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"Only two people are playing script-killing?"
Hearing this, everyone looked at the front desk lady simultaneously.
"W-what are you doing?"
Facing everyone's gaze, the front desk lady was startled and nervously took half a step back.
Oh no.
She shouldn't have been greedy for those Fukuzawa Yukichi bills. These people's eyes are so scary, they don't look like ordinary high school students at all!
Could she have gotten involved in something strange?
The front desk lady didn't know that her wild thoughts had accidentally hit the mark, directly guessing the truth.
"Miss Sato, don't be nervous." Amamiya Natsuki said gently, "Please look again, how many people are there in the surveillance video?"
"…Let me see."
The front desk lady took a deep breath and stepped forward.
This was the company's server room, and there were still surveillance cameras overhead. These people couldn't possibly do anything strange to her.
"Huh, strange, how did it turn into six people?" The front desk lady blinked, her tone surprised.
Amamiya Natsuki said again:
"Now, please look at me."
"Eh?"
The front desk lady was startled, then turned to look at Amamiya Natsuki. Their eyes met, and her face unconsciously flushed.
How, how strange!
She clearly had a boyfriend, so why did she feel her heart flutter and want to do something intimate with him behind her boyfriend's back?
He was just a high school student. Although she was attracted to good looks, she wasn't so desperate as to go after high school students!
This was actually the passive effect of the [Wife's Friend] title, but at most it only made people's hearts flutter and increased their favorability, not to the point of making them throw themselves at him like in an adult anime world.
Amamiya Natsuki waited silently for a few seconds, then said:
"Miss Sato, how many people did you just see?"
"Hmm?" The front desk lady looked confused, "Weren't there two? Why are you asking again?"
"…"
Everyone exchanged silent glances, understanding.
Just moving their gaze away for a few seconds, the existence in their minds would be erased. This was no longer an ordinary divine concealment; it was most likely affected by the anomaly.
In this situation, even calling the police would be useless. Apart from the players, no one remembered Yukinoshita Haruno's existence.
A non-existent person naturally couldn't be found.
Shinomiya Kaguya pursed her pink lips and said softly:
"Miss Sato, please describe the appearance of the two people you saw."
"Okay." The front desk lady nodded and quickly said, "A black-haired girl wearing glasses, a white dress, and a tear mole at the corner of her eye, and a young man in a white suit…"
Everyone looked at the surveillance video and quickly identified the two targets.
The front desk lady's tone was puzzled as she murmured:
"How strange, it's clearly a six-player game, so why are only two people playing?"
Actually, six people were playing, but you just forgot in an instant.
Amamiya Natsuki turned to look at Yukinoshita Yukino and whispered, "Yukino, do you know her?"
Yukinoshita Yukino bit her lower lip and gently shook her head, "I don't."
Her relationship with Haruno wasn't close; their social circles barely overlapped. She had no idea who Haruno-nee's friends were, let alone their contact information.
"Then we can only continue to use the power of money," Amamiya Natsuki said, looking at the receptionist with a smile, "Miss Sato, the store should have their contact information, right?"
Six people were playing the game, and so far, four had mysteriously disappeared. The remaining two were definitely involved, one way or another.
Either they were the culprits, or they were equally unlucky victims who had been targeted, so they certainly couldn't be let go.
The receptionist nodded and said, "The Glasses Girl loves playing the game. She comes to play every time a new one is released and even has a membership card, but that's a customer's privacy…"
Privacy?
Before Fukuzawa Yukichi, no one had privacy.
Amamiya Natsuki didn't waste words. He directly took out his wallet, handed over a stack of Fukuzawa Yukichi, and whispered, "We'll go out immediately. Miss Sato just needs to secretly tell us the phone number. No one will know what you said."
"…"
Looking at the stack of Fukuzawa Yukichi, the receptionist's professional conscience wavered, but ultimately succumbed to the temptation of Fukuzawa Yukichi.
It's just telling a phone number; it's not that serious, right?
Currently, there are many unscrupulous online merchants who bundle and sell customer information at ridiculously low prices. A phone number for a dozen Fukuzawa Yukichi is a complete bargain!
