Bang bang bang!
Fist-sized hailstones fell from the sky.
The Red Mangrove Forest was located in the near-sea area on the other side of the island. The tide hadn't completely receded yet, and there was still a shallow layer of water on the ground. As the giant hailstones fell from the sky, the entire Red Mangrove Forest seemed to be bombed, with plants flying and mud splashing everywhere.
"Ouch, ouch, so painful!"
Chika curiously reached out and touched one, immediately letting out a cry.
The lethality of hail is significantly related to its size. Such a large hailstone falling down, even if it doesn't hit the head, it would be unbearable to be hit on the body.
"This should be the hail weather from the shipwreck version." Natsuki quickly said, "Let's hide quickly."
Fist-sized hailstones pelted down from the sky. One or two were fine, but with a large number, even players couldn't withstand it.
And as a disastrous weather in the shipwreck version, once hail started, it obviously couldn't stop in a short time, so they had to find shelter.
Chika covered her head with both hands and said loudly, "How about hiding under a tree?"
"No." Natsuki shook his head. "It won't block it at all."
Hiding under a tree on a rainy day was barely acceptable, but with such large hailstones falling from the sky, the tree leaves offered little to no obstruction.
On a side note.
It's best not to hide under a large tree during rain, as it's very easy to be struck by lightning and isn't safe.
Yukino pursed her lips and quickly suggested, "When we explored the island yesterday, there was a tree hollow not far away. Perhaps we can hide there."
"I remember now." Natsuki recalled the events of yesterday's island exploration, then quickly took out a frying pan and said, "Using the frying pan to block your head might just hold up… There's only one, which of you will become a leg attachment to avoid the hail?"
"I will." Chika quickly said, "I have experience, I'm already used to it."
Natsuki slapped his thigh and said, "Come on up."
"No." Chika shook her head. "I want to attach myself to Yukino-chan."
"..."
As Chika became a leg attachment, Natsuki handed the frying pan in his hand to Yukino and quickly said, "Use it to block your head, be careful not to get hit in the head."
Seeing Natsuki's hands empty, Yukino couldn't help but bite her lip and asked, "What about you?"
Natsuki shook his head and said, "I have thick skin and flesh, I'm not afraid of pain…"
Before he finished speaking.
Splat.
A fist-sized hailstone hit Natsuki's shoulder.
Natsuki's eye muscle twitched slightly.
I'm sorry.
I overestimated my defense.
It really hurt to be hit by such a large hailstone.
Yukino watched, bit her lip, took a deep breath, and whispered, "Hold me."
"Hmm?"
Natsuki was slightly startled, looking at Yukino in confusion.
Yukino tightened her pretty face and said, "I'll use the frying pan to block the hailstones; hurry up."
Natsuki quickly reacted and couldn't help but smile, "Yukino actually initiative let me hug her. I suddenly feel like I have no regrets in life."
Yukino was expressionless, turned around, and walked away, saying, "Proposal void."
"My deepest apologies, please forgive me."
Natsuki apologized sincerely, then, with a scoop of his hands, he held Yukino in a princess carry.
Though she said the proposal was void, when Natsuki picked her up, Yukino's body was quite honest. One hand wrapped around Natsuki's neck to steady herself, while the other raised the frying pan to block the giant hailstones falling from the sky.
Thump, thump, thump!
Fist-sized hailstones smashed onto the frying pan, making a buzzing sound. Yukino felt the entire frying pan tremble.
Fortunately, she was a player, and her physical fitness had been strengthened many times. If it were an ordinary person, they might not have been able to hold the frying pan.
Crisis lurked everywhere.
Countless hailstones fell from the sky; once hit on the head, the consequences would be unimaginable.
In such a harsh environment, Natsuki no longer bothered to tease Yukino. He held Yukino tightly with both hands, pushed off with his feet, and ran swiftly.
Thump, thump, thump...
The hailstone-covered area seemed very wide. Natsuki ran several hundred meters in one breath, still in the hailstone zone. Looking around, the ground was already piled with large and small, rolling hailstones.
And the frying pan, under continuous defense, had already shown signs of deformation, clearly nearing its limit.
"Found it."
Natsuki's eyes lit up, quickly spotting a large tree not far away.
This big tree was a dead tree, but with the return of spring, its bottom was still withered, while new branches and leaves had grown above.
At the base of the tree on the ground, a naturally formed tree hollow could be seen, which was Natsuki and Yukino's target.
