Nine o’clock in the morning.

As the light slightly twisted, Kitahara Makoto, holding the unconscious Yamada Ryo, appeared out of thin air in the living room.

"Finally verified."

"First, wherever you enter Otherworld, that’s where you’ll return..."

A girl’s emotionless voice came from the sofa:

"Makoto-kun, you’re back?"

"We’re back." Kitahara Makoto looked over at the sound, Mutsumi and Hana were sitting together on the sofa watching TV, "Did you get all the ingredients?"

"Got them." Mutsumi got up and walked over, a hint of confusion appearing on her pretty face, "What happened to Ryo-senpai?"

Kitahara Makoto said without changing his expression:

"She was too tired from soaking in the onsen and fell asleep."

This statement was half-true, half-false.

For example, ’too tired and fell asleep’ was true, but it wasn’t from soaking in the onsen, but for other reasons.

Mutsumi tilted her head: "Ryo-senpai looks like she cried?"

Kitahara Makoto looked down at Yamada Ryo in his arms, a tear still clearly hanging on her eyelashes, but fortunately, he had a very thick skin and spoke nonsense with a straight face:

"Something got into Ryo-senpai’s eyes and she rubbed them red."

Mutsumi’s gaze shifted downwards:

"Why are Ryo-senpai’s knees red and swollen?"

Kitahara Makoto continued to talk nonsense:

"Soaking in the onsen for too long naturally makes one dizzy. Ryo-senpai was dizzy and weak-legged when she got up, and bumped her knees."

"..."

To avoid Mutsumi asking more problematic questions, Kitahara Makoto simply carried Yamada Ryo upstairs:

"I’ll carry Ryo-senpai into her room and let her get some good sleep."

Arriving on the second floor.

After gently placing Yamada Ryo on the bed, Kitahara Makoto turned on the air conditioner, thoughtfully helped her cover herself with the blanket, and then quietly went downstairs.

Moderation!

I must be moderate from now on!

"The time flow rate in the [Onsen Village] is different from the real world, reaching an exaggerated ten to one, but the environment in the [Onsen Village] does not change, always maintaining a night state..."

Kitahara Makoto continued to summarize the information as he went downstairs.

Simply put, ten hours pass in the [Onsen Village] for every one hour that passes in reality.

"Also, the functions of the [Onsen Village] and the poster do not overlap. The poster is similar to a storage space; as long as it is peeled off the wall, everything inside will freeze and cannot store living things. The [Onsen Village], on the other hand, is a portable small world. If a cup of hot tea is brought into it, the tea will cool down over time, and humans can enter and exit freely..."

"There’s no signal in the [Onsen Village], but Yamada Ryo said she could contact Kita with the bracelet, so when soaking in the onsen in the future, there’s no need to worry about missing emergency calls in reality..."

Back in the living room.

Mutsumi looked over expectantly:

"Makoto-kun, want some fruit?"

Kitahara Makoto had just finished eating delicacies and had entered Sage Time, so he wasn’t very interested in simple fare, but facing Mutsumi’s expectant gaze, he still couldn’t bring himself to refuse:

"Yes."

"..."

After finishing fruit with Mutsumi, Kitahara Makoto began his daily fitness routine.

After easily completing two fitness tasks, it was already past ten in the morning before he knew it.

Kitahara Makoto took out his phone and sent a message to Soyo, asking her to come over and prepare lunch together.

Yesterday, Nijika helped in the kitchen, so today it was naturally someone else’s turn. They couldn’t let Nijika work hard alone; everyone took turns helping.

11:30 AM.

Most of the dishes were already prepared. Kitahara Makoto selected a few dishes, packed them into a bento box, then took out his phone and sent a message to Mai. After confirming that Mai was at the apartment, he quickly traveled directly to Kamakura.

"Mai, good afternoon."

Kitahara Makoto stepped out of the fitting mirror, smiling as he held up the bento box:

"Today, I’m here to capture Mai’s heart again."

The bright sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and under the Tyndall effect, the shape of the light was clearly visible. Sakurajima Mai happened to be sitting at the boundary between light and shadow, the curve of her profile flawless, like a high-mountain flower that could be admired from afar but not defiled.

"I’m sorry, but when I was domestically abused, my heart was already gone."

Sakurajima Mai raised her right hand, her slender fingers tucking the strand of hair that had fallen to her chest behind her ear.

Kitahara Makoto was immediately speechless:

"Mai, can we not talk about domestic abuse?"

