Kaguya-sama Wants My Surrender!

[Let's end this year with a bang! 🎉 For every 1 review, I'll upload 1 chapter!

The extra chapters, along with the regular daily uploads, will kick off at the start of 2025!

P.S.: For those interested only.]

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As two shadow cats appeared side-by-side on the wall, a notification flashed before Amamiya's eyes:

[You've encountered two shadow cats, unlocking another pointless biology illustration.]

Ignoring the complaints of the three onlookers, Amamiya turned to Kaguya. "Hoodmeowth, what's your take on this?"

"It's hardly excessive," Kaguya replied, her expression steady and calculating. "If you feel any hesitation, just remember the experience of almost being taken down yourself."

For Kaguya, reaching the goal justified any means necessary. Mercy to an enemy was cruelty to oneself, and even if that enemy appeared human, she would still act decisively when the moment called for it.

At her words, the spiky-haired boy glanced down at his bandaged right hand, still stained with fresh blood. Remembering his close brush with death, he clenched his fists and nodded. "You're right. Today, we'll show this cat lady just how ruthless we can be."

"Excellent—show some ambition," Amamiya remarked with a smirk, giving him a thumbs-up. Fixing his gaze on the shadowy outline of the cat just beyond the light, he called out, "Madam, are you listening? If you don't come forward and surrender, Yamazaki-kun here might just resort to… unspeakable acts toward your daughter."

"Wait, what?!" Yamazaki's face flushed with outrage, clutching his side as if his anger had physically wounded him. "It's a cat, for crying out loud!"

From the legendary lizard warriors of India to the seasoned combatants of exhaust-pipe lore, it seemed human imagination knew no bounds for bizarre scenarios.

"Madam, you hear that?" Amamiya taunted. "Yamazaki-kun's promising that, cat or no cat, he'll show no mercy."

Yamazaki's jaw dropped, eyes hollow with disbelief. "I never said that! And who even says it's a female cat? It could easily be a male!"

Pansy pushed her glasses up, adding, "Technically, a shadow cat might not have a biological gender at all."

"I have a cat," Shikimori interjected, gripping her bamboo sword. "For the record, tri-colored cats are usually female—except for orange ones, that is."

Amamiya raised an eyebrow, giving his companions a wry look. "I was only trying to lighten the mood; didn't expect everyone to take it so seriously."

The trio exchanged awkward glances, left speechless.

"Alright, the plan's simple." With the joking aside, Amamiya's tone sharpened as he outlined the next steps. "Remove the wooden plank on top of the cardboard box. The shadow cat, trapped inside, will try to jump out the moment it's free. All we need to do is bat it back in as soon as it moves."

"Understood," everyone replied, the gravity of the situation clear. After all, this was no real cat—just an ominous shadow in feline form.

Amamiya turned to Pansy, his voice firm. "class monitor, lift the board off the box."

Pansy nodded. "Leave it to me."

Without even noticing, she had fully accepted her impromptu role as "class monitor."

Amamiya checked with Kaguya and Shikimori. "Are you both ready?"

The two girls nodded, eyes fixed.

Amamiya's voice dropped. "... Class Monitor, go."

Pansy understood, swiftly pulling the wooden plank off the box. Instantly, the shadow shifted, and a shadow cat sprang from the box, leaping right in Amamiya's direction.

Amamiya didn't hesitate, swinging his bat in a sharp arc.

'Bang!'

There was a faint but distinct sound in the air as if he'd struck something tangible, though it seemed he was only swinging at empty space. The bat, however, gave the sensation of impact, and the shadow cat was knocked back into the cardboard box.

Though the shadow's attacks were capable of causing harm, they appeared only marginally damaging. Not two seconds had passed before the shadow cat leapt out of the box once more.

'Whoosh!'

This time, Shikimori was ready. The pink-haired girl pursed her lips, her face serious and focused as she gripped her bamboo sword in both hands and swung it downward.

On the wall, her shadow mirrored her movements, the bamboo sword's silhouette slicing through the air and forcing the shadow cat back into the box.

After these repeated blows, a faint sound—almost like a distressed meow—seemed to echo softly around them.

Finally, Madam Cat, who had lingered on the edge of the light, unable to hold back any longer, sprang toward the players' shadows.

Kaguya quickly moved, raising the wooden board in her hand in front of the flashlight. A thick, shadowy shape appeared on the wall, forming a barrier to intercept Madam Cat's attack.

'Snap!'

A crack splintered silently across the shadow of the wooden board, causing it to bend inward.

"Here, take this," the spiky-haired boy offered, handing over a fresh plank.

With teamwork, the five players continued to subdue the shadowy cat daughter in front of the distressed Madam Cat. The shadow cat's movements grew visibly slower, its attempts to leap dwindling while the faint cries in the air became more distinct.

Hearing her "daughter's" plaintive cries, Madam Cat finally lost all composure. She abandoned her caution, wildly clawing at the wooden shadow barrier.

"Now!" Kaguya called out, holding her breath as she swiftly raised the cardboard box she had prepared, aligning it carefully. She positioned the box in front of the flashlight, its shadow covering the Madam Cat completely, which immediately began thrashing against its confinement.

"Quick, reinforce the box!"

"Don't let that big cat escape."

Excited by the sudden progress, everyone moved in to stabilize the cardboard trap.

After a few tense moments, the box settled, securely holding its captive.

"Phew…" Pansy exhaled deeply, wiping the sweat from her brow. "Is it over?"

Shikimori stayed cautious. "What if there's a third one?"

"There won't be," Amamiya replied confidently. The clues had made it clear.

[The family is now fully reunited. You've successfully captured both the wife and daughter. Oyakodon is always best when shared!]

The others exchanged uncertain glances, but Kaguya felt assured hearing his words.

"If there was another one, it would have shown up with all that racket. Let's go." Dusting his hands off, Amamiya opened the door and strolled calmly into the brightly lit corridor.

Kaguya followed close behind, with the remaining three players trailing cautiously.

And as expected, the path was clear. So they proceeded without incident.

Emerging from the abandoned factory, each player received a game notification:

[Congratulations, you have cleared the game instance!]