Drip - drip -
After washing off the stains on her body, changing out of the dirtied yukata, and putting on a spare yukata from Takakai's room, Shijou Maki took a deep breath before stepping out of the bathroom. Her gaze landed on Takakai, who was sitting on the terrace outside the room.
At that moment, Takakai was deep in thought, his head lowered, so absorbed that he didn't even notice Maki's presence. She had to admit - when this man quieted down and seriously pondered something, he could actually be quite handsome. At the very least, in this state, Maki didn't feel the usual sense of impending danger, as if she might be devoured at any moment.
This guy...he can actually look decent when he tries. So why does he always act so shameless normally? Maki mused. Well, not that his usual shamelessness is particularly hateful, but still, I'd prefer it if he were a bit more serious.
Having half-expected to be pushed to the ground the moment she stepped out of the bathroom, Maki quietly exhaled in relief before walking toward Takakai.
"What's wrong? What are you thinking about?"
She called out to him from a distance.
"Just spacing out, waiting for you to come out," Takakai replied, lifting his head at the sound of her voice and smiling as he looked at the girl. Then, while speaking, he patted the seat beside him. "By the way, the moon is beautiful tonight. Would you like to admire it together?"
"What...ugh, it's not like I can't, but since when did you develop an interest in moon viewing?" Maki, startled by the phrase "the moon is beautiful" and initially thinking Takakai was confessing to her, blushed before realizing that Takakai, not being Japanese, probably didn't understand the hidden meaning behind those words. She sighed faintly in disappointment.
Forget it, I shouldn't expect any romantic gestures from this guy.
Thinking this to herself, Maki casually responded to Takakai and walked step by step to his side, sitting down next to him and looking up at the sky.
Hanging in the sky was a crescent moon, its light not bright enough to outshine the surrounding stars.
This hot spring inn was built against a mountain, so the second-floor terrace was actually connected to the rocky mountain structure. That's why, despite being on the second floor, it still had a natural hot spring, just like the first floor and the higher third and fourth floors.
At this moment, the two of them sat quietly on wooden chairs on the terrace, looking up at the sky together.
"The universe extends for billions of light years, yet we still can't see its end. Human life is confined to a single planet, unable to escape its joys and sorrows. It feels rather ironic and cruel, doesn't it?" Takakai murmured thoughtfully.
"Huh? Are you trying to become a poet now?" Maki blinked in confusion.
"I could always write. It's just that most of what I wrote before was rather vulgar. But that doesn't mean I don't have a heart that yearns for elegance," Takakai declared righteously.
"Yearning for elegance led you to kiss Fujiwara in the hallway?" Maki's tone cooled slightly.
"Fair maiden, the gentleman desires. That is indeed a form of elegance. If you don't believe me, let's kiss right now and you'll see just how elegant it is," Takakai maintained his righteous expression.
"...You're truly shameless. If not for the existence of the [Sacrifice Game], a scumbag like you would've been stabbed to death," Maki said helplessly, poking his cheek with her finger.
"Mm, that's certainly true. If I hadn't encountered these horror games, I wouldn't have gained my current power, met all of you, or had these encounters and experiences. I'd probably still be an unknown nobody, living ordinary days until my death without causing even a ripple," Takakai admitted frankly.
"But you were chosen for this game, gained such tremendous power, and get to be with so many high-status girls who are devoted to you. Feeling pretty proud, aren't you? Someone like you must be grateful to the [Sacrifice Game], right?" Maki hadn't expected this response from Takakai, but since he brought it up, she continued along that line.
This time, after she finished speaking, Takakai remained silent for a long while before slowly responding.
"Grateful...? Grateful to the [Sacrifice Game]?"
"...Hah, that's hard to say. While I've certainly gained many benefits, to be honest, I've suffered plenty too. All those deaths, the torment, those experiences - I don't want to recall any of them, don't want to feel them again. Nothing is more terrifying to me."
"But perhaps I should be grateful. Not for the benefits I've gained, nor for the suffering I've endured, but simply for having met all of you. For someone like me, meeting wonderful girls like you is what I'm most thankful for. After all, to me, the entire world is unbearably dull. Your presence and companionship are my greatest comfort. If I were struggling just to survive, just because I didn't want to die, I doubt I would have come this far."
Takakai spoke earnestly and sincerely.
Maki knew this man was opening his heart to her.
She could feel his trust, could feel the warmth of that trust filling her heart.
Yet, when she remembered he said "all of you," she couldn't help but feel a sour taste in her mouth, her lips pursing slightly.
"Do you say these things to Fujiwara too?" Maki didn't look up at Takakai, muttering softly as if deliberately acting petty.
"...Actually, no. These words - I've only said them to you," Takakai unexpectedly lowered his head in thought before shaking his head and giving a negative answer.
"Really? A playboy like you would be this honest?" The corners of Maki's mouth had already curled up slightly, but she maintained her reserved demeanor.
"No, I'm certain I've only said these things to you. After all, you're the first person I met, the one I trust most. So I think these words should only be for you, not for anyone else," Takakai shook his head again, speaking seriously to the girl.
