Chapter 5: The Decisive Battle
Part 1
In the recent ball game tournament, our class—1st Year A of Tenjoin Academy—emerged victorious in both the boys' and girls' divisions. As a reward, we received tickets to Wonder Festival Land, one of Japan's premier theme parks.
Using these tickets, I, along with Kagehito, and Otoha, aka "the thieving cat," decided to go out together.
…To be honest, I’d rather go with just Kagehito. That would undoubtedly be the best scenario.
But, anticipating Otoha's actions, I took precautions, and so it was decided that the three of us would go together. Still, this is, in essence, a theme park date.
For most things, I can compromise. However, when it comes to a theme park date, there’s no room for concessions. I want the absolute best outcome.
"Last time, I lost to Kagehito too…"
I had gathered the courage to ask for a reward, but in the end, I was countered and defeated by him. Considering that the "thieving cat" will continue to appear in the future, I really want to press my advantage here.
"………"
After organizing my thoughts and steeling myself, I picked up my smartphone. Just as I was about to make a call, an incoming call came through. The name on the screen read Habataki Otoha. I was about to call her, but I never expected her to call me first.
“What is it? Shouldn’t you go to bed early to prepare for tomorrow?”
"We need to talk. I figured you were thinking the same thing."
"…I see. I was just about to get in touch with you too."
Apparently, she had no intention of quietly going along with my plans.
"Tomorrow’s date. We both want to have some alone time with Kagehito."
"…Fine. But I’ll be the one to set the rules."
"That’s my line. Let’s start by—"
After that, we exchanged opinions and finalized the rules.
Of course, I had prepared in advance, but it seemed Otoha had also come up with her own sly ideas beforehand. It took less than five minutes to settle everything.
"…I’ve sent you the rules in writing. Please confirm them."
"…Confirmed. No issues."
"Now the only thing left is deciding who goes first."
"..."
A brief silence. In my mind, I imagined two samurai facing each other, swords drawn, each waiting for the other to make the first move.
"…Let’s decide on the count of three."
"Agreed."
"One, two…"
"First." "Second."
Another moment of silence. But this wasn’t like the previous one, where we were gauging each other’s intentions. It felt more like Otoha was trying to decipher my reasoning.
"Oh my. Are you so surprised that I’d let you take the lead?"
"Not really. Hoshine tends to think she’s attacking but ends up playing defensively."
"………………………………"
Just the other day, I thought I was making a bold move, only to end up at Kagehito’s mercy thanks to one of his little “tricks.”
"…Well. I suppose? Maybe I’ve been, just a little bit, spinning my wheels up until now."
"A little…?"
"Hey, no raising your eyebrows at me."
No doubt, she was tilting her head in that adorable way, her lovely face alight with curiosity.
It was easy to imagine just how charming and beautiful her expression must have been.
"Sorry to disappoint, but I’m always ahead of the curve. Always leading the way."
"If you say so."
There was a bit of bravado in my words, but it wasn’t entirely unfounded.
Up until now, I’ve tried many different ways to approach Kagehito. Yet every single one ended in failure—or more accurately, in me being outmaneuvered. That’s why I’ve decided to change my tactics. To adjust my methods.
If striking first didn’t work, then I’ll deliberately wait for my chance and strike from behind.
I’ll take control by moving second.
"This is a match. Let’s do it fair and square."
"I wouldn’t have it any other way."
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
"Eh? I’m going by myself…?"
"That’s right."
It was the day the three of us—the Young Lady, Otoha, and I—were supposed to go to Wonder Festival Land.
During breakfast, the Young Lady suddenly dropped this unexpected statement, leaving me wide-eyed in surprise.
"But Young Lady, you’ve been looking forward to this outing too, haven’t you?"
"Don’t misunderstand. I’ll be joining you in the afternoon… after all, I’m taking the second turn."
"…? I’m not sure I follow, but if you’ll be coming later, I’ll let Otoha-san know and—"
"There’s no need. I’ve already informed Otoha."
"When did that happen?"
"Last night. Just for a bit."
It really was a classic case of “when did that even happen?”
"…What? You look oddly pleased."
"Not at all. I just thought it was nice to see you and Otoha-san getting along."
"……………………"
She gave me an expression so nuanced that words could hardly describe it.
"Anyway, you go ahead to the meeting place. I’ll join you in the afternoon."
And with that, here I was.
I left the estate first and headed for the meeting place in front of the station.
Being a weekend, the area was crowded. Normally, this place is filled with students in their uniforms, but today, it was mostly people in casual clothes.
"…Kagehito."
A soft, bell-like voice called my name, and I couldn’t help but turn around.
"Good morning, Otoha-san."
"Good morning. …And sorry to keep you waiting."
"Not at all. I just got here myself."
"…There’s still an hour until the meeting time. Why are you here so early, Kagehito?"
"Ahaha, I’ve been looking forward to today, so I guess I got a little overexcited."
"…You’ve been looking forward to it, huh."
"Of course. Spending a day off with someone like you, Otoha-san? Anyone would look forward to it."
I’m sure even the Young Lady had been looking forward to it, too.
"…Yeah. I’ve been looking forward to going out with you, Kagehito."
"I’m glad to hear that."
Today, Otoha-san was wearing a hat, her hair neatly tied back, and a pair of non-prescription glasses. Even though she’s on a break from her career, she’s still a celebrity. It was probably a disguise.
"It’s the first time I’ve seen you in casual clothes since that other weekend, Otoha-san, and your outfit today is just as stunning. Even though it’s part of your disguise, you’ve managed to incorporate your cool and sophisticated style seamlessly. It’s impressive."
"…Thank you. That makes me happy."
She smiled gently, genuinely pleased, her expression soft and warm.
She must have truly been looking forward to today. It’s a shame the Young Lady had something urgent come up and couldn’t join us right away. I still don’t know what the sudden matter was, even though I tried asking.
If it had been something I could handle, I would’ve gladly taken care of it in her place.
"My apologies. I believe you’ve already been informed, but the Young Lady had something urgent come up today…"
"…It’s fine. I’m going first, after all."
"…? Uh, right…"
First? Second? The Young Lady and Otoha-san seem to have some sort of unspoken understanding today. I have no idea what their words mean, though.
"Oh, that’s right. Otoha-san, would you mind waiting here for a moment?"
"Hm? What’s going on?"
"I have something I need to take care of. I’ll be back shortly."
"…Alright."
Alright, then. First, I’ll need to contact my colleagues who serve the Tendou family… Since the Young Lady will be joining us partway through, I’ll deal with this quickly and get back to the outing.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
"Today’s my lucky day," the man chuckled to himself from the shadows.
By sheer coincidence, he happened to pass by and saw a girl who looked like the retired songstress Habataki Otoha. No, it wasn’t just “looked like.” His instincts as a journalist told him so. That girl was undoubtedly Habataki Otoha.
When she first announced her hiatus, it caused quite a stir in the public. News that she had transferred to a certain academy quickly spread like wildfire. For a short time, the media swarmed the academy, but the sudden revelation of some politician's corruption shifted the public’s attention elsewhere.
After all, the world wasn’t particularly keen on maintaining interest in a retired songstress.
However, there’s a rumor. A rumor that the revelation of the politician’s corruption was orchestrated by the Tendou Group to protect Habataki Otoha. Whether this is true or not is unclear, but it’s a fact that the Tendou Group wields enough influence to strike fear into the entire industry.
At the same time, the academy she attends, Tenjouin Academy, is also surrounded by various rumors.
For example:
Some of the students are said to possess extraordinary abilities.
For example:
The academy supposedly holds immense power, enough to influence the political world.
In fact, even his colleagues warned him, "Don’t get involved with anything related to that place." The media outlets that tried to cover the academy were often dismissed as reckless by those in the know.
