Kaguya-sama Wants Me to Surrender

"You can come, but I can't guarantee you'll qualify for the instance," Amamiya Natsuki explained.

Yukinoshita Yukino: "I know. See you in two hours."

"..."

The conversation ended.

Amamiya Natsuki returned home.

Seeing that nobody was back yet, Amamiya Natsuki turned and went next door, then rang the doorbell.

The door opened quickly. His childhood friend, wearing an apron, looked puzzled.

"Natsuki, why are you knocking?"

Amamiya Natsuki said softly:

"Of course, I wanted to see Miko."

"Go away." Miko rolled her eyes at him. "We went to school together this morning."

Amamiya Natsuki stepped into the entryway, glanced at the living room, and lowered his voice.

"Is Kyosuke not home?"

"He's probably playing at the park. He hasn't come back yet." Miko looked puzzled. "Why are you being so mysterious?"

"Good, he's not here. I need to tell you something..."

Amamiya Natsuki told her that he'd soon be heading south to challenge an instance.

As an ability user among ordinary people, he didn't need to hide any of this from Miko.

After hearing him out, Miko silently bit her lower lip. "You're going to challenge an instance again?"

"Yeah." Amamiya Natsuki remained calm. "I have to go. I don't have a choice."

Miko took a deep breath and said softly:

"When are you leaving? The potion is being made, and it'll be ready soon."

Amamiya Natsuki replied:

"We'll leave in about three hours and take the Shinkansen."

"Then there's enough time." Miko turned and headed into the kitchen.

Amamiya Natsuki followed her in and took her hand. As he copied her ability, he said:

"I'm about to challenge an instance, and I don't know if I'll make it back..."

Miko's face tensed. She bit her lip and said:

"Don't say such foolish things."

Challenging an instance was like a