"Kita, let me see."
Kitahara Makoto said in a deep voice.
"Okay."
Kita quickly handed over her phone, afraid the video would be deleted again.
Kitahara Makoto's expression was serious as he watched the video intently.
One could see the photographer's position was indoors, standing in front of a floor-to-ceiling window, outside which were the uneven, densely packed ancient buildings of Kamakura.
At this moment, gray mist had clearly covered every corner visible in the video, even extending to the floor-to-ceiling window.
This mist was quite eerie; the typhoon and heavy rain outside could not disperse or extinguish it. The mist even occasionally condensed into vague, ethereal faces!
Even more terrifyingly, one could clearly see people in the mist crawling rapidly on all fours, like wild beasts!
The video photographer seemed to be a woman; her breathing was rapid, and her voice was clearly very panicked:
"There are monsters in the mist!"
"Just now, the neighbor next door went out, and screams quickly came from the mist!"
"…"
Ryo lay on Kitahara Makoto's shoulder, watching the entire video, then suddenly whispered:
"The video still hasn't been deleted."
"Oh, you're right."
Kita blinked, quickly realizing.
Currently, to maintain social stability, similar videos would be immediately deleted once posted online. Previous videos were like this, so today was quite strange.
Nijika pursed her rosy lips and lightly furrowed her brows:
"Ryo said before that only the truth needs to be buried… Could it be a fake video synthesized by AI?"
"It's not a fake video." Chihaya Anon held up her phone and quickly said, "I just messaged a friend in Kamakura, and she said it's indeed all misty outside her house."
Kitahara Makoto said in a deep voice:
"There's another possibility, which is that the affected area this time is too vast, and too many people are posting videos, so they simply can't delete them all at once."
The girls all took out their phones and went to Twitter, and sure enough, they saw more videos related to the Kamakura mist.
"The end of the world is coming!"
"Some expert debunks the rumor, saying the mist covering Kamakura is a special weather phenomenon caused by the typhoon."
"Don't talk nonsense upstairs. Anyone who has studied high school geography knows that typhoons cannot possibly form mist."
"Think about those red-eyed demons that appear from time to time around the world… Could these mists be related to them?"
"…"
The internet was full of diverse opinions, with no consensus.
Unfortunately, except for the local Kamakura residents, netizens from other places were just watching with a 'eating melon' mentality. One can only say that human joys and sorrows are not interconnected.
Kitahara Makoto exited Twitter and opened his chat app. The message he sent to Mai still showed as unread.
"It's almost eight o'clock. With Mai-senpai's biological clock, she should be awake by now no matter what…"
The message remaining unread must have an unexpected special reason.
The content of the videos he had just watched flashed in his mind. Kitahara Makoto simply stood up and said seriously:
"Hana-chan, take me to Mai-senpai's house."
The girls all looked up.
"Kitahara-kun, I'll go with you."
"That's right, there's strength in numbers."
"We'll go help together."
"…"
Kitahara Makoto did not refuse outright but said in a deep voice:
"I'll go scout the situation first. When I need help, I'll call you over."
He arrived at the bathroom.
Kitahara Makoto held Hana's small hand, entered the mirror, and quickly arrived at Mai's apartment.
The moment he stepped out of the dressing mirror, Kitahara Makoto felt a cold, damp sensation seep into his body.
"How can there be mist in the house?"
His gaze swept around, and Kitahara Makoto immediately frowned.
Mai's apartment was, at some unknown time, already filled with gray-white mist.
This mist was cold and damp, as if alive, trying to penetrate Kitahara Makoto's limbs and bones. However, the physique of the Dutiful Exorcist took effect; the moment the mist touched Kitahara Makoto's skin, it quickly dispersed and retreated.
"In those videos on Twitter, people hiding indoors weren't attacked by the mist, so why is Mai's house full of mist…?"
Kitahara Makoto's gaze swept across, and his Extraordinary Vision directly pierced through the mist:
"The door is actually open."
"Did Mai-senpai open the door herself?"
