Chapter 309: This Guy’s Reading Comprehension is Always Spot-On

"What do we do now? We're stuck in here?"

"So scary…"

"Someone help!!!"

Inside the dark, abandoned gym storage, Shirogane shouted loudly while Kaguya crouched and sobbed into her hands, seemingly thrown into panic by the sudden turn of events.

Of course, that was just how it appeared.

While yelling, Shirogane snuck a glance at Kaguya, a smug smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

'Hmph, I know you too well, Shinomiya. It's obvious we're not really trapped. You're probably trying to trigger the suspension bridge effect with this setup. That crying? So fake it's obvious.'

With that thought, he kept hamming it up, muttering exaggerated lines like, "Oh no, what a disaster."

'Now's the time to play along—act nervous, then make my move on her.'

Meanwhile, Kaguya…

"Boohoo… I'm so scared…"

Even though her face was hidden behind her hands, her eyes sparkled with amusement.

'So cute, President. Using such a clumsy trick to get me alone in here… you really wanted some one-on-one time, didn't you?'

Neither of them took being locked in seriously—both assumed the other had orchestrated it.

Which, of course, was the real danger.

Because yes, the door was truly locked from the outside, and no, it wasn't part of a plan.

'Oh~ President must be aiming for the suspension bridge effect. The timing's way too convenient for this to be an accident.'

Kaguya tugged at the door, confirming it really wouldn't open.

'…Pretty thorough planning. But since the President is taking the initiative for once, I guess I'll play along.'

"Ah~ President, I'm so scared~"

"Damn, what should we do?"

Both were acting.

Both had terrible acting.

So caught up in trying to read each other, they completely overlooked the fact that they were actually stuck.

"President…"

Kaguya put on a bashful look and gently tugged Shirogane's sleeve.

"You don't think we'll be stuck here forever, do you?"

"Don't worry. I'm here."

'Tugging my sleeve to play the damsel in distress? A little too obvious, Shinomiya.'

'Now's the perfect chance for him to make his move… you must be thrilled, right, President?'

'It's not even a real crisis.' ×2

Unfortunately—it really was.

---

Half an hour later.

Shirogane and Kaguya sat shoulder to shoulder on a mat, Shirogane's jacket draped over her shoulders.

The incident had brought them just a tiny bit closer.

'Tch… Kaguya sure is patient. It's been half an hour. If no one checks in soon, people are going to start misunderstanding.'

'Why hasn't the President made a move yet?'

"Ugh, damn it. I really should try harder," Shirogane muttered as he stood and pulled on the sliding door.

Still stuck.

But with a keen eye, he noticed something through the thin crack.

There was a small stone jammed in the track outside.

'No way… this wasn't some scheme by Kaguya? We're actually locked in?!'

Panic hit.

He glanced at the bashful Kaguya still sitting on the mat. He knew the logical thing to do was call a friend to help them out.

He reached for his phone—then stopped.

'No. If I make a call now…'

—— Shirogane's Imagination ——

"Oh my, President. So you did have your phone this whole time and just pretended not to? You wanted alone time that badly?"

Kaguya stared with teasing eyes, whispering,

"You're adorable."

—— End Imagination ——

'No way!!! I'd rather die in here than let that happen!!!'

Shirogane crouched in despair, clutching his head.

'No. Kaguya's here too. Now's not the time to be embarrassed. If we wait until school ends and everyone leaves, we really won't be able to get help. I have to act now—but if I mess this up, I'll die socially!!!'

His brain worked overtime.

'Right—if I can't call, I'll text. Just say I happened to be in the area. But who would go along with the act?'

He ran through his options.

Fujiwara Chika? No way. She'd turn it into tabloid fodder.

Iino Miko? Definitely not. She'd assume they were doing something indecent.

Ishigami Yu? Maybe.

Takamine Rinji…

'…Yeah. Rinji's the most reliable.'

Having made up his mind, Shirogane pulled out his phone from Kaguya's blind spot and sent a message.

After Rinji replied, he continued texting:

[When you show up, pretend you just happened to be passing by. Don't say I contacted you.]

[Got it, President. I'll make sure no one finds out.]

'No one finds out? What's that supposed to mean? Is he going to sneak the door open?'

Just then, a blinding white light flashed through the door crack. It lit up the entire dark gym storage from just that tiny slit.

A few seconds later, the light vanished.

"President, what was that just now?"

"No idea."

Right then, Shirogane felt a vibration in his pocket.

Knowing it was Rinji's reply, he walked to the door and pretended to test it while actually checking his phone.

[President, all done.]

[Huh?]

Shirogane froze for a second, thinking Rinji had already opened the door. He tried pulling it.

It didn't budge. Not even a crack.

[Did you really unlock the door?]

[Nope. I never planned to open it.]

[???]

[President, you must be trying to trigger the suspension bridge effect and win over Miss Shinomiya, right? I understood immediately, so I made sure to prepare everything in advance.]

[...What did you do?]

Shirogane felt a chill creeping up his spine as cold sweat dripped from his forehead onto the phone screen.

[I welded the door shut. I also hung a 'KEEP OUT' sign outside the door. I'm sure no one will be stupid enough to approach. You can continue with your plan, President.]

[Come save me right now!!!]