“The target is in front of this door. The time is ’30 seconds before this door opens’,” Kaito declared, and finally, his Unique Ability activated.
A sea-colored light flickered faintly, and soon, a clearly formed human figure began to move.
“Ah! It’s Hibana and old man Amagi!”
The human figures made of sea-colored light were those of Hibana and Amagi. Baka thought, “They’re see-through!” and repeatedly chopped at the area around Amagi’s shadow’s calf. Baka’s hand passed right through. Apparently, these shadows had no substance.
“Amagi-san and Hibana, huh… Hmm, Yo isn’t here, it seems.”
As Tsuchiya said, there were only two figures. Those of Amagi and Hibana. Amagi and Hibana seemed to be talking to each other. However, no sound was being reproduced, so it was impossible to tell what they were saying.
Then, the situation suddenly changed.
“Huh!? Hibana, what’s wrong!?”
Hibana had suddenly collapsed. She wasn’t moving at all, as if she had completely lost consciousness.
“O-ooh… I didn’t know Amagi-san had such power.”
Amagi looked down at the unmoving Hibana, and without hesitation, grabbed her, hoisted her up… then, he glanced around cautiously, and then opened the door.
…And so, half-dragging Hibana, Amagi disappeared into the door with her.
“…Yo didn’t enter the door. This makes it clear,” Kaito muttered, and almost at the same time, another figure appeared in front of the door. It was Yo’s shadow.
Yo frantically knocked on the door, shouting something, and after a while, he quickly ran away again. …Probably, he decided to wait in front of the door on the second floor.
“Judging by this, it seems Yo wasn’t lying. The situation matches what Yo told us. And… Amagi-san took Hibana in, not the other way around…”
And they also understood the relationship between Hibana and Amagi. ‘Amagi’ was the culprit. Hibana had collapsed due to some factor, lost consciousness, and then was taken into the room by Amagi. Seeing that situation, it was clear that Hibana was the victim.
“…I wanted to see the situation inside the room, but that’s meaningless now.”
“Besides, I can only use this Unique Ability once a day. I can’t use it again until the next night bell rings.”
“I see… Hmm.”
Kaito and Tsuchiya both sighed and returned to the center of the Great Hall. Baka followed them and sat down again casually.
“Now then, Kaito. I want to ask you one thing,” Tsuchiya said to Kaito, once Baka and Kaito were seated.
“…Why do you want to keep this Unique Ability a secret from everyone? If you reveal it, you can clear Yo’s name.”
“I have no obligation to do that. That’s all. Also… my Unique Ability isn’t one that can be used in battle. It’s not useful for clearing the Game either. So… it’s better if it’s not known, it’s more of a bluff. And above all, for those who ‘want to do something,’ it’s a hindrance, right? They’d want to get rid of me.”
“I see… Well, if that’s the case, I understand.”
Kaito spoke with a bitter expression, and Tsuchiya nodded with a hint of pity. Baka, however, didn’t understand this exchange at all!
“But it’s pitiful for Yo to be falsely accused. We can tell him that we don’t suspect him, right?”
“Yeah. Do as you like. But I won’t say anything. The more people know about my Unique Ability, the more disadvantageous it is for me.”
“Understood. That’s fine.”
Some kind of agreement that Baka didn’t understand was made between Tsuchiya and Kaito. Baka only understood, “It seems like something was decided!”
“Even so… there are several things that bother me.”
“Amagi’s Unique Ability, right?”
“Yes, it looked like he knocked Hibana unconscious. Like he used a stun gun… no, it was a quieter and more powerful attack than that.”
Tsuchiya was muttering, seemingly recalling the ‘replay’. He was gesturing, saying, “Like this, no, was it like this…”
“Is it possible that Hibana was already dead at that point?”
“No… hmm, I wonder. If it was a ‘Unique Ability that can kill people instantly’… wouldn’t that be… too powerful…?”
“…That’s true. It makes my Unique Ability seem even weaker…”
Kaito seemed a little depressed. So Baka patted Kaito’s back, saying, “Cheer up!”
“Well, the biggest gain this time is that we know Yo wasn’t lying. This means we have one less person to be wary of and one more ally to cooperate with.”
Tsuchiya said with a small smile, and Kaito said, “It’s almost no benefit to me!” looking dejected. But Kaito also seemed a little relieved, so maybe this was for the best.
…Baka felt the same way.
He thought Yo was a good guy. He didn’t want to suspect that Yo killed Amagi and Hibana. Since he didn’t have to suspect something he didn’t want to, he felt much more energetic!
“Sorry to keep you waiting. I’ve got Venus-san’s permission, so let’s put the dolls away.”
Then, Mina returned. Apparently, she had been able to talk to Venus.
“I see. And Venus…?”
