"Another mentally ill patient has gone berserk and injured people..."
Seeing the news on his phone, Kitahara Makoto frowned slightly.
"The number is increasing."
The girls also looked serious.
To ordinary people, this was just a mundane piece of news in their lives, but Kitahara Makoto and the girls all knew that these injury incidents were all caused by the erosion of negative energy. The more there were, the more negative energy had invaded the real world.
"I saw an interesting piece of news." Ryo-senpai looked up, "Someone saw Lady Hachishaku."
"That's a legendary ghost story, it wouldn't really exist, would it?"
Kita was clearly a little disbelieving.
"Don't jump to conclusions." Kitahara Makoto shook his head and said softly, "Do you still remember ghost Senpai?"
"I remember."
Kita nodded.
At the beginning of the semester, she often went with Bocchi-chan and let ghost Senpai possess them to go out and play.
Kitahara Makoto said seriously:
"Ghost-senpai has become stronger. Now, she doesn't need to be summoned; she can come out of the piano."
"..."
The girls all understood Kitahara Makoto's meaning.
Since ghost Senpai has become stronger, then other monsters in reality might also become stronger, right?
After breakfast, the girls all said goodbye and left.
After Kitahara Makoto completed two daily fitness tasks, he changed his clothes and went out to complete today's weight loss business with Togawa-chan.
In the afternoon, he continued to go to the academy to film a mini film with Kita and Anon.
The day passed quickly.
In the evening.
Kitahara Makoto went home, brought Hana, and went to the performance hall to watch Kessoku Band's performance today.
"Welcome..."
Ijichi Nijika was greeting guests at the door. When she saw Kitahara Makoto appear, her pretty face quickly flushed, and she let out a soft snort, tensing her pretty face.
"Mommy."
Hana looked up with her small face and softly called out.
"Hana-chan is here." Ijichi Nijika's eyes quickly softened. She reached out and rubbed Hana's small head, her voice gentle, "Don't call me Mommy outside. I'll give Hana-chan some snacks later."
Kitahara Makoto stood by, asking knowingly:
"Nijika-senpai is so gentle with Hana-chan, but she ignores me. Isn't that too biased?"
"Hmph~"
Ijichi Nijika snorted softly at his words and couldn't help but glare at him.
Biased?
Last night, you forced me to call you all sorts of strange things. It's already good enough that I didn't kick you out!
"Eh, Hana-chan is here?"
Ijichi Seika's eyes lit up. She quickly walked out from behind the counter, picked up Hana, and turned to look at Kitahara Makoto:
"Boy, Hana-chan is with me. You go have fun."
The fragrant and soft silver-haired, red-eyed Hana's charm could completely appeal to everyone, regardless of gender or age.
"Then I'll leave her to Seika-nee."
Kitahara Makoto nodded, naturally not worried that Hana would get lost.
He walked to the drink bar. Today, Bocchi-chan was still working behind the bar.
Their eyes met, and Bocchi-chan's small face quickly flushed, and she hurriedly lowered her head.
Although Gotō Hitori occasionally imagined what that kind of thing felt like in the dead of night, experiencing it firsthand was still too early for Bocchi-chan.
Not to mention, with [Five Senses Sharing], it was clearly like personally doing that kind of thing with Kitahara Makoto... In just one day, Bocchi-chan's shame simply couldn't cool down.
"Hitori, I want a cold cola."
Kitahara Makoto said nonchalantly.
"O-Okay..."
Gotō Hitori kept her head down, completely daring not to look up.
"Since this morning, Hitori has been a little strange. Is she feeling unwell?"
Kitahara Makoto asked knowingly.
"..."
Gotō Hitori quickly shook her head.
"Not feeling unwell?" Kitahara Makoto lowered his voice, "Then you encountered something strange?"
Gotō Hitori parted her lips, her small face flushed like fire:
"I-I'm feeling unwell..."
If I say I encountered something strange, Kitahara-kun will definitely get to the bottom of it... No! The secret of secretly sharing senses last night must never be exposed!
"Alright then." Kitahara Makoto nodded, "Hitori, if you encounter anything strange, don't hesitate, remember to tell me immediately."
"Mhm mhm."
Gotō Hitori quickly nodded.
"Oh, right." Kitahara Makoto slapped his forehead, making a sudden realization expression, "Hitori, have you figured out the secret of the bracelet?"
"..."
Hearing this, Gotō Hitori's head immediately steamed, and she shook her head quickly with her head down.
Can't say!
