Leaving the campus.
Just a few steps away was a torrential downpour.
A ghost bus was parked in the heavy rain, and the Ghost Driver sat in the driver's seat, his crimson eyes gazing out eerily.
"Big sister, look quickly…"
Fujiwara Moeha's eyes widened, and she quickly tugged on Chika's arm.
"Calm down." Fujiwara Chika put her hands on her hips, raised her chin, and said, "It's not your first time seeing a Ghost Driver."
"That's true."
Fujiwara Moeha nodded at her words, then flashed to Amamiya Natsuki's side and grabbed his sleeve.
"Moeha, what are you doing?"
Fujiwara Chika tilted her head and looked over.
The younger sister beast righteously said:
"I want to be with Senpai. It's safer by Senpai's side."
Fujiwara Chika: "…"
Getting on the ghost bus for private use, Amamiya Natsuki took out a rice ball and threw it to the Ghost Driver.
"Mmm~ I'm so hungry." Fujiwara Moeha whispered, "Senpai, I want a rice ball too."
"That's not an ordinary rice ball." Amamiya Natsuki pointed at the Ghost Driver, "See? If you eat it, you'll become my pet."
Ghost Driver: "…"
Shameless human!
We were only supposed to trade—how did I become your pet?!
His dignity trampled, the Ghost-Driver wanted to lunge at Amamiya Natsuki and fight to the death.
But recalling the battle he'd seen on the bus between Amamiya Natsuki and the Spider Queen, dignity suddenly felt… optional.
"It's all right," Fujiwara Moeha cooed softly. "If it's being Natsuki-nii's pet, I'm happy to.""
"..."
Dream on.
If I turned you into a pet, your big sister would explode!
After finishing the rice ball, the Ghost-Driver floored the pedal; the phantom bus rumbled to life and rolled toward the final checkpoint.
Half an hour later.
"Haa…"
Shinomiya Kaguya exhaled, dabbing the fragrant sweat from her brow. "This should be the last stage."
"Exactly," Amamiya Natsuki nodded. "The campus is the ultimate stage; the other three were just ordinary ones."
Judging by difficulty, the Despair Spider Queen haunting the school was the final boss behind the door, possessing terrifying regeneration and grudge-threads that manipulated everything. Ordinary people stood no chance, and even veteran players like Chika fell prey to her.
In the end, only the trio of Amamiya Natsuki, Kaguya, and Chika managed to bring her down.
By comparison, the phantom bus, the abandoned villa, and the just-cleared cruciform maze were all normal stages—
Of course, the Door of Despair never intended sustainability; even if anyone lucked through the three normal stages, they'd have zero chance of surviving the ultimate boss, the Despair Spider Queen.
"Let's get out of here," Fujiwara Chika urged. "That door looks ready to collapse any second."
After Amamiya Natsuki and Kaguya swept through four stages, turning hope into despair, the backlash had left the Door of Despair riddled with holes, as though it would shatter the next instant.
A few unlucky stragglers had already left; Amamiya Natsuki didn't hesitate. He took Kaguya's hand, had Kaguya take Chika's, and Chika take Moeha's, then stepped through together.
Amamiya Natsuki felt the world go dark for a heartbeat before light flooded his vision.
Immediately, the familiar voices of the girls rang out.
"Junior-kun?"
"Natsuki-sama!"
"You're finally back!"
"..."
Amamiya Natsuki swept his gaze and saw they had returned to Miss Sakura's real-world apartment.
He didn't know how much time had passed in reality. Marin, Sayu, the senpais, everyone had already gathered here.
Glancing back, Kaguya, Chika, and even Moeha were all behind him—no one missing.
Amamiya Natsuki smiled softly and said, "We're home."
Reunited, both sides couldn't contain their joy.
Crack.
A sound of shattering echoed through the room.
Amamiya Natsuki turned to see the Door of Despair on the wall explode into shards.
Immediately, a notice from [The Game] popped up:
[Mission complete: you have slain the invading anomaly Door of Despair.]
