Gamers!

Volume 5, Chapter 4 – Gamers and Abhorrent Strike, Part 2

Translator: your_pingas

Karen Tendou

The Viva Spiel Kingdom.

Amidst the most rural of rural areas, a desolate place that can only be arrived with a 30-minute bus ride filled with garden scenery. However, it occupies ample space and counts as a theme park that emphasizes heavily on world settings.

The streets in the park are mainly modeled after medieval Germany, gamers will feel that it’s a town appearing in the middle stage of RPG plots. Although it’s definitely not as complete as Disneyland, nor does it contain as much entertainment as Universal Studios. However, that’s why it gives off a sense of tranquillity. This is a “local amusement park” favored by family visitors during the weekends.

This is the Viva Spiel Kingdom.

So, to put it frankly, the rides are few and old. I guess it’s true that this place wasn’t designed for teenagers at all…

However-

“Yay! The Viva Spiel Kingdom!”

After Amano-kun and I took a step into the park, we raised our hands high with our eyes sparkling pure happiness as we watched the street scenery.

“Ah, it’s great no matter how many times I came here. This plain, middle town feeling!”

“Yeah, it’s really great no matter how many times I came here, this plain, middle town feeling!”

“No, no, no, I don’t understand what are you two exciting over at all.”

Aguri-san slowly walked behind the excited two of us, she dumbfoundedly glanced at us as she mumbled. During this time, Uehara-kun, who’s next to her, helped to persuade her with a bitter smile.

“However, for RPG lovers, it’s hard for them to resist this street scenery of the theme park.”

“…Even so, why are the two always saying plain and middle?”

“Uh, …even if this has RPG elements in it, this doesn’t resemble the metropolis in the late game. Reversely, it doesn’t look like the rural village at the start…How should I put it, this really looks like the cities that will appear in the mid-game.”

To Uehara-kun’s explanation, Amano-kun and I agreed at the same time. “Yes!”

“However, that’s why it really gives off this “half-assed” feeling that’s just right!”

“Exactly! Only a mid-game town or city will resemble this! The park didn’t challenge themselves to build a genuine and majestic castle in the late game, that’s the best part about it!”

“Yeah! Amano-kun surely knows a lot!”

“No, no, no, Tendou-san’s the same! Do you understand this kind of excitement!”

“Yep!”

So, we grabbed our hands tightly. Aguri-san looked at us with an even more dumbfounded look as she asked for an explanation from Uehara-kun.

“Uh, …Tasuku, do you understand their baffling emotions as well?”

“It’s okay, even for a guy that plays video games like me, I also feel that this indoor couple is quite disgusting.”

“Really, then I can relax. That couple is quite dumb.”

“Yeah, they’re dumb.”

Although they seem pretty impolite, Amano-kun and I didn’t mind at all. After all, this place is…gamer’s paradise!

Amano-kun mumbled throbbingly.

“Sigh, …it’s because VR’s getting all the spotlight these days. I still wish people would continue to treasure this kind of concrete and cheap feeling, Tendou-san.”

“You’re right, Amano-kun. Come, look over there. That statue is giving off a subtle, unmaintained feeling! It’s really realistic and excellent…”

“Exactly…”

“Tasuku, I want to split up with that pair immediately!”

“Calm down, Aguri! Even though I understand how you feel! I really do! But if we disbanded right after we entered the park, we would just be a pair of friends that got on the same bus instead of a double date!”

The other couple seems to be arguing over something. Amano-kun and I looked at each other, and then we helplessly paused our enjoyment before turning to them dumbfoundedly.

“You two are already fighting at the start?”

“I wonder who caused it!”

The two stared at us angrily. Wow, I can’t believe they’re getting jealous over a couple with a good relationship, how awful.

After Amano-kun and I responded maturely with a gentle smile, we said, “Let’s go.” Then, we walked towards the rides with Uehara-kun and Aguri-san.

I went over the plaza in front of the entrance and glanced at Uehara-kun, who’s at my back. Then, although Uehara-kun and Aguri-san are chatting over something, he still slightly nodded at me as a response. I also nodded at him.

“Things are going well, for now.”

Even though the date has just started, but there’s a tendency for us to mess everything up, no matter what we do. We should be already celebrating when the double date can start without any delay.

I blocked the sunlight with my hands and stared at the sky. It’s sunny with the autumn winds sending relaxing chills, excellent weather for dating.

I secretly glanced at Amano-kun on my side. Even though he was unwilling to be invited to this double date, he’s now smiling at me nonchalantly. Also, Aguri-san, who kept complaining because she’s not that interested in the park, seems that she’s not really that unhappy. The evidence is that she’s chatting excitedly with Uehara-kun.

Everything’s going smoothly, I can’t help but clenched my fist in excitement.

“I can’t believe it’s going accordingly to Uehara-kun’s and my plan…Aren’t we lucky today?”

Honestly, Uehara-kun and I planned this double date with the premise that it’s not going to go well, so it’s not like we didn’t expect this.

“Raining is just trivial. From the super awkward scene where only Aguri-san and I showed up to Uehara-kun accidentally dying, we should have expected every situation…”

Then, God decided to be kind to us, and the double date is peaceful. Even though the activity has just started, it’s hard for Uehara-kun and me to not feel weirdly satisfied.

However, here comes the main show.

I need to push the operation to the next phase.

“Well, about the rides, it’s actually not a lot. Also, we don’t need to get in line for any of them. I was planning to go in order, what do you guys think?”

I hastily suggested. Although Amano-kun and Aguri-san were shocked for a moment, …they seems to have no reason to reject this. So, they agreed. “I feel that’s okay…”

“Thanks. Then let’s play!”

I smiled. Then, at the next moment, I mustered up my courage and held Amano-kun’s hand.

“Hiya…!”

Amano-kun let out a strange noise and even sweated for a little. However, instead of throwing my hand away, he grabbed mine tightly…He’s still that weirdly manly boy. I can’t take this anymore, I love him so much.

Uehara-kun and Aguri-san at the back started to hold hands as well, just like what we expected. But they weren’t the same as we do, they’re pretty used to it. Although it still looks quite nervous more or less for a half-year couple, it’s not as freaked out as we do.

Just as Amano-kun and Aguri-san are putting their minds onto holding hands, Uehara-kun and I made eye contact.

“It’s going well for now…Uehara-kun, I’ll charge like this…!”

“Hmph, I’ll not lose to you either, Tendou. What follows next is a competition between us in a sense! All of this depends on whether we can unleash our attractiveness as a man and woman…!”

I received Uehara-kun’s message, and then I remembered the combat meeting that I held with him as I nodded with a smile.

“You’re right. After all, our goal is…”

“Yeah, our goal is…”

At this moment, we stared at each of our couples…with sharp glares!

“In today’s date, we need to make them stick as close to us as possible!”

*

Uehara-kun and I were slowly starting to feel that each of our relationships are in the danger zone.

-He, and she, are they still attracted to us?

Of course, Uehara-kun and I have heard each of our partners said they “loved” us in the past. That’s a memory that’ll be forever treasured by us.

However, words aren’t anything more than words. When we’re facing the unusual distance between Amano-kun and Aguri-san, we’ll feel a sense of emptiness no matter what, and all hope will be lost.

That’s why the one thing that we wanted the most right now is-

An indisputable fact, nothing else. Proof that we’re boyfriend and girlfriend.

Also, we don’t want a normal fact.

We want the fact that each of our partners is “requesting” us on their own.

We can’t prove anything even if we confess our more-than-enough love to them.

However, if they’re the one, …in my situation, if Amano-kun is willing to do something for me-

There’s nothing that will give me more confidence than that.

There’s nothing that will give me more relief than that.

…However, even so, Uehara-kun and I didn’t want to act passively.

Our plan is to show off our attractiveness as much as possible so that our partners will confess to us.

While that’s true, …if we’re just seducing them brainlessly, a regular date would be more efficient.

However, this time, what we want is a definite “action” coming from our partners on their own.

The regretful part I that…our respective boyfriend and girlfriend are the complete “introvert” type.

I don’t think Amano-kun needs an explanation. As for Aguri-san, …while she looks frivolous on the surface, but from the fact that she hasn’t made any progress with her boyfriend for half a year, she’s clearly an innocent girl.

It’s hard for a girl like this to force her to stick close in a single regular date.

But, on the other hand, Amano-kun and Aguri-san are people that will act decisively when the time is right in every way, and that’s a fact too. We can see that clearly when Amano-kun refused to enter the club, and Aguri-san helping him to smooth things over. These two are courageous enough to act on something that they need to do right now without hesitation.

If that’s the case, it’ll be easy for us.

We can rely on a double date, …instead of a regular one, to explicitly manage the time when the guy and the girl will be alone together.

First, we will keep on seducing our partners, …then we immediately cut it out when others are around…After we got them hooked up to us, we’ll give them a definite “yes, right now” chance and give us a short time to be with each other alone.