Last night's secret, no matter what, cannot be revealed!
"Still don't know?" Kitahara Makoto looked regretful, "Then tell me when you do, Hitori."
"..."
Looking at Bocchi-chan, who was about to hide in a cardboard box, Kitahara Makoto smiled and turned around.
Bullying Bocchi-chan is indeed endlessly fun.
It was eight o'clock in the evening in a blink of an eye.
The performance was about to begin.
Kitahara Makoto quietly came to the preparation room, entered the game space with the girls, successfully inherited the hero's ability, and added buffs to Kita, Nijika, and others.
Coupled with last night's dream training, tonight's performance was a great success as expected, with continuous applause from the audience. Even the usually tsundere Ijichi Seika rarely praised everyone a couple of times.
After watching the performance, Kitahara Makoto was about to take Hana home when Ijichi Nijika suddenly walked over and whispered:
"Kitahara-kun, wait a moment."
"Hmm?"
Kitahara Makoto stopped and looked curiously:
"What's wrong, Senpai?"
"My sister is too worrying." Ijichi Nijika whispered, "I told her this afternoon that there are more and more violent patients now, and if she encounters them when she goes out, she must not touch them and run as fast as she can. But my sister didn't take it to heart at all and even said something about being a righteous person."
Kitahara Makoto said speechlessly:
"Didn't you show Seika-nee that video?"
"Of course, I showed it to my sister." Ijichi Nijika sighed helplessly, "My sister used to practice karate and has a black belt, so she's very confident in herself."
Overconfidence is foolishness!
Kitahara Makoto shook his head and said:
"Even if Seika-nee is a karate master, she's definitely no match for those monsters."
"I told her, but my sister doesn't listen at all." Ijichi Nijika bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth and whispered, "So I thought of a way to make my sister recognize reality."
"What way?"
Kitahara Makoto asked curiously.
"Pull my sister into the Dream World." Ijichi Nijika clenched her fists, "Let Hana-chan weave that video into a dream. After my sister suffers enough, she'll naturally know how to write the word 'fear'."
Ijichi Nijika had clearly already thought it through:
"After pulling my sister into the dream, don't let her wake up. Let her remain in a subconscious state. By tomorrow morning, I'll tell my sister that I had the same dream. Even if it's my sister, she won't be impulsive anymore, right?"
"It sounds feasible indeed." Kitahara Makoto nodded slightly, "But Seika-nee has no reason to go to my house, right?"
"You don't need to go to Kitahara-kun's house." Ijichi Nijika's pretty face flushed slightly, and she whispered, "Kitahara-kun, don't go back tonight. Hide in my room. As long as my sister doesn't find you, it's fine."
Kitahara Makoto quickly understood. No wonder she asked him to bring Hana to watch the performance; she had already planned it.
"It's fine for me to stay overnight..." Kitahara Makoto changed the subject, "But Nijika has to agree to one request of mine."
"W-What request?"
Ijichi Nijika's pretty face quickly flushed. She pulled back half a step, covering her skirt, her eyes wary:
"Don't expect me to agree to any strange requests!"
"Don't worry, it's a very ordinary request." Kitahara Makoto said seriously, "Nijika-senpai just needs to move her mouth."
"Move her mouth..."
Ijichi Nijika's gaze involuntarily slid downwards, and her pretty face quickly showed a mix of shame and anger:
"Pervert!!"
"Hentai!"
"I will absolutely not agree to that!"
Kitahara Makoto: "..."
Nijika, who was once so pure, has now been corrupted by Ryo, and her mind is full of dirty things!
"Nijika-senpai, don't judge people with colored glasses," Kitahara Makoto said seriously, raising his right hand. "I just want you to say you like me."
"Eh?"
"That's right, Nijika only needs to say 'I like Kitahara,' and I will go through fire and water for you tonight, no matter what."
"..."
Ijichi Nijika finally realized she had misunderstood, and her pretty face quickly flushed red, so embarrassed she wanted to find a hole to crawl into:
"Sorry, I can't hear what Kitahara-kun is saying. I'm going to clean up first. Goodbye!"
The guests gradually dispersed.
Ijichi Nijika quietly came over and, taking advantage of the chaos, led Kitahara Makoto and Hana upstairs.
The first floor and basement were the performance hall, while the second floor was where Nijika and Seika usually lived. Nijika's mother had passed away, and her father was nowhere to be found; at least Kitahara Makoto had never heard Nijika mention him.