Natsuki pushed off with his feet, holding Yukino, and quickly ran to the tree hollow.
"The tree hollow... is too small."
Yukino quickly furrowed her brows, a hint of self-blame on her face.
When the two passed by yesterday, they only glanced casually and didn't observe carefully. Now that they were up close, they realized the tree hollow was too small, at most only enough to hide one child. If Juju were here, she could barely hide inside, but hiding two people was impossible.
"We can just carve it out."
Natsuki put Yukino down and decisively took out his logging axe.
This was survival on a deserted Island; such good things as someone handing you a pillow when you're sleepy, of course, couldn't happen.
Bang!
With one axe blow, wood chips instantly flew out.
Yukino stood by, using the frying pan to block the falling hailstones.
Bang, bang, bang!
As Natsuki chopped with great force, wood chips flew, and the originally narrow and cramped tree hollow, which could only accommodate a child, quickly became spacious.
Carving on the basis of a tree hollow was naturally easier and faster than starting from scratch.
"That should do it."
Natsuki put away his axe and looked at Yukino, "Go in and try."
In just this short moment, a pile of hailstones had already accumulated at their feet.
"Mm."
Yukino agreed and walked into the tree hollow, letting out a slight sigh of relief. The tree hollow was just enough to accommodate her.
Natsuki walked in right behind Yukino. With the two of them hiding together, the tree hollow suddenly became narrow and crowded, but the frying pan was almost damaged, so they couldn't worry about that much at this time.
Bang, bang, bang!
Countless fist-sized hailstones were still falling from the sky, with no sign of stopping. The Island's soil was already soft, and under the hailstone cover, it looked as if it had been bombed, a scene of devastation.
"Hoo..." Yukino exhaled lightly, reaching up to tuck her damp hair behind her ear, her brows slightly furrowed, her voice tinged with worry, "I wonder if the others on the beach encountered hailstones."
"Trust Kaguya," Natsuki said softly, "Even if they encounter hailstones, Kaguya will be able to take good care of everyone."
In fact, after learning that the current nightmare was the hunger shipwreck version, everyone had made preparations for the iconic hailstone weather. Natsuki had given most of his defensive items to Kaguya for emergencies, which was why he only had one frying pan at the moment.
"What's wrong with your shoulder?"
Natsuki's gaze sharpened slightly, his eyes falling on Yukino's shoulder.
A clear bruise could be seen on the girl's fair, delicate skin.
Yukino glanced at her shoulder and said softly, "It's nothing, I accidentally got hit by a hailstone just now."
Natsuki said, "I'll help you treat it."
Yukino wanted to refuse: "No need..."
Unfortunately, he didn't give her a chance to refuse, placing his right hand directly on Yukino's shoulder.
The 'Healing Hand' skill he learned in the Hospital of the Dead was very effective for treating such injuries. Hayasaka used to have stomachaches and often asked Natsuki for help with treatment.
As Natsuki began to massage, Yukino felt the pain and numbness in her shoulder quickly subside. She lightly pursed her lips and didn't refuse again.
It had to be said, the massage felt quite comfortable.
It was as if she was soaking in a hot spring. The aching, bruised area was quickly becoming comfortable. Yukino even wanted to close her eyes and quietly enjoy it.
But not long after, Yukino's body suddenly trembled slightly, a blush quickly rising on her fair, doll-like face. She bit her silver teeth in annoyance and turned her head to glare.
"You..."
Natsuki said with a righteous expression, "Yukino, don't misunderstand, it's my phone!"
Yukino bit her silver teeth, wanting to hit him.
Misunderstand my foot!
There's no phone to use in this nightmare!
"...Don't push your luck!"
Yukino took a deep breath and subconsciously tried to leave the tree hollow.
Boom!
A hailstone even larger than a fist fell from the sky, landing at Yukino's feet.
There were already many hailstones on the ground. When the two hailstones collided, they immediately shattered and scattered.
"Be careful not to get hurt."
Natsuki instinctively grasped Hirano's left and right waist, pulling Yukino back into his arms.
So slender.
Her waist is so slender.
There's no flesh on her waist at all, no wonder you only weigh ninety pounds!
Her body leaned back against Natsuki's embrace. The blush on Yukino's pretty face deepened by three points. She bit her silver teeth and said, "Let go of me!"
"I can let go of you, but don't go out." Natsuki said sternly, "Getting hit by hailstones is too dangerous."
