The butcher stood at the chopping block, hacking rhythmically at something unidentifiable. Kanade Natsukawa leaned in close to Kaguya Shinomiya, whispering his plan.
"I'll create a distraction to draw his attention away. Once he moves, you check the table for anything unusual. If it looks weird, grab it. Don't worry about specifics."
"After you find something, hide back here and wait for me. But if you hear heavy footsteps heading back this way, stop searching immediately and hide," he added, glancing at the seemingly mechanical movements of the "butcher."
The figure had been repeating the same chopping motion for several minutes, as if programmed. Kanade suspected it wouldn't react without a stimulus, so he decided not to waste any more time.
"Got it?"
"Mm-hmm!" Kaguya nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling.
For once, she could actively contribute to the mission instead of just cheering Kanade on.
After confirming the plan, Kanade crept toward the rightmost doorway.
The layout of the "slaughterhouse" offered several potential escape routes. Large wooden tables, though unsteady, provided ample cover for ducking out of sight. Kanade plotted his escape path meticulously before reaching into his pocket to retrieve a few glass marbles he had picked up earlier.
He tossed one toward the opposite doorway.
"Clink… clatter…"
The noise echoed.
"What was that?" The butcher paused mid-chop and turned toward the sound.
Under the dim light, Kanade finally got a good look at him—a hulking figure with a bloodstained apron and a grotesque, brutish face. Whether it was makeup or a natural deformity, he couldn't tell. His sheer size and the sound of his footsteps made it clear that he wasn't someone you'd want to tangle with.
The butcher lumbered toward the noise, muttering to himself, "Pesky little rats… If I catch you, I'll chop you to bits!"
Kanade let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. The butcher's behavior was stereotypical enough to be predictable—an NPC operating on rudimentary AI logic.
Once the hulking figure was sufficiently far away, Kanade stealthily moved back toward the center of the room, keeping one eye on the butcher while the other scanned for Kaguya.
She was diligently searching the table, though her expression suggested she wasn't having much luck.
Kanade clenched his fists. He wanted to help her look but couldn't risk exposing himself with the butcher still nearby.
He threw another marble, aiming farther this time. The butcher, true to form, followed the noise.
"Clever… but not clever enough to fool me forever," the butcher grumbled, stomping off again.
Kanade breathed easier as he peeked at Kaguya's progress.
Though still empty-handed, she was focused and determined. Kanade silently cheered her on, though his stomach churned at the thought of how long their luck would hold.
Then, as if on cue, the butcher changed tactics.
After Kanade's latest distraction, the lumbering figure turned toward the source but stopped short.
"Hmm… This noise is coming from inside the room…"
Kanade froze as the butcher spun around, knife raised.
"Damn it!" Kanade hissed under his breath. Quickly, he moved toward Kaguya's hiding spot.
The butcher began sweeping the room, opening cabinets and overturning furniture as he searched.
"Where are you, little mice? You can't hide forever!"
Kanade gestured for Kaguya to follow him, pointing toward an exit on the opposite side of the room.
"But I haven't found anything yet!" she mouthed.
"It's fine. I'll come back later," Kanade mouthed back.
Reluctantly, Kaguya nodded, but as she turned to leave, something caught her eye.
"Kanade, look!" she whispered, pointing upward.
Kanade followed her gaze. Dangling from the ceiling was a piece of rotting meat, and stuck to it was a black, metallic object. Its jagged shape matched the indentations on the puzzle table from earlier.
"Perfect!" Kanade whispered.
He reached up and pried the object loose, stuffing it into his pocket.
"Let's go."
He knelt to let Kaguya climb onto his back, but in his haste, his foot struck one of the table legs. The loud thud echoed through the room.
Kanade's heart skipped a beat as he instinctively checked his noise-detection collar. Thankfully, it remained silent.
"Run!" Kanade whispered urgently, hoisting Kaguya onto his back.
But even as they bolted toward the exit, no sound of pursuit followed. The butcher remained behind, muttering to himself about his aching legs and cumbersome outfit.
"Guess he's finally given up," Kanade muttered, relief washing over him as they left the slaughterhouse.
On his back, Kaguya stayed unusually quiet—except for the occasional giggle as she twirled strands of his hair between her fingers.
Kanade sighed but allowed her this small indulgence.
After all, she'd been a big help this time.
With that thought, he adjusted his grip on her legs and set his sights on the next challenge, determination fueling his weary steps.