The Bandaged Man

They even met members of the manga department who sold doujinshi (fan-made comics), featuring some popular themes and quite violent content. He guessed that these were works they hadn't sold out at the comic convention.

"It's time to go, Izumi."

Eriri pulled his arm and led him upstairs.

She didn't want to get involved with these things at school, otherwise her public image would be ruined!

After their journey, they finally arrived at the site of the rumored incident: the Supernatural Research Club, which had been transformed into a haunted house.

Because of yesterday's rumors, the crowds have surged, forming queues outside, seemingly to demonstrate their 'courage'.

This could be considered a case of "professing a love for dragons but fearing their consequences."

"Hasegawa, hello~"

Atenbo Yume ran over, causing her pointed hat to almost fall off due to loss of balance, and she quickly held it down with her hand.

Those smiling eyes stared straight at him; there was no one else around.

"What is that?"

Eriri, feeling utterly ignored, muttered something under her breath, secretly dissatisfied.

"Uh, hello, Atenbo Senpai."

Hasegawa Izumi responded with a single sentence.

"Did you come here today to investigate the cause of yesterday's incident?"

Atenbo Yume opened her eyes and said.

"No, we were just strolling around, with Eriri."

He glanced sideways slightly.

"Ah, so Sawamura-san is here too. I'm sorry, I've recently developed a condition where I ignore everyone else as long as Hasegawa-kun is in my sight. Please forgive me."

Atenbo Yume then turned around and bowed slightly to express her apology.

What kind of weird illness is this?!

Eriri so angry she felt like her lungs were going to explode.

Why does it feel like nine out of ten girls I see when I go out lately are Fox Spirit?

However, she had no choice but to pretend to be very magnanimous and said, "It's alright. I originally thought that Izumi would have a hard time fitting in with Shuchiin, but now that I see how popular she is, I, as her Childhood Friend, don't have to worry anymore."

"Childhood Friend...?"

Atenbo Yume, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"So, senior, could you please move aside?"

Eriri took a step forward and said with a forced smile.

"Then, I won't disturb your rendezvous any longer."

Atenbo Yume bids farewell to the two.

"Izumi, what kind of investigation is she talking about? Could it be that the ghost stories are true?"

Eriri quickly changed the subject.

"It's true. If Rikka and the others hadn't intervened, it might have escalated into an even bigger incident, and Shuchiin might have even become a no-go zone."

Hasegawa Izumi nodded slightly.

"Is it really that exaggerated?"

Eriri's voice trembled.

"Don't underestimate supernatural power; after all, no one can predict when a monster with extraordinary abilities will appear."

He became slightly more serious.

Eriri pouted.

Could you be talking about yourself?

Ten minutes later, it was the two of them's turn to enter the haunted house.

The surroundings suddenly darkened, but it wasn't completely without light; in some places, a faint, firefly-like glow still illuminated the path ahead.

"Only an idiot would be scared by a place like this."

Eriri strides confidently forward.

Ghosts do exist in this world, but they've all been eliminated, so what's there to be afraid of in a place like this?

However, she overlooked the fact that people who had been frightened by haunted houses in the past had never firmly believed that ghosts existed in this world.

Humans are emotional beings, and their emotions are often influenced by the external environment. This is especially true for women. In such a closed, dark space, they are more likely to reach a critical point. After that, even a little sound stimulation can cause them to be terrified.

After taking a few steps, the rustling sound of cold air could be heard all around.

"I won't be scared!"

Although Eriri said that, she still kept a close eye on her surroundings, feeling slightly uneasy.

"Creak."

Her foot touched the wooden plank, causing her to pause. She scanned her surroundings before continuing forward.

Suddenly, a white ghostly shadow swept across the top of my field of vision.

Ah~

The girl's body trembled, and she unconsciously let out a soft moan. Her hands moved to the side without her noticing, one hand on his shoulder and the other on his chest.

"You said you weren't afraid?"

Hasegawa Izumi spoke in a teasing tone.

"Uh, I'm not scared...!"

Eriri realized what she meant, her eyes darting around as she said, "Well, it's because... delicate girls are cuter! That's right, that's it."

