10:30 PM.

After the girls finished their pre-sleep onsen bath, they all bid farewell and left.

"Makoto-kun, goodnight."

Tomori softly said goodbye.

"Goodnight, Tomori-chan."

Kitahara Makoto reached out his right hand, rubbed Tomori’s head, and responded warmly.

"Stare—"

Subtle gazes immediately fell upon him, but Kitahara Makoto was fearless.

If he had to be afraid just for patting a head, wouldn’t his harem be for naught?!

Chihaya Anon raised her hands above her head, stretched, and said lazily:

"After the onsen, I hope to have a good night’s sleep tonight and not have... not have nightmares again."

By the end of her sentence, Chihaya Anon’s pretty face was slightly flushed, and she secretly glared at Kitahara Makoto.

Kitahara Makoto keenly noticed Anon’s little glare and pretended not to know anything:

"Why is Anon glaring at me?"

"Hmph~"

Chihaya Anon lightly snorted, her voice charming:

"Scumbag-kun can figure it out himself."

Kitahara Makoto pondered for two seconds, then quickly said:

"I got it... It’s because there was no goodnight kiss, that’s why Anon is unhappy, right?"

"Pfft~ Get away from me!"

Chihaya Anon quickly covered her chest and retreated rapidly.

Saying ’goodnight kiss’ in front of everyone, don’t I have any face left?!

Soyo lowered her voice and said:

"Is Anon really having nightmares?"

"O-of course she is!"

A hint of guilt flashed in Chihaya Anon’s eyes, but she spoke nonchalantly:

"It’s a nightmare where I’m constantly being chased by monsters... Let’s not talk about it, let’s not talk about it. I’ll have nightmares again tonight. Goodbye, everyone, I’m going back."

"Let’s go together." Soyo’s eyes flickered, subtly sweeping over Kitahara Makoto, and she said softly, "Goodbye, everyone."

The girls left one after another, and soon only Ryo and Nijika remained.

"Nijika, why don’t we... tonight..."

Yamada Ryo’s eyes were full of anticipation.

"No way!"

Before Ryo could finish her sentence, Nijika quickly refused, her pretty face flushed, completely able to guess what Ryo wanted to say:

"If Ryo wants to stay, she can stay alone. Anyway, I’m going back!"

"Eh..."

Yamada Ryo’s face showed regret:

"Then I’ll go back too. Being alone will really break me."

"Nijika-senpai, rest assured, tonight we’ll go on an adventure in the Dream World." Kitahara Makoto’s face was filled with righteous solemnity, "I promise not to do anything else."

"Go away." Nijika’s pretty face was crimson as she snapped, "Kitahara-kun’s credit points are already in the negative!"

If he really wanted to invite everyone on an adventure in the Dream World, why didn’t he say so earlier?

He only said it when only she and Ryo were left, clearly with ill intentions!

As she spoke, Hana emerged from the mirror and then took Ryo and Nijika on a quick trip back.

As the girls left one after another, the house suddenly became quiet.

Kitahara Makoto poured a glass of water, and while drinking, opened his ability panel.

"Heart Points have increased again... It seems that soaking in a mixed onsen can also earn Heart Points, it’s just that the quantity is a bit small."

Kitahara Makoto chugged his water in one go: "Although the quantity isn’t much, it’s consistent and long-term. It seems I should frequent mixed-gender onsen more often in the future."

"..."

Ten minutes later.

Just as Kitahara Makoto returned to his room and lay down, his phone gently vibrated, displaying a new message:

"Kitahara-kun, what exactly happened between you, Togawa-chan, and Mutsumi-chan?"

Soyo sent the message.

Kitahara Makoto: "Soyo, come over and I’ll tell you."

Soyo: "No, it’s already so late. Coming over would disturb Kitahara-kun’s rest, wouldn’t it?"

Kitahara Makoto picked up his phone, snapped a picture, and sent it:

"I’m already upstairs in my room, and I’m alone. Soyo, hurry over, and I’ll tell you what happened tonight."

"..."

A little while later, Soyo’s message popped up on his phone:

"If I come over... Kitahara-kun, you can’t take advantage of me."

Kitahara Makoto: "I promise I won’t take advantage of Soyo."

Soyo: "You promise?"

Kitahara Makoto: "If I go back on my word, I’m a puppy."

"..."

A moment later.

Soyo, dressed in a black nightgown, with long hair reaching her waist and skin as fair as snow, emerged from the mirror and softly said:

"I’m here... Kitahara-kun, quickly tell me what happened tonight, and then I’ll go back."