"Ahem…" The receptionist quickly took the Fukuzawa Yukichi, put it in her pocket, and then lowered her voice, "I'll be right back."
Amamiya Natsuki looked at Shinomiya Kaguya and the others, waving his hand, "Let's go, we'll wait outside."
The group walked out of the game store.
Outside the store, the sun was bright, and the sky was clear.
"You're too extravagant," Juju couldn't help but whisper, "You don't need to give that much money; the previous Fukuzawa Yukichi was already enough."
Amamiya Natsuki looked at Juju and whispered, "It's fine. Miko is still at home making potions. For every bottle she makes, I can earn a Fukuzawa Yukichi with tears in my eyes."
"Pfft!" Juju glared at him exasperatedly, "You black-hearted capitalist, I'll hang you on a lamppost tonight!"
"That's what you said." Amamiya Natsuki raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze meaningful, "Come find me tonight."
Juju's small face quickly flushed red, "...Don't even think about it!"
"Heh-ho~"
A fragrant scent came from behind.
Kitagawa Marin spread her arms and hugged Juju from behind, her voice clear and sweet, "Juju, what are you talking about?"
"Nothing at all," Juju struggled, "Go away, don't hug me."
"I won't let go," Kitagawa Marin chuckled, rubbing against Juju while hugging her, "Juju is so fragrant and soft, it's super comfortable to hug. It's been a long time since I've hugged you, how could I bear to let go?"
Amamiya Natsuki subconsciously nodded in agreement.
Indeed, she was fragrant and soft, making it hard to let go.
Human affection for their young is ingrained in their genes, regardless of gender. From this perspective, everyone in the world is a lolicon.
What?
You're not?
That's because you haven't met a little girl who is fragrant and soft, says no with her mouth, but is obediently held in your arms.
"Speaking of which, since becoming a player, it's been a long time since I've cosplayed a new character," Kitagawa Marin raised her right hand, anticipating, "I want to see Juju's new character!"
Juju took two steps back, distancing herself from Marin. The feeling of being pressed against her back just now was super uncomfortable and irritating. She said expressionlessly, "We're already players, who still has the mind to cosplay?"
"A game is a game, and life is life; they can't be confused," Kitagawa Marin extended a finger, saying seriously, "Just like everyone in the mutual aid group, after becoming players, they still go to school and work. It's not like they can hide at home all day and not go out, right?"
"Cosplay is a hobby; there's no reason to give it up easily," Kitagawa Marin turned to look over, seeking support, "Natsuki, don't you agree?"
"That's very reasonable," Amamiya Natsuki nodded, "As a loyal fan of Juju, I am very much looking forward to Juju's new cosplay work."
Juju looked over with disdain, "You're clearly only a Marin fan, you're not, are you?"
"That was before," Amamiya Natsuki said without changing his expression, "After seeing your previous cosplay works, I've already fallen in love with Juju."
"You, you, you, you… What are you saying in front of Marin?!"
Juju's small face quickly flushed red, as she cried out in flustered embarrassment.
Saying he liked her in front of Marin, even if it was just a cosplay character, would make Marin misunderstand!
She didn't want to get caught in a love triangle like an idiot; she'd rather just lie flat at home alone!
"Eh?"
Kitagawa Marin's eyes shifted, looking at Amamiya Natsuki, her gaze inquiring, "We haven't told Juju about us dating yet?"
Amamiya Natsuki nodded, "I forgot."
He had told Juju from the beginning that he was a scoundrel. These past two days, he had been so busy teasing Juju that he had forgotten to mention dating Marin.
"Heh heh heh~"
Kitagawa Marin put her hands behind her back, her pink lips curving slightly upward, a sly smile appearing on her pretty face. She raised her chin and said, "How much does Natsuki like Juju?"
Amamiya Natsuki pondered for two seconds, then said, "It's like a cat seeing a saury; I'm so in love I can't extricate myself."
"Pfft!"
Juju scoffed softly, her small face flushed red as she glared at him in embarrassment.