"It's so early now, and it's typhoon weather outside. Why would Mai-senpai open the door?"
"Is Mai-senpai in the apartment, or has she already gone out?"
While Kitahara Makoto was pondering, he suddenly heard a strange panting sound enter his ears.
"Hoo… hoo hoo…"
"Hmm?"
Kitahara Makoto gently raised an eyebrow and walked towards the kitchen.
"It's not Mai's voice. There's someone else in the apartment… or rather, something else."
If it were anyone else, hearing a terrifying sound from deep within the mist would surely make them lose the courage to investigate, but Kitahara Makoto's expression was as usual, without a hint of hesitation. He simply stepped forward.
Before, in Kagoshima, he could fight octopus monsters in the deep sea, let alone now on land.
No matter what was in the kitchen, there was no need to worry about it at all.
Thump thump thump.
As Kitahara Makoto walked to the kitchen doorway, the dense mist suddenly surged, and the low, roaring sound abruptly intensified, as if a fierce beast was pouncing from deep within the mist.
"A strange woman?"
Kitahara Makoto gently raised an eyebrow. His Extraordinary Vision pierced through the mist, clearly seeing that the pouncing creature was indeed a woman.
This woman looked to be in her thirties, wearing a nightgown with the collar already open. Her eyes had turned blood-red, and her attractive face was full of madness.
The refrigerator was open, and the woman had just been squatting in the kitchen, devouring the ingredients inside the refrigerator.
"Hoo…"
The strange woman opened her mouth wide and bit directly at Kitahara Makoto.
Kitahara Makoto moved his foot slightly, calmly dodging the attack.
He didn't even need to activate Divine Speed; this strange woman couldn't even touch his clothes.
After dodging, Kitahara Makoto simply extended his right foot and lightly tripped her. The strange woman immediately fell to the ground with a thud.
"Madam, who are you?"
Kitahara Makoto asked.
Unfortunately, what responded to Kitahara Makoto was still a beast-like panting sound.
The unfamiliar woman seemed to have no pain, and after falling, she quickly got up from the ground and pounced again.
"Can't communicate?"
"It seems that there is no pain anymore…"
"There is obviously a strong desire to attack."
Kitahara Makoto suddenly recalled Kita's previous complaints in his mind. Could it be that a biochemical crisis had really broken out?
At this moment, a weak voice suddenly pierced through the fog:
"Scumbag-kun?"
Kitahara Makoto's eyes lit up, and he quickly turned his head to look in the direction of the bathroom:
"Mai-senpai, are you inside?"
Mai's voice came from the bathroom, clearly weak:
"I'm in the bathroom…"
Kitahara Makoto said simply:
"Wait a moment, I'll deal with the crazy woman outside first."
Since Mai had been found, this crazy woman naturally had no value.
"Don't hurt her." Mai's voice became anxious, "She's not a bad person, she's Mrs. Sato from next door."
"Understood."
Kitahara Makoto nodded, turned his head to look at the neighbors wife who was pouncing wildly again, did not dodge, simply stretched out his right hand, pressed the other party's head, and directly pressed the other party to the ground.
"Hana." Kitahara Makoto turned to look at Hana, "Tie her up."
Hana obediently stretched out her small hand, and vines grew rapidly, turning into ropes, tying up the neighbors wife.
"Done."
Kitahara Makoto clapped his hands and stepped to the bathroom:
"Senpai, open the door."
"Cough cough…"
Weak footsteps sounded in the bathroom, followed by a soft click.
Kitahara Makoto simply pushed open the door and walked into the bathroom:
"Mai-senpai, I'm here…"
Before he finished speaking, Kitahara Makoto suddenly frowned. He could clearly see red blood streaks in Mai's eyes, and her originally fair and doll-like pretty face now showed an abnormal, sickly flush.
"Senpai, did that woman outside bite you?"
Kitahara Makoto's expression turned cold.
