Vol 6 Chapter 5 (2/2)

Himeji-san puts her hand on her stomach as she mutters

Why are girls so ht? It’s like many people really want the slender waist of a irls that are too skinny

“There’s no need to worry about this! I don’t find you pudgy at all”

“No, I’hts…”

In this aspect, Hiirl, unlike s at all

“So…I’ve been concerned…you’re so close to Mina your distance away from me…”

“H?”

“Nothing, I didn’t say anything at all Okay, let’s keep going”

“Ah, Himeji-san, if you’re so far away—”

“It, it’s okay to keep this kind of distance! It’s definitely because you’re thinking for …!”

Once she said that, Hio like that as she looks deter off

I don’t really think that Himeji-san is fine now, but since she herself says so, I shouldn’t be talking much about this Besides, she must be concerned about the camera in my hand, I suppose? Or is it that she’s not scared because there aren’t anyout anyet involved in the ga her…but what’s with this sense of helplessness?

“Speaking of which, we haven’t seen one appear even after walking for so long…what’s going on?”

We could only see the di Is this part of the 3rd years’ plan? Do they think that ? Or are the 3rd years planning to send all their forces to deal with the formidable opponents of Yuuji and Kirishi+ma-san? However, I don’t think they will be so foolish so as to think of sending more people to stop those two…in that case, there’re other plans, right? The reason why they’re leaving Himeji-san and me alone e can be dealt with so easily…what is it?

Himeji-san’s still quite so all sorts of doubts in my mind

At thisvoices from the wall

“…Yuuji, I’ close to me”

“I refuse I have to hold the camera too”

“…In that case, I have to do this”

“No, I don’t mean that you have to help me hold the camera…”

“…But I’ll be scared if you don’t stick closely to me”

“Stop lying! Anyone can tell that you’re not scared of this at all Also, there hasn’t been aup till now”

“…In that case, let e this”

“Hm? What do you want to say?”

“…If you don’t stick towill happen to you, Yuuji”

“……(Tsukatsukatsukatsukatsuka)”

“…Yuuji, you won’t run away”

“Stop joking around! Who wants to be killed by you here!”

Yuuji and Kirishi+ma-san’s conversation reaches my ears Those two should be very close to us because we’re just separated by a wall It’s really great that they’re still as amicable with each other as ever

But there’s so that concerns me

“Hasn’t anything happened to Yuuji’s side…”

It’s getting weirder and weirder Even if those 3rd year see, it’s too unnatural for them not to be wary of Yuuji and Kirishi+ma-san There must be a ploy in this

As I’ about this—

“…!?”

The lights that brightened this dim maze vanish

“Eh? A, Akihisa-kun?”

Hi nearby

I want to get over to her immediately, but I can’to of Himeji-san’s hand and let her move off alone

“Calm down first, Hi around and wait for your eyes to get used to the darkness Also, you should close your eyes so that you won’t feel scared”

“Okay, I understand…”

I remain where I aet used to the darkness

I let Himeji-san close her eyes because I fear that the summoned beasts will suddenly close in on her and scare her when the lights are lit That should be the case

It see fro it…the 3rd years are finallytheir move!

The weird noises nearby disappear, and uely see what’s around et back to Himeji-san and calm her down

“Eh? That’s weird? Why’s the road…”

I can’t see clearly, but there’s a wall that appeared between Himeji-san and me e’re 2, 3 steps away froe the panel layout of the ers?

“This isn’t good…! I have to get over to Himeji-san fast…!”

I frantically search around for a path I’m still not disqualified yet if I’et to the checkpoint if I’ is that it’ll be really pitiful if I let the terrified Himeji-san be alone in such an environment

While in the midst of the darkness, I reach my arm out to the space approxi for a while, I think I can sense the presence of soed to find Hi too much time

“Sorry, Hiuess you're—”

PAK (Lights are switched back on)

“—Ugly?”

“I’ll kill you”

Standing right in front oflooking Himeji-san, Sakamoto Yuuji

“Uu…it’s already shocking to see your face when you just appeared in front of me like that, Yuuji I really want to see Himeji-san now This is really quite the trauma to me…”

“Shut up Move your hand away fro”

“Ah, sorry”

I hurriedly let go of Yuuji’s hand, whom Iwhy Hiot so thick and hard…

“Ah, now’s not the time for this Yuuji, have you seen Himeji-san?”

“Nope, I didn’t see her”

What should I do? Got to find her quickly!

“Alright, Yuuji That’s how it is I have to hurry up and find Himeji-san”

“Wait, Akihisa”

I turn around, only for Yuuji to suddenly call me

“What is it? I’m anxious now!”

“I think you’ll just be wasting your efforts if you want to look for Himeji”

What does he mean by that?

“We’re being toyed with by them now”

“Eh? Why?”

