"I…"
Ijichi Seika parted her lips, wanting to say she wouldn't eat it, but the words couldn't come out.
The attraction of Eden Fruit to humans comes from the soul level; ordinary people's willpower cannot resist it at all.
"Seika-nee, please wait a moment," Nijika was very understanding, helping to change the subject. "I'll offer tribute to Mom first."
"..."
Next, Nijika offered one Eden Fruit to Mrs. Ichiji, which made Mrs. Ichiji's form solidify much more, no longer appearing as if a gust of wind could scatter her.
Then it was Togawa's turn to expand her protective domain in the house, protecting the home from being invaded by anomalies.
Finally, Nijika took a piece of Eden Fruit that had been stored in the poster space earlier and handed it to Ijichi Seika.
With one bite, the ultimate deliciousness at the soul level quickly made Ijichi Seika so happy that tears welled up, completely unable to maintain her usual cool and aloof image.
"Makoto, Ryo-senpai, hurry up and go," Nijika quickly urged, "Seika-nee will definitely be furious from embarrassment later."
"Then we'll go now. See you, Nijika."
Kitahara Makoto waved his hand and left with Yamada Ryo.
The two left the live house.
Outside, the sky was clear and bright, the sun shining, but the weather had quietly become hot again.
"Next, we'll go to Ryo-senpai's house."
Kitahara Makoto extended his right hand, grasping Yamada Ryo's delicate, silky soft hand.
"What are we doing at my house?"
Yamada Ryo tilted her head and looked over.
Kitahara Makoto said with a calm expression:
"Naturally, we're going to do something very important."
To have a harem, the most important thing is not to favor one over the other; you have to treat everyone equally.
Having just helped Nijika activate her protective domain, the next stop was naturally Yamada Ryo's house.
Even if Yamada Ryo didn't say anything, Kitahara Makoto would proactively suggest it.
Fairness!
To avoid a tragic ending, fairness is the most important thing!
The journey was silent.
The two quickly arrived at Yamada Ryo's villa.
"I'm home."
Yamada Ryo took out the key and opened the door to enter the house.
It was working hours now, so Ryo-senpai's parents were naturally not at home.
Kitahara Makoto looked down at Hana and asked directly:
"Hana, Ryo-senpai's house is quite large; is it okay to activate the Sanctuary Domain?"
Hana tilted her small face, her words as concise as ever:
"Double the consumption."
"Double it is." Kitahara Makoto said simply, "Activate the Sanctuary Domain now."
"Okay."
Upon receiving the command, Hana naturally executed it diligently.
Under their gazes, a Flower Sea rapidly grew, swiftly covering the entire villa.
Then, the Flower Sea receded, leaving only a small white flower gently swaying in a vase on the windowsill.
"That's Hana's clone," Kitahara Makoto explained softly. "Between Kessoku Bands, it's a 'one mountain cannot tolerate two tigers' situation. After Hana successfully evolved, just one clone is enough to deter other Kessoku Bands from invading."
"Well, thank you, Hana." Yamada Ryo extended her right hand and gently rubbed Hana's small head. "Hana, do you want some snacks?"
"Yes, I do."
"I'll turn on the TV first… Watch 'Chibi Maruko-chan'?"
"Yes, watch."
"…"
After attending to Hana, Kitahara Makoto, who had long been impatient, pulled Ryo to a corner and said with burning eyes:
"I sweated a lot on the way here. Ryo-senpai, do you want to take a bath together?"
"Wait a moment."
Ryo naturally knew what taking a bath together meant, but her expression remained as usual, showing no shyness at all:
"I'll go prepare some things first."
Kitahara Makoto whispered:
"I have safety items in my backpack."
"Not those kinds of things." Yamada Ryo's expression was composed. "It's the Kessoku Band bracelets."
Kitahara Makoto: "…"
Why prepare those things for something so good?
There's no need at all!
Yamada Ryo clenched her small fist and said earnestly:
"Of course, it's about sharing the blessings."
Sharing the blessings is a lie; it's clearly just to satisfy your perverted fetish!
"And besides…" Yamada Ryo tilted her head and looked over, "Every time you wear the bracelets, Kitahara, you get more excited, don't you?"
Kitahara Makoto: "…"
To say he wasn't excited at all would definitely be a lie.
"Kitahara, go to the bathroom first and fill the bathtub. We'll take a bath together later." Ryo-senpai took out her phone. "I'll message Kita and Bocchi first to have them come online and share."