(Ridiculous.)
He spat in his heart.
It was truly an absurd tale. Just one corporation. Just one academy. How much power could they really hold?
The man had destroyed countless companies and celebrities through his articles.
He had no reason for doing so. He simply enjoyed watching people tumble down. Seeing individuals blessed with status, wealth, and power—brimming with talent—reduced to crawling on the ground was his only thrill.
He never hesitated to use any means necessary. Fabricating articles was second nature to him.
"Habataki Otoha’s hiatus… Maybe it’s because she’s seeing a man?"
His gaze rested on a disguised Habataki Otoha and a young boy with strikingly refined features.
The boy’s posture, proportions, and demeanor were flawless. The kind of person the man utterly despised.
"No, that alone isn’t enough... Maybe the songstress got too attached to some guy and squandered her fortune on him…? No, as long as I get some photos, I can spin the story however I like..."
He tried to capture the two on camera—when he realized the boy was gone.
"Huh? Where’d he…?"
Crunch.
A sound like something being crushed echoed.
"Wha—!? M-my camera…!"
His beloved camera lay in pieces, shattered as if crushed by immense force in an instant.
"What the hell? What just happened!?"
Then he noticed—the storage media containing the data was missing from his pocket.
Next came a peculiar sound: crack, snap, like something hard being destroyed. It was an eerie, warped noise that filled him with inexplicable dread.
When he looked down, fragments of his destroyed storage media lay scattered at his feet.
"H-help!"
The man ran. He had no idea what he was running from, but he ran anyway.
It was the palpable sense of murderous intent prickling at his skin that drove him to flee with reckless abandon.
He ran.
And ran.
And ran—
"Gah...!?"
A sudden impact. His body was dragged into the narrow gap between two buildings. He could feel someone pinning him down, but his face was pressed against the wall, and he couldn’t see his assailant.
The grip was like a vice. He couldn’t move his head even a fraction, no matter how hard he tried. Sweat, slick and cold, began to seep from his pores.
"――――■■■■"
The stranger whispered his name—his real name.
They must have been using a voice modulator; the sound was strange, devoid of any clear gender.
Then the voice continued, listing off his home address, his parents’ names, the location of his family’s house, the shops he frequented, and even the brand of bottled drink he had purchased at the convenience store yesterday.
Each piece of information, relayed in meticulous detail, sent a cold dread rising steadily from the pit of his stomach.
"Stay away from Habataki Otoha."
"…!?"
As the words sank in, the man’s consciousness began to fade, slipping slowly into darkness.
"...It's me. Yes. As usual, please handle the cleanup. ...No, it doesn’t seem like he was specifically targeting the young lady. ...Understood. I’ll leave it to you."
In the brief moment before losing consciousness, a memory surfaced. A warning, once given to him by a friend:
"Don’t get involved with that place."
—Never go near the Tendou family. They have a guard dog.
Why was he remembering the Tendou family now? He couldn’t even answer that question as his consciousness was swallowed entirely by the darkness.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
“Thank you for waiting.”
After taking care of a small errand, I quickly returned to Otoha-san’s side.
“…Was it work?”
“No, it wasn’t,” I replied.
Otoha-san looked apologetic. Even though she was currently on hiatus, she was still a songstress. Perhaps she hadn’t had many opportunities to go out and enjoy herself with others like this.
Knowing how much she had been looking forward to today, I had taken the liberty of glancing over her past schedules. Her days had been packed, leaving no room for a leisurely break.
That’s precisely why I wanted her to enjoy herself today. I didn’t want her to feel like she needed to hold back or worry about anything.
If any unwelcome intruders showed up, I would simply deal with them.
More importantly, I knew the young lady would be saddened if anything disrupted her friend’s day.
“I’ve done a little preparation to ensure you can enjoy today to the fullest,” I said.
“Preparation…?”
Otoha-san tilted her head adorably, curious. I extended my right hand toward her.
After showing her my open, empty palm… I made a small flower appear with a flick of my fingers.
“Here you go.”
“…Wow. Thank you,” she said softly, a look of wonder on her face.
Otoha-san accepted the flower with sparkling eyes.
“This is my favorite flower… How did you know?”
“You mentioned it in a magazine interview once, didn’t you? I happened to spot it in the shop over there.”
“So… the ‘preparation’ you mentioned was this magic trick?”
“Yes. I’m determined to make sure you enjoy yourself today, Otoha-san.”
I was glad. One of the skills I had picked up for the young lady had proven useful.
I was glad. The effort I put into researching things to make Otoha-san happy had paid off.
I was glad. By sheer coincidence, I had found Otoha-san’s favorite flower at a nearby shop.
“Well then, shall we get going?”
“…Yeah.”
Having met up as planned, we boarded a series of trains and headed for Wonder Festival Land.
It was about a 30-minute ride from here—not too long, but not particularly short either. Being a weekend morning, the train wasn’t packed to capacity, but there were still a fair number of people. Fortunately, apart from the journalist from earlier, no one seemed to recognize the girl beside me as Habataki Otoha. Her disguise was working perfectly.
“This car is a bit crowded, and there aren’t any seats available... Otoha-san, shall we move to a less crowded car?”
“No, it’s okay. But… would it be alright if I held onto your arm instead?”
“I don’t mind… Oh, Otoha-san, there’s an open handrail right there.”
“I don’t need it. I’ll hold onto you instead.”
“I think the handrail might be more stable, though…”
“I prefer holding onto you.”
“Is that so?”
As I tilted my head in confusion, Otoha-san leaned against me.
Maybe she wasn’t fond of handrails. In that case, I’d have to make sure to support her properly. Today, I was going to do my best to make sure Otoha-san enjoyed herself.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
The attractions seemed as if they had leapt straight out of the pages of a picture book.
The park was filled with the sound of BGM that painted the world’s atmosphere. From the jet coasters came screams befitting their reputation as some of the world’s best. Characters in elaborate costumes performed with exceptional precision, entertaining the visitors.
"…Amazing. It feels so real."
"Otoha-san, is this your first time visiting this theme park?"
"…Yes, my first time. That’s why I’m so excited."
Otoha-san’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the attractions and pamphlets around her.
It’s a shame the Young Lady couldn’t be here. If she were with her friend Otoha-san, it would’ve been even more enjoyable. …No, there’s no use dwelling on that. The Young Lady had urgent matters to attend to, and because of that, it’s up to me to ensure Otoha-san has a wonderful time.
"Is there anywhere you’d like to go?"
"…What about you, Kagehito? Are you okay with this?"
"Please, don’t worry about me. Today is all about making sure you enjoy yourself to the fullest!"
"…"
And then it happened.
"—!"
Otoha-san’s pale, delicate index finger rested gently against my lips.
"…It doesn’t mean anything if I’m the only one having fun."
Her finger remained on my lips, making it impossible to speak.
If I tried to say something, my lips might accidentally touch her beautiful finger. It was almost as if she had anticipated this—or perhaps she didn’t mind if it happened, given how steadfastly her finger stayed in place.
"…Today is our date, Kagehito. We need to enjoy it together."
She was right. By taking on the role of a host, I wasn’t making it easy for Otoha-san to relax and have fun. Knowing her kind nature, she would likely feel obligated to be considerate in return.
This was a misstep on my part. To think I made her point it out… How embarrassing. No, I can reflect on this later. If I don’t shift my mindset now, I’ll end up causing her even more unease.
"…Alright?"
As Otoha-san removed her finger, my lips were finally free.
"…You’re right. My apologies. I almost slipped into work mode again."
"…That’s just like you, Kagehito, but today… no, whenever you’re with me, forget about work. I’m forgetting it too."
Otoha-san took a step closer, standing on her toes to lean in. Her delicate voice, as sweet as honey, brushed against my ear.