Yuuji’s usual simple explanation causes me to have lots of questions “Hiht hear screams later”

“Hi? What do you mean?”

“This is the plan they thought of to deal with Shouko Actually, there’s nothing surprising about it at all Shouko’s scores are extreh opponent get disqualified, there’s no need to deal with her directly They just need to deal with her partner However, it’s almost impossible for me to scream as Shouko’s partner, so they chose to switch our partners”

“Eh? That means the 3rd years want to let Kirishi+roup and attack them?”

Leaving aside what kind of ploy there is, Hiht if she’s with Kirishi+ about this, I can finally feel relieved

“No, theyat those who ht scream, whoever it may be”

“Whoever it may be, is it?”

“Weren’t there quite a few groups who got lost and couldn’t get out before we entered? I guess they weren’t disqualified, but stuck inside and unable to get out”

“This…is to let Kirishi+ma-san switch partners, is it?”

“Yeah Our opponents have soards to the nuuessed that Shouko and I will be the last pair, and deliberately left the first few teams to switch over when its necessary”

If Yuuji and Kirishi+ame, the 3rd years just need to make them switch partners while they’re stuck in the et out However, they can’t do so if it’s the last pair That’s why they deliberately left the first few teams

“Eh? But even if they want to do so, aren’t there quite a lot of uncertain aspects? They have to split us up if they want us to switch partners, don’t they? Can the 3rd years really grasp the ti?”

“That’s why they designed thisto the destination as long as the situation is beneficial to them, whether it’s an extra wall, an extra path, or a rule not to break the passages It’s not impossible”

“Uwah, that’s despicable…”

In other words, the 3rd years intend to trap us inside this maze until the situation is beneficial to them, don't they? In that case, it’s not a hts went out when Hihtly apart from each other, but because they already planned on the moment to split us up

“Then why did Kubo-kun’s pair get all the way to the checkpoint?”

“This is a cover to prevent their ploy for creating therevealed, I suppose? Also, they already had a rough idea on Kubo and shi+ the last checkpoint Besides Kubo, shi+mizu is just at D class level, and the Toko-Natsu won’t have to spendwith them thanks to their control and summoned beasts scores They’re much easier to deal with than Shouko and me”

I see Even if Kubo-kun and shi+ed to reach the checkpoint at the end without getting disqualified, on’t suspect anything weird about it Most probably, they already saw through this and carried out such a plan

“Also, there’s the issue of wanting to reclaim their pride”

“Ahh, that reason seeh for them to do this”

The Toko-Natsu pair’s physics scores aren’t just abnor the kouhais think that their world history scores yesterday were their real abilities Well…it’s like they want to show off their outstanding scores because they want to give this impression

“Anyway, that’s how it is We’ve been completely had by those two”

“Is that so…but Yuuji, I feel that you’re really different today, aren’t you?”

“Nn? Really?”

“Yeah Normally, you’ll think of a counterplan if you know that you’ve been had by the opponent, right, Yuuji?”

“Well, you’re right there”

Yuuji’s just cal the current situation tocornered so badly This really isn’t like Yuuji

“Did so happen?”

“Nothing”

“Really? If there’s nothing, why aren’t you feeling bothered and thinking about a counterplan?”

“Because my objective is complete”

“Objective?”

“That’s right The reason e had this tournainally to escape Ironman’s summer remedials My objective was coanized, whether in or lose”

“Oh, I see”

“But it’s really vexing to lose to those two And it’ll be troublesoe of the sports festival and clean up after it If possible, I don’t want to take over this hot potato, so I’ll try my best to win this tournament”

Now this is the Yuuji I know of Since we escaped Irone of preparing the sports festival and cleaning up, but this kind of preparatory work is heaven compared to F class’ summer Iron-fist remedials Also, the time taken to prepare for the sports festival will probably be overlapped with the time taken for lessons In that case, even if we don’t have to do things for the 3rd years, we still have to face Ironht suddenly add in after-class supplementary classes Anyway, there’s not ht in that in this current situation, the reason e don’t like losing now is probably because we’re losing to the Toko-Natsu pair

“This test of courage tournaame There’s no need to be so serious”

Yuuji folds his arh he says so, it feels like he did seriously think ere deciding on the rules

“But it doesn’t sound like you want to admit defeat when you say this”

“Gu…”

Arre? Did I guess correctly?

I lift my stare at Yuuji, and he immediately pretends to look calm as he says,

“Anyway, I did think of a plan for you and I to break through this current situation now…”

“Eh? You already have an idea?”

“But the most important part of that plan has to be done by you I have to find a way to hold off the Toko-Natsu, and this really annoys me”

“I see So you’ll get jealous if I’ets to show off?”

