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"Mutsumi, can we visit your house today?"
Nagasaki Soyo walked over and sat beside Mutsumi. Her hands clasped together, and her voice was gentle as she said, "It suddenly occurred to me that we've never been to your house to play all this time."
Takamatsu Tomori said from the side, "I want to visit Mutsumi's house."
Hearing that everyone wanted to come over, Mutsumi naturally wouldn't refuse and silently agreed.
"Okay."
"Then let's wash our hands and eat." Kitahara Makoto stepped towards the kitchen, saying, "The egg-fried rice is ready, and there's enough for everyone."
"..."
After quickly finishing breakfast, Kitahara Makoto stood up and walked upstairs, saying as he went, "You all eat slowly, I'm going upstairs to change my clothes first."
Arriving on the second floor.
He pushed the door open and entered the room.
He looked up and saw a pink-haired girl lying on the pillow. Because she hadn't gotten up yet, she naturally wasn't wearing stockings, and her pair of snow-white feet were swinging leisurely in the air, looking very relaxed.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, Chihaya Anon turned her head to look over. The smile on her pretty face quickly faded, replaced by a bored expression:
"Pervert Kitahara, why are you only back now? I'm bored to death by myself."
Kitahara Makoto said speechlessly, "You were smiling so happily just now, where were you bored?"
"I was really bored." Chihaya Anon snorted lightly and argued, "You were all eating breakfast downstairs, and I was the only one secretly hiding in the room, tired and hungry, so I could only play on my phone to find some fun in my misery."
Kitahara Makoto walked to the bedside, looking at the girl's perky and rounded figure beneath her pajamas. He felt an itch in his palm and couldn't help but raise his right hand and swing it over.
Slap!
A particularly crisp slapping sound immediately echoed through the room, its after-effects lingering and reverberating.
"Ah...!"
Chihaya Anon couldn't help but exclaim, quickly rolling over to cover her buttocks. Her pretty face flushed red, and she glared at him, both shy and angry:
"Pervert Kitahara, what are you doing?!"
Kitahara Makoto said righteously,
"I didn't kiss you a hundred times enough in my dream last night, and I'm about to go out, so I need to make up for it now."
"How dare you say that!" Chihaya Anon's pretty face flushed crimson, and the little fangs at the corners of her mouth gleamed coldly. "My lips are still a bit swollen right now!"
"Really?" Kitahara Makoto leaned down and approached, "Let me take a closer look."
"Go away!"
Chihaya Anon saw through Kitahara Makoto's intentions at a glance, quickly stretched out her hands, propped against Kitahara Makoto's chest, and turned her pretty face away in embarrassment:
"I haven't brushed my teeth yet!"
Kitahara Makoto stopped his movements: "Then let's forget it."
"Huh?"
Chihaya Anon immediately got angry.
Kitahara Makoto said innocently: "Anon herself said she hadn't brushed her teeth and couldn't kiss."
Chihaya Anon raised her arms, huffing and puffing as she wrapped them around Kitahara Makoto's neck:
"I've changed my mind now!"
"…"
A few minutes later.
Kitahara Makoto finished eating Anon and got up, saying:
"I'm going out later to deal with the curse on Wakaba. I left breakfast in the kitchen. Anon, remember to eat after you get up, and wait for me at home after you finish eating."
"I won't stay and wait for you." Chihaya Anon wrinkled her nose, "Anyway, the training is over. As soon as you leave, I'll go."
"…"
Kitahara Makoto changed his clothes and went downstairs to the living room.
Several girls had already eaten breakfast, and Soyo had even washed the dishes.
"Makoto-kun, everyone is ready."
Tomori said softly.
Kitahara Makoto nodded: "Then let's go."
No words were exchanged along the way.
Led by Mutsumi, everyone arrived at a luxurious villa in the suburbs.
"Mutsumi is the real rich woman."
Standing at the entrance of the villa, Kitahara Makoto secretly sighed in his heart.
Although Soyo's family lived in a high-end apartment, compared to the luxurious villa estate in front of them, the gap was not just a little bit. If compared to his own home, it was an even greater difference.
Make money!
He must make a lot of money!
To achieve a perfect harem ending, he not only had to win over Bocchi-chan and her friends, but also their parents. At such times, emotions would not be very useful; he had to rely on money, power, and social status.