"…Today, I’m not the ‘Songstress.’ In front of you, I’m just Habataki Otoha."
The voice that captivates millions, whispered so intimately it sent a shiver of warmth down my spine. Right now, it wasn’t for the world—it was just for me.
"Kagehito, for now, forget that you serve Hoshine and simply be… Yagiri Kagehito before me."
Was this the legendary charm of the ‘Songstress’? Her words, her tone, coursed through me like an enchanting spell, leaving my body tingling with a delightful ache.
Until now, I had always associated Otoha-san with an ethereal fairy-like presence. But in this moment, as she stepped back with an alluring, mischievous smile, she reminded me of a playful demoness. A side of her I doubt her fans would expect, yet another aspect of her undeniable allure.
"Understood. If that is your wish, Otoha-san, I will be just Yagiri Kagehito for you and escort you accordingly."
"…Yes. Please do."
I extended my hand, which she took with a gentle smile, her fingers warm and delicate against mine.
(…Just Yagiri Kagehito, huh?)
The notion was strange. Since the day I was abandoned by my family and saved by Milady, she had become my everything.
Even now, and for all the days to come, I’ve resolved to serve the Young Lady, dedicating my life to being of use to her. That’s the life I’ve chosen to lead.
…So if you were to strip that from me, leaving me as "just Yagiri Kagehito," what would remain? What would I even be?
(I’ve got to focus.)
What Otoha-san wants today is exactly that—"just Yagiri Kagehito."
If that’s what she desires, then I’ll give it my all to ensure she enjoys today to the fullest.
"That was amazing! It went whoosh, then boom, and then bang...!"
Having just finished riding the world-famous roller coaster, Otoha-san was bubbling with excitement.
The onomatopoeia-heavy description? Well, that's just typical Otoha-san—a natural-born, instinctive type of person.
I remember during basketball practice, she once said, "The pass is too fast. You need to make it more 'grip' and then 'swish' for me to catch it." And the Young Lady, being her equally instinct-driven self, had replied, "What are you saying? I just need to 'snap,' and you can 'smash' it back, right?"
Anyway, moving on.
It’s not like I hadn’t prepared for today. Knowing how important it was for both the Young Lady and Otoha-san to enjoy themselves, I had already done my research on Wonder Festival Land.
I even created a backup plan, just in case. Turned out that effort paid off.
We’d already gone through several attractions, and it seemed Otoha-san was enjoying herself thoroughly.
“It’s almost lunchtime. Let’s go to one more attraction, and then we can eat. The Young Lady will be joining us soon as well.”
Yup. Right on schedule. I’d already planned out the next ride and picked a spot for lunch.
“…Almost lunchtime…”
“Is something the matter?”
Otoha-san, who had been brimming with excitement a moment ago, suddenly froze in place.
“…Kagehito, I want to go to this next.”
She pointed at a spot on the theme park map printed in the pamphlet. It was the newest attraction that had just opened last year—a haunted house called The Cursed Manor.
"Oh, this? Are you interested in something like this, Otoha-san?"
"…Yes. I’m very interested."
"This attraction is definitely a popular one."
"…I know. Especially with couples—it’s said to be very popular."
It seemed she had done her homework about this attraction beforehand. Otoha-san must have been really looking forward to today.
"Understood. Let’s head there right away."
Fortunately, the haunted house we were targeting was close to the area we were in.
Even luckier, we managed to slip in during a brief lull in the crowd, so our wait time was minimal.
The attraction itself was straightforward: a pair of visitors finds themselves lost in a Western-style mansion and must make their way through it to reach the exit.
However, the creatures inside were crafted with incredible detail, and the sensory effects made possible by the latest technology were highly praised.
There was even a warning that it wasn’t recommended for those with weak constitutions.
But since Otoha-san had researched it beforehand and expressed interest, I assumed she was confident about handling horror.
"Do you enjoy this kind of horror, Otoha-san?"
"…Not at all. In fact, I’m bad with it."
……………………What?
"I-Is that so? Since you said you wanted to come here, I thought you must be good with this kind of thing…"
"…I’m really bad with it. So, Kagehito, will you protect me?"
As she spoke, Otoha-san leaned into my arm, linking hers with mine.
To an outsider, we might look exactly like a couple—something that could easily cause misunderstandings.
"Um… I don’t mind, but if you’re really not good with this, perhaps we should step outside now—"
"…No need. I’ll be fine."
"I-I see."
Still, this closeness was… a bit much. I knew full well I shouldn’t entertain inappropriate thoughts about the Young Lady’s friend. But Otoha-san, being as, well, developed as she was, made her proximity particularly distracting…
"…Kagehito, what do you think?"
"What do I think… about what?"
"…About my chest. I bet it’s just as good as Hoshine’s, isn’t it?"
"………………………………"
What am I even supposed to say to that?! The sensation through my arm certainly suggested she was comparable to the Young Lady, volume-wise… No, no, no, no, no! What am I thinking?!
"…Also, I put special effort into my underwear today."
"T-That’s… lovely to hear…"
Why does she sound so proud about it?!
"So, we’re good to keep moving forward, yes?"
"…Yeah. All good."
But seriously… why would she choose to come to a horror attraction she’s not good with?
…Wait a minute. This attraction is hugely popular among couples.
And Otoha-san chose to come here with me. She specifically asked to… I see now. Connecting all the dots, there’s only one possible conclusion.
(Otoha-san is trying to overcome her fear…!) (T/N: Seriously?)
If that’s the case, it all makes sense.
This attraction requires pairs.
She wouldn’t want to appear vulnerable in front of her friend, the Young Lady.
Entering with a stranger wouldn’t feel safe, and on top of that, Otoha-san is a celebrity.
If she stood in line alone, she’d draw unwanted attention.
That’s where I come in. By accompanying her as a male counterpart, we blend in among the couples, allowing her to focus entirely on conquering her fear without worry.
(Using a day off to tackle her own weaknesses… Otoha-san must be incredibly diligent.)
Surely this same dedication is what helped her earn the title of "Songstress."
Maybe this shared drive for self-improvement is part of why she and the Young Lady get along so well.
"I understand now. Otoha-san, I’m more than happy to help you with this!"
"…I feel like you’ve misunderstood something, but sure. Let’s go with that."
Together, Otoha-san and I walked into the dimly lit mansion.
The interior was astonishingly realistic—so much so that if you blindfolded someone and brought them here, they might be entirely convinced it was real.
The creaking floorboards and the faint sensation of cold air added to the eerie atmosphere.
The background music was perfectly balanced, so immersive that it made you forget this was just an attraction.
"……"
Otoha-san walking beside me didn’t seem particularly scared. But she was still clinging to my arm. She must be suppressing her fear. I need to stay steady to support her.
Admiring her determination to overcome her fear, I guided us deeper into the mansion.
―――― Creak… creak… creak…
Faint noises echoed from the darkness ahead. Something was moving.
The realistic décor of the mansion amplified the unsettling ambiance.
I might be okay with this kind of thing, but it could be tougher for Otoha-san.
"Are you alright, Otoha-san?"
"…What do you mean?"
She tilted her head adorably, clearly puzzled.
It seemed like she didn’t understand the intention behind my question. Or maybe… she’s just putting on a brave face. If I made her more conscious of the situation, it might only heighten her fear.
"As long as you’re alright, that’s all that matters. Let’s keep going."
"…Mm."
Otoha-san nodded, and with no other paths to take, we pressed onward.
The faint creaking noise grew louder as we walked, drawing us toward its source.
Finally, we reached the origin of the sound.
The doll moved on its own, letting out an eerie laugh.
