After successfully completing the checkpoint, Kanade Natsukawa and Kaguya approached the check-in staff. However, instead of stamping their card as expected, the staff handed them a pair of small bracelets. Each bracelet had tiny engraved characters that seemed to read "True Feelings" or something similar.
The eccentric heiress, Kaguya, accepted the gift with joy, while Kanade, though puzzled, didn't dampen her enthusiasm and took one as well. When they asked why the usual stamp wasn't given, the staff explained:
"This activity was actually an extra addition. Secretary Fujiwara said it wouldn't count as part of the official game challenges, but those who pass would receive a special reward."
"Got it. Thank you for the clarification," Kanade nodded, signaling his understanding.
The game itself was one thing, but excluding it from the official challenges was a surprisingly good move by Fujiwara.
Traditionally, tests of courage were meant to challenge participants with ghosts, spirits, or other supernatural elements—fantastical constructs meant to test one's bravery in the darkness.
But Fujiwara's designed challenges tested something entirely different: human nature.
And as everyone knows, "human nature" is the least reliable thing to test. That's why Kanade had earlier suggested including obvious flaws in the performance, making it easier for participants to see through the act.
It wasn't out of some altruistic desire to spark romantic connections for others—it was purely to transform the game's essence. From a trial of morality, it would become… just an entertaining skit.
As he had said before, anyone with even a shred of emotional or intellectual intelligence would inevitably figure out the truth under such circumstances.
Learning that this particular challenge was aimed at participants who chose their own partners put his mind somewhat at ease. If they were given the choice of their teammate, surely they wouldn't be naive enough to think the events were real, right?
That was one challenge dealt with, but what about the others?
The venue had multiple activities, and Kanade had entrusted the entire design process to the Game Club. Oversight of these activities was entirely Fujiwara's responsibility. If this surprise had been so… unique, who knew what the rest had in store?
In fact, Kanade was starting to regret giving the Game Club so much responsibility. They had a history of creating absurd, chaotic games, so why had he trusted them this time?
"Kaguya, we might need to pick up the pace," Kanade said seriously.
"Eh? Why the sudden urgency?" The eccentric heiress was still basking in the joy of the gifted bracelets.
The matching bracelets constantly reminded her of one fact: they were a pair—just like the bracelets! A perfect match!
And then Kanade told her they needed to hurry.
What? Did he not want to spend more time enjoying this rare moment of togetherness?
"Honestly, I'm worried about what the next activities might entail…" Kanade admitted, proceeding to explain his concerns.
"Uh… it shouldn't be that bad, right?" Kaguya replied hesitantly.
While Fujiwara was indeed unreliable—forgetting her wallet on outings, getting lost during school trips, or wrecking carefully laid plans in her clueless way—surely it wouldn't go too far?
"No, President, you're right. We should definitely review their game designs carefully," Kaguya said firmly.
The bracelets were lovely, and she adored receiving a pair. But this was separate from the matter at hand—there was no way she'd let that fool Fujiwara ruin her long-anticipated outing with the President!
She wouldn't let strange elements involving Fujiwara sully the precious memories she wanted to make.
With that shared resolve, both quickened their pace.
They walked in silence, moving briskly toward the next checkpoint.
Soon, they arrived at a building that was unmistakably part of the game setup. Several other participant teams were also waiting outside. When they noticed Kanade and Kaguya's arrival, they greeted them in hushed tones.
"Do we need to queue here? Why aren't you going in?" Kanade asked curiously.
"Well, actually…" one boy started to explain but was interrupted by bloodcurdling screams from inside the building.
"Eeeeeek! Yameroooo!!!"
"Mom, I want to go home! Waaaah!!!"
"Don't come any closer!"
"..." Kanade fell silent.
He wasn't scared by the screams—in fact, he found them oddly fitting. This was exactly how a test of courage should unfold.
But… was there really a need to make it this terrifying?
It felt like the participants weren't just frightened—they sounded as though they had come home one day to find their secret stash of embarrassing items neatly displayed on the coffee table, with their parents and relatives solemnly sitting nearby, inspecting everything.
The feelings might differ, but the level of dread was the same: both were situations that made you want to restart your life from scratch.
"Who's in charge of this checkpoint?" Kanade asked, his expression complicated.
"I think they're in one of the rooms inside the house…" the helpful student replied, then cautiously asked, "President… are you going in?"
"..."
Could he even say no? Kanade thought to himself.
With so many pairs of eyes watching him expectantly, retreating wasn't an option. There was no way he could utter the words, "I'm scared."
"As a participant myself, of course I'll go in and experience it," Kanade replied with a serious expression.
Applause broke out immediately.
"As expected of the President!"
"Good luck, President! We're rooting for you!"
The helpful student even looked teary-eyed as he added, "President, you're truly incredible… We're counting on you!"
"..."
You guys are making this worse! Kanade thought, already feeling nervous.
What was in there? Why did it feel like he was heading to his doom?
Kanade was close to breaking, but since he had already committed in front of everyone, there was no way to back out. He glanced at Kaguya, hoping she'd come up with an excuse to delay things.
Kaguya noticed his frantic blinking and immediately understood his plea for help.
"Of course, I'll join the President. I would never back out halfway!" Kaguya declared firmly.
This was her resolve as a Shinomiya woman—to never retreat and to stand by the President, supporting him no matter what!
"..."
Great. Now he was utterly doomed.