Chapter 49

Natsuki was shocked. "You two actually want to watch guys do that kind of thing? Are you perverts or something?"

Chika continued, "I heard playing those games too much is bad for your health, but for Kaguya's sake, I guess we have no choice."

"Hold up." Natsuki rubbed his forehead. "What kind of game are we talking about here?"

"Huh?" Chika tilted her head, confused. "A dating sim, obviously. What else?"

Natsuki: "..."

"On my way to school, I ran into a friend," Chika explained. "She was complaining about her middle school brother always hiding in his room playing dating sims instead of going out. She said boys love those games, so it must be true, right?"

And here I thought you were worldly, Natsuki mused. Turns out there's still stuff you don't know.

"I saw this skill at the mall yesterday..." Natsuki trailed off, silently displaying his skill attributes.

"You can get stronger just by lying down?" Kaguya peered over curiously. When she saw the skill name, she was speechless. How is that different from getting something for nothing? Why is there such a weird skill?

"That's so cool!" Chika's eyes lit up. "I want it too! Then I could have Moeye and Peace step on me."

"Well, that depends on if you can get it," Natsuki replied casually. If we can get stronger by lying down, maybe we can level up by breathing or sunbathing... At this point, anything seems possible.

"So you need someone to step on your back to power up?" Chika asked. "Did you have Atake do it last night, Natsuki?"

"No way, don't make stuff up," Natsuki quickly denied, glancing at Kaguya. "Miko helped me out yesterday evening."

"Miko from next door? You know her?"

"Of course I do," Chika said breezily. "I've got tons of friends in that class."

Natsuki thought, Not bad. As expected of a social butterfly - her network's expanded beyond our class to the whole grade.

"What's the deal with you and Miko?" Chika prodded. "I saw you two heading home together the other day."

Natsuki explained, "Our families are neighbors."

"Ah, that's why you asked her to help recharge you." Chika nodded, then turned to Shimizu. "Are you sure you powered up then?"

"I'm not certain," Shimizu said softly, looking unsure. "I was pretty out of it yesterday after waking up. All I could think about was little Kaguya."

Natsuki grumbled, "Please become Kaguya's guardian spirit ASAP."

"Sorry, that doesn't seem possible."

"..."

"In that case, why don't we test it now?" Chika raised her hand excitedly. "Natsuki, lie down on the couch. Kaguya and I can step on your back and see if it works!"

Hearing this, Natsuki lowered his gaze, his eyes inadvertently falling on the girls' legs. Chika was wearing white knee-high socks today, her legs shapely and well-proportioned.

Kaguya wore black knee-high socks. This ice queen seemed to have a particular fondness for black stockings. As far as Natsuki could remember, she'd never worn any other color.

Compared to Chika, Kaguya's legs were noticeably slimmer, looking longer and straighter. There was a sliver of skin visible between her skirt hem and stockings, dazzlingly pale in the sunlight.

You could admire those for ages! Anyone who says legs aren't captivating has never seen a truly beautiful pair.

"Let's not," Natsuki shook his head. "I'll ask Miko for help after school."

"But that's so far away!" Chika protested. "Kaguya's in such rough shape - what if she can't make it to the end of the day?"

Chika urged, "Come on, Natsuki, lie down on the couch already!"

You just can't wait, can you? Natsuki thought. You're just curious and want to try stepping on someone!

Natsuki looked at Kaguya. "You're not okay with this, right?"

"We've got time before class," Kaguya said. "We might as well test it out."

I won't be able to relax until I see for myself, she thought.

Natsuki sighed, giving in. He took off his blazer, folded it, and laid down on the couch.

"I'll go first!" Chika said excitedly, ready to jump in.

Just as she took off her shoes, her phone rang.

"It's my mom. I'll take this outside," Chika said, putting her shoes back on. "Kaguya, you go ahead."

The room fell quiet.

Natsuki glanced at Kaguya. "Maybe we should wait for Chika to get back?"

"That's not necessary," Kaguya decided quickly.

It's just stepping on someone's back, she thought. If the neighbor girl and Chika can do it, why can't I?

Actions speak louder than words. The ice queen had always been proactive, never hesitating once she made up her mind.

Kaguya took a quiet breath, removed her shoes, and held her skirt down with one hand as she lifted her right foot.

From his vantage point, Natsuki could clearly see her delicate feet in their black stockings. The curve from her knees to her toes was especially elegant.

Kaguya looked cool and composed on the surface, but her toes were clearly curled nervously. The tips of her ears seemed to have the faintest hint of a blush.

As her toes landed on his back, Natsuki felt their warmth and softness. His heart quickened, and he suddenly remembered a light novel he'd read before:

"That Time I Became the Plaything of a Lady in Black Stockings"

In this moment, that story was becoming reality. Cold, tsundere, with hidden yandere qualities - Kaguya was the quintessential black-stockinged lady!

Natsuki's feelings were complicated. If he had to sum them up in one sentence, it would probably be:

Addicted to getting stronger, but unable to escape.

"Something warm is flowing into me," Ms.Kaguya murmured, pressing her cheek with her hand as her face flushed.

"It feels much stronger than yesterday," she added teasingly. "Seems like Natsuki is quite pleased with Kaguya's technique."

If you claim you're not satisfied, you're flat-out lying, Natsuki thought. If the ice queen decided to offer this service to everyone, the line would stretch from here to the school gates.

"I'd rate it a six out of ten. Barely passing," Natsuki said coolly.

Kaguya's face froze. "And why's that?" she demanded, unconvinced.

As a genius, she believed in excellence or nothing at all. Even a simple back massage should be perfect!

"You're only stepping in one spot, and your posture never changes. Poor review," Natsuki explained reasonably.

Kaguya silently shifted her position.

"Too light. Another poor review."

She pursed her lips and increased the pressure.

"The service industry needs to make customers feel at ease. That icy expression? Poor review."

"You're impossible," Kaguya muttered.

She gritted her teeth and pressed harder.

"Whoa, stop! You'll break something!" Natsuki yelped.

What happened to the delicate young lady? You're too strong!

Just then, the door burst open. A petite girl with short hair walked in.

"Eek!" she squeaked, face paling at the scene before her.

"S-Sorry!" The girl bowed deeply, nearly toppling over. "I thought the room was empty... I'm so sorry to intrude!"

Kaguya quickly stepped away from Natsuki, a blush creeping across her face despite her usual composure.

"Kashiwagi, why did you barge in?" she asked.

"Um..." Kashiwagi hesitated. "I'm in the board game club. I came to get something..."

Natsuki sat up, putting on his jacket. "Kashiwagi, this is just a misunderstanding..."

What kind of misunderstanding leads to Kaguya stepping on someone? Kashiwagi thought, covering her mouth in disbelief.

This afternoon I saw them standing close together, and I thought they were secretly dating... But it turns out it's not dating, it's a master-slave relationship!

Seeing Kashiwagi's face getting redder, clearly imagining wild scenarios, Natsuki sighed. "Let's come clean. I'll stop pretending."

"No, don't!" Kashiwagi shook her head frantically.

The more you know, the more dangerous it is, she thought. If I learn their secrets, I might never leave this room alive.

As they talked, Chika returned from her phone call.

"Chika!" Kashiwagi cried, darting behind her friend as if finding a lifeline.

"Nagisa, what's wrong?" Chika asked, bewildered.

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Power Stone Bonus Chapter [Target]= 625

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