This way, …Amano-kun and Aguri-san will act naturally on their own.

Yes.

The two of them should confess to us. It’s more like, that’s what should a couple looks like.

So, Uehara-kun and I will cast our spells on our partners with this Viva Spiel Kingdom as the stage…Honestly, although I’m embarrassed and blushing right now, we still unleashed our relentless “hormone attacks” on them.

When we’re in the park, I’ll pretend to trip over with an “ah” before leaning onto Amano-kun.

When the four of us are eating ice-cream together, Uehara-kun will wipe the ice cream stain on Aguri-san’s lips with his thumb like there’s nothing wrong.

When we’re on the rollercoaster, I even wrapped myself around Amano-kun’s arm when I’m not scared at all.

During the afternoon break, even though Uehara-kun went all out and attempted a “kabedon” on Aguri-san. He missed the timing and only embarrassed himself when others snickered at him.

So, the “first chance” is here, each of the couples is riding on the Ferris wheel separately.

I said, “I-I’m scared of the height” even though it doesn’t fit my style at all, then Amano-kun just answered “r-really” because he doesn’t know how to react. The situation can’t be any more embarrassing.

As for Uehara-kun’s side, it is told that he lost his balance when he intended to sit next to Aguri-san, and accidentally caused the second kabedon. The two of them are also very embarrassed as well.

In the end, both of our operations on the Ferris wheel were a failure…However, Uehara-kun and I are still far from giving up yet.

It’s because, in this Viva Spiel Kingdom, there’s a better “opportunity” than a Ferris wheel, it’s an excellent facility designed for couples.

Its name is-

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-gCXQ5FUEo/XutGuc9RkqI/AAAAAAAAO9E/X3BkE92WnYk5d5T_d_O40dE8X5PKHkmmACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DLraw.net_0214.jpg

Chiaki Hoshinomori

“You’re saying…the Kizuna Dungeon?”

“Yep.”

Konoha opened the map of the park on the bench as she nodded happily.

As for me, I tried to replenish my sugar level with a can of soda as I stared at the post-afternoon sky dazedly.

“…I’m exhausted…”

We got on all the rides in order since morning to check whether it’s qualified for a date, sometimes even getting on two to three times repeatedly. Also, we ordered a bunch of things during lunch to “taste the difference” between them. It’s far from a rest, so an indoor person like me is already exhausted right now.

I looked at my little sister to the side. She’s wearing something that’s considered to be too revealing by her sis’s standard. It seems like that’s casual clothing designed for a date. However, in contrast to her feminine look, she’s gnawing on a churro in her right hand and said, “This tastes awful.” …Where did she get that energy from?

I can’t take this anymore since my stomach is still filled with the lunch we just had, so I can’t help but plopped my head now discouragedly. Suddenly, I freaked out because I saw my pale legs.

“Ah, right. Konoha shoved her hand-picked clothes to me today, even I wore something a bit too daring…”

I thought whether my skirt can be a bit longer, so I can’t help but started to drag the corner of my dress downwards. So, Konoha immediately stared at me fiercely. All I can do is smile bitterly as I try to think about something else.

“Uh, well, so, …about that, …right! W-What’s actually in the Kizuna Dungeon?”

“Yes, yes, yes, that’s a good question.”

After my little sister shoved the rest of her churro into her mouth, she folded the map and showed the summary of that Kizuna Dungeon to me.

Just as I retrieved the map, Konoha started explaining.

“It’s the same as what the map described, Kizuna Dungeon is an exploration-type facility with two people as a group.”

“Really, so it’s like a haunted house? I’m quite scared of that…”

The reference photos showed a guy and a girl walking in a gloomy room. So, my face went pale because I immediately associated them with the scary rides. Although I’ll make horror games as well, I’m scared of jumpscare tricks like this…

However, Konoha denied my suspicion.

“Hmm, I think it’s not the same. While it’s true that you will be in gloomy rooms, but instead of saying that the goal is to experience horror, it’s more like an act to enhance the couple’s relationship.”

“What does that mean?”

“Look, here’s the photos. This pair of couples are wearing headphones, right?”

“Yeah, they actually do.”

After I heard Konoha, I finally found out the couple in the photos seems to be wearing headphones with a shining “G” letter in the middle.

She continued to explain to me.

“It is told that these headphones are completely soundproof.”

“Eh? After we entered a dark environment with poor visions, we even have to walk with no sounds?”

“That’s the point, sis.”

Konoha puffed up her chest. She’s so confident that it’s like she was the one that designed this facility.

“This way, the only thing that the two can rely on is touch, …and the warmth of holding hands, right?”

“Ah, I understand. That’s really suitable for a couple.”

I let out an innocent sigh, then Konoha looked at me dumbfoundedly.

“…Sis, are you acting like you’re just hearing someone’s else story?”

“What? But even if you said that I should have nothing to do with facilities designed for normies like that, right…”

“Do you want to imagine what it will be like when you entered with Amano-senpai alone?”

“Eh-“

Suddenly, my imagination ran wild.

Keita, and I, in the dark, holding our hands and making our way through the maze…

“…Konoha, I think your sister just understood how it's like to be loved.”

“This sister isn’t really covering her love recently, right.”

“Ah, b-but it’s not like I have any feelings for Keita! So I don’t want to go to the Kizuna Dungeon with him at all. But Konoha, if you wanted to mess with your sister in that way, it’s not like I’m not willing to take the free ticket to the park next week from your right now…”

“How did this sister went from a tsundere to a “scared bun” that fast? I don’t want to give you the tickets when you’re this annoying.” [Note: That joke has something to do with Xiangsheng, commonly found in Chinese comedy. I just translated it literally since I have no idea with any of that.]

“…Eh, …well, …ufufu…Sigh…”

“H-Here it is! Sis, here’s the ticket! I’m sorry!”

“Eh, you’re really giving me that, Konoha? …Ho, ho, …I’m absolutely not willing to go on a date with Keita anyways, but if my little sister is asking me to go no matter what-“

“Wow, I feel like my sister’s really adorable when it’s this ridiculous.”

During this time, Konoha suddenly wrapped me in her arms tightly. The people passing the plaza is starting to give us unusual stares.

“K-Konoha! This is embarrassing! D-Don’t do that!”

“Sis, I’m sorry, but I’m a bit horny now.”

“What’s with that confession! Konoha! Eh, if any of our friends saw we like this…!”

“Ahaha, you surely love worrying. Although you guys will often encounter wild things, usually, we’re not going to meet the people we don’t want to in the wrong time and in the wrong place-“

“Chiaki…and Konoha-san?”

“Hiya!?”

Someone suddenly tried to talk to us. We sisters remained in our cuddling position as we turned our faces in that direction.

Then, there’s a boy standing there, who’s seemingly trying to say hi to us with his hand shivering in the middle – Keita Amano.

Also, behind him, Tendou-san, Uehara-kun, Aguri-san…It’s almost the “dream team” that wasn’t supposed to find out what we’re doing now.

“…………”

The atmosphere froze right away. Just as Konoha and I remained utterly still, …the dream team members looked at each other stiffly, and then everyone smiled as they said the exact same thing.

“P-Please enjoy yourselves…”

“Stand right there!”

The two of us dragged them from leaving with all our strength before explaining angrily about what happened there.

Keita Amano

“Yep, I-I think it’s good that you two sisters have such a lovely relationship, Chiaki.”

“I-I already said that it’s a misunderstanding, Keita! Are you listening to me!”

Then, around 10 minutes later, we switched the location to the resting area with a bunch of vending machines. We chatted happily with the Hoshinomori sisters that we unexpectedly met.

Just as I’m forced to listen to Chiaki’s explanation, Konoha-san greeted Uehara-kun and Aguri-san behind me. This should her first time meeting them, but…

“Uh, …Konoha, right?”

“…………”

“…Uh, …well, …did I…do something that makes you hate me…?”

“Eh, Trashara-senpai, please don’t get close to me. You’re dirty as hell.”

“Trashara-senpai? Dirty as hell?”

Uehara-kun’s face went pale after this abhorrent strike. In comparison, Konoha-san is staring at Uehara-kun like he killed her parents. Then, there’s the shocked Tendou-san and Aguri-san next to them since they don’t know how to react.

Chiaki and I made eye contact and confirmed with each other quietly.

“Uh, …in Konoha-san’s mind, Uehara-kun is still that player that tries to mess with Tendou-san and her sister even when he already has a girlfriend?”

“Y-Yes. Although I did more or less try to smooth things over, …uh, I can’t give concrete evidence. So, all I can do is give a vague explanation. “I-It seems that Uehara-kun is a kind person.” That plan may have backfired…”

“Ah, …if you said that I feel like this sounds like a normie trying to toy with an innocent sister…”

Although this is somewhat correct, Chiaki loves Uehara-kun so much, after all. I feel like there’s a subtle atmosphere going around recently.

