Why is my journey to the world of anime a strange tale of rules?

"Well then, let's part ways here. We've finally got another month, so we must make the most of it."

As they parted, Gao Hai waved to Yi Li, smiled, and turned to leave.

"...Um...Goodbye..."

But Goto Ichiri's reaction was somewhat strange. She seemed to want to say something but didn't dare to actually say it. After holding it in for a while, she turned around and ran away, not giving Takami a chance to find out what was going on.

Of course, even if he chased after him and asked, Ichiri would never be able to say what he wanted to say.

{How could I possibly ask to sleep at Mr. Hai's house tonight?}

Goto Ichiri felt like his brain was short-circuiting.

After a sleepless night, she realized that to get a good night's sleep, she had to sleep next to Takami. Just like during their previous time travel, the two of them would share a small room. At the beginning of that journey, Ichiri couldn't adapt to that situation at all, but after finally managing to adjust, she was now struggling to adjust to sleeping alone again. And clearly, the month-long break provided by the [Sacrifice Game] wasn't enough for Ichiri to readjust.

In other words, if you want to ensure that you have a normal sleep schedule and plenty of energy when the next dungeon opens, the best way is to return to your original sleep state, which is to sleep in the same room as Gao Hai.

But I couldn't bring myself to say it.

Goto Ichiri simply couldn't bring herself to make such a request.

In the end, the girl had no choice but to flee.

{Pochi-chan, what's wrong with her?}

Kita Ikuyo was also puzzled by this scene, but it wasn't the first time she had seen Goto Ichiri act this way—suddenly stopping, suddenly becoming frustrated, and then suddenly running away. Therefore, although she felt strange, she didn't do anything about it and simply kept her doubts to herself.

By this time, the sky was gradually darkening, and Gao Hai could already see those things that were very unpleasant to look at, wandering around in the sky and on the streets.

However, unlike before, Gao Hai can no longer simply regard these things as background textures. Especially after being informed of some information by [The Joker], he has developed a deep sense of apprehension towards these phantom-like creatures.

They seem unable to interact with the real world, yet conversely, nothing in the real world seems to be able to stop them. These things can go wherever they want, and if one day they become tangible entities and happen to appear beside me or someone I care about…

Is there any way to build a safe house to prevent these things from entering?

This thought arose in Gao Hai's mind.

ding dong -- ding dong --

But before Gao Hai could think it through, his phone call interrupted him.

It was Kaguya calling.

Line connected.

Takahashi quickly heard Kaguya's voice, which was feigning calmness but was actually very flustered, and she kept making up various excuses instead of getting to the point. However, because Takahashi already knew Kaguya very well, it didn't take long for him to realize that Kaguya was inviting him to her house for dinner, so he decisively interrupted Kaguya's riddle and said that he would be there shortly.

{Is Gao Hai going on another date? That voice on the phone just now... I don't recognize it. Is this his third prey?}

As for Kita Ikuyo, who overheard Kaguya's exclamations on the phone, she couldn't help but start thinking dirty thoughts again after seeing the smile on Takami's lips.

Interlude 3-50: Kaguya, as always, is a fool, and Takami is a hunter in disguise.

To be honest, Gao Hai really didn't expect such a scene before he came.

At least ten or more waitresses stood in two rows with serious expressions, standing like statues on both sides of the main dining room.

A large dining table, over 15 meters long, was covered with a layer of soft white silk. Various decorations that he didn't quite understand were placed on the table, along with plates of food that were purely for decoration and were not meant to be eaten.

Takami sat in the very center of the enormous dining table, with Kaguya beside him and Hayasaka, the head waitress, standing on his other side. Every so often, a servant would push in an equally ornately decorated trolley, lift the cover for Takami, and reveal... food that could usually be devoured in three bites at most. Hayasaka would then solemnly introduce the food, explaining how expensive the ingredients were, how exquisite the preparation was, and the cultural significance it contained, and so on.

During the more than one-hour meal, Gao Hai only ate less than 3% of his fill, and these dishes with numerous rare and legendary tags... well, he really didn't find anything special about them. Instead, the longer he waited, the hungrier he became, and since he couldn't really enjoy the food, he felt extremely frustrated.

However, looking at Kaguya's serious and earnest expression beside him, Takahashi couldn't bring himself to say anything that would spoil the mood. So he could only try his best to maintain a polite smile, saying "Wow, that's amazing!" after Hayasaka introduced the various expensive dishes, and "That's very good!" after finishing the food. As the dishes went by, Takahashi began to wonder if he was being transformed into a more thoroughly Japanese person through some kind of ritual.

However, while Gao Hai himself felt extremely helpless, an unseen bystander became excited.