Though her words were proper, in the bright light, Soyo’s pretty face clearly showed a faint blush.

"I’ll tell Soyo right away..." Kitahara Makoto turned to look at Hana, "Hana-chan, you can go downstairs and watch TV."

Hearing the command, Hana scampered down the stairs on her short legs, thump-thump-thumping.

Soyo covered her chest with her right hand, a wary look on her pretty face:

"Why is Kitahara-kun making Hana-chan leave?"

"Of course, it’s because what I’m about to say is a secret." Kitahara Makoto spoke nonsense with a straight face, "Soyo-chan, come over quickly, and I’ll tell you what happened tonight."

"I’m not coming over." Soyo’s pretty face was slightly red as she stood by the mirror, "Kitahara-kun can just say it directly, I can hear you."

Kitahara Makoto lifted the covers:

"Since Soyo won’t come over, then I’ll just have to go over there."

"You..."

Soyo’s gaze dropped downwards, then she quickly turned her pretty face away, her voice filled with shame:

"Where, where are your pajamas?"

"Of course, I took them off." Kitahara Makoto replied righteously, "Sleeping without pajamas helps with development."

"Pfft~"

Soyo’s pretty face flushed crimson, and she couldn’t help but let out a soft snort.

He was already terrifyingly big, if he developed any further, he’d turn into a monster!

Kitahara Makoto reached out and easily pulled Soyo into his arms, his gaze burning as he said:

"Let’s go to the [Onsen Village] and talk slowly."

"No~" Soyo tilted her exquisite pretty face upwards, her cheeks slightly puffed out, "Kitahara-kun promised he wouldn’t take advantage of me, and if he lies, he’ll turn into a puppy."

Clearly, her "no" here wasn’t a genuine refusal.

Coming over to play in the middle of the night, Soyo’s little intentions were naturally obvious.

Kitahara Makoto: "Woof woof woof."

Soyo: "..."

What happened next goes without saying.

Since Kitahara Makoto had already woofed, Soyo naturally had no choice but to half-heartedly follow him into the [Onsen Village] and begin soaking in a mixed-gender onsen for just the two of them.

Then Soyo regretted it.

The time flow in [Onsen Village] is ten to one compared to the real world, and there’s no need to worry about disturbing neighbors, so Kitahara Makoto rarely held back, resulting in Soyo not only having teary eyes but also a hoarse voice.

As for what happened tonight with Togawa and Mutsumi, Kitahara Makoto naturally kept his promise and told Soyo everything in detail.

The night passed without incident.

The next day.

Soyo groggily opened her eyes, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar ceiling, her head still a bit muddled.

"Soyo, good morning."

A familiar voice came from beside her.

"Good..."

Soyo turned her head to look at Kitahara Makoto beside her, blinked, then quickly and frantically sat up:

"Oh, no!"

"What’s wrong?"

"Kitahara-kun, what time is it now?"

"Seven in the morning."

"It’s already so late, I need to hurry home and prepare breakfast for Mom..."

Soyo’s plan last night was to go home after soaking in the onsen, but unfortunately, she was too tired and didn’t remember when she fell asleep.

Mom works so hard, yet she let Mom go hungry this morning... She was truly too much.

Just as Soyo was blaming herself, Kitahara Makoto’s voice sounded:

"Don’t panic, breakfast is already prepared."

Soyo quickly put on her clothes while shaking her head:

"Kitahara-kun and I have different cooking tastes. If I take it directly back for Mom to eat, Mom will definitely be suspicious."

Kitahara Makoto softly said:

"I considered that, so it’s breakfast prepared by ’you yourself’."

"Meow?"

Soyo tilted her head in confusion, looking over.

"Put on your clothes first." Kitahara Makoto stood up as well, "Soyo will know when she goes downstairs."

"..."

A moment later.

Kitahara Makoto and Soyo walked down the stairs one after another, arriving in the living room.

Looking at the brown-haired, blue-eyed girl wearing an apron in the kitchen, Soyo’s eyes immediately widened:

"It’s really ’me’..."

The busy figure in the kitchen was none other than Soyos Band who had stepped out of the poster.

As they were both Soyo, the taste of the food they made was naturally identical, so there was no need to worry about arousing Mrs. Nagasaki’s suspicion.

"Soyo-chan, is the food ready?"

Kitahara Makoto asked.

