Chapter 14

Natsuki looked around calmly as they entered the gaming area.

"This place isn't huge, but it's got everything – claw machines, pachinko, even mahjong. Pretty decent setup."

The air reeked of blood. Besides Natsuki and his two companions, a few unlucky players cowered in the corners, pale and trembling.

In the center stood a blonde girl in a blood-stained school uniform. Her mouth was grotesquely cut into a Glasgow smile. No doubt, she was the vengeful spirit haunting this place.

"Well, well. What brings you humans here willingly?" The ghost girl cocked her head, puzzled.

Natsuki stepped forward, cool as ever. "Just looking for some fun. How about a game?"

The hiding players gaped in shock.

"Is this guy for real?" "He's gotta be nuts." "No clue what he's in for." "What a waste. Pretty face, empty head."

The ghost girl licked her lips, excitement gleaming in her eyes. "Brave, aren't you? Alright, here's the deal. Cards, dice, Chinese checkers, mahjong – pick any game here. Win, and you're free to go. Lose, and I'll take your most precious possession – your heart."

"Hold up," Natsuki interrupted.

"Having second thoughts?"

"Who said my heart's my most precious thing?"

"Oh? What is, then?"

Natsuki glanced at the expressionless cat-eared girl beside him. "My most precious thing... is Kaguya, of course."

"...What did you just say, human?" The ghost girl tilted her head, surprise etched on her face.

Natsuki turned to the cat-eared girl, his eyes sincere. "From the moment I first saw Kaguya, I was drawn to her. I couldn't look away."

He took a deep breath. "I want to say it out loud - Kaguya is my most precious thing. Far more important than my heart."

Everyone in the room, unlucky players and vengeful spirits alike, turned to look at Kaguya.

The beautiful girl with long black hair and cat ears remained cool and calm, her face unreadable.

"Kaguya-chan! Natsuki just confessed to you!" Chika's eyes went wide, her voice a hushed squeal.

Kaguya's cat ears twitched slightly as she glanced at her friend.

(He's obviously just using me as a shield! But... I've never even gotten a love letter in my shoe locker, let alone a face-to-face confession. Even if it's an act, it feels... complicated.)

"Hehe." The ghost girl's chuckle made her grotesque mouth seem even more horrifying. Her eyes locked onto Kaguya. "You heard him. Are you willing to be this boy's wager?"

Kaguya, ever the composed genius, replied coolly, "I am."

The ghost girl blinked in surprise. She raised a blood-stained hand, nails sharp as knives. "If he loses, I'll rip out your heart."

Kaguya crossed her arms. "I believe in Natsuki."

"Tch." The ghost girl's smile turned vicious. "Don't come crying later, then."

The other players watched in stunned silence.

"Seriously? He's using her as a shield?" "We're in a horror game, and we still have to watch this lovey-dovey crap?" "They have no idea what they're in for..."

"Enough chatter," the ghost girl snapped. "One minute to choose your game. Winner walks free. Loser... well, I get the girl's heart."

"Don't need a minute," Natsuki said, scanning the room. "Let's roll dice. Highest number wins."

The cowering players gasped in shock.

"Is this guy for real?" "At least with a fighting game, skill matters. This is pure luck!" "What a waste. Poor girl stuck with this jerk."

The ghost girl smiled, arms crossed. "Brave, aren't you? Here are the dice. You first."

Natsuki stepped up, grabbed the dice, and tossed them.

"Four and five. Nine total. Not bad."

The ghost girl took her turn. The first die stopped on four.

The trapped players held their breath. "Unless she rolls a six, odds are in his favor."

All eyes locked on the second die as it slowed...

"Three! Kaguya-chan, we won!" Chika cheered.

Suddenly, the ghost slammed the table. The die flipped to six.

"Looks like I win," she grinned wickedly.

"You cheated!" Chika shouted. "We clearly won!"

"I never said cheating wasn't allowed," the ghost leered at Kaguya, eyes glowing red. "Now, about that heart..."

Natsuki's face hardened. "Cheating at games? How pathetic."

"Watch your mouth, human," the ghost snarled. "Or I'll tear you apart."

Natsuki kicked the table over. "If you can't play fair, don't play at all."

"You're dead!"

The ghost lunged at Natsuki, blood and tears streaming from her eyes. He quickly ducked behind Kaguya and shouted:

"Principal! Someone's bullying the cat!"

BANG!

The door flew open.

The imposing dean, wrapped in dark mist, strode in.

The ghost girl trembled, backing away like a mouse cornered by a cat.

"Check this out," Natsuki pointed at Kaguya's shoulder. "The blood's still fresh. She's abusing cats."

"That's a lie! I didn't—" The ghost girl sputtered, bloody tears streaming down her face.

(You're the one who smeared blood on her just now, you fraud! Have you no shame?)

"Not only does she torture cats, she's running an illegal gambling den in here," Natsuki continued, righteous indignation in his voice.

"I'll kill you!" The ghost lunged at him in a rage.

The dean silently reached out, grabbed her head, and crushed it. His voice rumbled, "Gambling on school grounds is strictly forbidden. Severe punishment is required."

Suddenly, all the players heard a notification in their minds:

[Critical data lost. Scene has collapsed.]

[Congratulations! You have successfully cleared this stage.]

"We... passed?" The hiding players were bewildered, then ecstatic. To clear the stage without lifting a finger – there couldn't be a better surprise.

"All done," Natsuki said coolly, slipping his hand in his pocket. He turned to the cat-eared girl. "Kaguya, you're a lifesaver."

Chika nodded enthusiastically. "Kaguya-chan, our savior!"