Chapter 295: Physiological Knowledge Lecture (18)

"Amamiya-kun, it worked! I don't feel cold anymore." 

Umi's voice carried an edge of surprise as she turned to him. 

"Did it?" 

Amamiya glanced at the vengeful loli, his expression thoughtful. The moment their eyes met, the ghostly figure quickly averted her gaze, her head bowing in submission. 

"It seems to vary from person to person," Amamiya observed calmly. 

This particular vengeful spirit reacted to him with the same dread a mouse might show a stalking cat. In fact, if their roles were reversed, and he were to embrace the loli—or even toss her into the air—it was unlikely to have any effect. 

"Aqua-chan, would you like to come with us?" Umi asked gently, her voice kind and inviting. 

The vengeful loli remained silent, her gaze fixed on her feet. 

Umi tried asking twice more, but there was no response. 

"She probably can't leave this alternate dimension," Amamiya deduced. His tone was calm, as though he had seen this outcome coming. 

With a soft sigh, Umi gave the girl a small, regretful wave. "Take care, Aqua-chan." 

The two of them exited the bathroom together. 

"It's freezing," Umi muttered, crossing her arms tightly against her chest. "And my clothes are soaked." 

No surprise there—holding a perpetually drenched ghost would naturally leave her covered in water. 

"Here, wipe yourself off." 

Amamiya handed her a towel, seemingly from nowhere. 

"Wait a second." Umi's eyes narrowed as she stared at the towel. Her expression changed rapidly, her cheeks puffing out in mock indignation. "Why does this towel look so familiar?" 

"Hmm? No idea what you're talking about," Amamiya replied, feigning ignorance. 

"Don't lie to me!" Umi's cheeks swelled further, resembling a squirrel with a mouth full of chestnuts. "This is the same towel you always use to gag me!" 

"My mistake," Amamiya admitted, though his tone lacked any genuine remorse. "Next time, I'll cover your eyes before giving it to you. That way, you won't recognize it." 

"There won't be a next time," Umi shot back, narrowing her eyes. 

"...Fine." 

After drying themselves off as best they could, the pair continued onward until they reached the staircase. 

"One, two, three, four... thirteen." 

Umi counted each step out loud, pointing to them one by one with her finger. When she reached the thirteenth step, she stopped and said with certainty, "This is the one." 

"You go first," Amamiya instructed. "I'll follow in a moment." 

"Got it." 

Without hesitation, Umi stepped onto the thirteenth step. 

The instant her foot touched it, she disappeared. 

"Umi-chan, you're back?" 

A cheerful, familiar voice rang in her ears. 

When her vision cleared, Umi found herself standing at the bottom of the corridor, surrounded by the others who had been waiting for her return. 

"I'm back," she announced, holding up a videotape with a triumphant grin. "Verification successful!" 

The others visibly relaxed at her words. 

With the thirteenth step confirmed to reliably produce a ghost story videotape, the group realized they could complete their main task without resorting to theft or conflict. 

"Amamiya-kun is still inside," Chika remarked, turning her gaze to the ghostly figure of Hanako. "Hanako-chan, where are the stairs now?" 

Hanako huffed, clearly reluctant but ultimately provided the information. 

Komi, clutching her notebook like a historian recording an important event, scribbled furiously. She even sent a telepathic update to Amamiya, ensuring no details were missed. 

Moments later, Amamiya emerged on the stairs, confirming the operation's success. 

"That's enough for today," Chika said, stifling a yawn behind her hand. "Let's take a break and pick up tomorrow." 

Kaguya nodded, her usual composed demeanor softened by visible fatigue. "I agree. It's getting late." 

It was well past midnight in the real world, and the hours spent in the dungeon had worn everyone out. 

"Let's rest for now," Amamiya concluded, and the group unanimously agreed. 

They returned to the classroom, which had been prepared in advance. The tables and chairs were neatly stacked to the side, the curtains drawn, and a blue tent stood in the corner. A pair of candles flickered softly, casting a warm light. 

Given the circumstances, no one expected the luxury of a bath. They would have to make do with sleeping in their clothes. 

"Wouldn't it be better if someone kept watch?" 

Chika's suggestion cut through the quiet. 

"That's right." 

"Someone really should stand guard." 

"It's too unsafe to sleep otherwise," others quickly agreed. 

"I propose we pair up for the night watch," Umi suggested confidently. "In movies, the watchman always falls asleep. If there are two people, they can keep each other awake." 

"That makes sense." 

"Agreed." 

Amamiya initially planned to volunteer, but the group unanimously decided he needed rest more than anyone. 

"Alright, I'll rest for now." 

Lying down fully clothed, Amamiya closed his eyes and drifted off into sleep. 

The night passed uneventfully. 

When he woke, the classroom was quiet, the candles reduced to their final flickers. A faint light outside signaled the approach of dawn, though the skies remained gloomy. 

"You're awake?" 

The calm, clear voice of a young woman drew his attention. 

Amamiya turned and saw Kaguya seated neatly on a gymnastics mat, her red-ribboned hair catching the dim light. 

"You're up early," Amamiya said, rising and stretching as he walked over. 

"I was on night watch," Kaguya replied softly. 

"Where's your partner?" Amamiya asked, scanning the room. 

Only Kaguya was awake. Umi, who should have been keeping watch with her, was sound asleep not far away. 

