KamiKowa: That Time I Got Transmigrated With A Broken Goddess-Chapter 92: [] Never Have I Ever... Regretted This

October 7, 9:28am

Xavier leaned his head against the bus window, watching the San Francisco cityscape gradually thin out into suburbs. Class 1-D had finally made it to the mainland after the ferry ride, only to be herded onto a rented coach bus for another three-hour journey to Mount Eddy. The luxury vehicle—with its plush seats, personal climate controls, and entertainment screens—seemed excessive for a one-day field trip for fifteen students.

"This academy doesn’t skimp, does it?" Xavier muttered to no one in particular.

"Crystal money," Naomi Phillips replied from beside him. She’d claimed the window seat earlier but had since shifted toward the middle, leaving a thin gap of space between them. "Hunter schools make bank. You should see what Vanguard spends on their facilities."

Xavier hadn’t planned on sitting with Naomi. He’d expected to be paired with Calypso as usual, but she’d been practically kidnapped by Selena and Margaret the moment they boarded. They’d dragged her to seats midway through the bus, leaving Xavier to fend for himself. Naomi had materialized beside him seconds later, sliding into the row.

Now she sat beside him, dressed in a thin cashmere sweater that did nothing for warmth but everything for her figure. Her bronze skin practically glowed against the pale blue fabric, and her long black hair fell in a perfect curtain down her back. A folded blanket sat in her lap, still unopened.

"Did you get any sleep on the ferry?" she asked, turning toward him.

"No." Xavier shifted in his seat. "You?"

"An hour, maybe." Naomi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing a row of small gold earrings that climbed the curve of her lobe. "Not enough."

At the front of the bus, Professor Valdez stood, her blue hair pulled into a severe bun. "Listen up. We’ll arrive at the GGA containment facility in approximately three hours. I expect you all to use this time wisely—review the gate classification materials, prepare your equipment, or rest. This will be your first exposure to an actual gate, even a controlled one. Be ready."

Professor Fox appeared beside her, smiling. "What Luna means is, have fun but don’t be stupid. This is still class time."

As the teachers settled into their seats, conversation resumed throughout the bus. Xavier glanced forward, spotting Ashley in the front row. She’d chosen to sit alone, her head resting against the window, apparently still tired from their early start.

"So," Naomi said, leaning slightly closer, "Xavi."

"So."

"I’m freezing." She ran her hands up her arms for emphasis. "Professor Valdez warned us about the weather, but I thought the bus would be warmer."

"That’s what the blanket’s for," Xavier replied, nodding toward her lap.

Naomi’s lips curled into a smile. "But you’re so much warmer."

She shifted closer, her thigh pressing against his. Xavier didn’t move away, but he didn’t encourage her either.

"You could have dressed for the weather," he pointed out.

"Layers don’t show off my figure." Naomi unfolded the blanket, draping it over both their laps.

Xavier watched her hands smooth the blanket over their legs. Her nails were perfectly manicured, painted a deep burgundy that matched her lipstick.

"I’m not giving you my jacket," Xavier said before she could ask.

Naomi laughed. "Mind reader now, are we?"

"Just very experienced."

"With women like me?"

"With people who want something."

Her smile widened. "And what do you think I want, Xavi?"

Xavier met her gaze directly. Her eyes were dark brown, almost black, with flecks of gold near the pupils.

"That’s the question, isn’t it?" Xavier said, tilting his head slightly. "What does Naomi Phillips want?"

Before she could answer, Beppo’s voice rang out from several rows ahead. "Hey! Let’s play a game to pass the time!"

Luka’s booming response followed immediately. "Yes! Games make journey faster!"

"What kind of game?" Margaret asked.

"Boys versus girls!" Beppo declared. "We could do trivia about hunter history, or—"

"Truth or dare," Naomi called out, not taking her eyes off Xavier.

"On a bus?" Alexander asked from somewhere in the middle. "That limits the dares considerably."

