Chapter 181: Shipment Girl Umi

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"Are you sure you want to go back?" Amamiya asked, sipping from his cup before continuing, "The evil spirit still hasn't been dealt with. It wouldn't hurt to stay for a few more days."

"No, I don't think so," Umi shook her head. "I haven't seen that scythe-wielding evil spirit in days. Who knows where it went? Maybe it gave up on following me. Besides, school starts tomorrow."

She sighed softly, "Time really flies. Golden Week's already over in the blink of an eye, and I didn't even get a full day to relax…"

"Oh, by the way," Umi suddenly turned around, her bright golden eyes sparkling with excitement. "How about we go out and have some fun today?"

"You just finished showering and put in your colored contact lenses again?" Amamiya asked.

"I'd die without my colored contacts!" Umi said, pouting.

"Be careful, you might get an eye infection."

"Stop jinxing me!"

"…"

"Actually, there's something I've been meaning to tell you," Amamiya put down his cup, suddenly serious as he looked at Umi. "But I'm not sure if I should say it."

"W-What is it?" Umi's face flushed, her heart suddenly racing.

'Not good, not good, not good.'

'Is he about to hit me with a direct confession?'

'What do I do in this situation?'

And with Sister Shimizu right here next to us—how could he confess in front of someone else? Not to mention... not even in front of ghosts!

Umi coughed nervously, her eyes darting. "Well, if you're not sure whether to say it, maybe you should hold off and think it over."

"No," Amamiya shook his head firmly. "I have to say it. I can't hold back anymore."

Umi puffed out her cheeks, unable to hold back her frustration. "Then why even ask for my opinion?!"

"I told you," Amamiya paused for a moment, looking her in the eye, "I haven't seen you crack open a book this entire time. Did you even do your homework?"

"..."

Umi stood there, speechless.

She had mentally prepared herself for something serious, only to be blindsided by that?

Biting her lower lip, Umi silently stood up and walked toward the stairs without a word.

"Where are you going?" Amamiya asked.

"Packing my things," Umi replied in a resentful tone. "I'm going back to do my homework."

"…"

Before they realized it, dawn had broken.

Just as the clock struck seven, the doorbell rang.

Amamiya stood up to answer it.

As expected, it was his neighbor and childhood friend with long black hair standing outside.

"Amamiya, are you okay?" She asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The dark circles under her eyes were even more noticeable now.

Amamiya spread his arms. "Do you want to check for yourself?"

"No thanks," she responded with a hint of disdain. "Looks like you're fine."

"Come inside," Amamiya invited her in. "How's your mom doing?"

"She's doing better. When I got up, she was already awake, making breakfast," she said, bending down to pet the dog. "Where's Umi?"

Amamiya gestured toward the living room. "She fell asleep on the sofa."

She'd insisted she wasn't sleepy at all, but after just a few sips of water, she had drifted into a deep sleep on the sofa. It didn't look like she'd be waking up anytime soon.

"Huh?" 

Miko suddenly narrowed her eyes, her gaze fixating on Amamiya's face. 

"Why do I feel like..."

Amamiya asked casually, "Feel like what?"

"It's nothing," Miko shook her head, her cheeks flushing slightly as she lowered her head to pat the dog.

'Why does he look better after just one night?' 

Curiosity got the better of Miko as she asked, "What exactly was the game in the Midnight Mall about?"

Even someone as laid-back as her couldn't help but be intrigued.

Amamiya briefly recounted the events of the game and added, "Thanks to your ability, we didn't get stuck in that endless hallway."

"Your ability is also useful," Miko yawned, raising her hand to cover her mouth. "It'd be great if I could keep it permanently. Last night, there was an evil spirit sitting by my bed, staring at me. So annoying."

"Good morning, Miko-chan~" Shimizu floated over, her figure faintly transparent.

"Good morning, Sister Shimizu," Miko greeted her politely.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop," Shimizu said with an apologetic tone, "I just can't seem to hold a phone anymore."

Realizing her subtle hint, Miko sighed and glanced helplessly at Amamiya. "Let's go to your room."

"..." 

It was time for their daily ritual of replenishing magicka.

After completing their routine, Amamiya and Miko headed downstairs, where Umi was still fast asleep on the sofa, showing no signs of waking up anytime soon.

Amamiya sighed, "Her alertness is really lacking."

Miko's face paled slightly as she retorted, "She sleeps so peacefully because she feels safe, right?"

"..." 

Umi eventually stirred awake, rubbing her eyes as she slowly sat up.

"Umi, are you finally awake?" Miko appeared from the kitchen, wearing an apron and carrying a plate of food. "Go wash your face, breakfast is ready."

"Mmm..." Umi yawned, still half-asleep. "Good morning, Miko-chan."

Amamiya walked over, glancing at the clock. "Look at the time. Go wash up."

"Wha—? Why is it already one in the afternoon?" Umi exclaimed, checking her phone before groaning, "I still have homework! I'm doomed!"

"..." 

After a casual lunch together, Miko stood up to leave for her part-time job.

"I'm heading out," she said, waving goodbye.

Umi grabbed her backpack, preparing to leave as well. "Amamiya-kun, I'm heading back now. See you at school tomorrow. I'll bring you 'The Young Lady's Wet School'. It's so good, you'll definitely cry."

"Stop bringing R-rated games to school!" Amamiya scolded.

"Wait before you go," Amamiya reached into his pocket, pulling out a coin and handing it to her. "You haven't opened today's blind box. Don't waste the chance."

Umi blinked, leaning in with a mischievous smile. "What, Amamiya-kun? Are you going to miss me?"

Amamiya's expression remained neutral. "If you're going to be like that, forget it."

"Hey, too slow!" Umi swiftly grabbed the coin, a smug grin on her face. "Heads, heads~"

With a flick of her fingers, the coin flipped into the air.

"Huh?" Umi's eyes widened. "I actually got heads? I'm so lucky!"

Sorry, but you're not.

The only reason it landed on heads was because Amamiya had charged it earlier that morning, paying the price by choking on water multiple times.

"Hurry up and open the blind box," Amamiya reminded her.

Umi nodded and quickly opened the daily blind box.

[Super-Durable Company's Latest Product: Super Wear-Resistant Stockings]

[Special Effect: Your feet will never stink...]

Amamiya glanced down. 

Umi was wearing black over-the-knee socks, the elastic band leaving a faint indentation around her thighs—a rather eye-catching detail. Her feet were clad in stylish black round-toed shoes.

"I don't even have athlete's foot!" Umi blurted out, quickly pulling down her skirt. "I got heads, but all I get are weird stockings? Does this mean my luck was so bad before that even improved luck is still bad?"

Amamiya nodded seriously. "That's probably it."

Improving one's luck was more of a metaphysical thing anyway. She couldn't expect to win the lottery just because she rolled heads. Still, winning a pair of stockings seemed... anticlimactic.

"By the way, you haven't opened the compensation gift box for yesterday's game crash, right?" 

Umi slapped her forehead, realizing she had forgotten. She quickly summoned another gift box and opened it.

In the next moment, her eyes widened in disbelief. 

"Hey, hey... Did I just hit the jackpot?"