The two of us smiled bitterly. Then, Uehara-kun looked at us, hoping that we’ll come to his rescue…Sigh, I really wanted to help, but I’ll be the same as Chiaki if I tried to smooth things over.

Just as we’re engulfed in an unknown nervousness, Tendou-san coughed to get everyone’s attention.

“B-By the way, why are you two here?”

“Eh?”

The Hoshinomori sisters suddenly looked at me for some reason before going speechless. After she saw them like that, Tendou-san and Aguri-san squinted and looked like their brains are operating at max speed. Also, after Konoha-san was treated like that, she switched her face to the smart “hardworking student council president” mode.

“Are there any problems with sisters with a good relationship to come to the amusement park during the holiday? I’m quite curious about this though, why would the four boys and girls from the Game Hobby Club abandon my sister to come to the park? Ay, I’m just kidding.”

“Ugh!”

Tendou-san and Aguri-san immediately started to shiver…What’s with this dangerous aura radiating off the girls? Me, who’s shocked, and Uehara-kun, who’s depressed, are getting a strong feeling that they’re hiding something from us.

Just as we’re struggling to understand the situation, the girls are still fiercely staring at each other.

So, Tendou-san is seemingly trying to show off to the others as she swung her smooth blonde hair…I’ve only found out about this recently. Still, sometimes Tendou-san has a switch that she can use to turn on her “Karen Tendou” mode…I think the swinging-her-hair part counts.

“Oh, I’m really sorry, Konoha-san. However, we’re absolutely not trying to isolate Hoshinomori-san. Think about it, …how should we put it, the four of us do have boyfriends and girlfriends, after all.”

“Ugh!”

This time, it’s the Hoshinomori sisters that started mumbling…By the way, why is Chiaki taking damage as well? I feel like this girl doesn’t want a boyfriend at all…

So, it looks like Konoha-san is burning furiously after she saw her sister getting hurt. She glanced at Tendou-san and Aguri-san with a clearly provocative look.

“So, you guys are here for a double date? Oh, double date. We loners are getting jealous, double date.”

“Ugh…!”

This time, it’s not just Tendou-san, and Aguri-san, even Uehara-kun and I were hit as well. What kind of feeling is this? It’s super embarrassing. After she mentioned “double date” few times in a roll, this feels really embarrassing!

To Konoha-san’s indiscriminate attacks, even Aguri-san, who just met her for the first time, spoke up like she can’t stand that her boyfriend was looked down on.

“Yes, you’re right. I’m having a “double date” with Tasuku. A double date. This means two pairs of “COUPLES” “DATING” each other…Uh, by the way, are the Hoshinomori sisters joining us as well?”

“Ouch!”

The Hoshinomori sisters seem to be in critical condition…What kind of round-based deathmatch is this? Are the normie tribes always in a state of civil war with each other…Although I respected them a little, from the looks of Uehara-kun, this doesn’t look normal at all.

I can’t help it. I should have taken relatively light damage. Even though I knew that doing this doesn’t fit my style at all, I need to calm everyone down right now.

“Uh, it’s not easy for everyone to be in the same park. Even if we’re trying to talk to each other, it should be faster to play as we talk, right…”

“I can’t believe a loner is giving us suggestions!”

“YOU GUYS ARE CRUEL!”

Everyone shouted that at the same time, including Tendou-san. This is the most damage that I’ve ever taken in a single blow. So that’s the case, …even my girlfriend saw me as a loner as well….I don’t even know anymore. In this world, some people are still loners after they got a girlfriend…Phew.

After I turned clearly depressed, everyone sensed “crap” from the atmosphere. So, the gang switched attitudes and started to care for me.

“A-Amano-kun’s right! Yeah, it’s not efficient to stay in the rest area and chat, yes!”

“Y-Yeah, Tendou-san. Moreover, my sister and I wanted to go on some other rides as well.”

“Oh, w-where do the Hoshinomori sisters wanted to go?”

“Well, there’s a “Kizuna Dungeon” place…”

“Uwah, w-what a coincidence. We’re just talking about going there as well!”

…I’m not sure what’s going on, but everyone is staring at me as they talked to each other warmly. I think things went well again, even though I’m not sure why.

I took a deep breath to switch up my mood, and then I smiled at the sisters.

“Well, let’s forget other things for now. Anyway, you two should follow us to the Kizuna Dungeon!”

“Yep!” “You’re right!” “I agree.”

“Eh…?”

For some reason, Tendou-san and Uehara-kun’s faces turned stiff. Is there a problem? I tilted my head to express my confusion, the two of them immediately tried to cover it up quickly.

“Y-Yeah, it should be nice, Amano-kun! I agree.”

“O-Okay! There wouldn’t be any problems as long as our destination is the same, alright!”

“R-Really? That’s good…”

Although I was a bit suspicious, I still answered, “Then let’s go” before urging Konoha-san to leave the resting area and head towards the Kizuna Dungeon.

Tendou-san and Uehara-kun followed us slowly. Also, the two of them seem to be secretly exchanging something.

“6 people…This could be…quite troublesome…”

“Yeah, …but this is still within our expectation…”

“?”

I can’t hear what they’re saying clearly even though I have sharp ears.

“What’s wrong with going to the dungeon with 6 people?”

I’m not familiar with the Kizuna Dungeon, so I can’t say anything.

Just as I’m getting slightly uncomfortable as I’m walking, suddenly, Tendou-san caught up with me.

“Amano-kun, Amano-kun, about the Kizuna Dungeon we’re going to…Although the plan changed for a bit, I’m sure that there wouldn’t be any problems.”

“What problems?”

“Eh? Ah, no, how should I say this...Uh, Kizuna Dungeon is challenged by two people in a group at a time. However, if we’re going with a gang, we’ll be grouped randomly.”

“Eh? This means that we can’t pick our own groupmates?”

“Yes, you’re right.”

“…Ho, ho, I can’t believe “please form your own groups” is not suitable here. It’s sending chills down my spine when I’m thinking it…This is a dream arrangement for loners like me! Great!”

“Yep, Amano-kun, I’m sorry to interrupt when you’re this apathetic. However, that would only be bad in this situation where we’re dating.”

I immediately snapped out of it after my girlfriend responded to me coldly.

“Y-You’re right. However, I’m sure the staff will accommodate if we’re nice…”

I gave a reasonable answer, but Tendou-san put her hand on her cheeks as she sighed.

“That’s not guaranteed. Kizuna Dungeon was designed to be used to encourage friendships. If more than 4 people are present, the park ordered that they must be randomly arranged.

“Oh, …really. So, that’s a facility designed for normies to complain like “I hate you…” “I can’t believe this…” Words like that. Yep, this whole thing should be struck to shreds by a meteor.”

“We’re the boys and girls that are preparing to go there right now, what are you talking about? Anyway, because of this, once we’re going there with 6 people…”

“Ah, so there’ll be less chance for couples to be in the same group. If that’s the case, we can hide that we’re a group and just enter with two people each time…”

“…How are we going to explain this to the Hoshinomori sisters?”

“…………”

Well, let’s go in separately as couples. Ah, so you two sisters are going in together. Ho, ho, ahaha, I’m looking forward to this, darling…

“This is bullying, right?”

“See? Amano-kun, can you even suggest that to them?”

“I know what it’s like to form groups by yourselves. I can never pull off something that lunatic!”

Being treated as the extra person in a group, nothing is scarier than that! I clenched my fists tightly as Tendou-san continued.

“However, if we just go in without doing anything and put all our bets on luck…Let say if Uehara-kun is in the same group as you, what will you do?”

“Eh? Although this is a bit embarrassing, I would still be happy.”

I was embarrassed. Tendou-san’s look turned dark.

“I freaked out at the unexpected answer. “I wanted to be in the same group as Tendou-san” is what I wanted to hear.”

“I-I wanted to be in the same group as Tendou-san!”

I immediately said that. Then, Tendou-san smiled and answered, “Right.” …She’s scary.

“This time, you can rely on Uehara-kun and me.”

“Uehara-kun, and you?”

“Yeah. We’re almost there, so I don’t have time to explain…However, Uehara-kun and I knew the rules of this random arrangement.”

“Eh, why?”

“Of course, that’s because we already-“

Tendou-san coughed as she said that.

“S-She's already…?”

D-Don’t tell me, Tendou-san and Uehara-kun have come to the Kizuna Dungeon before?”

I’m shivering at the ever-increasing sense of defeat. Then, Tendou-san continued.

“A-Anyway, Uehara-kun and I will manage to get into a group with Aguri-san and you. So, you two don’t need to freak out, just be the normal you. That’s all I wanted to say.”

“R-Really.”

After she said that, I found out that Uehara-kun is seemingly explaining the same thing to Aguri-san.