"Truth or dare is for sleepovers," Kyrie scoffed. "Let’s do something with actual stakes."

"Like what?" Selena’s cool voice cut through the chatter.

"Like whoever loses has to do the winners’ homework for a week," Kyrie suggested.

More debate followed, with various students shouting suggestions. Xavier tuned them out, still focused on Naomi. She hadn’t moved away, and under the blanket, her hand had come to rest lightly on his knee.

"You didn’t answer my question," Xavier said quietly.

Naomi tilted her head. "About what I want?"

"Yes."

"Maybe I just want to be warm." She leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear. "Or maybe I just like you, Xavi."

Xavier didn’t react visibly to her touch or her words. His Soul Bond with Naomi stood at only 6%—minimal compared to his connection with Calypso or even Luka. Whatever game Naomi was playing, genuine attraction wasn’t the primary motivation.

"We settled on Never Have I Ever!" Beppo announced to the bus. "Boys versus girls! Five fingers up, first team to lose all fingers loses!"

Students began rearranging themselves, clustering into gender groups. Calypso caught Xavier’s eye from where she sat with Margaret and Selena, raising an eyebrow at his proximity to Naomi. Xavier gave her a small shrug in response.

"Coming to join the girls’ team?" Margaret called to Naomi.

"In a minute," Naomi replied, not moving from Xavier’s side. "We’re comfortable." freēnovelkiss.com

Ah, so this is a performance then.

Naomi wanted to be seen with him, wanted others to wonder what was happening beneath their shared blanket. The question was why.

"You should join your team," Xavier said.

"Trying to get rid of me already?" Naomi pouted.

"Just giving you the chance to win. I’m very good at Never Have I Ever."

"I bet you are." Naomi’s hand squeezed his knee once before she withdrew it. "Fine, I’ll play. But I’m keeping the blanket."

She stood, taking the blanket with her, and moved to join the girls’ cluster. As she passed Kyrie’s seat, Xavier noticed the other boy’s eyes follow her, narrowing slightly.

Xavier joined the boys’ group, settling into a seat beside Luka and Alexander.

"Remember, five fingers up. Put one down if you’ve done the thing. Team with the last person still having fingers wins!"

The game began simply enough, with basic statements like "Never have I ever failed a test" (several fingers went down on both sides) and "Never have I ever been to Island Three" (only a few students had visited the industrial section of Nexus Point).

As the bus wound its way north through California, the questions grew more personal and provocative. When Selena said "Never have I ever kissed someone I shouldn’t have," Xavier put a finger down, thinking of Calypso.

Three hours passed quickly with the game and subsequent conversations. Xavier started relaxing despite his earlier unease. These were just normal teenagers on a field trip, excited about seeing a real gate for the first time. Their enthusiasm was contagious, even to someone with his jaded perspective.

The bus began to climb into the mountains, the road narrowing as it wound upward. Outside, pine trees crowded close to the pavement, their branches heavy with morning dew. The temperature dropped noticeably, and students began pulling on jackets and hats.

Naomi returned to her seat beside Xavier as they neared their destination, the blanket wrapped tightly around her shoulders.

"Still cold?" Xavier asked.

"Freezing." She pulled the blanket tighter. "The girls won, by the way."

"I saw that. Congratulations."

"Your doing my homework for a week." Naomi nudged him with her elbow. "I have a gate theory paper due Monday."

Xavier smiled. "I don’t recall agreeing to those stakes."

"Too late now."

The bus rounded a curve, and suddenly the trees opened up to reveal a view of Mount Eddy rising before them. The mountain’s peak was still capped with snow, gleaming white against the blue sky. At its base, they could see a complex of buildings surrounded by a high fence topped with crystal-enhanced security measures.

Professor Valdez stood again. "We’re approaching the facility. Remember, this is a controlled environment, but that doesn’t mean it’s without risk. Follow all instructions from GGA personnel. Stay with your assigned partners. Do not touch anything without permission."

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