"A-A Love Hotel?"
Hitori's eyes widened as she stared at the Japan sign, still brightly lit even in the daytime. Her heart immediately leaped into her throat.
In Japan, Love Hotels are everywhere, with their Japan signs all looking the same, so Hitori naturally couldn't mistake it.
"Hitori, don't be nervous." Kitahara Makoto's face was filled with righteousness. "To others, it's a Love Hotel, but to us, it's just a private space for a simple rest."
"E-Even if Kitahara-kun says so… "
Hitori's voice trembled slightly, her face flushed, and her eyes pleaded:
"Can we, can we change locations?"
Kitahara Makoto shook his head helplessly:
"The problem is there are no other hotels nearby. There might be some far away, but going back and forth would take too much time, definitely not enough for studying."
"…"
Hitori parted her lips, speechless.
Because Kitahara Makoto was telling the truth; there really was no other option.
Kitahara Makoto reached out and held Hitori's soft hand, gently reassuring her:
"Hitori, please rest assured. We're just going to the Love Hotel to study, and I promise not to do anything strange to Hitori."
"B-But… "
"Hitori, don't you trust me?"
"O-Of course, I trust Kitahara-kun… "
"Then let's go. I promise only to hug, no funny business."
"…"
Kitahara Makoto gently squeezed her hand, leading Hitori across the road towards the Love Hotel on the opposite side.
Hitori felt dizzy, her feet seemingly treading on cotton. She kept her head down, looking at the ground, not daring to look up at all.
Every passerby made Hitori's heart pound faster, making her feel like she was on pins and needles, with the spotlight effect fully engaged.
After an unknown amount of time, a familiar voice suddenly sounded in her ears:
"Hitori, what theme do you want to choose?"
"Eh?"
Hitori looked up blankly, only then realizing that she had unknowingly already walked into the Love Hotel.
She frantically scanned her surroundings and quietly sighed in relief. There was no one at the Love Hotel's front desk, only two self-service machines with small compartments, each seemingly for a different themed room…
Her gaze swept across the screen, but Hitori didn't dare to look closely. She quickly lowered her head and stammered softly:
"K-Kitahara-kun can decide."
"Then I'll choose?"
Kitahara Makoto held Hitori's hand, curiously observing the themed rooms on the screen.
Even though it was two in the afternoon, the Love Hotel was mostly full, and there weren't many themed rooms available.
Train.
Prison.
School.
Hospital…
"As expected, I want to experience them all."
Kitahara Makoto was also visiting a Love Hotel for the first time, and his anticipation was at its peak.
However, to avoid scaring Hitori, Kitahara Makoto decided to play it safe and not choose overly exaggerated themes like prison or hospital.
"How about a school theme?"
Kitahara Makoto asked softly.
"Mhm, mhm."
Hitori nodded quickly.
Home and school are the places she's most familiar with. Choosing a school theme should definitely make her feel at ease… right?
Kitahara Makoto selected the themed room and time slot, then inserted banknotes. He didn't interact with anyone throughout the process, emphasizing a 'self-service' approach to reduce any inexplicable embarrassment.
Speaking of which, he had seen news on Twitter before, saying that the infidelity rate of women in Japan had reached an astonishing fifty percent. He wondered if it was true or false…
After putting away the change from the machine, Kitahara Makoto held Hitori's small hand and walked upstairs.
Hitori kept her head down, dazedly looking at the stairs beneath her feet.
Although they were just ordinary stairs, in Hitori's mind, the stairs were clearly the tongue of some monstrous beast, and she was stepping on the great monster's tongue, walking step by step into the monster's gaping maw…
(So scary, so scary, so scary!)
(No!)
(If a classmate or teacher sees me, I'll die, won't I?)
(I really want to go back into my mother's womb…)
Normally, when passing by a Love Hotel, Hitori would lower her head and quicken her pace, rushing past, afraid that some demons or monsters inside would grab her.