[You receive the following rewards—]
[2,000 Game Coins]
[10 Free Attribute Points]
[3 Random Skill Scrolls]
[1 Skin Card]
[1 Premium Item]
[1 Dungeon Immunity Card]
"It… vanished…"
Sakura hurriedly checked her arm; once she confirmed the door brand was gone, she slid to her knees, covered her face, and sobbed with shaking shoulders.
"Miss Sakura…"
Tsubame stepped forward to comfort her.
"Leave her," Amamiya Natsuki said quietly, holding the senpai back. "Those are tears of joy—let her cry."
Kitagawa Marin asked curiously, "What happened behind the door, Natsuki?"
Amamiya Natsuki replied, "That's a long story…"
"Take your time," Kitagawa Marin planted a hand on her hip. "We're all here and couldn't get through that door—at least tell us what happened."
On the other side, Fujiwara Chika was checking Moeha over. "Good, the mark on you's gone too."
"Big Bro said it'd vanish, so of course it did," Fujiwara Moeha declared confidently. "I'm texting Hanamaru right now!"
The moment she picked up her phone, the middle-schooler rang her.
Fresh from a mysterious adventure, the two junior-high girls had endless chatter and instantly burst into excited chatter.
At the same time, those unlucky stragglers who had stepped back into reality moments earlier felt a sudden intuition and began checking their bodies one by one.
Once they confirmed that the mark of despair had vanished, many "veteran players" like Miss Sakura buried their faces and wept.
A release, and a new beginning.
"Let's go," Shinomiya Kaguya said softly. "Let Miss Sakura rest."
Amamiya Natsuki nodded.
"We've imposed long enough; it's time we left."
Everyone bade Miss Sakura goodbye and filed out of the apartment.
Having smashed through the Gate of Despair, they returned to find it past three in the morning.
True silence: not a soul on the streets, not even a taxi.
"Hot-spring bath?" Fujiwara Chika stretched and suggested. "I'm sticky with sweat and dust—gross."
Shinomiya Kaguya gave a small nod.
"Hot-spring it is, then."
Fujiwara Moeha chimed in at once, "Count me in!"
No one objected; they all agreed.
A quick phone search located the nearest inn, and they set off on foot.
Not a word along the way.
They soon reached the hot-spring inn.
The front-desk auntie had been dozing; seeing Amamiya Natsuki's group, she woke up and checked them in.
"Bathing alone is lonely," Amamiya Natsuki proposed. "How about we all pile in together?"
"Tch—"
"Shoo, Prez."
"We'll deck you."
The girls shooed him off in disgust.
Had it been just the two of them, sharing a bath might have flown, but with this crowd it was out of the question—everyone had their pride.
Amamiya Natsuki sighed theatrically and slunk toward the men's side, catching sight of the last quail-like girl hesitating behind him.
"Hm?"
He mused a second, then texted her.
Except for Hayasaka, who had "gone home," everyone else was here.
"Shoko, did you sneak out?"
Komi-san: "…"
Exactly.
She had slipped out alone.
She'd been asleep when word came that Chika had been swallowed by a ghost story and gone missing, of course she couldn't sleep after that.
So Komi-san crept out, determined to help… even if she might be useless, she had to come.
It was already past one a.m. and her mother was fast asleep, so she hadn't said a word. Going out that late without cause would have worried her sick.
When Chika suggested the hot-spring, everyone wanted to unwind; going home felt impossible to mention.
But Chika wanted to stay till dawn…
Mom rose early, finding her room empty would panic her.
Unlike her seniors or Sayu, this Shoko was the real good girl; sneaking out at midnight had taken guts, and staying out till dawn was unthinkable.
"Silence means yes."
Reading her mind, Amamiya Natsuki said, "I'll take you home now."
Komi-san: "B-but everyone's bathing, if I leave now…"
Amamiya Natsuki cut in, "Leaving now is fine. Come on, I'll bike you home. I'll explain to the others."
"O-okay…"
Moments later a black-haired girl tiptoed out of the women's side.
Amamiya Natsuki was waiting at the door; he caught her hand.
"Let's go."
