"Eh… What's going on?"
Finding herself floating in mid-air, Taki's small face couldn't help but show confusion.
"Wait, is that me?!"
Her gaze shifted downwards, and upon seeing herself sound asleep in the onsen, Taki immediately became flustered.
What exactly happened?
Why was she floating in mid-air?
Was this the legendary out-of-body experience?
Taki wasn't interested in manga or light novels, but after long-term exposure, she wasn't completely ignorant and quickly guessed her current situation.
"Does falling asleep while soaking in an onsen make one's soul leave their body?"
Taki quickly shook her head, denying her own conjecture.
"No."
"If that were true, Tomori-chan would have told me long ago."
Her gaze shifted, and Taki looked at Tomori not far away. With a slight thought, her body immediately floated over, wanting to try if she could communicate with Tomori.
However, just as she arrived beside Tomori, Taki suddenly felt a powerful pull, and her soul, without any resistance, was sucked into Tomori's body.
"W-what's going on?"
"It seems I can't get out…"
"Tomori-chan, can you hear me?"
"…"
Taki anxiously made various attempts and soon discovered a fact that made her 'despair'.
She seemed to be trapped inside Tomori's body. She couldn't escape, couldn't communicate with Tomori, and couldn't even control Tomori's body… It was like a ghost observer hiding inside Tomori's body.
Strangely, although like a ghost observer, she could share Tomori's five senses and even clearly feel Tomori's current mood.
For example, at this very moment.
Taki could clearly feel that Tomori's current mood was one of happiness and anticipation…
"Wait, what is Tomori-chan anticipating?"
Taki was confused.
The next second.
Taki found 'herself' suddenly standing up, then quietly walking to Kitahara Makoto's side.
(Okay, not herself standing up, but Tomori stood up…)
"Makoto-kun, Taki is asleep."
Tomori covered her chest with her right hand, whispering.
Kitahara Makoto looked at the sound asleep black-haired girl not far away and gently said: "She must be tired. Let Taki rest for a while. Don't worry, I'm watching."
Tomori's eyes were bright and gentle, her voice expectant: "I want a kiss."
Kitahara Makoto naturally wouldn't refuse Tomori's request. He gently put his arm around her, directly pulling Tomori into his embrace.
(Tomori used to be so shy and didn't even dare to talk to boys, but now she's actively asking for a kiss… It's only been a year apart, but Tomori has changed so much…)
Taki, acting as an observer, felt both nervous and subtle.
The current state was quite magical. She could not only share Tomori's five senses but also clearly perceive Tomori's emotions. In short, it was quite strange.
(If Tomori finds out, she'll definitely be angry, right?)
(But Tomori really likes the scumbag Kitahara… Her current mood is only warmth and happiness…)
However, not long after, Taki became flustered.
(D-damn it!)
(They said it was just a kiss, but the scumbag Kitahara's right hand is moving around…)
(Tomori, hurry up and stop him! At a time like this, you must stand up and seriously refuse, otherwise he'll only get more and more out of line!)
To Taki's despair, although Tomori was full of shyness, she had no intention of stopping him at all.
(Damn it, damn it, damn it!… Tomori is really too lenient with this guy!)
Taki was both ashamed, angry, and anxious.
If it were just Tomori being taken advantage of, it would be fine, but her soul was inside Tomori's body, and she could feel everything empathetically. She had no way to refuse and could only silently endure.
(Why… Why did it turn out like this?)
(Finding oval stones by the river with Tomori, soaking in the onsen with Tomori… These were supposed to be very happy things. Two happy things combined should be double the happiness… Why did it turn into an execution…)
Taki's eyes were teary, completely unaware of the truth behind it.
After an unknown amount of time, the shameful execution finally ended.
"Hoo… Hoo…"
Due to certain indescribable reasons, Tomori was panting, her eyes already misty.
Taki, in her soul state, was also panting, though she didn't need to breathe, and she was so ashamed and exasperated that she wanted to kill someone.
(Damn it!)
(If it were me, I would have broken his right hand long ago!)
(I'm clearly still here… Why aren't you paying attention to me?!)
"Makoto-kun, there's something I want to ask you."
After her breathing stabilized, Tomori suddenly looked up and whispered.
Kitahara Makoto curiously lowered his head: "What is it?"
It was the first time Tomori had asked him for something, so it naturally made him very curious.
Tomori whispered: "Makoto-kun, please try your best to conquer Taki and let her join your harem."
(…Huh?!)
Taki was utterly shocked when she heard this.
(Tomori doesn't have some strange fetish, does she?)
(She clearly likes the scumbag Kitahara so much, yet she's actively asking him to conquer me… Doesn't she get jealous at all?)
Taki grumbled while sensing Tomori's current emotions, and soon discovered with shock that Tomori's mood at this moment was quite serene and serious.
