Kaguya-sama Wants My Surrender!

Shikimori's suggestion was practical.

Since the "Cardboard Monster Strategy" had proven feasible, it seemed logical to keep using it. Their next steps would be straightforward:

Explore the abandoned warehouse.

Search for another cardboard box.

Reinforce it.

Then, they'd move carefully, crossing back and forth like small creatures navigating a perilous river…

But there were clear downsides.

The plan was time-consuming and labor-intensive. On top of that, the cardboard box wasn't exactly a fortress; no one could guarantee how long it would hold. And there was always the chance the Shadow Cat would claw through it mid-escape.

"…I have another way to clear this level," Kaguya stated calmly, drawing everyone's attention.

"Huh?" Shikimori was surprised. "Really?"

"Put the cat in a cage," Kaguya replied matter-of-factly.

"Meow???" Shikimori tilted her head, looking genuinely puzzled, as if a question mark had popped up above her head.

Put the cat in a cage? But it wasn't a real cat; it was a shadow! How could they even touch it, let alone lock it up?

The spiky-haired boy wore a similarly baffled expression. Pansy, however, glanced at Amamiya, noting his calm demeanor, as though he already anticipated this idea. She instinctively adjusted her glasses, feeling that these two might actually know what they were doing.

"It's very simple…" Kaguya hated to leave people guessing. Those characters in movies who mysteriously die mid-explanation were the worst. 

So she explained her plan openly, with no reservations. This was a strategy that would require more than just her and Amamiya; they would need the others' support.

"Wait…really?" Shikimori's eyes widened slightly. "Can we actually do that?"

Pansy pondered aloud, "It sounds… feasible."

Amamiya nodded, "We'll know if it works once we try it."

"Alright then…" Shikimori took a deep breath, her eyes full of resolve. "Let's find a suitable spot to confront it."

The group made their way to the brightly lit corridor on the first floor, where lights shone on both sides. Unfortunately, the brightness didn't bring any real sense of security—instead, the corridor felt fraught with hidden dangers.

"I think there's an abandoned warehouse ahead, on the right," Shikimori whispered. "Let's see if we can push the door open and get inside."

Amamiya nodded, "Do you want to take the lead this time or stay behind?"

Instinctively, Shikimori covered her waist, still feeling the faint, lingering sensation from when Amamiya had touched her there earlier. She cast a quick, guilty glance at Kaguya before muttering, "I'll go first."

Shikimori didn't like relying on others. Although she was a girl, she wanted to take charge whenever possible.

Amamiya gave her a thumbs up. "Shikimori-san, you're pretty bold."

"W-what?" Shikimori blushed, giving him a sharp look. "Bold is not exactly a word you use for girls!"

With cardboard boxes in hand, the two disguised themselves as "cardboard monsters" and continued forward cautiously.

Luckily, nothing interrupted their progress.

The two reached the warehouse door, and with a gentle push, it groaned open, its rusty hinges giving way.

"Good—it's not locked."

They entered the warehouse, where Shikimori peeked through a small gap they'd created, breathing a sigh of relief. "It's dark in here. We can stand up now."

Amamiya lifted the box and took a look around.

"It's pitch black; I can't see much."

After a moment's hesitation, he turned on the flashlight to survey their surroundings carefully.

　　The scene resembled the upstairs warehouse: a large, vacant area, nearly everything cleared out, with only stray pieces of cardboard, broken wood panels, and other discarded items scattered in the corners.

"Yes, this is the spot."

After surveying the surroundings, Amamiya gave a satisfied nod. Transforming himself into a "cardboard monster," he prepared to transport the others.

There's no need to recount each step after that.

Now an adept handler, Amamiya navigated smoothly, showing a sharp sense of timing and priority. Before long, he had successfully transported the girl with the braid hair and the spiky-haired boy to the warehouse.

Finally, only Kaguya remained.

"Shinomiya-san, your turn," Amamiya called, gesturing her over.

As her eyes fell on the cardboard box, Kaguya recalled the accidental kiss from earlier. Just as her flushed cheeks had started to cool, they flared up once more.

"Hurry up," Amamiya prodded, "No dragging your feet."

"…!"

Biting her lip, Kaguya ducked under the box, her face still tinged pink.

"Going quiet, are you?" Amamiya muttered darkly. "If you start feeling dizzy, make sure to let me know before you pass out."

"I'm not fainting!" she retorted, barely restraining her irritation.

"You fainted this morning," Amamiya pointed out.

"That was this morning," she insisted, puffing her cheeks. "I'm not the same person I was then."

Back in the game club that morning, her quickened heartbeat had been too much, causing her to pass out.

How mortifying. Truly, utterly mortifying.

Amamiya asked dryly, "And what's different now?"

"I…"

Kaguya bit her lip again, hesitant. What had just happened… Even though it was an accident, it felt like crossing into new territory.

In the words of Hayasaka, they'd already started on the path to adulthood!

Moments later, Amamiya and Kaguya finally arrived at the warehouse.

Kaguya took a steadying breath. "Alright, let's get ready."

…

"We're ready," Shikimori announced quickly. "Hoodmeowth, let's begin."

Kaguya nodded, setting a flashlight on the floor and switching it on.

A piercing beam of light cut through the darkness, casting a crisp, snow-white glow on the wall.

Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on the wall. Soon, the shadow of a cat emerged in the beam's glow.

"There it is."

The girl with pigtails spoke in a slightly shaky voice.

Alongside the Shadow Cat on the wall was a cardboard box—constructed from discarded pieces found in the warehouse—angled perfectly in front of the flashlight.

To be precise, it was the shadow of the cardboard box cast on the wall.

The Shadow Cat slinked into the light, curiously edging toward the cardboard box, like a cat toying with a captured mouse.

Then… with a single calculated leap, it disappeared into the shadow of the cardboard box.

As everyone knows, no cat can resist a cardboard box.

Shadow Cat was no exception.

"It went in!"

Shikimori's eyes gleamed as she thrust a wooden plank down onto the cardboard box without hesitation.

In the shadow cast on the wall, the cardboard box now appeared sealed, a heavy plank casting a thickened outline.

Amamiya watched the real cardboard box in front of the flashlight as it bulged silently, a clear sign that Shadow Cat was inside.

"We've got it!"

"Quick, reinforce the planks—seal it tight!"

…