"Morning, Fujiwara-san," Natsuki nodded in response.
Chika Fujiwara was one of their classmates and Kaguya's good friend. She was a social butterfly who'd managed to befriend almost everyone in just half a month of school.
"Ah!"
Kaguya's body jolted as if she'd been shocked, letting out a squeak like a frightened rabbit. Her usual ice-queen composure shattered in an instant.
"Eh? Did Kaguya just scream?" Chika's eyes widened in surprise.
"I did not!" Kaguya denied flatly, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"What a blunder," she thought to herself. "On any other day, I'd have sensed someone approaching..."
Natsuki's gaze suddenly locked onto Kaguya's right hand.
"Huh?" Chika exclaimed, the black bow on her head bouncing. "Kaguya, the card in your hand is on fire!"
"What?"
Kaguya looked down, startled to see the team card in her hand engulfed in silent blue flames. It burned away in the blink of an eye.
The next moment, a low, eerie voice echoed in Natsuki's mind:
[Team formation successful]
[Selected scenario: Seven Wonders of Campus]
[Players, prepare yourselves. The game is about to begin]
"That's weird," Chika tilted her head, looking puzzled. "Did anyone else hear a strange voice in their head?"
Natsuki's eye twitched slightly. "...Clueless teammates," he thought.
As a countdown began in their minds, Chika covered her ears, shaking her head. "Hey, now there's a countdown! You guys hear it, right?"
But no one was paying attention to her. This wasn't just a countdown – it was a death warrant.
Natsuki looked at Kaguya silently, his irritation growing. What a rip-off! Team formation was forced, without even needing confirmation?
"I... I'm sorry," Kaguya said, biting her lower lip. As the eldest Shinomiya daughter, she knew she had to own up to her mistakes. "I just got a notification. Apparently, to 'improve player experience,' they've changed team formation. Now it triggers with any physical contact."
"That's not an improvement, it's a hazard!" Natsuki couldn't help but say. "But wait, I didn't even touch you guys. How did I get roped into this?"
He wondered if mere eye contact was enough now. This game was getting more absurd by the minute.
Kaguya continued, her voice barely above a whisper, "Players within three meters are automatically considered teammates..."
"Great, now you tell us," Natsuki thought, closing his eyes and sighing. Another clueless teammate to deal with.
"What are you two talking about?" Chika looked between them, confusion written all over her face. "I don't understand any of this!"
"Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough," Natsuki muttered.
[Countdown: 3... 2...]
A wave of dizziness washed over Natsuki. When it cleared, he found himself standing on a dilapidated playground, surrounded by students in unfamiliar uniforms. No, not students – vengeful spirits.
Their faces were deathly pale, empty black sockets where eyes should be. Bloodstains covered their bodies, and the ground was smeared with dried blood and frantic finger marks. One "classmate" turned to Natsuki, grinning to reveal razor-sharp fangs.
A ghostly voice echoed in their minds:
[Location: Ghost School]
[Game: Seven Wonders of Campus]
[Objective: Complete at least three challenges or survive until 4:44]
[Current challenge: 1, 2, 3 Wooden Man. Press the button behind the tumbler within the time limit. Failure results in elimination]
[The game begins now. Enjoy your stay]
As the eerie announcement faded, Natsuki felt control return to his body.
"What the hell is this?!" Chika's voice rang out, panic-stricken.
Her shout drew the attention of every player and ghost in the vicinity.
"Shh!" Kaguya quickly clamped a hand over her friend's mouth. She leaned in close, whispering, "I'm so sorry, Chika. This is all my fault."
Guilt and self-loathing filled Kaguya's eyes. For once, her calm facade cracked completely. She'd dragged her best friend – her only real friend – into this nightmarish game.
Natsuki watched the exchange, his mind racing. They'd have to work together to survive this, ready or not.
"This isn't your fault, Kaguya," Chika said, clenching her fists. A determined light shone in her eyes. "You've been dealing with such a dangerous game? As your friend, I can't just stand by. I'll protect you from now on!"
Natsuki thought, "That's nice, but maybe apologize to the innocent bystander you dragged into this?"
Chika gave a thumbs up. "I'm great at games. We'll clear this easily!"
Natsuki cringed internally. In horror movies, the overly confident one always dies first.
"Ah," a scornful voice cut in. "Still thinking about protecting others? You must be new."
They turned to see other players on the playground. Unlike Chika, they didn't seem shocked – just grim-faced.
"How'd you know?" Chika asked brightly. "It is my first time. Any tips?"
"Impossible," the woman gasped. "Novices shouldn't start with something this difficult."
Kaguya lowered her head, shame evident on her face.
[Game Start]
As the cold voice rang out, the giant tumbler at the playground's exit slowly turned its back to them. Natsuki felt the invisible restraints vanish. Eerie, otherworldly music began to play.
Players and ghost students alike started moving cautiously, never knowing when the tumbler might turn. Most of the vengeful spirits moved stiffly, fear etched on their faces.
"About 200 meters," Natsuki estimated. "The tumbler's 3 meters tall, button under its head..."
Suddenly, words appeared on the tumbler:
[La la la, I'm a happy tumbler. My sight can't penetrate objects. I'm turning now. Three, two...]
Natsuki froze.
As the countdown ended, the tumbler whipped around with impossible speed. One ghost student, a fraction too slow, was caught. A black shadow flashed, and its head exploded into dark mist. It collapsed with a dull thud.
The playground fell deathly silent. Even the hardened players looked pale.
After a moment, the tumbler slowly turned away, and the strange song resumed.
"That's... that's terrifying," Chika whispered, clutching her chest. "I thought failing just meant leaving the game?"
"You thought this was just pretend?" Natsuki thought incredulously. He kept his eyes fixed on the tumbler, waiting.
Ten seconds later, the same warning appeared.
Natsuki's mind raced. They needed a strategy, and fast.
"Stop," Natsuki hissed, freezing in place a second before the tumbler turned.
This time, an unlucky player twitched his arm at the wrong moment. He met the same fate as the ghost student earlier.
After a few agonizing seconds, the tumbler turned away, and the grim game continued.
A tall, blood-covered ghost student suddenly reached for Chika, as if seeking a final human connection before giving up.
With lightning reflexes, Natsuki stepped forward and caught the ghost's wrist.
"Th-thank you, Amamiya-san," Chika stammered, her face pale.
The ghost glared at Natsuki, baring a mouthful of razor-sharp fangs.
[Countdown to turn...]
The warning flashed again. Natsuki dropped into a crouch behind the ghost student just before the tumbler spun around.
Two more players were eliminated. The playground fell eerily silent.
"Now's our chance," Natsuki muttered. He took a deep breath, clasped his hands together, and stared at the ghost's back.
"Secret ninja technique: A Thousand Years of Death—"
[Card Draw Round]
[You drew: Sharingan Hero Kakashi]
[You used the ultimate technique: A Thousand Years of Death]
[Opponent defeated]
It seemed that neither humans nor vengeful spirits were immune to this... unique attack.
The ghost student shuddered violently. A flash of dark lightning engulfed it, and its body crumbled to ash, slowly dissipating.
"Thank you so much, Amamiya-san," Chika breathed, relief evident in her voice. Though they couldn't move freely, speaking was still possible.
Natsuki just nodded, his eyes never leaving the tumbler. They weren't out of danger yet.
"We need a plan," he thought. "And fast."