Wow, this looks so high-end... Is this kaiseki cuisine? But it seems a bit different from the process I found online, and these dishes look incredibly elaborate! Fish caught directly in the Arctic and air-freighted within an hour, then immediately prepared—is this what they call high society?

Kita Ikuyo was extremely excited.

She really wanted to take out her phone, take pictures of every dish Gao Hai ate, and post them on WeChat Moments... Wait, Japan doesn't seem to have WeChat Moments. Here, it's more like posting something like Twitter or something.

Although Kita herself was excited by the seemingly sophisticated process, she didn't directly encourage Takami to take photos. After all, the current atmosphere wasn't suitable for randomly snapping pictures with a phone, and Kita knew how to read the mood. Even so, every time a new dish was served, her eyes would visibly light up. Takami could sense that the girl was using some kind of blessing, but he didn't know what blessing she used to create this special effect for taking photos.

"How is it, Mr. Gao? This is one of the three top-level banquet standards used by the Shinomiya family to entertain distinguished guests."

Kaguya asked with a light laugh as she poured Takami a cup of sake.

"Hmm, very good, I would say it's an eye-opener."

Gao Hai answered calmly.

But eating like this is so tiring.

Everyone around was tense, the atmosphere incredibly serious, it felt less like a meal and more like torture. And the portions were ridiculously small. If Gao Hai weren't a player and were just an ordinary man, he probably would have only eaten about half full. But now that he was a Red Moon level player, his digestive capacity and energy needs were far greater than the average person's. He had just felt about three-tenths full, but now Gao Hai suspected he was almost completely full, practically like he hadn't eaten anything at all.

Instead of eating this kind of food, I feel like I'd rather go to a barbecue restaurant and have some skewers...

Although he wanted to complain in his heart, Gao Hai's expression remained restrained, and he did not show any displeasure.

Kaguya didn't notice anything wrong, but Hayasaka quickly judged from Takami's overly restrained actions and expressions that he probably didn't enjoy the meal, realizing that his young lady's hospitality might have backfired.

So, as I said before, don't complicate things so much. The master is clearly a very easygoing and carefree person. Miss, why are you forcing him to play the aristocratic games of the Shinomiya family's upper echelons? How could he possibly be happy about that?

Hayasaka Ai was helpless.

Her initial suggestion to Kaguya was to book a small private room for two at a high-end hotel and create a romantic atmosphere for a candlelight dinner.

While this approach might seem a bit cliché, Hayasaka believes that dealing with someone like Takami requires a simple, straightforward, and direct approach. If the romantic atmosphere is created, the relationship will naturally progress in a positive direction.

However, Kaguya rejected the suggestion almost without hesitation.

"What do you mean by a romantic candlelight dinner? If I invite Taka-kun like this, wouldn't it make me seem like I desperately want to confess my feelings to him, making me appear like a casual, lustful, and unsatisfied girl? Love should be serious and dignified. That's right, I should be showcasing my current strength as the head of the Shinomiya family, letting Taka-kun truly experience my charm! Let's go with the three highest-level diplomatic banquets of the Shinomiya family, choosing the one with the strongest ceremony and the most complex procedures!"

Kaguya spoke with a proud expression, and if she had a tail, Hayasaka was certain that it would have been held high at that moment.

So why did my once cautious, cold, and rational young lady turn into such an idiot when it comes to matters of love?

Hayasaka Ai was so helpless that she wanted to let out a long sigh on the spot.

Finally, as the cooking process ended, Kaguya, who hadn't found any problems, remained incredibly proud; Kita, who had enjoyed the feast for the eyes, was overjoyed; Takami, starving, began considering what to eat for a midnight snack; and Hayasaka, after the other servants left, finally turned away and sighed. It was a case of some rejoicing while others grieved, their reactions and thoughts quite different.

Next, according to the plan, Kaguya or Hayasaka would suggest that Takami stay overnight at the Shinomiya house, and then take the opportunity to do something to get closer to her.

Hayasaka figured that Takami would most likely agree, so she started thinking about when she could sneak out of the mansion to buy Takami a large late-night snack. If the young lady found out that she was cooking in the mansion, she would easily realize that her good intentions had not yielded a good result. Therefore, Hayasaka wanted to solve Takami's meal problem as unnoticed as possible.

However, she quickly realized she didn't need to worry about such a problem at all, because the young lady hadn't even had a chance to bring up the topic of staying overnight. She had only chatted with Gao Hai for less than ten minutes after dinner when her stomach growled. After all, Kaguya herself was now a seasoned player in terms of physical strength. If Gao Hai couldn't get enough to eat, how could she possibly be full? She just didn't realize it right away because she usually ate so little.

"Well, since Kaguya has taken me to try one kind of specialty food, how about I take you to try another one?"

Having found a reason, Takahashi extended an invitation on the spot and took Kaguya's hand, indicating that they should go together.

