The clothes were already wet, and Bocchi-chan had no choice but to take a bath with Kitahara Makoto.
The process cannot be written much.
In short, an hour later, the bathroom door finally opened.
Bocchi-chan sneaked out first, carefully patrolled around, confirmed that there was no one in the living room, and then secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and then returned to the bathroom door with a strong sense of stealth, her voice like a mosquito humming:
"K-Kitahara-kun can come out…"
"Okay."
Kitahara Makoto walked out of the bathroom with a calm expression, and did not forget to gently close the door, as if he was the owner and Bocchi-chan was just a guest.
When Kitahara Makoto came out, Bocchi-chan quickly lowered her head, not daring to look up at all, and stammered shyly, "I-we're going upstairs."
The plum wine's alcohol content wasn't high, and after soaking in the bathroom for so long, the alcohol had already evaporated. The shy, socially anxious Bocchi-chan was back.
The two quietly went upstairs and returned to Bocchi-chan's room.
"Phew…" Bocchi-chan clutched her chest and let out a long sigh of relief, finally feeling at ease.
"Kitahara-kun, hurry and lie down," Bocchi-chan said, her head still lowered, not daring to look at anyone, her voice filled with shame. "I'll apply the medicine for you."
"Then I'll leave it to Hitori," Kitahara Makoto said casually, lying down on Bocchi-chan's bed.
Actually, he only had a small wound on his body, and with Kitahara Makoto's current physical condition, it wouldn't take long for it to heal on its own. However, since Bocchi-chan wanted to help, he naturally wouldn't refuse.
After all the hard work of eliminating the windbreaker bizarre, shouldn't he be able to enjoy himself a bit?
A moment later, Bocchi-chan finished applying the ointment, her face red as she whispered, "Kitahara-kun, you can put your clothes on now."
"What?" Kitahara Makoto pretended to be surprised and looked over. "Hitori wants to kick me out?"
"Of course not!" Bocchi-chan quickly shook her head.
"Then why do you want me to put on clothes?" Kitahara Makoto said shamelessly. "Sleeping should naturally be done naked."
Bocchi-chan's face turned crimson. "Th-then Kitahara-kun doesn't have to wear clothes either…"
Kitahara Makoto glanced at his phone. "It's already past one in the morning. How are we going to sleep tonight?"
Bocchi-chan lowered her head. "Kitahara-kun sleeps on the bed…"
Kitahara Makoto's eyes lit up. "Hitori wants to sleep with me?"
"Eh?" Bocchi-chan blinked, immediately understanding the meaning of his words. Her face quickly flushed, and then she shook her head rapidly like a rattle drum.
(N-no way!)
(That kind of thing has to wait until university… It's too early now!)
Bocchi-chan's mental age wasn't mature. Most of the time, she still considered herself a child, and occasionally she would even say, 'I really want to go back into Mommy's tummy.' For a child, eating the forbidden fruit was, of course, a terrifying thing.
"There's also the cabinet!" Bocchi-chan quickly turned around, walked hastily to the cabinet, opened it, and said with a flushed face, "Kitahara-kun can sleep on the bed, and I can sleep inside the cabinet!"
"The last time I saw someone sleeping in a cabinet was Doraemon in an anime. It surely isn't comfortable in there, right?" Kitahara Makoto still wanted to sleep with Hitori. "Hitori, you sleep on the bed tonight. I promise I won't do anything funny."
"It's very comfortable," Bocchi-chan quickly shook her head. "I've secluded myself in there for two days and two nights to write lyrics before, and it was perfectly fine. Good night, Kitahara-kun!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Bocchi-chan, like a startled marmot, quickly hid inside the closet.
"Tsk~" Kitahara Makoto clicked his tongue lightly, knowing that it was impossible to sleep with Bocchi-chan tonight, so he could only say, "Hitori, good night."
"…"
The night passed without a word.
The next day, when Kitahara Makoto woke up, the small wound on his body had quietly healed, leaving no scar. His physical strength and energy had also returned to peak condition, which was clearly the effect of the Night Emperor ability.
"Kitahara-kun, you're awake?" A timid voice came from beside him. Bocchi-chan had woken up at some point and was sitting on the chair nearby.
