Chapter 321: The Broken Komi (5k)

Twenty minutes later. 

The doorbell rang. 

Amamiya stood up to answer it. Standing outside were two girls—one taller, one shorter. 

It was Sajuna and Komi. 

"Good morning, kohai," Sajuna greeted, raising her hand casually. 

"..." 

Komi, as reserved as ever, said nothing. She bowed politely and handed over a box of traditional Japanese confections as a gift, holding it with both hands. 

"Come in," Amamiya said, stepping aside to let them in. "It's hot outside." 

Komi was visibly shy and seemed uncomfortable being around people in public, so bringing her inside was clearly the better choice. Sajuna, concerned about Komi being bullied, had decided to tag along. 

"There's green tea, barley tea, cola, and juice in the fridge," Amamiya offered as he walked over to the refrigerator and opened it. "What would you like to drink?" 

As the host, it was only natural to show hospitality when guests came over. 

"I'll have green tea," Sajuna answered promptly. 

As someone who had faced life-and-death situations with Amamiya as partners, she saw no need to stand on ceremony for such small matters. 

Amamiya turned and quipped, "I'd recommend milk." 

"I don't want milk!" Sajuna sat up straight, raising her voice indignantly. "Besides, milk wasn't even on the list of options you just gave!" 

Ignoring her outburst, Amamiya grabbed a can of green tea from the fridge and looked over at the quiet girl with long black hair. 

"What about you, Komi-san?" 

"..." 

Komi sat stiffly, like an applicant in a job interview. At Amamiya's question, she glanced nervously at Sajuna. 

Amamiya activated his mind-reading skills. "The same as Sajuna?" 

"..." 

Komi nodded quickly. 

Amamiya returned to the sofa, carrying two cans of green tea and handing one to each girl. 

"Hmph," Sajuna huffed as she took the drink, still sulking. 

Was he implying earlier that she needed milk for her "development"? Only kids drink milk for growth! That ship had long since sailed for a high schooler like her. 

If drinking milk worked, she wouldn't be so short! 

Huff. Huff. 

The sound of panting drew everyone's attention. Amamiya's silly dog came bounding into the room and stopped in front of Sajuna and Komi. It sat there wagging its tail and looking at them with big, pleading eyes, tongue lolling out eagerly. 

"Hmm!" 

Komi's eyes lit up at the sight of the dog. She turned to Amamiya with an expectant expression. 

"Feel free to pet it," Amamiya said with a nod. "It doesn't bite." 

Encouraged by his reassurance, Komi's face brightened. She carefully extended her right hand and gently patted the dog's head. Her nervous demeanor softened, and a faint, sweet smile appeared on her delicate face. 

It was stunningly beautiful, almost mesmerizing. 

"Pull—" 

Amamiya suddenly felt a gentle tug on the sleeve of his shirt. 

When he turned his head, he saw Sajuna's flushed face. She averted her eyes, bit her lower lip nervously, and awkwardly raised the unopened can of drink in her hand. 

"You're actually letting me drink the same drink you already had?" 

Amamiya looked surprised. 

"Who said you could drink it?" Sajuna glared at him, embarrassed. If she had already taken a sip, there was no way she'd let him drink it too—that would practically be an indirect kiss! 

"Look carefully!" Sajuna lowered her voice in frustration. "It's still sealed!" 

Amamiya inspected the can more closely and realized the pull tab hadn't been opened. He let out a silent sigh. 

So after all this fuss, she couldn't even open the can. Was this proof that there were truly girls so delicate they couldn't manage something this simple? 

He glanced at Sajuna, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips. 

"Ask properly." 

"Huh?!" 

"When you need someone's help, you should ask politely. That's just common sense." 

Sajuna's eyes widened, and her cheeks puffed out indignantly. "I don't want it anymore!" 

It was just opening a can, not asking him to do something monumental, yet he had the audacity to make her formally request it. This was pure bullying! 

Amamiya reached for the drink. "Hand it over." 

"I'm not drinking it anymore!" Sajuna turned her head away in a huff. "Even if you open it, I won't drink it!" 

