"I originally thought you could only co up with weird stuff, but now I see I was wrong."
Onodera took the prop handed over by Rinji and Hayasaka, looking slightly surprised.
"I just saw President Shirogane co out with a terrified look on his face—he was clearly really shaken."
"Huh? I thought it was Shinomiya who got scared."
"Shinomiya-senpai seed fine. Probably didn't get too spooked," Onodera replied. "Do you two want to go again?"
"Let's pass. We still have other places to visit."
"Alright then."
After returning all the props to the haunted house, Rinji and Hayasaka left.
Earlier, when Shirogane had a breakdown in the haunted house, things nearly spiraled out of control. Luckily, Rinji had quickly retrieved the spider, preventing Shirogane from fully passing out.
Still, the fact that he groped Kaguya during that ti was undeniable. She had to bite his hand to wake him up.
Anyway, this incident brought the two closer together, which made Rinji and Hayasaka feel more at ease as they left.
"Where to next?"
"Let's just wander around."
The two strolled through various booths along the hallways.
There were food stalls, ga booths—plenty of fun places.
Free from other obligations, the two enjoyed themselves.
Hayasaka had fully imrsed herself in the festival atmosphere, enjoying her ti with Rinji.
A smile appeared on her face.
It was probably the happiest day she'd had in a long ti—so happy she wished it could last forever.
But that was impossible.
Hayasaka knew Rinji had a girlfriend.
Even though she used certain tricks to stay at his house from Friday to Sunday, and successfully invited him to hang out with her at the festival, so things couldn't be changed.
Facts were facts.
After the festival ended, Rinji would still be Karura's boyfriend. Her relationship with him would return to what it had always been.
Hayasaka had spent a long ti trying to make up for past mistakes, but nothing had really changed.
'Maybe… it's ti to give up?'
"What's wrong, Hayasaka?"
Rinji, walking beside her, asked.
"Your face suddenly looked a little pale. Are you sick?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Really?"
Rinji reached out and touched her forehead.
"Hmm… looks fine. If you need to rest, we can—"
"It's okay, let's keep going."
Hayasaka shook her head.
Even if she was already thinking of backing out, she still felt it was too early to give up now.
At least struggle a little longer.
That afternoon, the two visited many places, ate lots of snacks, and played many gas.
After making a full loop around the school building, they found a corner to rest in.
"That was a pretty fun afternoon."
"Yeah."
Rinji couldn't help but smile.
There was a ti when he wished he and Hayasaka could hang out like this, maybe even go traveling together.
But now...
"Hey, you two over there~"
Suddenly, a girl's voice called out, deliberately lowered.
Hayasaka and Rinji turned to look in the direction of the sound and saw a two-ter-tall tent had been set up by the hallway.
On it were the words: "The Witch's Hut."
"...When was that tent put up?"
"Looks like it was always there."
They both eyed it suspiciously. Then a voice called out again from inside.
"You two with the golden hair~ Yeah, I'm talking to you."
"…"
Now it was clear they were being called, so Rinji pulled back the curtain and stepped inside. Hayasaka followed.
Inside was dimly lit.
A table stood in front of them, with a crystal ball and tarot cards on it. Across from them sat a black-haired girl with a stunning figure, eyes half-closed and smiling warmly at them.
Atenbo Yu, a third-year student, mber of the student union, and president of the Occult Research Club.
"So it's you. Why'd you call us over?"
"Nothing big. I was just interested in you two." Yu smiled as she squinted her eyes. "I can do a little fortune-telling for you."
"Hah, you think I'd believe in—"
Rinji was about to protest when he suddenly shut his mouth.
He clearly rembered how this girl had once told him he had "bad luck with won" and would be surrounded by them.
Back then, he had no girlfriend and didn't believe it. But after getting one, girls really did start gathering around him more and more.
With a slight sigh, Rinji sat down in front of her.
"Fine. Let's hear it, just for fun."
"Alright."
Yu smiled as she picked up the tarot cards and began laying them out. Hayasaka also sat down next to Rinji.
"Are you and Hayasaka-san a couple?"
"No."
"Then it must be a friends-with-benefits thing."
"Don't spout nonsense."
"Are you using protection properly?"
"Are you ssing with ?" Rinji's forehead twitched in irritation.
"Just kidding." Yu chuckled. "Just from a bit of observation, I can tell you two aren't a couple yet."
"Tch."
"Takamine-kun, you need to be careful."
Yu held up the tarot cards.
"You might be getting involved with so mysterious beings soon."
"Huh? What's that supposed to an?"
"Hard to say. Could be ghosts, could be monsters. But I think it's more likely to be sothing divine."
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
"Oh right, the person you've been searching for will also surface soon." She smiled. "That's a good on."
"...Anyway, thanks."
Not wanting to hear more of her ramblings, Rinji stood up.
Seeing him exit the tent, Hayasaka quickly got up to follow.
"Hayasaka-san, please wait a mont."
"Hmm? What is it, senpai?" Hayasaka turned back, looking curious.
She knew the girl, but in front of others still kept up her usual act.
"You don't need to keep pretending anymore."
Yu picked up another tarot card from the side, still smiling.
"You already have powerful protection, don't you?"
"…"
"Let give you a word of advice before you go."
Yu stood up, and her eyes—usually closed—opened, staring directly at Hayasaka.
"Wh-What is it?"
"December 21st, the final day of the festival—tomorrow," said Yu. "That day is your destined turning point with Takamine-kun."
"Eh?"
"You need to break the chains he's placed on himself. Only then…"
"Only then…"
"Will the scales of victory tip in your favor."
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