"Hitori, good morning," Kitahara Makoto rubbed his face and sat up. "You woke up so early. You didn't stay up all night, did you?"
"I slept for a little while," Bocchi-chan replied softly. "I was worried Futari would come over to play in the morning, and it would be troublesome if she found Kitahara-kun."
Kitahara Makoto checked the time on his phone. "Then should I go back now?"
"N-not now," Bocchi-chan quickly stopped him. "Mom is making breakfast outside. If you go out now, you'll definitely run into her."
Kitahara Makoto said softly, "Then I'll leave a bit later. Has Auntie completely recovered?"
"That's right, Mom is perfectly fine now!" Bocchi-chan's eyes sparkled as she looked over gratefully. "When I went downstairs just now, Mom seemed to be in a very good mood and was even humming a song in the kitchen… But when I asked her what happened last night, Mom said she couldn't remember anything at all."
"It's good that she doesn't remember," Kitahara Makoto nodded slightly. "As long as Mom is healthy, that's enough."
"Mhm, mhm." Bocchi-chan quickly nodded, showing her complete agreement.
Two seconds later, Bocchi-chan belatedly realized what she had said, her small face quickly flushed, and she shyly looked down at her toes.
(Calling her 'Mom' again…)
(Shouldn't I only change how I address her after we get married?)
There's no need to say more about what happened next.
Kitahara Makoto obediently hid in Bocchi-chan's room, waited for Mrs. Goto to finish breakfast and leave for work, and then, with Bocchi-chan's help, quietly left the house.
On the way back, Kitahara Makoto kept his promise and took Hana to the cake shop, buying ten Cupcakes in one go.
"Hana, after you swallowed the windbreaker bizarre last night, did you gain any new abilities?" Back home, Kitahara Makoto looked down and asked.
"Yes."
Hana hugged a Cupcake, ran to her designated spot on the sofa, skillfully picked up the remote control, turned on the TV, and started playing "Chibi Maruko-chan." Although her small face was expressionless, one could tell from her two gently swaying short legs that she was clearly in a good mood.
Kitahara Makoto sat on the sofa, watching "Chibi Maruko-chan" with her, and asked expectantly, "What ability?"
Hana took a bite of the Cupcake, her words as concise as ever: "Borrowing things."
"…"
After asking for details for a moment, Kitahara Makoto finally understood the content of Hana's new ability.
Simply put, it could be called [Evil Neighbor].
As long as the corresponding conditions were met, Hana could borrow things from humans, without limit to the type—life, memories, emotions, and so on, all could be borrowed. As for returning them… things borrowed by skill, of course, didn't need to be returned.
Of course, if she wanted to return them, Hana could also do so, and could even return the borrowed items to a third party.
It now seemed that what Bocchi-chan's mother had borrowed was most likely memories or life. Thankfully, Bocchi-chan called immediately after realizing something was wrong, otherwise, the situation would have been unimaginable.
"Hana, try to borrow a Cupcake from me."
Kitahara Makoto picked up a box of Cupcakes, preparing to personally experience Hana's new ability.
Hana looked up at him upon hearing this and extended her right hand. "Lend me."
"…"
The moment the voice fell, Kitahara Makoto felt an invisible energy envelop him, and an uncontrollable urge to offer the Cupcake arose in his heart.
Kitahara Makoto took a deep breath, tensed his body, and resisted the urge with his will.
A few seconds later, the strong urge suddenly dissipated, like a tide, coming quickly and leaving even faster, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.
"My will was almost broken through…" Kitahara Makoto returned the Cupcake to Hana, pondering in his heart.
Although the urge wasn't as strong as the temptation of the Eden Fruit, a sudden attack could very likely cause ordinary people to fall for it.
"Hana, if you swallow other Strange Tales, can you continue to get stronger?" Kitahara Makoto rubbed Hana's small head, asking curiously.
"Yes."
"…"
It must be said that Hana was indeed quite special, able to grow stronger by devouring other Strange Tales.
Of course, it was currently unclear whether this was Hana's unique ability or if other Otherworld existences could also do so.
Today's questioning quota had been used up, but Kitahara Makoto inexplicably had a premonition that growth through devouring was most likely Hana's unique ability.