(It's not just lip service… Tomori really wants me to join the scumbag Kitahara's harem?)
"Why?"
Kitahara Makoto inadvertently spoke for Taki, curiously asking: "Doesn't Tomori-chan get jealous?"
"My chest does feel a bit heavy…" Tomori pressed her right hand to her chest, her eyes clear and bright, "But I want to be friends with Taki for life, never to be separated."
"My mother has a younger sister, which is my aunt. My mother said that she and my aunt were very close when they were young. When I was little, my aunt often came over to play with my mother."
"It's just that after my aunt got married, we only get to see each other once a year."
Tomori softly recounted: "The last time we met was last summer. We met my aunt at my grandmother's house, but my aunt at that time felt so distant from my mother, only polite greetings, and none of the intimacy we once had."
Tomori's eyelashes trembled slightly, her voice a little lost: "Even the closest sisters will eventually become familiar strangers under the erosion of time…"
"That's normal," Kitahara Makoto stroked Tomori's head, gently saying, "Life is inherently a lonely wilderness. Most people are just companions who travel a certain part of the road together, and eventually, on an evening at sunset, they are forever left in yesterday."
Tomori gently bit her lower lip, seriously saying: "I don't want to become familiar strangers with Taki. That kind of future is so sad. I want everyone to always be happy together, to be friends for life, to be a Kessoku Band for life, and never to be separated."
"To achieve this wish, I can only let Taki join Makoto-kun's harem. Otherwise, the relationship between everyone and Taki will definitely become like my mother and aunt, slowly turning into familiar strangers."
Taki: "…"
In her soul state, she could clearly sense that Tomori's words were from the bottom of her heart, without any falsehood.
Tomori had never had friends since she was little until Togawa pulled her into the Kessoku Band, and only then did she experience the feeling of friendship for the first time. Therefore, Tomori valued and was particularly devoted to friendship. She didn't want just friends who would accompany her for a short period in life, but rather close friends who could be together for life and form a Kessoku Band for life.
This feeling was exceptionally strong, even surpassing a girl's possessiveness. It was precisely because of this that Tomori was willing to let Taki join the harem.
(So… even if Tomori knew about my secret of sacrificing my chastity and actively kissing Kitahara Makoto, she wouldn't be angry, but instead, she would only be happy?)
Taki's heart was vaguely enlightened.
(Wait—)
Taki suddenly sobered up.
(Is my current special state the effect of the Wish Note?)
The more Taki thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
At this moment, she could clearly feel Tomori's emotions, which was why she was 100% sure that Tomori was not lying and indeed wanted her to join the harem. If she hadn't been soul-possessed, even if she had heard Tomori's words just now, she would inevitably still have had doubts.
After all, for humans, what they say with their mouths often doesn't align with what they think in their hearts…
Kitahara Makoto lowered his head, gently touched Tomori's forehead, and said warmly:
"Since Tomori-chan sincerely begs me, then I will mercifully conquer Taki."
(…Huh?!)
Taki, in her soul state, was both shy and annoyed, and couldn't help but want to bite someone.
(This guy is too arrogant, isn't he?)
(You won't easily succeed in conquering me!)
Taki was thinking about how to return to her body when she suddenly felt Tomori move again.
Initially, she didn't think much of it, assuming it was just a simple stretch, but Taki quickly realized something was wrong.
(W-wait a minute!)
Taki immediately panicked.
(What on earth is Tomori doing?!)
(C-could it be that she wants to…)
A moment later.
The worst premonition unfortunately came true.
(Huff… huff… Tomori's relationship with the scumbag Kitahara has actually reached this point?)
Although she was in a soul state, Taki still felt an indescribable shame, and even her entire soul felt hot.
However, not long after, Taki discovered something even more horrifying.
Not only did Tomori not intend to stop, but she even…
(Eh eh eh eh eh?!)
(T-Tomori is going to…)
Taki's entire soul panicked.
Even if she hadn't eaten pork, she had at least seen pigs run, and naturally had some understanding of unspeakable forbidden knowledge.
(N-no, don't do it!)
(Absolutely not that kind of thing!)
Taki was so ashamed she wanted to explode, but unfortunately, she was just a resident ghost now, completely unable to influence Tomori's will and actions, she couldn't even isolate herself, she could only watch Tomori debase herself.
"Cough cough…"
Accidentally choking on water while in the onsen, the girl's muffled cough sounded low, as if she was particularly uncomfortable.
Kitahara Makoto said softly:
"Tomori-chan, don't push yourself."
(Bastard! Bastard, bastard, bastard!)
(When you're talking, why don't you help Tomori up?!)
Taki was so angry she wanted to kill someone.
At the same time, there was a full sense of helplessness and disappointment.
