"I'm going too, I'm going too!"
Chika instantly woke up and sat up.
This Chika is super childish and very interested in catching crabs. She said several times before going to sleep that she absolutely had to be taken along.
Kaguya and Yukino had already awakened, so they were naturally awake now. Seeing Chika instantly sit up, they both showed speechless expressions.
"Get up," Natsuki patted Chika's head, "To protect the safety of others, we'll go outside the cave."
"Ugh..." Chika blinked, finally waking up, and covered her head with both hands, "Has my mushroom matured?"
Natsuki said:
"It's fully ripe and ready to be picked."
"Alright then..." Chika nodded, preparing to get up, when she suddenly saw Kaguya and Yukino staring at her, and quickly checked her body, "Eh, Kaguya-chan and Yukino-chan's eyes are so strange, do I have something on me?"
"No problem," Kaguya said nonchalantly, with her arms crossed, "However... you can wipe your drool first."
Chika's pretty face flushed slightly, and she quickly raised her hand to wipe the corner of her lips, stammering:
"It's normal to drool when you sleep in a bad position..."
Wiping her mouth clean, Chika changed the subject:
"Natsuki-kun said that all mushrooms have their own sin attributes. Kaguya-chan, Yukino-chan, what are your mushrooms' sins?"
Kaguya: "..."
Yukino: "..."
Bringing up sensitive topics.
You've already asked several times yesterday, and each time we pretended not to hear and refused to answer your question. Don't you have a clue in your heart!
How could something like the sin of lust be spoken aloud!
Neither Kaguya nor Yukino are girls who care about their reputation, so of course they couldn't talk about their own active lewd and unfulfilled desires.
Kaguya and Yukino's gazes met, briefly locking eyes, then they tacitly looked away.
The two girls didn't know each other's mushroom attributes, and Natsuki had never told them. This was a secret and privacy between them.
However... everyone's original sin wouldn't change much, so it must be the same as before, right?
In short, Kaguya and Yukino could vaguely guess each other's mushroom attributes.
However, the two girls had different attitudes.
Kaguya had already helplessly accepted it, after all, eight out of ten times, a lewd mushroom grew... Most likely, her nature was to like lewd.
In contrast, Yukino had only grown a few mushrooms, and currently refused to accept reality, unwilling to admit her lewd attribute.
"Oh, come on, hurry up and tell me," Chika puffed out her pink cheeks, "The more you don't say, the more curious I get!"
"There's nothing to say about it," Yukino said softly, "Chika will know when she experiences it herself."
"They're all unwilling to say… What exactly is the reason?" Chika rested her right hand on her chin, a suspicious expression on her face. Suddenly, her gaze shifted, and she looked towards Natsuki, "Natsuki, you should know, right?"
Natsuki nodded:
"Of course, I know…"
"Stare—"
Kaguya and Yukino both turned their heads, their gazes sharp and fixed on him.
If Natsuki dared to say something he shouldn't, his mouth would immediately be sewn shut, and he would never be able to make a sound again.
Natsuki's expression became serious. He raised both hands and continued:
"But that's personal privacy. Even if you beat me to death, I won't say."
Chika leaned forward and said:
"Natsuki-kun suddenly became very suspicious."
Thump~
Natsuki raised his hand and tapped Chika's head. He turned and walked out of the cave, saying:
"Don't be so curious. Your mushroom is different from Yukino's and Kaguya's."
"That's so mean! Tapping my head will prevent me from growing taller, won't it?"
Chika covered her head with both hands, puffed out her cheeks, and followed him.
The two walked out of the cave.
The air was cold and damp.
There was only a faint light in the sky.
The entire Island appeared dead and quiet.
Staying in the cave, they didn't feel much. There were many people and a fire, making it warm and safe. But now, walking out of the cave, the fear of being stranded on a deserted Island quickly assailed them, threatening to engulf and swallow them.
Chika involuntarily became nervous and quickly took two steps forward, wanting to grab Natsuki's sleeve.
Slap.
Natsuki reached out and directly held Chika's soft hand.
"Eh?" Chika's pretty face flushed, and her gaze involuntarily drifted. She whispered, "Na-Natsuki, don't do this…"
Natsuki turned his head and said:
"Don't do what?"
Chika whispered:
"Holding hands feels so strange. Even if you say we're dating… but I don't have any memories, it feels too strange."