"No." Sakurajima Mai closed the book in her hand, gently stretched, her curves perfect, "The abuser can forget, but the one who was abused can never forget."

"..."

Kitahara Makoto had no choice but to change the subject, saying:

"Mai, did you receive any strange messages this morning?"

Sakurajima Mai pursed her lips, gazing at him intently:

"What is Scumbag-kun referring to?"

Kitahara Makoto gave an example:

"Like certain experimental monkeys escaping from the research institute, and the authorities are currently apprehending them, urging the general public to stay at home as much as possible and not go out, and so on."

"I haven’t received any messages." Sakurajima Mai crossed her arms over her chest, quite calmly, "Strange incidents are breaking out all over the world. It’s normal for strange things to appear in Kamakura. Scumbag-kun, don’t worry unnecessarily."

"That’s true, but you still need to be careful." Kitahara Makoto hesitated for two seconds, then softly suggested, "...How about I share an ability with Mai?"

"Hmm?"

"I recently acquired a new ability, Night Song..."

Kitahara Makoto briefly explained his ability:

"I plan to share the You Who Slipped Through Nine Years of Compulsory Education ability with Mai. As long as the Q&A mode is activated, everyone will be forced to sit down, including ghosts and strange tales. It can be used to stall for time until I arrive."

Sakurajima Mai narrowed her eyes slightly:

"Are there any conditions for sharing the ability?"

Kitahara Makoto coughed twice and said:

"Mai is indeed incredibly intelligent."

"If there were no prerequisites, Scumbag-kun would have already shared the ability with me." Sakurajima Mai’s tone was indifferent, "You didn’t mention it before, and now you’re bringing it up... Is it a condition I wouldn’t agree to?"

Kitahara Makoto: "..."

No.

Mai, isn’t your IQ too high?!

Sakurajima Mai crossed her arms over her chest, lifting her delicate chin slightly:

"Tell me, what exactly is the condition?"

"The condition is actually very simple..." Kitahara Makoto said as tactfully as possible, "You just need Mai to let me kiss her."

As for the prerequisite that Mai must like him, there was no need to say it.

She already had a daughter, so how could she not like him?

"Heh, the condition really is simple."

Upon hearing this, Sakurajima Mai’s eyes immediately sharpened.

"I’m really not lying." Kitahara Makoto quickly raised his right hand and swore, "If I deceive Mai, then may Mai dislike me forever."

"Hmph~"

Sakurajima Mai let out a soft snort, coldly refusing:

"No need. I have a necklace that can adjust my presence at any time. Even if I encounter a strange incident, I can protect myself."

"Better safe than sorry." Kitahara Makoto continued to persuade, "The necklace can only protect Mai alone, but once a strange incident breaks out, it will affect many people. If Mai’s mother and sister encounter danger, will Mai be able to stand by and do nothing?"

"..."

Sakurajima Mai fell silent.

If her mother and sister encountered danger, could she stand by and do nothing?

Of course not.

Even though their relationship was very poor, they were, after all, her closest relatives in the world.

Although Mai always appeared very indifferent, people who are more indifferent on the outside actually have stronger emotions on the inside.

As Mai’s pretty face showed a hint of confusion, Kitahara Makoto seized the opportunity, decisively stepped forward, and pulled Mai into his arms.

Opportunity knocks but once.

"You dare..."

Sakurajima Mai only managed to open her cherry lips, and the rest of her words were completely blocked.

Unlike Ryo, although Mai seemed very mature and rational, she was actually a standard high-attack, low-defense type. After Kitahara Makoto seized the opportunity to invade her personal space, her first instinctive reaction was to tense her body and shyly close her eyes.

By the time Mai reacted and should have gathered killing intent to drive Kitahara Makoto away, it was already too late...

Ten minutes later.

"Mai, your foot."

"What about my foot?"

Sakurajima Mai’s pretty face was flushed, and she was panting. Her right foot was mercilessly stepping on Kitahara Makoto’s instep, still grinding.

He actually kissed her directly when she wasn’t paying attention, doing something against her will! It wouldn’t be unfair to report him to the police!

"It’s my honor to be stepped on by Mai." Kitahara Makoto raised his hands, "Mai can press harder."

"..."

Next, Kitahara Makoto carefully explained the precautions for the You Who Slipped Through Nine Years of Compulsory Education ability, then, under Mai’s sharp death glare, he simply said goodbye and left.

