Chapter 298: Sajuna Embarrassment (21)

"Senpai, I'll go in first," said the spy maid, clutching the notebook as she ascended the stairs and disappeared into the alternate space. 

Her braided pigtails, glasses, voice changer, and height-increasing insoles were all part of her meticulous disguise. For spies, mastering the art of disguise was a fundamental skill. Even now, Kaguya found herself plagued by a vague sense of familiarity but was still unable to discern the true identity of the enigmatic maid. 

Next, it was Komi's turn. 

Although the quiet girl with long black hair was easily flustered and shy, she knew when to act decisively. Without needing any encouragement, she ascended the stairs promptly and obediently. 

Nothing out of the ordinary happened. 

A moment later, Komi returned safely, though her pale face and slightly labored breathing hinted at her unease. 

Shortly after, Hayasaka also reappeared, descending the stairs with a calm and composed expression. 

With that, the companionship service was successfully concluded. 

"Amamiya-kun, the narrator spoke again," Chika announced, walking up to Amamiya with her hands clasped in front of her chest. "There must be other players still wandering around the town. Should we help them?" 

Amamiya nodded. 

"That's fine with me." 

'If you're struggling, focus on surviving. If you're thriving, help others.' 

Empathy is a fundamental trait of humanity. They were all unfortunate souls trapped in this horror game. While it would've been understandable to prioritize their own survival in dire circumstances, now that the main quest was complete and a clear path to clearing the level had opened up, they were in a position to assist others. 

Of course, help wasn't entirely free. A reasonable service fee would naturally be charged—mutual benefit and a win-win situation for all. 

"Just like yesterday, let's head to the convenience store and make copies of the flyers," Chika proposed. "If we post them all over town, other players can find their way here on their own…" 

As she spoke, she extended her pale, delicate hand toward Amamiya. 

"What is it?" Amamiya asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"Activity funds," Chika replied with a slight tilt of her head, her voice sweet but matter-of-fact. "Photocopying isn't free, you know." 

"…" 

Amamiya sighed, pulled out his wallet, and handed it to her. 

While Chika busied herself preparing the flyers, Amamiya gathered the group to discuss their plan to "help others now that they were in a position to do so." 

"I agree," Umi said immediately. "We're all humans trapped in this together. Ignoring others wouldn't feel right." 

"Umi makes a good point," Sajuna added. 

Komi nodded emphatically, silently expressing her agreement. 

Even the passerby players nodded in unison. 

"Whatever Amamiya says, we'll do," one of them affirmed. 

"No problem. We'll handle distributing the flyers," another added. 

"…" 

Later, as they prepared to leave, Chika bent down to wave goodbye to Hanako, the wraith little girl. 

"Hanako-chan, see you tonight," Chika said with a cheerful smile. "We'll come back!" 

Hanako crossed her arms and bared her shark-like teeth, pouting in frustration. 

"Don't come back. I don't want to see any of you ever again!" 

The bitterness was palpable. 

Hanako was utterly unhappy. As a vengeful spirit, being bossed around and bullied by humans was a humiliation to the supernatural world. 

But Chika raised a single finger and beamed. 

"There'll be delicious treats tonight~" 

Hanako froze. "…" 

'Fine. I'll endure it for now.' 

"Let's go," Amamiya said, taking the lead. "Time to get to work." 

With Miss Slit-Mouth's reliable intelligence guiding them, the group managed to avoid other ghostly encounters on campus and safely exited the school grounds. 

At a fork in the road, the group decided to split temporarily. 

"Sajuna, come with me to the restaurant," Amamiya said decisively. 

"Huh?" 

Sajuna blinked in confusion, looking up at him. 

"Don't forget you're technically employed there," Amamiya reminded her. "Skipping work without notice could be dangerous." 

"I understand," Sajuna replied with a small nod. Turning to the girl with the long black hair, she asked, "Komi-san, are you coming with me to the restaurant or staying with the others?" 

"…" 

Komi-san hesitated, her eyes flickering with indecision. 

"Don't worry about Komi-san," Umi declared with a bright smile, giving a confident thumbs-up. "I'll take care of her!" 

"You're planting a flag," Amamiya said flatly. 

Umi planted her hands on her hips indignantly. "I'm not cursed!" 

"Chika and I will make sure Komi-san is safe," Kaguya added, crossing her arms gracefully. 

For individual players, Komi-san's notebook ability might seem average. But in a group setting, it was a strategic skill—vital to the team's success. 

Amamiya nodded. "Then I'll leave her in your hands." 

And with that, the teams separated. 

Amamiya and Sajuna headed toward the restaurant to earn their keep, while Chika led the others to the convenience store to print flyers and post advertisements around town. The passerby players received a free breakfast in exchange for their help. 

Strangely, none of them seemed to mind—they worked with cheerful enthusiasm, unbothered by the exchange. 

"It feels like the air got colder all of a sudden," Sajuna muttered softly as she watched Kaguya and the others disappear down the street. 

Just as Amamiya was about to respond, the narrator's disembodied voice echoed ominously. 

"… It's not so quiet anymore." 

Amamiya froze, his gaze instinctively shifting to Sajuna. 

"What are you looking at?" 

Her cheeks flushed a deep red as memories of the previous night's humiliation came flooding back. She quickly moved to shield her backside with both hands. 

"The narrator's appearance means a player is being targeted by a ghost story," Amamiya explained seriously. "You wouldn't ignore someone in danger, would you?" 

"Of course not!" Sajuna retorted immediately, her expression indignant. 

She had no intention of ignoring anyone in need—but that didn't mean she wanted to endure another spanking! Surely there had to be another way to summon the narrator's attention. 

"Hurry," Amamiya urged. "We don't have time." 

"Damn it…" 

Sajuna bit her lip, wracking her brain for a different solution. But under the pressure of the moment, no alternative came to mind. 

The narrator's voice grew louder, preparing to divulge a player's fate. Gritting her teeth in frustration, Sajuna resigned herself to the inevitable. 

Her upbringing in kindness compelled her to act. Even if it meant personal humiliation, she couldn't stand by and do nothing. 

Face flushed with mortification, she turned her back to Amamiya, braced herself against the wall, and bent forward slightly, her voice trembling. 

"Just get it over with." 

The magical girl's uniform, already short by design, betrayed her in this position. The space between her stockings and the hem of her skirt—the so-called "absolute zone"—was now entirely exposed, revealing her smooth, snow-white skin. A delicate, heart-shaped outline peeked faintly beneath the fabric. 

Amamiya hesitated for a moment, raising his hand. "You're sure?" 

"Hurry up!" Sajuna snapped, her body tense with shame and fury. 

Even if it was for the greater good, she couldn't help but feel utterly humiliated. To assume such a position in broad daylight was unbearable. 

"The player in danger will surely remember your sacrifice," Amamiya said solemnly before bringing his hand down. 

Pop. 

The crisp sound of the slap echoed sharply in the narrow alley, lingering long after the act.