"Cough cough…" Mai was also wearing pajamas, covering her chest and coughing twice. Her slender eyebrows were slightly furrowed, obviously very uncomfortable. "It has nothing to do with Mrs. Sato. The fog drilled into the bathroom through the ventilation shaft. After inhaling the fog, my body started to feel uncomfortable…"
Clearly, Mai had already noticed the abnormal changes in her body.
"Whatever you have to say, say it later."
Kitahara Makoto simply opened his backpack and then took out the answer book.
Mai's current state was clearly due to the erosion of the fog, so the most urgent task was naturally to find a cure.
"How to make Mai-senpai return to normal?"
Kitahara Makoto asked in a deep voice.
Whoosh.
The answer book began to flip rapidly, and in a short while, the book opened to the very center, and a line of text quietly emerged:
[Hand of Deprivation].
"Very good."
Seeing the answer given in the book, Kitahara Makoto immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Only the Hand of Deprivation was needed to solve the problem on Mai's body, which was the best news possible.
Slap.
Kitahara Makoto closed the answer book, his tone relaxed:
"Senpai, don't worry, only the Hand of Deprivation can solve the hidden danger in your body… Let's go, let's go back to Tokyo first."
After Kitahara Makoto finished speaking, he stepped forward, put his arm around Mai, and directly carried her in a princess carry.
"Wait." Mai coughed twice, "There's also Mrs. Sato…"
"Take care of yourself first." Kitahara Makoto carried Mai out of the bathroom and came to the fitting mirror in the corner. "Hana, let's go back to Tokyo."
In Kitahara Makoto's eyes, ten neighbors wifes combined were not as good as a single finger of Mai.
The fog distorted slightly, and the two disappeared into the mirror, leaving only the hoarse roars of the neighbors wife.
"Very good, the fog didn't follow."
Kitahara Makoto turned to look at the mirror behind him, confirmed that no fog had followed, and then relaxed.
"Ah, Kitahara-kun is back."
"He's holding Mai in his arms."
"Kitahara-kun, is Mai okay?"
Nijika and the others had not left, but had been waiting in the living room. Now, seeing Kitahara Makoto return with Mai, they quickly came forward to greet him.
"Mai-senpai's eyes are so scary."
Kita gasped.
"They've turned red…"
"Kitahara-kun, what exactly happened?"
The girls looked over anxiously.
"Don't panic." Kitahara Makoto said in a relaxed tone, "Mai's apartment was invaded by fog for some reason. Those fogs contain curses, and once too much is inhaled, they will turn into the existence in the video, but I can cure it."
As Kitahara Makoto spoke, he carried Mai and walked upstairs:
"I'll go to the room first to help Mai remove the curse. We can talk about anything else later."
"…"
Second floor bedroom.
Bang.
Kitahara Makoto gently hooked his heel, closed the door, and looked down:
"Mai-senpai, you saw the text on the answer book just now, right?"
"To remove the curse, only the Hand of Deprivation can be used… So, are you going to take off your clothes yourself, or do you want me to help you take them off?"
"…"
Mai bit her lower lip lightly, her eyes glaring shyly. Although her body was still very weak, her voice had clearly recovered its clarity:
"Scumbag-kun, put me down, I don't need your help."
Kitahara Makoto put Mai down, letting her lean against the headboard, stretched out a finger, and said leisurely:
"I only need to say one sentence, and Mai-senpai will obediently let me help her take off her clothes."
"Heh."
Mai slightly raised her pretty face, revealing a snow-white, slender neck:
"Scumbag-kun is very confident, then please begin your performance."
Kitahara Makoto sat beside Mai, gently held her soft hand, and said warmly:
"…Nana is awake."
"Eh?!"
Mai's eyes suddenly widened, and her always cold and indifferent pretty face showed an uncontrollable excitement.
"Is Nana really awake?!"
"Senpai didn't hear wrong, Nana has indeed woken up, and you can see her by going into the dream now." Kitahara Makoto said softly, "I also learned the news from Hana after I woke up this morning, and then I shared it with Senpai immediately, but the message kept showing unread. Plus, Kita found a video about the Kamakura kaidan fog on Twitter, so I felt uneasy and went to Senpai's apartment so early."
