"What about Sayu?"
"I want to go play!"
"What about Miko?"
"Sorry, I choose to stay home."
"..."
After asking around, everyone had their own commitments. In the end, only Chika and Sayu were free and decided to participate in the challenge together.
Natsuki said:
"Then it's settled. I'll have the assistant book the tickets. Everyone pack your luggage, and we'll meet tonight."
Chika, Sayu, Haruno, Yukino, and Natsuki, these five people would act together, preparing to challenge Ozaki Eight.
Of course, the mission could only be shared by a maximum of two people. Haruno, Chika, and Sayu were going purely for fun.
Just as he was about to put down his phone, Natsuki suddenly received a new message.
Moeha: "Senpai, Senpai, Senpai! I want to go play too!"
Natsuki: "We're going for an extreme challenge; it's very dangerous, not for playing."
Moeha: "My sister said it's just for fun, and Mom and Dad aren't home. Now my sister is gone too, I'll definitely be bored to death alone at home!"
Natsuki: "Have you finished your summer homework?"
Moeha: "I finished it in the first week of summer vacation."
Natsuki: "You have junior high entrance exams next year. Aren't you going to seize the time to attend cram school?"
Moeha: "Our school has internal direct advancement, so it doesn't matter if I don't go to a private private school."
"..."
Sorry.
I overthought it.
Before Natsuki could reply, Moeha quickly sent a new message:
"As long as Senpai takes me along, I'll do anything!"
You're a junior high student, you can't even touch a finger, who would let you do anything!
Moeha: "Even… even if Senpai still wants to see those kinds of photos, I can take them for you."
Natsuki: "I don't want to see them, I absolutely don't want to see them."
"..."
In the end, Natsuki had no choice but to agree to Moeha's request to accompany them.
The little sister beast used all sorts of coquettish and cute tactics, making it impossible to refuse.
Of course, the main reason was that this trip wasn't dangerous; aside from him and Yukino challenging the extremes, for Chika and the others, it was pretty much like a vacation.
"Assistant, sorry to bother you, I need to add another plane ticket…"
Natsuki turned to text his assistant.
When there's something to do, the assistant does it; when there's nothing to do, do the assistant… In short, it was just a matter of one sentence.
With things settled, Natsuki began packing his luggage, mainly changing clothes and personal items.
By the time he finished packing, it was only midday, with most of the day left before departure.
"This extreme challenge will probably take a week to complete. Want to come over to my place to paste skills?"
Natsuki took out his phone and sent a message to Hayasaka.
A moment later.
Hayasaka replied to the message.
The content was very simple, just two words:
"Hehe."
Natsuki's expression didn't change: "If you don't want to come over, I can go to your apartment."
Hayasaka: "No need."
Natsuki: "Want to go out for lunch together?"
Hayasaka: "It's too hot, I don't want to go out."
Natsuki: "I'm coming clean, I admit it, I miss Hayasaka."
Hayasaka: "Hehe."
A few days ago, you were having so much fun with others that you forgot all about me, and now you come saying you miss me. It's too late!
Late concern is lighter than grass, go away, you dog of a man!
Ever since she came clean with Kaguya on the deserted island, Hayasaka had completed her resignation procedures and officially left Shinomiya. She was currently living in a small apartment.
Although Natsuki had never been to Hayasaka's apartment, he knew its location. After sending the message, he picked up his suitcase and went out.
The journey was silent.
Half an hour later.
Natsuki stopped in front of an apartment building and raised his hand to knock on the door.
Knock knock knock.
The door quickly opened a crack, revealing half of Hayasaka's unadorned pretty face.
"Ai, good afternoon."
Natsuki greeted her with a smile.
Seeing that the Scumbag Natsuki was outside, Hayasaka's pretty face hardened, and she was about to close the door.
"Let me in," Natsuki propped the door open, "I specially bought ingredients for you. I'll cook lunch today."
Hayasaka crossed her arms and said, "Student, trespassing is against the law."
Natsuki pushed the door open and said nonchalantly, "How can it be trespassing if we're dating?"
"Tch."
Hayasaka snorted lightly and moved aside, allowing him to enter.
