Chapter 199: Hayasaka Ai is being conquered...

The fleeting moment passed in a flash.

Just then, Sajuna quickly scrambled up, her hands darting behind her to cover herself as she cast a mortified glance at Amamiya. Her cheeks burned a shade of red so intense it was as if they were about to drip with color.

"Yes, I saw it." Amamiya admitted without hesitation, then hesitated, "…Turns out, JuJu-sama's pink wasn't just her hair color!"

The comment sat right on the tip of his tongue, but Amamiya swallowed it in the end.

If I say that, there's a good chance she'll start crying.

Clearing his throat, he looked away, shutting his eyes. "I didn't see anything."

Sajuna's blush deepened, and she muttered through gritted teeth, "I haven't even said anything yet!"

Looking out the window, Amamiya changed the subject. "Ah, big, bright moon tonight."

"It's broad daylight! There's no moon at all!"

The truth was clear—he had seen everything.

"Juju-sama?" Umi stepped out of the room, a textbook in hand, and stared at the girl on the floor. "Why are you sitting there?"

"Oh, I just… tripped," Sajuna mumbled, shaking her head vigorously as she scrambled to her feet, hands smoothing her skirt down.

While it might be one thing for Amamiya to have seen, she had to do everything in her power to ensure Umi didn't find out about her skirt situation!

"Are you alright?" Umi leaned closer, eyes wide. "Why's your face so red?"

"Well…" Sajuna stammered, unable to come up with an excuse and glancing helplessly toward Amamiya.

Without missing a beat, Amamiya explained calmly, "Inui-san accidentally choked. You didn't see it, but she nearly burst into tears."

"Oh, I get it." Umi nodded in understanding. "Choking is the worst. I almost cried last time I choked on water, too."

Crisis averted.

Sajuna, carefully minding her movements, sat down on the sofa, one hand still pressed protectively over her skirt. Despite her ongoing unlucky streak, she managed to avoid further embarrassment this time. It was only about half an hour later that she finally began to relax.

"Finally done with homework!" Umi stretched with a grin, closing her textbook. "You guys came over to hang out, so I'll make dinner! Let's all eat together."

"Oh, I'll head home to eat," Sajuna replied, shaking her head.

"I'm definitely staying for food," Amamiya said, unfazed.

After all, if he went home, he'd only be eating alone, so staying for a free meal was the obvious choice.

"Of course you're staying! I already bought ingredients." Umi shot him a look as she stood up and headed for the kitchen. "No worries, it's just fried rice—super quick. And while I'm cooking, you can give the Evil Spirit Repellent charm to Juju-sama."

At this, Amamiya turned to Sajuna. "Do you want me to lend you that ability?"

Sajuna averted her gaze, her voice low. "…Yes."

Shame aside, nothing was more pressing than dealing with evil spirits.

After all, the thought of stepping into the shower only to find a tentacled evil spirit lurking in the tub was more than she could bear!

"Alright, give me your hand." Amamiya nodded.

Feigning nonchalance, Sajuna extended her small hand.

Amamiya took it gently.

"Your hands are so tiny," he remarked to himself. Smooth, like someone who hasn't quite grown up yet…

In mere seconds, the charm transfer completed without any hiccups. Sajuna pressed her pink lips together, straightened her posture, and pretended to watch the TV, her gaze refusing to wander.

Only when Amamiya announced, "All done," did she quickly pull her hand back.

"It's time to eat!" Umi poked her head out from the kitchen, calling out, "Come wash your hands and dig in!"

True to her word, the garu cooking was quick. Dinner was a bowl of miso soup and a fried rice dish with no official name. It didn't look all that impressive, but it tasted quite good.

After the meal, the sky had quietly darkened.

Amamiya and Sajuna said their goodbyes and headed out. 

"Wait a sec!" Umi smacked her forehead as if remembering something. She walked over to the TV, rummaged around, and then handed two games to Amamiya. "Here you go—I meant to bring these to school this morning, but I forgot."

Amamiya looked down at the covers, where a few beautiful young women posed, and the "18+" mark was unmissable.

Thank goodness she didn't bring these to school; if anyone had seen them, it would've been instant trouble.

"Thanks, I'll take them."

As he took the games, he couldn't help but notice Umi's enthusiasm. She always swore by her favorites, and this one had her strongest recommendation yet—apparently a must-play.

"Shizuku-tan is so cute! Once you play, you'll be hooked," Umi declared confidently, one hand on her hip. "Have you tried it, Juju-sama?"

Sajuna quickly averted her eyes. "No."

"Oh, what a pity! I would've let you and Amamiya-kun play together while I cooked if I'd known."

Sajuna glanced at the cover and swiftly declined, "I'll pass."

It was an R-rated game, after all. Playing it alone was one thing, but with a boy? Way too embarrassing!

After saying goodbye to Umi, the two descended the stairs of the apartment building.

A cold wind blew, causing the girl's skirt and pink hair to flutter.

"Hm…" Sajuna winced as if something had blown into her eye, covering her face.

Noticing she was only covering her face, Amamiya quickly stepped forward to hold her skirt down.

"What are you doing?" Sajuna asked, startled.

"Someone's coming," Amamiya whispered. "Careful, or you'll give them a show."

Sajuna noticed an office worker passing by, stepped aside, and muttered defensively, "I'm fully dressed now, so there's no chance of that."

Amamiya raised an eyebrow. "So showing your underwear isn't considered exposure anymore?"

Sajuna: "…!"

He was still curious why she had removed it earlier, though it likely had something to do with the charm spell. But Sajuna seemed intent on keeping the details to herself. She blushed deeply, covered her skirt with both hands, shot him a glare, and dashed off.

The two walked on in silence.

Back home, Amamiya set down his school bag, took his dog for a quick jog, and then settled in to try out 'Wet Miss Academy', Umi's top recommendation.

The plot? Questionable. But the art style was undeniably good.

Soon, it was nine o'clock.

His phone buzzed with a message from the undercover maid.

"Amamiya-senpai, could I ask for your help again tonight?"

Amamiya replied, "The usual place?"

Hayasaka: "Same as last night, at the cafe entrance."

Ten minutes later, Amamiya arrived.

There stood Hayasaka Ai, disguised as a cute schoolgirl, her eyes lighting up as she spotted him. She waved and trotted over, pulling his freshly washed coat from her bag and handing it to him with a small smile.

"I washed this—thanks for lending it to me last night."

Then she produced a small box, looking hopeful.

"I made these myself: red bean daifuku. I hope you'll enjoy them."

It wasn't entirely true; she had asked her cook to make them instead, even specifying that they should taste a bit imperfect, to avoid any suspicion.

Originally, she had planned to make them herself, but after spotting a lurking evil spirit in the kitchen, her motivation evaporated.

Food strategy engaged! What boy could resist a treat made by a cute girl?