“Well… she said she wanted to be left alone for a bit longer. So, if you, Tsuchiya-san, could check on her, she said it’s okay to leave her be…”
And here, they were also concerned.
…Venus didn’t seem to be doing well. Baka was worried about Venus.
“…Hmm, I see… Hmm… I wonder if she had some kind of relationship with Hibana.”
“Maybe. Well, Yo and Tama-san are lovers, right? So, it wouldn’t be strange if Hibana and Venus were too. That’s right. We don’t even know if we were all strangers to begin with.”
Well, Baka was worried about Venus, but time was pressing. Baka and the others headed to the Room of the Scales.
“Okay, that should do it.”
And so, the two dolls were placed inside the locked door behind the Goddess Statue. With a click, the key was turned, and it was done.
“Let’s have Mina-san keep the key.”
“Yes. I’ll take good care of it.”
Mina was now in possession of the key. Mina received the key with both hands, looking nervous, and carefully tucked it into her blouse’s chest pocket. Unlike the dolls, the key would be fine even if she bumped into something, so it was safe.
“Well then, we should start thinking about the next room…”
Once the Venus doll and Mina doll were dealt with, it was time to think about the next room.
After all, Mina, Venus, and Tama still had their collars on. Since they had been poisoned, they would have to be detoxified again next time.
…And so.
“It’s almost time. We need to think about how to allocate personnel for the daytime.”
They called out to Yo, Tama, and Venus, and they all talked again.
…Venus still didn’t seem well. But on the other hand, Yo and Tama seemed a little more energetic. Baka was happy, thinking, “I’m glad the two of them are feeling better!”
“Now, about the next Game… I have a proposal. How about we all enter the room together?”
However, when Tsuchiya made such a proposal, everyone, including the dejected Venus and the slightly more energetic Yo and Tama, were equally surprised.
“Huh!? A-all of us!?”
“…Well, you see, the three women, me, Kaito, Kabashima-kun, and Yo. Even if all of us are in the same room, the Game should be able to proceed. After all, the men don’t have collars. So, whether we enter the Game room or not, it doesn’t really matter.”
Tsuchiya explained, and Yo, Tama, and especially Venus, looked dumbfounded.
“…Well, if we’re being cautious, this Game might be designed to be cleared by up to four people, so it might be better to stick to four… but, seeing Kabashima-kun’s power, I feel like that’s not an issue…”
“I guess so… I feel that way too. Sigh, oh well…”
Tsuchiya and Kaito glanced at Baka, making strange faces. So Baka just made a proud face!
“So, what do you think? If we’re all together, at least we don’t have to worry about something happening while we’re not looking…”
And then, when Tsuchiya made that proposal.
“I’m against it.”
Venus was the first to voice her opposition.
“Hmm… May I ask why?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Kaito tried to kill the three of us, remember? And I can’t trust Yo.”
Venus glared at Kaito and Yo. Kaito awkwardly looked away, and Yo looked dejected, saying, “Well, that’s true…”
“…Or what? Tsuchiya-san. Do you trust Yo and Kaito?”
“Hmm, well…”
Then, when Venus glared at Tsuchiya as well, Tsuchiya made a slightly troubled face…
“…Well, that’s how it is. As for Yo, I’ve decided to believe that he really hasn’t entered the game room. And as for Kaito… he’s lost his edge. That’s my judgment.”
That’s what Tsuchiya answered.
“L-Lost my edge, you say!?”
“Yeah, well, he has… lost it.”
Naturally, Kaito protested. However, Tsuchiya didn’t seem inclined to take back his words.
“…It seems Kabashima-kun has taken Kaito-kun’s edge away,” Tama said.
“Eh!? Did I do something!? Sorry, Kaito! Sorry!”
“No, it’s not your fault, no, wait, ah… oh, never mind…”
Tama chuckled a little, Baka panicked, and Kaito hung his head as if he’d reached his limit! Baka only panicked more and flailed around!
“…Well. I trust both Yo and Kaito-kun. I don’t mind being in the same room with them.”
Then, Tama said that. Yo smiled in relief, and Kaito snorted, looking awkward.
“But, if Venus-san doesn’t like that, we’ll have to think about it. …I think it’s a bit dangerous for just me, Mina-san, and Venus-san to enter the game room.”
Hearing Tama’s words, Baka remembered.
Tama has the Unique Ability to copy other people’s Unique Abilities.
Mina has the Unique Ability to heal injuries.
And Venus… she said it was fortune-telling, but Tama said that was suspicious. In other words, it’s unknown.
…While Venus’s Unique Ability is unknown, well, whether she can win against a Lion is a bit, too, too uncertain.
“Mina-san, do you have any preferences?”
“Eh? Me?”
When Tama turned to Mina, Mina answered in a flustered manner.
“U-Um… I, if possible, would like to be with another woman.”
“I see. Then, what about Venus-san?”