Kaguya glanced toward Umi and said in an even tone, "It's her." 

Amamiya followed her gaze and sighed, his lips twitching in bemusement. Of course. 

Umi had spoken so confidently about people falling asleep during night watch in movies, only to become the very person she warned against. 

Shaking his head, Amamiya sat beside Kaguya. "I'm rested now. Why don't you sleep for a bit?" 

"There's no need," Kaguya replied gently. "I've only been up for a short while. I'm not tired." 

"Then let's talk for a bit." 

"Alright." 

Amamiya leaned back slightly, glancing at their surroundings. "Sleeping in a classroom is uncomfortable. If the hot spring hotel is properly cleaned, maybe we can stay there tomorrow night." 

Kaguya frowned, her tone turning scolding. "How could it be cleaned so quickly? Besides, the hotel is crawling with vengeful spirits. It's too dangerous." 

"I believe in the saying, 'Money can make evil spirits work harder,'" Amamiya said, deadpan. 

"There are other guests in the hotel besides the staff," Kaguya reminded him, lips pressing into a thin line. "If they had a choice, they'd probably prefer to stay lost in their dreams rather than wake up to this." 

Amamiya reached into a backpack and retrieved a small candy, tossing it gently to Kaguya. "Here." 

The candy was game-certified—safe to carry and consume in this alternate dimension—but unfortunately, it was limited in supply. 

Kaguya reached out to catch it but missed, her coordination dulled by sleepiness. The candy fell to the floor with a soft 'click.' 

Both of them bent down at the same time to pick it up. 

Their fingers brushed in midair, and Kaguya froze for a moment. 

Amamiya turned his head slightly, meeting her eyes. 

The room grew still, the air heavy with an unspoken tension. 

Amamiya's gaze lowered instinctively, resting on Kaguya's lips—soft and pink, as delicate as cherry blossoms. 

Noticing his focus, Kaguya's face flushed a deep red. Her mind raced in panic. 

Wait, wait! Is he planning to kiss me? 

No, no, that can't be it. I must be overthinking it! 

Memories of their earlier encounter at the dream hotel resurfaced, each detail sharp and vivid. 

What Hayasaka said... boys are creatures constantly driven by their desires! Could it be true? 

Steam might as well have been rising from Kaguya's head as her thoughts spiraled. Her mind drifted back to the kiss in her dream. 

Was it real? Does a kiss in a dream count as a real kiss? 

My first kiss... is it still there? 

Before she could drown in her thoughts, a mumble from elsewhere in the classroom snapped her back to reality. 

"No... I'm already pregnant..." 

Kaguya blinked, stunned. The bizarre words, spoken in someone's sleep, derailed her panicked musings. 

P-Pregnant? Who's pregnant?! 

Her confusion grew as the words echoed in her mind. 

Amamiya, oblivious to her internal turmoil, simply leaned back and chuckled softly, the tension in the room dissolving as quickly as it had appeared. 

Kaguya instinctively placed her hand over her lower abdomen, leaning back with wide, panicked eyes. 

(Holding hands can't possibly result in a baby, but kissing...) 

(No, no! It's way too early for me to become a mother! I'm not ready at all!) 

(Even if there's no qualifying test for being a parent, you still need to be responsible and make yourself capable!) 

"What's on your mind?" 

Amamiya's voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. His gaze shifted to her hand resting on her abdomen and her anxious expression. 

She looked just like a naïve girl who had stumbled into an unplanned pregnancy and didn't know what to do. 

Kaguya's face flushed a vivid red as she stammered, "Ch-Ch-Child..." 

Child? 

Amamiya blinked, momentarily stunned. 

Where is this 'child' coming from? 

He sighed internally, his expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation. I get that you're the epitome of sheltered innocence, but not knowing even the basics of biology? Really? 

"Didn't you take physical health classes in elementary school?" Amamiya asked with a deadpan expression. 

Kaguya hesitated for a moment, then muttered softly, "…No." 

Her admission hung in the air, awkward and baffling. 

Of course, you didn't. That explains a lot. 

"Alright," Amamiya began with visible effort to maintain his composure. "Do you at least know how two people... make a baby?" 

Kaguya averted her gaze, her face practically glowing with embarrassment. She opened her mouth, hesitated, then mumbled, "W-Well, it's… um…" 

"It's what?" Amamiya prompted, his patience thinning. 

With her face steaming like a kettle on the brink of boiling over, Kaguya squeezed her eyes shut and blurted out, "Kiss!" 

Silence followed. 

Amamiya stared at her, utterly dumbfounded. 

If people could get pregnant just by kissing, Japan's declining birthrate would've been solved decades ago! 

Before he could respond, Hanako materialized out of nowhere, her hands on her hips and a smirk plastered across her face. 

"Kissing won't get you pregnant," she declared with exaggerated confidence, cutting through the awkward atmosphere. "You need a boy's Ochin—" 

"Did you hear that?" Amamiya interrupted with a sigh, gesturing toward Hanako. "Even elementary schoolers know more than you." 

Kaguya's eyes widened at the unexpected intrusion. The sheer absurdity of the moment seemed to overload her brain. Her face turned scarlet, her gaze dropped to the floor, and her shoulders began to tremble slightly. 

Something feels... wrong, she thought dazedly as a strange sensation coursed through her body.