"It's so hot outside, you could fry an egg on the road," Natsuki said, handing the shopping bag in his hand to Hayasaka, "Snacks I bought for you."
"..."
Hayasaka's eyes flickered slightly. She glanced curiously and found that they were all her favorite snacks. She couldn't help but bite her lip gently.
He was a scumbag, no doubt, but when it came to caring for girls, he was indeed very thoughtful and meticulous.
Natsuki took off his shoes and curiously surveyed the apartment's layout.
The apartment wasn't large, only forty or fifty square meters, but though small, it had everything. The room was neatly tidied, and the computer desk by the bed was very eye-catching: a colorful liquid-cooled chassis, an ultrawide monitor, and a high-end gaming chair that looked very professional.
As a Hayasaka, it was quite normal to have some hacking skills.
However, at this moment, the computer screen didn't display various dazzling codes, but rather the Niconico interface, playing a satisfying video of a hydraulic press crushing everything...
"Hydraulic presses are outdated," Natsuki casually complained, "Now it's all about cleaning rooms, or building wooden cabins bare-handed in the wilderness... Wait, what's that?"
His gaze shifted, and he saw a huge iron cage on the balcony. Natsuki couldn't help but show a subtle expression:
"Didn't you say you hated pets?"
"Now I suddenly want to keep one," Hayasaka's pretty face showed a hint of a pleased smile, saying with a half-smile, "Some pets always like to sneak food outside, and only know to come home after they've eaten and drunk their fill outside. For such pets, shouldn't they really be kept properly in a cage?"
You're kidding!
Did she actually buy the cage?! Such a huge iron cage, what is she planning to lock up?!
Natsuki felt a sudden tightness in his back. He coughed twice and said,
"Pets need freedom too."
Hayasaka's pretty face hardened as she said,
"Even a perverted president would want to lock up a disloyal pet that eats from one hand and gives to another, wouldn't he?"
Natsuki turned to leave: "...I suddenly remembered I have an urgent matter. I'll be leaving now, goodbye."
Bang.
Hayasaka grabbed him, lifted her pretty face, and said, "President, aren't you going to cook? Hurry up, I haven't eaten yet."
Natsuki said warily, "Illegal detention is a crime."
Hayasaka smiled and said, "If no one knows, then it's not illegal detention."
Natsuki: "..."
Of course, he wouldn't leave. Since he was already here, he might as well eat first.
Natsuki carried the ingredients into the kitchen and began preparing lunch.
"Since you don't need to be a maid at Shinomiya anymore, why aren't you joining me for the extreme challenge?"
Natsuki asked while washing the ingredients.
"I don't want to run around," Hayasaka didn't leave him to do everything alone and came over to help, "It's hard to finally have some free time. Now I just want to quietly spend some time alone."
Natsuki said, "Kaguyahas been home these past few days and seems to have a headache. Do you know why?"
"Much more clearly than the President," Hayasaka picked up a potato, preparing to peel it. "Kaguya's three older brothers all want to gain support now. Strangers who barely spoke a few words a year before have suddenly become super enthusiastic, and they're blood-related brothers. Kaguya must be having a headache now..."
Thud.
A potato rolled onto the floor.
Hayasaka leaned one hand on the counter, bending down to pick it up. Although it was a simple movement, it perfectly showcased the girl's youth and beauty.
This Hayasaka probably hadn't left the house today; she was only wearing pajamas. As she bent over, Natsuki instantly felt his hunger disappear.
More accurately, he didn't want to eat food; he wanted to eat a person.
Natsuki took a deep breath, silently chanting in his heart:
One must conquer oneself, and not be a slave to desires...
"Perverted president, what are you doing?!"
Hayasaka's embarrassed voice rang in his ears.
"Huh?"
Natsuki looked down in confusion, only to realize that he had somehow come up behind Hayasaka and had extended both hands, gripping Hayasaka's fair, slender waist.
Strange, what exactly happened just now?
Why was there no memory of it in his mind at all?
"W-wait, this is the kitchen!"
Hayasaka's voice was filled with shame and anger.
Immediately after, Natsuki heard his own voice:
"The kitchen is more fun."
"Pah!"
After struggling for a while, Natsuki finally chose to give up.
Indeed, one should follow their true desires.