“Me? I think the previous combination is fine? Me, Tama-chan, and Mina. And have Tsuchiya-san come along…”
Venus glanced at Tsuchiya, and Tsuchiya nodded, “Well, I don’t mind…”
“…Can I also state my preference?”
There, Yo raised his hand.
“I want to team up with Tama. If Mina-san wants to be with a woman, then it would be fine if Venus-san came along.”
“…Well, I’d be happier that way too.”
Tama looked a little surprised. They hadn’t discussed this when they were talking earlier.
“W-Wait a minute! I don’t want that! I want Tama to stay here! Right, Mina!”
“Huh? Ah, y-yes… Having Tama-san around is, well, very reassuring…”
And Venus and Mina opposed this. …So, the opinions clashed, and things weren’t going well. Baka clutched his head, wondering, “What should I do!?”
“…Hmm, Venus. I’m sorry, but that means you’ll have to enter the room alone.”
However, Tsuchiya stated that definitively.
“W-Why!?”
“Yo, Tama, Mina-san, and me. If it’s these four, no one else will object. If we try to form a group of ‘Venus, Mina, Tama, and Tsuchiya’ as Venus suggests, Yo and Tama will object. That’s two objections. Well, simply double the trouble… So, we should prioritize Yo and Tama.”
When Tsuchiya said that, Venus’s expression twisted. However, Tsuchiya remained as immovable as a solid rock.
“…If you don’t like that, then either accept a group of three: ‘Venus, Mina, and Tsuchiya,’ or accept a group of five: ‘Venus, Mina, Tsuchiya, Tama, and Yo.'”
“…Then, three is fine. Me, Mina, and Tsuchiya-san. That’s okay, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. Well, I’m also worried about not having Tama-san… but putting Kaito in is also…”
“I don’t want that! He’s the guy who tried to kill us!?”
“Ah, yeah, I thought you’d say that…”
…And so, the first team was decided. Baka nodded, thinking, “I’m glad it’s settled for now!”
And then.
“Well… Kabashima-kun. Kaito. I’d like to ask if you’d team up with me and Tama?”
The negotiations for the other team began.
“…Don’t get me wrong. I’m assuming that Yo isn’t the culprit who killed Amagi and Hibana, but from now on, he might even be thinking of killing someone with Tama as an accomplice.”
Kaito was quite cold. Yet, his expression was full of tension and hesitation.
“But… we can’t leave Venus and Mina-san alone. And Venus says she doesn’t want to team up with me. Then, we have no choice but to have Tsuchiya accompany them. The other team can’t be changed. So… ah, damn it.”
Kaito shook his head and stared intently at Baka.
“…Hey, Kabashima. What do you do? We might be getting set up, but if we choose not to go along, we might be abandoning them to their deaths.”
“Eeeh…?”
Baka didn’t understand what he was being asked. He tilted his head, not understanding!
Then, Kaito seemed to remember, “Oh yeah, this guy’s a Baka,” and sighed deeply, asking again.
“Do you believe in the goodness of people?”
“Eh, what’s that? I don’t get it!”
But Baka didn’t understand that either! He was just confused, wondering, “What’s ‘goodness’ !?”
“Oh, come on! What can you understand!?”
“Sorry! I don’t seem to understand most things! My boss said so!”
“You don’t understand at work either!? And yet, you’re not fired!? Ah… I truly respect your boss!”
“Yeah! That’s right! My boss is a really good person, and cool…”
“You really can’t understand anything!”
Kaito finally clutched his head. Baka smiled, thinking, “My boss got praised!”
…And then.
“Oh, right. I’d be happy if I was with Tama and Yo! Um, that’s what we were talking about, right?”
Baka remembered and said that. …Instantly, Kaito looked deflated, as if to say, “So you understood that part…” and sighed deeply.
And then.
“Okay. Then, the teams are like this: ‘Venus, Mina, and Tsuchiya’ as a group of three, and ‘Yo, Tama, Kabashima, and Kaito’ as a group of four. No objections, right?”
When Kaito declared that, everyone nodded!
The midday bell rang.
“Well… everyone, please come back here safely.”
Then, Tsuchiya, Mina, and Venus opened the door and went inside.
Seeing them off, Baka and the other three also opened the door and went inside.
…The door closed, and the second day of the Game began.
“Eh?”
“What?”
“…Well, I didn’t expect this. Haha…”
What Baka and the others witnessed was…
“…There are so many sheep!”
Sheep.
In any case, there were sheep.
Fluffy, fluffy sheep.
And, in the middle of the grassy area where the sheep were milling about, stood a… kitchen studio tower!
“This makes no sense!”
As Kaito’s scream echoed, the monitor at the top of the kitchen studio displayed, “Chiki Chiki! Sheep Dark Pot Chicken Race!”