Yukino pouted, "I don't need you to tell me what to do."
Natsuki: "If you say that, I won't let go."
Yukino: "..."
Out of helplessness, Yukino still chose to yield.
"I've already let go." Natsuki raised his hands to prove his innocence.
Unfortunately, it didn't have much effect.
The tree hollow was only so big; she couldn't even turn around, only barely able to create a little distance, and any more was completely impossible.
Yukino's eyes were filled with annoyance, the blush on her pretty face growing even deeper. She tried to use her killing intent to make Natsuki calm down, but it was completely useless. She could only bite her own lips, leaning forward to barely avoid physical contact.
However, the hailstones kept falling with a crackling sound, and the cold wind howled, making the entire tree shake. It was impossible to completely avoid physical contact, simply impossible.
Not long after, Natsuki's expression subtly changed, and even his tone became unusual.
"Yukino, can you stop moving?"
Natsuki took a deep breath and whispered, negotiating.
"Hmm?"
Yukino turned her head to look, her bright eyes filled with killing intent, clearly misunderstanding Natsuki's meaning.
"No, you misunderstood." Natsuki coughed twice, an expression of forbearance on his face. "Leaning against me without moving is fine, but if you keep moving like this, I won't be able to hold back."
"What do you want to do?"
Yukino's pretty face tightened, her eyes wary.
Was this guy finally going to completely degenerate, break his bottom line and principles, and forcefully violate others against their will?
If he dared to do such a thing, she would never forgive him!
"Of course..." Natsuki's voice was low. He suddenly stepped out of the tree hollow, his expression stern, "To avoid being disliked by Yukino, I can only endure a hailstone rain."
Yukino: "..."
Bang, bang, bang.
Countless hailstones fell from the sky.
Although Natsuki had taken out the frying pan to defend himself again, the frying pan didn't last long and quickly shattered with a crack. Natsuki was left alone, covering his head with his hands, grimacing from the impact.
Watching Natsuki outside the tree hollow, Yukino couldn't help but purse her lips, feeling both annoyed and amused. She couldn't help but say, "You... hurry up and come in."
"I'm not going in." Natsuki replied pitifully, "If I can't control myself again, Yukino will kill me, right?"
"Shut up." Yukino tightened her pretty face, "Don't play pitiful, hurry up and come in."
"Yes."
"..."
Natsuki quickly hid back in the tree hollow.
The tree hollow, which was originally quite spacious for one person, became crowded again.
The two of them huddled together, continuing to avoid the sky full of hailstones.
Not long after, Yukino bit her lips again, clenching her fists in annoyance.
She had thought that Natsuki enduring a 'hailstone rain' outside would make him honest and calm down, but the facts proved it was completely useless.
"It's not my fault." Natsuki's voice was aggrieved, "I couldn't control it at all."
Yukino bit her silver teeth and said with shame:
"Lewd!"
"Yes, yes, I'm lewd, I'm shameless."
Natsuki nodded quickly, lewd's original sin had finally eroded his reason, and he couldn't help but reach out his right hand and wrap it around Yukino's soft and slender waist.
"What are you doing?!"
Yukino's black hair trembled suddenly, and she was about to turn back in shame and anger.
"Don't turn back." Natsuki leaned into Yukino's ear and whispered, "Chika, in her leg attachment state, can share her vision with you. You don't want Chika to see, do you?"
"What do you mean?"
Yukino was a little bewildered for a moment and couldn't react.
The next second.
Natsuki suddenly grabbed her right hand, pulled it back, and whispered:
"Yukino, help me."
"What... Hmm?!!"
Yukino was stunned for half a second, her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief, and she couldn't help but want to turn around and hit him. She turned halfway, then forced herself to stop.
No.
Can't turn around.
Now that she was sharing vision with Chika, if she turned around, Chika would see something incredibly bad.
But...
But!!
How dare this guy do such a thing!
"Yukino, help me."
Natsuki whispered again.
He still has the nerve to ask me for help!
Death penalty!
He must be hanged!
Yukino came to her senses, biting her silver teeth fiercely, filled with shame, anger, and annoyance. She really almost bit her silver teeth to pieces, and in her mind, she was already rehearsing her counterattack: quickly turning around, then a bone-breaking flying kick to send Garbage-kun to the ground, crying in pain.
But for some reason.
Her body seemed to be under a puppet spell, completely unresponsive to her brain's commands. She was just stiff all over, letting Natsuki manipulate her...
