There was a dazzling sliver of skin between the hem of her skirt and the top of her stockings—the elusive "absolute territory" shining in the sunlight.
Those who say you can't appreciate beautiful legs for an entire year... have never seen a pair of truly stunning legs.
"Forget it." Amamiya shook his head. "After school, I'll just ask Miko again."
"After School is hours away, and Big Sis is in such a weakened state," Chika urged. "What if she doesn't make it until then?"
"Hurry up, Amamiya-kun, lie down on the sofa!"
If she collapses, she'll just fall asleep. You're just using this as an excuse to satisfy your curiosity by stepping on someone!
Amamiya glanced at Kaguya. "Shinomiya-san, you won't agree to this, right?"
"It's still early before class starts," Kaguya replied calmly. "We can verify the situation now."
You're also can't be at ease until you've seen it for myself!
Amamiya sighed in resignation, removed his school jacket, folded it, and lay down on the sofa.
"I'll go first!" Chika was brimming with enthusiasm, ready to jump in.
But just as she was about to take off her shoes, her phone rang.
"It's my mom. I'll be back soon." Chika put her shoes back on and headed out. "Kaguya-chan, you go ahead."
…
The activity room fell silent.
Amamiya turned his head and looked at the composed Kaguya. "How about we wait for Chika to return?"
"That's unnecessary," Kaguya decided swiftly.
If his neighbor can do it, and Fujiwara-san can do it, then so can I.
Kaguya, ever the decisive one, wasted no time. She quietly inhaled, took off her shoes, adjusted her skirt modestly, and lifted her right foot.
From where he lay, Amamiya had a perfect view of her stocking-clad feet. The curve from her knee to her toes was graceful.
Though Kaguya appeared calm, her toes were curled in slight nervousness, and the tips of her pale ears seemed to be tinged with the faintest blush.
As her foot gently pressed against his back, the warmth and softness seeped through, quickening Amamiya's heartbeat. A light novel he had read before came to mind suddenly.
'About the Time I Became a Plaything for a Black Silk Stockings Lady.'
At this moment, that novel's plot had become his reality. Cold, tsundere, and with latent yandere tendencies, Kaguya fit the image of the "black stockings lady" perfectly.
Amamiya's emotions were complicated. If he had to summarize it in one sentence, it would be:
'Addicting, growing stronger, and unable to escape.'