"Why are you here? What about the checkpoint you were in charge of? Are you just ignoring it?" Natsukawa Kanade asked, his tone laced with confusion as he glanced at the girl who had suddenly appeared beside them.
"It's all the president's fault!" Fujiwara Chika pouted, crossing her arms in frustration. "You gave me so many suggestions that I started overthinking everything! I couldn't even say my lines properly! It became totally meaningless, so I just let someone else take over my role."
Kanade sighed. "So you just abandoned your post…? That doesn't mean you should be following us, right? Won't that cause problems for you?"
Fujiwara huffed dramatically. "I had nothing to do anyway, so I figured I'd wander around and see if there were any fun places."
"Then why don't you go find them? Why are you sticking with us?"
"Stupid President, I'm not following you! I'm following Kaguya-chan!" Chika declared, puffing out her chest proudly.
Kanade narrowed his eyes. "That sounds like the same thing. Are you trying to cause trouble?"
"Hey! Why do you always assume I'm up to something?! Besides, haven't your challenges already ended? It's time to switch people!"
Kanade blinked. "Wait, what? Just like that? We're switching people? What are you even talking about?"
Chika waved him off. "President, stop overanalyzing everything! I just came to take a look, that's all! I swear I have no ill intentions—"
She suddenly clapped her hands together as if she had just realized something. "Or maybe… I just wanted to make sure our ever-so-serious President wasn't using his power to intimidate his employees and achieve his evil goal of abusing his authority for personal gain!" She placed her hands on her hips, giving him a look of mock accusation.
Kanade groaned, rubbing his temples. "Do I look like someone who would abuse my power for personal gain?"
Chika nodded sagely. "I mean, it's just a 'Medal of Courage.' You say it doesn't matter if you don't get it, but deep down, you totally want it, right?"
"What?! That's ridiculous! I care more about the challenge itself than the reward!"
"Lies! The President is only good at saying noble things, but in reality, he totally craves that medal! Hah! I've got you all figured out!" Chika smirked, wagging her finger as if she'd uncovered some great conspiracy.
Kanade: "??????"
What is this nonsense?! Why does she always manage to make things so infuriating?!
Deciding it was best for his sanity to ignore her, Kanade turned his attention elsewhere. Meanwhile, Chika had already shifted gears, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone as she whispered to Kaguya.
"Kaguya-chan, Kaguya-chan! I want to show you something good! But it's super secret, okay? The President can't see it~~!"
Kanade twitched. "If you don't want me to see it, don't say it right in front of me. Now I'm just curious!"
"Hmph! It's probably another one of her prank toys," he muttered, shaking his head. "I won't be fooled."
As Kanade surveyed their surroundings, he noticed Kaguya favoring one foot slightly. His brows furrowed.
"Oi, Chika. Instead of standing there looking smug, how about you help Kaguya? She hurt her foot, and it's making it difficult for her to walk."
"Whaaa?! Kaguya-chan, you're injured?!" Chika gasped, immediately rushing over. "It's all my fault for not being there to protect you! Oh nooo!"
Despite Chika's overwhelming enthusiasm, Kaguya's expression remained deadpan. "Don't come too close. You're too hot."
"But Kaguya-chaaan!" Chika wailed, dramatically throwing her arms around her. "It must hurt so much! I'm so sorry!"
"I said, stay away!" Kaguya protested, trying in vain to push Chika off.
Unfortunately, Chika's overwhelming presence could not be denied. The moment she pressed against Kaguya, there was an audible "puff!" sound—like the last bit of resistance leaving her body. Miss Kaguya froze in place, her soul seemingly leaving her body in resignation.
Kanade, watching the scene unfold, had a complicated expression.
Girls being affectionate with each other was a normal, civil thing. But judging by Kaguya's stiffened posture, this was anything but a pleasant experience for her.
He silently offered a prayer for Miss Kaguya's mental wellbeing before redirecting his focus to the staff member who had led them here.
"Is this enough? Do we need to do anything else?" Kanade asked as he handed over their event card.
The staff, without even glancing up, took the card, gave it a quick scan, and then stamped the last remaining slot. The process was so quick and effortless that Kanade almost felt like he had imagined it.
"Yep, that's all. As long as all the stamps are collected, the order in which you complete the checkpoints doesn't matter," the staff member said nonchalantly.
Kanade blinked. "...That's it? That was way too fast."
He felt a sense of suspicion creeping in. If someone had just used the student council's official seal beforehand and presented a completed card, would the staff have just stamped it without checking anything else?
This whole event might be less about genuine testing and more about human interactions.
Still, that wasn't his biggest concern. Despite overcoming many obstacles to get here, there was an odd feeling gnawing at the back of his mind. Like he had overlooked something important. He couldn't shake the sensation, but no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't pinpoint what it was.
Unfortunately, real life wasn't like a game where he could just open a task log and check his objectives. Whatever he had forgotten, he'd have to figure it out the hard way…
But if he couldn't figure it out, then it was best to just let it go for now. No need to rack his brain over something that wasn't immediately clear. While Natsukawa Kanade had a habit of overanalyzing things, he recognized when he was at a dead end. With that thought, he shook off any lingering doubts and focused on the present.
After thanking the staff once more, he took the two "Medals of Courage" they handed him, tucking them away securely. He also kept the now-useless cardboard as a small souvenir before turning his attention to Shinomiya Kaguya and the ever-unpredictable Fujiwara Chika.