That's right.
He must be a slave to desire!
Hayasaka's voice began to panic: "W-wait, the apartment's soundproofing isn't good..."
"Then bite on a towel?"
"Get lost!"
"..."
An hour later, lunch still wasn't ready.
To be precise, the potatoes hadn't even been peeled yet.
"Hoo... hoo..."
Hayasaka's pretty face was flushed, and she was panting, having almost bitten through the towel. She had no strength left in her entire body, only able to glare with a look of shame and anger, trying to make Natsuki commit seppuku.
"I forgot to ask something just now..." Natsuki brought over a cup, took a sip himself, then held the cup to Hayasaka's mouth to replenish her water, "What's with that cage, anyway?"
Gulp, gulp, gulp~
Hayasaka was incredibly thirsty and desperately needed to rehydrate. She didn't care that Natsuki had already drunk from it, tilted her head back, and chugged half a cup of water, then said,
"Of course, it's a cage prepared for the perverted president."
Natsuki poured another cup of water:
"I don't think you're telling the truth."
Hayasaka: "The truth is, it's a cage prepared for the President."
Natsuki's expression turned serious. He entered role-playing mode and sneered,
"You won't tell the truth, huh? It seems I'll have to resort to torture."
"Hm?"
Hayasaka froze, then her expression subtly changed, and she couldn't help but exclaim,
"You still want to take advantage of me?!"
Natsuki said sternly,
"I'm just conducting an interrogation."
Hayasaka couldn't help but panic:
"Wait, I'll tell you..."
"I won't listen," Natsuki said, "Only through torture can the true answer be obtained."
"..."
One hour later.
The interrogation ended.
Under torment, Hayasaka tearfully and intermittently revealed the truth: the iron cage was not something she had specifically purchased, but an item left behind by the previous tenant.
The landlord had originally intended to throw the iron cage away, but Hayasaka took an immediate liking to it, thinking it was spacious enough and wouldn't take up much space on the balcony. She thought it might even come in handy, perhaps for locking someone inside, so she kept it.
"Couldn't you have just said so earlier?" Natsuki picked up his water glass, rehydrating, "You had to make me torture it out of you."
"Pah~"
Hayasaka couldn't help but spit, but her voice was already slightly hoarse, and she had no strength left, not even wanting to utter curses.
"I'll go prepare lunch."
Natsuki tidied the room briefly, fed Hayasaka a cup of water, then turned and walked into the kitchen.
The potatoes, neglected for over two hours, finally welcomed cooking again.
By the time Natsuki finished lunch, Hayasaka had barely recovered her strength and emerged from the bathroom after showering.
"Perfect timing," Natsuki placed the dishes on the table and looked at Hayasaka, "Come eat."
Hayasaka wiped her hair with a towel and said lazily, "I don't want to eat, I have no appetite."
"No appetite, huh?" Natsuki raised an eyebrow, "Do you want me to interrogate you again?"
"..."
Hayasaka gritted her teeth, her pretty face flushed, and sat down.
He still wanted to interrogate her! Even a donkey from a production team needed a break!
Helpless, Hayasaka could only swallow her anger, pick up her chopsticks, and eat.
By the time they finished lunch, it was already three in the afternoon.
"Perverted president, you can leave now." Hayasaka crossed her arms, decisively giving him the boot.
Natsuki picked up his cup and drank water: "It's so hot outside. If I go out now, I'll get heatstroke, won't I?"
Hayasaka snorted lightly and said, "Heatstroke serves you right."
"Hmm? What did Hayasaka just say?" Natsuki cupped a hand to his ear. "Didn't quite catch that. Sounded like 'another interrogation'?"
"That's enough!" Hayasaka's pretty face flushed, and she couldn't help but shout, "Stop it already!"
"I heard you clearly." Natsuki reached out to grab Hayasaka, "You really do want another interrogation."
"Pah~"
Hayasaka spat, quickly dodging.
She couldn't be caught.
There were only two people in the house. Once caught, with all the lingering, she would very likely be interrogated again. She had to maintain her distance!
Seeing Hayasaka dodge, Natsuki didn't mind and instructed:
"Go bring the watermelon over and feed it to me."
"What did you say?"