Natsuki said in a faint tone:
"Do you want to see what your hand has done?"
"Eh?"
Chika was startled. She lowered her head in confusion and looked at their intertwined hands, instantly widening her eyes in disbelief.
"Ho-how could this be?!"
Just now, it was clearly just a normal hand-hold, but for some reason, in the time it took to say a sentence, the hand-holding posture had actually turned into fingers intertwined.
Chika was shocked.
What exactly happened just now?
Why didn't she feel anything at all?
Natsuki complained faintly:
"It's simple. You say it's strange, but your body has already formed an instinct."
Chika: "…"
Ahhhhhh! What is my relationship with Natsuki in reality? Why would I form an instinct to intertwine fingers?!
A moment later.
Natsuki brought Chika to Yukino's awakening place from yesterday.
"Let's do it here," Natsuki looked around. "No need to worry about the sound being too loud and heard by everyone in the cave."
"Sou-sound too loud?" At the critical moment, Chika involuntarily became nervous. One hand covered her chest, and the other covered her skirt. "What does Natsuki-kun want to do?"
"Don't worry, I won't do anything."
Natsuki spoke while reaching into his pocket and pulling out a suspicious item.
"Eh eh eh?" Chika widened her eyes. "What is that?"
Natsuki said:
"Of course, it's something that can satisfy your hunger."
"Sa-satisfy hunger?!"
Chika nervously took half a step back, her pretty face pale. She quickly shook her head, "No! No no no! I don't want to eat strange things!"
Natsuki said meaningfully:
"Don't worry, even if you say no, your body will start moving on its own soon."
Pop.
Natsuki snapped his fingers.
The Sin mushroom on Chika's head quickly burst open, and the long-accumulated power of Sin directly bloomed.
"Ugh…" Chika's body trembled slightly. She quickly covered her stomach with both hands and involuntarily said, "Hungry hungry hungry hungry!"
"Eat."
Natsuki pointed to the item he had just pulled out, which was surprisingly yesterday's charcoal-grilled spider and unfinished shark fin. "These foods are enough to get you through the rampage period."
That's right.
The Sin on this Chika also did not experience a low-probability event; it was still a Gluttony Mushroom.
Neither the charcoal-grilled spider nor the shark fin tasted good, but driven by the Sin, Chika completely lost control of her body and entered gluttonous eating mode.
Natsuki stood by, slowly waiting, occasionally helping to pat her back.
Ten minutes later.
"N-no more…" Chika covered her stomach with both hands and finally stopped. With teary eyes, she looked up at the sky. "My stomach is so bloated, I feel like I'm going to burst."
"Actually, it's only half more than your usual intake," Natsuki stroked Chika's small head. "You have to trust your stomach capacity."
"President is so mean." Chika looked over with teary eyes, having already recovered her memories. "Knowing that I'm a Gluttony Mushroom, you still gave me such unpalatable things to eat."
Natsuki said without changing his expression:
"The reserved food in the backpack is limited. If you eat it all, there will be none left."
After a short rest.
Chika quickly regained her ability to move. After all, Natsuki had been watching her the whole time, so of course, he wouldn't let Chika overeat to the point of discomfort.
"This Island is too big, completely different from the nightmare we encountered the first time." Chika stood on her tiptoes and looked around, unable to see the edge of the Island. "So, the true form of the anomaly is indeed in the room, right?"
Natsuki nodded lightly and said:
"Most likely, yes. It's just still unclear whether that anomaly is in the room or on the deserted Island itself."
"Eh?" Chika widened her eyes. "President suspects the anomaly's true form is on the deserted Island?"
"It's very possible," Natsuki said softly. "If it weren't for me, after everyone was stranded on the deserted Island, they would probably have fallen into a long period of despair, or even never woken up. For us, the most dangerous deserted Island is actually the anomaly's safest hiding place."
"…"
A moment later.
Natsuki and Chika returned to the cave.
The morning light was faintly dawning.
The girls had already woken up, preparing for a new day of Island survival.
"Hahahahaha—!"
Chika returned laughing loudly, walking into the cave with her hands on her hips.
"Eh, Chika?"
"Why do you look so incredibly happy?"
"Did you succeed in awakening?"
"That's right, I'm super strong now!" Chika lifted her chin, revealing her fair, slender neck. "I declare that from today onwards, this Island is our hunting ground!"