During this time, Konoha-san, who’s at the front, glanced back at us. It would be unfortunate if we spoiled our plan here. Tendou-san and Uehara-kun immediately left us and ran towards the Hoshinomori sisters to chat with them.

Aguri-san and I, who was left here by them, met up off the distance as we exchanged our thoughts rapidly.

“…Amanocchi, what do you think?”

“…If I’m brutal, objectively, I think it’s 50%.”

“You’re right. Objectively, the two can do this to lower our guard, …when in actuality, they’re trying to pair themselves up.”

“Yeah.”

We exchanged our pessimistic thoughts. However, …we don’t feel hopeless at all.

That’s because…

“Then, Amanocchi, you were saying that objectively. However, subjectively, …what do you think?”

“Ho…Aguri-san, you’re asking this? You shouldn’t even need to ask this. Our opinions should be the same.”

“Ho, …you’re right. I asked a dumb question. Subjectively, Tasuku today seems…”

“Yeah, Tendou-san today seems…”

We stopped walking and distanced ourselves from the others…before shouting!

“THEY’RE WAY TOO ATTRACTIVE!!!”

The two of us are seemingly trying to vent out our long-accumulated frustration. However, we shouted it to the ground because we’re trying our best to suppress our voice.

Aguri-san and I were so excited that our cheeks are as red as tomatoes as we showed off our love to each other.

“I can’t believe how cute Tendou-san is today! She’s definitely trying to seduce me!”

“It’s the same for me! I can’t believe how handsome Tasuku is! When he tried a kabedon, I thought I’ll die from his handsomeness!”

“No, no, no, no, no, like when Tendou-san leaned on to me, my exploding heart is about to bomb the entire park into dust! I managed to hold it because I don’t want to be too embarrassed!”

“Me too! Although I tried to play it cool when I got a kabedon for the second time, I’ll be too excited and launched into the atmosphere if I don’t do that! Wow, my boyfriend is absolutely trying to seduce me! It couldn’t be wrong! Subjectively!”

“It’s the same for me! Tendou-san is basically at a “come on” state! Subjectively!”

“Yes, subjectively!”

“Yes, subjectively!”

“Subjectively…”

“Subjectively…”

Then, ..the two of us were so depressed that people will question what we were getting so excited about…We even dropped our shoulders and yelled.

“Although from a subjective perspective, they’re just hiding that they’re cheating behind us!”

We mumbled with grinding teeth. This is agonizing. Where? This “rollercoaster of love” with crazy up and downs are so god damn agonizing.

Aguri-san mumbled depressingly.

“So, what should we do, Amanocchi? That suggestion…Should we go with it or avoid it?”

“Honestly, …we can only go with it. We aren’t familiar with the random arrangement…”

“Yeah…”

We let out a loud sigh…I can’t believe it’ll be this painful when we’re on a date while being unable to guess what’s on our partner's mind.

I looked at the depressed Aguri-san at the side…To cheer her up and to boost my courage, I told her my relatively positive thought that had been on my mind.

“However, in another way, perhaps this is our biggest chance.”

“What do you mean?”

“To put it simply…”

I raised a thumb, as I explained.

“It’s because Tendou-san and Uehara-kun knew all rules of the arrangement. If this really turned into what they said, which is Tendou-san pairing up with me and Uehara-kun pairing up with you…”

During this time, Aguri-san seems to have understood everything.

“Right, this proves that they still love us!”

“Exactly! If they really loved each other, it’s impossible for them to not use a chance like this to cover up for their relationship.”

“In other words, once they actually picked us as their partners…”

“I think we can sincerely agree that represented their love for us. Logically, it wouldn’t be just us overthinking everything.”

“Then, …when the dust has finally settled..”

“Yes, you’re right. Then, to prove that we’re not wimps, we can finally go accordingly to our plan…”

“Then, we looked at each other’s eyes directly.

The two of us spoke up at the same time with a determined look.

“Act decisively and create an indisputable fact!”

Tasuku Uehara

“Your group has 6 people, right?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“I understand. Well, we’ll arrange for everyone. Please give us a moment.”

I looked at the female staff member disappearing in the Kizuna Dungeon as I secretly observed what’s happening between the five of my groupmates. Although everyone is chitchatting with each other, there’s an undeniable sense of nervousness radiating between us. During this time, I made eye-contact with Konoha, who has a subtle distance with me. She still fiercely…and suspiciously glared at me. Therefore, I immediately looked away and looked at the door to the dungeon half-heartedly.

“We’re entering the main hall from there, then the visitors will choose the headphones, right…”

My friend Masaya, his uncle, is also working here. With this moment, I started memorizing the intelligence I gathered from him.

“Everyone will get a soundproof headphone, but there are 6 colors on the “G” letter. The arrangement will be based on the colors.”

The information ends here. It was mentioned on the tour guide and the official website. It even got a slogan saying, “It’s decided by the God of Fate for who gets to pair up with who!”

However, in reality, …it’s far from a random arrangement, it is static.

“If I remember correctly, blue should go with red, yellow should go with green, white should go with orange…It should be grouped like this.”

I reaffirmed the grouping method I heard from Masaya.

In other words, I need to take the red one if Aguri grabbed the blue headphone. I need to rob the green one if she got yellow. This way, we can be arranged like we’ve wished. Of course, I’ve told Tendou about this as well. Also, the reason we didn’t inform Amano and Aguri is that we’re afraid that they’ll act on their own and mess everything up.

“I should’ve put Amano and Hoshinomori in the same group if I knew she’ll be here…”

However, I can’t help it. After all, we didn’t count in the Hoshinomori sisters at all. In our plan, only the four of us would show up. Also, we need to make our partner feel, “Wow, perhaps it’s a fate that we’re grouped like this!” Sigh, this facility only allows 6 people at a time. Tendou and I had already memorized all the color codes, perhaps this is the silver lining.

“However, no matters how many times we thought of it, this rule is way too broken…”

In reality, Masaya seems to have abused this mechanic in the past silently. He successfully got put into the same group…with his current girlfriend, Mika. What a despicable ride, only the well-connected ones could benefit from it.

“Even so, it’s better than arranging us randomly and making everyone unhappy…”

Let’s use our situation as an example. Including the Hoshinomori sisters, if we’re arranged entirely randomly, it could be that I’ll pair up with Amano, Aguri with Konoha. The pairs that nobody asked for.

If that’s the case, it should be allowed to cast some tricks and group the couples together.

Just as I’m thinking about this, the staff girl opened the door and returned. She seems to be wearing a headset for announcements on her right ear.

“Well, sorry to make everyone wait. Then, the 6 visitors, please go in!”

“Thank you.”

After I answered, I followed the girl at the front.

We saw a circular hall after we went through the door. There are 6 doors on the walls. At the center of the room, there are headphones with 6 colors on the table.

The door closed after we all entered the room. The lights went out. Under the darkness with an eerie glow, the staff girl started explaining.

“Alright, these 6 people are the final survivors of humanity!”

“…………”

We can’t follow up with the sudden and mysterious world setting, so we can’t respond…Ah, no, it looks like only Hoshinomori is listening with sparkling eyes. Yep, you do like ridiculous developments like this.

The staff girl seems to pretend that she didn’t see our confusion and promptly continued.

“Oh, no! Humanity will be extinct if this continues! Please, everyone, find a partner, and give birth to a child!”

“…………”

We went speechless but for a different reason this time. Although we can’t see clearly due to the darkness, I’m afraid that everyone’s slightly blushing now. Embarrassment. What a direct and embarrassing setting. What should you do about family visitors? There would be a different world setting, right. I hope so.

“This time, it’s time for us to reveal our “Emergency Love App” developed by our research facility!”

“E-Emergency Love App…!”

Everyone’s words overlapped each other unexpectedly. How should I put it? It’s because this term is so embarrassing, we just spewed that out loud. Emergency Love App.

However, the staff girl is still a professional, she continued with a high tone like there’s nothing wrong.

“First of all, we need all of you to pick this differently-colored and headphone-shaped device called “Gorgeous Love” and go out with it.”

“G-Gorgeous Love!”

The voices of the six of us overlapped again. This time is because of the ridiculous name, it’s making all of us pumped up for some reason! That “G” letter actually means Gorgeous! Eh, I feel like that’s an incredible name!

“Just choose the colors based on your instincts. After everyone wore their Gorgeous Love, please act accordingly to the guided instructions from the headphones.”

“Alright.”

“Also, this facility would make everyone hold their hands in groups of two and walk for a few minutes in a completely dark environment. Please don’t run or mess with each other, and also remove the Gorgeous Love used for guiding.”

“Okay.”

“Well, sorry to make everyone wait. Then, please everyone, embark on this Gorgeous Love Journey, abbreviated as GLJ! Be safe!”

“Gorgeous Love Journey!”