“I’m concerned that you can’t finish the job properly, you idiot”

Yuuji retorts back unhappily

I do feel that this strategy see, especially when he has to hold off the Toko-Natsu pair

“Never s go, so just leave Himeji to Shouko”

“Is that so…but Himeji-san should feel a little more relaxed if Kirishi+ma-san is around”

Luckily, the ones holding the cameras this time are Kirishi+ma-san andup Without the cameras, we'd have to return back to the classroom

“Alright, Akihisa, let’s go”

“Okay okay, I get it Ah—to think that the person walking beside ed from Himeji-san to Yuuji; why must such a calamity happen to me…”

Just when I’

Nn? Wait a moment Based on Yuuji’s explanation just now, it seems that he noticed their intention, so why did he allow hi to the opponent’s plan? I already realized their intention and had a counterplan

I don’t think it’s really possible, but uy…

“Yuuji…did you purposely go according to what they wanted just to get away from Kirishi+ma-san?”

“What are you saying, Akihisa? Our opponents are the 3rd year se for them to come up with such a plan? Also, it can’t be helped that our F class is rendered helpless in this intense battle of wits”

“And your true thoughts?”

“I re pursued with the nail-bat when I entered the haunted house with Shouko”

Ah, this is due to the wedding experience I planned before

“What the heck, Yuuji You’re scared of taking part in this even though you sound really impressive here”

“What nonsense Those ghosts or youkais don’t scare me at all”

“Ah Kirishi+ma-san is over at that corner”

“Ku…! I can make it Akihisa barrier[5]…!”

“I see what you’re scared of now, Yuuji”

Also, Yuujihappens

“Why are you so concerned about such a small matter, shi+e—Akihisa”

“You subht…?”

Yuuji’s the only person I’ll definitely not go to a real haunted house with

“Speaking of which, it’s really weird”

“The weird thing is your brain, Yuuji?”

“Shut up, you disposal ar is hoe haven’t heard Himeji scream yet Isn’t that weird?”

“Ah, that’s right”

Yuuji and I had been chatting for quite a while If the opponent’s plan is successful, they should have scared Himeji-san already and make her scream…

As such a doubt pops up in my mind, a soft conversation can be heard from the wall

“…Are you alright, Himeji?”

“Ye, yes…! I’m fine…! It’s not scary…!”

“…These things are just summoned beasts with modified appearances They aren’t scary at all”

“Yes That’s right They’re not scary because they’re summoned beasts…”

Aren’t these Himeji-san and Kirishi+ma-san’s voices?

“Do you think they can hear us if we call their names?”

“Who knows? Maybe Hi and can’t be bothered to notice our voices”

“Well, let’s try that out first then Oii, Himeji-san”

I deliberately keep my voice down to call Himeji-san on the other side of the wall so that I won’t be deemed disqualified Since we can hear their voices on the other side, I guess they should be able to hear ht?

“…!? I, I didn’t hear anything! There’s no one else here I definitely can’t be hearing anyone here…”

“Better give it up here, Akihisa This will bring about the opposite effect”

“Looks like it”

Hiht her fear It’ll be sorry ofher now

“But…Hi her best to endure even when she’s so scared”

“Yeah She’s probably used to how such suuess?”

“What nonsense shi+mada’s as terrified as her and fainted already! Is it possible for her to go to such an extent when she’s used to this?”

“Yeah, seeht?”

It is like what Yuuji said Fear co that can be conquered psychologically in such a short while It’s like soh place It’s basically impossible

“Be honest withhappen when you tere alone?”

“Eh? U…n…now that youdid seem to happen…”

If I have to say what happened, it’s probably about the conversation between Himeji-san and me Himeji-san’s troubles are like…how I deliberately try to keep my distance from her, how I see that can be freely discussed with others…

Yuuji sees that I choose to remain silent and not explain further, he suddenly walks over and whispers to me so softly the camera can’t record it

(Actually, I did hear a little of what you tere talking about Didn’t Hi and keeping distance or sorts?)

Oh yeah Just like how I overheard Yuuji and Kirishi+ on the other side of that wall should be able to hear our voices

(Un…yeah It seems that Himeji-san has lots of troubles)

(Looks like it I already talked to Himeji about that before)

(Eh?)

(Don’t be mistaken I only chatted with her about this as a friend in an indirect manner)

So Hi isolated…

(That’s why Hi hard in her oay)

(Work hard?)

(She’s working hard to be a friend who can be relied upon so that we can be closer together She feels that she’s always being helped, and she’s rather bothered by this)

(Speaking of which, it see similar before)

I re At that ti the suetting helped by others’, or so

(But I feel that she doesn’t have to be bothered by such a s)

(Even if you say so, Himeji may not have the same idea as you That’s because of her nature itself)

(Really…I guess you’re right)

I don’t feel that I’ve always been helping Himeji-san in a one-sided manner, like how she often teacheswar, and how she often supports me; she does support me in lots of ways However, it’s pointless for us to try and coax her if she still feels guilty, isn’t it?