Now, she had actually walked in voluntarily, and unknowingly, her palms were sweating and her head was dizzy.
Fortunately, the person holding her hand was Kitahara Makoto. If it had been anyone else, Hitori would have already been scared to tears and turned to run away.
After an unknown amount of time, Hitori only heard a familiar gentle voice in her ear:
"Hitori, time to change into slippers."
"Ah… "
"We've arrived at the 'classroom'."
"Eh?"
Hitori looked up blankly, only then realizing that she had indeed arrived in a 'classroom'.
The podium, blackboard, desks, chairs… everything was exactly like a real classroom. In a trance, Hitori even thought she had returned to school.
"The Degree of restoration is super high."
Kitahara Makoto looked around with interest, finding it identical to a real classroom, almost 100% accurate.
He walked to the curtain and pulled it open, but unfortunately, there was only a wall behind it.
He pushed open another door in the room, and behind it were a bathtub, bed, vending machine, washing machine, and a dazzling array of various interesting props.
"What a pity…"
Although Kitahara Makoto was very tempted, he came here today to study, and there was no way he would take advantage of Hitori.
"It's decided, I'll call Ryo-senpai to come play tonight!"
"Ah… "
Hitori secretly peeked at the scene behind the other door, and her girlish fantasy was immediately shattered. She finally recognized reality.
This was not a real school, but a themed room in a Love Hotel.
(I really did get a room with Kitahara-kun at a Love Hotel…)
At this thought.
Hitori's girlish sense of shame suddenly exploded, with white steam billowing from the top of her head.
"Don't space out." Kitahara Makoto walked to the vending machine, casually bought two drinks, "Hitori, the biscuits are in your backpack. Hurry up and take them out. Let's make good use of our time to study."
"Ah… okay."
Hitori's face was burning as she nodded quickly, fumbling to take out the biscuits.
"Have a drink."
Kitahara Makoto unscrewed the drink bottle and handed it to Hitori.
"Thank you, Kitahara-kun… "
Hitori thanked him softly with a red face, took the drink, gulped down two sips, then picked up a biscuit and put it into her mouth.
Crunch, crunch.
The sound of chewing biscuits echoed in the room.
Hitori sat at the desk, eating biscuits, feeling anxious in her heart:
"My question attempts were already used up, so I can't ask to confirm if the biscuit I ate has any issues… But there are so many biscuits; my luck can't be that bad, can it?"
After swallowing the biscuit, Hitori quickly picked up her phone, opened the driving school's practice question bank, and prepared to study.
However, after only a few seconds, Hitori suddenly felt her phone become heavy and it dropped onto the desk with a 'clatter'.
Immediately after, Kitahara Makoto, who was standing beside her, quickly transformed into a 'giant'.
"C-Could it be… "
Hitori panicked in her heart, wanting to speak, but when she opened her mouth, she heard a startled meow.
"Meow?"
Hitori silently accepted reality. Today was her unlucky day. With so many biscuits, her luck was terrible, and she just happened to pick the biscuit that would turn her into an animal.
"It seems Hitori's luck is very good today. With only one transformation biscuit, Hitori managed to pick it."
Kitahara Makoto complained while bending down to pick up the scattered clothes on the floor.
Hitori had now turned into a small kitten, squatting blankly on the desk, and when transforming, all clothes would fall off. Simply put… all her equipment was dropped.
Shirt, stockings, skirt, underwear…
Kitahara Makoto dutifully picked up the fallen clothes one by one.
"The floor isn't clean, so of course, I have to pick them up." Kitahara Makoto said with a righteous expression, turning to look at the cat Hitori squatting on the desk, "Do you want me to help wash them?"
"Meow meow meow!"
The cat Hitori shook her head quickly.
(No! Absolutely not that!)
(A girl's intimate clothing, I absolutely don't want Kitahara-kun to help wash it!)
"Do you really not need it?"