"It’s ready..."

Being able to personally prepare food for Mom, Soyos Band was clearly in a very good mood, but when she turned around and saw Soyo who had just come downstairs, especially after seeing the strawberry marks on her neck, she immediately lowered her gaze shyly.

"Um, good morning..."

Soyo’s pretty face was hot, and she felt inexplicably ashamed.

Her one-year-ago self would never have imagined that she, who had just started high school, would not only have a boyfriend but also stay out all night, becoming a truly ’bad child’!

"Good morning... The food is already packed in the bento box, I’ll go back now."

Soyos Band looked down at her toes, then quickly scurried back into the poster.

Soyo secretly let out a sigh of relief, quickly walked into the kitchen, picked up the bento prepared by ’herself’, and then called out:

"Hana-chan, take me home."

"..."

The morning passed quickly.

Kitahara Makoto first completed his two fitness tasks for the day, went to the driving school to practice driving with Hitori, then returned to prepare food, called the girls over for a meal, and simultaneously charged the Kessoku Band.

During this time, he also delivered food to Mai. Kamakura had been calm for the past two days, as if his previous worries were indeed baseless.

One-thirty in the afternoon.

Kitahara Makoto arrived punctually at the agreed-upon train station and looked up to see a blue-haired girl standing in the corner.

"Togawa-chan, good afternoon."

Kitahara Makoto strode over.

"Good afternoon."

Sakiko looked up and handed Kitahara Makoto a bottle of drink:

"Just bought some herbal tea."

"Much appreciated." Kitahara Makoto took the drink and pointed to his backpack, "The plane takes off in an hour, so going to the airport now is just right. I checked again before leaving, the ticket is in my backpack."

Sakiko softly said:

"Thank you for your trouble, Kitahara-kun."

Kitahara Makoto took a sip of his drink:

"If possible, please exchange your gratitude for a kiss."

Sakiko: "..."

As they spoke, the train arrived on time.

The two boarded the train, heading to Narita International Airport.

From Tokyo to Kagoshima, the flight is roughly a thousand kilometers. Flying is indeed the most convenient and fastest option, taking only two hours to arrive easily.

The journey was silent.

Four-thirty in the afternoon.

The plane landed punctually at Kagoshima Airport.

"Kagoshima, here we come."

Kitahara Makoto, carrying his backpack, walked out of the airport with Sakiko.

The scorching sunlight poured down, and the air turned into a hot wave that rushed towards them.

It was the height of summer, and both Tokyo and Kagoshima were equally hot and unbearable.

"Shall we go to the convenience store and buy a drink first?"

Kitahara Makoto suggested.

"Okay." Sakiko nodded slightly in agreement. "Let’s buy two more sun hats."

The two walked into a convenience store on the street. Kitahara Makoto bought two bottles of iced drinks, while Sakiko chose two sun hats of the same style.

"Why do these sun hats look like a couple’s item?"

Kitahara Makoto asked, fully aware of the answer.

Sakiko’s pretty face flushed slightly, and she denied, "You’re mistaken."

Kitahara Makoto casually picked up the women’s sun hat, gently placed it on Sakiko’s head, then lowered his head and said, "If Togawa-chan says it’s not, then it’s not... Help me put on my hat."

Sakiko turned her pretty face away: "Put it on yourself."

Kitahara Makoto showed a hurt expression:

"First time in the South, first time traveling alone with Togawa-chan, first time buying couple’s sun hats... Togawa-chan, are you really going to make me put it on myself?"

Sakiko: "..."

Although she knew Kitahara Makoto was feigning pity, she still softened.

With a helpless sigh, Sakiko slightly stood on her tiptoes and placed the sun hat in her hand on Kitahara Makoto’s head.

"Excellent, full HP recovery." Kitahara Makoto smiled, "What do we do next? Ask him out for dinner?"

His main purpose for coming this time was to accompany her, so how to deal with rotten old man was naturally up to Sakiko to decide.

Sakiko’s pretty face showed a hint of hesitation. After a few seconds of pondering, she softly said, "Just secretly take a look at rotten old man’s current appearance, no need to meet him."

Kitahara Makoto nodded slightly, without any objections:

"Do you know the address?"

Sakiko softly said, "Yes."

When the summer vacation just started, she had already decided to secretly come and visit rotten old man, so Sakiko had naturally asked for his address long ago.

"Then let’s go now." Kitahara Makoto took a sip of his drink. "We’ll watch the fireworks festival together tonight. I’ve already booked the boat tickets."