After clarifying the information he wanted to know, Kitahara Makoto quietly watched TV.
And indeed, although the art style of "Chibi Maruko-chan" looked childish, Kitahara Makoto found himself unknowingly immersed after watching for two minutes.
"Chibi Maruko-chan" had been broadcast continuously for thirty years, with a total of over fifteen hundred episodes, even longer than Detective Conan, which was enough to prove its popularity.
After watching an episode of "Chibi Maruko-chan," Kitahara Makoto got up and began to complete today's fitness tasks.
One thousand handstand push-ups, easily done.
Ten kilometers long-distance running, effortless.
After coming out of the bathroom after showering, Kitahara Makoto looked at the remaining two daily tasks, which were a bit tricky.
When he eliminated the windbreaker bizarre yesterday, it was already past midnight of the second day, so the daily tasks were counted as failed, and he didn't even get a lottery chance.
Of course, he wanted to complete all four daily tasks today. The third task was quite easy.
[Daily Task Three: Grand Finale!]
[Task Content: Purchase Weekly Shonen Jump, watch the final episode of "Jujutsu Kaisen"]
What?
Jujutsu Kaisen ended?
Did Gojo Satoru win the comeback fight in the end?
Kitahara Makoto had already decided that he would buy a copy of "Weekly Shonen Jump" when he went out later. He just wasn't sure if it could deliver a shocking ending like the serialization previews suggested.
The last, fourth task was quite difficult…
[Daily Task Four: Heavy Woman Terminator]
[Task Content: Hug Shiina Taki for ten minutes]
"The fourth task is really too much," Kitahara Makoto just thought about it and felt a headache. "Given Taki's personality, it's impossible for her to let someone hug her, unless the sun rises from the west?"
"…"
It was afternoon.
Kitahara Makoto leisurely made his way to the academy, finished his own scenes, and then it was time to watch Anon and Kita's performances.
The campus scenes were almost finished, and the song recording had already been handled previously. However, according to Shiraishi Ayane's idea, since they chose an original song, it would be best if the other accompanying songs in the micro-film were also originals. Kita naturally recommended Kessoku Band, while Anon said Tomori sang very well.
Shiraishi Ayane was noncommittal, directly asking both of them to provide song demos, and the best would be chosen after a competition.
Filming ended.
Unconsciously, it was already evening.
"Tomori, I'm heading out."
Kitahara Makoto took out his phone and sent a message to Takamatsu Tomori.
The message was quickly read.
Takamatsu Tomori: "I'm already on my way, waiting for Makoto-kun."
Even before summer vacation, he had already agreed with Tomori to go watch the Perseid meteor shower during the summer. Today happened to be the day of the Perseid meteor shower's peak, and the two had arranged to meet at the planetarium.
There was no rush to go to Otherworld.
Nijika's mother, being too weak, could only appear in the evening. Yesterday, mother and daughter still had many things they hadn't had time to say, so they wouldn't go to Otherworld today, but would continue their heart-to-heart talk.
Half an hour later.
At the planetarium.
As Kitahara Makoto approached, he saw a petite, adorable girl with short gray hair standing at the entrance, standing on her tiptoes, eagerly looking out.
"Tomori, good evening."
Kitahara Makoto smiled and walked over.
"Makoto-kun, good evening."
Takamatsu Tomori looked up, her eyes sparkling.
Today, Tomori had clearly put on light makeup, her rosy lips resembling jelly, shining with a luster. Her outfit and color scheme were also very suitable; in short, she was full of cuteness. Kitahara Makoto strongly suspected whether she had specifically asked Anon for guidance.
"Taki-san, good evening."
Kitahara Makoto's gaze shifted, looking at the long-haired black-haired girl next to Tomori.
"…Good evening."
Shiina Taki stood with her arms crossed, her expression as serious and earnest as ever. In the depths of her sharp eyes, there was still scrutiny and vigilance, clearly having come specifically to protect Tomori's chastity.
"Makoto-kun, I met Taki on the way just now, so we came together. I didn't have time to tell you…"
Takamatsu Tomori explained softly.
