The gondola swayed gently as it ascended, carrying Kaguya and Takakai higher into the sky.
Her heartbeat accelerated.
She kept her gaze lowered, avoiding eye contact with the man across from her.
Without Hayasaka's covert support, without any witnesses—she was utterly alone with him. The realization sent her pulse into overdrive, her heart threatening to leap from her throat.
What do I do now?
Panic set in.
Faced with this uncontrolled, unfamiliar situation, Kaguya couldn't steady her nerves.
What will Hiro-kun do to me?
A man so blunt about his desires, so unrestrained—what would he attempt in this isolated space?
Memories surfaced: the photos and videos Hayasaka had sneakily captured of Takakai's dates with Maki and Chika.
Those intimate, blush-inducing acts… Would he do them tome?
Her legs pressed together tightly.
It was terrifying.
Even now, as Takakai sat motionless, her unease refused to fade.
Yet intertwined with the fear was… curiosity.
If hedoestry something… should I play along?
If I don't resist… what would happen?
...A part of mewantsto find out.
Her restless feet fidgeted slightly.
Unaware of her inner turmoil, Takakai studied the view outside before finally turning to her.
"How's your recovery?"
"Eh? Recovery?"
The question caught her off-guard.
"Hayasaka's still struggling with post-canine side effects. You were transformed shorter, but it's the same phenomenon. Any lingering issues?"
His gaze was earnest.
"O-Oh! I'm fine! N-Nothing like Hayasaka's problems. I adjusted right after reverting."
His concern soothed her fluster—though a faint disappointment lingered.
(She lied.
While her symptoms weren't as severe as Hayasaka's, they were disruptive. Only sheer willpower let her mask them in public.
Nights, however, were another story.
Sleepwear had become impossible.
But admitting that? Never. Like Maki's tsundere pride, Kaguya had her own stubborn, competitive streak. Such vulnerabilities went to the grave unspoken.)
"Good. Because our next mission's confirmed."
Takakai's tone shifted, all business.
"The Market, [Red Covenant], and [Loafing Guild] are jointly entering [Yoruyama Middle School]—the remaining zone of [School Horror Tales]. We're rescuing trapped Crimson Moon players and locating that dollhouse that likely isn't in [Fujisaki Academy]. It'll be brutal, but I'm bringing our whole team. We need that power boost, and no one gets left behind."
Kaguya straightened, her earlier shyness replaced by focus.
A rescue op in [Yoruyama], plus Hiro-kun's own restrictions… Meaning he must destroy its core Obsession, further dismantling this pseudo-Crimson Moon dungeon.
Nothing about this will be easy.
In fact, since meeting him, she'd never seen Takakai face a simple, straightforward game.
Hardship after hardship. Trial after trial.
Her own past troubles—those melancholic memories—paled in comparison to his battles against death itself.
Yet through it all, he smiled. Unbroken. As if no burden could ever crush him.
Kaguya froze.
A flashback: Takakai's failed kiss-stealing attempt in the ruins of [Shirakawa Apartments].
Back then, she'd surprised even herself by kissing his cheek instead of reprimanding him for disloyalty to Maki.
Sothat'swhy…
Her eyes widened slightly.
That unyielding light—laughing in death's face, joking despite the abyss—that was what drew me in.
That brilliance let me overlook his flaws. Because the radiance itself was worth chasing.
"I'll give everything to support you, Hiro-kun."
Her voice was steady.
"That eager? Even with me dragging everyone into danger?"
Amusement tinged his words—but beneath it, she detected the tension.
He wasn't entirely confident in this decision. Duty had overruled doubt, but the weight remained.
"Of course. We're a team, Hiro-kun."
A soft smile curved her lips.
"Danger was inevitable the moment we became players."
"Meeting you, fighting alongside you… That alone is luck."
"Whatever comes, I believe you'll lead us through. And I'll strive to be someone you can rely on."
Her eloquence faltered, the sentiment clumsier than intended.
Yet Takakai listened silently, never laughing.
Only after she finished did his expression ease into a warm, genuine smile.
He took her hand.
Leaning close, his forehead nearly touching hers, he whispered:
"Then… Will you go out with me, Kaguya?"
BOOM.
Kaguya's mind flatlined.
She gaped at him, his grin inches away—close enough to kiss.
"W-W-Was that a confession?! Hiro-kun, d-did you just—?!"
Her face burned scarlet.
"Yep. I like you, Kaguya. A lot. So? Wanna try dating?"
No hesitation.
The Shinomiya heiress—her meticulously crafted plans obliterated—could only emit a high-pitched squeak.
Minutes later, when the gondola docked, Kaguya bolted before the attendant could open the door, her face aflame as she fled into the crowd.
Takakai, still seated, blinked.
"Is… this a Shinomiya-Shijō genetic trait?"
(After his confession, she'd frozen for five straight minutes—then shattered the door in her escape.)
Did she agree or not? Was this a win or a fail?
Abandoned mid-ferris-wheel, Takakai had no answers.