Shinomiya Kaguya's mental state was in shambles.
Her face burned crimson, her body trembled uncontrollably, and her arms remained locked in a protective cross over her chest. At this moment, she understood viscerally what it meant to feel "exposed."
"Ahem, no need for such a big reaction. You're still fully dressed on the outside," Takakai remarked casually from where he stood facing away, glancing back at her awkward posture.
"I'm... f-fine. Let's not speak of this anymore. Just... just three more minutes until this room disappears, correct?"
Kaguya couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. Her entire face burned as she desperately willed time to move faster.
The reason was simple: she wasn't wearing a bra.
After extensive deliberation failed to produce a reliable self-check method, Takakai had proposed his solution - remove her undergarment and leave it in the safe room, then write [Remember what's missing] on her hand. Given Kaguya's perceptiveness, even after a memory wipe, she would notice something amiss with her attire and deduce she'd experienced resets. Even if she forgot to rewrite the message after multiple loops, the physical absence would still alert her.
From a tactical perspective, it was undeniably effective. And well... given Kaguya's modest proportions, the omission wouldn't cause any... noticeable issues. The loose school uniform would conceal everything adequately.
Not that I'd ever say that out loud, Takakai mused, fully aware how lethal such commentary would be.
Though really, there's no need to be so self-conscious. Small can be cute too.
His thoughts drifted to similar teasing directed at Maki - in bed, no less - prompting the flustered girl to bite him in retaliation. Only his superior skills had prevented defeat that night.
Tch, getting distracted again. I suppose Kaguya and Maki share more similarities than differences. Though Kaguya's definitely more high-maintenance. Where Maki's tsundere nature manifested in straightforward outbursts, Kaguya's repression ran deeper, her mind constantly churning with unspoken schemes.
Meanwhile, Kaguya remained frozen in place, every muscle locked tight.
She recognized the logic behind Takakai's suggestion - hence why she'd complied. But rationality couldn't override visceral embarrassment. This method was simply too shameful! Yet no superior alternative existed, leaving her no choice.
Did he... see what style I was wearing?
She'd been careful to check if he peeked during the process - he'd seemed properly restrained. But paranoia lingered nonetheless.
"Time's almost up. Be ready - we might get attacked the moment we exit," Takakai's voice shifted to full seriousness.
"...Understood. I'll prepare myself."
Kaguya took several deep breaths, forcibly suppressing her humiliation and reconstructing her usual icy demeanor layer by layer.
Their plan was set: avoid using suppression bullets unless absolutely necessary, relying instead on their respective verification methods to maintain awareness through resets. Neither knew if this would work, but with Hayasaka's time running out, they had no alternatives.
As an extra precaution, Takakai had hidden Kaguya's undergarment in the room while leaving his own notes scrawled on a bedsheet. The exact mechanics of Alice's blessing remained unclear - whether the room truly vanished or merely shifted dimensions. Confirmation would have to wait until after escaping this dungeon.
Final seconds ticked away.
Kaguya completed her mental preparations, her expression cooling into its familiar glacial mask.
Takakai stole one last glance at her.
Hmm... poor physics rendering? Or is it that you can't simulate what isn't there to begin with?
His internal quip coincided with the final countdown. As he mentally reached "one," the cozy bedroom dissolved around them, depositing them back into the surrounded hallway.
A dozen scribble-like [Black Shadows] lurked in the antechamber. Their distorted, grinning faces snapped toward the intruders with terrifying speed.
"This is...?"
The suppression bullet's effects had long faded.
Returned to the dungeon proper, Kaguya's awareness reverted to its initial state - leaving her bewildered by the sudden location change and horrific entities surrounding them.
Why was she here?
What were these things?
"Look out!"
Takakai's shout preceded his arm hooking around her waist. He lifted her effortlessly, tucking her against his side as he charged forward - not toward the monsters, but the hallway's decorative vase table.
A bone-chilling presence washed over Kaguya.
Even with obscured vision, she sensed something drawing near, whispering promises she couldn't quite hear...
CRASH!
Takakai's kick sent the vase shattering against the floor.
Then—
Darkness.
Takakai opened his eyes to find himself back in the small bedroom.
Rain pattered against the window, accompanied by faint scratching sounds.
The room's sole flickering lamp cast erratic shadows.
Night had fallen.
By all appearances, this was his first awakening in the dungeon.
But as he raised his hand, the written message there made his expression harden.
Sitting up, he summoned his pistol and ejected the magazine.
Ten rounds.
All expended bullets had returned.
Which could only mean one thing—
He'd already been trapped here for at least twenty-four hours.