Natsuki didn't know what was happening with other players, but he was equally busy.
With the establishment of the official organization, the Strange Tales Management Bureau, every player faced a choice: either join the official organization and enjoy benefits like social security, but with restricted freedom, subject to command and deployment at any time, or be a free player, only maintaining a cooperative relationship with the Strange Tales Management Bureau… In short, many people were undecided.
As the 'Expert' and the first person to cooperate with the official side, many players messaged Natsuki privately to inquire about the situation.
At first, Natsuki replied to each one, but later there were too many people, and Natsuki couldn't handle it. So, he decided to give up and directly post an announcement, clarifying the situation and attaching Mitsui's contact information, telling these players to consult a professional.
"Finally done…"
Natsuki had just put down his phone, preparing to rest for a while, when the doorbell suddenly rang.
"Alright, not done yet."
Natsuki got up to open the door and saw a girl with long black hair standing outside.
"Natsuki, there's something I need to tell you." Miko held her phone, walked in with quick steps, and hesitantly said, "That official person just contacted me, saying they want to buy the Witch Potion recipe."
To be honest, Miko was not very willing.
She used to only work part-time in convenience stores, bookstores, and similar places, with an hourly wage of only one thousand Yen, and her wallet was always tight. Later, she partnered with Natsuki and started making potions. Although it was hard work, she finally became a small rich woman.
However, Miko knew very well that although the Witch Potion was in short supply now, once the official side mass-produced the potion, there would basically be no place for her—
It is well known that products put on an assembly line will have their prices rapidly driven down. The current situation is like a small-scale economy versus capital dumping; facing the crushing power of capital, a small-scale economy has no power to resist.
Natsuki reached out his right hand, wrapped it around Miko's soft, slender waist, and pulled Miko onto his lap, softly saying, "You don't want to give them the recipe?"
"It's not that I don't want to." Miko shook her head. "It was your recipe to begin with, not mine, and mass-producing the potion can also help others in need, it's just…"
Natsuki took over the conversation, "It's just that your dream of being a small rich woman is about to be shattered."
Miko's pretty face flushed, and she guiltily averted her gaze, saying, "No, I never thought about being a rich woman."
Natsuki lightly pinched Miko's waist and said, "Liars will be punished."
"Ah…"
Suddenly attacked, Miko let out a soft cry. After realizing what happened, she couldn't help but lightly slap Natsuki, puffing out her rosy cheeks and saying, "Let go, I want to get up."
Natsuki said unhurriedly, "I have a way to continue your dream of being a small rich woman."
Miko paused. She had originally wanted to maintain some composure, but then she thought that she didn't really need to be so reserved in front of Natsuki. Blushing, she whispered, "…What way?"
"It's simple." Natsuki softly said, "Give the potion recipe to the official side, and you continue to make potions. Let the official side directly purchase the potions you have at the current price."
Miko hesitated, "Won't others agree?"
"They will definitely agree." Natsuki said confidently, "How many bottles of potion can you, one person, make? A day's worth of labor isn't even worth a single meal for them."
Miko glared at him, "…I feel offended."
"The truth always offends people."
Natsuki grumbled as he picked up his phone and sent a message to Mitsui, explaining the situation.
A moment later.
"See, the answer is exactly as I said." Natsuki held the phone in front of Miko. "Continue making your potions. Someone will come to your door to buy your potions, or you can give the potions to me, and I'll give them to the other party. Either way works."
Actually, Natsuki didn't believe ordinary people could easily make Witch Potion.
Players could, because their identity was special.
Ordinary people might not be able to.
As for Miko… her ability could even be certified by the game, so there was no way she was an ordinary person.
After seeing the message on the phone, Miko finally relaxed, "Thank you, Natsuki."
"Thanks without a thank-you gift are insincere." Natsuki looked at the girl's rosy, moist lips, his gaze burning, "So, please show your sincerity."
Players have incredibly abundant energy. After resting for a while earlier, Natsuki was now full of vigor, and the debuff 'sage mode' had disappeared.
Miko's pretty face flushed slightly, and she couldn't help but complain, "Who would ever demand repayment for a favor?!"
