Kanade Natsukawa didn't consider himself easily fazed. After all, Kaguya Shinomiya was a logical, rational person. She wouldn't fall for baseless rumors, even if they came from someone she worked closely with—right?
But still, it was best to avoid these strange misunderstandings entirely. Even a hint of gossip could warp how others perceived him. If such a misunderstanding reached Kaguya, it could disrupt the delicate balance they'd cultivated over months.
Kanade sighed. "Fine, I'll trust you all." He paused. "But seriously, it's not what you think…"
Despite his protest, Hachiman and the others merely gave him knowing smirks, their gestures screaming we get it, we understand.
"…"
Kanade felt his resolve crack. Reassuring them was pointless.
With a resigned shrug, he returned to Eiriri. She sat at the table like a hungry little sparrow, her wide blue eyes lighting up when she saw him approach. Handing her the food, Kanade watched as she nibbled on the bread, and a thought struck him—I really do feel like I'm feeding a pet.
Once Eiriri had eaten her fill and chatted with Kanade, they returned to their respective class groups for the day's activities.
Learning at the Forest School
Despite being a "forest school" program, the students weren't entirely free from academic obligations. Instead, they engaged in social and personal development courses—designed to educate, inspire, and occasionally bore them to tears.
Kanade understood the importance of such lessons, but he couldn't help noticing how animated the class seemed. Faces that should have been drowsy or indifferent brimmed with enthusiasm.
The reason? Tonight's Test of Courage.
This traditional activity had long been a staple of Japanese summer camps. Typically conducted at night, the event was held in eerie locations like graveyards, shrines, or abandoned buildings. Participants were divided into two groups: those who walked the spooky route to test their bravery and those who dressed up as ghosts to scare them.
At Shuchiin Academy, the Test of Courage was a beloved tradition, doubling as a much-needed break from academic rigor and an outlet for students' boundless energy.
However, it wasn't always smooth sailing. In past years, the event had caused disruptions. Some students became so preoccupied with the Test of Courage that they neglected their lessons entirely, and in one infamous case, students staged a mass boycott demanding that the event be moved up on the schedule.
That particular rebellion had resulted in the ringleaders being expelled. But it also made the school administration realize they needed to involve the student body more in planning such activities.
Thus, the responsibility for organizing the Test of Courage now fell to the Student Council. To prevent further disruptions, a set of rules was introduced:
Academic Performance Clause: Any student who failed to meet academic expectations during forest school would be barred from extracurricular activities, including the Test of Courage.Merit-Based Incentives: Students who excelled during the daily classes were given bonus points on their final assessments.Role Selection Rewards: Students with outstanding performance in the final test earned the right to choose their roles (ghost or participant) and could even pick a partner to accompany them.
These regulations struck a balance between study and play, keeping students motivated while preserving the school's academic standards.
Kanade sat in his class, observing the frenzy around him. His classmates competed fiercely for participation points, clamoring to answer questions and demonstrate their knowledge.
It looked like a battlefield.
To the uninitiated, it might have seemed like a chaotic cult meeting rather than an academic exercise. Kanade, however, knew the truth: they were all vying for the chance to pick their Test of Courage partners.
After all, what teenager could resist the opportunity for a late-night "coincidental romance" in the woods? The thought of holding hands in the dark, whispering secrets, or stumbling into a spontaneous kiss was enough to make any hormonal teen strive harder in class.
And for those without romantic aspirations? The prospect of dressing up as a ghost to terrify their peers—or to ruin couples' romantic outings—was equally enticing.
Even Kanade found the idea of playing a ghost tempting. Disguised and unrecognizable, he could finally let loose without worrying about his reputation.
His only concern was how the first-years might handle the event. Though Yu Ishigami was dependable enough to maintain discipline, Miko Iino was a wild card. Kanade couldn't shake the feeling that she'd either take things far too seriously or cause a commotion that would shake the entire forest.
For now, all he could do was pray that the first-years wouldn't cause too much trouble.