Returning home, Kitahara Makoto immediately went to the amusement park’s ghost House and retrieved the Pandora’s Box.

Although the charging efficiency of the ghost House was very low, even a mosquito’s leg is still meat. Keeping it at home all the time was too wasteful. The most correct choice was to bring the Pandora’s Box back for charging during everyone’s lunch gathering, and then leave it in the ghost House for the rest of the time.

"Kitahara-kun, you’re back?"

A girl’s gentle and pleasant voice rang out; it was Soyo.

"I’m back. We can serve the dishes and then eat... Hmm?"

Kitahara Makoto was halfway through his sentence when he suddenly saw a pink-haired girl in the living room.

"Kitahara-kun, why are you looking at me?"

Chihaya Anon’s voice no longer showed any abnormality, but the moment her gaze met Kitahara Makoto’s, her pretty face still involuntarily flushed quickly.

Kitahara Makoto said calmly:

"Of course, it’s because Anon is super cute today."

"Pfft~"

Chihaya Anon lightly spat, turning her pretty face away and saying:

"Kita sent me a message saying that the food you make is super delicious, so I was curious to come and try it, otherwise I wouldn’t have come."

"Don’t worry." Kitahara Makoto walked towards the kitchen, "I guarantee I won’t disappoint Anon."

"..."

In just two days, Anon could actually come to play as if nothing had happened. Sure enough, people’s sense of shame cannot be generalized.

Back then, Hitori accidentally swapped bodies with Ryo, but she hid for a long time before she was forced to come out to learn to drive.

Needless to say, lunch quickly received unanimous praise from the girls.

Especially Anon, who hadn’t come yesterday, initially had a skeptical expression, but after taking the first bite of sweet and sour pork ribs, her eyes immediately sparkled, and her chopsticks couldn’t stop moving.

"Very good, the charging progress has increased by another drop."

After lunch, Kitahara Makoto looked at the charging progress on the Pandora’s Box and nodded with satisfaction.

"In another two or three days, I should be able to open the blind box."

Kitahara Makoto quickly traveled to the amusement park’s ghost House, placed the Pandora’s Box in a dark spot to absorb idealistic energy, and then returned to suggest:

"Does everyone want to go to the onsen?"

Kita hesitated upon hearing this:

"Everyone still has to go to the recording studio to record songs this afternoon."

It had been mentioned before that everyone would go together to record songs for the mini film, and the time was set for today.

"Don’t worry." Kitahara Makoto said softly, "The time flow ratio between Onsen Village and the real world is ten to one. Staying in Onsen Village for ten hours means only one hour has passed in reality, so it won’t affect our main business this afternoon."

Hearing Kitahara Makoto’s words, the girls were all tempted.

"Then let’s go take a look?"

"I’m curious what Onsen Village looks like."

"It sounds interesting."

"..."

Tempted as they were, they couldn’t act impulsively.

Sakiko crossed her arms over her chest and said softly:

"We need to shower before soaking in the onsen. Or how about we talk about it tonight?"

"Don’t worry." Kitahara Makoto said, "There’s a place to shower in Onsen Village."

Soyo’s voice was gentle as she said:

"We also need towels."

Kitahara Makoto said decisively:

"I’ve already prepared the towels."

Kita hesitated:

"And a change of clothes. After bathing, of course, we should wear clean clothes."

"You don’t have to worry about that either." Kitahara Makoto smiled, saying meaningfully, "I just bought many sets of uniforms two days ago."

"Eh?" Kita tilted her head in confusion, "Uniforms?"

"..."

Kita didn’t know what uniforms were, but Anon and Sakiko, among others, naturally knew very well... Needless to say, they must be the maid outfits they lost in the bet a few days ago.

The girls exchanged glances, all blushing a little, but no one refused.

They had to honor their bets.

What they had promised, they naturally had to deliver.

A moment later.

Kitahara Makoto appeared in the [Onsen Village] with the girls.

"Eh, so pretty!"

"The environment is really nice."

"It’s just a bit dark, can we hang some lanterns?"

"I saw it, a huge open-air onsen."

"... ..."

The girls curiously looked around, excitedly strolling around the onsen courtyard. After a round, they finally arrived at the open-air onsen in the backyard.

The onsen pool area is very large, and there is no problem for everyone to soak in the onsen together, and it will not appear crowded at all.

It’s a pity there are too many people, Kitahara Makoto instead had to be honest, and there was no chance to take advantage of people.