Kitahara Makoto held up the blue and white cotton fabric in his hand, lowering his voice:
"It feels a bit damp… "
Even though Hitori had already turned into a cat, she was still so embarrassed that steam came out, and she frantically tried to snatch the panties from Kitahara Makoto's hand.
(That's because the weather is too hot, and I was sweating! Ahhhhh!)
(It's, it's not anything strange!)
It had been a long time since her last transformation into a cat, so Hitori naturally couldn't adapt to the cat form. Clumsily, she knocked over the drink bottle on the desk.
And the bottle cap wasn't screwed on tightly, causing the drink inside to spill directly.
Kitahara Makoto was quick-witted and immediately steadied the drink bottle, but unfortunately, quite a bit of the drink still spilled out, conveniently wetting the clothes nearby.
"Meow… "
Hitori hung her head, apologizing softly.
(S-Sorry…)
"There's no other way, I can only wash them now."
Kitahara Makoto tightened the bottle cap, patted Hitori's little head, then picked up the wet clothes and turned to walk to another room:
"I just saw a washing machine in there. Using quick wash + dry, I can get the clothes clean before we leave."
"…"
A moment later.
The transformation time ended.
A faint white light flashed, and Hitori transformed back into a human, her snow-white skin dazzlingly bright under the lights.
"Ah…"
Accompanied by a shameful gasp, Hitori's face flushed, and she quickly covered her body and squatted down.
"The clothes are in the washing machine, so you can't wear them for now." Kitahara Makoto looked at Hitori and suggested, "How about Hitori just does the practice questions like this?"
"…"
Hitori shook her head like a rattle, her face almost dripping blood, and she stammered:
"Th-that closet has clothes in it, I saw them just now…"
"I forgot." Kitahara Makoto slapped his forehead, "Let me look for them."
Of course, the Love Hotel had various cosplay uniforms. Kitahara Makoto opened the closet, and a dazzling array of uniforms came into view.
The most common student sailor uniform.
Gym clothes for physical education class.
School swimsuits used for swimming class.
And…
Kitahara Makoto's gaze fell on a white shirt and a hip-hugging skirt:
"You're the one."
Taking out the uniform, Kitahara Makoto turned and walked to Hitori's side and said:
"Hitori, here you go."
"Eh?"
Hitori shamefully looked up, her eyes quickly widening:
"This is… a teacher's uniform?"
"That's right." Kitahara Makoto said without changing his expression, "Although there are other uniforms, they don't look very clean. Hitori, just wear this one."
"B-but…"
Hitori stammered, wanting to refuse.
She had never worn a teacher's uniform before; just thinking about it felt super strange.
"Hurry up." Kitahara Makoto urged, "There's not much time left until the exam, and you haven't done the practice questions yet."
"…"
Remembering the real reason they came to the hotel, Hitori took a deep breath, finally suppressing her shame, and softly pleaded:
"K-Kitahara-kun, please turn around…"
"Okay."
Kitahara Makoto silently turned around.
A rustling sound came from behind him.
A moment later.
Finally, the girl's shameful voice came from behind Kitahara Makoto:
"I-I'm dressed…"
Turning around, Kitahara Makoto's eyes suddenly lit up as he looked at Hitori in the white shirt and hip-hugging skirt.
Hitori as a female teacher—this was an un-unlocked limited skin! If not for today's accidental good fortune, who knew when he would ever get to see it!
Click.
Kitahara Makoto quickly raised his phone and took a photo.
"D-don't take pictures…"
Hitori's face was crimson, one hand covering her chest, the other covering her lower abdomen, her voice half shame, half grievance.
Plus the female teacher uniform she was wearing…
Kitahara Makoto's impulse to act out immediately became uncontrollable!
"Hitori-sensei is in charge."
Kitahara Makoto took a deep breath, put away his phone, then stretched out his right arm and gently pulled Hitori directly into his embrace.
"Ah?"
Hitori's body instantly tensed up.
"Hitori-sensei, your phone."
Kitahara Makoto handed Hitori's phone over.