"So… Senpai wouldn't want to not see Nana, right?"
Mai: "…"
Kitahara Makoto smiled:
"If Senpai doesn't speak, I'll take it as a default. Don't move, I'll help Senpai take off her clothes."
"Turn around." Mai's pretty face was flushed, "I'll take them off myself."
Kitahara Makoto said seriously:
"Mai-senpai can barely walk, so don't force yourself."
Mai bit her lower lip:
"No need for Scumbag-kun to worry, my hands can still move… Eh?"
Sakurajima Mai, who originally wanted to move her arm to prove her mobility, was surprised to find that she could only move her fingers, and the rest of her body was clearly unable to move.
"Most curses will worsen over time." Kitahara Makoto smiled and reached out to unbutton Mai's pajamas. "It seems I can only help Senpai disrobe."
Sakurajima Mai: "…"
Given Mai's proud personality, she would definitely not be willing to let other girls help her take off her clothes, so she finally turned her pretty face away, acquiescing to Kitahara Makoto's actions.
In a short while, Kitahara Makoto successfully disrobed her and took off her pajamas.
Although the light in the room was dim, Kitahara Makoto had just gained the Extraordinary Vision, so he could still see clearly in the dark.
It has to be said that Mai's skin was indeed super fair, and her body was slender and well-proportioned, thin where it should be thin, and plump where it should be plump…
The only drawback was that Sakurajima Mai probably hadn't been awake for long and wasn't wearing stockings. Although bare feet were beautiful, it was a pity that he couldn't help her take off her stockings.
"Next are the undergarments…"
Kitahara Makoto put the pajamas aside, his eyes burning, ready to continue helping her disrobe.
"Wait, wait a moment."
Sakurajima Mai's pretty face was flushed, and she turned her head away, her voice full of shame:
"Scumbag-kun can already use his ability now, right?"
There was no other way. Mai seemed very powerful, but deep down, she had high attack and low defense. At this moment, she was leaning weakly against the headboard, letting the boy help her disrobe. Taking off her pajamas was already her limit, and undergarments were just too shameful to even think about.
Kitahara Makoto shook his head and said:
"It's not safe to disrobe yet."
Sakurajima Mai bit her lower lip and said:
"Let's gamble!"
Clearly, Sakurajima Mai wanted to try her luck.
Hand of Deprivation is to seize external objects from the target. Mai only had two pieces of underwear on her body, plus the cursed fog inside her body. There was a one-third chance that she wouldn't be exposed.
"Alright, I'll give it a try."
Seeing Sakurajima Mai's firm attitude, Kitahara Makoto could only reluctantly agree.
"Stripping!"
Kitahara Makoto stretched out his right hand, aimed at Mai who was leaning against the headboard, and silently activated his ability.
The next second.
Soft, warm fabric suddenly appeared in Kitahara Makoto's palm, clearly not the cursed fog.
Kitahara Makoto's gaze shifted slightly, falling upon Sakurajima Mai, and a line of lyrics involuntarily surfaced in his mind:
Little white rabbit, so white and cute, hopping and jumping, truly adorable…
Seeing the black object appear in Kitahara Makoto's palm, the temperature on Sakurajima Mai's beautiful face instantly became scorching hot; she wanted to raise her hand to cover her chest, but unfortunately, her body was so weak that she couldn't lift her arm at all. She could only turn her beautiful face away and said with a shameful voice:
…Continue!
Understood.
Kitahara Makoto composed himself and used Hand of Deprivation again.
The next second.
A pure cotton cloth printed with pink teddy bears appeared in Kitahara Makoto's palm.
You…
Sakurajima Mai bit her teeth in anger and shame.
It has nothing to do with me.
Kitahara Makoto raised his hands, his expression innocent, "I can only say your luck is too bad, Mai-senpai."
Sakurajima Mai took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and said:
Continue!
The third time, there was finally no accident. Kitahara Makoto successfully Seized a pale white mist from Sakurajima Mai's body, then ruthlessly crushed it.
