"I added her a long time ago. She messaged me last night, saying that an evil spirit was staring at her in her room, and it took forever for it to leave..." Amamiya was explaining while texting Chika when he suddenly noticed the movement on his back stop. He instinctively turned and said, "Don't stop. Keep going."
"…"
His eyes were met with a striking sight: the exposed area between the black over-the-knee socks and the hem of her skirt, gleaming white in the sunlight.
Amamiya's breath hitched slightly.
Looking up from this angle, although the details were unclear, it was certain—this Ice Princess girl didn't seem to have the habit of wearing safety shorts.
Of course, none of this was what mattered right now.
What really mattered was the way she crossed her arms in front of her chest, looking down at him with disdain, as though he was nothing more than a paramecium.
That look in her eyes... way too much!
"You didn't tell me about this," Kaguya remarked nonchalantly.
"You didn't ask," Amamiya responded in the same casual tone. "I thought you already knew."
No, she didn't know.
Contact information was important, yet that "creature with the chest fat" just opened her mouth, and he handed it over without a second thought—even though he hadn't even exchanged contact details with her!
The pressure on Amamiya's back increased, causing him to hurry and say, "Wait, that's too much force—be gentler!"
He had assumed she was a delicate young lady, but who would've guessed she'd be this strong?
Then again, Kaguya was rumored to be skilled in Kyudo, Aikido, and Karate. Her combat prowess exceeded that of most boys, so it was no surprise she had such strength.
The only downside was probably her limited stamina.
As for her flat chest... well, some perverts might appreciate that.
"Kaguya-chan, you don't need to stop," Shimizu chimed in, her voice elegant and pleased. "The current strength is perfect. I can feel Amamiya is enjoying this."
"...
/Knock/ /Knock/
Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door.
Kaguya stepped down from Amamiya's back, adjusted her skirt as if nothing had happened, and opened the door.
"Good morning, Kaguya-chan!"
Chika's energetic voice rang out. Despite being able to see the supernatural world, Chika seemed as lively as ever, in stark contrast to the completely drained Miko.
"Good morning." Kaguya nodded and shifted her gaze to the girl standing beside Chika.
The girl had long, waist-length grey hair.
Her school uniform wasn't worn properly but rather tied loosely around her waist.
She wore a black choker around her neck.
Her nails were painted in an exaggerated style.
And she had an undeniably bold figure...
"Hey there!" The grey haired girl didn't hesitate, smiling brightly as she placed her left hand on her waist and flashed a peace sign near her eye with her right hand. "I'm Umi Katigawa. Nice to meet you all. Hope you'll look after me from now on."
"Umi-chan is not only in the same school as us, but we're in the same year. Isn't that great?" Chika explained. "So I asked her to come join our morning meeting."
Seeing some students pass by in the hallway, Kaguya opened the door wider and said, "...Come in, we'll talk inside."
The two girls entered the room and immediately greeted Amamiya.
"Amamiya-kun, Osu!" Umi waved enthusiastically. "I didn't realize we were schoolmates. What luck!"
Then, catching sight of the translucent Shimizu, her face suddenly changed. "Whoa! Big Sis Shimizu, are you okay?"
Chika also looked concerned. "Why do you look so much worse than last night?"
Shimizu, seated elegantly on the sofa, smiled warmly. "No need to worry. Amamiya-kun is replenishing my magic."
"Magic... replenishment?" Umi looked at Amamiya in surprise.
The way she looked at him revealed that she was certainly no innocent bystander.
"Don't let your imagination run wild." Amamiya looked back calmly and said seriously, "This is a proper, serious magic replenishment."
"Oh? What exactly is so 'serious' about it?" Umi asked, her interest piqued as she stuck out her tongue playfully and licked the corner of her lips. "I wanna see!"
See what? Stop being so curious about other people's magic rituals!
"It's not like that kind of magic replenishment," Chika explained with a smile. "It only requires..."
Watching the lively conversation unfolding, with everyone chatting as if they were a happy family of four, Kaguya silently bit her lip.
She was... not pleased.
This all started with 'her'—whether it was playing the game or preparing the classroom—yet now they were all talking amongst themselves?
"Hey, you just lie there and get stronger? That's amazing! I want that too!" Umi exclaimed, her hands resting on her hips. "But my luck is terrible—I haven't unlocked a single skill from the blind boxes yet."
With that, the grey haired girl casually slipped off her shoes and, without a hint of shyness, flashed a broad grin as she offered:
"Amamiya-kun, let me help you recharge."
Before Amamiya could respond, a cold voice cut in.
"That won't be necessary."
Kaguya stepped up beside Amamiya, her expression frosty. "I can do it."
"Huh?" Umi blinked in surprise. She leaned over to whisper to Chika, "Wait, are they... dating?"
Unfortunately, the room was quiet enough that even her whispered words were heard by all.
Kaguya's long, slightly curled eyelashes trembled, though her cold, composed expression didn't falter. "We're not dating," she said flatly.
"Then why can't I?" Umi asked, clearly puzzled.
"..."
Seeing that Kaguya had fallen silent, Amamiya quickly intervened. "You're too heavy. I'm worried my back won't be able to take it."
"That's too much!" Umi pouted, leaning forward slightly. "I only weigh 50 kilograms!"
A flash of white filled Amamiya's vision, making him feel slightly dizzy.
Only 50 kilograms? That's... unscientific!
"Anyway, that's enough for today." Amamiya stood and put on his school uniform. "Let's open our blind boxes and get back to class. I've got exams to prepare for."
Thanks to Kaguya's recharging, Shimizu had regained much of her solidity and should be able to hold on until they got home.
As for their rewards from the blind boxes... they were mostly useless trinkets, and no one unlocked any new skills.
"What did you get for completing the Midnight Subway?" Chika asked, her curiosity piqued. "All I got were game coins."
Amamiya answered offhandedly, "Fifty game coins and a badge."
[Item: Light of Life Badge]
[Type: Accessory]
[Attribute: You have helped those in despair. You are like a light cutting through the darkness. Wearing this badge allows you to shine and radiate warmth.]
[Note: The item is bound and will take effect once worn.]
[Note 2: After wearing it, you may become a primary target for certain evil spirits.]
"What does it mean by 'shining and radiating'?" Umi asked, curious.
"You'll see once I try it."
Amamiya, intrigued himself, put the badge on. But...
"Doesn't seem like anything happened?" Chika tilted her head.
Umi, after hesitating for a couple of seconds, leaned close to Amamiya, her wide eyes carefully scanning him. Her large, clear eyes were undeniably captivating.
She even reached out and touched his forehead, then concluded, "Your skin got paler, and your temperature rose a bit."
"..."
Amamiya took the badge off with a sullen expression and tossed it into his game inventory.
Paler skin and a higher body temperature? What kind of "Light of Life" is this supposed to be?