How dare he call her a cat? He was clearly a werewolf!
"Juju is so cute, it's normal for her to be popular," Kitagawa Marin blinked, smiling pleasantly, "Do you want me to help you pursue Juju?"
Before Amamiya Natsuki could speak, Juju already shouted anxiously, "Stupid Marin, don't say weird things!"
She actually wanted to help Stupid Natsuki pursue her. Marin was the one who liked him first. If she really did that, what would be the difference between herself and those bad women who steal their best friend's boyfriend?
Marin's face might be smiling, but inside, she must be crying tears of grievance, right?
"You don't have to say it," Kitagawa Marin turned her head, getting straight to the point, "Juju, promise me you'll continue to cosplay with me."
Juju hesitated, not wanting to agree.
Kitagawa Marin: "Natsuki, I'll tell you what Juju likes…"
"I, I'll agree then!"
Juju bit her lower lip, reluctantly agreeing.
"Then it's settled, no backing out. Finally, I can see Juju's cosplay again," Kitagawa Marin put her hands on her hips, smiling proudly, "Natsuki, what do you want to see Juju cosplay?"
Amamiya Natsuki remembered Haruno's cosplay he had seen on the computer earlier and raised his hand, "I want to see Juju cosplay Setsuna."
"Huh?" Juju's eyes widened, glaring fiercely, "What do you want me to cosplay?"
Uniform fetishist!
Perverted uniform fetishist!
If she really cosplayed Setsuna, he would definitely lay his hands on her, then shamelessly ask for help, and finally take advantage of her with reasons like 'you don't want your clothes to get dirty,' right?!
"Exactly, that fierce expression," Amamiya Natsuki gave a thumbs up, "It's super suitable for cosplaying Setsuna."
Kitagawa Marin nodded in agreement, "It really is suitable."
Juju: "…"
As they spoke, the receptionist walked out of the game store.
She came up to the group and whispered a phone number.
"Got it," Shinomiya Kaguya nodded slightly.
"Goodbye."
The receptionist glanced left and right, then quickly turned and left.
"I'll make the call," Yukinoshita Yukino took out her phone and dialed the number.
A moment later.
The call connected successfully.
"Who is this?"
A tired and frightened female voice answered from the other end of the phone.
Nekonoshita calmly introduced herself, saying, "Hello, I am Yukinoshita Yukino, Yukinoshita Haruno's younger sister…"
"You're Haruno's sister?" A gasp came from the other end of the phone, "Wait, how can you still remember Haruno-nee?"
Yukinoshita Yukino gripped her phone tightly, "So, you really know why my sister disappeared, right?"
"…"
After a brief conversation, Yukinoshita Yukino put away her phone and whispered, "She said to go to her apartment to find her, and she'll explain the strange incident she encountered in detail then."
Amamiya Natsuki nodded, "Then let's go."
The journey was silent.
Following the address, everyone soon arrived at a high-end apartment building in Japan.
In Japan, ordinary people live in single-family homes, while only wealthy people live in high-end apartments—ordinary people need to sort their trash and dispose of it on specific days, but high-end apartments usually have trash disposal rooms where trash doesn't need to be sorted; it's simply thrown into the disposal room, and someone else will sort it.
Clearly, like attracts like, and Yukinoshita Haruno's friend was also a minor rich woman.
They arrived on the third floor and rang the doorbell.
Yukinoshita Yukino simultaneously took out her phone and sent a message, "Miss Kosaka, we've arrived."
After a while, faint footsteps were heard from inside the room. Then, the door gently opened a crack, and a woman wearing Glasses Girl looked out. It was indeed the same girl who had played the game with Haruno in the surveillance footage.
Unlike in the surveillance footage, the Glasses Girl's hair was disheveled, her eyes were lifeless, her dark circles were thick, and her left hand was wrapped in bandages. She looked somewhat neurotic.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Yukinoshita Yukino," Nekonoshita introduced herself, her voice cool, "Yukinoshita Haruno's younger sister."
"I've seen you on Haruno's phone…"
The Glasses Girl's voice was a bit hoarse, her eyes nervously looking at Amamiya Natsuki and the others.