"...Is that so?" Maki opened her mouth. She had much more she wanted to say, but in the end, only these words came out.
"That's how it is."
Takakai's response remained unchanged, his voice and expression showing no fluctuation.
I see.
To him, I'm the first person who entered his heart, the one who truly saw his vulnerable side.
So I'm special, different from the others?
What's this? Just moments ago he was being intimate with that woman, and now he's saying these things to me, all while claiming he's not a playboy? He's quite good at sweet-talking. Does he think I wouldn't notice? That these words would be enough to win me over?
What an...idiot...
With a soft sigh, the girl tilted her head and leaned against Takakai.
"You...sometimes I don't even know what to say about you. But whatever, I'm already stuck with you. There's nothing I can do about it now."
She could feel Takakai's body stiffen slightly. She knew her closeness was exciting him somewhat. It wasn't hard for her to notice - after all his groping, she'd learned to read his reactions. And considering he'd just been intimate with Fujiwara before she interrupted, he was probably even more excitable now, more easily provoked.
"Maki, you..."
Takakai frowned. He could smell the faint floral fragrance from the girl's hair - different from Chika's, cooler and more refined.
"Well then, let's change the subject," the girl beside him said softly.
"To what?"
Takakai kept his breathing steady as he asked.
"Let's talk about—"
Dragging out her words, Maki gently took Takakai's hand.
Her smooth skin transmitted her body warmth through those slender fingers.
Then, just as Takakai was getting distracted by this small interaction, he heard Maki's mischievous voice.
"Let's talk about the rules of the [Alice Game], about those 12 opening hints for [Fujika Middle School]. This is just one of four known areas in this dungeon, yet it already has so many opening hints. There might be some important clues hidden in them."
"..."
Takakai had to admit, this sudden change of topic was quite a mood-killer.
But considering she was definitely doing this on purpose, he decided to note it down for payback later.
"Discussing work during vacation - you really know how to kill the mood. So you've already read all 12 hints, right?"
Sighing, Takakai played along and continued the conversation.
"Of course I've read them. Eight were from when this dungeon was still Scarlet Moon tier, so four of them are fake clues meant to lead players to their deaths. The other four appeared after the dungeon was downgraded to Gloomy Night tier, so only one of those is fake. Some fake clues have been confirmed, but there are still unverified ones that are quite troublesome," Maki nodded. From her demeanor, she'd likely memorized all 12 hints by heart.
Scarlet Moon Tier Game Hints (First Set):
Everyone has a side they don't show others
(Generally considered true by clearing players, though specific reasons cannot be explained due to rule restrictions)
Choosing lies might be better than choosing truth
(Clearing players couldn't verify this - no related information found)
People are still waiting for a truly fair judgment
(Same as #2 - unverified)
Bad children are actually more popular than good children
(Generally considered false by clearing players - believing this leads to fatal danger)
Scarlet Moon Tier Game Hints (Second Set):
Only those who win the game may leave alive
(Clearing players cannot confirm due to rule restrictions)
Once you put on a mask, it cannot be easily removed
(Unverified)
Hidden things remain where they can't be seen
(Unverified)
Those who dig up secrets must pay a price
(Generally considered true, though most players consider this obvious - any dungeon exploration carries inherent risks)
Gloomy Night Tier Game Hints:
Audience members below the stage need not care about truth
(Unverified)
Those who cannot hold their position are unwanted
(Unverified)
Fanatical faith perfectly matches idols
(Unverified)
All Alice wants is friends~
(Generally considered true, though reasons cannot be explained due to rule restrictions)
These 12 hints are vastly different from the previous two dungeons' mere 4 hints each. Unfortunately, clearing players could provide little concrete information. Since [School Horror Stories]'s power extends beyond the dungeon itself, players can only speculate about most of these hints.
"So, what have you noticed about them?" Maki looked at Takakai curiously.
"We can confirm [Fujika Middle School] has at least one hidden area, likely underground. Many hints reference situations clearing players never encountered, probably tied to hidden areas. These clues often relate to perfect clears - ordinary escapes might not trigger hint-related scenarios," Takakai answered calmly.
"That conclusion is basically common knowledge among forum users following this dungeon..." Maki clearly disliked this answer, immediately frowning.
"Yeah yeah, not satisfied, I get it. Look, I don't want to discuss this now. I came to this hot spring to relax, not keep fighting horror game rules. Let's change topics again," Takakai sighed deeply and waved his hand before turning to Maki.
"How half-hearted. What do you want to talk about then?" Maki pouted but didn't insist on the unpleasant topic, humoring him instead.
"Well, shouldn't that question be for you?" Takakai continued.
"For me?" Maki blinked in confusion.
"That's right."
"What do you mean by..."
As she wondered aloud, the girl looked up to find Takakai silently watching her.
Brown-black eyes met brown-purple.
Seeing Takakai's calm gaze fixed on her, Maki's heartbeat quietly quickened.