"Miss, you're back?"
A middle-aged maid stood behind the door, her gaze falling on Sakiko, and she bowed again:
"Togawa, you haven't come to play in a long time."
"…"
Sorry, she wasn't a young lady anymore.
Togawa Sakiko bit her lower lip lightly with her pearly teeth and said softly:
"It has been a long time indeed."
Before meeting Kitahara Makoto, Togawa Sakiko would never step foot into the villa. Just like many young people, she had strong self-esteem and was ashamed to talk about her situation and her parents' occupations.
But now… it didn't matter anymore.
After so many things, although she couldn't remain calm in the face of honor or disgrace, she could now face her past with equanimity.
Wakaba Mutsumi said expressionlessly:
"I brought friends to play at home. Are Mom and Dad home?"
The maid replied respectfully: "Sir and Madam haven't returned since yesterday."
"Understood." Wakaba Mutsumi said calmly, "Auntie, please take some fruit and snacks to my room."
"…"
The group walked through the huge living room, went up the stairs to the second floor, and then entered Mutsumi's room.
Kitahara Makoto looked around and couldn't help but exclaim:
"As expected, it's the evil rich people."
The area of one room was actually seventy or eighty square meters, completely beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
It was just that the room was too empty, inexplicably giving people a sense of desolation.
"Ah, it's the promotional poster we took during our performance last year!"
Nagasaki Soyo's eyes quickly lit up. The only poster on the wall clearly showed five girls performing on stage.
"If Taki-san were here too, it would be even better…"
Nagasaki Soyo clasped her hands together, sincerely hoping that everyone could reunite.
Kitahara Makoto looked up at the poster:
"That short, fierce-eyed little girl must be Taki-san, right?"
Soyo and Sakiko, needless to say, had super bright smiles on the poster.
Sakiko obviously hadn't left Togawa with her rotten old man at that time, and the Kessoku Band hadn't disbanded yet. It was the girls' 'honeymoon period'.
Taki-san, whom he still hadn't met, was smiling, but her eyes were still a bit fierce.
Tomori's lips, however, were slightly upturned.
Finally, there was Mutsumi standing in the corner, as if she was naturally immune to smiles, with no smile at all on her face.
Of course, none of this was important.
What was important was that this poster on the wall was actually emitting a faint white light.
"Optimizable item?"
Kitahara Makoto glanced at Mutsumi without a change in expression.
"It's decided."
"I need to find a way to get my hands on the poster."
Optimizable items were rare, so since he encountered one, there was no reason to miss it.
"Taki isn't fierce, she's just more serious and earnest."
Tomori explained.
Kitahara Makoto said earnestly:
"If only I had met you a year earlier."
Togawa Sakiko's bright eyes glared over:
"A year ago, we were still middle school students, weren't we?"
High school students were fine, but if he did those things to middle school students… he'd go to jail!
"Middle school students aren't important, what's important is…" Kitahara Makoto turned to Sakiko and said softly, "I've never seen Togawa-chan with such a bright and beautiful smile. I always feel it's a pity."
Togawa Sakiko's pretty face blushed slightly, and she turned her head away:
"Then you can continue to feel sorry."
"…"
As they spoke, a knock on the door sounded.
"I'll get it."
Wakaba Mutsumi walked to the door, opened it, and the maid from before pushed a cart directly inside, laden with all kinds of fruits, snacks, drinks, and desserts… in short, it was super extravagant.
Next was guest reception time.
Although Mutsumi had a strong emotionless demeanor, she had received excellent education since childhood, and her tea-making movements were indescribably pleasing to the eye.
Unfortunately, Kitahara Makoto didn't think black tea tasted that good and gulped it down in two sips.
"Kitahara-kun, have you found anything in the room?"
Togawa Sakiko asked softly.
"Nothing found." Kitahara Makoto shook his head, "Everything is normal."
"What about Bocchi-chan?" Nagasaki Soyo's voice was gentle as she rubbed Hana's ears, "Did you find any strange cursed objects?"
Hana was eating a small cake with a 'gobble gobble' sound, and she didn't even have time to speak when she heard the question, just shaking her head.
"It seems the cursed object isn't in Mutsumi's room." Togawa Sakiko exhaled lightly, her beautiful lips pursed, "Should we ask the answer book?"