Kitahara Makoto: "…"
Yamada Ryo truly lived up to her reputation as a person of action. When she said she was going to 'start the engine,' she never just talked about it; she would actually assemble the 'convoy' and lead it herself.
No need to elaborate on what happened next.
Just the time they spent bathing in the bathroom alone took over an hour. Afterwards, Kitahara Makoto and Yamada Ryo unlocked many, many new scenarios. By the time they left Yamada's house, it was already two in the afternoon.
With Kitahara Makoto's current physical condition, half a day of exertion was no problem, but Ryo-senpai couldn't endure it. She was exhausted and fell asleep, not knowing when she would wake up; she didn't even stir when Kitahara Makoto helped wipe her body.
"Hana, let's go home."
Kitahara Makoto quietly left with Hana.
Today's daily tasks hadn't been completed yet, so he naturally couldn't keep indulging in Ryo-senpai's tender embrace.
The journey back was silent.
After returning home with Hana, Kitahara Makoto began his workout.
Evening arrived in a flash.
Kitahara Makoto was about to go out for food when he suddenly saw a message pop up on his phone.
Kita Ikuyo: "Kitahara-kun, are you free tonight?"
"Because of what happened the day before yesterday, Mom is temporarily on leave at home to rest. She wants to invite you over for dinner and to thank you in person…"
"It's okay if you're busy; we can talk about it later."
Kitahara Makoto quickly replied: "I do have something going on today."
Kita Ikuyo: "Then never mind. I'll tell Mom that Kitahara-kun isn't free to come over."
Kitahara Makoto: "But today is the first time Kita has invited me over, so no matter what, I have to be free. Send me the address."
Kita Ikuyo: "No, no, Kitahara-kun, go take care of your important business first."
Kitahara Makoto: "Kita's mom's invitation is the most important business."
Kita Ikuyo: "…"
He's doing it on purpose, isn't he?
Stupid Kitahara is 100% deliberately bullying me!
Kita Ikuyo puffed out her cheeks in annoyance, sent three small dried fish head-tapping emojis, then, with a flushed face, sent the address.
Kitahara Makoto opened the map app and checked the location and estimated time:
"I'll go buy a souvenir first. Wait for me to get there."
"…"
An hour later.
Kita's house.
Kitahara Makoto had just reached the door and hadn't even had time to press the doorbell when a red-haired girl slipped out first.
"Let's go in later." Kita Ikuyo grabbed Kitahara Makoto's right hand, pulled him to a corner, lifted her small face, and with her hands on her hips, said, "Let's make three rules first."
Kitahara Makoto was curious:
"What does Kita say?"
"First rule." Kita Ikuyo extended a finger as white as a spring onion stalk. "You're not allowed to talk about wanting to date everyone together!"
Kitahara Makoto feigned hesitation:
"Isn't it bad to lie?"
"Pfft~"
Kita Ikuyo couldn't help but lightly spit:
"If you don't hide it from Mom, the moment you say it, she'll kick you out of the house."
Kitahara Makoto raised his right hand:
"What if I do a super standard dogeza to beg Auntie for forgiveness?"
Kita Ikuyo's bright eyes glared at him: "When it comes to matters of principle, dogeza won't work."
"Strip naked at the door and apologize?"
"Sorry, walking around naked on the street will get you arrested as a pervert, you know."
"…"
After a couple of retorts, Kita Ikuyo then extended her second finger:
"And, and, don't tell anyone the secret of the Otherworld. Mom would definitely be very worried if she knew."
"Understood." Kitahara Makoto nodded gently. "What if Auntie saw us that night?"
"If Mom saw us, there's nothing we can do." Kita Ikuyo pursed her lips and whispered, "Just say Kitahara-kun is an exorcist, and we happened to pass by… As long as we insist, Mom won't be able to do anything even if she suspects. As for Mind Demon and the Otherworld Kessoku Bands, tell Mom about them too, so she can be more vigilant."
"No problem."
Kitahara Makoto naturally agreed, then got to the main point.
"Hana has successfully evolved and can now activate the Sanctuary Domain. While she has ample energy, let's activate the domain at Kita's house first. This way, you won't have to worry about Kessoku Bands invading."
"Eh?" Kita Ikuyo blinked, clearly a little tempted. "But what about everyone else?"
"Of course, we'll do it one by one, slowly." Kitahara Makoto said as a matter of course, "Kita first, then everyone else slowly."
"What do you mean…" Kita Ikuyo's face flushed slightly, and she whispered, "Why should I be prioritized?"
