Why is my journey to the world of anime a strange tale of rules?

Although she still feels extremely nervous about holding hands, blushing, her heart racing, and feeling at a loss, Kaguya has actually begun to get used to the feeling of the two of them walking forward hand in hand.

Although she herself was completely unaware of this.

A Ferris wheel?

Kaguya, trying to ignore the rough touch of Takami's fingers, looked up at the Ferris wheel that was slowly turning.

She wasn't really sure what was fun about this place, or to be more precise, she didn't find any of the rides she visited today fun. After all, her initial purpose for coming here was to go on a date with Gao Hai, to get closer to him, and to take their relationship beyond just being comrades-in-arms. She hadn't really considered anything else.

However, despite saying that, I was actually completely led astray by Gao Jun's rhythm today.

Kaguya sighed softly as she thought about this.

Hayasaka stopped providing support, perhaps because he realized this.

I'm really bad at things like dating...

Kaguya, who was slightly bored, was pulled into the Ferris wheel by Takami.

The two sat facing each other in the not-so-large carriage. As the carriage doors closed and the carriage slowly rose, soon no one could see Takami and Kaguya inside.

Interlude 3-27: The Enchanting Beginning and the Runaway Girl

As the sedan chair swayed slightly, Kaguya and Takami, who were sitting inside, began to feel themselves moving upwards little by little.

My heart is racing.

She subconsciously lowered her head, not daring to meet the gaze of the man sitting opposite her.

Without Hayasaka's support behind the scenes, and with no one able to see what was happening here and now, Kaguya was completely isolated, sharing the same spot only with the man in front of her. Realizing this, Kaguya couldn't calm down; she felt like her heart was about to leap out of her mouth.

What should I do now? What is the best course of action?

Confused.

When she realized that things were spiraling out of control, and that she was in a situation where she had no outside help and could only face the unfamiliar circumstances on her own, Kaguya could no longer maintain a calm state of mind.

What will Gao Jun do to me?

Someone as straightforward as him when it comes to relationships, saying whatever he wants and doing whatever he wants—in a place free from any external interference, what would he possibly want to do to himself?

Kaguya couldn't help but recall the photos and videos Hayasaka had shown her, which she had secretly taken of Takami and Chika Maki during their dates.

Would he do those intimate things to himself that make one blush?

The girl instinctively shrank back, pressing her legs tightly together.

It feels terrifying.

Even though Gao Hai wasn't doing anything and was just staying put, Kaguya still felt a sense of panic.

However, while feeling scared, I also seemed unable to resist feeling curious.

If he really intends to do something to me, should I... go along with him?

What would happen if I didn't reject him?

It seems... there's a slight urge to make things go in that direction...

The girl, unable to calm down, couldn't help but gently shake her little feet.

Unaware of Kaguya's rich inner world, Takami simply gazed quietly at the scenery outside the window for a while before turning to look at Kaguya.

"How's the recovery going?"

he asked.

"Huh, recovery?"

Kaguya was stunned when Gao Hai's first words were about this thing, and for a moment she didn't understand what Gao Hai was talking about.

"Hayasaka suffered from many aftereffects because he was transformed into a dog for too long. Although your time was much shorter, you still experienced the same thing. How have you been recovering these past two days? Are you alright?"

As Gao Hai spoke, he stared intently at Kaguya.

"Oh... I've recovered quite well. I'm fine. Unlike Hayasaka, who was greatly affected by being a dog for so long, I'm basically fine now that I've turned back."

Realizing that Takahashi cared about her, Kaguya's panicked heart calmed down a little. Although she was somewhat disappointed for some reason, her mood did not seem to worsen; on the contrary, she felt more relaxed.

However, her answer to Gao Hai was not the truth, but a lie.

In fact, while her aftereffects weren't as severe as Hayasaka's, they were still enough to affect her daily life. It was only because of her relatively strong willpower that she was able to control herself when others were around.

Therefore, in the last few nights, Kaguya has completely transformed into a naturalist when going to bed and can no longer wear pajamas.

But how could she possibly tell Takahashi about something like this? Just like Maki's own insincere and arrogant personality, Kaguya also had a strange sense of pride and a somewhat twisted competitive spirit. This kind of torment that she couldn't overcome on her own was something she would never voluntarily reveal, even if it were exposed to someone else.

"That's good. After all, the next mission has been decided. The final decision made in the morning's discussions is to work together with the [Slacking Off Gang], the [Red Knot Society], and the [Market] to enter the remaining [Nightfall Mountain Middle School] area of ​​[Campus Ghost Stories], and try to find the dollhouse that is likely not in the Teng Hua Middle School area, in order to rescue the trapped Red Moon level players. In other words, what follows will be a tough battle, and I have decided that we will all enter this instance. Although it is very dangerous, in order to ensure that the team's strength can be further improved and that no individual member will fall behind, I think it is a risk that should be taken."

Gao Hai's voice had become serious.

Upon hearing this, Kaguya quickly changed her mindset, recovering from her initial awkwardness. She listened carefully to what Takahashi was saying, nodding slightly from time to time.