Give me back my clothes!
Sakurajima Mai's sharp voice quickly rang out.
And then get out!
Kitahara Makoto said with a hesitant expression:
It's a bit inconvenient for me to move right now…
Sakurajima Mai tightened her beautiful face and said:
Don't even think about staying!
Alright.
Kitahara Makoto stood up helplessly.
Sakurajima Mai's gaze involuntarily shifted downwards, and she quickly understood what Kitahara Makoto meant by 'inconvenient' just now. She turned her beautiful face away in embarrassment:
…Lewd!
It's all Mai's fault.
Kitahara Makoto couldn't help but retort, "It's already good enough that I didn't make you take responsibility, Mai-senpai."
Heh.
Sakurajima Mai covered her chest with one hand and her lower abdomen with the other. After the Stripping of the curse, her strength clearly began to recover. She looked over with a smile, "How does Scumbag-kun want me to take responsibility?"
…Goodbye, Mai.
Kitahara Makoto decisively chose to follow his heart and exited the room.
A moment later.
Sakurajima Mai, fully dressed, walked out.
If I remember correctly, Mai's mother and onee-chan are still in Kamakura, right?
Kitahara Makoto stood in the hallway and softly asked, "What are you planning to do now?"
Sakurajima Mai bit her lower lip slightly upon hearing this, took a deep breath, and said:
My phone is still in the apartment. I'll go back and get it first, then call to ask about the situation.
Her mother, with whom she had a strained relationship, and her half-sister were indeed important people she couldn't abandon.
Thump, thump, thump.
The two quickly went downstairs.
Mai, long time no see.
Kita's voice was clear, "Are you feeling better?"
I'm fine now.
Sakurajima Mai nodded gently.
Mai, what exactly happened in Kamakura?
Nijika asked curiously.
I don't know…
Sakurajima Mai raised her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and began to explain her situation.
At seven in the morning, she woke up on time as usual. After brushing her teeth and washing her face, she was about to make herself a cup of coffee when she suddenly heard a knock at the door.
She walked to the door and saw that the person knocking was Mrs. Sato. They had been neighbors for several years, and Mrs. Sato was a very kind person who often made and brought her food.
So, when Sakurajima Mai saw Mrs. Sato knocking outside, she didn't think much of it and directly opened the door.
At that time, Mrs. Sato had already been corroded by the cursed mist. The knocking sound Sakurajima Mai heard was actually the sound of the other person hitting the door with her head.
Sakurajima Mai, unaware, opened the door. Mrs. Sato suddenly lunged in and attacked. Fortunately, Sakurajima Mai reacted quickly and immediately adjusted her presence with her necklace, thus avoiding Mrs. Sato's attack. She frantically hid in the bathroom, and then the mist quickly poured in through the open door, soon filling the entire apartment.
My phone was on the sofa, and I couldn't get it. Although I could use the necklace to erase my presence, I found the mist to be very dangerous…
Sakurajima Mai was in a predicament and could only hide in the bathroom, silently waiting until Kitahara Makoto arrived like a divine soldier.
Next was Kitahara Makoto's speaking time:
Currently, it can be confirmed that the mist is filled with curses. Once ordinary people inhale the mist, they will lose their minds, their eyes will turn blood red, they will forget pain, and they will become aggressive.
Kita's eyes widened upon hearing this, and she gasped softly:
Eh, is it really a Resident Evil situation?
Yamada Ryo crossed her arms over her chest: "It certainly feels very similar."
You two, gather information online.
Kitahara Makoto walked towards the bathroom, "I'll go get Mai-senpai's phone."
…
A moment later.
Kitahara Makoto came out of the bathroom, holding Mai's phone.
"Here, Mai."
Kitahara Makoto handed over the phone.
"…Thank you."
Sakurajima Mai thanked him softly, then quickly dialed the number.
Her mother's phone remained unanswered. Although onee-chan's phone connected, a crying voice immediately came through:
"Sister, save me—"