Shinomiya Kaguya gently let out a breath, removed the yellow-and-white striped uniform she had been wearing, and put on the white lab coat of a researcher.
Maki was already waiting for her outside the staff lounge. The two girls quickly exchanged information in the corridor, and through Maki, Kaguya learned that it was now the second run, as well as various details from the previous run.
"Fujiwara-san… she's become a player too, has she…"
Upon learning that Fujiwara Chika—who could be said to be her only friend since childhood—had become a player, Shinomiya Kaguya felt a somewhat complicated mix of emotions. On one hand, the other party had entered the terrifying anomalous death game known as the Sacrifice Game, and Kaguya did not want this always carefree girl to encounter something so dreadful. But on the other hand, for Kaguya, who was deeply trapped within the instance game, now having someone familiar become her companion made it impossible for her to suppress a faint sense of happiness in her heart, even though she knew that feeling happy about such a thing was, in fact, somewhat despicable.
"If I remember correctly, Oba-san, you're quite close with that Fujiwara, right? Will it be all right for her to stay by Takumi's side?"
Maki's concern was actually different from Kaguya's. What she cared about more right now was that an unfamiliar woman was staying beside Takumi. Although she knew that Takumi was fairly proper during missions, once she thought of that guy's lecherous nature, she could not help but start worrying about whether some kind of fanservice scenario might occur.
Forget it. There was no real meaning in worrying about that kind of issue.
It was better to focus on handling matters on her own side first.
'Now that Takumi had grown stronger and matured, becoming far more powerful than he had been in the previous instance, even so, he still could not escape the fate of dying and starting over. Therefore, I must do everything I can to reduce his burden and properly take care of the things I am able to do.'
'After all, he once said that the reason I can establish this kind of telepathic, heart-to-heart communication with him is because we absolutely trust each other…'
To be honest, when Maki first heard this explanation directly from Takumi, her instinctive reaction was to deny it. After all, this talk of "absolute mutual trust" sounded almost like a confession of becoming a couple, which made it difficult for her to accept.
But the girl could not help but admit that this feeling was truly wonderful.
This sense of mutual understanding that belonged only to him and her, this never-before-experienced feeling that made her heart race—it was simply too good.
So she had to work hard.
She had to give it her all, to do everything she could to share his burdens and help resolve his worries. After all, even now, he was also striving somewhere, struggling to survive, and caring about how things were going on her side as well.
Maki quietly encouraged herself in her heart.
Beside her, Kaguya, with her brows furrowed, looked slightly unsettled.
What concerned her was the unique connection Maki had just mentioned—the one she had established with Takumi.
The ability to form a mental link, to convey what one wanted to say to the other without anyone else hearing it, was far too important in a dangerous and terrifying place like the Sacrifice Game. Kaguya was certain that this ability could play a crucial role in all kinds of situations. It was an advantage so overwhelming that even ten Obsession Items combined could not make up for it—a truly dimension-crushing edge compared to other players.
Yet the ones who had established this link were only Takumi and Maki.
According to Maki, completing the establishment of such a link required the two people to trust each other. Hmph—although she said it like that, judging from that shy, awkward demeanor of hers, Kaguya had no doubt that the level required to establish this kind of mental connection was definitely not something as simple as mere "mutual trust." It was likely a much deeper mutual understanding—perhaps even an affection that could be called [being in love]—that would allow such a link to be formed.
After deducing this, Kaguya could not help but feel somewhat unsettled.
When it came to Shijō Maki—who came from the same zaibatsu background as herself, yet unlike her was far more like a healthy, cheerful girl—Kaguya had to admit that she had never felt such envy toward someone before. This kind of behavior—entrusting one's heart to another person like a fool, and moreover to a man she had known for barely a month—was something Shinomiya Kaguya could never bring herself to do, no matter what. Even knowing that doing so would benefit her, that it would increase her chances of survival, she still found it extremely difficult to take such a step. In the end, for Shinomiya Kaguya, "trusting others" was itself an incomparably difficult matter—let alone this level of "trust."
And yet, she could not help but think again of her maid, the person she trusted most—Hayasaka Ai—and recall something Hayasaka had once said to her, whether intentionally or not.
"If it's Kaguya-sama, maybe trying falling in love once wouldn't be such a bad thing."
At the time, it had been little more than a joke, but now, recalling it all of a sudden only made the girl's mind grow even more unsettled.
'This kind of thing… I really can't do it.'
'Even if Takumi truly were the other half who could satisfy me completely, I still could not possibly close the distance between us to that extent in such a short period of time. What's more, from my perspective, that man has far too many disqualifying points. At most, he can only be regarded as a comrade-in-arms—there is absolutely no feasibility in taking the relationship a step further.'
It would be better to cast aside such childish thoughts.
Maki and Kaguya, carrying different thoughts in their hearts, stepped into the Analysis Workroom together, cautiously completing the tasks required of them as [Researchers] while waiting for the time of free exploration to arrive.
Meanwhile, the same man at whom the two girls' complex emotions were directed—the man who was, at this very moment, making both Maki and Kaguya feel ill at ease—extended his hand and, with a perfectly serious expression, lightly made a gesture as if pinching something.
'I really want to feel it once more—the soft, warm sensation I just experienced.'
Takumi reflected inwardly on the soft, plush feeling he had felt earlier from what he took to be a doll, then quickly reined in his thoughts and focused his attention back on the matter at hand.
This training area that had inexplicably appeared deep within the underground cave currently contained only him and Fujiwara Chika. Those bizarre entities had already withdrawn for the time being, so it could be said that this place had temporarily become a safe zone.
However, such safety was bound to be temporary. If they did not quickly find a route out of here and head toward the Big Slide, dealing with those things when they returned later would not be easy.
"There's even specialized rock-climbing training equipment. This is the first time I've ever seen something this tall and this big."
The pink-haired girl standing nearby stared at an artificial cliff built against the wall and spoke with amazement.
"Don't worry about that stuff for now. Let's figure out whether there are any useful clues here first."
Takumi said casually. As he spoke, he reached out and gave Chika a light pat on the head, then stepped forward.
Caught completely off guard by the sudden head pat, Chika let out an "Hehehe" laugh. She then followed at Takumi's side and said in an earnest tone, "Private First Class Fujiwara reporting for duty, awaiting orders from the commanding officer," even deliberately marching in a few steps of a formal drill. It had to be said that this mischievous and quick-witted girl did a good job of easing Takumi's tension, making him let out an involuntary chuckle. After that, the two of them both shifted into a serious mode and began to quicken their pace as they explored the area.
Thus, the first thing to draw the attention of Takumi and Chika was a small, inconspicuous room located in the corner of the training area, most of it obscured by a piece of climbing equipment.
From the doorway of that room, Takumi sensed a faint but unusual aura.
---
I will post some extra Chapters in Patreon, you can check it out. >> patreon.com/TitoVillar
---