...Hmm, still doesn’t quite resonate with me. Considering my line of work defending the Tendou family, I’ve come across things like this plenty of times. Come to think of it, there was that guy who tried sneaking into the estate the other day, using a similar creepy doll. He’d hidden knives and guns inside the thing, which was a bit of a hassle. But once I knocked all his gadgets out of play and got into close combat, it was over in a flash—nothing impressive at all.
But my perspective doesn’t matter right now. What about Otoha? Surely, even she would be unnerved by this grotesque doll...
"………………(staring)"
Otoha was silently gazing at the bloodstained doll, her expression unchanging.
She didn’t look scared in the slightest. Her reaction was more along the lines of, "Huh, that’s a pretty detailed doll." Completely neutral and detached.
"Otoha-san?"
"...What?"
"Um... are you okay?"
"...What about?"
She tilted her head slightly, clearly not understanding my question.
She’s not trying to hide her fear... No, that’s definitely not it. This reaction is entirely different.
"Oh, no. I just thought you might find the doll scary."
"…………! (Gasp!)"
For some reason, my words made Otoha freeze in realization. Then suddenly—
"…K-kyaa. So scary."
Her delivery was so monotone it could rival a line from a children’s puppet show.
"Otoha-san, you’re not really scared, are you…?"
"…That’s not true."
"But, I mean, your scream was incredibly monotone…"
"…I was so scared, so absolutely terrified, that I ended up sounding monotone."
Can someone actually become monotone from being too scared…?
"…Look. See? I’m so scared that I’ve clung to your arm."
"You’ve actually been holding onto my arm since the very beginning…"
"…Was I?"
Yes, you were. After that kind of conversation, how could I possibly forget?
"Well, in any case… shall we keep moving forward?"
"…That was unexpected."
According to the information I had researched in advance, this horror attraction is extremely popular with couples. …And there are even stories of people becoming couples because of it.
Moreover, in a haunted house, it’s easy to naturally cling to the person next to you out of fear. It seemed like a perfect plan… or so I thought. But I quickly realized there was a critical flaw in the plan I had devised.
(…Come to think of it, I’m not scared of this kind of thing at all.)
An atmospheric Western-style mansion, creepy dolls that tremble and make sounds on their own, and now this skeleton monster that just appeared... None of it is even remotely scary. Since I’m not scared, I can’t find the right moment to act afraid. At this rate, I won’t be able to create the perfect atmosphere with him.
(…It’s too early to give up.)
First, admit it: my plan had an oversight. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be salvaged.
This haunted house is still in the early stages. The further we go, the bigger the scares and the more elaborate the setups are bound to get.
(…I’ll wait for the big one. When it appears, I’ll scream like “Kyaa!” Perfect plan.)
With this revised plan in mind, I proceeded further into the haunted house alongside him. …My eyes were adjusting to the darkness. Because I had some prior knowledge about the attraction, I could vaguely guess where the scares would pop out.
(Now I just need a big one... Something that will let me naturally lean on him out of fear. Once that happens, it’ll be perfect…!)
…A blood-soaked dog with its bones exposed. No good. Next.
…A zombie with knives sticking out all over its body. Meh. Next.
…A tasteless sculpture made of human bones. Lacking impact. Next.
"Phew... We've made it pretty far. We've even reached the upper floor—doesn't that mean we're nearing the end?"
"…!?"
How could this happen? While I was busy analyzing the setups and timing, we had somehow made it all the way to the final stages…!
"Otoha-san?"
"…It's nothing."
I never imagined such a wildly popular haunted house could be this underwhelming.
If Hoshine even remotely contributed to this attraction's design, they seriously need to revise it. At this rate, I'll just end up casually enjoying the attraction with him… Wait, isn't that fine too?
(…For now, no matter what shows up next, I'll act scared. Definitely!)
Resolving myself internally, I pressed forward with anticipation for the next scare.
…Alright. There's still some setup left. Something must be waiting behind this door.
I opened the door, praying that whatever awaited would be truly terrifying.
"This is..."
The room behind the door was draped in strands of thread-like material, stretched across every direction.
Suspended in the threads were human figures (clearly dummies). Scattered throughout the room were human bones (also fake, obviously).
And then, at the far end of the room.
At the very back, there were bloodshot, crimson eyes glaring at us. A massive spider (a fabricated model, of course), its body covered in fur-like material, with multiple legs moving in an eerie, mechanical fashion, greeted us.
"Haah…"
I was disappointed.
Why a giant spider? It felt like they leaned too heavily on the cliché of a dimly lit Western-style mansion. Honestly, they could have done better. If it's a mansion, why not a vampire or something? …No, that's not the point right now. There don’t seem to be any more setups beyond this, so I suppose I'll have to make do with this oversized spider.
"K-Kyaa! How scary!"
The plan was to cling to him… No, that’s already failed several times. It wouldn’t have much of an effect at this point. This room has nothing but the spider; I need to sell the fear more convincingly.
Acting as if I was terrified of the spider, I bolted out of the room.
"O-Otoha-san!?"
Ignoring his startled call, I ran and ran through the dimly lit mansion—until…
"...I'm lost."
It was only when I found myself alone that I remembered: I’m not directionally challenged. No, I have a unique sense of direction.
"…What am I even doing?"
Suddenly, a wave of calm washed over me, and I came back to my senses.
Everything I’d done felt like it was backfiring.
…I didn’t want to admit it. But at this point, there was no choice.
It seems my plan has failed. Or rather, I feel like I overlooked something fundamental.
(…Maybe I was too eager.)
Since transferring schools, I’d realized that, despite everything, my distance from Hoshine and Kagehito had grown closer (whether my feelings have reached him or not is another matter). Then came the prize from the ball game tournament—a golden opportunity. Perhaps I got too carried away.
…No, that’s just an excuse. A flimsy justification.
Deep down, I already know the truth. I got swept away. By the excitement of my first crush.
I lost control, went overboard, lost sight of the bigger picture, and kept spinning my wheels... Everything is so new.
I never knew. I never realized that love could change me so much.
"Otoha-san."
"…Kagehito."
"Why did you suddenly run off like that? I’ve been looking for you."
"…"
When he asks me why, it’s hard to explain. Especially to Kagehito himself.
"Uh… It’s nothing."
I had no choice but to brush it off. There’s no way I could tell him the real reason.
"…I can tell you’re lying, at least."
"Ugh…"
I had a feeling he’d notice. Even if Kagehito is usually oblivious, anyone would realize something was off about my behavior earlier.
"…F-For now, we should just keep moving forward."
Even though he could tell I was dodging the truth, there was no way I could explain myself.
I thought I could brush it off by pressing ahead, but—
Thud.
Kagehito’s arm slammed against the wall, blocking my path.
"K-Kagehito...?"
"Making someone worry and then trying to dodge the issue isn’t very nice, Otoha-san."
Kagehito said this with a bright smile, but… somehow, it felt different from his usual demeanor.
When I instinctively tried to look away, his hand gently cupped my cheek, as if to stop me.
"Where are you looking?"
"Uh… um… well…"
"Right now, you’re talking to me. Look at me properly."
"Ah…"
His hand on my cheek was soft, yet firm, refusing to let me turn away.
"Running around in a dimly lit mansion like this is dangerous. And you’re directionally challenged on top of that."
"I-I'm not… I mean…"
"You are, aren’t you?"
"…Yes…"
"Then, don’t you think there’s something you should say?"
"Huh?"
"To me—the one you made worry. Don’t you think you owe me something?"
"…"
Kagehito seemed different today—just slightly, but unmistakably different from his usual self.
He seemed a little more mischievous than usual. But it wasn’t something I disliked. No… I didn’t dislike it at all. In fact… it might be making my heart race.
"If I say it… will you forgive me?"
"That depends on you, Otoha-san."
Kagehito chuckled softly. His smile and gestures were so enticing, carrying a subtle charm that felt almost dangerous.