"Thank you…"
Hitori thanked him instinctively, then she reacted.
(Te-teacher?)
(She just wore the uniform, she wasn't a real teacher…)
"Hitori-sensei, have you ever heard a saying?" Kitahara Makoto leaned close to Hitori's ear, "When people are nervous, their concentration becomes highly focused."
"…"
Hitori's face flushed, and she quickly nodded to indicate she had heard of it.
"It's good that you've heard of it." Kitahara Makoto smiled, "There are only forty minutes left until the exam. To improve Hitori-sensei's efficiency in doing practice questions, Hitori-sensei should do them while in my arms."
"N-no…"
Hitori finally realized Kitahara Makoto's mischievous intentions and frantically tried to get up.
Unfortunately, Kitahara Makoto used a little force and held Hitori firmly in his arms, saying righteously:
"Hitori-sensei, don't move. I'm doing this all for your own good. You want to pass today's exam in one go, don't you?"
"B-but…"
"No buts, hurry up and do the practice questions."
"…"
As Kitahara Makoto held the phone in front of Hitori, Hitori had no choice but to look at the phone with a flushed face, trying her best not to think about sitting in Kitahara Makoto's arms.
It was certainly super embarrassing, but Hitori soon discovered that her efficiency in doing practice questions was indeed super high.
With the magic cookie + the Sudden Enlightenment ability, plus her entire being in a state of heightened tension with a racing heart, Hitori felt as if she truly possessed Hypermnesia. The questions on the phone, she only needed to glance at them, and they were clearly imprinted in her mind.
'Hypermnesia' mode successfully activated.
To pass today's theory class exam with Kitahara Makoto, Hitori widened her eyes and concentrated on doing the practice questions.
The themed room quietly fell silent.
After an unknown amount of time, an alarm suddenly rang.
"Hoo…"
Hitori came back to her senses, exiting the immersive practice question state, and then finally realized that the sleeping beast had awakened at some unknown point, her face instantly turning bright red.
"There are ten minutes left until the exam, we should go back." Kitahara Makoto said softly, "The clothes should be dry now, Hitori, go change first."
"Mhm, mhm."
Hitori quickly got up, about to flee in a hurry.
"Wait a moment."
Kitahara Makoto grabbed Hitori's wrist.
"Wh-what's wrong?"
Hitori's face was crimson as she looked over nervously.
Kitahara Makoto's gaze was burning as he said:
"I've been Hitori-sensei's chair for so long, wouldn't it be too much to ask for a kiss?"
"N-no…" Hitori quickly shook her head in shame, "There's no time…"
Before she could finish, Kitahara Makoto had already blocked Hitori's soft, lips.
This was his first time at a Love Hotel, and he had actually spent half the time seriously doing practice questions. If he didn't even get a kiss, he felt like he was losing out too much!
One minute later.
Kitahara Makoto temporarily let go of Hitori, wiped the corner of his lips, and said:
"Let's take a little interest first. After the theory class exam, Hitori-sensei can properly guide me on kissing techniques."
Hitori: "…"
The rest goes without saying.
With only ten minutes left until the exam, Hitori hurriedly changed her clothes, left the Love Hotel with Kitahara Makoto through the back door, and then sprinted all the way back to the driving school.
They rushed and rushed, finally making it back to the exam room one minute before the exam started.
Theory class exams were all computer-based, and the questions were all basic, memory-based things. Results were given immediately after completion.
After quickly finishing the questions, Kitahara Makoto double-checked them, confirmed there were no omissions, and then directly submitted the test on the computer, predictably getting a perfect score.
Kitahara Makoto walked out of the exam computer room and stood in the hallway, waiting for Hitori to come out.
"Buzz buzz."
As soon as his phone turned on, several new messages popped up.
Shiina Taki: "Are you there?"
"My sister told Mom and Dad about last night, and also about us dating…"
"Mom and Dad are insisting I ask you to come over for dinner tonight, to express their gratitude."