The girls: "…"
During Island survival, there were many things to do every day. After simply eating some leftover food from yesterday, the girls quickly got busy.
First, they climbed the cliff to wash up and look for drifting supplies.
Just like yesterday, soon only Shoko and Juju were left at the bottom of the cliff.
Natsuki looked at the two girls and smiled:
"Which one of you is staying today?"
"I'll stay…"
Juju took half a step forward, biting her silver teeth, ready to sacrifice herself again.
But before she could finish speaking, a figure suddenly blocked her way.
It was Shoko.
This the the timid girl clenched her hands into fists, holding them tightly across her chest, a resolute expression of self-sacrifice on her pretty face. Mustering all her courage, her voice trembled slightly as she said:
"Do-don't take advantage of Juju anymore…!"
Incredible.
To muster such courage for a friend, you are truly incredible.
Natsuki nodded and said:
"Since Shoko has mustered the courage to speak, then I'll send Juju up first."
"Pfft~"
Juju couldn't help but let out a soft snort, her right hand gently pinching Natsuki's arm.
You're so eager to send me up… Could it be that you're already tired of me?!
Scumbag Natsuki!
May lightning strike you!
After sending Juju to the top of the cliff, Natsuki jumped back down and came before Shoko.
Just now, for Juju's sake, Shoko had bravely stepped forward, but now that her goal was achieved, facing Natsuki alone, timidity once again overwhelmed her. She nervously lowered her head to look at her toes, not even daring to meet Natsuki's eyes.
When she secretly caught a glimpse of Natsuki extending his right hand towards her from the corner of her eye, Komi's black hair trembled even more with nervousness.
"Don't be afraid." Natsuki gently stroked Shoko's head, his voice exceptionally gentle. "Shoko, I'm very happy that you were able to muster such courage today to stand up and protect Juju, so I won't take advantage of you today."
"Re-really?"
Hearing this, Komi couldn't help but look up expectantly.
However, the next second.
She saw Natsuki's face reveal an evil smile, and he said playfully:
"Of course… I'm just kidding."
"…"
Komi felt her vision go black, instantly experiencing the feeling of falling from heaven to hell.
"H-How awful! It's truly too much!"
However, no matter how wronged she felt, the the timid girl still didn't dare to resist. She merely bit her lip and walked towards the edge of the cliff.
Natsuki asked curiously, "What is Shoko going to do?"
"..."
Komi didn't speak. She walked to the edge of the cliff, grabbed the rope, and prepared to climb up herself.
Natsuki raised an eyebrow and said, "If you fall, it will be very dangerous."
"..."
The the timid girl bit her lip and remained silent, clearly genuinely angry.
"Shoko-sama, I'm sorry, I was wrong." Seeing that Shoko was truly angry, Natsuki immediately apologized, deeply understanding the principle of a true man being able to bend and stretch. "Please forgive me."
Komi paused her movements and turned to look over.
"That was just a joke. I said I wouldn't take advantage of you this time, and I'll definitely keep my word." Natsuki said as he picked up Shoko, "We'll go up now."
Komi squirmed, still pouting, "L-Let me go…"
"Don't move around." Natsuki grabbed a protrusion on the cliff face and began to climb up. "If you move around, I'll kiss you."
"..."
Komi finally settled down and secretly observed Natsuki, a sudden surge of happiness welling up in her heart.
Kaguya was right… As long as she got angry, he really would settle down…
They climbed onto the cliff.
The girls each cleaned and washed up. Even if they were stranded on a deserted island, personal hygiene was still very important.
Natsuki came to Tsubame's side and said, "You shouldn't go into the sea to gather seashells today. If there was one shark in the sea, there are definitely many more."
"I know." Tsubame nodded seriously, still a bit shaken by yesterday's events. "We definitely won't go down again."
Natsuki looked down at his daughter, Aoi. This daughter instinctively felt close to Tsubame. Wherever Tsubame went, she would follow like a little tail.
"Aoi, do you want some milk?"
Natsuki asked with a smile.
Hearing there was milk, his daughter's eyes lit up, and she said expectantly, "Yes, please!"
"We'll talk after we catch the crabs." Natsuki patted Aoi's head, then looked at Tsubame, leaning close to her ear and whispering, "Tsubame, children are growing, they need to drink a bottle of milk every day. You don't want your daughter to be short, do you?"
