Chapter 340: The Succubus Wants to Act Coquettishly

"We're Here, Shinjuku."

Amamiya and Umi stepped off the packed tram, only to be greeted by a sea of people bustling through the streets.

"So many people," Umi murmured, shielding her eyes with her hand as she scanned the dense crowd. "It feels like half of Tokyo decided to come to Shinjuku today."

"Half is an exaggeration," Amamiya replied, adjusting the straps of his backpack. "A third, maybe."

Shinjuku, one of Tokyo's most vibrant districts, was perpetually teeming with life. As a major transportation hub, it was no surprise that the sidewalks were packed shoulder to shoulder, a scene that only truly quieted in the dead of night.

The pair walked onward, weaving their way through the bustling streets until they reached a large intersection.

It was a red light.

All around them, pedestrians crowded the crosswalks—hundreds, maybe thousands—waiting for the signal to change.

When the light turned green, the crowd surged forward like a tidal wave.

"Amamiya, have you ever come to Shinjuku to hang out before?" Umi asked, glancing back at him over her shoulder.

"No," Amamiya said flatly. "The last time I came was… the last time."

Umi giggled knowingly and tilted her chin up, a playful grin lighting up her face. "I thought so." She extended her hand toward him, her delicate fingers outstretched. "Give me your hand. There are so many people here—it'll be a pain if we get separated."

Amamiya hesitated.

At times like this, wasn't it supposed to be the guy who took the initiative, not the girl?

"Hurry, hurry!" Umi urged, grabbing hold of his right hand without waiting for him to react. "You're blocking the people behind you."

With their hands clasped together, they crossed the intersection and continued onward, eventually arriving at Shinjuku Station.

"The train leaves in twenty minutes," Amamiya said, pulling out the tickets he'd booked in advance. "We'll reach Osaka by around eight tonight. That gives us an hour and a half to rest, grab dinner, and switch trains. No rush—we'll take the slower Shinkansen overnight and sleep on the train. We should reach Kagoshima by five in the morning, just as the sun's rising."

"All night on the train…" Umi sat down on a bench in the station's rest area, her long lashes fluttering slightly as she turned to face him. "Thanks for all the hard work, Amamiya."

Amamiya shrugged. "We've only just started. If it's hard, let's talk about it when we get back."

"I've made up my mind!" Umi suddenly declared, her voice rising.

"What now?"

"When you need me to step on your back tonight, I'll step as hard as I can!"

"Please go easy on me."

A short while later, the two boarded the train and found their seats. As the Shinkansen began to move, the world outside the window blurred into motion, the scenery rushing past at increasing speed.

Amamiya stared out at the fleeting view for a few moments before pulling out his phone. Scenery, after all, couldn't compete with a smartphone.

"Are you on the train yet?" A message popped up from Chika.

"Just boarded," Amamiya replied.

"I just finished club activities and I'm heading home," Chika wrote, attaching a photo of their quiet campus bathed in the orange hues of sunset. "I want to go to Kagoshima too. The somen noodles there must taste amazing since it's their birthplace, right?"

"Traveling isn't just about eating," Amamiya typed back, though he couldn't help smirking. "I'll bring you some noodle soup."

"That's pointless," Chika shot back. "After being on the road for so long, it'd spoil before you got back!"

Amamiya hesitated for a moment before typing his next message:

"Actually, there's something important I've been meaning to tell you. I've been debating whether or not to bring it up, but I've finally made up my mind. It's something I need to say."

Chika's reply came almost instantly: "W-what is it?"

Upon receiving the message, Chika came to an abrupt stop, her heartbeat quickening unexpectedly.

His tone sounded so serious. He even mentioned hesitating for a long time before deciding to say it. Could it be… he was about to confess his feelings?

No way.

Chika's thoughts spiraled. If Amamiya confesses to me, should I accept or turn him down?

As an ordinary girl, Chika naturally longed to experience the thrill of love.

Especially now, with the ominous weight of being a player and an uncertain future looming over her, the urgency of time was more palpable than ever.

But still…

Who confesses their feelings through a text message?

If it's something so important, shouldn't he say it in person?

Her phone buzzed again.

Amamiya:

"I think it's necessary to tell you this. Otherwise, if you find out later, you'll definitely be mad."

Chika blinked in disbelief. "Wait a second," she muttered under her breath, her eyes widening. "What does he mean by 'find out later'? What's he about to say?"

Amamiya:

"Moeha invited me to karaoke at KTV."

For a moment, Chika stared blankly at her screen.

Then:

Chika: "...Absolutely not! I forbid it! You're planning to sneak off and date Moeha behind my back?!"