"…I’m sor—ah…"
Kagehito’s hand gently stroked my cheek, his touch deliberate and slow.
It tickled, felt pleasant, and left a restless, tingling sensation. His fingers moved as if relishing my reaction, playing along with my unease.
"Nngh…"
"What’s wrong?"
"I-it’s… ticklish…"
"I can’t hear you if you don’t speak properly."
"Kagehito, you’re so mean…"
"Yes, I suppose I am."
Even though he was being mean, there was a part of me that couldn’t stop my heart from pounding because of him.
"Right now, I’m being mean," he said, still stroking my cheek, his tone laced with amusement. "It’s because Otoha-san, who made me worry so much, tried to dodge the issue. That’s why I ended up like this—being mean."
I wanted him to touch me more. To whisper to me more. I wanted this moment to last forever.
"…Otoha-san, do you enjoy being teased like this?"
"W-why would you say that?"
"Because you’ve been making such a longing expression this whole time."
"T-that’s not true!"
His words startled me, and I instinctively touched my face. If there had been a mirror nearby, I would have checked my reflection immediately.
"Just joking."
"Ah… Ugh…"
Thank goodness it was dimly lit here. If it weren’t, he’d see how red my face must be right now.
"Go ahead and say it. Say ‘I’m sorry.’"
At that moment, his request felt like the hardest thing in the world to do.
My heart was pounding too much, my tongue unable to form the words properly.
But I had to say it. I had made him worry, after all. I owed him a proper apology.
(…No, that’s not it.)
That wasn’t it. I realized it right away—that was just a convenient excuse.
(The truth is… I was expecting it.)
Expecting that if I said "I’m sorry," Kagehito might tease me again.
"…S-sorry… nya…"
The words didn’t come out properly. Maybe it was because my tongue was tied—or maybe because deep down, I wanted him to tease me a little more. I couldn’t even tell myself.
"Good job."
"Ah…"
His hand left my cheek. Instead of feeling relief that the teasing had stopped, I found myself missing it. Wishing it hadn’t ended so soon.
"…Well then, shall we move on? We’re almost at the exit."
"Y-yeah…"
Kagehito had completely returned to his usual self. He gently took my hand and led me forward. Together, we made our way through the dim mansion and safely reached the exit.
When it was all over, I realized that none of my plans had gone as I had hoped.
(…If anything, I was the one outmaneuvered.)
I had thought I was the one making the moves, but somewhere along the way, the tables had turned, and I became the one on the defensive.
(…I might be a little weird.)
The fluttering in my chest—it didn’t feel like it was just because of love.
(…Maybe a teasing Kagehito isn’t so bad after all.)
"I went too far..."
After finishing the horror attraction, I found myself drowning in self-loathing.
Given what happened this morning, I was worried when Otoha-san suddenly disappeared in the dimly lit space. No, looking back now, maybe I worried too much.
I worried, rushed to her, and felt relieved that she was safe.
But then Otoha-san lied to me. I knew she didn’t mean any harm. I wasn’t even angry, but somehow, that mischievous side of me, which I thought I had under control, stirred faintly.
Seeing Otoha-san’s teary eyes made me lose my restraint little by little.
How did it come to this? How did I become like this?
…No matter how many times I think back, the catalyst must have been that "reward" for the young lady.
Ever since then, the "mischievous me" started showing its face. Honestly, I’m surprised by it too—by this part of myself.
"This time for sure, I have to keep myself in check..."
"…Kagehito,"
As I steeled myself, Otoha-san tugged on my sleeve.
Her face was flushed, perhaps because we had just left the confined space of the mansion-themed haunted house.
"…I’ve got something to take care of," she said.
"If it’s an errand, I can come with you," I offered.
Having realized I went too far earlier, I wanted to help if I could.
But Otoha-san shook her head.
"…No, it’s fine. Hoshine will be here soon, so go around with her instead."
Leaving only those words behind, Otoha-san walked away briskly before I could stop her.
"It’s almost like she knew exactly when the young lady would arrive…"
As I tilted my head, puzzled by Otoha-san’s comment—
"Kagehito."
"Young Lady."
The young lady appeared, as if trading places with Otoha-san, making me widen my eyes in surprise. Otoha-san’s words felt almost prophetic.
"My apologies, young lady. It seems Otoha-san had something urgent to do…"
"I know."
Had they arranged this in advance? If so, Otoha-san’s statement made sense.
"Because I’m up next," the young lady said.
"Up next?" I repeated.
"That’s nothing. Anyway, don’t worry about Otoha. She’ll come back eventually, so until then, let’s have some fun together."
"Understood."
If the two of them were on the same page, then I supposed it was fine.
Though I couldn’t deny feeling a bit lonely, wishing they’d let me in on it too, I was far more pleased to see their bond deepening.
"Young lady, which attraction would you like to visit?"
"Let’s see... Going to an attraction with you like this would be lovely, but perhaps we should have lunch first?"
"Lunch?"
It was about the right time for it. Otoha-san said she had an errand to run, but I hoped she’d still get a proper meal.
"Kagehito."
As I found myself thinking about Otoha-san, who had just left, the young lady suddenly puffed out her cheeks in displeasure. …Uh-oh. Did I do something to upset her? But I had no idea what it could be!
"Y-Yes, what is it…?"
"…Just now, you were thinking about another girl, weren’t you?"
"Huh?"
The young lady's words caught me completely off guard.
At the same time, they hit the mark, which made my heart skip a beat, even though I had no guilty conscience.
…Why was I feeling so uneasy right now?
"Well, it’s not so much thinking about another girl as it is... wondering if Otoha-san managed to have lunch properly," I replied, trying to explain.
"Don’t worry. She’ll definitely have her lunch," the young lady said confidently.
She and Otoha-san must have coordinated even the finer details like this.
"So, for now, just focus on me."
Her words, so characteristically her, made me smile unintentionally.
Was she sulking a little, thinking Otoha-san might take me away from her?
"Don’t worry. I’m here to serve you, young lady, always."
"…That’s not exactly what I meant," she said, giving me an awkward expression. I’d intended it as a declaration of loyalty, but it seemed to have missed the mark.
"Anyway, let’s eat lunch. That’s fine, isn’t it?"
"Understood."
"Then let’s get going right away. …You know, I’ve already got a place in mind. It’s super popular among couples on social media—"
"In that case, shall we step outside the facility immediately? There’s a truck waiting out front, stocked with Tendou family chefs, ingredients, and equipment."
"………………………………"
The light vanished from the young lady's eyes.
"Y-Young Lady…?"
"……………………Why?"
"Eh?"
"……………………Why is something like that waiting outside?"
"Well… um… I thought it only appropriate to prepare a meal worthy of you, so…"
Huh. That’s odd. The young lady’s smile is always so lovely, yet right now… for some reason, it’s a little terrifying.
"I see… By the way, can you contact the chefs waiting outside?"
"Ah, yes… of course…"
"…Could you call them for me? I’d like to have a little chat."
Unable to ask what exactly she wanted to discuss, I silently connected the call and handed her my phone.
After a short while:
"The chefs say they’ve suddenly been called away for urgent business and will be leaving immediately."
"What? But I didn’t hear anything about—"
"They also suggest we have our meal at one of the establishments inside the facility."
"Ah… yes…"
The sheer force of her statement left no room for argument.
But… what exactly happened? This time, I brought chefs from the Tendou family. These were professionals who had prepared the young lady’s meals every day since her childhood. They understood her tastes, paid close attention to nutritional balance, and were trusted by the family. I specifically chose them for their skills and reputation and had them wait outside, just in case.
So… what on earth didn’t she like about it?
(T/N: Too busy to completely translate this chapter, so I had to split it in two parts.)
Otoha-san took a step closer, standing on her toes to lean in. Her delicate voice, as sweet as honey, brushed against my ear.
