Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1606 - 1604: Rural Tour Performance (Eating Kuri, Gnawing Kuri, Biting Kuri)

Early the next morning, before the sky had even lightened, everyone gathered at the office with their bags in hand, ready to depart for this work’s location - Koushomura.

Ideally, they should have headed to the destination a day earlier and rested well for a night.

Unfortunately, the previous promotional material shoot had depleted the last of the office’s petty cash, leaving them without a budget for group lodging. Thus, everyone had to gather at the office at the crack of dawn in the biting, chilly spring wind with their large bags, ready to hit the road.

The only vehicle the office could provide was a normal van, just enough to seat everyone, one more person and they risk a ticket for overloading... Of course, with this kind of van, don’t expect too much comfort either.

"This is our first concert..."

"Yeah, yeah, I’m so excited right now..."

As they packed up, the girls chatted excitedly and nervously. Watching these overwhelmingly thrilled girls in front of him, Fang Zheng shook his head and turned to Ritsuko beside him.

"They don’t know where they are going, do they?"

"No, I’ve already explained... Is there a problem?"

"The problem is... never mind, judging by your look, you don’t know either."

Seeing the clueless expression on Ritsuko’s face, Fang Zheng sighed helplessly. From the girls’ excited and expectant looks, he could guess what they were thinking. To them, holding a concert in the countryside surely meant magnificent views of lush green hills and clear waters. This was normal; children raised in the city would immediately think of beautiful scenery and cute animals, plus the green fields, when going out to the countryside.

Well... reality is always harsh.

When they hit the bumpy dirt roads and face the shabby equipment and facilities, it would be an entirely different story.

Fang Zheng knew well what the countryside in Japan was like; after all, he had lived in Hinamizawa for a year and experienced rural life in Japan. To be honest, villages like Koushomura weren’t anything spectacular, but... forget it, just consider it a countryside performance tour, and they should get some training too.

But before that, it’s necessary to prepare well.

Thinking of this, Fang Zheng opened the rear door and looked towards Xuebu, who was chatting with Makoto and Haruka in the back seat.

"Xuebu."

"-----------!"

Hearing Fang Zheng’s voice, Xuebu was startled and instantly leaned towards the opposite direction, pushing the unprepared Haruka and Makoto into the corner of the car.

"P-Producer..."

Fang Zheng remained calm in the face of Xuebu’s reaction. He just stared at Xuebu and spoke.

"Are you ready for today’s mini LIVE?"

"Ah... yes!"

Talking about work, at least gave Xuebu a little courage.

"I-I’m ready."

"Really?"

Hearing Xuebu’s answer, Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow.

"I must tell you in advance... There will be men in the mini LIVE’s audience, and quite a few."

"----------!!"

At this, Xuebu’s face turned pale instantly, even a bit ashen.

Just as expected.

Seeing Xuebu’s expression, as if she’d just received a death sentence, Fang Zheng shook his head. This little girl must have been looking forward to the concert, thinking about all kinds of things but forgetting the most important matter... However, now at least she has a bit of mental preparation.

Fang Zheng gave Haruka and Makoto a look, signaling them to comfort Xuebu, and they understood, nodding. Xuebu’s androphobia was well-known at agency 765, and everyone had been too caught up in the joy of their first job to react. Remembering it now, they realized it was a big problem that naturally needed addressing.

After reminding Xuebu, Fang Zheng didn’t say more. Once everyone was in the vehicle, he double-checked their gear, then drove off.

"Alright, is everyone seated and secured?"

Sitting in the van, Fang Zheng asked, and upon hearing this, Sora hastily fastened her seatbelt silently. Meanwhile, the other girls raised their hands joyfully and responded loudly.

"Ready!"

Watching the girls beside her, Sora shook her head slightly, then tightened her seatbelt.

"I advise you all to be mentally prepared."

"Eh?"

Hearing Sora’s words, the girls were puzzled.

"Mentally prepa... Ahhh---!!"

But before they could finish speaking, the van shot forward at lightning speed!

Fang Zheng’s driving skills were impeccable, covering what would normally take three hours in just one to reach the destination.

However, once Fang Zheng hit the brakes, before he could say anything, the girls hurriedly pulled open the door and scrambled out.

"I-I thought we were going to die..."

Minase Iori clutched her bunny doll tightly, gasping like a survivor from a battlefield. Haruka wasn’t much better, collapsing onto the ground as soon as she stepped out due to her wobbly legs.

But not everyone felt the same.

"That was awesome!"

Kikuchi Makoto jumped out of the van, pumping her fists with excitement.

"That was more thrilling than a rollercoaster!"

"Exactly, exactly!"

The twins followed suit, jumping and laughing.

"Who would’ve thought the little big brother is such a skilled driver? We want to ride again next time!"

"I absolutely don’t want to ride again..."

Kisaragi Chihaya held onto the car door, swaying as she climbed out, unable to resist commenting. Sitting by the window left her with vivid memories; in the city, Fang Zheng exercised restraint, but on the mountain roads, it felt like flying. Even at bends, he didn’t slow down; several times Chihaya thought they’d crash off the mountain road...

As an urban girl, this was the closest she had ever felt to death.

So close, almost ten centimeters away.

Especially thinking about having to ride this van back...

Chihaya felt she had lost the will to live.

"Alright, alright, rest up and prepare to unload."

In contrast, Sora seemed calm and composed. This wasn’t her first time in a van driven by Fang Zheng and she had her own method—get in, fasten the seatbelt, then close her eyes as if nothing was happening.

As long as she couldn’t see anything, nothing was happening.

The other one who seemed unaffected was Meixi—she’d fallen asleep as soon as she got in and hadn’t woken up until now, oblivious to what was happening outside.

"Ugh..........."

Xuebu was in a daze, supported by Makoto as they disembarked; otherwise, Xuebu wouldn’t have managed on her own. As she began to come to her senses, a burly man in a white vest approached them, smiling brightly.

"Hey, you all must be from agency 765, welcome to Koushomura."

".............."

Seeing the robust man before her, Xuebu’s mind went blank.