All of us turned stiff as we yelled at the same time and saluted at the staff girl! Perhaps it’s because we’re getting nervous over our relationships, and we were suddenly brought to a gloomy room like this and hear this unique world setting. Everyone’s spacing out at this point.

It’s hard for the staff girl to not freak out with us, so she let out a cough. At the same time, we snapped out like we were hypnotized a moment ago. We stopped saluting, then-

“Ah, then should we pick our headphones now?”

-After we heard Amano’s suggestion…

To quickly act decisively in this critical situation, Tendou and I were secretly prepared for this.

Konoha Hoshinomori

“I-I feel like something’s not right!”

Once we’re picking the headphones, something is sending chills down my spine.

I hastily looked around. In this dark room, Amano-senpai and that Aguri gal are picking up the headphone first. Then, behind them, …Trashara and Tendou-san are staring at them sharply.

“Although I’m not sure what’s going on, …my hentai game instinct is warning me of this situation! This is the part where you have to pick the route of the plot!”

Amano-senpai seems to be grabbing a headphone at any time. There’s no time to ask for suggestions from my sister, who’s freaking out behind me. Anyway, I’ll need to act fast as well!

Amano-senpai reached for the blue headphone.

“Uh, then I’m choosing this one…”

Amano-senpai said this…as he glanced at Tendou-san for some reason. So, Tendou-san seems to have nodded before quickly reaching for the red headphone-

“Hiya!”

“Eh!”

-Although I’m not sure of the situation, anyway, I realized now’s the time to act. So, I yelled loudly before stepping forward and robbed the red headphone when Tendou-san’s freaking out. To a shocked Amano-senpai and Tendou-san, I ran out of breath as I tried to smile at them warmly.

“R-Red’s my lucky color today.”

“R-Really…”

After Amano-senpai answered, he looked at Tendou-san confusingly like he’s asking her for advice. As for Tendou-san, …she still has a smile plastered on her face, but she leaned towards Amano-senpai with a bit of anxiety.

“Uh, A-Amano-kun, I feel like…green suits you more than blue.”

“Eh? R-Really, Tendou-san, then I’m picking…”

This is a suspicious interaction. Amano-senpai was alerted as he put down the blue one. However, at that moment…

“Then, I’ll pick yellow.”

I don’t know if that gal understands the situation or not. She grabbed the yellow headphone innocently.

Trashara and Tendou-san let out a shocked response right away. From their response, I finally have all the clues…I realized what’s going on.

“Of course, these two knew how the color arrangement works! Amano-senpai and the gal are probably waiting for their order!”

It’s going to be a big problem if you underestimated my wit. Even though I’ll have to back down to Karen Tendou when it comes to beauty, but it’s going to be another 100 years before you can win me at these little tricks. Don’t underestimate a low-profile hentai game fan!

“From the responses of Tendou-san and Trashara before, the color code must be blue to red, green to yellow, and orange to white! This means that…”

Currently, I got the red one, so I need Amano-senpai to keep the blue one!

“Although I’m sorry for sis, who’s still doesn’t understand the situation, …we’re seriously competing with each other after all!”

I went up close to the shocked Amano-senpai and pulled his elbows. Then, I tossed him away from the table with other headphones.

“Well, Amano-senpai will pick blue, I’ll choose red, and Aguri-san will pick yellow. It’s decided!”

“Huh!”

Just like what I’ve expected, Trashara and Tendou-san are showing a shocked face. Alright, …I’m moving onto the next level!

I left Amano-senpai and headed back to the table. After that, I grabbed the green headphone- and kept the person that’ll go with the gal.

“Ah, sis, I grabbed for you as well! Green fits you, after all!”

At least I need to prevent sis from getting into the same group with Trashara.

“Huh!”

So, Trashara and Tendou-san’s face are turning even paler…Ho, ho, that’s what you get for trying all these little tricks. I can’t believe you two treated my sister and me as extras, I’m not going to forgive all of you…Uh, even though we’re really extra to this double date. H-However, when they dared to exclude our adorable sister, they at least deserve some kind of punishment!

During this time, the gal seems to have finally realized that something’s wrong. So, she freaked out and looked at her boyfriend.

“Uh, Tasuku? Then, what should I pick…”

“Aguri…H-How about you put back the yellow one first…Hey, A-Amano! Green suits you better, after all, yes! Just exchange it with Hoshinomori-“

They’re up to their tricks again! I immediately robbed Amano-senpai’s headphones and put it onto his ears.

“Uehara-kun, what did you say?”

“Amano, I’m telling you that you should exchange with Hoshinomori-“

Trashara swore in the middle of his sentence and gave up.

“Shit! This is soundproof! Eh, Amano-“

Trashara wanted to take off Amano-senpai’s headphones directly, so he walked towards us. I hastily grabbed Amano-senpai’s hand, without caring that he’s still confused and opened the door next to me that’s controlled by the button…Then, I shoved him into the narrow, elevator-like room.

“Eh, wait-“

The confused Amano-senpai wanted to protest to me, but it was too late. The door automatically closed and locked. Then, …a blue light appeared above the door.

“Ah, after you wore the Gorgeous Love, please select a door to go in. There’s a “Moving Room” behind the door that acts as an elevator. When everyone’s in there, it’ll move based on the colors and send each of you to the dark start…About these content, the Gorgeous Love would play audio that’ll explain this to everyone.”

The staff girl is giving off a sense that said, “Just choose and wear it quickly, you normies!” …Who cares about you, we’re risking our life to win here.

Trashara mumbled angrily.

“In other words, it’s certain that Amano is blue…”

“This means that…”

Tendou-san looked at the red headphones in my hands.

…There’s a stingy atmosphere around. I’m not sure whether this will result in a severe melee fight.

I held the red and green headphones as I distanced from them along the wall. Being able to grope on Amano-senpai in the dark, who’ll give up a rare opportunity like this…I thought.

“Uwah!”

Just as I’m feeling my hand is touching on something, the wall that I leaned on quickly disappeared, and I lost my balance.

“Crap, that’s the door to the Moving Room!”

I seem to have leaned on that door without me realizing it, and even accidentally pressed on the “Open” button.

Just as I’m falling with my back facing the room, one of the headphones left my hands. I thought: “Ah.” At the next moment, the door closed mercilessly in front of me. Also…

“…W-Why did this happen…”

The headphones in my hand…is radiating an empty green glow.

Aguri

“That’s perhaps the first time that I actually saw such an obvious “you get what you deserve” scene…”

The little sister who’s up to something seems to be grabbing the headphones she didn’t want as she fell into that narrow moving room. Then, the door closed.

When I’m witnessing all that, honestly- I’m delighted.

“I feel like that girl…won’t get along with me.”

In reality, I saw her personality from all that, that Konoha girl seems to be quite good at being pretentious…

“Perhaps it’s because I only became more social in high school, so I have a particularly strong feeling about this.”

Ay, although I said we won’t get along well, I don’t feel like she’s a mischievous girl. From what I just saw, it looks like she’s just messing with us.

Anyway, a lousy person like this just disappeared.

I grabbed the yellow headphone as I walked toward Tasuku, who’s still shocked at this point.

“Uh, so, Tasuku, do I just keep the yellow one?”

“Eh? Ah, no, well…”

Tasuku scratched his head, seemingly trying to make up his mind. During this time, Tendou-san grabbed the red headphone left by Konoha before smiling devilishly…That looks scary.

“Well, Uehara-kun, I’ll go first.”

Tendou-san turned back with a smile as she greeted us after wearing the red headphone. She’s in a good mood. Then, we just watched her walking into the Moving Room quickly. This way, in all of the 6 doors, the blue, red, and green ones were already selected.

Only Tasuku, Chiaki Hoshinomori, and I remained.

Tasuku grabbed the white and orange headphones before giving me the orange one.

“Well, Aguri, you’re wearing the orange one, and I’ll wear the white one. Alright?”

…I don’t really understand what’s going on. But it seems that we would be in a pair if we do this. After I took the orange one, I looked at Hoshinomori-san to hand her the extra yellow one.

-During this time, she’s still lingering around the entrance for some reason. Don’t tell me she didn’t think of anything when her sister is throwing such a big tantrum? Just as I’m confused, she noticed our glances and freaked out before plopping her head down to apologize to us. Then, she walked to us.

“S-Sorry, another staff member dashed from the counter to tell me something. Uh, so…s-strange? Where is everyone else?”

It looks like she didn’t know what did her little sister brought to us…Sigh, I guess that’s not a bad thing.

After I tell her to come to me, I handed the yellow headphones to her before smiling.

“Wear this and enter the Moving Room without the light, then the thing will start. That’s what the staff girl said.”

“The Moving Room?”

“Yep, it seems that it was designed like an elevator. It’ll move according to the colors and send people to a gloomy start with their partners waiting.”

“Oh, that sounds incredible. I got it, thanks!”

“Ah, i-it’s fine…”

After I saw her carefree smile, I felt there’s a tinge of pain in my heart…This girl is really like Amanocchi, especially the innocent part…That’s why I wanted to, unbelievably, cheer them up. They really look alike in this part.

“…Well-“

I almost wanted to suggest that we exchange our headphones so that she could be in the same group with Tasuku. However, Tasuku smiled and said, “Let’s go, Aguri.” So, I decided to give up.

“…Right. Trying to act sympathetically is the worst thing I can do right now…Yes!”

I made up my mind again and took the headphones before walking to the remaining door.

So, just as I’m walking into the Moving Room and turned back, I saw Tasuku and Hoshinomori-san entered the room as well.

“Also, …just because I’m wearing this doesn’t mean I get to be in the same group as Tasuku.”

From that procedure, I’m 90% confident in Tasuku…However, I still can’t say for sure that he doesn’t want to pair up with Tendou-san at all.

The door closed automatically. Once I looked at it, there’s a little screen on the top of the room.

“Eh, that’s the hall we’ve just been?”

Why does this screen appear? Just as I’m thinking, the screen turned off. I can’t help but tilt my head, then I immediately figured it out.

“Ah, that’s the screen for the people that entered the Moving Room to see first, right?”

From the monitor, it seems that we can confirm what colors did everyone pick. Then, when everyone’s in the Moving Room, there isn’t any reason to show what’s happening in the hall anymore. I guess.

Just as I’m thinking, the floor below started shaking. It looks like the room is moving towards the start. At the same time, the already dim lighting is getting darker. At last, the only thing that’s glowing is that little light from the headphone I wore initially.

“But, it’s because it’s on my ears, I can’t even see it…”

However, this was meant for you to rely on your only partner in the dark and try to act sweet, I guess it’s useless if it wasn’t this dark.

“…Crap, what’s going on? Staying alone in a narrow and gloomy place like this, …it’s super helpless.”

Due to the soundproof headphones, I can’t hear the noise either. I can only feel the light G force coming from my moving body in a coffin-like room.

“Tasuku…”

I was too helpless, so I clenched my fist on my chest like I’m praying and started thinking about my boyfriend in my heart.

“God…Please, I hope that I’ll be paired up with Tasuku!”

I tried my best to pray. From what I remembered, …Tasuku is wearing the white one, right.

Just as I’m thinking about all this, the room stopped moving. It looks like I arrived at the start.

In the darkness, I can sense that the door in front of me moved. Behind the door, …it’s still nothing more than pitch black.

However, at the next moment, …a faint glow from the headphones appeared there.

“God…!”

Then, the color of that glow is…

“…!”

The one that I prayed to the Gods for – white.

Keita Amano

“It’s red…Red. This means that…!”

I gulped after I saw the color of the headphones in front of my eyes.

Then, as I’m trying to confirm, I slowly remembered the screen displayed on the monitor.

“…Yes. I remembered. The red headphones were dropped by Konoha-san…Then, Tendou-san picked it up. I think.”

No matter how many times I reaffirmed, she is really Tendou-san, it’s got to be right.

In my heart, …there’s an unspeakable sense of throbbing in my heart, knowing that I was chosen by her.

Just as tears are beginning to form in my eyes, the “red light” slowly approached me from the dark. I quickly touched the walls with my hands as I walked forward tremblingly.

“…I can’t sense our distance at all.”

A dark environment, way too dark. Although it was explained before, I didn’t think that you can only see the faint glow from the headphones of your partner. Aside from that, I can’t even sense the light coming from mine.

“This is fine, right? Can we really reach the end like this?”

I continued to walk despite the torment of my anxiety. Suddenly, my hand touched something. Although I freaked out for a moment, …that seems to be the hands of the person in front of me without me knowing it.

Both of us reached each other’s hands slowly, …then we grabbed our hands tightly.

Right away, I let out an “ah” dazedly. Although I regretted it and felt embarrassed immediately, I pressed my chest in relief because I remembered the person couldn’t hear anything from the soundproof headphones.

“…I didn’t know that it’ll be this nervous when I felt the warmth of holding hands in the dark…”

I’ve held Tendou-san’s hands a couple of times, while I do feel nervous- but holding hands like this is another experience.

Security, anxiety, the responsibility of wanting to protect the girl, the real feeling of being protected…All kinds of emotions are flooding me in the dark at once.

“While I’m unwilling to agree with this facility designed for normies, …but, ..this feels good.”

Anyway, it has the same outstanding effect on couples and people with unrequited love.

“…Sigh, this can’t go on forever.”

It’s useless to keep standing like this. Moreover, in times like this, …it should be the guy that leads the way. Aguri-san would’ve definitely said that.

“Let’s go, Tendou-san.”

I knew that she can’t hear my voice, but I still spoke to her as I nodded. So, the movement of my headphones seems to have passed what I meant over. She nodded as well.

After I saw Tendou-san like that…I finally made up my mind.

“She chose me. If I’m still using “I’m not confident in myself” as an excuse to flee, …that’s totally wrong!”

My heart is pounding, and I have trouble breathing. Even so, …I opened my eyes in the dark to make myself more determined.

“Now’s the time! I…I’m going to confess my feelings to Tendou-san right now when we’re alone in the darkness! I’m going to use the most sincere way possible!”

The two of us held our sweaty hands tightly.

Then, we slowly stepped to the dark maze.

Karen Tendou

“A-Amano-kun is getting nervous…”

When we started to explore the maze, around 3 minutes later. Our progress can’t be any slower. After all, …to be honest, Amano-kun is really slow.

“Even though he’s an apprehensive person, …and it’s quite stiff this time…”

The slim hand that feels like that of a girl is already full of sweat. The only thing I can see in the darkness is the blue light growing from his headphones, that light is leaving afterimages when he’s looking around.

Also, when I saw he’s freaked out like this, …even I’m starting to get nervous as well.

In the end, we can’t progress in the dark.

“This maze is basically a straight road to the end with no sidewalks. While it’s quite dark, it shouldn’t take this long to go through…”

Once I thought about this, I mumbled nervously before coming to the realization.

“N-No! Karen Tendou, that’s your bad habit! Why are you acting like this is a timed competition! T-This isn’t what a date looks like!”

I immediately persuaded the gamer side of me, who’ll appear once I relaxed.

I reflected on myself before grabbing Amano-kun’s hand again. Although his body turned stiffy for a moment, after a while, he generously held mine back.

…………

“…My boyfriend is way too adorable!”

Honestly, with this darkness, I wanted to suddenly hug him.

However, I remembered the meeting I had with Uehara-kun, so I suppressed myself.

“This is wrong, Karen Tendou! Today’s goal is still…to make our partner create an indisputable fact on their own! You’re doing all these extremely embarrassing seductions because you wanted to do that, right!”s

If I hugged Amano-kun right now, I’d be a sore loser in a sense. It’s like being baited by my opponent’s provocative actions in an online game and attacking brainlessly. Karen Tendou, you have to be able to withstand this kind of tease in love as well!

I tried my best to suppress my excitement. In comparison, to arouse Amano-kun’s emotion, I estimated the position from the headphones and gently poked his cheeks.

“!”

The blue headphones are shaking out of his nervousness…Very good.

“Alright, I’ll keep on the attacks like this!”

I made up my mind and stepped into the darkness once again.

Chiaki Hoshinomori

“M-My cheeks are getting poked!”

I freaked out at what my partner just did, so I can’t help but stop walking.

“W-W-W-W-What does this mean…! W-W-What does he mean by that?”

I stared at the partner in front of me, …the person with the blue headphones and froze for a moment.

“Eh? I-If I remembered correctly, Keita’s wearing the blue one, right?”

Although I’m 90% certain, my heart is still a bit unsure. The reason for this is because when we’re picking the headphones, another staff member showed up behind and talked to me. So, I didn’t really understand what’s going on on both sides…

“B-B-But, …Konoha chose green…and Uehara-kun picked white. I remembered these details.”

So, at least I know that the person is definitely not these two. Also…

“I feel like Tendou-san and Aguri-san wouldn’t do that to me either…”

Although I can’t confirm the color of my headphones, the person should be able to figure out that I’m Chiaki Hoshinomori with that. The only person that’ll do this after he found out who I am is…

“K-Keita is…doing this to me…”

Perhaps it’s the usual half-hearted prank. No, that’s got to be the case.

Even so, I-I’m still…!

“Y-You’re the one at fault, Keita. If you dared to do that, …then I guess it’s okay for me to be a bit more aggressive…”

My heart is pounding so fast.

I took a few deep breaths and made up my mind.

“!”

I didn’t care that the person is still a bit confused, so I grabbed the sweaty hands that I haven’t been able to feel on tightly as I stepped towards the darkness.

…………

“…This way, when the staff members rushed here and asked me, “Do you guys want to try the newly added shuffle function?” I don’t know what the meaning of that is.”