The night passed without a word.
After an unknown amount of time.
The catastrophic hailstorm finally stopped.
Looking out, the area outside the tree hollow was a mess, as if it had been bombed, with broken branches and fallen leaves everywhere.
Yukino quickly left the cave, biting her lips tightly, almost drawing blood, and raised her right hand to rub it vigorously on the tree trunk.
"I'm sorry, I was wrong." Natsuki had calmed down by now, his reason once again taking over. He honestly admitted his mistake, "Yukino, please forgive me."
Yukino's pretty face was flushed like fire, even the tips of her ears were crimson. Her eyes were filled with murderous intent, and she gritted her silver teeth, saying:
"The only way for me to forgive you is for you to commit seppuku!"
After doing something so terrible, he still expects to be forgiven? Don't even think about it!
"No problem." Natsuki raised both hands, "When we return to reality, I'm at Yukino's disposal."
Yukino tightened her pretty face: "Don't call me by my name!"
Natsuki: "Yes, Yukino-sama."
"..."
After washing her hands several times, Yukino took a deep breath and released Chika from her leg attachment state.
A flash of light.
Secretary Chika appeared out of thin air.
"Finally back to normal!"
Chika raised her arms and stretched vigorously.
Yukino reminded her helplessly:
"Chika-chan, your clothes."
"Ah, I forgot, I'll put them on right away."
When transforming into a leg attachment, her clothes would naturally fall off. Chika covered her body with her arms, and while putting on her clothes, she asked in confusion:
"It was so boring just now, I couldn't hear anything when I was a leg attachment... Also, also, why was Yukino-chan staring in one direction just now, without moving her gaze?"
Yukino: "..."
Because at that time, her head was all muddled, who would have the mind to observe the surroundings!
"Just now..." Yukinoshita bit her silver teeth, her pretty face flushed like fire, and she whispered, "I was spacing out."
"I can prove it." Natsuki raised his hand and said, "Yukino was indeed spacing out just now."
"Eh?" Chika tilted her head curiously, "Suddenly, I noticed that Yukino-chan's face is super red, almost exploding. What's wrong?"
"Because..."
Yukino subconsciously turned her body away, guiltily averting her gaze, but unfortunately, she couldn't find an excuse for a while.
Natsuki said nonchalantly:
"The temperature was very low when it was hailing just now, Yukino's face is red from the cold."
"...Don't talk!"
Yukino bit her silver teeth and turned her head, glaring at him in shame and anger.
Natsuki smiled and changed the subject:
"The crabs we caught earlier were all thrown away, how about we go catch some more?"
"Let's go back!" Chika had already put on her clothes, and her voice was clear, "Let's continue catching crabs!"
"..."
The three returned to the Red Mangrove Forest, caught dozens more large crabs, tied them with ropes, and then returned to the sea.
The journey was silent.
When they were about to return to the cave, Kaguya and the others came out to greet them.
Natsuki's gaze swept over them, confirming that no one was injured, and he was completely relieved.
"Kaguya-chan!"
"Yukino!"
When the two sides met, there was naturally a lot to say.
Natsuki came to Kaguya's side and asked softly:
"When we were catching crabs, we encountered a hailstorm. Did it hail on the sea?"
Kaguya nodded gently:
"It hailed."
Only then did he learn that the hailstorm had indeed swept across the entire island, and the sea was no exception.
However, Kaguya was quite decisive. After discovering the hailstorm, she did not hesitate at all, decisively took out defensive tools, told everyone to protect their heads, and then quickly returned to the cave.
If they had built a shelter on the sea, they would have been destroyed immediately by the hailstorm. But the cave carved out of the cliff was completely fine.
Sitting in the cave, watching the hail pelt down outside, they felt completely safe.
Evening arrived in a flash.
The sin mushroom condensed once again.
"Who should this mushroom be given to?"
Natsuki asked the girls for their opinions.
"How about Senpai?" Chika raised her hand and said, "Senpai still has to take care of Aoi. Once Senpai awakens, if any accidents happen again, we can rest assured and let Senpai take care of Aoi."
Kaguya and Yukino had no objections to Chika's suggestion.
"Then Senpai it is."
Natsuki nodded, and while everyone was grilling crabs, he called Tsubame out.
The two came to a corner.
Just as Natsuki was about to speak, Tsubame's pretty face flushed, and she spoke first:
"Natsuki-kun... Do you keep your word?"