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"The role I'm playing now is an underground, past-her-prime idol named Mizuno. For some unknown reason, her voice is damaged…"
After listening to Marin's words, Amamiya Natsuki suddenly understood.
No wonder he felt her outfit was subtle and out of place with the other patients' styles; it turned out to be an idol girl's attire.
Kitagawa Marin, having usurped the chair, sat and continued while drinking water,
"As for the character's task, it's actually to fulfill Mizuno's dream of holding a concert. The audience must not be less than twenty people, and the more audience members, the higher the final score reward."
To only want twenty audience members, what a poignant past-her-prime idol!
Amamiya Natsuki handed over the small cake in his hand, feeding it to Marin, and asked curiously,
"Then why did you come for a consultation, saying you wanted to treat your voice?"
"Awuu—"
Kitagawa Marin leaned forward with a pretty face, took a bite of the cake in Amamiya Natsuki's hand, her cheeks gently puffed, and said indistinctly,
"If you're an idol, you either sing or dance, right?"
"I haven't practiced dancing, so to complete the character's task, I can only sing."
"And my voice is damaged, it sounds terrible, so I was thinking if I could get my voice healed first."
Kitagawa Marin swallowed the small cake in her mouth, took another sip of water, then let out a satisfied breath, raised her right hand to make a peace sign by her eye, a bright smile that dispelled darkness blooming on her face, and said in a clear voice,
"Good thing I came in, I'm super happy!"
Amamiya Natsuki complained,
"You were just trying to run out the door."
"Who told you not to reveal your identity earlier?" Kitagawa Marin put her hands on her hips, "If you encounter a perverted doctor, of course you'd want to escape quickly."
"Don't get happy too soon." Amamiya Natsuki intertwined his fingers, "It's definitely not a simple matter to heal your voice, and it's even possible it won't heal."
Kitagawa Marin was a little worried: "Then what should I do?"
"It's simple." Amamiya Natsuki offered a solution, "Professional lip-syncing, understand?"
Kitagawa Marin looked over speechlessly: "…Wait, isn't lip-syncing illegal?"
"There's no law that states lip-syncing is illegal, it's just a rumor spread by netizens." Amamiya Natsuki complained, "Besides, you're just an idol, not a professional singer, so lip-syncing is normal, right?"
Kitagawa Marin blinked: "It seems… it really is normal."
In Japan, idols are idols, and singers are singers.
Idols are required to be youthful and cute, and lip-syncing is fine; many famous idols lip-sync.
But as a professional singer, lip-syncing would be looked down upon, and if the audience cared, they could even demand compensation.
In fact, many TV shows or live concerts that appear to be live performances are actually lip-synced. The more important the occasion, the stricter the requirements, and large-scale lip-syncing events are everywhere.
"We'll discuss the character's task in detail when we go back." Amamiya Natsuki stood up, "Now, let's go back to the restaurant."
Kitagawa Marin had already heard that the restaurant had become the base camp, and she also stood up, saying,
"You're a doctor now, is it okay to slack off at work?"
Amamiya Natsuki said as a matter of course,
"I'm not planning on getting paid anyway, a life of slacking off is happier."
"…"
The two reactivated their disguised forms and then left the consultation room together.
"Doctor, finished so quickly?"
The Headless JK turned to look over, her voice eerie.
It was just a few words, of course it was fast! What did you think we were doing in there!
Amamiya Natsuki was too lazy to explain, waving his hand and saying,
"I'm tired, I'm going to rest for a bit. Come with me to the restaurant."
Kitagawa Marin curiously observed the Headless JK, but didn't speak. After the past-her-prime idol's voice was damaged, it became extremely hoarse and unpleasant, so she avoided speaking whenever possible.
They walked in silence.
The three quickly returned to the restaurant.
"Aoi, wait outside." Amamiya Natsuki turned and instructed, "Don't let anyone else in."
"Yes, Doctor."
The Headless JK silently stopped, turned her back to the restaurant, and took on the role of guard.
"Let's go in."
Amamiya Natsuki took Marin's right hand, and the two walked into the restaurant together.
They walked through the quiet, deserted, dim restaurant, heading straight for the back kitchen. Soon, they saw a flickering candlelight, its warm glow dispelling the darkness.
"Eh, where is everyone?"
Kitagawa Marin curiously looked into the kitchen, which was empty and deserted.