Eiichi Mizumi

“Sigh…”

I leaned on the walls as I sighed alone. The afternoon of the holiday, everyone’s touring around the amusement park is different than me…Eiichi Mizumi. They look pretty happy.

“I mean, it’s okay for Riki invited me to the park, …but I don’t understand.”

I grabbed some mint from my pocket and shoved like three of them down into my mouth, but I didn’t feel any happier.

I stared at the sky. Then, as if I’m trying to escape reality, I thought about gaming, and suddenly, I remembered when Amano-kun showed up at the Game Club.

“Although I didn’t chat with him a lot, …right, we did talk about our Game Club members getting dragged into unusual events.”

Once I thought about this, I immediately faced reality again as I sighed.

“When people from the Game Club heard I talk about my own life, they immediately treated Riki like she’s the female protagonist…However, the actual problem is that I’m sure Riki hates me.”

While it’s hard to reject the considerate hearts of everyone in the Game Club, but it’s impossible for Riki to love me. I’m sure.

After all, when she invited me to the amusement park…

“I-It’s just that I got these free tickets accidentally, and I don’t want to waste it! Don’t get me wrong! I-It’s not like I love you, for real!”

She looked away before telling me that once more.

After we arrived at the park, Riki is somehow getting nervous and plopped her head down without saying anything.

Also, when I made up my mind and tried to invite her to this Kizuna Dungeon that seems to be able to enhance a guy and a girl’s relationship…I don’t know whether she’s angry or something, she suddenly blushed and said, “I-I-I-I-I’m going to the toilet! I-It’s not because I’m trying to put on my make up or to mentally prepare myself!” Then, she ran away.

“Really…I’ve already told them a bunch of things like this, why are everyone in the Game Club adding that “she loves me” setting on Riki? Sigh, …I’m feeling so empty right now.”

Those people from the Game Club must have played too many video games, they’re horribly out of touch when it comes to love and relationship. Damn, what a pain in the butt.

On the other hand, Amano-kun is really sharp and smart in weird parts. That’s another troublesome part.

“Come to think of it, I wonder what’s Amano-kun doing today.”

I think I can imagine him on holiday, or not. Perhaps he’s still playing video games happily on his own. Or, he would be having a delightful date with Tendou-san? I envy him no matter what. Really, I’m envious, from the bottom of my heart.

-Just as I’m going sigh deeply once again.

“Eh, you turned on the shuffle function?”

Just when I heard the noise of the door opening, I can listen to someone’s chatting from somewhere.

I peeked at the corner of the wall, then I found out a guy and a girl coming out from the backdoor of the facility.

“Ah, right. This is the back of the Kizuna Dungeon.”

I held my breath for no reason. The girl then showed a clearly dissatisfied look.

“Eh, I haven’t heard that before. I didn’t even mention that part to those people when I’m making the announcement.”

“I guess it’s okay. It’s not like this will hurt or kill anyone.”

“Uwah, this is embarrassing, hearing the staff members talking about what’s happening behind the scenes…”

Although I was immediately discouraged, …if I made a promise with my sister-in-law Riki that we’ll meet here, I can’t walk away on my own.

I let out a sigh and started to play on my smartphone to try and divert my attention away from the staff members’ conversation. In reality, I managed to last for a while longer because of this. However-

“Eh, the shuffle function will change the colors of the Gorgeous Love as well!”

The sharp voice of the girl pulled my attention back again…It looks like I can’t completely ignore them.

I gave up and put away my phone, and then decided to empty my mind to listen to the conversation of those two staff members.

“Yeah. It’s because it was supposed to make the visitors unable to tell who’s who. If the headphone colors are the same as the original, isn’t that meaningless?”

“Isn’t that a bit too daring…?”

“No, no, no, some people like this actually. We’ve already tested this a couple times. When we “reveal the result of the arrangement” at the plaza, the young visitors will often chuckle and say, “oh, that was you” before bursting into laughter. It was fun.”

“Uh, that’s because everyone wanted to mess with each other, right? But that group was…”

“But that last girl said it’s okay to turn on the shuffle function.”

“Really? Then I guess…it’s fine? Ah, also, what will the colors of the Gorgeous Love after we shuffled them? Will the colors be simply rearranged?”

“Nope, to present an even higher rate of randomness, sometimes the colors will repeat themselves. Right, …this time, the arrangement of the colors is really unbalanced. If I remember correctly, there should be 4 blue, 1 white, and 1 red.”

“Uwah, that’s super unbalanced, even blue can match up with blue as well.”

“However, nobody should find out as long as you don’t take your headphones down and check the color.”

“Oh, …sigh, then I’ll be leaving today! Thanks for your work.”

“Alright, thanks.”

The two staff members disbanded after the girl said that. The conversation is over.

At the same time, I saw Riki from afar, so I left the wall.

I looked at Riki, she’s walking to me slowly and embarrassingly…as I mumbled.

“…I feel like, this is the trouble that Amano-kun and Tendou-san will exactly encounter…I hope not.”

Konoha Hoshinomori

“Although I’m not sure what happened, I paired up with Amano-senpai…!”

Currently, I’m thanking God’s arrangement as I stick my body real close to my partner…The boy with the blue headphones.

The boy is trembling, and he clearly wanted to distance himself away from me. However, I’m not letting him go!

I tried my best to keep touching him.

“By the way, Amano-senpai’s chest is unexpectedly thick, and his figure looks reliable?”

Usually, he has a gentle look while being humpbacked, I feel like he’s unreliable.

After I touched in the darkness, his figure is giving me quite a dependable impression.

“Ho, ho, …I’ll keep sexually harassing senpai until the end!”

This is a rare opportunity. I don’t care even if he treats me as an erotic girl.

In the darkness, …Amano-senpai somehow keeps resisting me. Even so, I still carried out my attacks vigorously.

Tasuku Uehara

“I FEEL LIKE AMANO IS CONSTANTLY TRYING TO TOUCH ME!!!”

The blue headphones are shaking vigorously in the dark, and even sticking up to my body frequently.

I tried my best to push him away as I thought, let’s just reach the end as fast as possible, so I marched forward with tears in my eyes!

“Also, why am I the one with Amano! Is there something wrong with the intelligence I gathered? Damn you!”

I’m punching Masaya once I’m back. I’m absolutely hitting him.

By the way, even when the arrangement is wrong, why are you putting Amano and me in the same group? You want to push me into hell, right? No, I’m not trying to avoid contact with any girls other than Aguri, but this should have never been the case. Two guys in a group. This is bad for our progress…At this time-

“Hey, Amano, why do you keep touching my chest! That’s disgusting!”

I yelled at the top of my lungs. However, due to the soundproof headphones, I don’t think the person can hear it.

“Eh, what’s this? Don’t tell me Amano is really into that!”

I’ve made a lot of predictions in the past when it comes to relationships, but I really didn’t expect this to be the case. You got to be kidding, right? The target of Amano isn’t Aguri or Tendou, or even Hoshinomori…but is actually me!

“Uh, b-but this way, a lot of things can be explained…”

After all, this guy actively tried to tangle himself with me at the start…All the problems between him and the girls, it can be considered a tactic to make me notice him.

…Just as I’m thinking all of this, Amano is still sticking up and hugging me. I tried my best to push him away!

“Also, his body is quite soft, and it smells good, I’m freaking out even more! Crap! It looks like I’ll surrender if I relax for one second!”

The worst part is that he’s obviously a boy, but his seduction is working for me. What drugs am I on today? Amano’s skin did feel like that of a girl, but he’s a guy after all. Don’t forget this!

“Anyway, the only reason that I feel that this guy is a girl – is because I started to imagine things due to the darkness! It’s all imagination! So, there’s only one attitude I should take now. I need to refuse him!”

My heart was filled with determination as I dragged Amano and dash towards the end of the maze.

Aguri

“Tasuku…is really manly after all…”

The partner with white headphones is so nervous that his hand began to sweat, but he still held my hand tightly and lead our way in the dark.

I followed him slowly behind…At the same time, I made up my mind in my heart.

“I still love Tasuku…Also, …Tasuku has chosen me as well.”

The situation is already ready. All that remains…is what I’ve discussed with Amanocchi before.

This means that…

“I’m not a woman if I don’t do anything in this situation!”

For 6 months, I’ve made virtually no progress with Tasuku. It’s because I already felt I was loved when we’re together. I never thought that’s problematic until recently…

However, I feel like that’s just pretending to be honest, my heart isn’t sincere.

“It feels good when you explain it as I want to treasure the boy…I want to take my time to develop our relationships, and I do think that a couple like that isn’t so bad. However, perhaps I’m just…escaping.”

I’m already deeply in love with Tasuku since middle school.

But to say whether Tasuku loves me or not, …I’m not sure until the last moment.

I thought that things will be okay, even if that’s true.

