Chapter 211: The old driver continues to drive

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The return trip was a solo mission.

Without needing to coordinate with anyone, Amamiya moved more quickly on his own. In no time, he had reached the midpoint of the hallway with the cardboard box over his head.

Suddenly, the box sank as if anchored to the ground.

"Woof!"

A commanding bark sounded from behind, and Amamiya regained his ability to move.

Without wasting a moment, he resumed his journey forward under the box.

"You're almost at the warehouse entrance," Shikimori called out from behind. "It's just one meter in front of you on the right."

Following her directions, Amamiya soon arrived at the warehouse door and called out, "I'm back! Open up."

The door quickly swung open.

Amamiya entered the abandoned warehouse, still under his cardboard box.

With a soft bang, the door closed, shutting out the light from the hallway.

"How'd it go?" The girl with pigtails looked over eagerly. "Did it work?"

Seeing Amamiya return was confirmation enough, but she couldn't help asking.

"Our fearless class monitor never misses," Amamiya replied with a thumbs-up.

"...Knock it off."

The girl with pigtails came over, a touch flustered.

Monitor or not, as long as we can clear the game, I don't care what you call me—even "boss" or "mommy" might be negotiable.

Amamiya then turned to Kaguya nearby and said with a smile, "I'm back."

Kaguya nodded slightly, her eyes calm and assured.

She had never doubted that he would return. If their roles had been reversed, she would have gone back for him without hesitation. No question.

"Why are there scratches on the box?" Kaguya's brows furrowed slightly.

"I had a run-in with the Shadow Cat," Amamiya explained.

Kaguya stepped closer, her expression worried as she inspected him.

"It attacked again?" the spiky-haired boy asked in alarm.

The girl with pigtails adjusted her glasses, her face concerned. "Are you alright? No injuries?"

"Not hurt, but definitely traumatized," Amamiya said with a grin. "A nice lap pillow from our fearless class monitor would do wonders."

"..."

A sharp pinch at his waist made him wince.

He looked at Kaguya, surprised.

She actually knew how to pinch people? Wonders never cease!

So all girls really do have this instinct.

"Amamiya-kun, you didn't seem too shaken to me," Kaguya whispered with a sweet smile. "In fact, you looked like you were enjoying it."

Indeed, girls were full of surprises.

"..."

After a brief rundown of the return journey, Amamiya turned to the spiky-haired boy. "Let's go."

With the experience from the first run, they moved more confidently this time, knowing when to speed up, slow down, and prioritize safety.

Thanks to their teamwork, they crossed the hallway without incident.

"You can remove the boxes now," Shikimori's voice called out.

Amamiya lifted the cardboard box and stood.

"Well done," Shikimori said softly. "Just two more, keep it up."

Instead of immediately heading back, Amamiya paused and asked, "So was it the cat pressing down on the box just now?"

"Yeah, it was definitely a Shadow Cat," Shikimori nodded, biting her lip thoughtfully. "But… I'm not sure if I imagined it, but it looked like the cat was pressing down on the 'shadow' of the box, not the box itself."

"I see," Amamiya said, nodding.

The way to clear this game… now he understood.

With a few quick words, he slipped back into the cardboard disguise and set off toward the abandoned warehouse once more, prepared for the next step.

"I'm back," Amamiya greeted Kaguya.

"There are more scratches on the box," the girl with pigtails noted, frowning slightly with concern.

It was clear that even with the cardboard box as protection, the journey was still dangerous, and there was no telling how much longer it would hold up.

What if the boy in front of her decided to leave with his girlfriend, abandoning her?

Watching Amamiya and Kaguya whispering to each other, the girl with pigtails grew anxious. This horror game was full of unknowns; being abandoned wasn't out of the question…

"Class Monitor, what's on your mind?"

A warm voice broke her train of thought.

The girl with pigtails quickly looked up, forcing a casual tone. "Nothing."

"Class Monitor, I wanted to ask you a favor." Amamiya nodded toward Kaguya. "Hood Meowth here is skittish, a bit lost, and… afraid of the dark when alone."

The pigtailed girl's heart sank.

What was he implying?

Did he think the cardboard box wouldn't hold up, so he was planning to leave her behind and escape with his girlfriend? They were, after all, just temporary teammates. It would make sense… but what was she supposed to do if she was left alone?

"So…" Amamiya continued, "may I borrow the flashlight from before?"

"Huh?"

The girl with pigtails looked up, startled, as if she hadn't heard right. "You… want the flashlight?"

"What else?" Amamiya shrugged. "Did you really think I'd leave you behind?"

"No, I… didn't…"

She quickly turned her head, feeling guilty.

Amamiya sighed. "Wow, class monitor, is our trust that fragile?"

"…You two haven't even told me your names, yet you talk about trust!" 

Pansy wanted to retort, but bit her tongue instead. She took a deep breath, summoned the flashlight from her storage and handed it over. "Just take it. No need to return it."

Flashlights weren't very practical, and her phone's light was usually enough. She'd almost led the group into disaster using it earlier, so giving it up wasn't a big deal.

But… she had a feeling Amamiya had a different reason for asking for it.

That striking black-haired girl, Hood Meowth, barely spoke, but when she did, it was always crucial. She was much more composed than most players—definitely someone reliable.

"Thanks, class monitor."

Amamiya accepted the flashlight and handed it to Kaguya.

"Let's head out now." He looked at Pansy. "So, class monitor, would you prefer the front or the back?"

"I'd rather go later, a little less pressure that way…"

She spoke instinctively, then quickly pursed her lips, casting a frown his way.

"Alright, come in."

Amamiya held up the cardboard box, gesturing for her to enter.

The girl with pigtails nodded, stepped into the box, and squatted down behind him.

Amamiya turned to Kaguya. "Wait here. I'll be back."

"Of course." Kaguya held the flashlight and nodded slightly, unfazed. She had no doubt he'd return.

The "cardboard monster" set off once again, carefully making its way out of the abandoned warehouse and into the corridor.

"Hang in there, we're about halfway," called a bright, clear voice from up ahead.

"It's Shikimori-san." The girl with pigtails perked up. "She doesn't sound far; it looks like we're almost through."

"class monitor," Amamiya said, tone serious, "don't jinx it."

Pansy: "…"