Kitahara Makoto took off his backpack and pulled out the answer book from inside:
"It's up to you to decide."
He had already asked three questions in the morning, and there were still two chances left.
The girls discussed in low voices for a while, and still decided to use one more question chance.
The villa estate was super large. Although Mutsumi's parents were not at home, there were still many servants and cooks in the villa. At such a time, searching room by room would not only be laborious but also attract attention, causing a lot of unnecessary trouble.
"Kitahara-kun, you ask."
Nagasaki Soyo said softly:
"We'll save the last question chance for Mutsumi."
Kitahara Makoto nodded slightly, placed his hand on the answer book, and began to ask:
"Which room in the villa is the cursed mask in?"
This time, he didn't avoid Mutsumi.
On the way over, after a brief discussion, the girls decided to tell Mutsumi about the curse, as acting secretly would too easily lead to misunderstanding.
Ordinary people naturally wouldn't believe in curses, but Mutsumi had been stuck in a washing machine last night, so there was already a basis for trust.
Whoosh.
The answer book turned pages by itself without any wind.
Soon, a line of text quietly appeared on the blank page:
[The innermost room on the left side of the second floor]
Wakaba Mutsumi tilted her head and looked over, saying expressionlessly:
"That's Mom and Dad's room."
"…"
This answer was unexpected by everyone.
The cursed mask was actually in the master bedroom… So did Mutsumi's parents know?
Nagasaki Soyo blinked her eyes and said softly:
"Mutsumi, lead the way. We'll go to your Mom and Dad's room to eliminate the hidden danger."
"Okay."
Wakaba Mutsumi finished the tea in her cup, stood up, and led the way.
Pushing the door open and stepping out of the room, the second-floor corridor was empty.
The girls followed behind Wakaba Mutsumi, instinctively lightening their steps, and entered the master bedroom where Mutsumi's parents lived.
Bang.
The door gently closed.
The girls all breathed a sigh of relief.
Sneaking into someone else's bedroom indeed made them feel guilty, like thieves.
Kitahara Makoto looked around and saw that the master bedroom was larger and much cozier, looking more like a home. On the cabinets integrated into the wall were various trophies. There was an incredibly spacious walk-in closet with enough clothes to open a shop, and even a dedicated fitness area where a purple yoga ball stood out.
"Everyone, let's start. The main thing is to find the mask in the room."
Togawa Sakiko said softly.
Kitahara Makoto raised a hand to stop them: "Wait a moment, everyone, don't move yet."
"Eh?" Togawa Sakiko looked over in confusion, "What's wrong?"
"First, check if there are any surveillance cameras in the room." Kitahara Makoto said, looking around, "One can't fall twice in the same place."
"Fall twice?" Takamatsu Tomori tilted her head, her tone puzzled, "Makoto-kun, why do you say twice?"
...
Nagasaki Soyo's pretty face flushed slightly, and she guiltily averted her gaze.
Previously, when she was looking for traces of the evil spirit in her mother's room, her mother saw everything clearly on the surveillance, which was indeed a profound lesson.
A moment later.
Kitahara Makoto successfully found two cameras in the room.
"Now it's Mutsumi's turn." Kitahara Makoto looked at Mutsumi, his gaze dropping to the girl's slender, long legs. "Mutsumi, please take off your stockings and cover the cameras."
"Okay."
Wakaba Mutsumi was expressionless, showing no opposition at all, and obediently bent down to take off her stockings.
"Wait a moment." Nagasaki Soyo couldn't help but interject, "It's just covering the cameras, Mutsumi doesn't need to take off her stockings, right?"
Kitahara Makoto looked over: "Then what does Soyo suggest we use?"
Nagasaki Soyo blinked:
"How about a towel?"
"A towel probably won't work, it's too heavy." Togawa Sakiko pursed her pink lips, "I feel like it would slide down."
Nagasaki Soyo: "..."
As they spoke, Mutsumi had already taken off her stockings. The girl's legs were fair and long, her skin smooth and radiant, as if soaked in milk, without any pores or roughness, not a single flaw could be found. In short, they were exceptionally beautiful.
"Staring at a girl's legs is very impolite."
Nagasaki Soyo stepped forward, blocking Kitahara Makoto's view.
"Tsk."
Kitahara Makoto averted his gaze.