"Come in, come in." Ijichi Nijika took out the key to open the door, then turned and waved, "I'll take you to my room first; I still have to go down and clean later."
"Excuse the intrusion."
Kitahara Makoto stepped into the entrance.
The second floor wasn't large, but it was very cozy and full of a homely atmosphere.
"There are no male slippers at home, so Kitahara-kun will have to make do and wear my slippers." Ijichi Nijika bent down, her golden side ponytail sliding over her shoulder, exceptionally dazzling under the light. "After putting on the slippers, Kitahara-kun, take your shoes into my room so my sister doesn't find them."
Kitahara Makoto nodded: "Whatever Nijika-senpai says."
"Here."
Ijichi Nijika took two pairs of slippers and placed them in front of Kitahara Makoto and Hana, then turned and walked to the Buddha niche on the other side, putting her hands together and softly saying:
"Good evening, Mom."
Kitahara Makoto looked into the Buddha niche, where a photo of a woman was placed. She looked gentle and kind, also with bright golden hair, clearly Nijika's deceased mother.
"Good evening, Auntie." Kitahara Makoto stepped forward, bowed, and said seriously, "Please rest assured, I will definitely take good care of Nijika Ijichi."
Ijichi Nijika looked up and glared:
"What are you calling me? I'm a whole year older than you, alright?"
Kitahara Makoto reached out his right hand and patted Nijika's head:
"Although Nijika-senpai is older, she's short, only 1.5 meters..."
Before he could finish speaking, Ijichi Nijika's cheeks suddenly puffed up, and she looked up and bit him.
"Awoo!"
Kitahara Makoto raised his hand to dodge:
"Nijika-senpai actually bit me?"
Ijichi Nijika's cheeks were puffed up high, like a pufferfish full of air:
"Next time you dare to mention my height, it won't be as simple as just biting you!"
If you say Nijika isn't cute, Nijika definitely won't get angry, because she knows very well whether she's cute or not, but if you say Nijika is short, she'll definitely get angry, because Nijika is indeed short.
Among the four girls in Kessoku Band, Kita is 1.58 meters tall, Bocchi-chan is 1.56 meters tall, and only Ryo-senpai's height exceeds 1.6 meters.
Don't look at how Nijika always acts like an older sister taking care of everyone; her body is actually the shortest among everyone, at 1.54 meters.
"Come to my room quickly."
Ijichi Nijika hummed softly, picked up Hana, and turned to lead the way.
Kitahara Makoto followed behind and arrived at Nijika's room.
The room wasn't large, but it was spotless, and everything was neatly arranged. The only thing worth complaining about was probably the sheer amount of stuff, almost filling the entire room.
"Those are all Ryo's things." Ijichi Nijika pointed to various dolls not far away, complaining helplessly, "Ryo often doesn't come home, and she always loves to buy and buy. Many things she buys are never used and are all kept in my room, making them super troublesome to organize."
Kitahara Makoto heard this and asked curiously:
"Will Ryo-senpai stay overnight tonight?"
"Of course not!"
Ijichi Nijika involuntarily raised her voice.
Even if Ryo wanted to stay overnight, she would have to harden her heart and send Ryo home!
What if the two of you can't control yourselves and do that behind my back?
No!
Absolutely no to that!
"I was just asking." Kitahara Makoto's expression was innocent. "Is Nijika a little too excited?"
"Hmph." Ijichi Nijika hummed softly and instructed, "You and Hana stay in the room. You're not allowed to go out until I come back."
Kitahara Makoto raised his hand and said:
"What if I need to go to the bathroom?"
"Text me to report it." Ijichi Nijika turned to walk out, and at the door, she stopped again, "Oh, and you two haven't showered yet, so you can only sit on the chairs now, no sitting on the bed!"
"..."
Watching Nijika leave, Kitahara Makoto naturally obeyed, sitting down on the chair in front of the desk and quietly playing on his phone.
Thankfully, he had already completed all the daily tasks during the day, so it didn't matter if he didn't go out. Unfortunately, his luck was bad, and he didn't draw anything today, only getting one ability fragment.
In a flash, it was 9:30 PM.
The door was quietly pushed open, and Ijichi Nijika stealthily slipped in.
"The performance hall has been cleaned, and Ryo has gone home. My sister went to the supermarket to buy supplies and won't be back for at least half an hour." Ijichi Nijika said, with her right hand on her hip, "Kitahara-kun, hurry up and take a shower. After you're done, I'll take a shower with Hana."