"I would." Natsuki said shamelessly and brazenly, "Only by demanding repayment for a favor can I get a kiss from Miko."
"Hmph."
Miko snorted softly, turning her head away, not wanting to deal with him.
Having not experienced life-and-death adventures together in the instance, Miko naturally couldn't truly empathize. So, regarding Natsuki's shameless polygamy, Miko had never been able to truly accept it. Fortunately, she had a laid-back personality, liked to lie flat, and was somewhat resigned, which was why she allowed herself to be taken advantage of.
After a while, Miko wiped her lips clean and went back to continue making Witch Potion, aiming for her goal of becoming a little rich girl.
Natsuki picked up his phone, which he had placed beside him, and sure enough, saw many new messages.
He quickly scanned his vision, noticing a message from Haruno among them.
Haruno: "Natsuki-kun~ Shall we have lunch together?"
Natsuki: "Sorry, I just have some other things…"
One must be true to their word.
Having previously promised not to have any other contact with Haruno, Natsuki had always kept his word.
Haruno: "Eh, what a pity, Yukino is here."
Hmm?
Hirano is here?
Natsuki hesitated for a second, then replied: "I suddenly have time again."
Haruno: "Then let's meet at the restaurant at noon. Yukino's car arrives at Shinjuku Station at 10:35 AM. I just have some other things, Natsuki-kun, could you please pick up Yukino?"
Are you repeating yourself?
I saw through your foxy nature beneath your gentle exterior a long time ago!
Natsuki: "Haruno, please go ahead and be busy. I guarantee I'll pick up Yukino."
"…"
After chatting with Haruno, Natsuki glanced at the time, realizing it was getting late. So, he quickly washed up and headed out to Shinjuku Station.
The journey was uneventful.
Natsuki bought two bottles of iced juice and waited outside the station.
As a transportation hub in Tokyo and the world's busiest station, Shinjuku Station has a daily passenger flow of nearly four million. However, even with such a crowd, Natsuki still spotted Hirano at a glance amidst the surging human tide.
Her waist-length black hair fell straight down to her waist.
She was simply dressed in a shirt and short skirt, yet it couldn't conceal her fresh and ethereal beauty, along with her cool and quiet demeanor, like a high-mountain flower, giving off an unapproachable feeling.
It was the flat chested Yukinoshita Hirano.
Beside Yukino, there was also a young man, clearly trying to strike up a conversation.
Yukino frowned slightly, completely uninterested in talking.
At this moment, a voice suddenly rang out:
"Excuse me, do you need a tour guide?"
"Hmm?"
Yukino was slightly startled, looking up at the suddenly appearing Natsuki, her bright eyes lighting up slightly.
"Thank you, we don't need a tour guide…"
The young man beside Hirano looked over, his eyes subtly disdainful, clearly thinking Natsuki's way of striking up a conversation was too old-fashioned.
Before he could finish speaking, a cool, indifferent voice rang out from beside him:
"I do need a tour guide."
"Hmm?" The man in the suit was startled, looking at Yukino in surprise, and said in astonishment, "Yukino, you…"
Yukino frowned slightly, and said coolly:
"Please call me Yukinoshita."
"…"
The man in the suit fell silent, glanced at Natsuki, then at Yukino, and finally understood. A hint of annoyance flashed in his eyes, but he didn't do anything else, just said stiffly:
"Understood… I have something else to do anyway, so I'll be leaving first."
He then turned and left, quickly disappearing into the crowd.
Yukino pursed her lips slightly, looked up at Natsuki, and asked curiously:
"You… why are you at the station?"
Natsuki smiled and said:
"Yukino can guess. There's a special reward if you guess correctly."
"No need." Yukino crossed her arms over her chest, and lightly exhaled, "Did my sister tell you?"
She had only told her sister about coming to Tokyo this time and no one else. Besides Haruno, there was clearly no one else.
"Correct answer." Natsuki handed over the drink in his hand, "Reward: a bottle of 100% strawberry juice."
Yukino took the drink, took a small sip, remained silent for two seconds, then softly said:
"That person just now was the son of my mother's friend. I just happened to meet him on the train on the way here."
For some reason, Yukino inexplicably wanted to explain clearly.