"It's fine." Kitahara Makoto said indifferently, "Taki-san isn't an outsider."
"…Huh?!"
Shiina Taki's eyebrows immediately furrowed, and she glared at him in displeasure.
(What do you mean, not an outsider?)
(Give up quickly, my name will absolutely not be changed to Kitahara Rīki in the future!)
Kitahara Makoto automatically ignored Taki's warning gaze, his attention returning to Takamatsu Tomori, and he lowered his voice, saying:
"Tomori is a bit special today."
"Eh?"
Takamatsu Tomori blinked, then quickly looked down to check her outfit:
"These are clothes and shoes that Anon helped me choose after I asked her for advice… Are they unsuitable?"
It really was the work of fashion expert Anon; he had guessed correctly!
(Dare to say Tomori isn't cute, and you're finished!)
Shiina Taki quietly clenched her fists, casting a sharp warning glance.
"The outfit is very suitable." Kitahara Makoto reached out his right hand and gently rubbed Takamatsu Tomori's head, saying gently, "What I meant by 'special' is that Tomori is especially cute today."
Takamatsu Tomori's small face quietly flushed, and she shyly fiddled with the hair accessory by her ear:
"It really won't be strange?"
"Of course not strange." Kitahara Makoto gave a thumbs up, "Tomori is usually very cute, and today she's especially cute."
"…"
Being praised by Kitahara Makoto in public, and given Takamatsu Tomori's delicate and sensitive personality, the blush on her small face grew even deeper. Half happy, half shy, the corners of her rosy lips turned slightly upwards:
"Makoto-kun is also very handsome today."
Shiina Taki: "…"
No.
This is the entrance to the planetarium. You two should pay attention to the occasion and not just ignore me!
Shiina Taki used to not believe that girls would be deceived by so-called 'sweet talk.' Such things clearly indicate ulterior motives, right?
But now, seeing Takamatsu Tomori's flushed face, Shiina Taki had to admit that what was said online was not false; some girls really do get happy because of a boy's compliment…
(Too much!)
(Absolutely too much!)
(I rode the bus here with Tomori, and she didn't smile the whole time. That scumbag Kitahara, with just one sentence, made Tomori happy and smile… Why can't I?)
Shiina Taki quietly clenched her fists, bit her lower lip, and a strong sense of frustration welled up from the bottom of her heart.
"Here, drinks I bought when we got off the bus." Kitahara Makoto handed over two bottles of drinks, "One for Tomori and one for Taki."
"Thank you, Makoto-kun."
Takamatsu Tomori thanked him softly, naturally taking the drink.
"I'm not thirsty."
Shiina Taki tightened her small face and turned her head to refuse.
"Taki just told me she was a bit thirsty." Takamatsu Tomori blinked and handed over the drink in her hand, "This bottle of coffee is for Taki; I remember Taki likes to drink coffee very much."
Shiina Taki still wanted to refuse, but her right hand had already reached out involuntarily.
No way.
This was a drink Tomori specifically handed to her; there was no way to refuse, right?
"Thank you…"
Shiina Taki thanked him softly, taking a small sip of coffee, choosing to deliberately mumble past it.
"So Taki likes to drink coffee." Kitahara Makoto nodded solemnly, "I've noted that down."
Shiina Taki's small face immediately stiffened, and she looked up:
"Why are you noting down something like that?"
Kitahara Makoto's expression didn't change. He handed the other bottle of drink in his hand to Tomori, and then said:
"It's a secret, I won't tell Taki-san."
"…Hmph!"
Takamatsu Tomori looked up: "What about Makoto-kun's drink?"
"I didn't know Tomori and Taki-san were coming to play together." Kitahara Makoto said casually, "So I only bought two bottles just now."
"…Give it back to you."
Hearing this, Shiina Taki took a deep breath and handed over the coffee in her hand.
"Are you sure you want to give it back to me, Taki?" Kitahara Makoto took the coffee, his tone subtle, "Then I'll gladly accept."
"Huh?"
Shiina Taki frowned and looked over.
Takamatsu Tomori suddenly tilted her head and said:
"Taki, did you just take a sip of coffee?"
"Eh?"
Shiina Taki's eyes widened at the words, and her small face quickly flushed.