"Hey...hey...okay..."

As for Kaguya, who originally had many plans that she hadn't yet implemented, well, she no longer knows what a plan is.

They're getting dumber and dumber.

Hayasaka wanted to laugh out loud at Kaguya's expression, but Takami immediately walked up to her.

"Xiao Ai, you've been standing here for so long, you must be craving something to eat, right? Let's go together, don't be shy."

Holding one person in each hand, Gao Hai moved forward without further ado.

He didn't care at all that Kaguya and Hayasaka came from upper-class families, and took them directly to a self-service barbecue restaurant. He ate his fill while helping the two of them cut, grill, and prepare the meat and seasonings. There were no problems, and the three of them finished happily together.

Kita once again showed a surprised expression. She had originally thought that Takami was having an affair with this woman named Shinomiya Kaguya, but now it seemed that Kaguya's personal maid was also one of his prey. A master-servant relationship? Is this some kind of feudal era setting where a married woman and her dowry maid are involved? Just how many women is this man entangled with? How many prey does he currently hunt, and how many prey does he plan to hunt? Thinking of this, the red-haired girl felt a deep sense of fear.

Interlude 3-51: Overnight stay, forum news, and arrivals.

Late at night.

Unlike the nights in the ghost story instance, there is no suffocating chill, and no eerie creatures lurking in the shadows, ready to leap out and take lives at any moment.

Such a quiet and safe night was extremely precious to Gao Hai, so precious that it made him feel somewhat emotional.

Incidentally, Gao Hai is not currently at home.

Yes, that's right, he ended up staying overnight at the Shinomiya residence. This was a very normal and natural development; even if Kaguya herself hadn't suggested he stay, Takami would definitely have stayed tonight anyway. After all… Ai had been waiting for him for a long time.

"There's been a significant change compared to last time."

Gao Hai's gaze swept over the guest room in front of him, and then he said in a low voice.

{Last time?}

Kita Ikuyo, who was curiously looking around the room, heard Takami's voice and turned to look at him.

"Yes, I stayed in this room once before."

Gao Hai was referring to the time he rested in this guest room after he cracked the Zaoli Elementary School dungeon.

He remembered the last time he came to this room; it was sparsely decorated, a typical simple and elegant guest room in the Shinomiya family's style. This time, however, Gao Hai found that the room had clearly been renovated. The flooring and wallpaper had been replaced, and the style was warmer, softer, and more modern. It also featured decorations reminiscent of Gao Hai's home game room, such as various game consoles and equipment. Judging from the models and styles chosen, Gao Hai guessed that someone knowledgeable in the field had assembled it themselves.

Clearly, this wasn't Kaguya's arrangement, or at least not something Kaguya herself orchestrated in detail. Takahashi guessed it was Hayasaka's arrangement; only she had secretly followed and investigated him, thus possessing a deep understanding of his preferences and remembering what was in his house.

However, because his body has been further strengthened, Gao Hai estimates that he can now say goodbye to a considerable number of games.

{Hmm, you've only slept here once...}

Kita Ikuyo's expression became somewhat subtle after hearing Takami's words. Based on what she had seen earlier—Takami being entertained by Kaguya, their rather casual conversation afterward, and the way he secretly patted the blonde maid named Hayasaka Ai's butt—Kita guessed that Takami had actually turned this mansion into one of his secret bases, and that every maid here, along with the mistress Shinomiya Kaguya, were Takami's lackeys. But now this man was saying that this was only his second time spending the night here.

It feels a bit unbelievable, but oh well, it has nothing to do with me.

Kita, who is naturally optimistic and easy-going, quickly shifted his attention to the various furnishings in the house and even went through the wall to look at the decorations in the next room and the hallway.

Gao Hai turned on his computer, logged into his game account, and ignored Kita, who was observing everything like a curious child. He quickly noticed that all the games he had played at home had the same save progress here, so he could continue playing. Hayasaka had also left a small note next to the computer, indicating that Gao Hai's saves here would also be synced to his home computer, unlike some nonsensical cloud saves that were essentially useless.

That's really thoughtful.

Gao Hai sighed inwardly for a moment, but although the configuration here was quite good, the key settings and keyboard layout were still different from those at Gao Hai's home. Therefore, he didn't play for too long, only briefly trying it out before quickly closing the game and opening the player forum.

Yes, the forum was buzzing today.

As a Red Moon-level dungeon with a large number of core players and very distinct regional divisions, [Campus Ghost Stories] has attracted many Red Moon-level player teams to explore it. In the initial stage of its opening, this dungeon also experienced several wipeouts for pioneering teams.

But now all of them have come back.

Although these resurrected individuals themselves don't understand what happened and can't give others a reasonable explanation, the undeniable fact is that they have returned.