Amamiya:

"I'm not! I didn't! Don't jump to conclusions!"

Chika:

"You literally said you hesitated before telling me!"

Amamiya:

"…"

After dealing with Chika, Amamiya sent a quick message to Miko. She was probably still busy with her part-time job, as his message remain unread.

Next, he sent a message to Sajuna.

Amamiya:

"Umi and I are on the Shinkansen. Did you make it home safely?"

Sajuna:

"Snort."

Amamiya frowned.

"What does 'snort' mean?"

Sajuna:

"You know perfectly well."

Amamiya:

"I really don't."

Sajuna:

"Snort."

Amamiya:

"If you snort at me again, I'll tell Umi everything."

Sajuna panicked, replying quickly:

"Don't! Don't tell her!"

A faint blush spread across Sajuna's cheeks as she typed. Aside from her sister, she didn't have many close friends in real life. Umi was now one of her most treasured companions. If Umi found out about her behavior, their friendship could be at risk.

Wait—

Sajuna suddenly froze, her face darkening as realization dawned.

Why was she feeling guilty? He was the one who bullied her behind Umi's back! She wasn't the one sneaking around—why should she feel bad about this?

Still, despite her frustrations, the conversation ended there, leaving Sajuna to stew in silence.

Next, Amamiya sent a message to Kaguya.

Amamiya:

"Kaguya-san, Umi and I are already on the Shinkansen."

At that moment, Kaguya was engrossed in her flower arrangement practice. Seeing the message, her heart leapt with joy, but just as quickly, her expression soured.

Why?

Why did the first message he sent me today have to include another girl's name?

Kaguya bit her lip. She had never experienced traveling with someone else before. It was something she secretly longed to do. Yet here she was, stuck arranging flowers while he gallivanted around with someone else.

Her gaze shifted to the flowers in front of her, and without thinking, she plucked a petal.

How should I reply?

If I respond too quickly, it might seem like I've been sitting here waiting for his message.

No, that would be far too embarrassing!

Before she realized it, time had slipped away. As Kaguya reached for another flower, she froze.

The vase was empty.

Looking down, she found the table covered in a colorful mountain of petals, stripped clean from the flowers she'd been working on.

"Eh? Hey, hey? How has half an hour already passed?"

Umi's voice rang out, tinged with disbelief.

"…"

"Amamiya, open your mouth."

Her clear and pleasant voice interrupted Amamiya's thoughts as Umi pinched a piece of seafood rice cake between her fingers and leaned in to feed him.

Without much thought, Amamiya opened his mouth.

Umi placed the rice cake in his mouth, watching him with eager anticipation.

"Amamiya, isn't it delicious?"

Chewing thoughtfully, Amamiya offered his verdict. "It's really good—fresh and flavorful."

"Hehe, I knew you'd like it!" Umi said with a proud tilt of her chin. "I've loved these ever since I first tried them. I could never forget the taste." She quickly picked up another piece of the rice cake. "Here, have another one!"

"…"

After enjoying the snacks, Umi's energy seemed to wane. She nodded off, her head drooping as she struggled to stay awake.

"If you're tired, take a nap," Amamiya said gently, glancing at her drowsy expression. "We've still got plenty of time before we reach Osaka."

"I was too excited last night and stayed up late…" Umi murmured, rubbing her eyes sleepily. Her voice was soft and hazy as she leaned against Amamiya's shoulder. "I'll just take a little nap."

"Alright, I'll wake you when it's time to get off."

"…"

Within moments, her breathing became even, and she drifted into peaceful slumber.

The air conditioning on the Shinkansen was a bit too cold for comfort, and as Umi slept, she instinctively shifted closer to Amamiya. At first, she merely leaned against his shoulder, but before long, she hugged his arm and nestled herself snugly against him.

Amamiya sighed inwardly.

Sure enough, girls never sleep quietly.

At 8:10 PM, the Shinkansen pulled into Osaka Station.

Amamiya and Umi disembarked, preparing to transfer to their next train.

"It's raining."

As they stepped out of the station, a damp, chilly mist greeted them. The drizzle softened the vibrant glow of the neon lights, making the bustling night scene appear hazy and dreamlike.

"I visited Osaka with my friends when I was in the third year of junior high. It's been almost a year," Umi remarked, turning to Amamiya with a smile. "Amamiya, hold the umbrella."

Amamiya glanced at her, unimpressed.

"Where's your umbrella?"

"In my backpack." Umi beamed, unbothered. "But my hands are full! I've got my bag in one hand and my phone in the other for taking pictures."

Amamiya sighed. You could've just left your bag in the station locker…

Wordlessly, he pulled out an umbrella and opened it.

