I had no idea how much time we ended up using but when I returned with Shizu to the girls, the screams coming from the manor were still in full volume. It felt like they turned into a bunch of pigs who only knew how to squeal. Heck, theyre not getting tired of it.

Are they actually being chased by a ghost? Possibly not. The likely scenario for those stricken with extreme fear should be losing consciousness on the spot. And given how tilting their screams were, all of them have a low mental fortitude. Still, its impossible to find out if theyre still together without seeing them directly. Theres also no way to be certain about their current state. However, determining whether they stuck together or scattered around was fairly easy.

Granted, Shizu told them to explore the place for twenty minutes max. However, even with that kind of order, its possible for someone too afraid to continue to return. Yet, none of them even tried to do that, let alone scream for help. Oh, theyre screaming but their screams were mostly incoherent. As I said, theyre like pigs who only knew how to squeal.

Should we be concerned? I dont know. But I guess its about time I check on them.

In any case, first things first.

I guided the exhausted Shizu back to her boulder seat. I didnt hold back at all and give her the same experience as last night... With our overflowing desire for each other, nothing could hinder us even if the place was dark and we could barely see each other. Her waiting made it even more intense that if not for the place, Shizu would surely try and take all the initiative from me. Next time, I guess.

After securing her there and wiping the sweat on her body, I also checked on Izumi and Juris state.

The two have long recovered. I was expecting Izumi to be pouty again but surprisingly, shes more affectionate despite her embarrassment that had yet to subside. She even tried teasing me by asking me what we did behind that tree. It fired back on her when I described everything in detail.

To boost the effectiveness of my counter-teasing, I whispered all of that to her with my lips as close to her ear as possible.

By the time I finished my narration, the girl was knocked down by embarrassment again. Izumi hit me with her forehead, perhaps to get back at me. But that just made her reaction more adorable. As an apology for making her that embarrassed, I let her pinch my cheeks as much as she could. To cool her head down, I gave her another kiss which made her melt inside my embrace once again.

Following that, when my attention focused on Juri, the first thing she did was pinch my cheeks as well before pulling me back into her embrace. She dotingly patted my head. She asked me if I wasnt exhausted at all.

Yeah Despite everything that happened, she was still more concerned about my well-being than anything else. This woman wont stop spoiling me

Like I always answered my girls who asked the same question, I told her that seeing their smiles would always be enough to relieve my fatigue. Knowing that I made them satisfied will always have that effect.

I got scolded by her but only because she believed thats not scientifically possible. In the end, she still accepted it when I told her that being doted on by her was already healing me.

As for that one, it earned me a pinch on my cheeks, a kiss, and another praise.

Mhm... Im so lucky to have her...

After making another round to check on their state, since I was that too much of a worrywart, I finally walked over to Arisa who was still standing near the pathway, keeping an eye out on the pathway as well as the manor.

Looking at her unguarded back, I carefully approached the girl to give her a surprise.

Hmm? Look at that, no one has yet to come. Were lucky, huh? I said that at the same time as I slipped my arms on her side, hugging her from behind.

Well, she wasnt that surprised as if she was already expecting me to do this.

The girl glanced back at me, sighed at my mischievousness before pinching my nose, Lucky, your ass. Thank me for my hard work.

Oh. Im more than thankful, how should I express my gratitude?

Lets see. A kiss and a promise.

Promise?

Un. Promise not to overwork yourself. Look at you... youre exhausted. Juri failed to notice that, huh?

Not that she failed to, its because Im stubborn enough to say that Im not. I guess you heard our conversation... Hugging you like this is already healing my fatigue.

Nope. Thats just your glib tongue spewing out sweet words to our ears. You wont fool me, young man. Not buying whats coming out of my mouth, Arisa smirked and then pinched my nose again. Still, she let herself enjoy this moment as she rested her back against me, letting me support her. Shes been standing here for too long. She deserved this rest.

In any case, understanding that I was not just here to comfort her, we soon both turned our attention to the haunted manor.

Anyhow, what do we do about them? Theyre not coming out and just running around there like idiots.

Yeah. Its quite amazing that theyre still screaming. Do they not get tired at all? What do you think? Should I bring them out?

Was what theyre going through enough punishment for trying to hit on my girls? Ugh. My pettiness couldnt accept that. But then again, its already concerning that theyve been in there far longer than the time Shizu set.

Should you? You jammed the door like the menace you are. Dont you want them to suffer more?

Uh. I do. Alright then, Ill let them suffer for five minutes more. If they dont come out, Ill get them out.

Pfft. They will definitely have nightmares tonight.

They deserved it.

Yeah, right, petty guy. But Ruki, do you think theyve seen the ghosts? Theyre screaming nonstop.

Maybe? Lets ask them later if they can still talk.

Sure, you devious guy. No wonder Kazuo cant even make you feel threatened. And maybe no one will ever be able to...

Arisa shook her head before surrendering herself more in my embrace.

If theres someone who can threaten me then its certainly not the likes of Ogawa or those four idiots. The thought of any of my girls leaving me is more terrifying than anything they can dish out, after all.

Anyway, having decided to wait more, I spent the next few minutes just doting on Arisa.

When Shizu and the others joined us waiting right there and the four idiots had yet to come out, I decided that it was time to bring them out.

For their safety, since those four might be in a frenzied state after screaming for half an hour inside, I had them wait there while I approached the manor alone.

In the end, blocking the doorway did nothing since none of them even tried to return.

I removed it and threw it back to where I picked it up before opening the door.

As soon as I did that, their screams that were a little muffled became a little louder. Looks like theyre just running around the entrance, Or are they?

Perhaps hearing the door opening, one of them immediately emerged from somewhere. Hes that guy who seemed to be his leader. However, the way his gaze went past me and focused on the opened door somehow appeared a little off.

How should I explain it? Its like he finally saw the place hes been searching for all this time.

And sure enough, the words that came out of his mouth soon after sounded eerie.

Huh?! Is that you, Onoda-kun? Is that where the exit is?! Finally! Hey guy, its here! Lets go out before this disappears! He exclaimed as he looked to his side, calling those who were with him.

Then one by one, the screams disappeared and they popped out from both sides, gathering around him. And with the light coming from outside, I could

The same as that first idiot, they all exclaimed the same thing before thanking me and running towards the door.

I stepped aside to let them out. And as I expected all of them almost tumbled down from the rush.

Alright, lets be real here. What did they experience inside? Did the exit magically disappear on them? Is that why they couldnt even leave even if they wanted to?

... How mystifying.