Hayasaka raised an eyebrow.
Not only did he refuse to leave, but he also dared to order her around?
"I want to eat watermelon." Natsuki showed no weakness, looking at Hayasaka, "Yukino doesn't want to be tortured again, does she?"
Hayasaka: "...Humiliation!"
Hayasaka bit her silver teeth, got up and walked into the kitchen, reluctantly brought out the watermelon, poked it with a bamboo skewer, and began to feed him.
"It really tastes much better than usual." Natsuki commented with a smile.
Hayasaka looked disgusted: "Don't talk while eating."
"What?" Natsuki turned to look at Hayasaka, "Do you want to be tortured again?"
"..."
Seeing Hayasaka swallow her anger and remain silent, Natsuki couldn't help but smile.
Finally, today, he found Hayasaka's weakness.
What to do if she doesn't obey?
Torture her, that's all.
In a flash, it was evening.
"I'm leaving."
Natsuki carried his suitcase and walked to the entrance.
"Hurry up and go." Hayasaka looked disgusted and waved her hand, "Finally, I can have some peace and quiet."
Bang.
The door closed softly.
Looking at the suddenly quiet room, Hayasaka suddenly let out a soft sigh.
Living alone used to be very comfortable, but now with Natsuki's departure, she suddenly felt the apartment was much emptier and colder... Even though he had only just left, she already started to miss him.
Hayasaka looked at the iron cage on the balcony and murmured to herself:
"I really should lock the president in a cage..."
Seven o'clock in the evening.
Tokyo Airport.
"Senpai! Good evening!"
A junior high girl carrying a suitcase stood on her tiptoes and waved happily.
Natsuki stepped forward and greeted:
"Moeha, good evening."
Beside Moeha, naturally, was Chika.
Natsuki looked at Chika and asked:
"You've all left, won't your aunt and uncle worry when they come home and see no one?"
"Don't worry, President." Chika put her right hand on her hip and said crisply, "I've already sent a message to my mom and dad, saying that I went out to play with friends."
Natsuki was speechless:
"Won't your aunt and uncle worry about you being deceived?"
Moeha raised her chin and said sweetly:
"My sister and I won't be easily fooled."
The more people say they won't be fooled, the easier they are to be deceived!
As they were talking, a girl with long black hair walked over, her eyes filled with surprise, and her steps light:
"Natsuki-kun, good evening."
Natsuki said gently:
"Sayu, good evening."
Not long after Sayu arrived, the two sisters from the Yukinoshita family walked over, carrying their suitcases.
"Everyone, sorry for the wait."
Haruno's smile was sweet and graceful, giving off a refreshing feeling, clearly displaying her attributes as a top-tier socialite.
In contrast, Yukino was very poor at socializing; she only briefly said good evening to Chika and Sayu, and when it came to Natsuki, she didn't even say hello.
"Natsuki-kun, all the procedures have been completed."
Not long after, two assistant from the Strange Tales Management Bureau walked over.
Both were women, around thirty years old, dressed in suits and pencil skirts, looking dignified, capable, and standard career women.
"I've troubled you."
Natsuki thanked them politely.
"You're welcome." The two female assistant quickly bowed in return.
Before coming, Mitsui had instructed them to fulfill all of Natsuki's requests, and as working professionals, they naturally knew what "all requests" meant.
However, looking at Chika and Yukino, Natsuki estimated that he wouldn't make any requests of them.
Half an hour later.
Boarding time arrived, and the assistant led everyone through the boarding procedures, and the group boarded the plane.
Polynesia is located in the Pacific Ocean and is one of the three major island groups in the Pacific. The name translates to "many islands."
It includes famous islands such as Hawaii, Midway island, etc. It is not a desolate backwater but a rather famous tourist destination.
At 8 PM, the plane took off on time and disappeared into the night sky.
Flying is actually very boring. Natsuki had expended a lot of energy during the day, so he started sleeping after the plane entered the stratosphere. After waking up, he played on his phone, and in between, he ate an in-flight meal, spending a long dozen or so hours, and finally, the plane landed smoothly.
Chika was the first to run off the plane, clenching her fists, raising them above her head, and stretching with all her might:
"Hawaii, we're here!"