Probably, it seems… she really did take a sip just now. If that scumbag Kitahara drank it again, wouldn't it be an indirect kiss?!
Absolutely not that!
Seeing that Kitahara Makoto had already raised the coffee to his lips, Shiina Taki quickly stepped forward half a step and nervously snatched the coffee away:
"Give it back to me, I'll buy you another one later!"
Kitahara Makoto sighed:
"What a pity, I almost got to drink it."
"You guy…"
Shiina Taki's small face was completely red, her fists clenched, both shy and angry. She couldn't help but secretly look at Takamatsu Tomori, worried if Tomori would be jealous or angry.
As it turned out, Tomori had no intention of being jealous or angry, she just looked up and said:
"Taki doesn't need to buy another one, Makoto-kun and I can share one drink."
Shiina Taki: "…"
It was coffee that Tomori personally handed to her, but now she suddenly didn't want to drink a single sip.
The three entered the planetarium and began to wander around.
It was Kitahara Makoto's first time visiting, but Tomori was clearly a regular. Just like their last visit to the aquarium, she led him and Taki around the planetarium.
After roughly touring the planetarium, Takamatsu Tomori led the two to the observation deck on the top floor.
"There are quite a lot of people." Kitahara Makoto said in surprise, "Could they all be here to watch the meteor shower?"
"Possibly." Takamatsu Tomori said softly, "There aren't usually this many people."
After a pause, Takamatsu Tomori pointed:
"Makoto-kun, Taki, there are astronomical telescopes over there. Do you want to try them?"
Kitahara Makoto turned to look. There were quite a few people queuing in front of the astronomical telescopes, including adults and children, but…
"Since we're here."
It was a rare visit to the planetarium; if they didn't use the astronomical telescope to observe the moon and Saturn, it would feel like too much of a pity.
Next, naturally, was waiting in line.
Although there were many people on the observation deck, fortunately, each person had a limited viewing time, so the line didn't come to a standstill.
Twenty minutes later.
Kitahara Makoto finally arrived in front of the astronomical telescope.
"What do you want to see, Makoto-kun?"
Takamatsu Tomori asked softly.
"Hmm… Let's look at the moon first." Kitahara Makoto mused for two seconds, "After seeing the moon, I also want to see Saturn's rings. I've only seen them in books and on my phone before, and I really don't know where Saturn is, so I'll have to trouble Tomori."
"Leave it to me."
Takamatsu Tomori's eyes sparkled, and she softly explained the relevant knowledge about astronomical telescopes:
"Here you can adjust the magnification and focal length. Right now, you can clearly observe the moon. To observe Saturn's rings, you'll need to adjust it again…"
Behind the two, looking at the radiant and occasionally smiling Takamatsu Tomori, a troubled expression quietly appeared on Shiina Taki's small face.
(Although Kitahara's harem-building is super excessive and he should be hanged on the gallows, if Tomori truly doesn't care, do I still need to forcibly break them up?)
(Last year, when the Kessoku Band hadn't disbanded, Tomori would occasionally smile, but she never seemed as happy as she is now, right?)
After Kitahara Makoto finished experiencing the astronomical telescope, Takamatsu Tomori said softly:
"How are you feeling, Makoto-kun?"
"It's wonderful." Kitahara Makoto looked up at the cosmos. "Compared to the entire universe, humanity is truly as insignificant as a drop in the ocean."
Kitahara Makoto turned his head as he spoke, holding Tomori's soft, warm hand, and whispered:
"To be able to meet Tomori in such a vast universe is definitely a miracle among miracles, so… Tomori, will you stay with me forever?"
Takamatsu Tomori's eyes sparkled, her clear pupils filled entirely with Kitahara Makoto's figure, and she quietly intertwined their fingers:
"I want to be by Makoto-kun's side forever."
Shiina Taki: "…"
I'm still here!
Can't you two be more considerate of others' feelings?!
Next, the three lay on the observation deck's lounge chairs and successfully witnessed the Perseid meteor shower that Tomori had been longing for.
By the time the viewing ended, it was already 9:30 PM.
Shiina Taki picked up her phone, and upon seeing the messages on it, her expression suddenly changed drastically…