If Himeji-san can’t feel relieved, there will be a heavy burden that she will never be able to let go Now is the best chance to let Himeji-san work hard and abandon all the shackles in her heart So I shouldn’t step in to help; I just need to support her from the shadows

(Also, if Hi to work hard, it’s not just a dream for us to win this)

(That’s right It’ll be great if she can showcase her ability here)

I just hope Himeji-san can work hard to overcome this, whether it’s for herself or for us

“OGAAA—!!”

“Uuu…! U…!”

“…Don’t be scared His aren’t scary at all They’re fake”

“Ye, yes! I’ht…I’ll do my best…!”

The echo already has so to hold it in Hi me from the bottom of my heart now Himeji-san, please do your best…!

“We should beforward now Since you’re so worried, let’s head over to where Shouko’s group is However, don’t reach the checkpoint before them”

“Un”

I follohat Yuuji said andat the alignment of the classroom, we should be nearer to the checkpoint”

“Oi oi…that girl’s really worrying hard”

“I think once h, but she has her eyes closed now We have to find the moment to scare her”

“Got it Then, let’s begin…summon”

We hear this suppressed conversation going on as we follow Hi seees and waiting for a timely strike

“I HATE…I…”

“—U! —U! It’s alright…I’m not scared at all…”

“…You’re a good girl, Himeji”

I can tell froly scary looking su so hard to reduce the distance between us I really feel proud to be friends with such an outstanding girl

“Onee-sama look at me look over at me…”

“Hauu…! Uuu…! I’ too much…”

“…Onee-chan’s busy now Talk again next time”

I can sense that Hiet her rewards for her hard work, and get to the checkpoint safely to beat the Toko-Natsu—even if they can’t crush them, I hope that she can try to wear out their battle ability and help us out as allies Then, Hiht feel some sense of importance in her

Do your best…Do your best, Himeji-san…!

“—Hisa Akihisa”

“Do your best, do your best…!”

“Are you even listening toidiot!?”

“—!”

My, et squashed This pain is really…Yuuji’s using a method of torture that won’t causeme!

“Wha, what? Yuuji?”

“The front’s sealed off We can’t get across”

“Hm? Where?”

Now that Yuuji mentions this, I finally notice the situation in front of us I’ve been focusing so ot to notice the surroundings

“Ahh, but there seems to be a shadow in front Maybe there’s another way around?”

“Really?”

“Anyway, let’s take a look first”

“Alright”

We continueon towards that path that looks like there’s no way through

“But that’s rather weird Why haven’t we seen a summoned beast at all?”

“Yeah Well, they probably thought that they could immediately deal with Himeji, but didn’t expect her to be so hard to handle, so they could only send everyone to scare her? Anyway, it’ll be ”

“I see…but Hiher”

“Also, it seee us no matter what”

“Un That’s really just like what they will think”

Looks like Yuuji and I really offended those two unintentionally That’s why the Toko-Natsu want to beat us in front of everyone to avenge this

“Even if they have such useless thoughts, it’s e to break through the last checkpoint successfully—nn?”

“What is it, Akihisa?”

“Nothing I think I just saw the road in front disappear…”

“What? They changed the layout of the obstacles in the ain?”

I stare at the walls in front of ht between the walls, as if they were moved It seems that the wall that was used to block a certain place was moved aside

“…Himeji”

“Ah, yes What is it?”

“…This is probably where the last checkpoint is”

“Eh?”

“Gek! Tsunemura? Why aren’t those two disqualified!? What should we do now?”

“You’re asking ht them head on now!”

Besides Himeji-san and Kirishi+ma-san’s voices, I can also hear the Toko-Natsu pair voices In that case, the final destination is right in front Hi to succeed

“Ohh Looks like they reached their objective Himeji really worked hard there”

“That’s great…that’s really great…”

I’

“It’s their fault for showing an opening accidentally when they were trying to stop us, and Shouko found the endpoint as a result There’s no worse situation than now for those 3rd years”

“Because Himeji-san worked so hard this time”

What’s left is a lot sie the Toko-Natsu They just need to try and attack them, no matter the outcome This isn’t too much of a problem to Himeji-san and Kirishi+ battles

“Seriously…two girls pop up to s up before we can even teach that Yoshi+ and Sakamoto a lesson Whose fault is it here!”

“These two girls are harder to deal with than those two scum”

“Ahh~ as the one who said at first that the 2nd years are all idiots and pushovers and that we can beat them easily?”

“Sorry, allow me to correct myself Yoshi+ and Sakast the 2nd years, and we have to watch out for them You happy?”

“It’s too late to say this kind

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