"I'll call you later. Kitahara-kun, just say you're busy and can't come."
"…"
"Tsk~"
Kitahara Makoto let out a soft tsk. Hitori didn't know when she would finish her exam and come out, and since he was idle anyway, he decided to tease Taki a bit, which would also complete today's daily task.
[Daily Task Four: Stepsister Life]
[Task Content: Have at least three girls call you 'big brother' to your face]
This task didn't limit identity, so it wasn't very difficult. Kitahara Makoto could easily complete it, but Taki just happened to walk into his trap.
Kitahara Makoto: "I'm free tonight."
Shiina Taki: "…Huh?"
Kitahara Makoto: "I want to go to Taki's house for dinner."
Shiina Taki immediately denied: "Don't you dare come over!"
Letting the scumbag Kitahara come over for dinner?
That guy not only looks decent, but he also speaks well. With just one meal, Mom and Dad would surely switch sides!
What if Tomori found out about the fake boyfriend thing…
No!
"Absolutely not!"
Kitahara Makoto slowly said, "I'm happy that Taki-san messaged me, but I don't really like Taki-san's tone."
Shiina Taki: "...I always talk like this."
Kitahara Makoto: "You don't in front of Tomori."
Shiina Taki: "..."
Kitahara Makoto continued, "There's no problem with me helping you deal with it, but there's one thing I need Taki-san to help me with."
"What is it?"
Shiina Taki immediately became vigilant.
Although this guy is reassuring at critical moments, it doesn't change the fact that he's a perverted scumbag—if he wasn't a lecher, he wouldn't even think about having a harem, right?
Kitahara Makoto: "I'm all alone right now, and I suddenly really want to hear someone call me Onii-chan."
"Huh?"
Shiina Taki's eyes widened in shame and anger.
This guy actually wants me to call him Onii-chan?
He's clearly trying to humiliate me!
"Impossible!" Shiina Taki flatly refused, "Don't even think about making me call you weird things!"
Kitahara Makoto said unhurriedly, "Then I'll come over for dinner tonight. If the truth comes out, I won't be responsible."
Shiina Taki: "..."
On one hand, it was a shameful execution; on the other, it was exposure in front of her parents, and her older sister might even fall into a trap...
After a moment of hesitation, Shiina Taki gritted her teeth and finally chose to give in.
"You'll agree to help if I just call you Onii-chan once?"
"You have my word, but you have to say it in a video. A cold message just doesn't feel right."
Kitahara Makoto walked to a corner and directly sent a video call invitation.
Shiina Taki: "..."
Looking at the call invitation on her phone, Shiina Taki had no choice but to blush and answer the video call.
"Taki-san, I've already cleaned my ears," Kitahara Makoto said with a smile, "Please start quickly."
"Hmph~"
Shiina Taki let out a soft snort, resisting the urge to hit him, and turned her face away, saying shamefully, "O-Onii-chan..."
"Too quiet. Say it again."
"You're really pushing your luck!"
"..."
After ending the video call, Kitahara Makoto opened the System and nodded with satisfaction.
Video calls indeed counted as 'in person' and did not hinder the mission progress.
After waiting a while longer, as the doorbell rang, Hitori finally snuck out, her small face full of joy and excitement.
"Kitahara-kun, I passed~" Hitori was very happy, chattering, "I thought I wouldn't make it, but when the results came out, it was exactly ninety points!"
Kitahara Makoto exclaimed, "Hitori-sensei is wonderful."
"Eh heh~"
Hearing the praise she wanted, Hitori immediately looked up, revealing a smug, silly grin.
"Let's go." Kitahara Makoto held Hitori's soft hand and turned to walk towards the fire escape, "Now, I'll need more guidance from Hitori-sensei."
"Eh?"
"We talked about it at the inn before, didn't we? After the exam, Hitori-sensei would guide me on kissing techniques. You haven't forgotten, have you?"
Hitori's smug expression immediately turned pitiful:
"N-no..."
☰