She had thought only Yukinoshita Yukino would come, but seeing so many people now, she was clearly startled, and an expression of hesitation appeared on her face.
"They are all my friends," Yukinoshita Yukino observed her reaction, paused, and continued, "And they can all remember my sister."
Hearing that last sentence, the Glasses Girl moved aside, "…Come in."
"Excuse us."
Everyone entered the apartment one by one.
The Glasses Girl apologized softly, "Sorry, there aren't that many slippers in the apartment…"
"It's okay," Fujiwara Chika took off her shoes, standing in black stockings at the entrance, her voice clear, "We can just go in directly. Haruno's safety is more important."
The girls entered the house one by one. Amamiya Natsuki stayed behind, and after taking off his shoes, he closed the door behind him.
In Japan, shoes need to be removed and changed in most places. It's quite normal to go barefoot if there are no spare slippers.
It is worth mentioning that many people in Japan also have smelly feet, this matter does not distinguish between race and nationality, so many places will light incense to cover the smell.
What if the incense can't cover the foot odor?
Then you can only bear it.
There was only one sofa in the apartment, which was naturally not enough for everyone, so they simply sat in a circle in the living room.
Glasses Girl Kousaka excitedly said:
"How do you remember Haruno?"
"Probably because we are more 'special'." Yukinoshita Yukino replied, then immediately asked, "Where is my sister now? What did you encounter? Why did everyone forget my sister?"
"I don't know…"
"Is my sister safe now?"
"I don't know!" Glasses Girl Kousaka grabbed her messy hair, her expression despairing, like a small beast caught in a trap, only able to watch death approach step by step, already a little hysterical, "I really don't know what happened!"
"Kousaka-nee, don't get agitated." Fujiwara Chika comforted her, "Take your time and tell us what happened."
"It's not like you're going to disappear, so of course you're not agitated!"
Amamiya Natsuki turned to look at Hayasaka, his eyes signaling: "Give her a shot to calm her down?"
"No." Hayasaka Ai shook her head and refused, "You must be trying to do lewd things, Senpai, right?"
This is serious business, who is it that has sesshou on their mind!
"Hoo…"
Fortunately, Glasses Girl Kousaka took a deep breath, calmed herself down, and said with a bitter smile, "Sorry, I lost my composure just now."
Shinomiya Kaguya's tone was calm, and she said:
"Miss Kousaka, please tell us in detail about the strange incidents you encountered. Perhaps we can help solve them."
"It's useless." Glasses Girl lowered her head, her voice despairing, "Police, shrine maidens, exorcists, priests… We've looked for all of them, and it's all been useless."
"They probably don't remember Haruno, do they?" Koyasu Tsubame said from the side, "But we can all remember, so please trust us for now."
Glasses Girl looked up, a glimmer of hope on her face, but the light in her eyes quickly dimmed again, leaving only despair, her voice low and faint:
"The story begins a few days ago…"
This girl is Kousaka Miyuki, twenty years old this year, the same age as Haruno. They were high school classmates, both graduated from Soubu High, and were favorite students of Miss Shizuka. Her father is not a councilor, but a successful big businessman… In short, the two were very good friends.
After graduating from high school, the two did not attend the same university, but their relationship remained very close, and they would occasionally get together to eat, drink, and play.
One of Kousaka Miyuki's hobbies was murder mystery games.
Last Monday, she invited Yukinoshita Haruno and a few other friends to a murder mystery Game Shop. It was originally just a normal friends' gathering, but who knew they would encounter a bizarre incident that could not be explained by science.
"During the murder mystery game, Kobayashi's phone suddenly received a strange message, telling him to dance in public for ten minutes. If he completed the task, he would get a reward; if he failed, he would suffer a bleeding punishment." Glasses Girl fell into memory, her voice low, "At that time, everyone was playing the murder mystery game and thought it was a prank, so no one paid attention. As a result, ten minutes later, a prop cup suddenly shattered for no reason, cutting Kobayashi's left hand, and blood immediately flowed out…"
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr