Chapter 393: Hidden Motives

Humans are deeply affected by their surroundings.

Like when you see someone eating instant noodles on the street, even if you're not hungry, you'll feel the urge to grab a bite yourself.

Hayasaka was currently in that exact state.

After watching Nagisa and Tanuma passionately kiss, her heart stirred with a mix of frustration and nervous energy.

And Rinji was standing right next to her.

So, Hayasaka kept her eyes locked on his lips, slowly inching closer. She was blushing, but she didn't resist. After all, she had already kissed Rinji once before. That had been both of their first kiss.

'Doing it again wouldn't be a big deal,' Hayasaka thought.

"Seriously, those two idiots doing stuff like that without any regard for where they are... Are they just chasing thrills or what?"

Rinji grumbled, putting his monster mask back on.

Just as he turned his head, he saw Hayasaka about to lean in.

"What is it?"

"No... nothing."

Hayasaka quickly stepped back and covered her mouth, pretending nothing had happened.

Because her long wig covered most of her face, Rinji didn't notice how red she had gotten.

"That's enough of the haunted house. Let's head out. We don't have much of the afternoon left, so we should check out other attractions," said Rinji.

"Sounds good."

After deciding, they moved toward the backstage room.

When they arrived, Onodera and several other students were already there, peeking through the window at the long line of students waiting to enter the haunted house.

"Huh? You guys finished already?"

"Yeah. We caught a pair of shameless lovebirds making out in there," Rinji replied. "You might want to tighten the supervision inside."

"Really... Well, haunted houses are a classic couple activity. A little physical contact isn't surprising."

Onodera didn't seem too bothered.

"They showed us way more than we ever wanted to see."

"Then maybe you and Hayasaka-senpai should try doing the same."

"Huh?"

"Nothing." Onodera shook her head. "If you're done, you can take off the costume. You must be boiling in that thing."

"Yeah."

Rinji started unzipping his suit while Hayasaka removed her wig.

Just then, a commotion outside caught their attention.

The crowd had gotten rowdy again. Looking out the window, they spotted Kaguya and Shirogane standing at the haunted house entrance, next in line.

The two were popular figures at school. There had been long-standing rumors about them dating, though nothing had been confirmed. Showing up together like this definitely stirred the gossip mill.

"The president and vice-president are here together?"

"Are they seriously dating?"

"Is this a date? That's so romantic~"

The murmuring crowd made Kaguya blush, while Shirogane maintained his usual unreadable expression.

Seeing the scene, Rinji and Hayasaka exchanged glances.

Hayasaka quickly put her wig back on. Rinji slipped into his costume once again.

"Huh? Weren't you two finished?" Onodera asked, confused.

"We decided to go one more round. Don't worry—it's the last one."

—

Shirogane had just been wandering around the festival when he happened to spot Kaguya near the haunted house. In that moment, an idea struck him—to ask her to go in with him.

Haunted houses were known to bring couples closer together. It made sense in theory.

Normally, he would never take the initiative like this, but this was his last chance.

Like he said before the Hoshin Festival started: he was going to fight like a man.

Even if she called him "cute," so be it. He had to cast aside his shame and act boldly.

"Shinomiya, let's go together."

"Y-Yes, President..."

Being watched by so many students, Kaguya didn't tease him like usual. Instead, she acted shy, just like a regular girl.

Inside, she was thrilled. It was the first time Shirogane had invited her to do something alone together.

Her sharp mind quickly kicked in again. Looking at the haunted house, she began strategizing.

'With a haunted house, there's so much I can do. If I act scared and fall into his arms, we'll have more physical contact. He'll get flustered, and that's the perfect opportunity to push things further. Flawless plan.'

Kaguya thought she wouldn't get scared easily.

She hadn't been in a haunted house before, but she'd heard all about jump scares and basic setups.

Shirogane was thinking along the same lines.

He assumed he had a strong resistance to these things and planned to show off his manliness.

…Five minutes later.

Kaguya, holding onto Shirogane's sleeve, said sweetly, "President, I'm a little scared."

She was telling the truth.

Once she was actually inside the pitch-black haunted house, the creepy atmosphere genuinely made her nervous. But despite that, she didn't forget her plan.

She smiled to herself: 'I'm hugging the president now. You must be thrilled, right?'

She looked up at him and noticed his face was serious.

'Ah, he's playing it cool. So cute.'

But reality was different.

Shirogane's internal monologue:

'So scary, so scary, so scary, so scary—!'

He was terrified.

The haunted house setting had genuinely gotten to him.

'Why did I invite her here?! I'm scared out of my mind! If she realizes that, I'm screwed!'

He cursed his earlier decision. If Kaguya found out he was scared, it would ruin everything.

'No, I can't let her know. I have to hold it together—even if I'm dying inside.'

Forcing a smile, he said, "Let's go, Shinomiya."

"…Okay."

Kaguya: 'Now's the time to break through his defenses.'

Shirogane: 'Just get me out of here!!'

Each had their own internal struggle.

Meanwhile, hiding behind the prop forest, Rinji and Hayasaka were scheming.