Kitahara Makoto leaned down, approaching her, and said gently:
"Because Kita is the sun in my heart."
"Hmph~" Kita Ikuyo's small face quickly turned red, and she gave a charming glare, "A man's words are a ghost's lies."
Kitahara Makoto's expression was composed: "If Kita doesn't want it, then I'll go to Anon's house first and have Hana help activate the domain?"
"Of course I want it!"
Kita Ikuyo blurted out.
Although being prioritized made her feel a little guilty, she really didn't want Anon to get ahead.
Both of them were popular girls, and as the saying goes, like attracts like, so even though she was super grateful for Anon's help the other day, she still had a tiny bit of competitive spirit.
"Later, we'll go to Kita's room. I'll summon Hana directly and have her activate the Sanctuary Domain." Kitahara Makoto paused, then asked softly, "What's the third rule?"
"Hmm…" Kita Ikuyo blinked. "I forgot. Let's go inside first, and I'll tell you when I remember."
"Wait." Kitahara Makoto grabbed Kita's small hand, his gaze burning. "Kita has finished her three rules, now it's my turn, right?"
Kita Ikuyo looked over nervously: "W-what do you want to do?"
Kitahara Makoto sighed:
"That day, I worked hard for Auntie. Originally, all I needed was for Kita to put on a maid outfit and kneel at the entrance saying 'Welcome home, Master,' but Kita never showed any sign…"
"What do you mean!" Kita Ikuyo's face flushed, and she couldn't help but interrupt, "It's only been two days, and Mom is at home, so there's no chance to change into a maid outfit!"
"I don't care about all that." Kitahara Makoto said shamelessly, "Anyway, the reward I want has been upgraded now. I want to take a mixed bath onsen with Kita."
"No way."
"Bathing together in the bathtub is fine too."
"One hundred percent refusal."
"Then there's only one last option left…" Kitahara Makoto lowered his voice, "You just need Kita to say 'I like you' ten times in one breath, and no other reward will be needed. How about it?"
"…"
Kita Ikuyo finally understood what Kitahara Makoto was thinking. Her small face was flushed, and she puffed out her cheeks in embarrassment:
"You're taking advantage of me!"
"That's right, I am." Kitahara Makoto felt no shame at all. "Kita, make up your mind quickly. You don't want me to 'speak without thinking' in front of Auntie, do you?"
Kita Ikuyo: "…"
When under someone's roof, one must bow their head.
Kita Ikuyo had no choice. With a flushed face, she nervously looked around, and after confirming no one was around, she tiptoed, blushed, and leaned close to Kitahara Makoto's ear, took a deep breath, and charmingly called out in quick succession:
"I like Kitahara, I like Kitahara, I like Kitahara… Is that enough now?"
"Good, very satisfied."
Kitahara Makoto smiled and took out his phone from behind his back.
"Eh?" Kita Ikuyo couldn't help but widen her eyes, a bad premonition rising in her heart. "Kitahara-kun, what are you doing with your phone?"
Kitahara Makoto smiled without speaking, and lightly pressed the play button.
The next second.
The girl's sweet voice rang out from the phone:
"I like Kitahara, I like Kitahara, I like Kitahara, I like..."
"Ahhhhhh!"
Kita Ikuyo's small face quickly turned explosively red, and she was so embarrassed she wanted to snatch the phone away:
"You, you actually recorded a video?!"
"Of course I recorded a video," Kitahara Makoto said, raising his arm, his voice full of righteous indignation, "I'll play it on loop on nights when I can't sleep."
"You're even going to play it on loop... won't you get tired of it in two days?"
"I'll never get tired of it."
"No, quickly delete the video!"
"If Kita says it one more time, I'll delete it."
"I won't fall for your trick again!"
"..."
Although it was already evening, the air was still quite hot. Kita Ikuyo jumped around for a while, quickly became breathless and ran out of energy, puffing out her cheeks and saying:
"Stupid Kitahara, you're not allowed to show that video to anyone else!"
"Of course not, I'll only enjoy it by myself..."
Halfway through his sentence, Kitahara Makoto suddenly had a subtle sense of déjà vu.
Wait.
Why did he feel like a scumbag who tricked an innocent girl into filming a video?
"It's so hot outside." Kita Ikuyo wiped the thin sweat from her forehead. "Come in quickly."
"Excuse me."
Kitahara Makoto followed Kita into the house.
Kita's home was similar to Hitori's, both standard detached houses, but Kita's was a bit larger.
"Makoto-kun, you're here?"