Should he enter the remaining areas of the [Campus Ghost Stories] instance to complete the rescue mission? Adding to this Gao Jun's own limitations, it means he must break through the core obsession of the [Nightfall Mountain Middle School] area, further destroying this pseudo-Red Moon level instance that has already been nearly half-destroyed.

It's certain that this won't be an easy task, or rather, since she met Gao Jun, Kaguya has never seen this man experience a simple game that he could easily pass.

He always went through tough and difficult battles, and always experienced one tribulation after another.

Compared to Gao Hai's situation, the dark fragments in her own memory, the things that saddened and troubled her, seemed almost like pointless whining. Yet, faced with such a difficult and dangerous situation, faced with repeated deaths and the torment of constantly searching for a way out, this man still maintained his smile, still remained unmoved, as if no burden could crush him.

Kaguya suddenly froze.

She suddenly remembered how Gao Hai had tried to trick her into kissing him in the ruins of the Shirakawa apartment.

At that moment, she ultimately chose to kiss him on the cheek, which was actually very unlike her usual self. Logically speaking, she should have harshly criticized Gao Hai for his frivolous words and actions and his disloyalty to Zhenfei, but instead, she did something so intimate that she would never normally do.

So, is that how it is?

The girl blinked, trying to understand why she was attracted to this man.

Even though he was on the verge of death, he could still laugh out loud and make slightly excessive jokes with ease, as if death itself was nothing to him.

It was at that time that she realized the shining qualities in this man, that she was attracted to him, and that she slowly began to change because of him.

It was precisely because of that dazzling light that she was able to overlook his flaws and tolerate his imperfections. Because that light alone was enough for her to look up to and pursue.

"I will do my best to help Gao Jun pass the test."

Therefore, Kaguya finally spoke earnestly in this way.

"So enthusiastic? Can you really accept me taking such unilateral action and dragging everyone into danger?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Hai couldn't help but chuckle, leaning back in his chair and remarking with a sigh.

It was only then that Kaguya noticed the suppressed emotion hidden in Gao Hai's words. He wasn't entirely sure if his approach was right; he was still hesitant about bringing everyone into the extremely dangerous Red Moon-level dungeon. However, based on his own rationality, he ultimately decided to do it.

"Of course, after all, we're a team, Gao Jun."

A slight smile appeared on Kaguya's lips.

"From the moment we become players, danger is destined to accompany us."

"Meeting Gao Jun and being able to become his partner and comrade-in-arms, facing various dangers in the dungeon together, is a kind of luck in itself."

"No matter what dangers lie ahead, I believe Gao Jun will be able to lead us through them and overcome them. I will also do my best to truly help Gao Jun, become a trusted assistant to Gao Jun, and face those dangers together with Gao Jun."

Even his words became somewhat clumsy.

At this moment, the girl, who was trying so hard to express her feelings, even felt a bit like she didn't know what she was saying, and was at a loss for words.

Gao Hai listened silently without uttering a single laugh.

Only after Kaguya finished speaking did his expression relax, and a hint of happiness appeared on his face.

He reached out and grasped the girl's slender hand.

Gao Hai lowered his head and looked at Kaguya, who seemed embarrassed and wanted to avoid his gaze. After a long pause, he finally spoke softly.

"Yes, I understand. Thank you, Kaguya."

Gao Hai smiled gently, a smile that made Kaguya even more flustered. She could only lower her head, trying her best not to let him see her flushed cheeks.

What? This feels like a confession is about to happen.

Almost at the same moment that thought came to mind, Takahashi leaned close to Kaguya's head, his lips almost touching her ear.

"So, may I try dating you, lovely Kaguya-san?"

boom--

Kaguya's thoughts exploded at that moment.

Her eyes widened as she stared blankly at Gao Hai, who was smiling at her. She watched his head approach again until their foreheads touched, until his smile was so close that they were practically touching, just one step away from a kiss, before she finally realized what had happened.

"Was that...was that a confession? You...you...Gao Jun, were you confessing?!"

The girl's cheeks, completely unprepared, turned as red as ripe apples.

"Yes, that's right. I'm confessing to the cute, beautiful, and very delicious Kaguya-san. I like you a lot. Would you like to go out with me?"

Gao Hai's voice showed no sign of confusion.

The girl, who had completely forgotten her plans and goals before coming here, let out a cry of extreme shame at this moment.

A few minutes later, when the Ferris wheel stopped again, before the staff could even open the cabin doors, Kaguya quickly escaped, covering her bright red cheeks and fleeing in a clean and decisive manner.

what……

Gao Hai, still sitting in the sedan chair, was dumbfounded.

No, is this some kind of common gene of the Shinomiya-Shijo family?

After Gao Hai's confession, Kaguya stood there stunned for several minutes without giving any reply. Then, after the carriage came to a stop, she came to her senses and chose to flee the scene, even breaking the carriage door in the process.

In the end, we don't know if she agreed to the date or not. Was today's event a success or a disaster?

Takami, left behind by the escaped Kaguya, couldn't immediately think of the correct answer.

Interlude 3-28: Information regarding [Nightfall Mountain Middle School] and hints from the Dream.