"The area's a bit red, but since you don't feel much pain, it shouldn't be a big problem. Walking is fine, but anything more strenuous is out of the question," Kanade Natsukawa analyzed.
He had carefully seated Kaguya Shinomiya on a protruding rock and removed her shoe to examine her injury.
Kaguya was very cooperative, showing no signs of resistance. In fact, she even lifted her leg a little too enthusiastically, nearly brushing his forehead.
"President, shouldn't you examine it more thoroughly? A quick glance isn't enough for a proper diagnosis. You should take your time," Kaguya suggested.
"Uh… you're right." Kanade nodded and repeated his earlier actions.
"This hurts…" he heard her murmur after lightly touching the affected area. Initially, he thought he was going through the motions, but this time, she reacted.
"It hurts."
"Huh? But earlier you said—"
"Maybe it's delayed pain from the injury," Kaguya replied with a calm expression. "At first, I didn't feel anything, but after the President touched it, the pain flared up suddenly."
"I see…" Kanade nodded, accepting her explanation.
It made sense. The adrenaline from their earlier tense situation could have masked the pain, only for it to resurface once her body relaxed.
But even after confirming this, Kanade was at a loss for what to do. He had no medical supplies, and anyone who could help was far away. He couldn't leave Kaguya alone, which meant one thing: he'd have to either carry or piggyback her.
"..."
"Sorry, it's my fault for being too reckless and causing your injury," Kanade said, guilt lacing his voice.
Even though Kaguya seemed to like the reward they had received, her well-being was far more important to him. Especially since, in his view, her injury was his responsibility.
"The next checkpoint seems pretty far, and I'm not sure if we can exit nearby. Why don't we go back to the previous checkpoint and ask the staff where the exit is?" Kanade proposed.
"Exit?" Kaguya frowned. "President, are you thinking of giving up?"
"Yes," Kanade admitted with a nod. "Given your current condition, continuing isn't a good idea."
While he didn't know what the subsequent checkpoints involved, he doubted they would be simple. This wasn't the time for leisurely games—they had an injured participant.
"..."
Kaguya fell silent.
This wasn't how she'd envisioned things at all.
Earlier, she had downplayed her pain to avoid worrying Kanade, hoping to push through with sheer determination. Later, she had even entertained the idea that feigning more pain might prompt him to carry her. But now… he was talking about quitting.
Where's your courage, President? Get it together!
"My foot doesn't hurt anymore," Kaguya suddenly declared.
"Huh?" Kanade blinked, taken aback.
"I said my foot doesn't hurt anymore, so I can finish the course without any problems." To prove her point, Kaguya walked several steps with a perfectly composed expression, even as pain shot through her with each step.
"But you just said—"
"It was an illusion. I was too focused on the sensation earlier and mistook it for pain," Kaguya said, her voice steady.
"..."
Kanade stared at her in silence.
He wasn't gullible. There was no way he'd believe this sudden turnaround.
If she had claimed this earlier, he might have considered it plausible. But the fact that she said it right after he suggested quitting was telling—it was obvious she was determined to endure the pain just to keep playing.
But was it really worth it?
Yes, this year's courage test was more elaborate and entertaining than usual. But to push through while injured? That was going too far.
Still, Kanade understood why Kaguya felt this way.
Given her upbringing, she probably hadn't had the chance to experience simple childhood joys, let alone a complex event like this. That made opportunities like these incredibly precious to her.
And because of that, Kanade knew he couldn't stop her.
Even if he insisted on quitting, Kaguya would stubbornly complete the course on her own. That was just the kind of strong-willed person she was.
"Let me confirm one thing. Even injured, you don't want to give up on the courage test, do you?"
"Stop nagging, President. It's just a minor injury, and it doesn't even hurt…"
"Are you lying to me?" Kanade locked eyes with her.
"..." Kaguya turned her face away. After a long pause, she murmured, "It only hurts… a tiny bit. Just a tiny bit."
"Then there's no choice," Kanade sighed, turning his back to her and crouching.
"I'll carry you on my back. You don't mind, right?"
"Eh?!" Kaguya froze, utterly shocked.
What? How did this happen so quickly?
She was thrilled her wish had come true, but… why a piggyback ride instead of being carried in his arms? Not that a piggyback wasn't nice—she'd get to feel his strong, broad back…
Kaguya spiraled into a whirlwind of thoughts, overthinking the situation.
Meanwhile, Kanade interpreted her hesitation as shyness.
"There's no other way, is there? I can't just let you push yourself and make your injury worse."
"President…" Kaguya whispered, her gaze softening as her heart fluttered.
So the President understood everything after all…
Even though he had seen through her, Kaguya still refused to admit defeat. If she did, it would seem like she had hinted at wanting this outcome.
"Well… if the President insists…" Kaguya mumbled, feigning reluctance as she climbed onto his back.
But even as she leaned against him, she added, "Don't get the wrong idea, President. I'm only agreeing because you insisted and the situation is unusual. Next time, I won't be so easy to convince."
"Yes, yes, I understand." Kanade shrugged, unfazed.
After all, she was just stating facts. He wasn't naïve enough to think a few moments of closeness would make Kaguya fall for him.
That's a fantasy I've already let go of.