Chapter 7: Kaguya-Flavored Sandwich Cookies
[Draw Phase]
[You drew the "Masked Hero Kakashi" card]
[You used the Ghost Ninjutsu: Thousand Years of Death]
[Enemy Defeated]
As it turned out, whether human or ghost, no one was immune to the damage inflicted by the Thousand Years of Death.
The ghost student Natsuki had ambushed shuddered violently before a black shadow flashed past, instantly obliterating it into drifting ashes.
"Th-Thank you, Amanomiya-kun."
Chika couldn't help but sigh in relief and expressed his gratitude. Though his body remained immobile, speaking wasn't an issue.
Natsuki didn't respond, giving only a slight nod before continuing to stare intently at the Daruma doll.
A moment later, the daruma doll slowly turned around, and the eerie underworld chant began once more.
The game continued.
Natsuki stood up and glanced at Kaguya beside him. Her expression was as calm and composed as ever, but the words "I'm so scared" kept floating above her head. He lowered his voice and said:
"Shinomiya-san, wait a second."
"Hmm?"
Kaguya turned her face slightly toward him, her expression unreadable, not even a flicker in her lashes. Any onlooker from school would surely praise her with something like, "As expected of the Ice Princess Shinomiya." Unfortunately, the true nature of this ice sculpture of a girl was crystal clear to Natsuki.
Without wasting words, Natsuki took two steps sideways, closing the distance between them, and leaned in toward Kaguya's delicate, porcelain-like cheek.
"I have something to tell you."
Kaguya had been about to pull away, but upon hearing his words, she froze in place.
"Remember, when I stop, you stop. Don't get greedy or impulsive." Just to be safe, Natsuki chose to whisper directly into her ear. "Tell Fujiwara-san the same."
They were classmates, after all. He couldn't just stand by and watch the two of them get eliminated. If he could help, he would.
The warmth of his breath brushed against her ear. Having never been this close to a boy before, Kaguya instinctively wanted to flee. But years of honed elegance allowed her to endure it, her expression unchanging as she replied coolly:
"Understood."
Natsuki nodded and stepped back, putting distance between himself and the ice sculpture. His eyes flicked upward, and to his surprise, the words above Kaguya's head had changed from "I'm so scared" to "Too close too close too close..."
Her face was a mask of indifference, but her inner monologue was ridiculously expressive!
The game resumed.
He had thought they'd make it through the game of Red Light, Green Light without issue, but halfway through, Natsuki suddenly found himself the target of a vengeful female spirit.
The ghostly girl wore a sailor uniform stained with dark, dried blood. Her waist-length hair, clearly neglected for a long time, resembled brittle straw—dry, dull, and devoid of any softness or shine.
Natsuki's heart tightened. He quickly glanced at Chika beside him and began counting down under his breath.
"Three, two, one..."
"Hiya!"
The moment the countdown ended, Chika abruptly dropped to one knee, positioning herself behind the vengeful spirit—just as Natsuki had done earlier.
"Playing games should follow the rules. Bullying isn't right, you know."
With a solemn expression, Chika formed a hand seal and summoned the legendary ninja, Jiraiya of the Gallant Sages.
"So... my deepest apologies!"
"..."
Watching as the female spirit dissipated into ashes, Natsuki shot her an approving look. "Nice work."
He'd half-expected Chika to hesitate, but her movements had been unexpectedly swift and decisive.
"Thanks for the praise!" Chika beamed, her smile radiant. "Now we're even. I know the Thousand Years of Death too—I even practiced it with Kaguya once..."
Natsuki turned to the ice sculpture in shock.
You two did what?!
Who was the aggressor and who was the receiver? He couldn't even begin to imagine!
"I did no such thing!"
Kaguya bit her lower lip.
"Don't get the wrong idea, Amanomiya-kun," Chika clarified. "Kaguya and I just read the Naruto manga together."
"Too bad, though. Even the funny parts didn't make Kaguya laugh... Huh? Kaguya, what's wrong?"
Chika's voice suddenly grew tense.
Natsuki turned to see the ice sculpture's lips parting slightly, a rare, vulnerable expression flickering across her delicate face.
"Achoo—"
The Ice Princess suddenly furrowed her brows. "My nose feels ticklish..."
A sneeze involved the sudden contraction of numerous muscles—a single misstep could get them eliminated.
"Amanomiya-kun!"
Chika immediately looked to Natsuki for help.
Natsuki frowned and began counting down. "Three..."
"Ah, I've got it!"
Chika gasped, then suddenly wrapped her arms around Kaguya from behind, pulling both of them behind Natsuki.
"Kaguya Sandwich, complete!"