(Even though she's so uncomfortable and in pain, she still wants to persist… Tomori is truly beyond saving.)
Just as Taki thought that the most shameful execution in the world was nothing more than this, she suddenly felt a dizzying sensation, followed by Kitahara Makoto's voice in her ear.
"As a courtesy, it's my turn to massage Tomori-chan now."
"Hmm?"
Tomori tilted her head in confusion; Kitahara Makoto's words just now had clearly touched upon a blind spot in her knowledge.
(What is the scumbag Kitahara talking about?)
Taki, in her soul state, was equally bewildered; her knowledge was no more extensive than Tomori's, one could say they were equally ignorant. If it were Anon, she would have understood in an instant.
After thinking for a while, Taki suddenly thought of a possibility.
(Wait, could it be that the scumbag Kitahara wants to sneak around with Tomori…)
(Impossible!)
(Absolutely impossible!)
(I'm still sleeping next to them… they wouldn't be so unconcerned, would they?)
"…"
What happened next, Taki wasn't clear about. Her memory seemed to have a blank spot, or perhaps her soul was floating in the clouds, so she forgot the mundane affairs.
After an unknown amount of time, as the sensation of her soul floating disappeared, Taki finally trembled and opened her eyes.
"Strange…"
"Who am I?"
"Where am I?"
"What just happened?"
Taki's expression was bewildered. She frowned and pressed her forehead, feeling as if she had forgotten something very important.
Fortunately, the [Onsen Village] had the effect of nourishing the spirit. As her mental energy gradually replenished, many fragmented memories quietly emerged in Taki's mind.
Her soul leaving her body, Tomori asking Kitahara to conquer her, Tomori's heartfelt words, and finally…
"I remember… I remember everything…"
Looking down at her hands, Taki almost cried tears of joy.
The feeling of being struck by the Scarlet King was too terrible; her memory had actually been altered. She never wanted to experience it a second time in this life!
"Taki, you're awake?"
Tomori's voice sounded.
Taki looked over in the direction of the voice and saw Tomori standing on the shore, already dressed, her hair still a bit damp, and a lingering blush on her small face, clearly having just finished her onsen bath not long ago.
"The clothes are dry," Tomori said softly, "Taki can get up now."
"Okay…"
Taki responded softly and prepared to get up.
As for the secret of her soul possessing Tomori… she would never tell anyone, she had to take it to her grave!
However, just as she got up, Taki suddenly felt her legs go weak, her thighs sore and soft, and she almost fell.
"Taki, what's wrong?"
Tomori asked with concern.
"I-I'm fine…" Taki's small face was burning hot. She naturally knew why her legs were weak; it was clearly the soul's state affecting her body. She stammered, "Maybe I slept a bit too long, so my legs are numb."
Tomori said softly:
"Then Taki should rest for a while first."
"Okay…"
"…"
A silent stillness quietly enveloped them, with only shame subtly permeating the air.
After resting for a while, feeling her soft legs regain some strength, Taki covered her chest and left the onsen, her small face flushed, saying:
"Tomori-chan, my clothes…"
"Here."
Tomori handed over the dried clothes.
"Thank you."
Taki thanked her softly, turned her back to Tomori, and rustled into her clothes.
"Taki, have something to drink. You've been in the onsen for quite a while, you must be thirsty now."
Tomori walked to the refrigerator, taking out a drink as she spoke.
The [Onsen Village] didn't have a refrigerator at first, but whether it was soaking in the onsen or doing couple's aerobic exercises, a large amount of water needed to be replenished afterward. So Kitahara Makoto specially bought a refrigerator and moved it into the [Onsen Village], paired with two outdoor mobile power sources, there was absolutely no problem using it.
"Thank you, Tomori-chan…"
Taki thanked her softly, but when her gaze fell on the drink in Tomori's hand, her voice abruptly stopped:
"M-milk?!"
Tomori said softly:
"It's Meiji Milk. I remember Taki saying that she wanted to drink milk after bathing in the onsen when we all went to the onsen together in middle school."
Taki: "…"
It was true that she had said that, but now she didn't want to drink Meiji Milk at all, she would rather die of thirst than drink it!
Tomori asked in confusion:
"Taki, your face is so red, are you okay?"
"Cough cough, maybe I'm a bit dizzy from soaking for too long…" Taki bit her lower lip tightly, "Tomori-chan, please give me a can of coffee."
"Okay."
"…"
After drinking most of the can of beverage in one go, Taki finally calmed down a little.
As soon as she turned around, she saw Kitahara Makoto's figure.
"Taki, you're awake?" Kitahara Makoto stepped forward, "Then we can almost leave."
Their eyes met.
The terrible scene of them serving each other just now uncontrollably flashed in Taki's mind, and steam rapidly billowed from the top of her head.
