Kaguya-sama Wants My Surrender!

Two minutes later, the two groups reunited, triumphant.

"Pansy-san!" the pink-haired girl called out happily.

"Shikimori-san," the girl with pigtails echoed, adjusting her glasses with a bright smile.

A short while ago, the danger had felt very real as the Shadow Cat's attack silently warped the cardboard box. It wasn't until now, standing in relative darkness, that they finally felt some relief.

Amamiya exhaled softly, then said, "I'm heading back."

"Are you exhausted?" Shikimori asked quietly, pursing her lips. "Do you want me to go back instead?"

"No need," Amamiya replied, shaking his head. "You and the class monitor can just provide support from here."

With that, Amamiya placed the cardboard box over himself and set off once more.

In the bright corridor, a shadowy cat stretched against the wall, appearing unusually interested in the box. Soon, it pressed down on the box's shadow, leaving Amamiya immobilized.

"Woof!" Shikimori's authoritative voice rang out, startling the Shadow Cat.

The girl with pigtails looked over, puzzled. "Did Shikimori-san just… bark?"

"Well, dogs and cats aren't exactly best friends," the pink-haired girl repeated Amamiya's reasoning with a smile.

"That makes sense, but we thought the Shadow Cat was more of a creature, right?" The girl with pigtails adjusted her glasses thoughtfully. "If it's really a creature, wouldn't any loud noise scare it off? It doesn't necessarily have to be a bark."

Shikimori: "…"

Now that she thought about it, that did sound more logical. Had she been tricked?

Realizing this, even the usually composed Shikimori found herself clenching her fists, cheeks puffing slightly in annoyance.

"Ahem, it's just my theory," the girl with glasses added, coughing softly. "The truth might be different."

"We'll confirm it soon enough," Shikimori replied, taking a deep breath.

Meanwhile, Amamiya had returned to the abandoned warehouse with the cardboard box.

"You can stand up now," came Kaguya's calm voice from above.

"I'm done being a cardboard monster—my legs are dead," Amamiya grumbled as he lifted the box, brushing his hair back. He looked at Kaguya. "Were you afraid of being here alone?"

"Not at all," Kaguya replied a bit louder than necessary.

She wasn't a child, after all. Being alone in a dark warehouse wasn't exactly frightening; she just kept her flashlight trained on the wall.

"Let me share what I've figured out," Amamiya said, not in any hurry to leave. He tapped the cardboard box. "The Shadow Cat doesn't attack the box itself; these claw marks are from it clawing at the box's shadow."

"Shadow?" Kaguya crossed her arms, looking thoughtful.

"If the cat can damage shadows, does that mean… we can use shadows to hurt the cat?" she asked.

"Exactly, or at least there's a good chance of it," Amamiya nodded. "It means the cat and shadows likely interact on the same plane."

Kaguya caught on quickly. "So, you're saying…?"

"We're done resting." Amamiya clapped his hands. "Let's go—quickly, get under the box."

"Alright." Kaguya ducked down and settled into the cardboard box.

Darkness. A faint sway. The cramped space…

The feeling of being confined inside the box was surprisingly stifling. Kaguya glanced at Amamiya ahead of her. The others only had to endure this once, but Amamiya had been going back and forth alone—he must be exhausted.

Suddenly, Amamiya stopped.

"What's wrong?" Kaguya whispered. Then she noticed the right side of the box quietly sinking in as if under invisible pressure.

It was the Shadow Cat attacking again.

"Ah!"

The next second, a booming voice sounded.

Both Amamiya and Kaguya jolted, and suddenly a deep claw mark appeared on the box, a thin ray of light piercing in.

Oh, crap.

Realizing the danger, Amamiya quickly reached out to cover the crack.

People can't catch shadows, so relying on traditional "sweep away the villains" tactics is pointless here. If the Shadow Cat breaks through, both Amamiya and Kaguya would be doomed!

Kaguya understood the severity of the situation immediately. Being closer to the crack, she reached out instinctively, using her hands to block it.

The space beneath the cardboard box was cramped, bringing them close together. As Amamiya turned his head, he felt a cool, soft touch graze his cheek.

Wait… what?!

Kaguya's eyes widened in an instant.

Did they… just kissed?

The sensation felt like an electric jolt, and she was certain there had been contact! Her cheeks warmed as her heart raced, practically reaching 180 beats per minute, and it felt as if steam was rising from her head.

Even though it was just a brush on the cheek, it technically counted as a kiss…

Her thoughts drifted, her mind going hazy as she recalled the punishment they had joked about in the morning. Did that little touch count as settling the score?

"Hey, snap out of it! Don't faint!" Amamiya's voice jolted her.

In the dim light, he could see her eyes dazed, as if she'd lost herself in thought, while her grip on the cardboard weakened. Really, letting go at a moment like this? Did she realize how much danger they were in?

With Kaguya still gazing at him in a dream-like stupor, Amamiya had no choice but to pull out his trump card. He spoke in a low, teasing tone:

"If you let go, I might just kiss you. And I mean exactly the way Sister Shimizu described this morning!"

Kaguya's eyes shot wide open, her body tensing as she quickly turned her flushed face away.

He would dare to use that technique here and now? It was so inappropriate!

"Are you alright over there?" A voice called from afar. "The Shadow Cat's gone; you can continue."

Amamiya nodded, steadying himself. "Alright, let's keep moving."

"I-I understand." Kaguya steadied her breathing, calming herself.

"Cover the crack firmly with one hand and don't let go," he reminded her.

"Understood."

Together, they resumed their tense journey forward.

Moments later, the voices of Shikimori and Pansy echoed in relief, "You've arrived safely. You can stand up now."

Amamiya opened the cardboard box and let out a long breath. He turned to check on Kaguya.

Her face was flushed like the vibrant glow of a summer sunset—stunning and fiery.

Their eyes met, and Kaguya quickly averted her gaze.

"Everyone's gathered," Shikimori said, gripping her bamboo sword. "We can go over our next plan now."

"The factory has only two floors. We're on the second floor near the corridor, but there's no light in it. We'll need to move down to the first floor."

She paused, then added, "I scouted downstairs, and there's light in the corridor there too. The cardboard box won't hold up much longer, so should we reinforce it with more boxes from below?"

"No need." Kaguya coughed to steady herself and her iceberg aura came back as she crossed her arms with quiet confidence. "I know how to clear this level."