What's wrong with looking at legs?
He had not only seen them last night but also touched them while they were sleeping together!
"Mutsumi, be careful of exposure."
Togawa Sakiko reminded softly.
"It's fine." Mutsumi said calmly, "Makoto-kun already saw everything last night."
...
As she spoke, Wakaba Mutsumi walked into the monitored area, found a clothes pole, picked up the stockings, and covered both surveillance cameras.
This could only be done by Mutsumi; it was fine for his own daughter to do it, but absolutely not for anyone else.
"We can proceed now." Kitahara Makoto clapped his hands, "Everyone, start looking for the mask."
...
The girls dispersed, beginning their search for the cursed mask. Since no one knew the true appearance of the cursed mask, finding it was inevitably a bit troublesome.
"Makoto-kun, is it this?"
Wakaba Mutsumi opened the bedside drawer and took out a stack of eye masks: black, white, pink, everything imaginable.
"Clearly not."
Kitahara Makoto glanced at them carefully and then waved his hand to dismiss them.
These eye masks were made of hollow lace, obviously not proper, and had no cursed aura, only an indescribable allure!
"Oh."
Wakaba Mutsumi put the eye masks back into the drawer and continued searching.
Kitahara Makoto, meanwhile, quietly took out his phone, opened Amazon shopping, and prepared to order eye masks:
"They look pretty good. I'll buy some for Ryo-senpai, and also black and white stockings..."
"Makoto-kun, the color of this thing is so strange."
Tomori's voice rang out.
Kitahara Makoto looked up and saw that Tomori was holding a black hood with strange black patterns all over it.
"Let me see..."
Kitahara Makoto took the hood, examined it carefully, and then raised an eyebrow:
"Tomori, try wearing it on your head."
"Okay."
Takamatsu Tomori didn't hesitate and put on the hood directly, trusting Kitahara Makoto completely.
Indeed.
This thing was clearly the black Venom hood, just like Spider-Man's.
"It's a normal hood, with no cursed aura."
While Tomori continued searching for cursed objects, Kitahara Makoto quietly took out his phone and opened Amazon shopping again.
"The black Venom Spider-Man bodysuit, I'll buy two sets for Ryo-senpai too..."
The girls searched for a while and found many random things, such as a certain object that would 'buzz buzz buzz' when its switch was turned on... but they did not find the cursed mask.
In the end, it was Hana, who had been circling around with them, who made a great contribution:
"Inside."
The girls all looked over, and the object Hana was pointing to was a silver safe.
Wakaba Mutsumi said softly:
"That's Dad's private safe."
Kitahara Makoto raised an eyebrow slightly and pondered:
"Safes are usually used to store valuables. If the cursed mask is really inside, it can only mean one thing: Mutsumi's father values the cursed mask highly, and he might even know about the existence of curses."
...
The girls all quieted down, then looked at Wakaba Mutsumi.
"Dad never mentioned it." Wakaba Mutsumi said expressionlessly, "Let's open the safe and take a look first."
Nagasaki Soyo said softly:
"Mutsumi, do you know the safe's password?"
"Yes, all of Dad's passwords are the same."
Wakaba Mutsumi squatted down and began to turn the dial on the safe.
A moment later.
The safe successfully opened.
Inside, there was no gold, silver, or jewelry, nor stacks of banknotes, only an ordinary wooden box.
Wakaba Mutsumi took out the box, and upon opening it, found only a very ordinary-looking white mask inside.
"This is the mask." Takamatsu Tomori's eyes widened, her tone surprised, "I saw it in my dream last night."
Kitahara Makoto's expression was serious:
"It's definitely the source of the curse. If I'm not mistaken, this mask should also come from the Otherworld."
"Phew..."
Togawa Sakiko let out a soft breath, pursing her rosy lips:
"Such a large safe, containing only one mask... Clearly, this mask is very important to Mutsumi's father."
"What do we do now?"
Nagasaki Soyo asked softly.
If it were an ordinary cursed item, then destroying it would be fine, but since Mutsumi's father valued this mask so much, they certainly couldn't make a decision lightly.
"There's one last question opportunity." Kitahara Makoto took out the answer book, handed it to Wakaba Mutsumi, and said softly, "Mutsumi, ask about the relationship between this cursed mask and your father."
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