"Kitahara-kun, you go to that corner."

"That’s right, you’re a boy, don’t come near us."

"Even if it’s a mixed-gender onsen, you must keep your distance."

"Hurry up and leave."

"... ..."

The girls quickly reached a tacit understanding and drove away Kitahara Makoto, who had cheekily approached.

Half an hour later.

"Kitahara-kun, where are the clothes you mentioned?"

Kita asked curiously with a crisp voice.

"They are all in that storage box." Kitahara Makoto pointed his hand, "The clothes have been washed and are guaranteed to be clean."

"Let me see what it is."

Kita curiously stepped forward, opened the storage box, and with the faint light of the stone lantern next to her, she quickly saw the clothes inside clearly:

"Eh, it’s a maid outfit?"

Kita Ikuyo’s small face blushed slightly, and she couldn’t help but complain:

"Kitahara-kun is indeed a uniform fanatic, no one would wear this kind of clothes."

It would be fine to wear it privately for Kitahara Makoto to see, but in front of so many people, it would definitely be embarrassing to wear it, right?

However, it wasn’t long before Kita Ikuyo was shocked.

Mutsumi walked over expressionlessly, simply picked up a maid outfit, and walked behind the wooden screen.

Immediately afterwards, Tomori also picked up a maid outfit, followed behind Mutsumi, and went behind the screen to change clothes with a blushing face.

"Anon-chan, are you actually going to wear a maid outfit too?"

Seeing Anon walk over, Kita Ikuyo finally couldn’t help but ask the reason.

Chihaya Anon’s pretty face was slightly red, and she explained in a low voice:

"There’s no way, everyone lost a bet before... ..."

After listening to Anon’s explanation, Kita Ikuyo quickly understood why everyone accepted the maid outfit without saying a word.

"Then I’ll wear it too... ..."

Kita Ikuyo picked up a maid outfit, preparing to wear it with Anon.

It would be too embarrassing to take the lead in wearing a maid outfit in front of everyone, but if everyone wore it, it would naturally be fine for her to blend in.

"W-Wait a moment — —"

Just after taking two steps, Kita Ikuyo suddenly widened her eyes, her gaze fell on Tomori’s chest, a snow-white heart with deep ravines firmly grabbed her attention.

"What’s with that heart?!"

Anon coughed lightly twice and said:

"There’s nothing wrong with the maid outfit... ... The maid outfit in Kita’s hand also has a heart."

Hearing this, Kita Ikuyo hurriedly lowered her head to check the maid outfit in her hand, and sure enough, she saw a hollowed-out heart, and her small face instantly blushed rapidly.

"To actually make everyone wear this kind of clothes, Kitahara-kun is too much!"

"That’s right, it’s really too much." Chihaya Anon lowered her voice and said, "Let’s put on the clothes first."

Kita Ikuyo widened her eyes: "You still want to wear it like this?"

Chihaya Anon whispered:

"But the temperature is so low, we’ll definitely catch a cold if we don’t wear clothes, right?"

Kita Ikuyo: "... ..."

Seeing Kita hesitate, Anon simply grabbed Kita’s wrist and pulled Kita behind the changing screen:

"There’s still a performance this afternoon, we can’t get sick."

"... ..."

A moment later.

Kita Ikuyo’s small face was flushed, covering her chest, and she walked out behind Anon.

"So embarrassing... ..."

Kita Ikuyo muttered softly.

"Don’t mind it." Chihaya Anon covered her chest, "Everyone is wearing the same clothes."

Although the maid outfit with the hollowed-out heart on the chest was terrible, if everyone wore it together... ... suddenly she could accept it.

Click.

The sound of a phone taking a picture rang out.

Kitahara Makoto raised his phone and walked towards the resting girls:

"My eye for choosing maid outfits is really good."

"Tch ~"

"Clearly super terrible."

"Kitahara-kun, don’t take pictures!"

"... ..."

Soyo, Sakiko, Mutsumi, Tomori, and Anon, all five girls kept their promise and put on the hollowed-out heart maid outfits, and under Anon’s bewitchment, they also added an extra Kita, forming the strongest maid group.

Although the styles of the clothes were the same, the girls were like plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, each different.

It was a pity that Nijika kept hiding in the onsen pool and was unwilling to wear the hollowed-out maid outfit no matter what. Ryo had consumed too much energy in the morning and was already asleep at this moment. Also, Mai, Hitori and Taki were not there, otherwise it would have been perfect.