Kaguya-sama Wants Me to Surrender

Blushing wasn't because it was too hot, though...

"Thank you, Classmate Hanamori."

The Young Lady took the drink and gulped it down, finally dispelling the awful images in her mind.

Hold it in.

Don't think about it.

It had happened in the Previous Round, anyway. It had nothing to do with the version of herself in this round!

The rest of the way passed in silence.

The group followed the mountain path and soon reached the shrine at the summit.

"We're here."

Yukinoshita Yukino let out a soft breath. As she spoke quietly, she warily surveyed their surroundings.

It was a sweltering summer afternoon, and few people were willing to climb a mountain under the blazing sun. The shrine was quite peaceful, with a gentle breeze stirring the trees.

After entering the shrine, they saw a shrine maiden standing behind the fortune-telling stall not far away, idly playing on her phone.

Amamiya Natsuki and the others walked over and began drawing fortunes and praying, posing as tourists.

Hayasaka Ai quietly sidestepped and casually stepped on the shrine maiden's shadow. Then she winked at the group.

"The shrine maiden is human."

Since she was human, they could safely ask her some questions.

Fujiwara Chika clasped her hands together and smiled.

"Excuse me, where can we find Guardsman Ganqie? Someone asked us to deliver something to him."

The shrine maiden didn't suspect a thing and quickly replied,

"The guardsman is practicing in the courtyard behind the shrine. I'll take you there."

"Thanks!"

Fujiwara Chika thanked her cheerfully.

A moment later,

The shrine maiden led them to the shrine's back courtyard and knocked on the door.

"Lord Guardsman, someone's here to see you. They said they have something to deliver."

A deep, magnetic voice came from inside.

"Come in."

Amamiya Natsuki exchanged glances