"Yay~!"

Umi stepped under the umbrella with a spring in her step, immediately pulling out her phone to snap pictures.

"The last time I was here, it was during the day. The night feels completely different," she mused, clicking away. "The station looks the same, though."

After a few more photos, she tucked her phone away and turned to Amamiya. "I remember a delicious conveyor belt sushi restaurant nearby, just a short walk from the station. I still remember the way—let's go there!"

Amamiya raised an eyebrow.

"You ate so many snacks on the train. Can you even fit sushi in your stomach?"

"Of course!" Umi declared, puffing out her chest and placing her hands on her hips. "Snacks are snacks, and sushi is sushi. Girls have several stomachs, each for storing different things."

Amamiya sighed, his tone dry.

"The only creatures with multiple stomachs are usually livestock."

Umi's cheeks puffed up indignantly, her eyes narrowing in mock offense.

"Are you calling me a cow?"

"I didn't say that." Amamiya smirked, taking her hand. "Come on, let's go eat conveyor belt sushi."

"Hmmph."

Still pouting, Umi allowed him to lead the way, the drizzle painting soft patterns in the glow of the city lights.

On a cold, rainy night in a foreign city bathed in neon light, two figures huddled under a single umbrella, walking side by side through empty streets. The scene might have been perfectly idyllic—if not for the wandering evil spirits that lurked unseen.

After finishing their conveyor belt sushi, the rain had yet to subside. The late hour left the streets sparsely populated. Amamiya held the umbrella while Umi walked beside him, the two leisurely making their way back to the station.

Passing a milk tea shop, Umi suddenly stopped.

"Oh! I bought milk tea here last year!" Her eyes lit up with nostalgia as she dashed inside. Moments later, she emerged holding a fresh cup of milk tea.

Taking a sip, she paused, her expression shifting.

"Hmm... I can't remember what last year's tasted like, but—oh no!" Her face fell dramatically. "Sushi is so high in calories, and milk tea is even worse! I'm going to gain weight, aren't I?"

Amamiya glanced at her skeptically.

You're thinking about weight gain now? You didn't hesitate at all while devouring sushi earlier.

"It's fine," he replied calmly. "At most, you'll gain two pounds. You'll lose it soon enough."

"Two pounds is terrifying!" Umi thrust the milk tea toward him. "Here, you drink it!"

"I'll pass. A real man doesn't accept pity food."

"You have to take a sip!"

"…"

After purchasing tickets, the pair boarded the Shinkansen(*Bullet Train) bound for Kagoshima. They found their seats and began settling in when two young children dashed past, laughing and chasing each other.

One of them accidentally bumped into Umi, causing her to stumble. The half-full cup of milk tea in her hand splashed onto the seat.

"Ah! Sorry!"

Startled, the children immediately stopped, bowing in apology.

Though annoyed, Umi wasn't about to scold kids too harshly. She placed a hand on her hip and said firmly, "You shouldn't be running and playing in places like this. Treat it like the school hallway, okay?"

"Yes, ma'am!" The children chorused before hurrying off.

Umi sighed, glancing at the soaked seat. "Well, we can't sit here now."

Amamiya pulled out tissues and began dabbing at the mess. "It's not going to dry quickly. Let's ask the attendant to switch seats."

"But if we switch, we won't get to sit together." Umi frowned, tucking a golden strand of hair behind her ear. "Let's just wait it out—it'll dry eventually."

As the train began moving, Umi turned to Amamiya.

"Move over a little. Let's squeeze in together."

"Alright."

She sat down beside him, but it didn't take long before she shifted uncomfortably. "No, this is way too cramped!"

"The seats are single-sized," Amamiya pointed out. "Of course, it's not going to work for two people."

"I have an idea." A sly glint appeared in Amamiya's eyes as he gently grabbed her waist.

"Wait, what are you—?"

Before she could finish, Amamiya lifted her effortlessly onto his lap.

"There," he said with a small smile. "Not crowded anymore."

Umi's face flushed bright red as she lowered her voice to a whisper. "This is so embarrassing! What if someone sees us?"

"It's almost eleven at night," Amamiya replied, his tone reassuring. "Everyone's too tired to care. Most of them are either asleep or just want to be left alone."

Umi glanced around nervously. Sure enough, the carriage was quiet. The passenger seated behind them was sound asleep, their head leaning against the window.

"…I guess no one's paying attention," she murmured.

If it had been Kaguya, she wouldn't have gone along with this, Umi thought. But she was different—curious and willing to try new things.

Slowly, she wrapped her arms around Amamiya's neck, her cheeks glowing. "Alright… I'll sit like this for a little while."