Chapter 8: The Genius That Is Chika Fujiwara
The soft, bouncy sensation of impact against his back... or not.
For one, Kaguya had braced her hands against Natsuki's back to keep her distance. Even if she had crashed into him, he wouldn't have felt a thing.
Flat as a board—need he say more?
"Sandwich, complete!"
Chika's triumphant voice rang out from behind him.
What sandwich?! You're just using me as a human shield!
"Kaguya-chan, you can sneeze now," Chika said, still hugging Kaguya from behind. "Don't worry, we've got your back."
Kaguya's lips trembled slightly as the urge to sneeze grew unbearable. Finally, she gave in, pressing her forehead against Natsuki's back.
And then...
"Achoo~"
The tiny, restrained sneeze reached his ears, and Natsuki's mood turned oddly complicated. It reminded him of a kitten trying not to wake its sleeping owner—unexpectedly adorable.
If their classmates heard this, they'd probably clutch their chests and scream:
"AWSL!"
"So cute!"
"The Ice Princess's voice is this adorable?! I can't—my nose is bleeding!"
"..."
Time resumed its flow.
As the daruma doll turned away again, the players and ghostly students began moving once more.
"Kaguya was super cute just now," Chika gushed, her eyes sparkling. "I want to hear it again."
Kaguya had already regained her composure, her face blank as she replied coldly:
"There won't be a next time. Give it up."
Natsuki glanced over and saw the words floating above Kaguya's head:
[Ahhhh! I made such an embarrassing noise! Maybe I should just silence them both...]
And here he and Chika had gone out of their way to sandwich her between them for protection! And this is how you repay us?! You heartless witch!
"Aww, come on!" Chika pouted in disappointment. "Amanomiya-kun, don't you want to hear it again?"
"Not at all."
"Boys should be honest about their desires. Playing hard to get won't make you popular, you know."
The price of hearing it again would be getting silenced—of course he'd play hard to get!
In any case, thanks to the inexplicable hints, Natsuki successfully guided his two teammates through the game of Red Light, Green Light without major incident.
"We made it!"
Chika patted her chest in relief, exhaling deeply. The movement caused her ample bosom to bounce slightly, exerting an inexplicable gravitational pull that warped Natsuki's line of sight.
"It's too early to relax," Kaguya said coolly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Her expression was as unreadable as ever, her tone as frigid as always. "We still have two more challenges to clear before we can return to reality. Stay alert."
The title of Ice Princess was well-earned—assuming one ignored the text bubbles above her head.
[Scared scared scared... Hayasaka Hayasaka Hayasaka, save meeeee!]
Natsuki turned to look behind them. The schoolyard was now shrouded in a thick gray mist. After a moment's thought, he said:
"Let's follow this path for now. We might find something."
"Amanomiya-kun, thank you for earlier." Chika clasped her hands together earnestly. "I'll treat you to snacks when we get back."
Hey, hey—shouldn't a life-saving favor be repaid with something like, "I can never repay you, so I'll offer myself instead"?!
Snacks are way too cheap!
"By the way, Amanomiya-kun," Chika leaned in closer, her bright, curious eyes filled with intrigue, "how were you able to predict exactly when the daruma would turn around?"
The sweet, floral scent of her perfume—mixed with a faint milky aroma—wafted into his nose. Natsuki took a subtle step back.
"You're too close, Fujiwara-san."
"Ehe~ Sorry!"
Chika raised her right hand, tilting her head slightly as she lightly tapped her own forehead.
Natsuki sighed. "What does 'ehe' even mean?"
Chika grinned and repeated the gesture. "It means 'ehe,' of course."
"..."
Natsuki interlaced his fingers, deep in thought. "It's because I'm smart enough to have figured out the hidden rules."
The fact that he could see those strange text bubbles was something even he didn't understand yet, so of course he'd keep it to himself.
That said, hidden rules did exist. One of the unfortunate veteran players had mentioned it earlier—though said player was now very much deceased.
"Eh? What hidden rules?" Chika blinked, confused. "I didn't notice anything."
"It's probably the flag on the field."
Kaguya, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. "Earlier, everyone's attention was on the daruma, but the flag on the field would flutter just before the doll turned around... even though there was no wind."
"Shinomiya-san, you're sharp." Natsuki looked at her in surprise.
Human observation wasn't as keen as one might think. Most people could only focus on one thing at a time. For example, if you watched a short video of a girl in a crop top and hot pants dancing, showing off her toned abs, and someone later asked you what her earrings looked like, nine out of ten guys wouldn't have a clue.
"Kaguya-chan, you're amazing!"
Chika's eyes sparkled with admiration. "I didn't even notice there was a flag!"
"..."
Before long, a signpost appeared by the roadside.
"Let's check it out."
The three approached the worn, weathered sign, its surface cracked from years of exposure. Directions were scrawled in dark red, blood-like letters:
[Cafeteria]
[Exam Hall]
[Schoolyard]
[Infirmary]
[Main Building]
[Swimming Pool]
[Music Room]
"It's the Seven Mysteries of the School," Chika murmured, her voice hushed. "Amanomiya-kun, where should we go?"
"I don't know." Natsuki shook his head.
It was just an ordinary road sign. Natsuki stared at it for a moment, but no hints appeared.
Chika sighed in disappointment. "If only we could ask for directions."
But this was a school of vengeful spirits—the entire campus was filled with them. Was asking a vengeful spirit for directions really a good idea?
The school was eerily silent, cold and desolate. Not a single wandering spirit could be seen on the path. Even if they wanted to ask for directions, there was no one to ask.
"Let me think for a moment..."
Chika pressed two fingers against her temples, closed her eyes like a psychic, and began muttering indistinctly under her breath.
"Ah, I've decided!" Chika quickly opened her eyes, the black ribbons at her temples swaying lightly as she announced cheerfully, "Let's go to the cafeteria."
"Any reason?"
Natsuki looked at her curiously. Did this Fujiwara have some kind of special ability, just like him?
Chika grinned. "Because the cafeteria is the closest—it's right ahead. No need to turn, just walk straight and we'll get there."
"..."
Natsuki twitched the corner of his mouth.
Fujiwara-san, you really are a genius.