"…Today, I’m not the ‘Songstress.’ In front of you, I’m just Habataki Otoha."
The voice that captivates millions, whispered so intimately it sent a shiver of warmth down my spine. Right now, it wasn’t for the world—it was just for me.
"Kagehito, for now, forget that you serve Hoshine and simply be… Yagiri Kagehito before me."
Was this the legendary charm of the ‘Songstress’? Her words, her tone, coursed through me like an enchanting spell, leaving my body tingling with a delightful ache.
Until now, I had always associated Otoha-san with an ethereal fairy-like presence. But in this moment, as she stepped back with an alluring, mischievous smile, she reminded me of a playful demoness. A side of her I doubt her fans would expect, yet another aspect of her undeniable allure.
"Understood. If that is your wish, Otoha-san, I will be just Yagiri Kagehito for you and escort you accordingly."
"…Yes. Please do."
I extended my hand, which she took with a gentle smile, her fingers warm and delicate against mine.
(…Just Yagiri Kagehito, huh?)
The notion was strange. Since the day I was abandoned by my family and saved by Milady, she had become my everything.
Even now, and for all the days to come, I’ve resolved to serve the Young Lady, dedicating my life to being of use to her. That’s the life I’ve chosen to lead.
…So if you were to strip that from me, leaving me as "just Yagiri Kagehito," what would remain? What would I even be?
(I’ve got to focus.)
What Otoha-san wants today is exactly that—"just Yagiri Kagehito."
If that’s what she desires, then I’ll give it my all to ensure she enjoys today to the fullest.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
"That was amazing! It went whoosh, then boom, and then bang...!"
Having just finished riding the world-famous roller coaster, Otoha-san was bubbling with excitement.
The onomatopoeia-heavy description? Well, that's just typical Otoha-san—a natural-born, instinctive type of person.
I remember during basketball practice, she once said, "The pass is too fast. You need to make it more 'grip' and then 'swish' for me to catch it." And the Young Lady, being her equally instinct-driven self, had replied, "What are you saying? I just need to 'snap,' and you can 'smash' it back, right?"
Anyway, moving on.
It’s not like I hadn’t prepared for today. Knowing how important it was for both the Young Lady and Otoha-san to enjoy themselves, I had already done my research on Wonder Festival Land.
I even created a backup plan, just in case. Turned out that effort paid off.
We’d already gone through several attractions, and it seemed Otoha-san was enjoying herself thoroughly.
“It’s almost lunchtime. Let’s go to one more attraction, and then we can eat. The Young Lady will be joining us soon as well.”
Yup. Right on schedule. I’d already planned out the next ride and picked a spot for lunch.
“…Almost lunchtime…”
“Is something the matter?”
Otoha-san, who had been brimming with excitement a moment ago, suddenly froze in place.
“…Kagehito, I want to go to this next.”
She pointed at a spot on the theme park map printed in the pamphlet. It was the newest attraction that had just opened last year—a haunted house called The Cursed Manor.
"Oh, this? Are you interested in something like this, Otoha-san?"
"…Yes. I’m very interested."
"This attraction is definitely a popular one."
"…I know. Especially with couples—it’s said to be very popular."
It seemed she had done her homework about this attraction beforehand. Otoha-san must have been really looking forward to today.
"Understood. Let’s head there right away."
Fortunately, the haunted house we were targeting was close to the area we were in.
Even luckier, we managed to slip in during a brief lull in the crowd, so our wait time was minimal.
The attraction itself was straightforward: a pair of visitors finds themselves lost in a Western-style mansion and must make their way through it to reach the exit.
However, the creatures inside were crafted with incredible detail, and the sensory effects made possible by the latest technology were highly praised.
There was even a warning that it wasn’t recommended for those with weak constitutions.
But since Otoha-san had researched it beforehand and expressed interest, I assumed she was confident about handling horror.
"Do you enjoy this kind of horror, Otoha-san?"
"…Not at all. In fact, I’m bad with it."
……………………What?
"I-Is that so? Since you said you wanted to come here, I thought you must be good with this kind of thing…"
"…I’m really bad with it. So, Kagehito, will you protect me?"
As she spoke, Otoha-san leaned into my arm, linking hers with mine.
To an outsider, we might look exactly like a couple—something that could easily cause misunderstandings.
"Um… I don’t mind, but if you’re really not good with this, perhaps we should step outside now—"
"…No need. I’ll be fine."
"I-I see."
Still, this closeness was… a bit much. I knew full well I shouldn’t entertain inappropriate thoughts about the Young Lady’s friend. But Otoha-san, being as, well, developed as she was, made her proximity particularly distracting…
"…Kagehito, what do you think?"
"What do I think… about what?"
"…About my chest. I bet it’s just as good as Hoshine’s, isn’t it?"
"………………………………"
What am I even supposed to say to that?! The sensation through my arm certainly suggested she was comparable to the Young Lady, volume-wise… No, no, no, no, no! What am I thinking?!
"…Also, I put special effort into my underwear today."
"T-That’s… lovely to hear…"
Why does she sound so proud about it?!
"So, we’re good to keep moving forward, yes?"
"…Yeah. All good."
But seriously… why would she choose to come to a horror attraction she’s not good with?
…Wait a minute. This attraction is hugely popular among couples.
And Otoha-san chose to come here with me. She specifically asked to… I see now. Connecting all the dots, there’s only one possible conclusion.
(Otoha-san is trying to overcome her fear…!) (T/N: Seriously?)
If that’s the case, it all makes sense.
This attraction requires pairs.
She wouldn’t want to appear vulnerable in front of her friend, the Young Lady.
Entering with a stranger wouldn’t feel safe, and on top of that, Otoha-san is a celebrity.
If she stood in line alone, she’d draw unwanted attention.
That’s where I come in. By accompanying her as a male counterpart, we blend in among the couples, allowing her to focus entirely on conquering her fear without worry.
(Using a day off to tackle her own weaknesses… Otoha-san must be incredibly diligent.)
Surely this same dedication is what helped her earn the title of "Songstress."
Maybe this shared drive for self-improvement is part of why she and the Young Lady get along so well.
"I understand now. Otoha-san, I’m more than happy to help you with this!"
"…I feel like you’ve misunderstood something, but sure. Let’s go with that."
Together, Otoha-san and I walked into the dimly lit mansion.
The interior was astonishingly realistic—so much so that if you blindfolded someone and brought them here, they might be entirely convinced it was real.
The creaking floorboards and the faint sensation of cold air added to the eerie atmosphere.
The background music was perfectly balanced, so immersive that it made you forget this was just an attraction.
"……"
Otoha-san walking beside me didn’t seem particularly scared. But she was still clinging to my arm. She must be suppressing her fear. I need to stay steady to support her.
Admiring her determination to overcome her fear, I guided us deeper into the mansion.
―――― Creak… creak… creak…
Faint noises echoed from the darkness ahead. Something was moving.
The realistic décor of the mansion amplified the unsettling ambiance.
I might be okay with this kind of thing, but it could be tougher for Otoha-san.
"Are you alright, Otoha-san?"
"…What do you mean?"
She tilted her head adorably, clearly puzzled.
It seemed like she didn’t understand the intention behind my question. Or maybe… she’s just putting on a brave face. If I made her more conscious of the situation, it might only heighten her fear.
"As long as you’re alright, that’s all that matters. Let’s keep going."
"…Mm."
Otoha-san nodded, and with no other paths to take, we pressed onward.
The faint creaking noise grew louder as we walked, drawing us toward its source.
Finally, we reached the origin of the sound.
The doll moved on its own, letting out an eerie laugh.