"Taki, are you feeling unwell?"
Kitahara Makoto raised an eyebrow slightly.
"I'm fine!" Taki looked down at her toes and quickly said, "I suddenly remembered something, let's get out of here quickly!"
"Then let's go."
Kitahara Makoto's expression was normal, but he understood in his heart.
Don't forget, he had unlocked [Extraordinary Vision]. Although Tomori couldn't see Taki in her special state, he could clearly see her.
(But even if she knows what Tomori and I did, she shouldn't be this embarrassed, right?)
(Or did something else happen to Taki besides just observing?)
Looking at Taki's appearance, he knew that she was absolutely unwilling to talk about the soul possession, so Kitahara Makoto naturally didn't ask further. After confirming that the two girls had rested well, he took out the Shadow Person Bowtie to prepare for leaving the Onsen Village.
He put on the Shadow Person Bowtie and left the [Onsen Village] first to check if anyone was walking outside, so as to avoid unnecessary trouble.
After confirming that there was no one, Kitahara Makoto simply brought Taki and Tomori out.
"I still have things to do, so I'll head back first…",Back in the real world, Taki quickly put on her stockings and shoes from the shore, then left quickly without looking back.
There's not much to say about what happened next.
Tomori's home was not far away, so Kitahara Makoto rode his bicycle, first taking Tomori home, and then heading straight back to his own house.
After arriving home, he first completed his daily tasks, then opened the Kessoku Band poster, took out the food stored inside, fast traveled to Kamakura, had dinner with Mai, and then went to the Dream World to see his daughter.
"Senpai, I already asked the answer book this morning. To reincarnate Nana, two steps are needed: one is for the body, and the other is for the soul to be strong enough…", Kitahara Makoto said while eating.
Sakurajima Mai frowned slightly upon hearing this:
"Do you have to occupy someone else's body?"
"Of course not." Kitahara Makoto shook his head, "The so-called body is actually a strange item from Otherworld. I don't have specific information yet, I'll ask again tomorrow. But Nana won't be able to reincarnate anytime soon."
After dinner, Mai got up and tidied the kitchen, then the two held hands and entered the Dream World to visit their daughter.
After everything was done, Kitahara Makoto said his goodbyes, fast traveled back to Tokyo, and then went out to watch the concert.
7 PM.
Stadium entrance.
"Makoto-kun, we're here."
Tomori stood in the corner, waving, her eyes bright and clear. What happened in the Onsen Village this afternoon hadn't tainted Tomori at all.
"Sorry, I'm late."
Kitahara Makoto strode over to the two girls, his gaze falling on the long, straight-haired loli behind Tomori:
"Taki, good evening."
"…Hmph!"
Taki crossed her arms over her chest, let out a soft hmph, and quickly lowered her head to look at her toes.
There was nothing she could do. She didn't have Tomori's indifferent and clear-minded composure. The moment she saw Kitahara Makoto, Taki felt her face quickly heat up, and the embarrassing scenes from the afternoon flooded her mind again. If she hadn't been worried about her sister, she would have already pretended to be sick and hidden at home, not going out.
Kitahara Makoto feigned confusion:
"Why does Taki seem a bit strange?"
"Urusai!" Taki gritted her teeth and led the way into the stadium, "It's none of your business!"
Tomori said softly:
"Makoto-kun, don't mind her. Taki's blushing, she's shy."
Kitahara Makoto nodded slightly, naturally not taking it to heart:
"I can tell… Let's go, to the concert."
As the time spent together slowly increased, Kitahara Makoto had gradually come to understand Taki's personality. On the surface, she was strict, serious, and aloof, seemingly difficult to get along with, but in reality, her body was honest even if her mouth wasn't, and teasing her had a unique flavor.
Walking into the stadium, it was already packed with people.
Kitahara Makoto's gaze swept across the crowd; there were at least several hundred spectators. If Kessoku Band had this many audience members, Nijika and Kita would probably be teary-eyed with excitement.
As for Yamada Ryo, it was impossible for her to be teary-eyed. The scummy and cool Ryo wouldn't show joy just for this many audience members.
As for Hitori… she would definitely be trembling with nervousness.
The two followed behind Taki, stopping in a corner to wait for the performance to begin.
"My sister's band has two performances tonight, at 7:30 PM and 8:00 PM." Taki crossed her arms over her chest, "After the 8:00 PM performance ends, we can all go eat barbecue together."
Kitahara Makoto nodded in understanding:
"Taki, are you thirsty? Do you want something to drink?"
Taki's black hair trembled slightly, and the awful scene from the afternoon involuntarily surfaced in her mind, her small face quickly flushing:
"Go away! I don't want to drink anything!"
"Fine, don't drink." Kitahara Makoto put the drink away, "Tomori-chan and I will drink it together."
"…"