Natsuki smiled and said:
"Compared to that irrelevant person, I'd rather know why Yukino feels the need to explain?"
"…"
Yukino's pretty face tightened, and she turned and walked away expressionlessly.
Why explain?
Yukino herself didn't know.
Or rather… she wasn't willing to admit it.
Natsuki didn't mind, stepping to follow behind Yukino, saying:
"Haruno said she had other things this morning and couldn't come to the station, so she asked me to pick you up and take you to the restaurant for lunch together."
Yukino said, not looking sideways:
"Give me the restaurant address, I'll go by myself."
"That won't do." Natsuki flatly refused, saying earnestly, "When entrusted by others, one must be loyal to their task. Since I promised Haruno to take you to the restaurant, I certainly won't go back on my word."
Yukino indicated she didn't want to bother with him and continued walking forward.
"Speaking of which, why did you suddenly come to Tokyo?" Natsuki asked curiously.
"It's my sister…" Yukino pursed her lips, and whispered, "She said she accepted a commission and wants to go to Kabukicho Ichibangai tonight to look for anomalies."
Understood.
This Yukino, who seemed to be at odds with her sister, was actually a complete sister-complex. Once Haruno was in danger, she couldn't help but come to help.
Natsuki said:
"I see. Your sister even got a skill from a Blind Box a few days ago."
Yukino softly said:
"It's just an ordinary skill, it won't be of much use if she really encounters anomalies… My sister always likes to act recklessly."
"…"
The two walked and talked, arriving at the intersection in front of the station.
As the world's largest transportation hub, people waiting to cross were everywhere, stretching in all directions. As far as the eye could see, there were people everywhere.
Natsuki extended his right hand and openly grasped Yukino's soft hand. Despite it being summer, Yukino's hand was still pleasantly cool, making it very comfortable to hold.
"Stare—"
Yukino's eyes narrowed, and she turned to look: "Let go."
"I won't." Natsuki looked straight ahead, talking nonsense with a serious face, "There are so many people, it's easy to get lost by accident. As a tour guide, it's normal and reasonable for me to hold Hirano's hand while crossing the street, isn't it?"
How is that reasonable? Only elementary school student need to be held when crossing the street!
Click, click.
"I can walk by myself."
Yukino tightened her pretty face, trying to make Natsuki retreat with a gaze that could freeze a person.
Unfortunately, it was completely useless.
He had kissed her.
He had hugged her too.
A mere freezing gaze really couldn't make Natsuki back down.
The green light quickly appeared.
Natsuki led Yukino forward: "We can cross the street now."
Yukino had no choice but to purse her lips and let Natsuki lead her across the street.
After crossing the street, Natsuki said as they walked:
"You've received the official recruitment information, right? Are you choosing to join the organization or cooperate freely?"
"Free cooperation." Yukino had clearly considered this question, and without hesitation, she softly said, "I don't want so many restrictions, and I also have school to balance."
Previously, players who were office workers would mostly choose to join the organization and become official personnel, because the benefits were super generous. Not to mention the five insurances and one housing fund, the monthly salary started at millions of Yen, and usually the work was easy, only needing to step up when something happened.
Student players, on the other hand, would mostly choose free cooperation, mainly because living with their parents, suddenly taking time off from school would inevitably worry their families.
Natsuki nodded and said:
"Tonight is the Strange Tales Management Bureau's first organized operation, and there should be many players participating."
Yukino softly said:
"Are you all participating?"
"That's right." Natsuki said, "After all, it's the first operation, and the Strange Tales Management Bureau is offering quite generous rewards. Tonight, you and Haruno shouldn't run around. Act with me."
Concerning her sister's safety, Yukino didn't refuse, pursed her lips, and softly said:
"…Understood."
After walking for a while longer, Yukino suddenly felt her phone vibrating in her backpack. She reached out to grab it, only then realizing that her hand was still being held and had not been released.
Yukino bit her silver teeth lightly: "You can let go of my hand now!"
"Eh?" Natsuki showed a surprised expression on his face, smiling, "Yukino never said anything, so I thought you wanted me to hold your hand and walk all over Tokyo."
"…Shameless!"