Kitahara Makoto raised his hand and said:
"I also want to shower with Nijika-senpai."
"One hundred percent rejected."
Ijichi Nijika glared at him with annoyance:
"Hurry to the bathroom."
"..."
His wish to shower together was shattered, so Kitahara Makoto could only walk into the bathroom alone.
"Here's your towel." Ijichi Nijika brought two new towels. "Two should be enough, right?"
Kitahara Makoto took the towels: "Actually, one towel is enough for me."
Ijichi Nijika folded her arms, a look of disdain on her pretty face:
"That sounds super unsanitary."
Kitahara Makoto waved his hand, closed the bathroom door, and began to wash.
While showering, he suddenly heard the sound of a door opening outside, followed by Ijichi Nijika's panicked voice:
"Sis-sister, why are you back early?"
"I just realized my phone was dead, so I came back to charge it." Ijichi Seika's lazy voice rang out. "Is someone in the bathroom?"
"Ah..." Ijichi Nijika's voice was a little flustered. "Ryo is showering in there!"
Ijichi Seika said casually:
"Strange, didn't you send Ryo home?"
Ijichi Nijika stammered:
"Ryo said she was bored alone, so she came back."
"I see." Ijichi Seika didn't sound suspicious. "Then I'll go in and take a quick shower."
"Eh eh eh?"
Ijichi Nijika immediately panicked and quickly blocked the bathroom door, nervously saying:
"Sister, don't!"
"What 'don't'?" Ijichi Seika's voice was puzzled. "It's not like I haven't showered with Ryo before. Why are you stopping me?"
"Th-that..."
Ijichi Nijika's forehead beaded with sweat, and she was completely flustered.
What to do, what to do?
If she let her sister go into the bathroom and see Kitahara-kun, everything would be over!
At the critical moment, Ijichi Nijika's mind raced, and she stammered:
"Ryo asked me to help scrub her back, and I already promised Ryo. If sister wants to shower, go to the other bathroom."
Ijichi Seika's tone was doubtful: "I can also help Ryo scrub her back."
"Sister, you worked so hard today, leave the back-scrubbing to me." Ijichi Nijika said, while knocking on the door, "Ryo, I'm coming in."
Click.
The bathroom door opened a crack.
Ijichi Nijika quickly slipped into the bathroom, then poked out half of her pretty face and said:
"Sister, hurry up and charge your phone!"
"..."
Inside the bathroom.
Hearing Ijichi Seika's footsteps fade away, Nijika couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
"Phew..."
Ijichi Nijika clutched her chest, still feeling a lingering fear.
Dangerous.
Letting a boy stay overnight was indeed a super dangerous thing.
"Nijika-senpai, you keep your word, right?"
Kitahara Makoto's voice echoed faintly.
Ijichi Nijika instinctively turned her head at the sound, and after looking at Kitahara Makoto, her pretty face quickly flushed red, both embarrassed and annoyed:
"You... you should at least cover yourself with a towel!"
Kitahara Makoto said shamelessly:
"Nijika-senpai hasn't seen it before, and the towel is hanging on the wall; I can't reach it."
"Pfft~"
Ijichi Nijika let out a soft, embarrassed huff, picked up the towel from the wall, and threw it to Kitahara Makoto:
"Hurry and cover yourself!"
Kitahara Makoto caught the towel and covered his body:
"Nijika-senpai, hurry and fulfill your promise."
"Eh?" Ijichi Nijika was startled, her tone puzzled, "What promise?"
Kitahara Makoto said shamelessly:
"Of course, it's the promise to help scrub my back."
"What are you talking about? I clearly said I'd help Ryo scrub her back." Ijichi Nijika's pretty face was flushed, and she puffed out her cheeks, "I'm not going to help you scrub your back."
"Can't hear, can't hear." Kitahara Makoto took half a step forward, looking down at her with burning eyes, "Just now, I only heard Nijika-senpai say she would help scrub a back. If you don't keep your word, then I won't be polite."
"You, what are you going to do?"
Ijichi Nijika leaned nervously against the bathroom door.
Pop.
Kitahara Makoto stretched out his arm, pinning Nijika against the wall.
"Either Nijika-senpai helps me scrub my back, or I help Nijika-senpai scrub her back. Nijika-senpai, you choose."
"..."
Ijichi Nijika really wanted to say she wouldn't choose either, but her sister was still home. If they made too much noise, they might be discovered. She had no choice but to swallow her pride and agree.
"Hurry up and sit down."