Hearing the commotion, Mrs. Kita, wearing an apron, walked out of the kitchen.
Due to the unexpected incident at the subway station, Mrs. Kita had been given a few days off from the hospital to rest after psychological counseling. So, she wasn't wearing a white coat, but a casual white shirt.
What shocked Kitahara Makoto was that Mrs. Kita, who had seemed to have an ordinary figure two days ago, now, in her casual shirt, had a 'mountain range from the side, peak from the front' kind of look. By estimation, she was even comparable to Hitori.
"No, the difference is too great, right?"
Kitahara Makoto couldn't help but look at Kita.
You're clearly biological mother and daughter, but Kita, you haven't inherited any of Mrs. Kita's excellent genes!
One is flat, the other is a raging tide; they're completely on different scales!
"What are you looking at?"
Kita Ikuyo bit her small teeth, glaring over in embarrassment, naturally understanding the meaning behind Kitahara Makoto's gaze.
(I'm really sorry for not inheriting my mother's excellent genes!)
(What can I do?)
(Mother said she started developing rapidly in middle school, but I'm in high school and still haven't had any movement... I'm desperate too, okay!)
"Auntie, good evening."
Kitahara Makoto bowed respectfully, then handed over the souvenir with both hands, his manners impeccable and meticulous.
The souvenir was simple, a box of Japanese sweets. His current status was that of a student, so the gift didn't need to be expensive; his attitude was enough.
"Makoto-kun, you've worked hard." Mrs. Kita smiled as she accepted the gift. "Ikuyo-chan, get Makoto-kun a drink from the fridge."
"Got it."
Kita Ikuyo went to do as she was told and soon returned with a bottle of drink.
Mrs. Kita instructed again:
"There's still fruit bought this morning in the kitchen, bring it out for Makoto-kun to eat."
"I'll go right away..."
Kita Ikuyo walked towards the kitchen, casting a resentful glance at Kitahara Makoto.
She felt that ever since Kitahara Makoto arrived, her family status had plummeted.
There was nothing more to say about what happened next. Mrs. Kita sat down and chatted for a while. During the conversation, Kitahara Makoto's attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, respectful and polite, and Mrs. Kita was visibly very satisfied.
"Ikuyo-chan finally has a boy she likes, and Makoto-kun is also an exceptionally excellent boy. Two happy things coinciding, it's truly a blissful time like a dream."
Kitahara Makoto: "..."
"Kita will be in Makoto-kun's care from now on." Mrs. Kita said with a bright smile, "A happy relationship should be about mutual help and progress together. As long as you two can both get into Todai, Mother agrees to your marriage right after high school graduation."
Kitahara Makoto's eyes lit up:
"Auntie, do you mean what you say?"
Mrs. Kita gave a thumbs up:
"A word once spoken cannot be overtaken by a team of four horses."
Kitahara Makoto promised:
"Auntie, please rest assured, I will definitely help Kita get into Todai."
"You two, don't just talk such strange things to yourselves!" Kita Ikuyo's small face was crimson, and she couldn't help but shout in embarrassment, "That kind of thing has to have my permission, right?"
"Eh?" Mrs. Kita tilted her head and looked over, "Ikuyo-chan, don't you like Makoto-kun?"
Kita Ikuyo: "..."
Of course she liked him. If she didn't, she wouldn't let this guy kiss and hug her.
"The next step of dating is naturally to consider marriage," Mrs. Kita said matter-of-factly, "You can start preparing now."
Kita Ikuyo couldn't help but retort:
"We're only first-year high school students, isn't it too early to prepare now?"
Marriage, she thought, should at least wait until after university graduation.
"Everyone has their own choices," Mrs. Kita exemplified, "For example, the aunt next door to you got married right after high school... What does Makoto-kun say?"
Kitahara Makoto said seriously:
"I want to marry Kita-chan right after high school graduation."
"You're still talking!"
Kita Ikuyo's small face was crimson and burning, almost dripping blood, as she glared at Kitahara Makoto in shame.
Mrs. Kita's smile became even brighter:
"Since Makoto-kun has agreed, then after you graduate from high school..."
"Mother, don't say anymore!" Kita Ikuyo's small face flushed, and she quickly interrupted in embarrassment, "You hurry to the kitchen, the food isn't finished yet."
"Oh dear, I forgot about the food!" Mrs. Kita slapped her forehead, stood up, and walked towards the kitchen. "Makoto-kun, go to Ikuyo-chan's room and play first. When the food is ready, I'll call you two downstairs for dinner."