Komi-san's face flamed; she tried to pull free.
He put on a stern face and said, "I'm holding my girlfriend's hand, is there any problem with that?"
The quail girl blushed deeper, stared at her toes, and mumbled, "N-no…"
"Then don't squirm."
He led her out of the inn.
No taxis, no buses, no trains; but he'd already borrowed a bicycle from the innkeeper, parked right outside.
"Shoko, how'd you get to the apartment?"
he asked curiously.
"It was Tsubame-senpai…" she whispered. "She had her driver pick me up."
"Got it." He patted the back seat. "Hop on."
Komi nodded hastily, covering her skirt with one hand and sitting sideways on the back seat of the bicycle, then gently pinching Amamiya Natsuki's clothes with the other hand.
"Hold me tight," Amamiya Natsuki said, "Be careful not to fall off."
"Mmm..."
The the timid girl hesitated.
Amamiya Natsuki's face hardened, and he threatened:
"If you don't hold me tight, I'll make you sit in front."
"In front?"
Komi's voice was curious.
There's nothing in front, so how can she sit?
Amamiya Natsuki said seriously:
"I can hold you with one hand and ride the bike with the other."
"No!"
Komi shook her head hastily, her face red, and raised her right hand to wrap around Amamiya Natsuki's waist.
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"Bring your other hand over too."
"..."
Komi had no choice but to reluctantly obey, wrapping her arms around Amamiya Natsuki's waist.
"Hold on tight," Amamiya Natsuki pushed off with his foot, and the bicycle moved forward, "We're going home."
The night was silent.
The long street was cold and clear.
As the bicycle moved forward, a cool evening breeze blew in their faces.
The the timid girl was a bit nervous at first, but she quickly relaxed, feeling the burning warmth from Amamiya Natsuki's body, and her heart unknowingly settled down, then her arms quietly tightened, and she secretly pressed her face against Amamiya Natsuki's back.
A moment later.
Amamiya Natsuki suddenly stopped the bicycle by the roadside.
"So tired," Amamiya Natsuki turned to look at Shoko, "I can't ride anymore."
"Hmm?"
Komi cast a puzzled look.
She had only ridden a few hundred meters, how could she be too tired to ride?
Amamiya Natsuki parked the bicycle, his eyes burning as he said:
"I need Shoko to kiss me to replenish my energy before I have the strength to keep riding."
The the timid girl blinked, her pretty face quickly reddening:
"...Take advantage of!"
No wonder he suddenly stopped, he wasn't tired at all, he clearly just wanted to take advantage of her!
"It's fine as long as Shoko knows it in her heart, no need to say it out loud," Amamiya Natsuki said without changing his expression, raising his hand to point to his cheek, "Left or right, Shoko choose yourself."
Komi: "..."
If she really got to choose, it would be whether to kiss or not, not left or right!
Unfortunately, this the the timid girl had a submissive, easily-taken advantage of personality, completely daring not to voice the resistance in her heart, so she could only redden her face, stand on her tiptoes, and peck Amamiya Natsuki's left cheek.
"Energy replenished," Amamiya Natsuki nodded in satisfaction, "Let's continue."
"Hoo..."
The the timid girl sighed in relief, sitting back on the rear seat with a red face, but a premonition had already arisen in her heart that Amamiya Natsuki would surely take advantage of her again.
Sure enough.
After riding another few hundred meters, Amamiya Natsuki stopped the bicycle again and said:
"My strength is used up again, Shoko, quickly help me replenish my energy."
"..."
The the timid girl had no choice, her long eyelashes fluttered gently, and with a red face, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed Amamiya Natsuki's cheek again.
Amamiya Natsuki said sternly:
"You kissed the wrong place."
"Eh?"
The the timid girl looked over in confusion.
"I didn't say to kiss the cheek just now," Amamiya Natsuki pointed to his lips, "This time you need to kiss here."
Komi's pretty face quickly flushed, then she hastily shook her head:
"N-no..."
"No, huh?" Amamiya Natsuki threatened, "Then I'll kiss Shoko, and when it ends won't be up to you."