Amamiya clicked his tongue softly and lowered his gaze to Sajuna's legs. She was wearing white knee-high socks today, making her already slender legs appear even more delicate. Slowly, he shifted his eyes back up and teased in a low voice: 

"You said you wanted to drink it, and now you don't. That's being awfully willful. You know what happens to willful children, right?" 

Sajuna froze. 

Faced with the looming threat of being spanked again, she begrudgingly handed over the can. 

"What do you say when you need someone's help?" Amamiya prompted, refusing to let her off the hook. 

Her fists clenched, and her face turned crimson as she reluctantly muttered, "Please... please help me open the drink." 

"Good girl." 

With a flick of his finger, Amamiya popped the pull tab open and handed the can back to Sajuna. 

"So arrogant for just a kohai…" Sajuna grumbled, glaring at him in embarrassment. "Just wait, I'll get you back for this!" 

After finishing her drink, Sajuna and Amamiya continued chatting for a while, while Komi sat petting the dog with evident satisfaction. 

Finally, Amamiya turned to Komi. "Give me your hand," he said, ready to get down to business. 

Komi blinked in surprise before quickly shaking her head. 

"Huh?" 

Sajuna tilted her head, confused. "Why are you shaking your head?" 

Blushing furiously, Komi reached for her notebook, ready to write. 

Amamiya guessed, "You want to wash your hands?" 

Komi-san nodded quickly. 

"The bathroom is down the hall," Amamiya pointed. "Last door on the right." 

Komi stood, bowed politely, and made her way to the bathroom. 

Watching her leave, Sajuna frowned. "How did you know what Komi-san was thinking? Do you have mind-reading powers or something?" 

Amamiya replied matter-of-factly, "It's common sense to wash your hands after petting a dog." 

Sajuna: "..." 

When Komi returned after washing her hands, Amamiya was about to hold her hand to copy the warding evil spirits ability for her. 

But before they could get started, the doorbell suddenly rang. 

"Someone rang the doorbell," Sajuna whispered cautiously as she turned her head. "I'll go check who it is. Maybe it's the NHK toll collector." 

[Note: NHK is the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, a public broadcaster that doesn't air advertisements. It's funded by fees paid by its audience, including a receiving fee.]

"No need to check," Amamiya said casually. "It's probably Umi." 

"Huh?" Sajuna quickly looked over. "Why would it be Umi?" 

"She messaged me while you were on your way here," Amamiya explained. "Said she was bored and wanted to come over to play games." He gave Sajuna a glance. "Go open the door." 

"…Not happening!" 

Hearing this, Sajuna shook his head immediately. 

"Hmm?" Amamiya raised an eyebrow in confusion. 

"I didn't tell Umi-chan that I'd be visiting you with Komi-san," Sajuna confessed, lowering her voice guiltily. "If she sees us here together, wouldn't it be kind of weird?" 

Amamiya sighed, exasperated. "You're overthinking it." 

Umi wasn't an outsider. Plus, all three of them were dressed normally; there was nothing to feel guilty about. 

"Either way, we'll hide for now!" Sajuna quickly stood up. "Where's your room?" 

"Second floor, first room on the left," Amamiya replied. 

Sajuna hurriedly gestured to Komi. "Komi-san, let's head upstairs and hide for a bit." 

"Uh-huh," Komi-san nodded briskly. 

As the two girls hurried upstairs, Amamiya stood silently for a moment before heading to the door. 

"Good morning, Amamiya-kun," a cheerful voice greeted him as he opened the door. 

Standing outside was a girl with golden hair that shimmered in the sunlight. A black collar adorned her neck, and her radiant smile rivaled the brightness of the morning sun. She was none other than Umi. 

"Morning. Wait—your hair? When did it suddenly turn blond?" Amamiya asked, his tone laced with surprise. 

Yesterday, it had been black. Now, she looked like a bonafide gyaru. 

"It's work-related," Umi explained with a light shrug. "My manager asked me to dye it for a photo shoot. What do you think? Does it suit me?" 

"It does. It actually complements your pink contacts." 

"Right? Hehe~" 

"Come in," Amamiya said, stepping aside to let her pass. 

Umi entered with the ease of someone who felt completely at home. During Golden Week, the two of them had spent several days together, so she was already familiar with the place. After slipping off her shoes and changing into house slippers, she tugged at her collar to fan herself, clearly feeling the warmth. 

"It's so hot. It's not even June yet, and the weather's already this bad." 

"Global warming," Amamiya commented dryly. "You should look it up sometime." 

"Ugh, being alone at home is so boring," Umi complained, turning on the electric fan and letting the cool air wash over her. "Not to mention, random evil spirits keep showing up. I can't even focus on my homework." 

She plopped herself onto the sofa and declared, "Let's play games first, and then we can do homework after." 

"Hold up," Amamiya countered. "Why not do your homework first?" 

The succubus girl placed a hand on her hip and replied with unwavering confidence: "It's too hot to sit still." 

"…" 

—_—

Upstairs, in Amamiya's room

Sajuna stood by the door, pulling out her phone and hurriedly sending Amamiya a message: 

"Don't tell Umi-chan that Komi-san and I are here. Wait until she goes to the bathroom or leaves, and then let me know. We'll head out right away." 

After receiving Amamiya's affirmative reply, Sajuna breathed a sigh of relief and began curiously surveying the room. 

"So this is a boy's room, huh?" 

The room was small but tidy. The air smelled clean, and there were no random articles of clothing strewn about. Sunlight streamed in, giving the space a bright, welcoming feel. 

There was a desk, a chair, a wardrobe, a fan, a water cup, a computer, and a bookshelf filled with various books. 

It was Sajuna's first time entering a boy's room. To her surprise, she found it quite pleasant, and the nervousness she'd felt earlier began to fade. 

After a moment, Sajuna turned to Komi, who had been standing stiffly in the middle of the room. Lowering her voice, she whispered: 

"Komi-san, don't just stand there. Let's find a place to sit." 

"…" Komi nodded quickly, her movements a little stiff. 

Silence fell over the room, creating an awkward tension between them. 

Being alone with someone as quiet as Komi was… uncomfortable. 

Sajuna considered playing on her phone but thought it might seem odd if they both just sat there scrolling. After hesitating briefly, she suggested: 

"Um… do you want to read some manga?" 

"…" Komi nodded eagerly. 

Sajuna walked over to the bookshelf. It was filled with a variety of books, ranging from classic literature and academic texts to comics and light novels. 

As a cosplayer, Sajuna naturally had a deep love for comics and light novels. She recognized most of the titles on the shelf and had read many of them before. After some browsing, she picked out a comic titled Wild Cat Girl. 

"I haven't read this one before, but the art style looks great..." 

Holding the comic, Sajuna sat down beside Komi. Opening the book, the two began reading together. 

The first chapter of the comic unfolded with a simple yet poignant story. 

The protagonist was a high school girl with a tragic backstory. After losing her only living relative, she was forced out of her home by family members fighting over the inheritance. Left with nowhere to go, she found herself at the male lead's doorstep on a rainy night. Although the two were unrelated by blood, their mothers had been close friends who had once promised to support each other's children. 

"I... I have nowhere else to go," the girl stammered. 

Standing in the cold rain, she looked frail and timid, her eyes filled with the loneliness of a stray cat. 

The male lead hesitated before relenting. "It's still raining outside… It would be too cruel to turn you away. Fine, come inside." 

"Thank you. I promise I won't cause you any trouble," she replied earnestly. 

"…" 

After finishing the first chapter, Sajuna quickly understood why the comic was called Wild Cat Girl. 

The girl had been abandoned and left to wander the streets, finally summoning the courage to seek help from someone she barely knew. Even after finding refuge, she behaved like a skittish stray cat—hiding in corners, moving cautiously, and doing her best not to inconvenience others. Her story was undeniably heartbreaking. 

Moving on to the second chapter, they found the story taking on a quieter, more hopeful tone. 

The male lead, a single office worker, lived a monotonous life working long hours at his nine-to-five job. Though often visibly exhausted, he was kind-hearted. While he initially suggested that the girl could seek help from a welfare agency, he ultimately allowed her to stay. On his way home from work one evening, he even bought an extra discounted bento for her. 

Slowly, subtle changes began to appear in his once-chaotic household. The messy room was tidied up, and the laundry he had carelessly tossed around was washed and hung neatly on the balcony. 

"Is this a story about mutual healing?" Sajuna remarked thoughtfully. 

The art style was gentle and soothing, and the narrative exuded warmth. It was a tale of two lonely souls finding solace in each other's company in an otherwise indifferent world. 

"Um," Miss Komi murmured softly, nodding in rare agreement. 

The two girls continued reading in silence. 

Before long, however, Sajuna noticed something strange. 

In one chapter, the male lead returned home one night to find the wild cat girl fresh out of the shower, wrapped only in a towel. Perhaps emboldened by the alcohol he had consumed, he spoke impulsively, his words breaking the previously wholesome tone of the story: 

"You do realize how dangerous it is to live with a strange man, don't you?" 

"I do." 

"What?" 

"I said it's fine." 

"Wait... what?" 

"Are words your only weapon?" 

Sajuna paused, her expression turning hesitant. 

Something feels off. 

Something is definitely off! 

Although Sajuna was no stranger to such material as a cosplayer, even she could sense the abrupt tonal shift in the story. It was as if the narrative had taken a sharp turn into questionable territory. 

Meanwhile, Komi remained completely unguarded. 

While she wasn't as prim or distant as someone like Kaguya, Komi had no exposure to restricted comics and was blissfully unaware of the darker corners of human imagination. 

When Sajuna hesitated to turn the page, Komi, oblivious to any potential danger, reached out and flipped it herself. 

In the next instant, the two girls' eyes widened in unison. 

Their faces flushed red, and the temperature in the room seemed to rise. 

Sajuna, being more experienced, managed to maintain a semblance of composure. After all, she had read scripts and mentally prepared for situations like this. 

Komi, however, was not so fortunate. 

With no prior experience or warning, she was caught entirely off-guard by the vivid imagery on the new page. The sheer visual intensity froze her in place. Her eyes widened, her breathing hitched, and her body stiffened. Moments later, a puff of imaginary steam seemed to rise from her head, completing her thoroughly flustered state. 

"What kind of healing comic is this? This is clearly something terrible!" 

Bang! 

Sajuna quickly slammed the comic shut, turning to face Komi. After a brief, awkward cough, she said, 

"Um... I think I grabbed the wrong comic." 

Komi lowered her gaze, staring at her toes. Her pretty face flushed crimson, as if about to bleed, and even the tips of her ears turned the color of red agate, trembling slightly as though they might shatter. 

Not good, not good, not good. 

Her face is so red—could this really be the first time Komi-san has read an adult comic? 

She's already a high school student, yet she's never read one before? How naïve! 

Fortunately, the awkward silence didn't last long. A knock at the door interrupted the tense moment. 

Bang bang. 

Both girls jumped in surprise. 

"Ah...!" 

Sajuna scrambled to her feet, hurriedly returning the comic to the bookshelf before tiptoeing to the door. 

"Open up." 

Amamiya's voice came from the other side. 

Sajuna clutched her chest, took a deep breath, and opened the bedroom door. 

"I sent Umi to the supermarket. You two..." Amamiya's eyes fell on their flushed faces. His voice faltered momentarily before taking on a suspicious tone. "What were you doing in my room?" 

"Nothing! We weren't doing anything!" 

Sajuna denied it immediately, but her rushed tone was anything but convincing. 

Meanwhile, Komi clasped her hands over her chest, her panicked eyes darting around as her face burned redder than ever. She looked like a startled deer, her expression practically confessing that something had happened. 

Amamiya decided not to press further. Instead, he said, 

"Umi should be back from the supermarket in about ten minutes. You can come out now." 

"Thank goodness..." 

Hearing this, Komi visibly relaxed, as if Amamiya's room were a devil's lair she was desperate to escape. 

But just as she began to leave, Amamiya called out, 

"Wait. Why are you running?" 

He stepped forward, extending his hand. 

"I haven't yet copied the ability to you so..." 

Komi's black hair swayed slightly as a hesitant look appeared on her face. 

"Hurry up and give me your hand," Amamiya ordered impatiently. "Quickly now." 

Reluctantly, Komi stretched out her trembling hand. 

The moment Amamiya grasped it, her gaze dropped to her toes, and steam seemed to rise from her head once more, like a flustered deer caught in headlights. 

"This isn't the first time I've used a skill on you," Amamiya said, puzzled. "Why are you even more nervous than before?" 

Why? 

Of course, it's because of the terrible comics in your room! 

Sajuna crossed her arms over her chest and shot him a fiery glare. 

Idiot! Stuff like that should be hidden—under the bed or on top of the closet! Don't just leave it on the bookshelf for everyone to see! 

Naturally, none of this could be said aloud. 

For the sake of Komi's reputation, their shared discovery of that book had to remain a secret. 

A few minutes later... 

"Alright," Amamiya said, finally releasing Komi's hand. 

She quickly hid both hands behind her back, bowed in gratitude as if she'd been pardoned, and scurried off. 

Sajuna sniffed haughtily, following behind her, preparing to leave as well. 

"Hold on a second," Amamiya said, stepping in front of her. "Komi's issue is resolved. Now it's your turn, right?" 

"My... turn?" Sajuna froze, her cheeks heating up once again. 

"I worked hard to use my skills on Komi. Even if I don't expect thanks, some acknowledgment would be nice," Amamiya said with exaggerated seriousness. "As her guardian, shouldn't you show your appreciation?" 

"Guardian? We're the same age!" Sajuna whispered angrily. "What do you even want?" 

Amamiya pointed to his thigh. 

"You've been acting difficult all day. Disobedient children need discipline." 

!?

Sajuna's eyes widened as she quickly covered her backside with both hands. 

"You—you want me to lie down and let you spank me? Are you out of your mind?!" 

No way was she going to agree to something so humiliating! 

Sajuna quickly turned and ran, changing her shoes at the entrance before leaving with Komi. 

Their timing was impeccable. Not long after the two left, Umi returned, carrying her shopping bags. 

The afternoon passed in a leisurely manner. Amamiya and Umi spent the time playing games, finishing their homework, and idly wasting the hours until evening. Eventually, the blonde girl reluctantly said her goodbyes and left. 

The evening passed uneventfully, with no further incidents. 

The next day 

Monday. 

Another Monday morning, marking the return to school. 

At half-past seven, Amamiya stepped out of his room. He glanced toward the door next to his and saw Miko exiting at the same time. 

"Good morning, Miko," he greeted her. 

"Good morning~" 

Ever since learning that Amamiya could exorcise evil spirits, Miko had made it a habit to walk to school with him every morning without even realizing it. 

"Good morning, Amamiya-nii!" 

Kyousuke, the elementary school student, looked up and called out cheerfully. 

"Morning," Amamiya replied, reaching out to ruffle Kyousuke's hair. Then, turning to Miko, he asked in a low voice, "Didn't you catch up on your sleep when you got back this morning?" 

"Nope." Miko stifled a yawn, raising a hand to cover her mouth. "I wasn't sleepy when I got home. I tossed and turned for a while, couldn't fall asleep, so I got up and read. When I finally started feeling tired, it was already time to prepare breakfast." 

"You should come back a little later tonight." 

"No way. If my mom found out, it would be a disaster." 

Amamiya fell silent at that, deciding not to press the issue. 

As they continued walking, a cheerful voice called out from ahead. 

"Miko! Good morning! And Amamiya-kun too!" 

The voice belonged to a cheerful blonde girl with short hair and a bright smile. She waved energetically as she approached. 

"It's Hana-chan!" 

Shimizu's eyes lit up, and she quickly made her way over to Hana to start her usual clingy antics. 

"Good morning, Hana," Amamiya greeted her casually. 

Initially, Amamiya had felt a strange mix of emotions when he saw Shimizu clinging so closely to Hana, but now he was used to it. Habit, he mused, was indeed a terrifying thing. 

After parting ways with Kyousuke, the three of them walked toward school together. 

"I wonder if we'll play board games together today?" Hana mused, hopping along the white bricks on the ground as she spoke with anticipation. 

Last week, the group had gathered at the game club every morning to play Luring the Lamb Girl. Though Hana lost almost every time, she thoroughly enjoyed herself. 

"Don't worry," Amamiya replied with a teasing tone. "No matter who's missing, we'd never leave you out." 

For Shimuzu, clinging was one of life's greatest pleasures—one she couldn't escape from until a replacement was found. 

Chatting as they walked, the three soon arrived at the school gates, where they ran into Chika. 

"Hana-chan! Long time no see!" Chika exclaimed, bounding forward to hug Hana tightly. 

Hana tilted her head in confusion. "Um…didn't we see each other just two days ago?" 

"It feels like it's been forever!" Chika said dramatically, holding up a finger. "Anyway, I missed you so much!" 

To Hana, it had just been an ordinary weekend, but to the players in the board game club, it felt like ages since their last gathering. 

"Let's head to the game club and play a couple of rounds," the secretary said enthusiastically. 

Once they arrived at the club room and settled in, it wasn't long before Umi and Kaguya also joined the battlefield. 

"Good morning, Umi-chan." 

"Morning, Kaguya-chan." 

The girls greeted each other, quickly took their seats, and began the game. 

A moment later. 

"Ah, I lost again! This morning's horoscope said it was a Mercury retrograde day for me, and it turns out they were right." 

Hana slapped her forehead, completely unaware that Amamiya and the others were conspiring to cheat. She genuinely believed her bad luck was to blame. 

"I accept the punishment if I lose a bet," Chika declared. "Hana-chan, it's time for your penalty!" 

"Fine, bring it on!" 

"…" 

Hana's strong sense of integrity shone through. She was the kind of person who gracefully accepted defeat and never tried to weasel out of her obligations. 

And so, her skill was successfully copied. 

The second round began shortly after. This time, everyone competes fairly, relying on their wits and strategy instead of ganging up on the "lamb." The room was filled with laughter and excitement. 

When two games had ended, Miko stood up and announced, "It's getting late. Hana and I should head to the classroom now." 

Hana naturally followed her best friend's lead, saying, "Miko and I are heading off. Let's play again tomorrow!" 

"…" 

With their daily routine of teasing the "lamb" completed, it was time to move on to more serious matters. 

Pop. 

Amamiya placed the Coin of Destiny on the table. 

"Let's discuss the coin," he said. 

"I have something to say!" Chika raised her right hand eagerly. "Amamiya-kun said at the hotel that this coin doesn't rely on pure luck. Instead, it acts like a thief—stealing our luck first and then giving it back. Is that right?" 

Amamiya nodded. "That's correct." 

During their time at the inn with the infinite restart loop, the coin's mechanics were revealed: it doesn't operate on random chance. Instead, it absorbs the thrower's luck before redistributing it. 

Because of this mechanism, it's possible to predict when the coin will land heads-up. 

Kaguya considered this thoughtfully and asked, "So, Amamiya-kun, you can tell when the coin will flip to heads?" 

"That's right," Amamiya replied, "but only with Miko's ability to see hidden properties." 

"That's fantastic news!" Umi's eyes lit up as she grasped the implications of Kaguya's words. "Bad luck isn't really dangerous—it's just annoying. But not knowing when you'll get a positive result is the most frustrating part. Now that we know how to guarantee success, I feel so much more motivated!" 

By identifying the coin's hidden properties, they could ensure the coin would flip heads once fully charged, turning its randomness into a guaranteed outcome. 

The succubus girl clenched her small pink fist with excitement. 

"In the game I've been playing, new five-star characters and exclusive weapons just dropped. It's been impossible to pull them on my own. But now, with this luck bonus, I'll make the game company cry with a ten-pull combo!" 

Yes, yes, the entire game company will weep, begging you to stop with your ten-pulls. 

Amamiya shook his head slightly and asked, "So, what do you all plan to use the Lucky Coin for?" 

Umi: "Paid gacha pulls." 

Kaguya: "Game blind boxes." 

"Hehehe." Chika proudly crossed her arms and smirked. "I want them all." 

"Very well," Amamiya said with a small sigh. "Next, we need to determine whether there's a consistent pattern to how many uses it takes to fully charge the coin…" 

He held the coin out toward Chika. 

"Chika, you're up first."