"Juju, your most loyal fan is back." Amamiya Natsuki stood firm, "Why aren't you coming out to greet me?"
As soon as his voice fell, a pink-haired loli stood up from behind the table: "Stupid Natsuki, you should have spoken earlier."
"Juju, I'm back!"
Kitagawa Marin looked over happily.
"You are…" Juju furrowed her brows, sizing up the Succubus Girl, and hesitated, "Marin-chan?"
She had already seen the roles played by everyone else. This unfamiliar girl, whom she had never met, was clearly only Marin.
"It's me!" Kitagawa Marin happily stepped forward, opening her arms and embracing Juju, "Long time no see, I need to replenish my energy from Juju-sama."
"Don't just hug me as soon as you come."
Juju turned her small face away, "First, remove your disguise… And what's wrong with your voice?"
Kitagawa Marin removed her disguise, rubbing against Juju while hugging her: "Don't worry, Juju, it's the character I'm playing. I'm actually not hurt."
"I wasn't worried about you at all."
"Hmph hmph, Juju-sama is so soft and fragrant, super comfortable."
"Get away from me quickly."
"…"
When they had arrived earlier, Juju, Komi, and passerby player had all been hiding in the shadows. Now that the danger was over, they naturally all stood up.
Now that Marin had returned to the team and everyone was successfully gathered, Komi's lips curved slightly, genuinely happy.
Amamiya Natsuki walked over to Komi and whispered, "I just went out, not only for a difficult consultation but also to find Marin. It was really tough, so…"
"Hmm?"
Komi tilted her head, looking over with puzzled eyes.
Amamiya Natsuki said seriously, "Therefore, I also want to replenish Komi energy."
"…!!!"
Komi's eyes widened instantly, her pretty face quickly flushed, and she shook her head like a rattle drum.
"If you don't agree, I'll have to go find Juju," Amamiya Natsuki lowered his voice. "You don't want Juju to be bullied, do you?"
Komi: "…"
Hearing this, Komi's head-shaking stopped. She gently bit her lower lip, and her pretty face showed an expression of struggle and hesitation.
Sacrificing herself or protecting her friend was indeed a difficult choice.
After struggling for a while, Komi finally took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and nodded almost imperceptibly.
Hey, hey, you actually nodded! For sacrificing yourself for your friend, the globally moving Best Friend Award must be given to you!
"Very good, I promise not to bully Juju anymore," Amamiya Natsuki nodded in satisfaction. "Do you want me to replenish Komi energy now, or wait a bit longer?"
Komi looked down at her toes, her pretty face flushed like fire, and said in an almost inaudible voice, "Wait… wait a bit…"
"Then let's wait a bit longer."
"…"
After Kitagawa Marin returned to the team, they could finally relax a bit.
Kaguya and the others hadn't returned yet, and since he was idle anyway, Amamiya Natsuki put on the Dark Chef badge, transformed into a Dark Chef, and used chives, the Sinister mushroom harvested from the last dungeon, and the remaining awful ingredients from the kitchen to create a Dark Cuisine sauce—
The final product was a basin of dark green sauce with a strange smell. Just by looking at the color and smelling the odor, everyone would stay far away.
"Um… would anyone really be willing to eat something like this?"
Looking at the Dark Cuisine in the basin, Yui hesitated, then couldn't help but ask in a low voice.
Serving this kind of thing to guests would surely enrage them, wouldn't it?
"Don't worry," Amamiya Natsuki took off his gloves. "This is my carefully prepared Dark Cuisine."
You said it's Dark Cuisine, how could I be at ease!
"This is food specially for kaidan; ordinary people can't eat it," Amamiya Natsuki turned his head and said, "Juju, where is Sadako?"
"She's in that container," Juju pointed. "Sadako climbed in by herself and hasn't come out since."
Amamiya Natsuki nodded, turned and walked to the container, opened the cabinet, and inside stood a white-clad kaidan with black hair covering her face, it was Sadako.
Several girls secretly looked over, and even though they were prepared, their hearts still thumped.
Even with mental preparation, jump scares still make you scared.
Sensing the fear from Juju and the others, Sadako's black hair trembled slightly. She instinctively raised her pale, bloodless hands, and then…
Slap.
Amamiya Natsuki grabbed Sadako's right hand without any fear, even wanting to give her a middle part: "Come out, try my specially prepared dish, and see if there are any areas for improvement."
Watching Amamiya Natsuki pull Sadako out, Yui was instantly shocked.
