Weekend.
For students, the most anticipated day of the week.
For Takakai now, just another ordinary day.
And for the player squad formed by him and the three girls—a perfect day for some team bonding.
"Yahoo~ It's finally time! The hot springs hotel! I've already booked the rooms~ We're heading there tonight!"
At 4 PM on Friday, after school ended, the group gathered in an empty classroom. Fujiwara Chika, unable to contain her excitement, waved her hands enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
The hot springs hotel trip.
A team-building plan proposed by Chika right after the Nutty Putty Cave mission, unanimously agreed upon by everyone.
The itinerary: check-in Friday evening, stay all day Saturday, and check out Sunday morning. The hotel was near a shopping district and even had an esports room—plenty of entertainment options.
...Though the only "entertainment" Takakai had in mind was of a significantly lewd variety.
"The car is ready. We can leave soon."
Shinomiya Kaguya smiled as she spoke. With the Shinomiya family issue resolved, she was completely unfettered now. Her usual icy sharpness had all but vanished, replaced by a much softer demeanor.
I need to showcase my feminine charm at the hot springs.
Kaguya recalled Hayasaka's advice.
[Mr. Takakai is a man of strong desires and assertive tendencies. As long as you highlight your appeal as a woman, he will inevitably fall for you. Therefore, appropriately displaying your charms should yield excellent results.]
Hayasaka had delivered this analysis after thoroughly investigating Takakai's personality. Though initially embarrassed, Kaguya had no intention of backing out now. She was fully prepared.
"I'll go with Oba-sama and... Fujiwara. But Hiroshi should probably stay separate until we arrive. It'll help avoid complications."
Shijo Maki frowned, her gaze subtly flickering toward Chika.
I won't give Hiroshi to anyone.
This trip would be her chance to monopolize him. She refused to yield even a second of his time to that damn ribbon-wearing glutton!
"Ehh~ Maki-chan, just call me by my name! We're comrades-in-arms, no need to be so formal~"
Grinning, Chika sidled up and attempted to hug Maki.
The blazing hostility in Maki's eyes wasn't lost on her. But honestly? It was like watching a kitten puff itself up—adorably non-threatening.
"Who's 'Maki-chan'?! Call me Shijo! And don't cling to me—ugh! Stop it! Let go!"
Maki's protests were ineffective. Chika held her like an unruly cat, even patting her head, much to Maki's exasperation.
"..."
Meanwhile, Takakai remained seated, silently enjoying the sight of Chika tormenting Maki—and fantasizing about the activities awaiting them at the hotel.
(The specifics of those fantasies shall remain undescribed.)
Soon, Kaguya's group departed first by car, while Takakai followed later in a separate vehicle.
Kaguya took the passenger seat, while Maki—despite her reluctance—was forced to share the back with Chika. She pressed herself against the door, putting as much distance between them as possible.
Naturally, Chika closed the gap immediately.
"Uwah, what do you want?!"
Maki recoiled at the excessive closeness.
"Just being friendly! After all, in a way, Maki-chan and I are on the same side now~"
Chika's blue eyes gleamed with sudden seriousness.
"Same side?"
Maki blinked, confused.
"Yep! We both like Hiroshi, right? So our positions align."
Chika's smirk turned mysterious.
"Wha—that makes us rivals, not allies!"
Though she understood Chika's implication, Maki stubbornly refused to acknowledge it.
"For normal couples, sure. But as players, we can't afford to think that way. Hiroshi's abilities and personality will inevitably attract more girls. Right now, I'm your only 'rival.' But what about later? There'll be a third, fourth, even fifth. Is wasting energy on infighting really the best move?"
Chika's teasing grin widened.
Maki fell silent, unable to refute the logic. She knew Chika was right—this was a possibility she'd been avoiding.
But that doesn't mean I'll team up with you, you homewrecker! You're the first intruder!
Feeling wronged, Maki squirmed, trying to shove Chika away.
Then froze completely at Chika's next whisper.
"I'm dead serious."
Chika covered her mouth, giggling.
"Y-You... shameless! How can you even suggest such—"
Trembling, Maki's protests died in her throat. She slumped into defeated silence.
Having made her point, Chika cheerfully shifted focus, pulling out a booklet to review her newly designed Monopoly game.
At her core, Fujiwara Chika was still a playful, fun-loving girl. The [Sacrificial Game] and team dynamics had forced her to suppress that side, but now, with time to relax, she indulged freely.
Three people to play with! I can finally test all these games!
First, her custom Monopoly. Then maybe some other experiments...
Thus, the car ride passed in silence—Chika engrossed in her plans, Maki stewing in turmoil, and Kaguya maintaining an aloof calm.
As for Takakai?
He was busy grinding mobile game stamina.
After about an hour, they arrived at the hot springs hotel on the city's outskirts.
Kaguya, Maki, and Chika received keys for Rooms 101, 102, and 103. Takakai's key?
Room 204.
"I feel personally attacked by this room number."
Memories of the Shirakawa Apartments surfaced instantly, prompting an involuntary grimace.
"True. Should we ask the front desk to change it?"
Maki nodded sympathetically.
"Nah, it's fine. I'm not that fragile."
Shaking his head, Takakai headed upstairs with his luggage.
Unnoticed by him, Kaguya exhaled in quiet relief.
[Leveraging shared memories tied to specific locations can strengthen emotional connections, increasing the likelihood of successful pursuit.]
This was another of Hayasaka's strategies. Hence, Kaguya had specifically arranged for Room 204.
It was where they'd first woken up together in the Shirakawa Apartments.
Sure, the number might dredge up unpleasant memories—but it would also remind him of their time alone. A subtle yet effective way to reinforce his attachment to her. Combined with other tactics, it would surely make him fall for her!
Shinomiya Kaguya mentally applauded her own brilliance.
Outside, dusk deepened.
And so, with their respective agendas in mind, the four stepped into the hotel.