Tsubame: "..."
Shameless!
Using Aoi to threaten others, how shameless!
"Tsubame, think about it carefully." Natsuki smiled and said, "I'm going to catch crabs first."
Yesterday was for exploring the island, so he went with Yukino. Today, after Chika awakened, they naturally went together. Kaguya still stayed behind to take care of everyone and prevent accidents.
"Let's go!" Chika was full of enthusiasm, clenching her right fist. "Catch crabs!"
After bidding farewell to everyone, Natsuki took Yukino and Chika and set off for the Red Mangrove Forest.
Yesterday, when exploring the island, Yukino had a cold expression and refused to speak the whole way, causing the atmosphere to be stiff. Today, there was no problem at all.
"Hahaha, when I was in junior high, I loved Robinson Crusoe. I thought it was super interesting back then. I never expected to experience real deserted island survival today. It's really so much fun!"
Natsuki nodded and said, "I also find it very interesting."
Yukino heard this and couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Chika finds it interesting because she has a good mindset. Your definition of interesting is completely different from Chika's!
Chika spread her arms and continued, "However, surviving on a deserted island as an ordinary person actually feels more authentic."
Not only was Yukino speechless at this remark, but even Natsuki couldn't listen anymore.
If they were truly ordinary people, shipwrecked and stranded on a deserted island full of monsters, the only feeling they would have would be despair!
"Oh, and there's also the mosquito swamp that the president and Yukino-chan mentioned yesterday." Chika turned her head, her face full of anticipation. "I'm very curious, why don't we take a detour there…"
Natsuki: "Stop your curiosity."
Yukino: "You definitely wouldn't want to see those mosquitoes."
"..."
Talking along the way, the three walked through the island and soon arrived at the Red Mangrove Forest.
The entire Nightmare World was modeled after the hunger game. All the monsters were clearly demarcated and basically wouldn't leave their activity areas. With the monster distribution map hand-drawn yesterday, they walked along safely without encountering any accidents or dangers.
"We've arrived at the Red Mangrove Forest." Natsuki pointed and said, "The crabs are all in the forest."
"Let me see." Chika stood on her tiptoes and peered into the forest. Her eyes soon lit up. "Ah, I see it! There's a super big crab right under the tree roots!"
Chika said as she rolled up her sleeves, about to go into the forest to catch crabs.
"Don't go down." Natsuki grabbed Chika. "There are too many crabs inside."
Chika asked, puzzled, "Isn't it more fun to catch more crabs?"
Yukino slightly twitched her lips and said speechlessly, "When there are so many crabs that they eat people, it's no longer fun."
He took out the leftover food from yesterday, threw it into the Red Mangrove Forest with a splat, and the originally quiet Red Mangrove Forest instantly erupted. Countless crabs waved their pincers, surging out from the tree roots and mud, numbering in the hundreds and thousands.
Just like a school of sharks in the deep sea, once gathered, they completely devoured the food in just a few seconds.
"There are too many crabs, aren't there?" Chika's beautiful eyes widened, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "We can't catch them all, we simply can't catch them all."
Natsuki said, "That's why I said catching a few is enough. Catching more would be a waste."
"..."
The three worked together and quickly caught some crabs.
These crabs, similar in size to coconut crabs, were agile and incredibly strong. If an ordinary person was accidentally pinched, their arm could be broken. However, for players, they were just a delicious meal.
After easily catching a dozen crabs, the three prepared to head back.
Just then, Natsuki suddenly heard a whooshing sound in his ear. Something fell from the sky, landing at his feet and splashing a puddle of mud.
"Hmm?"
Natsuki looked down and saw an ice ball, about the size of a fist, at his feet.
"Hey, what's this?" Chika curiously looked down. "Could it be that there's a wizard crab hidden among those crabs?"
"It's not a crab's attack." Yukino slightly furrowed her delicate brows and looked up at the sky. "It's something falling from the sky."
Chika asked, puzzled, "But why would ice balls fall from the sky?"
Clap, clap, clap!
As she spoke, ice balls fell one after another. The crabs that had been all over the ground seemed to receive some signal and quickly hid, disappearing from sight.
Natsuki extended his right hand and grabbed an ice ball that was about to hit Yukino, his expression solemn as he said, "Is there a possibility… that this thing is actually hail?"