...Hmm, still doesn’t quite resonate with me. Considering my line of work defending the Tendou family, I’ve come across things like this plenty of times. Come to think of it, there was that guy who tried sneaking into the estate the other day, using a similar creepy doll. He’d hidden knives and guns inside the thing, which was a bit of a hassle. But once I knocked all his gadgets out of play and got into close combat, it was over in a flash—nothing impressive at all.
But my perspective doesn’t matter right now. What about Otoha? Surely, even she would be unnerved by this grotesque doll...
"………………(staring)"
Otoha was silently gazing at the bloodstained doll, her expression unchanging.
She didn’t look scared in the slightest. Her reaction was more along the lines of, "Huh, that’s a pretty detailed doll." Completely neutral and detached.
"Otoha-san?"
"...What?"
"Um... are you okay?"
"...What about?"
She tilted her head slightly, clearly not understanding my question.
She’s not trying to hide her fear... No, that’s definitely not it. This reaction is entirely different.
"Oh, no. I just thought you might find the doll scary."
"…………! (Gasp!)"
For some reason, my words made Otoha freeze in realization. Then suddenly—
"…K-kyaa. So scary."
Her delivery was so monotone it could rival a line from a children’s puppet show.
"Otoha-san, you’re not really scared, are you…?"
"…That’s not true."
"But, I mean, your scream was incredibly monotone…"
"…I was so scared, so absolutely terrified, that I ended up sounding monotone."
Can someone actually become monotone from being too scared…?
"…Look. See? I’m so scared that I’ve clung to your arm."
"You’ve actually been holding onto my arm since the very beginning…"
"…Was I?"
Yes, you were. After that kind of conversation, how could I possibly forget?
"Well, in any case… shall we keep moving forward?"
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
"…That was unexpected."
According to the information I had researched in advance, this horror attraction is extremely popular with couples. …And there are even stories of people becoming couples because of it.
Moreover, in a haunted house, it’s easy to naturally cling to the person next to you out of fear. It seemed like a perfect plan… or so I thought. But I quickly realized there was a critical flaw in the plan I had devised.
(…Come to think of it, I’m not scared of this kind of thing at all.)
An atmospheric Western-style mansion, creepy dolls that tremble and make sounds on their own, and now this skeleton monster that just appeared... None of it is even remotely scary. Since I’m not scared, I can’t find the right moment to act afraid. At this rate, I won’t be able to create the perfect atmosphere with him.
(…It’s too early to give up.)
First, admit it: my plan had an oversight. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be salvaged.
This haunted house is still in the early stages. The further we go, the bigger the scares and the more elaborate the setups are bound to get.
(…I’ll wait for the big one. When it appears, I’ll scream like “Kyaa!” Perfect plan.)
With this revised plan in mind, I proceeded further into the haunted house alongside him. …My eyes were adjusting to the darkness. Because I had some prior knowledge about the attraction, I could vaguely guess where the scares would pop out.
(Now I just need a big one... Something that will let me naturally lean on him out of fear. Once that happens, it’ll be perfect…!)
…A blood-soaked dog with its bones exposed. No good. Next.
…A zombie with knives sticking out all over its body. Meh. Next.
…A tasteless sculpture made of human bones. Lacking impact. Next.
"Phew... We've made it pretty far. We've even reached the upper floor—doesn't that mean we're nearing the end?"
"…!?"
How could this happen? While I was busy analyzing the setups and timing, we had somehow made it all the way to the final stages…!
"Otoha-san?"
"…It's nothing."
I never imagined such a wildly popular haunted house could be this underwhelming.
If Hoshine even remotely contributed to this attraction's design, they seriously need to revise it. At this rate, I'll just end up casually enjoying the attraction with him… Wait, isn't that fine too?
(…For now, no matter what shows up next, I'll act scared. Definitely!)
Resolving myself internally, I pressed forward with anticipation for the next scare.
…Alright. There's still some setup left. Something must be waiting behind this door.
I opened the door, praying that whatever awaited would be truly terrifying.
"This is..."
The room behind the door was draped in strands of thread-like material, stretched across every direction.
Suspended in the threads were human figures (clearly dummies). Scattered throughout the room were human bones (also fake, obviously).
And then, at the far end of the room.
At the very back, there were bloodshot, crimson eyes glaring at us. A massive spider (a fabricated model, of course), its body covered in fur-like material, with multiple legs moving in an eerie, mechanical fashion, greeted us.
"Haah…"
I was disappointed.
Why a giant spider? It felt like they leaned too heavily on the cliché of a dimly lit Western-style mansion. Honestly, they could have done better. If it's a mansion, why not a vampire or something? …No, that's not the point right now. There don’t seem to be any more setups beyond this, so I suppose I'll have to make do with this oversized spider.
"K-Kyaa! How scary!"
The plan was to cling to him… No, that’s already failed several times. It wouldn’t have much of an effect at this point. This room has nothing but the spider; I need to sell the fear more convincingly.
Acting as if I was terrified of the spider, I bolted out of the room.
"O-Otoha-san!?"
Ignoring his startled call, I ran and ran through the dimly lit mansion—until…
"...I'm lost."
It was only when I found myself alone that I remembered: I’m not directionally challenged. No, I have a unique sense of direction.
"…What am I even doing?"
Suddenly, a wave of calm washed over me, and I came back to my senses.
Everything I’d done felt like it was backfiring.
…I didn’t want to admit it. But at this point, there was no choice.
It seems my plan has failed. Or rather, I feel like I overlooked something fundamental.
(…Maybe I was too eager.)
Since transferring schools, I’d realized that, despite everything, my distance from Hoshine and Kagehito had grown closer (whether my feelings have reached him or not is another matter). Then came the prize from the ball game tournament—a golden opportunity. Perhaps I got too carried away.
…No, that’s just an excuse. A flimsy justification.
Deep down, I already know the truth. I got swept away. By the excitement of my first crush.
I lost control, went overboard, lost sight of the bigger picture, and kept spinning my wheels... Everything is so new.
I never knew. I never realized that love could change me so much.
"Otoha-san."
"…Kagehito."
"Why did you suddenly run off like that? I’ve been looking for you."
"…"
When he asks me why, it’s hard to explain. Especially to Kagehito himself.
"Uh… It’s nothing."
I had no choice but to brush it off. There’s no way I could tell him the real reason.
"…I can tell you’re lying, at least."
"Ugh…"
I had a feeling he’d notice. Even if Kagehito is usually oblivious, anyone would realize something was off about my behavior earlier.
"…F-For now, we should just keep moving forward."
Even though he could tell I was dodging the truth, there was no way I could explain myself.
I thought I could brush it off by pressing ahead, but—
Thud.
Kagehito’s arm slammed against the wall, blocking my path.
"K-Kagehito...?"
"Making someone worry and then trying to dodge the issue isn’t very nice, Otoha-san."
Kagehito said this with a bright smile, but… somehow, it felt different from his usual demeanor.
When I instinctively tried to look away, his hand gently cupped my cheek, as if to stop me.
"Where are you looking?"
"Uh… um… well…"
"Right now, you’re talking to me. Look at me properly."
"Ah…"
His hand on my cheek was soft, yet firm, refusing to let me turn away.
"Running around in a dimly lit mansion like this is dangerous. And you’re directionally challenged on top of that."
"I-I'm not… I mean…"
"You are, aren’t you?"
"…Yes…"
"Then, don’t you think there’s something you should say?"
"Huh?"
"To me—the one you made worry. Don’t you think you owe me something?"
"…"
Kagehito seemed different today—just slightly, but unmistakably different from his usual self.
He seemed a little more mischievous than usual. But it wasn’t something I disliked. No… I didn’t dislike it at all. In fact… it might be making my heart race.
"If I say it… will you forgive me?"
"That depends on you, Otoha-san."
Kagehito chuckled softly. His smile and gestures were so enticing, carrying a subtle charm that felt almost dangerous.
