The discussion concluded... ambiguously.
Though Maki eventually reined in her temper, her lingering glares kept Takakai sweating bullets throughout their three key agenda items:
1. The Watch's True Nature
Post-Nutty Putty Cave, Takakai's "cheat device" revealed its sinister side:
Forced Perfect Clears: Mandatory obsession resolution for dungeon consumption
Difficulty Escalation: Both dungeons exhibited abnormal intensity (Twilight→Midnight)
Their solution? Secure three fixed Midnight-dungeon tickets for Takakai, Kaguya and Maki to test the theory.
Chika—despite surviving a dual-core Midnight dungeon—remained classified as a Twilight-clear newbie, unable to participate. Her subsequent pouting lasted forty-seven minutes.
2. Black Blood Bullets Fallout
Global players shared synchronized game cycles. While American players still wielded functional bullets inside dungeons, all real-world stockpiles had deactivated post-Nutty Putty Cave's destruction.
The implications?
American Fury: Death threats flooded forums against the unknown "dungeon destroyer"
Global Schadenfreude: Other regions reveled in their rivals' misfortune
Consensus: Maintain absolute low profile.
3. Operational Security
With veteran allies Aoyama and Kogetsu providing cover stories (claiming they'd cleared Yamazaki Amusement Park), the group established protocols:
No player hub visits for 1 month
Emergency communication channels
Counter-surveillance measures
"Honestly? I just want to sleep for a week," Takakai groaned.
Chika perked up instantly. "There's this wonderful hot springs resort with premium gaming setups—"
Yank
Maki's grip on Takakai's sleeve tightened as she shot Chika a withering glare.
Kaguya swiftly interjected before Round 2 could begin.
The Chika Gambit
"Takakai-san should become Shuchi'in Academy's security guard."
The abrupt proposal stunned everyone.
Chika's explanation unfolded with unsettling political acumen:
Proximity: Three members already attended Shuchi'in
Cover: Fake credentials via family connections (Her father/grandfather's recommendation letters)
Autonomy: Minimal actual duties due to "special background"
"Alternatively," Maki interjected, "we could make him a PE teacher!"
The unspoken competition over Takakai's future hung thick in the air.
Kaguya's migraine intensified.
"No way! That'd be way too troublesome. Making things difficult for the school administration isn't good. Besides..." Chika hugged her arms and puffed her cheeks in protest, instantly silencing Maki's attempted rebuttal. "If Takakai-san really became a teacher, would your family accept a teacher-student relationship? Mine certainly wouldn't, and neither would I."
Maki froze mid-protest.
She... had a point.
Though she wanted to argue against the word "relationship," after careful consideration, Maki abandoned that line of debate. Whether as a teacher or security guard, the purpose was simply to bring Takakai closer to their daily lives as a team. And even as players... she still hoped for her family's blessing. Wait, why am I thinking about blessings? Those are for weddings! This Fujiwara woman is already thinking about marriage with a man she just met?! What kind of shameless—
Maki's head snapped up as the realization hit, her eyes widening to confront Chika.
But before she could speak, Chika continued smoothly:
"Maki-san, our opinions aren't what matter here. The key is what Takakai-san himself wants. That's why I only suggested security—you should ask for his thoughts before making counterproposals."
With a knowing smile, Chika turned to Takakai.
Fully aware of his complete lack of teaching qualifications, Takakai scratched his head. "Being security sounds fine, but let's skip the teacher idea," he said, effectively ending the discussion.
Damn it! She's completely steering the conversation!
Maki seethed with frustration, feeling utterly outmaneuvered.
The discomfort wasn't hers alone—Kaguya too found this version of Chika unsettling.
Is this really the Fujiwara-san I know? The change is too drastic.
The Chika in Kaguya's memory had always been a carefree, cheerful girl devoid of any intimidating presence. Yet now, beside Takakai, she projected an unfamiliar dominance—almost regal in her confidence.
What neither Maki nor Kaguya knew was that this Chika carried a full month's worth of extra memories. That month had given her ample time to sort through her emotions and assess their situation. Her resolve and clarity of purpose far surpassed Maki's tsundere floundering or Kaguya's hesitant confusion.
Among the three girls, only Chika clearly understood: their survival in the [Sacrifice Game] depended on uniting around Takakai. Conventional romance no longer applied to players like them. Thus her goal was singular—to secure the deepest place in Takakai's heart.
This wasn't to say her feelings were disingenuous. The anguish of realizing she couldn't have Takakai to herself—yet being unable to walk away—had tormented her too. But she'd processed all that during the erased month, and again after the timeline reset.
Her decision was made. No games. No coyness about who confessed first.
Her determination operated on a level Maki couldn't match, let alone Kaguya with her still-unacknowledged feelings.
"After surviving that terrible cave together, we must stay united to face what comes next," Chika said earnestly as their meeting concluded, her smile genuine.
Then in a blink, her demeanor shifted—grabbing Takakai's arm as he stood to leave, pressing close with puppy-dog eyes.
"Takakai~ Would you come buy new board game miniatures with me?"
The bubbly, pleading tone bore no resemblance to the commanding presence of moments ago.