To be honest, Takakai had expected Kogawa Ki to demand some form of compensation—a mission, a favor—to settle the broken contract.
Regardless of justification, he had violated the Market's rules. Letting it slide without consequence would undermine their authority. A transaction was necessary to bury the issue cleanly.
But Kogawa had blindsided him.
Instead of a solo request, he'd coordinated with [Red Covenant] and [Loafing Guild] to form a Crimson Moon dungeon investigation team.
Did he anticipate my compliance and escalate for greater gains?
Or is the Market just a middleman here, with bigger players pulling strings?
"Here's the deal. [Slackers Guild] lost people in that dungeon. [Red Covenant] got hit even harder—it's their curse's origin point. We're each sending two members, totaling four. The Market adds two more. Six in all. You're the lynchpin, so your team's up to you."
Kumami delivered the briefing lazily, a toothpick dangling from her lips.
(Since smoking was banned indoors, she'd cycled through snacks, lollipops, and now this—her mouth perpetually occupied.)
Her stoic bodyguard loomed behind her, exuding icy professionalism—undermined only by his mismatched flip-flops: one plain, one pink bunny-themed.
Modern art? Avant-garde fashion?Takakai couldn't decide.
"I'll… recover before deployment…"
Tōyama Akira rasped from his sickbed pallor.
"That's the gist. Your call—no sugarcoating needed."
Kumami yawned, but her gaze sharpened on Takakai.
Her unspoken offer was clear: Refuse now, and I'll back you.
Damn, this woman's reliable. No wonder she commanded respect as vice-captain.
But his decision was already made.
"I'm in. My team joins me, and I've got some… requests."
No hesitation.
The [School Horror Tales] dungeon was only half-destroyed. Without the Writer's interference, its remaining zones were stable—but still there. The KP likely awaited his final cleanup.
So he'd finish it.
"Hiro-kun…"
Maki's worry was palpable.
"It's fine. Trust me."
His smile didn't waver.
"Figured you'd bite. We've got two weeks to prep—no rush."
Kumami nodded, shifting discussion to logistics.
The plan was straightforward:
- The team would enter via [Yoruochi Middle School], leveraging Gotō Hitori's core Obsession Object to stabilize the area.
- [Bydos Academy] remained a no-go zone—its missing core rendered it unsurvivable.
- Takakai shared intel on [Takamagahara], rousing Kumami's crew but leaving the Market and [Red Covenant] pensive.
Post-meeting, Maki finally voiced her concerns—only for Takakai to cut her off with a finger to her lips.
"You and Chika are joining. With this many Crimson Moon players assisting, it's your best shot at high-tier blessings. No exceptions."
His tone brooked no argument.
"...Understood."
She relented, though unease lingered.
Since returning from Shirasawa Elementary, Hiro-kun's been… driven. Like he's racing against something.
But if he wouldn't share, she wouldn't pry.
Support, not scrutiny—that was what he needed.
"Don't stress. If I cleared [School Horror Tales] twice, I'll drag us all through a third time. Rest up for now—we'll analyze rules later."
With that breezy assurance, he departed.
Maki watched him vanish into the crowd before sighing.
"You're the stressed one, idiot."
She pulled out her phone, updating Chika, then dove into researching [Yoruyama] and [Bydos].
En route, Takakai fielded texts from Kaguya, downplaying the morning's gravity.
Yet upon arrival, he spotted her immediately—dressed impeccably, clearly having waited hours.
Did she come straight here after our call? Or… was she already waiting since morning?
A flicker of movement caught his eye—Hayasaka, camouflaged among tourists.
Smirking, Takakai strode forward and waved.
Kaguya's gaze snapped to him, her practiced composure faltering for a heartbeat.
The date—and whatever Hayasaka had orchestrated—was underway.