"...Take advantage of me!!"
The the timid girl had no choice but to stand on her tiptoes and kiss Amamiya Natsuki's lips.
She had no choice but to agree to him.
If she kissed him, it would end quickly, but if Natsuki took the initiative to kiss her... it would definitely last a long time.
"Energy's full again," Amamiya Natsuki rode the bicycle, "Let's continue."
"..."
During the rest of the journey, Amamiya Natsuki stopped the bicycle from time to time, using various excuses to have Shoko help him replenish his energy.
Although the the timid girl was shy, as the number of times increased, she slowly began to accept it.
It must be said that habit is a terrible thing.
She remembered the first time she kissed, the the timid girl was so nervous she almost fainted, but after desensitization training, she could now actively kiss on the street.
Amamiya Natsuki asked:
"Shoko, that's your house up ahead, right?"
"Mm-hmm," Komi breathed a sigh of relief, nodding, "We'll be there soon."
Amamiya Natsuki stopped the bicycle and looked at Shoko.
All the way there, Amamiya Natsuki had used various excuses to replenish his energy more than ten times, and now, without even needing to speak, Komi was already blushing, standing on her tiptoes, and actively kissing him.
After a fleeting peck, Komi was about to retreat, but this time Amamiya Natsuki didn't let her go; instead, he wrapped his right arm around the the timid girl's slender waist and kissed her.
"Mmm...!"
Komi's eyelashes fluttered in panic, and she quickly closed her eyes like an ostrich.
After so much practice, the the timid girl didn't faint this time, but she was still very shy, completely unable to cooperate actively, only knowing to shyly hide her tongue tip.
For Shoko, this kiss was already exceptionally intimate.
Unfortunately, Amamiya Natsuki, being a carnivore, once he had tasted meat, ordinary kisses could no longer satisfy him.
"Mmm...!"
Her vital spot attacked, the the timid girl frantically opened one eye, tightly covering her chest with both hands, shaking her head continuously:
"N-no..."
"I haven't seen Shoko for several days, and I miss her terribly," Amamiya Natsuki whispered, "Just put it on top, I promise not to do anything else."
The the timid girl's pretty face was flushed like fire, but she still shook her head:
"N-no..."
Amamiya Natsuki whispered:
"I promise not to move around, if Shoko feels uncomfortable, I'll take it off."
"Mmmn..."
"I like Shoko."
Agreeing was impossible, but the the timid girl's attitude had softened, the strength in her hands covering her chest weakened, and they were soon removed by Amamiya Natsuki, finally closing her eyes in a panic.
"..."
She was indeed incredibly easy to coax.
Amamiya Natsuki even suspected that if he prostrated himself and begged, the the timid girl would reluctantly agree even to more outrageous requests.
You're so easy to coax; if you encountered a bad person, you'd quickly be eaten up, wouldn't you?
"Wait..." Amamiya Natsuki reacted, "It seems I am that bad person?"
Then there's no problem.
Anyway, only he could take advantage of Shoko; no one else could.
After an unknown amount of time.
Looking at the teary-eyed the the timid girl, who was almost unable to stand steady, Amamiya Natsuki finally stopped bullying her.
Calm down.
Don't be impulsive.
Bullying Shoko must be gradual; if it's too much at once, it will really scare her.
Anyway, with a first time, there will definitely be a second time; he can take advantage of her slowly in the future.
"Energy replenishment complete," Amamiya Natsuki exhaled lightly, "How will Shoko go back? Do you want me to send you up through the window?"
"No..." The the timid girl hastily shook her head, tightly covering her chest with both hands, white steam rising from her head, "I-I have a key, I can just open the door and go home."
"That's good," Amamiya Natsuki said, "There's one last thing, Shoko, you can go home after you've done it."
"What... thing?"
The the timid girl immediately tensed up.
Amamiya Natsuki smiled and said:
"Shoko hasn't said she likes me today. Once you say it, I'll let you go home."
"Ugh..." The the timid girl's pretty face was crimson, and she stammered, looking at her toes, "L-like..."