The reasoning is somewhat far-fetched.

He chuckled and said, "Alright, it's time to let go, isn't it?"

"Well."

Eriri then realized that her actions were somewhat ambiguous, her body almost coiling around her Childhood Friend like Beautiful snake.

She looked embarrassed, her face flushed with shame, and released her hands. Then, as if nothing had happened, she patted the hem of her skirt, which wasn't even dusty, and coughed twice, saying, "Let's keep going."

In the time that followed, people outside the haunted house heard several screams.

All that is known is that when Eriri was finally helped out, her whole body was limp and her face was flushed.

96

Chapter 96 The Bandage Monster

After that, the stage play was another activity that left a deep impression on the two of them.

The performers were seniors from the Drama Club, whose award-winning acting skills were superb. In addition, Kasumigaoka Utaha's script was also quite exquisite, and it did not disappoint everyone.

And so, the much-anticipated Culture Festival came to a perfect end.

The Student Council President gained valuable experience, everyone had fun, and the Far East Magic Society gained some fame outside the school because of a viral video.

The sun was setting, and it was getting dark.

After restoring the previously modified decorations to their original state, everyone stayed at school instead of leaving, to participate in the following After-party.

Shuchiin, Big Ben stands tall, its rotating face reflecting the alluring moonlight.

Below the clock tower, the 'Rocket Ignition' before the After-party also began.

Students surrounded them, watching.

As everyone was injecting, a second-year student from the Kyudo Club slowly drew her bow and shot out a flaming arrow, setting a fire on a nearby pile of firewood.

The campfire was then lit and roared to life.

Ah~

The flickering flames came into view, and cheers erupted from the crowd.

Shinomiya Kaguya stood in one spot, her gaze probing into the crowd, trying to find traces of someone.

Finally, her gaze settled on a spot, a hint of joy in her eyes, followed by a touch of displeasure.

Because she saw not only that person, but also several other women.

"Next year it will be Kaguya-sama's turn."

Suddenly, a voice came from behind.

"Don't suddenly start a conversation, Hayasaka."

Shinomiya Kaguya was startled and turned around.

"Kaguya-sama, have you heard the legend that circulates in Shuchiin? It's said that if you give Heart-shaped gift during the Culture Festival, you'll receive eternal love."

Hayasaka Ai didn't react, but continued talking.

"I've never heard of that... So what if you suddenly bring it up?"

Shinomiya Kaguya looked puzzled.

"I was wondering, Hasegawa-kun is, will he receive a gift like that? Will he choose to accept it or not?"

"That person would never accept it!"

"Is that really true? Even he has human emotions, right? He'll always consider trying love. So many girls are close to him, maybe he's already fallen for someone."

"..."

Kaguya-sama paused for a moment, then frowned and said, "Well, that has nothing to do with me!"

"Not now, but that might not be the case in the future. In my opinion, Young Lady is currently..."

"Don't think you know me well, Hayasaka!"

Hayasaka Ai was interrupted before she could utter the word "fallen".

Seeing that the Young Lady was too embarrassed to speak, she didn't bother to say anything more, and simply rolled her eyes.

A hypocrite.

Isn't that just like the one from the Sawamura family?

On the other side of the campfire.

"Sawamura-san, you don't need to worry about us, just go over there."

The classmate standing next to Eriri said to her.

Do you think I can break through their defense?

Eriri looked at the group of people surrounding her Childhood Friend like four guardians, and was rather speechless.

If she goes there, there's bound to be a good show.

That Natsukawa is completely different from her; he has absolutely no scruples.

This is so annoying!

"What should we do?"

"They're awful! They're like a wall."

"There's no other way but to give up."

Similarly, the girls who originally wanted to give Hasegawa heart-shaped gifts retreated under that barrier-like aura.

Despite their humble origins, after becoming Ability User and experiencing events unimaginable to ordinary people, Takanashi Rikka and Nibuya Morika both possess an extraordinary aura and a kind of inner confidence.

While it hasn't reached the point where it can completely disregard modern weapons, the extraordinary is extraordinary, and it's different from others.