The two quickly arrived at the restaurant, and after waiting a while longer, Haruno finally arrived fashionably late.
"Yukino~ Come here, let your sister give you a hug."
Haruno happily stepped forward, smiling as she opened her arms.
"No." Yukino stepped back half a pace to dodge, saying expressionlessly, "Sister, you're all sweaty."
"How, how mean, Yukino actually dislikes me." Haruno immediately showed a wronged expression, then turned to Natsuki, "Thank you, Natsuki-kun, for picking up Yukino. A hug as thanks."
Natsuki turned to look at Yukino, asking:
"Yukino, what do you say?"
Yukino crossed her arms over her chest, and said expressionlessly:
"You don't need to ask me about your business."
"Since you say so, then I'll hug her." Natsuki opened his arms, preparing to embrace Haruno.
The next second.
Natsuki's clothes corner was tugged by someone.
"Hurry up and sit down," Yukino said, biting her silver teeth lightly. "Don't block other customers."
Watching her sister and him embrace… she couldn't do it, absolutely couldn't.
Natsuki sat down beside Yukino, following the flow: "As Yukino-sama commands."
"..."
Yukino moved her lips slightly, then nonchalantly picked up her water glass and took a small sip.
During lunch, it was natural to discuss matters of the Strange Tales Management Bureau, but it was all theoretical; the two parties hadn't had formal contact yet, and the specifics would depend on how the Strange Tales Management Bureau arranged things tonight.
After eating lunch together, Natsuki had other matters to attend to, so he prepared to say goodbye and leave.
Before leaving, while Haruno went to the restroom, Natsuki looked at Yukino and whispered:
"I kept my promise; besides helping your sister paste skills, I haven't had any other contact. This is the first time I've had a meal alone with your sister since you returned to Chiba, so… shouldn't Yukino purchase a renewal service?"
Yukino's breathing hitched. She couldn't help but recall what happened in the park during their last separation, and her pretty face flushed slightly. She bit her silver teeth and said:
"Natsuki, don't you feel ashamed of such shameless behavior?"
"Of course, I feel guilty," Natsuki said with a faint tone. "Every time I wake up in the middle of the night, my conscience aches, but Yukino is just too cute. I can't help it, absolutely can't."
Yukino took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and endured again and again, but in the end, she couldn't hold back and uttered two words from between her lips:
"Scumbag!"
"..."
Leaving the restaurant, Natsuki headed home. After dealing with the trivial matters at hand, it was unknowingly evening.
"Master, it's time to go!" Knowing that Natsuki was home in the afternoon, Sayu ran straight over to play. "Speaking of which, I've never been to Kabukicho Ichibangai. Have you, Master?"
Natsuki shook his head and said:
"I really haven't."
As a globally renowned red-light district, students generally wouldn't go to such places, as they were still too thin-skinned and would feel embarrassed.
"Marin sent a message saying she's waiting for us at the entrance of Ichiban Street to meet up. Chika has already arrived…"
Walking to the door, Sayu obediently let go of Natsuki's arm. As a pet, she could act spoiled in private but would never cause trouble for Natsuki outside.
Natsuki locked the door: "Today, we'll go see Kabukicho."
No words were exchanged along the way.
Natsuki and Sayu got off the train and finally saw the world-famous Kabukicho Ichibangai.
It was evening.
The sky gradually darkened.
The various signs on both sides of Kabukicho Ichibangai had already lit up. Looking out, countless Japan lights flickered, and there was light pollution everywhere.
"Sayu!"
At the subway station in front of Ichiban Street, Marin waved and shouted.
"Marin~"
Sayu happily responded.
"Good evening, President," Secretary Chika said with a bright smile.
Natsuki looked at Chika and smiled:
"Good evening."
Besides Marin and Chika, Juju and Shoko also came, as well as Yukino and Haruno. The senpai also didn't miss out. A little later, Kaguya arrived by car, leaving only 'junior Hanamori' far away.
In addition, there was also a Miss Mitsui.
"Everyone, thank you for waiting," Miss Mitsui said, dressed in formal attire. She first bowed to everyone, then said, "Please follow me to attend the Strange Tales Management Bureau's operational meeting."