Chapter 099: Haha, You’re Out!

"Since Miko-chan is here today, let's play a game!" Chika Fujiwara suggested enthusiastically, pulling out a board game from seemingly nowhere.

"I refuse."

"I refuse."

Kaguya Shinomiya and Kanade Natsukawa spoke in unison, their voices resolute. Neither had forgotten the disastrous experience of the last game Chika had roped them into.

"Oh, don't be like that! Consider it a little welcome party for Miko-chan. Playing a game together will help us bond!" Chika tried to coax them.

"You just want an excuse to play, don't you?" Kanade shot back, immediately seeing through her ploy.

Unfazed, Chika grabbed Miko Iino and hugged her tightly, pouting as she pleaded. "Of course not~! Miko-chan definitely wants to play, right? She hasn't had a chance to properly blend in yet!"

Miko: "…"

Blend in? Miko stared blankly at the group.

There was no way she could fit into such a chaotic and, frankly, questionable student council!

Though rationally she understood that the president and the others couldn't possibly be doing anything improper in the sacred council room, the compromising scenes she had witnessed before were hard to ignore.

Still… if it's just a game and not something weird…

"F-fine. If it's for a welcome party, I guess I have no choice," Miko relented, her voice tinged with shyness.

"…"

Her hesitant response was painfully transparent. Kanade and Kaguya exchanged knowing glances, silently communicating their shared sentiment: This girl is way too easy to read.

"In that case, why don't you explain the rules first, Fujiwara?" Kanade suggested, wary of what kind of chaotic game she might have in mind. If it was anything like the last one, he would veto it without hesitation—and he was sure Kaguya would back him up.

"Oh, it's simple!" Chika said, flipping open the game box and pulling out a card. She held it up with the text facing away from Kanade.

"For example, let's say the president picks a card like this. He'll show it to everyone, and after that, he's not allowed to do whatever is written on the card. If he does, he loses!"

"That's it? Sounds easy enough…"

"Boom. You're out." Chika pointed at the card.

Kanade flipped it over and saw the words Say 'easy' written on it.

"…"

Great. He fully understood the rules now.

"Alright, let's start the game!" Chika cheered, shuffling a few cards and laying them facedown on the table. "The winner gets to make the president do one thing!"

"Wait, why am I always the wager?" Kanade protested.

"Well, if you win, we'll all agree to one of your requests," Chika offered.

"That's fair." Kanade nodded. At least I'll have some motivation this time.

"Then I'll join too," a familiar voice said from behind.

"Yu?" Kanade turned to see Yuu Ishigami standing behind him. Somehow, he had appeared out of nowhere.

"Why are you here?"

"Don't misunderstand, President. I'm just interested in the game itself. I've played similar games with friends before," Yuu replied nonchalantly.

"With… friends?"

"Friends?"

"No way."

"I know what you're thinking! You mean imaginary friends, right? Like those lonely people who…" Chika raised her hand eagerly, about to launch into an unnecessary explanation.

"They're real people, you idiot!" Yuu snapped, cutting her off.

"It's okay, Yuu. I get it." Kanade patted his shoulder, sympathy etched across his face. "I've been there."

"Even you, President?!" Yuu's voice cracked, clearly hurt, though he stubbornly continued. "For your information, I've made a few like-minded friends online!"

"Ah, so they're online friends." Kanade nodded in understanding, the rest of the group following suit with expressions of dawning realization.

"What's an 'online friend'?" Kaguya asked, tilting her head.

Kanade launched into an explanation. "It's someone you meet on the internet—someone you chat with, share your thoughts and daily life with. You may never meet in person, but you connect through digital platforms."

"That sounds… empty," Kaguya remarked. "Talking to strangers online carries risks, doesn't it? Isn't it better to find a 'tree hollow' to confide in?"

"Well, it's not as bad as it sounds…" Kanade tried to defend the concept. But explaining the joys of online friendships to Kaguya, who had likely never touched social media, was a daunting task.

Meanwhile, Yuu was spiraling. Words like empty and tree hollow echoed in his mind as his spirit seemed to crumble.

"Alright, enough of that. Let's start the game," Kanade said, steering the conversation back on track before Yuu could completely disintegrate.

Yuu perked up. "Fine. I'll beat all of you and prove my skills!"

That's not exactly something you 'train' for… Kanade thought, though he kept his comment to himself.

The participants drew their cards.

Kanade: Speak English.Kaguya: Say 'like.'Miko: Stay silent for 20 seconds.Chika: Talk about time.Yuu: Breathe.

"…" X4

"What? Why are you all staring at me? Is there something on my face?" Yuu asked nervously, noticing the others' focused gazes. He assumed they were strategizing to target him, but he couldn't figure out why.

"…Yuu, are you sure you don't want to pick a new card?" Kanade asked gently, unable to watch the impending train wreck.

"President, you…" Yuu's eyes filled with emotion, clearly touched by Kanade's concern. However, he shook his head firmly. "But I refuse! I won't change my card!"

"Why not?"

"Because I bet my card says something like 'Switch your card,' and I won't fall for your tricks!" Yuu declared triumphantly.

"…" Kanade sighed.

Chika seized the moment, pointing at Yuu with glee. "Haha, you're out!"

Yuu froze. Slowly, he flipped his card over, revealing two large characters: Breathe.

"…"