You called Sadako out just to use her as a guinea pig?
If Sadako ate that, she would go berserk!
"Hmm, Sadako?"
Kitagawa Marin was the bravest and quickly leaned in curiously, looking under the black hair, "Natsuki told me that Sadako is actually super cute."
"…"
Hearing the compliment, Sadako's steps paused.
"I'm really curious," Kitagawa Marin raised her right hand and said expectantly, "Natsuki, can you let me see?"
"Don't ask me, you have to ask Sadako's opinion," Amamiya Natsuki said seriously, "I've said before that I will always respect Sadako's personal will and won't force her to do things she doesn't like."
"Is that so…" Kitagawa Marin blinked, "Sadako, can you let me see how cute you are?"
"…"
Sadako shook her head, her black hair swaying.
"Eh, what a pity," the Succubus Girl rested her chin on her right hand, "Otherwise, I'll help Sadako comb her hair?"
Sadako still shook her head in refusal.
"Come sit," Amamiya Natsuki pulled Sadako to the table, pointed with his hand, and then said, "For now, there's only sauce, no other ingredients… How about this, dip a little sauce with your finger and taste how it is."
"Using a finger is too much!" Yui couldn't help but retort, "At least give her a spoon!"
"Exactly," Juju crossed her arms, "Even elementary school student wouldn't eat things directly with her hands."
Amamiya Natsuki looked at Juju: "Indian cuisine, look it up."
Juju retorted: "That's a cheat nation, there's no comparison."
Komi didn't speak, she just took out a stainless steel spoon from her game backpack and handed it to Sadako.
Sadako silently reached out and took it.
At this moment, the two girls and the kaidan, both practicing silent meditation, suddenly felt a subtle telepathic connection of mutual appreciation.
"Try it first," Amamiya Natsuki said from the side, "It definitely tastes better than the previous rice balls."
"…"
Sadako didn't speak. She scooped a spoonful with the spoon and then put it under her black hair.
A few seconds later.
Sadako's body suddenly trembled, and she let out a low whimper.
"Eh, eh, eh?" Yui was greatly alarmed, "Did she eat something bad?"
"Steady, don't panic," Juju whispered, "This is a normal reaction."
In the Haunted Town dungeon, she had worked as a waitress for several days and had seen many kaidan trembling all over and sweating profusely.
"Sadako, how does it taste?"
Amamiya Natsuki asked.
Sadako gradually stopped trembling, and a lingering voice, filled with excitement, came from beneath her black hair: "…Delicious!"
No kaidan could refuse Dark Cuisine, and neither could Sadako.
As Sadako spoke, she extended her spoon again, ready to continue eating.
"Wait," Amamiya Natsuki held Sadako's right hand, "Employee benefits have already been advanced. If you want to keep eating, please pay."
Sadako's voice was faint: "I… don't have…"
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"Then work for me. The consumption will be deducted from your next month's salary."
"…"
Hearing this, passerby player was instantly shocked.
What was he doing?
Exploiting kaidan?
Ever since encountering Amamiya Natsuki and his group, the horror game's style had been all wrong!
Sadako hesitated, remaining still.
"Don't worry, your monthly salary is very high," Amamiya Natsuki smiled. "You can eat this kind of food every day from now on, no problem."
Sadako still didn't agree to become an employee, and Amamiya Natsuki wasn't in a hurry, slowly strategizing.
As they were talking, a sound suddenly came from outside.
Amamiya Natsuki went out to look, and it was Senpai who had returned.
"Natsuki-kun, I'm back," Koyasu Tsubame bit her lip lightly, her voice low, "I'm sorry, I couldn't find Marin-chan."
Amamiya Natsuki thought for a moment and said:
"I have two pieces of news, one good and one bad. Which one do you want to hear first, Senpai?"
Koyasu Tsubame exhaled softly and said in a low voice:
"Let's hear the bad news first."
Amamiya Natsuki turned around and sighed:
"You won't need to look for Marin anymore."
"Eh, eh, eh?" Koyasu Tsubame's body trembled, and misty tears welled up in her eyes, "Natsuki-kun, what do you mean by that? C-could Marin be…?"
The next moment.
A blonde Succubus Girl jogged over, her smile exceptionally bright, and happily said: "Senpai, you're finally back."
Koyasu Tsubame: "…"
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for dozens of advance chapters for over a dozen fics | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter