Chapter 323: Hayasaka-san, you are well aware of the consequences of your identity being exposed, right?

The class bell rang on time. 

Under the physical education teacher's instructions, the boys and girls lined up and jumped into the swimming pool like dumplings being dropped into boiling water. 

Splash. 

Water sprayed everywhere, and the sound of laughter and joy echoed without pause. 

A refreshing summer swimming class was welcomed by everyone—except for a certain disgruntled young lady who was radiating resentment. 

The class was structured with teacher-led instruction in the first half, followed by free time in the second. 

Amamiya was swimming leisurely when he suddenly felt his pinky finger tremble. 

"Hmm?" 

He surfaced, scanning the area for whatever—or whoever—was causing the disturbance. 

Before long, he spotted her. 

There, in the corner of the pool, stood Chika. 

Her swimming cap revealed her smooth, wide forehead, freed from her beloved black bow for once. Her skin was porcelain-like, glowing white and crystal clear even among the other girls. Despite being in a form-fitting swimsuit like the rest, her figure was undeniably striking. 

If Kaguya was the base unit of measurement, Fujiwara's figure could easily equate to five Kaguyas. 

"I'm not asking you to look at me! It's in the water!" 

Chika waved her pinky emphatically and motioned toward the pool with her eyes. 

The boys and girls had separate swimming lanes, so Amamiya hadn't been paying attention to the girls' side. Following Chika's gaze, however, he quickly understood the problem. 

In the crystal-clear water, a massive, pale figure floated ominously—a grotesque, spectral entity. It resembled a drowned spirit... no, more like the ghost of a pervert who had drowned.

Its hands and feet were gone, replaced by writhing, octopus-like tentacles. On its vaguely visible face was an unmistakably perverse grin. The tentacles writhed through the water, snaking toward the girls who were obliviously splashing around. 

A textbook tentacle monster. 

Unlike the scenarios from certain infamous stories, however, the girls had no idea what was happening. Ordinary people couldn't see the ghostly creature. To them, it simply didn't exist. But as a player, Chika could see it all too clearly. 

Disgusting! 

Her face twisted in revulsion. 

The creature wasn't especially scary, but on the disgust scale, it was a full five stars. 

"Amamiya-kun, get over here and deal with it! Purify it or something!" 

Chika clasped her hands over her chest, blinking furiously as if to emphasize her desperation. 

There was no way she would let herself get wrapped up in the slimy tentacles of such a vile creature! 

"On my way." 

Seeing the spirit extending its tendrils toward Chika, Amamiya frowned. Without hesitation, he swam toward her while activating his ability to repel evil spirits. 

A hollow, unearthly scream—inaudible to ordinary people—echoed through the pool. 

Invisible flames erupted, engulfing the grotesque creature and burning it to ash within moments. 

"Phew…" 

Chika let out a long breath of relief. "That was close. I almost got contaminated." 

"Theoretically speaking, it never actually touched you," Amamiya remarked dryly. 

"That's not the point!" Chika retorted, closing her eyes and raising her voice. "Being mentally defiled is way worse than being physically touched!" 

The swimming pool remained bustling, full of students oblivious to what had just happened. 

Amamiya, seeing no further need for concern, exchanged a few more words with Chika before swimming back to the boys' area. 

"Chika-chan, what were you talking about just now?" 

Kashiwagi swam up to Chika, feigning casual curiosity. 

She had been keeping an eye on Amamiya, suspecting he might be secretly dating Kaguya. And not just dating her—oh no, she was convinced he was also stringing Chika along, playing both girls at once. 

After school, she had seen him shopping with Chika, holding her hand as they picked out snacks. That was definitely something only couples did! 

However, after observing them for a while, Kashiwagi began to notice that the dynamics between the three weren't quite what she had initially thought. Their interactions were far from ordinary, yet somehow didn't fit the mold of typical relationships either. 

This only fueled her curiosity. 

She needed to know the truth. 

Was Amamiya-kun really playing with both girls' hearts? 

She was determined to uncover the real story. Kaguya was too sharp to be easily deceived, but Chika… Chika's behavior was peculiar in every sense. 

"I think I just heard something about being….defiled?" 

Kashiwagi tilted her head, her tone laced with curiosity. 

Chika turned toward her dramatically, tears welling up in her eyes as she wiped them away with the back of her hand. "I was close to being defiled in the swimming pool just now!" 

"Huh?" 

Kashiwagi's head tilted even further, creating an adorably puzzled arc as confusion filled her expression. 

Defiled? In the swimming pool? 

What does that even mean? What kind of "defiled" is she talking about? 

Chika muttered under her breath, "I just experienced a terrifying moment. An invisible monster attacked me, and I nearly raised my hand to ask the teacher for permission to leave and escape the pool…" 

A terrifying moment. 

An invisible monster. 

Kashiwagi blinked, her gaze drifting down to Chika's tightly pressed legs. Chika's hands rested on her lower abdomen as though she were desperately enduring something. 

(No… No way…) 

Kashiwagi's eyes widened slowly. 

(Could it be... impossible! Chika-chan would never engage in such... embarrassing play!) 

(And this is a swimming pool! Electronics would short-circuit in seconds!) 

(Then again, with modern technology, who knows? Maybe waterproof devices exist by now…) 

Chika interrupted her spiraling thoughts with a sigh. "Ugh, let's not talk about it anymore. The crisis is over now." She wiped the corners of her eyes and said brightly, "Let's just keep swimming!" 

Kashiwagi gave her a complicated look and hesitated. "Um… if you're really not feeling well, Chika-chan, you can go to the bathroom first." 

"There's no need," Chika declared, raising her chin confidently. "It's all fine now. I feel perfectly comfortable. I don't feel anything at all!" 

"…" 

——

The rest of the class passed without any further incidents. Swimming lessons had been a mandatory part of the curriculum since elementary school, and by high school, nearly everyone could swim—unless they were one of those rare individuals with poor balance and uncoordinated limbs, the kind who couldn't even ride a bicycle. 

Before long, the school day ended, and the bell signaling dismissal rang. 

Amamiya climbed out of the swimming pool and was on his way to the locker room to change when a sudden, nervous voice stopped him. 

"Amamiya-kun, wait a moment!" 

"Hm?" 

Hearing his name, Amamiya paused, a bit startled. 

By now, most of the students had dispersed, leaving the area relatively quiet. When he looked around, the only person still nearby was an older student—a senior. 

"Amamiya-kun, I'm calling you." 

The senpai girl, dressed in a swimsuit that clung to her curvy figure, covered her chest with one hand, which left an unmistakable outline on the fabric. Her cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, and she called out softly. 

Amamiya blinked in surprise. "Tsubame...senpai?" 

As one of the school's "goddesses," Tsubame was well-known. Amamiya was no exception; he had heard the boys gossiping about her often enough during PE class. What he didn't expect was that she knew who he was. 

"It's me," Tsubame confirmed with a relieved sigh, lifting her pretty face slightly. "I need to talk to you about something… It's not convenient here. Can you meet me behind the old school building?" 

If you have something to say, why not say it here? The setting, the atmosphere—this felt suspiciously like a confession scene! 

This was the first time they'd ever spoken to each other, so a confession seemed unlikely. Still, the situation was so easy to misinterpret! 

Amamiya hesitated. But when he noticed that some of the remaining students were glancing over curiously, he felt it would be better to avoid drawing attention. He sighed and nodded. "Alright, I understand." 

"Phew…" Tsubame exhaled with relief, her expression brightening into a radiant smile. She gave him a small wave before leaving. "See you then." 

——

Meanwhile, in the shadows... 

Kaguya, leaning quietly against a corner, widened her eyes and clenched her fists. 

What could be so inconvenient that it can't be said here? 

Why does she need to meet him behind the school building? 

Could it be... a confession?! 

Those words were far too suspicious! 

No. 

She had to find out the truth! 

After Amamiya left, Kaguya whispered, "...Hayasaka!" 

"Yes, Miss," Hayasaka replied, appearing quietly like a ghost. 

"You heard everything that happened just now, didn't you?" Kaguya clenched her fists, unable to hold back her frustration. "What's wrong with that woman? Why did she suddenly stop Amamiya-kun and say such shameless things?" 

"Miss, please rest assured," Hayasaka replied, her eyes calm and composed. "According to my previous investigation of Amamiya's interpersonal relationships, he and Tsubame-senpai have never interacted before. This is likely the first time they've spoken." 

Kaguya stomped her foot on the ground in indignation. "The first thing she says to him is a confession?! How shameless! She's clearly a woman who indulges only in lust!" 

"Tsubame-senpai is popular, beautiful, has a great figure, and a gentle personality. The likelihood of her suddenly confessing to a boy is quite low," Hayasaka said with a sigh, pressing her fingers gently to her temple. "Frankly, Amamiya-kun isn't that charming..." 

Still, it was hard to say. 

What if Tsubame-senpai turned out to be someone else's girlfriend, fiancée, or childhood sweetheart? 

"The location is the old school building," Hayasaka said, biting into a lollipop with a satisfying crunch. "We just need to eavesdrop to find out the truth." 

"But what if it is a confession?" Kaguya asked, her voice filled with worry. "We can't completely rule out that possibility, right? Amamiya-kun wouldn't actually agree, would he?" 

"He might," Hayasaka said bluntly, placing her hand on her hip. "Tsubame-senpai is the campus goddess. She's beautiful, has a great figure, and a sweet, gentle personality..." 

"Enough! No need to repeat it!" 

Kaguya felt herself shrinking. 

When it came to personality and figure, she was utterly defeated! 

Hayasaka added nonchalantly, "Honestly, if Tsubame-senpai confessed to me, even I'd be tempted." 

"Amamiya-kun isn't that shallow… right?" 

The more Kaguya spoke, the weaker her voice became. 

Just earlier, during swimming class, hadn't she seen him staring at that woman with the same animalistic look as the other boys? He was clearly just another shallow male animal! 

——

Ten minutes later, Amamiya arrived at the back of the old school building after changing his clothes. 

The area was shaded by green trees and cooled by a gentle breeze, creating a pleasant atmosphere. Its remote location made it a classic spot for confessions—private enough to save face even if rejected. 

"Miss, the target is in place," Hayasaka reported, crouching behind a bush with a Bluetooth earpiece in her ear. 

Kaguya's voice came through the line, resolute: "Keep monitoring. Don't miss a single word." 

"...Understood." 

Moments later,

"Amamiya-kun, I'm sorry for making you wait." 

Tsubame, now in her school uniform, waved her hand and jogged over. The movement made her chest rise and fall, giving her an air of lively charm. 

"I just got here myself," Amamiya replied, putting his phone away. "So, what's this about, senpai?" 

"Well…" 

Tsubame placed a hand over her chest, her expression a mix of nervousness and anticipation. "It's something important. Very important." 

While waiting for her next words, Amamiya glanced above her head. 

A floating emoticon displayed her nervousness, but it gave no indication of what she was actually thinking. 

Taking a half-step forward, Tsubame asked cautiously, "Amamiya-kun... are you an Onmyoji?" 

"No," he answered flatly. 

"What? That can't be! During swimming class earlier..." 

Tsubame looked disheartened, her expression clouded. 

Amamiya raised an eyebrow. "Was there... a tentacle monster in the pool?" 

Her eyes instantly lit up, shining with excitement. She stepped closer, closing the distance between them. 

"Amamiya-kun! You did see it, didn't you? The tentacle monster! And when it suddenly caught fire… was that your doing!?" 

Caught off guard by how close she'd gotten, Amamiya took a half-step back. "Senpai, you're standing too close." 

"Ah, sorry!" she apologized, her cheeks flushing red as she quickly stepped back. "I got too excited… So, you're also a player?" 

Amamiya nodded. "That's right." 

As expected, this wasn't a confession at all. 

It turned out that when he'd exorcist the evil spirit earlier, Tsubame—also a player—had seen him in action. 

A super popular senior suddenly confessing to a junior she'd never spoken to? That only happened in light novels. 

"I'm a player too," Tsubame said, her eyes sparkling as if she had finally found her people. "Amamiya-kun, what exactly are those monsters? How can you destroy them? Is there any way to stop seeing them?" 

"Excuse me, but let me ask a question first." Amamiya raised a hand to pause her, then asked, "How many games has Tsubame-senpai completed?" 

Tsubame held up two fingers. "Two games. Each one was incredibly dangerous. That evening, I was training alone in the gymnastics club when, out of nowhere, I was selected for the game." 

"So you're a newbie." 

Amamiya took out his phone and looked at Tsubame. "Tsubame-senpai, do you have your phone with you?" 

"I do." 

Tsubame nodded quickly and retrieved her phone from her backpack. 

"Here, scan this code." Amamiya handed her his phone. "Don't worry, there are no inappropriate pictures or sketchy links. Your account won't get hacked or banned." 

"…" 

She scanned the code successfully. 

With a soft buzz, Tsubame officially joined the group. 

"Wow, there are so many people!" Tsubame exclaimed, her eyes widening as she hugged her phone. "Amamiya-kun, are they all...?" 

"Yes, they're all players," Amamiya confirmed with a nod. "Take a look around the chat first. If you have any questions, feel free to ask." 

"Well... it feels a bit odd to ask strangers for help," Tsubame murmured, hesitating before summoning her courage. "Amamiya-kun, could we exchange contact information?" 

"Sure." 

Amamiya agreed easily. 

It was just contact information—he'd already exchanged numbers with plenty of other players. One more wouldn't hurt. 

"Thank you so much!" 

Blushing, Tsubame bowed deeply in gratitude before clutching her phone. "The gymnastics club has practice, so I'll leave now… Sorry to bother you tonight, Amamiya-kun!" 

As Tsubame hurried off, Amamiya didn't leave immediately. Instead, he turned to glance at the bushes nearby. 

"…?" 

Hayasaka, hidden among the foliage, raised an eyebrow. 

Had she been discovered? 

Impossible. 

Her stealth skills were maxed out. 

Yet, before she could reassure herself, Amamiya began walking toward the bushes. 

"Tsk, he really noticed." 

Hayasaka's mind raced. Before he reached her hiding spot, she abruptly stood up, spreading her arms wide. 

"Yoho~ Good afternoon!" 

Amamiya stopped in his tracks, raising an eyebrow as he regarded the ponytailed girl who emerged from the bushes. 

"Hasaka-san, what exactly were you doing hiding in the bushes?" 

Truthfully, he hadn't detected her presence outright. Hayasaka was a professional spy maid, after all. But when his gaze had swept across the area earlier, he saw floating text so he decided to investigate. 

"Obviously, I was creating an opportunity for you, Natsuki-san," Hayasaka replied casually, brushing leaves off her clothes and popping a lollipop into her mouth. "After all, you were asked out by the famous Tsubame-senpai for a love confession. If I interrupted, you'd probably lock yourself in your room and cry all night, right?" 

"It wasn't a confession," Amamiya said plainly. 

"Oh, come on! The atmosphere was totally screaming 'confession'!" Hayasaka quipped as she adjusted her ponytail. She waved over her shoulder as she turned to leave. "Well, whatever. It's none of my business. Bye~" 

The wind picked up. 

Leaves fluttered through the air, and the hem of Hayasaka's skirt was lifted slightly by the breeze. 

Startled, the ponytailed girl clenched her fists and quickly pushed her skirt back down. Her flustered movements, expression, and demeanor struck Amamiya with a strange sense of déjà vu. 

At that moment, a notification appeared before him: 

[All clues have been collected.] 

[You have successfully uncovered the spy maid's triple identity.] 

[Hasaka Ai, Kaguya's personal maid. Hanamori, the energetic schoolgirl. Hasaka, the gyaru schoolgirl... Beneath these many masks, which one is the real her?] 

"Hayasaka?" 

Amamiya narrowed his eyes. 

Back during Golden Week, when Kaguya had visited, she had brought along her personal maid, Hayasaka. 

And then there was Hanamori, the overly enthusiastic schoolmate who had attacked him with her energy. Amamiya had stayed cautious around her because an "Unknown Identity" tag had frequently appeared over her head. 

Now, the riddle was finally solved. 

Despite their differing appearances, voices, and personalities, they were all clearly the same person. 

Why was Hayasaka hiding her identity? 

He had no idea. 

But that didn't stop him from wanting to fight back. 

No one would be happy after being deceived for so long. 

"Wait a second." 

Amamiya called out to the hot gyaru schoolgirl. 

"Hmm?" 

Hayasaka turned her head, tilting it slightly as her deep blue eyes reflected the sky and drifting clouds above. 

"If others were to find out what just happened, it'd be quite troublesome. So..." Amamiya smiled faintly. "Hasaka-san, could I have your time?" 

Hayasaka: "…"