By now, Fujiwara Chika had calmed down considerably. She was no longer bouncing off the walls with chaotic energy but still clung to Shinomiya Kaguya, refusing to let go. She even muttered a few complaints, but surprisingly, it was Kaguya who was comforting her in a gentle tone.
Natsukawa Kanade sighed internally.
Yup, this was normal.
These two had always had this kind of dynamic. Sometimes he wondered if Kaguya's constant indulgence of Fujiwara Chika had led to her developing such a carefree and shameless personality over time. It was almost like training a cat by accident—she just did whatever she pleased, knowing she'd get away with it.
Initially, Kanade had been concerned that the "young Kaguya" would have misunderstandings with Fujiwara Chika, but now it seemed that Kaguya had reverted back to her usual self. The confused expressions were gone, replaced by her familiar, knowing smile.
"I'm back," Natsukawa Kanade announced casually as he approached.
"President, did you get the prize?" Kaguya Shinomiya asked, glancing up at him with a rare look of anticipation.
"Yeah, I got it," Kanade confirmed, pulling out the badge and offering it to her along with the now-marked challenge card. "Do you want this?"
"You're giving it to me?" Kaguya looked pleased but a little surprised. "Wouldn't you rather keep it as a memory?"
Kanade shook his head with a small smile. "Nah, I'm good. The experience itself is enough for me."
After all, he had gone through the entire ordeal with added difficulty—doing it while carrying extra weight was no joke. This whole night would be etched into his mind whether he wanted it to be or not.
"Besides, I still have this," he added, shaking the "Medal of Courage" lightly in his hand.
Kaguya's eyes brightened. "That's a matching pair with mine..."
A matching set.
Proof of their bond.
Even in that terrifying moment, the president hadn't abandoned her. If that wasn't love, then what was?
And to top it all off, they had also received a couple's bracelet from Fujiwara Chika—something akin to a blessing from a mutual friend.
Wasn't this fate?
Just as Kaguya was getting swept up in her own blissful thoughts, planning how to prolong her alone time with Kanade, an annoyingly loud voice cut through her fantasy.
"I got one too! Actually, I have a whole bunch!" Fujiwara Chika blurted out, completely shattering the moment.
With an infuriatingly smug expression, she pulled out several different "Medals of Courage" and displayed them like a proud collector showing off rare treasures.
"Look, there are so many different styles!" she continued, oblivious to the glares she was receiving.
As if that weren't enough, she leaned in closer, eagerly pointing at one specific medal. "But this one's my favorite because it's hilarious!"
Curious despite themselves, Kanade and Kaguya followed her gaze.
The medal she was so excited about had a ghost mask engraved on its surface—an unmistakable design.
Natsukawa Kanade didn't find anything particularly unusual about it. He was already used to Fujiwara Chika's… eccentric tastes. However, when he glanced over at Kaguya, he noticed that she had completely frozen.
She was staring at the medal in Fujiwara's hand as if she had seen a ghost—her eyes wide in disbelief.
It was identical to the one she had received.
Her supposed blessing.
"…?" Kaguya's brain short-circuited.
"Hehe, I did my research this time!" Fujiwara Chika beamed, launching into a cheerful explanation. "This ghost is called Hannya. It represents jealousy and vengefulness! Look at that sneaky little grin—it's so funny, right? I love this design the most!"
Kanade immediately rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright, we get it. You read a Wikipedia page."
But Kaguya? She was still stuck processing this horrifying revelation.
She had thought it was a romantic symbol.
A sign of their deep connection.
A blessing.
…And it turned out to be a cursed ghost mask representing jealous rage?
Her entire worldview shattered on the spot.
Before she could dwell on it for too long, Kanade suddenly turned to her with a serious expression.
"Kaguya, I need to head out for a bit. If anything important comes up in the student council, just handle it however you see fit. I trust your judgment."
"…Eh?" Kaguya blinked, still a little dazed.
"And you." Kanade turned to Fujiwara, his tone sharp. "Don't cause any unnecessary trouble. And make sure Kaguya doesn't strain her injury. I don't want to come back and find her limping."
"Geez, I know, I know. The president is such a nag!" Fujiwara Chika waved him off dismissively before promptly shoving him away. "Just go already!"
Kanade sighed, giving Kaguya one last glance before finally taking his leave.
He had already spent too much time here. The Test of Courage event was still ongoing, and more importantly, he had made a promise to Eriri and the others. Even though his body was exhausted, he needed to hurry over and keep his word.
Kaguya only snapped back to reality when she heard his departing footsteps.
Wait.
Where was he going?
Her instincts screamed at her to ask, to stop him, to demand an explanation—
But just as she opened her mouth, Fujiwara Chika latched onto her arm like a limpet.
"Come on, Kaguya-chan, let's go have fun! Don't mind that stupid president. He's probably just slacking off somewhere."
"—!!!"
What do you mean, don't mind him?!
That's exactly why she needed to mind him!
Kaguya struggled, trying to shake off Fujiwara Chika, but it was already too late. Kanade's figure had disappeared completely into the night.
No matter how loudly she called out to him now, he wouldn't hear her.
"..."
Damn you, Fujiwara Chika!
Kaguya silently wept inside as she was dragged away, her chance to stop Kanade vanishing along with him.