Kaguya-sama Wants My Surrender!

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[Instance Cleared, Rewards Distributed…]

Only after receiving the official game notification did the three bystander players fully relax.

"Phew…" Shikimori exhaled, a bit of her tension lifting. The pink bun atop her head was still loose, lending her an unexpectedly cute look. "Finally done."

"I can't believe we completed it in just one hour," remarked the girl with pigtails, her tone filled with disbelief as she habitually adjusted her glasses. 

Horror games aren't casual fun—and it had taken every ounce of effort in past sessions just to scrape through within the time limits. Finishing early and walking away unharmed felt nothing short of a miracle.

She glanced at Amamiya and Kaguya.

These two weren't ordinary players.

"A pleasure working with you all," Amamiya said with a slight smile. "Hope we get to team up again next time."

"If it can be helped, I'd prefer we never cross paths in a horror game again," Pansy muttered under her breath.

Yet she knew that was just wishful thinking. Once trapped in a horror game, escape wasn't an option. 

But if they did end up in another instance together… teaming up might not be so bad.

"Goodbye, everyone—I should head home." Shikimori took off her hairband, her straight pink hair falling neatly back into place. "If I'm out too late, my mom will start to worry."

After a few simple farewells, they all began to part ways.

But before they could get far, Amamiya turned to them and asked, "Interested in joining an organization?"

"Huh? What kind of organization?"

"The Fourth Disaster Mutual Aid Association."

"…"

Having joined the makeshift "association," the three bystander players left in a slight daze.

"Finally done," Amamiya sighed, turning to Kaguya with a smile. "By the way… why did we come here in the first place?"

Kaguya pursed her lips, thinking. "To look for a lost stray cat, I believe?"

Amamiya replied, "How about we come back another day?"

Kaguya gave a slight nod. "Sure, tomorrow then."

"I can't tomorrow."

"Hmm?"

Kaguya tilted her head questioningly.

"Don't forget," Amamiya reminded, "you'll be busy with the elementary school arcade game competition as the 'Aniki.'"

Kaguya: "…"

'So that's what 'Aniki' means? A delinquent?' she thought. 'It's clearly not me!'

"I'm starving." Amamiya glanced at his companion. "Want to head home or grab something to eat first?"

After a brief hesitation, Kaguya tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, murmuring, "Let's eat something first… I'm hungry too."

'It's fine. No regrets about the missed date plans!'

"Alright, let's go," Amamiya said, stretching his muscles. "We'll have a feast!"

"…Okay."

Exactly one hour had passed, and by the time they stepped outside, the sky had already begun to take on the colors of sunset.

The sun sets and the sunset glows vast.

The evening breeze in early summer feels particularly cool and pleasant.

Kaguya looked down at the ground. Her own shadow and Amamiya's shadow were walking together in the sunset. She raised the corners of her pink lips slightly and she quickened her pace to match him.

A few minutes later, Amamiya led Kaguya to the bustling commercial street near the tram station.

Evening had settled in, casting a lively glow over the pedestrian street. Multicolored lights adorned the shops, and the air was filled with the warm scent of Japanese sweets and savory street foods, giving the entire area a cozy, homely feel.

"What do you want to eat?" he asked, pausing to look at Kaguya.

Kaguya took in the sights around her, hesitant. "I…"

"Don't just say 'whatever,'" Amamiya warned.

She shot him a look. 'Does he really think I'm that indecisive?'

Of course, she wouldn't say "whatever!"

Noticing her hesitation, Amamiya considered for a moment, then said, "Let's try taiyaki. It's usually filled with red bean paste… have you had it before?"

"No."

Kaguya shook her head slightly. She'd heard of taiyaki, of course, but had never actually tasted one. Growing up, her friend Chika had often brought her treats from the city, but street snacks were rare.

"Perfect." He headed to the taiyaki stall. "Let's get some."

Kaguya watched, bemused, as he ordered the pastry.

Nearby, another stall sold octopus balls.

"Ever had octopus balls?" he asked, looking her way.

"No."

"Then try them."

"…"

"And crepes?"

"No."

"Get one."

"What about yakitori?"

"No."

"Add it to the list."

"Tricolor dango—get some of that too."

"…"

As they continued through the street, a small ice cream shop caught his eye. Two girls walked past holding cones covered in vibrant green toppings.

"This one's unique," Amamiya said, gesturing. "Coriander ice cream. Want to give it a shot?"

"No way." Kaguya's eyes widened at the suggestion, recoiling slightly. "I can't stand cilantro! If I eat that, I'll die."

"Too bad," Amamiya said with a smirk. "It's a taste of the world's best food."

"To me it's not. I can't eat cilantro."

"…"

'She must never come to food streets often,' he thought, seeing her reaction to every snack. 'It's like she hasn't tried street food at all.'

Walking through the food stalls, Amamiya nonchalantly munched on his taiyaki, encouraging Kaguya to try eating while walking. Although hesitant—years of family etiquette warning against it—she eventually gave in, especially after seeing other passersby doing the same. Cautiously, she began eating as they walked.

"Mm-hmm!" 

As she took a tentative bite of an octopus ball, the hot filling took her by surprise, her eyes widening in a rare, adorable display of panic.

"Hot… hot…" she muttered.

"Just hold on," he advised calmly. "You're supposed to eat octopus balls in one bite."

Kaguya's eyes teared up slightly as she puffed out her cheeks, trying to cool the food with quick breaths.

"If you really can't handle it, spit it out and wait a bit," Amamiya suggested.

'Too late to say that now!' she thought with exasperation.

Soon after, they came upon a bench by the river and took a seat to rest. The evening breeze was cool and gentle, bringing a soft stillness to the lively street. Nearby, couples strolled hand-in-hand, and on a neighboring bench, a pair were feeding each other crepes, seemingly oblivious to the world around them.

'Feeding a guy? Seriously?' Kaguya thought as she glanced over, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. 'And he's fine with this, in public?'

But then…

She looked down at her own food, noting the last two remaining octopus balls. 'Just enough for one person.'

Her heart started to beat faster at the thought. 'If we fed each other…'

"No, I can't do it!" she muttered, shaking her head to clear the thought.

'Hand-feeding him would be like waving a white flag!' No, she'd need to figure out a way to make him feed her first—and then feed him in return. The order was crucial!