Within arm's reach.
Close enough to feel each other's breath.
Looking at her own clear reflection in Natsuki's eyes, Kaguya finally realized that the distance between them had unknowingly become dangerously close.
(Too close too close too close!)
(Is he going to suddenly lean in?)
(Very possible.)
(Hayasaka said that boys are all beasts. Once their blood runs hot, they become super impulsive.)
(If he leans in, I'll get pregnant, won't I?)
As a sheltered young lady who had grown up in a "sterile" environment, Kaguya's knowledge of biology was extremely lacking. She still believed that a boy and girl would get pregnant just from kissing.
Talking herself into a panic, the black-haired beauty's snow-white face rapidly turned red, like brilliant evening clouds in summer. Natsuki was quite surprised.
So... Shinomiya's blushing just now wasn't because she wanted to sneeze, but because she was embarrassed?
What happened to the ice sculpture girl? She could clear the Vengeful Spirit School with a straight face—why is she getting embarrassed now?!
Natsuki held his breath.
Not only did he not impulsively lean in, he even silently increased the distance between them.
Miko was one thing—bullying Miko would earn him a beating at most.
But if he bullied Shinomiya-san, Natsuki estimated he'd be feeding the fish in Tokyo Bay tonight.
Kaguya's long eyelashes trembled slightly, and she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
The next moment.
Bang.
The door was suddenly pushed open.
"Hu Hansan has returned!"
The voice of the girl known as "Earth's Cancer" rang throughout the room.
Natsuki and Kaguya both jumped, their hearts simultaneously filled with a strange guilty feeling. Their gazes abruptly crossed.
A game notification appeared before Kaguya's eyes.
[Game Failed. Progress has been reset to zero. Please start the challenge again]
"Kaguya-chan, how's the task going?"
Chika walked over to them with light steps, asking in a bright voice.
Kaguya closed her eyes. Her slender, pale fingers pressed against her brow. She took a deep breath, biting her lower lip. "The task failed."
"Huh? How come?" Chika was confused. "Why did it fail?"
A smile appeared on Kaguya's face—like a queen about to sign an execution order, her smile dangerous:
"What does Fujiwara-san think the reason might be?"
"Kaguya-chan's smile is so scary!"
Chika got a fright and retreated two steps, hiding behind Natsuki. She hugged herself. "It feels like a cat seeing a hamster, wanting to gobble me up in one bite."
Natsuki said flatly: "Shouldn't it be a mouse?"
"I don't want to be a mouse." Chika quickly shook her head. "They're ugly and dark. If I could be reincarnated in my next life, I'd choose to be a hamster."
I didn't realize you were such a looks-focused person.
As the saying goes, rough willows make winnowing baskets and fine willows make sieves—who ever saw an ugly man in this world? Those who judge by appearance aren't reliable.
"It's normal for Shinomiya-san to be angry." Natsuki rubbed his sore eyes. "I'm angry too."
"Why?"
"The task was almost complete. You suddenly burst in without warning, and now we have to start all over again."
"Eh, so that's what happened." Chika quickly pressed her palms together and bowed in apology. Her attitude of admitting fault was quite good. "I'm sorry, Kaguya-chan. I forgot to knock just now. It's all my fault. I'm willing to offer pudding as a sacrifice. Please forgive me."
"Pudding?"
Natsuki's gaze drifted slightly downward, landing on Chika's chest... Little bunnies bouncing around, so cute.
In a certain sense, that should count as pudding, right?
"I don't want pudding."
Kaguya gently rubbed the bridge of her nose and let out a soft breath. She suddenly understood the helplessness and indignation of Zhuge Kongming.
Stars falling on the autumn wind at Wuzhang Plains.
At the critical moment when the Seven Star Lamp was meant to extend his life, Wei Yan had kicked it over, causing all his efforts to come to naught. The feelings of Chancellor Zhuge at that moment must have been exactly the same as hers right now.
The great enterprise unfinished, Shu-Han not yet revived.
So unwilling!
"Fujiwara-san, remember to knock before entering next time." Kaguya clenched her pink fists.
"Got it, I promise I'll remember." Chika walked over to sit nearby, obedient like a Husky. She picked up the chocolate sticks from before and began munching away. "Kaguya-chan, you two continue. There's still enough time for you to do it once more."
"No, I can't." Natsuki shook his head, rubbing his eyes. "My eyes are uncomfortable."
"Huh? Amamiya-kun can't go on already?" Chika looked over in surprise. "It's only been a few minutes. So weak."
What the hell!
How is a few minutes weak? The strongest primate on Earth—the silverback gorilla—can only last a few dozen seconds!
Ahem, we're talking about staring time here.
Anyone who can maintain a staring contest for ten minutes is a beast.
Chika continued:
"When I'm thinking about problems, I often go several hours without blinking..."
You're full of it!
The Guinness World Record holder for not blinking only lasted two hours at most. You casually claim several hours, easily breaking the world record!
"Blinking is an unconscious human behavior, like breathing—it doesn't require thought or deliberate action." Natsuki looked at the airheaded girl and couldn't help retorting. "In fact, humans blink over a dozen times per minute, but few people notice themselves blinking, let alone count the number of times."
"I really can go hours without blinking."
Chika sprawled on the table, using both hands to hold her eyelids open. Her pink eyes were big and bright, full of confidence. "If Amamiya-kun doesn't believe me, we can verify it right now."
"Let's go back to the classroom." Kaguya gently pressed her brow, her voice returning to its cool tone. "My eyes really do need to rest."
"Alright then."
Chika reluctantly agreed.
Natsuki and the two girls left the Tabletop Gaming Club and returned to the classroom one after another.
The four morning classes flew by.
Lunch break.
The break was only fifty minutes. Kaguya and Chika ate the bento boxes they'd brought, while Natsuki went to the school cafeteria for lunch. There was no opportunity to do the task at noon.
Before they knew it, school was out.
"Kaguya-chan, we can't use the activity room—everyone's going there for club activities." Chika suggested. "Why don't you and Amamiya-kun stay in the classroom to do the task?"
"Alright."
Kaguya nodded slightly.
"I need to stop by the Tabletop Gaming Club, so I'll head out first." Chika waved and walked toward the door. "Good luck, you two."
"Remember to knock." Natsuki reminded her. "Don't suddenly barge in."
"Roger." Chika raised her hand in a salute.
"..."
Only Natsuki and Kaguya remained in the classroom.
Natsuki stood and walked over to Kaguya, sitting down at the desk in front of hers.
The three were classmates, with Kaguya and Chika sitting next to each other. Miko and Hana were in a different classroom.
The two sat facing each other across the desk.
"Shinomiya-san, ready to begin?" Natsuki asked.
Kaguya's tone was calm. "Let's begin."
Their eyes met.
The classroom quickly fell silent.
Bright sunlight streamed in, passing through the windows to form luminous corridors in the air.
A gentle breeze blew.
Someone's textbook hadn't been put away, and its pages rustled softly in the wind.
Natsuki silently gazed at the girl's beautiful eyes, like red gemstones. He emptied his mind and entered a state of meditation.
Unfortunately, someone couldn't calm down.
Before long, a faint blush quietly rose on Kaguya's pretty face again.
Hey hey, it hasn't even been a minute yet. Why are you blushing again?
If this keeps up, your ice sculpture girl image is going to fall apart!
Time passed second by second.
This time there was a desk between them for support, so the distance didn't gradually shrink like it had that morning.
Just as the task was about to be completed, the buzzing of insect wings suddenly broke the silence.
"Eh eh eh?"
The girl's long, slightly curled eyelashes immediately began to tremble.