"…I’m sor—ah…"
Kagehito’s hand gently stroked my cheek, his touch deliberate and slow.
It tickled, felt pleasant, and left a restless, tingling sensation. His fingers moved as if relishing my reaction, playing along with my unease.
"Nngh…"
"What’s wrong?"
"I-it’s… ticklish…"
"I can’t hear you if you don’t speak properly."
"Kagehito, you’re so mean…"
"Yes, I suppose I am."
Even though he was being mean, there was a part of me that couldn’t stop my heart from pounding because of him.
"Right now, I’m being mean," he said, still stroking my cheek, his tone laced with amusement. "It’s because Otoha-san, who made me worry so much, tried to dodge the issue. That’s why I ended up like this—being mean."
I wanted him to touch me more. To whisper to me more. I wanted this moment to last forever.
"…Otoha-san, do you enjoy being teased like this?"
"W-why would you say that?"
"Because you’ve been making such a longing expression this whole time."
"T-that’s not true!"
His words startled me, and I instinctively touched my face. If there had been a mirror nearby, I would have checked my reflection immediately.
"Just joking."
"Ah… Ugh…"
Thank goodness it was dimly lit here. If it weren’t, he’d see how red my face must be right now.
"Go ahead and say it. Say ‘I’m sorry.’"
At that moment, his request felt like the hardest thing in the world to do.
My heart was pounding too much, my tongue unable to form the words properly.
But I had to say it. I had made him worry, after all. I owed him a proper apology.
(…No, that’s not it.)
That wasn’t it. I realized it right away—that was just a convenient excuse.
(The truth is… I was expecting it.)
Expecting that if I said "I’m sorry," Kagehito might tease me again.
"…S-sorry… nya…"
The words didn’t come out properly. Maybe it was because my tongue was tied—or maybe because deep down, I wanted him to tease me a little more. I couldn’t even tell myself.
"Good job."
"Ah…"
His hand left my cheek. Instead of feeling relief that the teasing had stopped, I found myself missing it. Wishing it hadn’t ended so soon.
"…Well then, shall we move on? We’re almost at the exit."
"Y-yeah…"
Kagehito had completely returned to his usual self. He gently took my hand and led me forward. Together, we made our way through the dim mansion and safely reached the exit.
When it was all over, I realized that none of my plans had gone as I had hoped.
(…If anything, I was the one outmaneuvered.)
I had thought I was the one making the moves, but somewhere along the way, the tables had turned, and I became the one on the defensive.
(…I might be a little weird.)
The fluttering in my chest—it didn’t feel like it was just because of love.
(…Maybe a teasing Kagehito isn’t so bad after all.)
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
"I went too far..."
After finishing the horror attraction, I found myself drowning in self-loathing.
Given what happened this morning, I was worried when Otoha-san suddenly disappeared in the dimly lit space. No, looking back now, maybe I worried too much.
I worried, rushed to her, and felt relieved that she was safe.
But then Otoha-san lied to me. I knew she didn’t mean any harm. I wasn’t even angry, but somehow, that mischievous side of me, which I thought I had under control, stirred faintly.
Seeing Otoha-san’s teary eyes made me lose my restraint little by little.
How did it come to this? How did I become like this?
…No matter how many times I think back, the catalyst must have been that "reward" for the young lady.
Ever since then, the "mischievous me" started showing its face. Honestly, I’m surprised by it too—by this part of myself.
"This time for sure, I have to keep myself in check..."
"…Kagehito,"
As I steeled myself, Otoha-san tugged on my sleeve.
Her face was flushed, perhaps because we had just left the confined space of the mansion-themed haunted house.
"…I’ve got something to take care of," she said.
"If it’s an errand, I can come with you," I offered.
Having realized I went too far earlier, I wanted to help if I could.
But Otoha-san shook her head.
"…No, it’s fine. Hoshine will be here soon, so go around with her instead."
Leaving only those words behind, Otoha-san walked away briskly before I could stop her.
"It’s almost like she knew exactly when the young lady would arrive…"
As I tilted my head, puzzled by Otoha-san’s comment—
"Kagehito."
"Young Lady."
The young lady appeared, as if trading places with Otoha-san, making me widen my eyes in surprise. Otoha-san’s words felt almost prophetic.
"My apologies, young lady. It seems Otoha-san had something urgent to do…"
"I know."
Had they arranged this in advance? If so, Otoha-san’s statement made sense.
"Because I’m up next," the young lady said.
"Up next?" I repeated.
"That’s nothing. Anyway, don’t worry about Otoha. She’ll come back eventually, so until then, let’s have some fun together."
"Understood."
If the two of them were on the same page, then I supposed it was fine.
Though I couldn’t deny feeling a bit lonely, wishing they’d let me in on it too, I was far more pleased to see their bond deepening.
"Young lady, which attraction would you like to visit?"
"Let’s see... Going to an attraction with you like this would be lovely, but perhaps we should have lunch first?"
"Lunch?"
It was about the right time for it. Otoha-san said she had an errand to run, but I hoped she’d still get a proper meal.
"Kagehito."
As I found myself thinking about Otoha-san, who had just left, the young lady suddenly puffed out her cheeks in displeasure. …Uh-oh. Did I do something to upset her? But I had no idea what it could be!
"Y-Yes, what is it…?"
"…Just now, you were thinking about another girl, weren’t you?"
"Huh?"
The young lady's words caught me completely off guard.
At the same time, they hit the mark, which made my heart skip a beat, even though I had no guilty conscience.
…Why was I feeling so uneasy right now?
"Well, it’s not so much thinking about another girl as it is... wondering if Otoha-san managed to have lunch properly," I replied, trying to explain.
"Don’t worry. She’ll definitely have her lunch," the young lady said confidently.
She and Otoha-san must have coordinated even the finer details like this.
"So, for now, just focus on me."
Her words, so characteristically her, made me smile unintentionally.
Was she sulking a little, thinking Otoha-san might take me away from her?
"Don’t worry. I’m here to serve you, young lady, always."
"…That’s not exactly what I meant," she said, giving me an awkward expression. I’d intended it as a declaration of loyalty, but it seemed to have missed the mark.
"Anyway, let’s eat lunch. That’s fine, isn’t it?"
"Understood."
"Then let’s get going right away. …You know, I’ve already got a place in mind. It’s super popular among couples on social media—"
"In that case, shall we step outside the facility immediately? There’s a truck waiting out front, stocked with Tendou family chefs, ingredients, and equipment."
"………………………………"
The light vanished from the young lady's eyes.
"Y-Young Lady…?"
"……………………Why?"
"Eh?"
"……………………Why is something like that waiting outside?"
"Well… um… I thought it only appropriate to prepare a meal worthy of you, so…"
Huh. That’s odd. The young lady’s smile is always so lovely, yet right now… for some reason, it’s a little terrifying.
"I see… By the way, can you contact the chefs waiting outside?"
"Ah, yes… of course…"
"…Could you call them for me? I’d like to have a little chat."
Unable to ask what exactly she wanted to discuss, I silently connected the call and handed her my phone.
After a short while:
"The chefs say they’ve suddenly been called away for urgent business and will be leaving immediately."
"What? But I didn’t hear anything about—"
"They also suggest we have our meal at one of the establishments inside the facility."
"Ah… yes…"
The sheer force of her statement left no room for argument.
But… what exactly happened? This time, I brought chefs from the Tendou family. These were professionals who had prepared the young lady’s meals every day since her childhood. They understood her tastes, paid close attention to nutritional balance, and were trusted by the family. I specifically chose them for their skills and reputation and had them wait outside, just in case.
So… what on earth didn’t she like about it?
(T/N: Too busy to completely translate this chapter, so I had to split it in two parts.)
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