Chapter 69: Kasumigaoka Utaha Was a Hotspot!

Himekoji Akito’s vacation officially ended on the day of the monthly exam.

That day, without glancing at a single word of study before the test, Himekoji Akito entered the exam room with an air of mysterious confidence and calmness.

He finished each test paper swiftly in just half an hour, handed it in, and walked out coolly under the mocking and gleeful gazes of everyone else.

“Did he hand in a blank paper?”

“Yep, definitely! Looks like he didn’t reflect at all during his suspension.”

“Phew—this time, I won’t be the last one.”

The two-day exam period passed in a flash, and the long-awaited month-end holiday arrived right on schedule.

Time to sleep in.

No! Scratch that! Sleep? What sleep?!

Early in the morning, Himekoji Akito was woken up by a call from his editor.

So, nursing dark circles left from staying up all night playing games, Himekoji yawned and complained irritably:

“Hey! I don’t remember ordering any wake-up call service!”

“That’s true, but this is a complimentary part of the package.”

On the other end of the line, Machida Sonoko’s voice was calm and unhurried, which only annoyed Himekoji even more.

“What kind of package is this anyway? Can I cancel it?!”

“Sure,” “But only if—you get to Minato Mirai Station within half an hour. Utako-chan is already waiting for you there.”

“I decline!”

“Oh? Think carefully.”

“I have thought carefully! Right now is my sleep time!”

“I see. Well then, it looks like I’ll have to gather evidence for the lawsuit—hm, two videos of you groping my chest, three photos of you stealing my underwear, countless voice recordings of sexual harassment, oh! And one of you masturbating in front of my panties…”

“The last one is absolutely impossible!”

Hearing the accusations grow more and more absurd, Himekoji quickly jumped out of bed, clutching his phone to interrupt her.

“Oh? So the last one is impossible. Meaning you admit to all the previous ones?”

The woman editor’s teasing voice traveled slowly from the phone.

Himekoji was exasperated. He sighed: “Sonoko-nee, did you install cameras in your own house or something?”

“Yes, I did. And I recommended the same model to Utako-chan.”

Himekoji: “…”

“So, I’ll ask again: Are you going, or not? Twenty-five minutes left.”

“I’m already running down the road with bread in my mouth!”

Damn it! Really gotta be extra careful next time doing those things!

…

When Himekoji arrived at the station, he immediately spotted Kasumigaoka Utaha standing impatiently at the entrance, her leg shaking as she glanced around.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Traffic was terrible, I had to run all the way here…”

Himekoji pretended to be out of breath, though he had actually come by taxi.

“Thirty-seven minutes, eight seconds.”

Kasumigaoka Utaha glanced at her watch, then shot him an emotionless stare as she spoke.

“Huh? Shouldn’t you say something like, ‘It’s fine, I just got here too’?”

“That’s a line reserved for when our roles swap places. I’m touched you have that awareness.”

She said “I’m touched,” but her face was still impatient with that leg-shaking look! Absolutely no sign of being touched! Himekoji complained inwardly.

“Let’s go. Get on the train.”

With that, Kasumigaoka walked ahead, leaving him behind.

As expected of a light novel author, Kasumigaoka fully controlled the plot and pace.

“Where to?”

Following behind, the only thing Himekoji could do was ask questions.

“Already told you, Wagou City. Though you’re just a temp, please show some dedication to work.”

The girl spared no effort picking him apart.

“Also, your outfit is totally un-editor-like! Wearing your school uniform, you look like some young brat student. Following me like this damages Kasumi Utako’s brand image.”

“Yes, yes. Senpai, you’re absolutely right. I think I have some idea why Machida-san dumped you on me…”

Because you’re totally a nightmare to deal with!

Luckily, the nitpicking and nagging didn’t last long. Once on the train, Kasumigaoka promptly ignored him. She pulled a novel from her bag, propped her chin, and flipped through it with engrossed interest.

Sitting opposite her, Himekoji hadn’t meant to stare, but his gaze naturally landed on her.

Her outfit combined a dreamy mesh with sheer chiffon, paired with a puffy short skirt printed with intellectual and fresh floral motifs—youthful without being immature.

Below the skirt stretched her long legs wrapped in quality patterned tights. The sheer fabric revealed hints of skin beneath the black silk.

Her thighs were smooth, full, with zero flab—perfectly sculpted without a hint of extra flesh. Her calves were straight, slender, flawless. Now, ever so slightly pressed together, they formed a wonderful, graceful curve.

Language felt pale… hands needed to feel…

Though she shared the “long dark hair” image with Yukinoshita, her breast size could equal that of ten thousand Yukinoshitas combined.

Both girls had the quiet beauty style externally, yet their inner personalities were poles apart.

Yukinoshita was serious and never lied. Kasumigaoka was willful and never honest.

…

“April… is about to end now.”

At some point, Kasumigaoka had closed her novel. Staring quietly out the window, she softly voiced this sigh-like thought.

Yeah, the end of the month.

Huh? Month-end?

Suddenly remembering something, Himekoji hurriedly opened his System interface.

Sure enough, the once-a-month “Option Immunity” skill hadn’t been used at all yet.

Use it? Or not?

Knowing he’d likely be stuck with Kasumigaoka Utaha the entire day, Himekoji Akito immediately chose the former without a second thought.

No point saving it! It expires!

Besides, based on past experience, Kasumigaoka Utaha was a hotspot for triggering options!

Completely the opposite extreme of minor characters like Eriri.

…

“Kikikun. Wake up.”

Something like a feather lightly tickled his ear. Himekoji Akito groggily stirred awake, blinking dazedly for a moment before realizing he’d dozed off leaning against the train seat during the ride.

Made sense, though. He’d pulled an all-nighter gaming and been forced up before dawn.

“Huh?”

Seeing he’d woken from this without any strange reaction, Kasumigaoka Utaha tilted her head in slight surprise.

His ear was a sensitive spot, if she remembered right.

Normally, this scenario played out like: Himekoji clutched his head in agony, went a bit crazy, then snapped and transformed into a pervert, lunging at her for some vulgar, H-rated act.

Maybe it had happened too many times? Was just breathing in his ear not enough anymore?

After thinking a moment, the girl suddenly stuck out her small, sweet, pink tongue and lightly flicked the ear of the half-awake, disoriented Himekoji.

Light and quick.

Warm… wet… soft… Accompanying the hot breath against his ear came a faint, orchid-like scent…

[Pleasure Enhanced!]

Enhanced your head!

“Wah! W-what are you doing?!”

Himekoji jumped in fright.

An electric jolt seemed to surge through him just then, bringing goosebumps all over… and also… something… pleasure…

He quickly bent slightly at the waist, pretending to put his hands in his pockets, and pressed down on the little tent tenting in his trousers.

Goddamnit! This cursed System just made him hard?

So embarrassing!

Seriously! Junior acting all perky like that… Am I actually a pervert?!

Himekoji turned away, his face full of unshed tears.