Ijichi Nijika lightly bit her lower lip, saying shamefully, "I'll scrub your back, alright?"
Kitahara Makoto lowered his voice and said, "First, let me kiss Nijika-senpai."
"No, I refuse."
Ijichi Nijika flatly denied him.
"I've already pinned Nijika against the wall. It feels like such a waste if I don't kiss her."
"Get away from me... Mmm."
Seeing Kitahara Makoto lean down to kiss her, Ijichi Nijika frantically tried to dodge, but she was half a beat too slow. She could only close her eyes in embarrassment, letting him have his way.
Several minutes later.
Kitahara Makoto was satisfied. He let go of the panting Ijichi Nijika, turned, and sat down on the small bamboo stool.
"Nijika-senpai, hurry up and come help scrub my back."
Ijichi Nijika wiped away the silver thread from the corner of her lips, her pretty face flushed crimson. She puffed out her cheeks and squatted down.
"I finally experienced Nijika-senpai's back-scrubbing service. My life is complete."
Kitahara Makoto closed his eyes and sighed.
Pop.
Ijichi Nijika reached out and patted him, lightly chiding, "Idiot, don't say strange things."
Kitahara Makoto, with his eyes closed, said, "Nijika-senpai's back-scrubbing is so comfortable. What should I do if I want it every day from now on?"
"Only for today."
Ijichi Nijika said impatiently, "There won't be a next time."
"I want to use a redemption coupon to redeem a back-scrubbing service."
"Sorry, that's outside the redemption scope."
"..."
Several minutes later.
The back-scrubbing service came to an end.
Ijichi Nijika let out a soft sigh and said, "That's enough."
"Not enough."
Kitahara Makoto turned his body, "The front needs scrubbing too."
Ijichi Nijika's gaze involuntarily fixed on him, her pretty face quickly turning red. She looked away, both shy and annoyed.
"You, you actually... What are you thinking about?!"
Kitahara Makoto's tone was innocent.
"I can't help it. It's normal to have wild thoughts the first time I'm bathing with Nijika in the bathroom, right?"
"Pfft~"
Ijichi Nijika lightly spat, throwing the towel over.
"You wash yourself!"
"..."
As they spoke, footsteps sounded outside the door again.
"Nijika, I'm going out."
Ijichi Seika's voice came from outside the door.
"Seika-nee, please be careful."
Ijichi Nijika's eyes lit up. After her sister left, she quickly escaped from the bathroom.
There's no need to elaborate on what happened next.
After Kitahara Makoto finished his bath, Ijichi Nijika took Hana to bathe, then returned to the room smelling fragrant.
It was already 10:30 PM. Ijichi Nijika knelt on the bed, her right hand covering her chest, and whispered, "Hana will sleep in the middle tonight. Kitahara-kun, you're not allowed to cross the line!"
Kitahara Makoto raised his hand and said, "What if Nijika-senpai crosses over?"
"Absolutely impossible."
Ijichi Nijika said confidently, "I always sleep extremely honestly."
The three lay down, and Ijichi Nijika softly said, "Hana, you can weave dreams now."
Hana turned to look at Kitahara Makoto.
"Papa, there's one more. Do you want it?"
Ijichi Nijika was puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Kitahara Makoto lightly raised his eyebrows. "I told Hana before that when pulling someone into a dream, she should first confirm their identity with me to avoid problems."
"Wait."
Ijichi Nijika's eyes widened. "Hana means, besides Seika-nee, there's someone else in the house?"
Hana corrected her, "It's a soul."
Kitahara Makoto said softly, "Where is the other party?"
Hana's words were simple.
"Buddha niche."
"..."
Ijichi Nijika's body trembled at the words, and then her eyes immediately welled up with moist mist. She raised her hand to tightly cover her mouth, and drops of clear tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Buddha niche... Is it the Buddha niche for commemorating Mama?!"
Hana looked bewildered. "Mama?"
Kitahara Makoto said in a deep voice, "Seika-nee is already asleep. Let's go out and confirm."
The three quietly left the room and went to the living room.
Hana walked to Nijika's mother's Buddha niche and looked up with her small face.
"The soul is inside."
"Could it really be...?"
Ijichi Nijika tightly covered her mouth, her whole body trembling, and the little pearls (tears) fell even more fiercely.
Kitahara Makoto extended his right hand and pulled Nijika into his embrace, saying gently, "The answer book is in the backpack. Today's question attempts haven't been used up yet. Let's go back to the room and confirm if it's Auntie."