"..."

No need to say more about what happened next.

Kitahara Makoto and Sakiko followed the address, traveling all the way to an apartment building.

"Dad’s apartment is on the third floor." Sakiko pursed her lips, stood on her tiptoes to look upstairs, and soon her eyes widened, "Eh, why are there women’s clothes on the balcony?"

"Could it be that after Dad came to Kagoshima, he... with someone else?"

Thinking of this possibility, Sakiko immediately furrowed her delicate brows.

Although rotten old man said he had turned over a new leaf, Sakiko didn’t believe him. Could it be that he was living off a woman?

"One piece of clothing doesn’t prove anything." Kitahara Makoto held Togawa’s soft hand and softly said, "I’ll use the Shadow Person Bowtie to go in and check the situation."

Sakiko looked over upon hearing this, her pretty face slightly red:

"It’s daytime now."

"It’s fine." Kitahara Makoto said without changing his expression, "I have a thick skin."

Sakiko: "..."

The two walked into a cold drink shop on the street corner. Kitahara Makoto went into the bathroom, quickly stripped, put on the Shadow Person Bowtie, entered ’invisibility’ mode, and then went to investigate, while Sakiko stayed in the cold drink shop to look after their clothes.

Not having a key didn’t matter. The height of the third floor was easy for Kitahara Makoto to climb.

A moment later.

Sakiko sat alone in a corner, seemingly drinking a cold drink, but her gaze was constantly fixed on the sun hat on the table.

As the sun hat silently floated up, Sakiko quietly got up and went to the bathroom with her backpack.

"Investigation complete."

Kitahara Makoto took off the Shadow Person Bowtie, revealing himself.

Sakiko quickly turned her head away, her pretty face flushed, and said, "You should put on your clothes first."

Kitahara Makoto said while getting dressed:

"I checked twice carefully and can say with certainty that it’s a single woman’s apartment. There are no male items inside, no men’s slippers, no razors, and only one toothbrush in the bathroom."

"Eh?" Sakiko was slightly startled, quickly understood, bit her lower lip, and a difficult-to-describe look of disappointment appeared on her pretty face, "So... Rotten old man has been lying to me all along?"

Kitahara Makoto, fully dressed, directly took out the answer book and handed it to Togawa:

"Just ask the answer book directly."

"..."

Sakiko silently took the answer book, took a deep breath, and then softly asked her question.

Whoosh!

The answer book moved on its own without wind, and soon the name of a park appeared on its pages.

Kitahara Makoto took out his phone to search: "A park about a kilometer from us... Want to go take a look?"

The two left the cold drink shop and went to the park together. Not long after, Kitahara Makoto saw their target, pulled Togawa, and pointed to the corner.

Sakiko stood on her tiptoes and looked over. She soon saw a dirty blue tent in the corner, and in front of the tent sat a disheveled homeless man, who was precisely Togawa’s rotten old man.

"..."

Sakiko stood motionless, silent for a long time, then softly sighed and bit her lower lip, saying, "He clearly told me that he found a job here and started a new life... So he was lying to me from beginning to end."

If a person sinks for too long, the possibility of them getting back on their feet is actually very small. Togawa’s rotten old man is an example.

"Let’s go." Sakiko withdrew her gaze. "Since it’s rotten old man’s own choice in life, then we should respect his choice."

If he lived in an apartment, he could still ask Hana to help activate the Sanctuary, but now there was only a broken tent... the Sanctuary couldn’t even be activated.

Seeing that Togawa had made her decision, Kitahara Makoto nodded slightly and said, "It’s our first time in Kagoshima in our lives, shall we explore around?"

"Okay."

"..."

The two then explored Kagoshima together, but Sakiko’s spirits were clearly not high.

Evening arrived in a blink of an eye. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Kitahara Makoto took Togawa to the seaside and boarded a small cruise ship, planning to have dinner while watching the fireworks festival.

The crowded spectacle of watching the fireworks festival with Anon at Senso-ji Temple before was something he definitely didn’t want to experience a second time.

At 7:30 PM.

The first firework bloomed punctually in the night sky.

Kitahara Makoto and Sakiko walked onto the deck, standing shoulder to shoulder, enjoying the fireworks festival together. Many tourists nearby were holding up their phones to take pictures, and the atmosphere was quite lively.

However, no one noticed that the seawater beneath the cruise ship suddenly surged, and an ink-like darkness rapidly spread...