However, perhaps it’s because that wasn’t true…For half-a-year, we’ve made no progress.

Moreover, …thanks to Amanocchi, I’ve finally realized.

“Amanocchi…He is always trying to understand what the “others” are thinking about.”

In the beginning, I thought Amanocchi looked to the others because he’s a coward. However, I’m slightly wrong.

“Amanocchi always tried to find a way that seems “correct” to him. That’s why in times like that, he’s always indecisive…Even so…”

Once he has chosen the route he wanted to take, he’ll bravely step forward. That’s Amanocchi.

Even he briefly lost his mind when he got invited to the Game Club, as long as he realized they had a different attitude for gaming. Amanocchi will refuse without hesitation.

As long as he realized that he loves Tendou-san from the bottom of his heart, …he’ll not be defeated by other’s opinions. Even go so far and try to maintain this relationship with all his strength.

When I’m looking at Amanocchi like this.

I also felt that it’s time for me to step forward as well…If I found a path that I deemed to be right, I really need to actually take that step even when I’m scared. That’s something I found out from Amanocchi.

“…………”

I grabbed Tasuku’s hand tightly again…Both of us were so nervous that our hands are sweating.

We can hear our heartbeats overlapping with each other and echoing while getting heavier at the same time.

“…Tasuku…”

Although I knew he can’t hear it, I still called his name. So, I guess he also turned around and said something as well.

We can step forward even when we’re in the dark maze, as long as we’re cheering each other up with our warmth.

Being able to feel that our souls are connected. That’s the first time in my life I have felt that.

Tasuku pulled my hand a bit forcefully.

“Ah.”

So, I can’t help but hit his body. The two of us just stumbled forward for a short while.

Suddenly, I can feel that there’s a subtle change in the atmosphere. How should I put it…The two of us seemed to have entered a wide space…We were alerted with the surroundings as we walked forward.

During this time, I can hear a female announcing something from my headphones.

“Congratulations! The two of you finished the Kizuna Dungeon successfully!”

“Eh?”

It ended already? Just as I’m frozen, a tinge of nervousness starts to appear in my heart.

I haven’t done anything with Tasuku-

“Please wait in the darkness for a while before the other 4 visitors arrive at this plaza!”

-No, there’s still time.

Just as I’m feeling relieved, I’ve made up my mind.

“Tasuku.”

I called his name as I let go of his hand, then I wrapped my arms around his neck. So, although I feel like his height is unexpectedly short, I was shocked for a second…However, I realized right away.

“Right, he couched down for me.”

Also, I realized why did Tasuku do that.

In reality, Tasuku wanted to answer my feelings. So, he wrapped his hand around my waist while using the other to hold my head …and, pulling me next to him.

In the darkness, the headphones with white lights are getting closer.

“Tasuku…”

I called his name again, intoxicatedly.

Then, I bravely opened my eyes and leaned toward the lips-

[Note: In case you were confused by the colors. At the start, Amano is blue, Tendou is red, Konoha is green, Uehara is white, Aguri is orange, Chiaki is yellow. After the shuffling, Chiaki, Tendou, Uehara, Konoha are blue. Aguri is red. Amano is white.]

Keita Amano

“Tendou-san…is really gentle, after all…”

The partner with red headphones is so nervous that her hand began to sweat, but she still grabbed my hands tightly and followed me…Honestly, she’s way more elite and a reliable person compared to me. But now, …she’s willing to submit herself to me.

I really appreciated that…At the same time, I made up my mind in my heart.

“I still love Tendou-san. Also, …Tendou-san has chosen me as well.”

The situation is already ready. All that remains…is what I’ve discussed with Aguri-san before.

This means that…

“I’m not a man if I don’t do anything in this situation!”

Even though we’re dating, Tendou-san and I haven’t done anything…No, I haven’t done anything for her that remotely counts as what a boyfriend would do.

It’s because I don’t believe in myself. I’ve always been questioning, is it good for a guy like me to be Tendou-san’s boyfriend? It’s because she has an attractive guy called Uehara-kun next to her, I can’t let this go. At least for a guy like me, I can’t stain Tendou-san’s youth because of my selfish desires.

However, I feel like that’s just pretending to be honest, my heart isn’t sincere.

“Not wanting to hurt my lover…Hoping to confirm each other feelings peacefully…Although for a couple, that’s a definitely reasonable feeling…However, I’m probably just…escaping.”

I’ve always admired Tendou-san. When she invited to the club, I appreciated that while feeling a sense of hope and respect in my heart. Then, a lot of things has happened and as I began to get to know her a bit more…I’m increasing in love with this person called Karen Tendou.

But if we’re talking about whether she loves me or not, …I’m not sure until the last moment. I’m still suspecting, does she love Uehara-kun?

However, as long as she’s loved, …as long as I can make her happy, even if it was only a little, I think that’s okay. I initially carried this reasonable idea.

However, …perhaps, that isn’t the case.

I wanted to become a couple with Tendou-san, I really wanted to.

Moreover, …thanks to Aguri-san, I’ve finally realized.

“Aguri-san…is really serious about her relationship.”

In the beginning, I thought she has an entirely different idea than I do, even being so flippant that she’ll treat relationships as the only thing in her life. A normie type gal. However, I think I’m slightly wrong.

She can sincerely cry and smile when it comes to Uehara-kun’s actions.

When Uehara-kun is suspected of cheating, …although she got mad and depressed over it, she never thought of genuinely leaving. She’s trying her best to maintain this relationship, even if it meant dragging herself down with it.

When I look at Aguri-san like this.

I also realized it’s time for me to step forward as well…No matter whether I’m confident or not, sometimes I need to listen to my feelings and take that step. That’s something I found out from Aguri-san.

“…………”

Tendou-san grabbed my hand tightly once again… Both of us were so nervous that our hands are sweating.

We can hear our heartbeats overlapping with each other and echoing while getting heavier at the same time.

“…Tendou-san.”

Although I knew she can’t hear it, I still called her name. So, I guess she also turned around and said something as well.

We can step forward even when we’re in the dark maze, as long as we’re cheering each other up with our warmth.

Being able to feel that our souls are connected. That’s the first time in my life I have felt that.

I pulled Tendou-san’s hand a bit forcefully.

“Ah.”

So, she can’t help but hit my body. The two of us just stumbled forward for a short while.

Suddenly, I can feel that there’s a subtle change in the atmosphere. How should I put it…The two of us seemed to have entered a wide space…We were alerted with the surroundings as we walked forward.

During this time, I can hear a female announcing something from my headphones.

“Congratulations! The two of you finished the Kizuna Dungeon successfully!”

“Eh?”

It ended already? Just as I’m frozen, a tinge of nervousness starts to appear in my heart.

I-I haven’t done anything with Tendou-san-

“Please wait in the darkness for a while before the other 4 visitors arrive at this plaza!”

-No, there’s still time.

Just as I’m feeling relieved, I’ve made up my mind.

“Tendou-san.”

I called her name as I let go of her hand. Then, I didn’t expect her to wrap her arms around my neck. Although I was shocked by this daring attack that doesn’t fit her style, I immediately realized.

“I knew it…Tendou-san is giving me the last bit of courage.”

At the moment that I understood her determination, all kinds of shabby emotions like “embarrassment” and “nervousness” disappeared from my heart.

All that remains is this feeling of love that’s about to spill over.

To answer Tendou-san’s feelings, I wrapped my arm around her waist and held her head with another…Then, I pulled her next to me.

In the darkness, the headphones with the red light are getting closer.

“Tendou-san…”

I called her name one more time.

Then, I leaned forward to her lips with my eyes open-

-Suddenly, all the lights at the plaza were turned on.

“Uwah!”

I felt dizzy from the sudden change in situation- I still held her waist and head with my arms, but I stood utterly still.

A few long seconds passed.

“Eh…?”

Just as my eyes are getting used to the brightness, the first thing that came into my view is…

The face of a girl with her eyes wide open, shockingly- and also Tendou-san and Chiaki, who are hugging each other deeply.

Aguri

-Suddenly, all the lights at the plaza were turned on.

“Hiya!”

I felt dizzy from the sudden change in situation- I still wrapped my arms around his neck, but I stood utterly still.

A few long seconds passed.

Just as my eyes are getting used to the brightness, the first thing that came into my view is…

The face of a boy with his eyes wide open, shockingly- and also the guy behind him, being hugged tightly by Konoha-san…Tasuku.

Gamers

-Suddenly, all the lights at the plaza were turned on.

“!”

People were dizzy at the sudden change of the situation. Karen Tendou, Chiaki Hoshinomori, Tasuku Uehara, Konoha Hoshinomori, all of them were frozen with their partners.

A few long seconds passed.

Just as their eyes are getting used to the brightness, the first thing that came into their view is…

“Eh…?”

In the middle of the plaza, two people are holding each other while deeply kissing at the same time-

Keita Amano and Aguri.