Kaguya-sama Wants My Surrender!

"Maybe he's just trying to lighten the mood?" the girl with pigtails and glasses, who had been silent until now, spoke softly.

"Ah, that's just what I'd expect from our class monitor," Amamiya commented, appreciating her perceptiveness. "You really do know everything."

The bespectacled girl maintained a calm expression. "I was only the class monitor in elementary school, and my last name isn't Hanekawa."

"Tsk, that's no fun," Amamiya replied.

"…Sorry to disappoint you!" She let out an exasperated sigh, pushing her glasses up as she refocused. "Alright, should we discuss our respective mission details?"

"If we have the same mission, we can stick together," she suggested.

Amamiya gave her a thumbs-up. "Solid plan, class monitor."

"For the last time, I'm not the class monitor!" She couldn't help pressing her temples before pulling up her player panel to confirm her identity.

The others quickly followed her lead, and it became clear that all five were indeed players. Even if non-player characters could mimic human appearance, they wouldn't possess a game panel.

With that settled, each checked their mission objectives.

Amamiya scanned the mission log:

　　[Mission: Cat and Mouse Game]

　　[Objective: Escape the abandoned factory within 120 minutes]

　　[Note: The cats are already hungry]

　　[Base Reward: 40 game coins]

"It looks like we all have the same mission," the girl with pigtails confirmed, adjusting her glasses. "So, how about a quick round of introductions?"

She began, composed. "You can call me Pansy. I've cleared the game three times."

The girl with pink hair stood tall, bamboo sword in hand, exuding a mix of cuteness and leadership. "Shikimori," she stated confidently, "I've cleared it twice."

"Yamazaki." The spiky-haired boy introduced himself next, his tone casual. "Cleared it twice, too."

Inexperienced players often gave away their full names, but more seasoned ones preferred pseudonyms or surnames.

Finally, it was Amamiya and Kaguya's turn.

"I'm the Admiral," Amamiya introduced himself with an air of calm authority. He gestured toward Kaguya, who remained expressionless, entrusting him with the introductions. "And she's Hood Meowth. We're both new, fresh off the novice trial."

The boy with the spiky hair gave a dubious look. "Seriously? A new player with a name like that?"

Ignoring him, Amamiya continued, "Anyway, let's have a good game, Class Monitor."

Pansy sighed. "…Right."

"Back to business," Shikimori cut in, her expression turning serious. "The base reward is 40 game coins, which is high. That likely means it'll be a challenging game."

The girl with pigtails nodded in agreement. "Yes, game rewards generally scale with difficulty. We all need to stay vigilant and speak up if anything seems off."

"So a 'cat-and-mouse game' probably just means an escape game, right?" Yamazaki speculated. "There are probably evil spirits or monsters in this factory, and they might come for us at any moment."

"Let's start by checking this room for any clues…" suggested Pansy, pulling a flashlight from her game inventory.

She switched it on, piercing the darkness with a beam of light that revealed a mostly empty, decrepit warehouse. Aside from a few scattered cardboard boxes, there was little else in sight.

Shikimori, still holding her bamboo sword, scanned the room cautiously.

"It doesn't look like…"

Her words were cut short as a dark mass materialized from nowhere, knocking her down and sending her sword clattering to the ground.

Screams and startled shouts filled the room, and chaos erupted.

"What is that thing?"

"An evil spirit?"

"A monster?"

"I can't see it clearly!"

Shikimori gritted her teeth, reaching for her bamboo sword even as something latched onto her leg, dragging her slowly toward the darkness. Paralyzed with fear, the pigtail-wearing girl and Yamazaki hesitated, unable to help.

Then, a figure darted forward.

Amamiya moved quickly, lunging to pull the pink-haired girl from the darkness' grip. "Flashlight!" he shouted.

Kaguya reacted instantly, snatching the flashlight from Pansy and switching it off in one smooth motion.

The darkness returned, and Amamiya immediately felt the force pulling on Shikimori's leg disappear.

"Hah… Hah…" 

Shikimori lay against Amamiya's chest, still shaken and breathing heavily. Despite her courage, even a brave girl couldn't be expected to remain composed in the face of death.

"Thank you…" she murmured, almost instinctively.

"First, let's get you up," Amamiya offered, extending a hand to help her to her feet. "Did you catch a glimpse of what attacked you?"

"I couldn't see it clearly." Shikimori shook her head, taking a steadying breath. "It was incredibly strong—it knocked me over in an instant, so I couldn't even react. I tried to kick, but… there was nothing to hit… something just clamped onto my foot."

Amamiya glanced down, noticing her black stocking torn at the ankle, revealing the smooth skin beneath and faint traces of blood. It was clear she wasn't exaggerating.

"What was it?" the spiky-haired boy asked, his voice edged with nervousness. "There was nothing there."

"It was a shadow," Kaguya answered, her arms crossed and tone grave. "I saw it clearly—it looked like the shape of a cat."

"A… shadow cat?" The group exchanged glances, stunned.

Predatory by nature, a cat in shadow form would be lethal. They now understood why the game was called "Cat and Mouse." They were the mice, and the shadow cat was the hunter.

"Don't panic," Amamiya said calmly. "When the flashlight turned off, the attack stopped. So, light must be the real trigger."

The girl with glasses stepped forward, her expression remorseful. "I'm sorry—I didn't know the flashlight would attract monsters."

"It's alright," Shikimori reassured her. She wasn't upset at all and even offered a comforting smile. "Don't blame yourself, Pansy-san."

"Exactly," Amamiya added. "Just be more careful next time, class monitor."

"…For the last time, I'm not your class monitor."

"…"

After a brief pause, Shikimori spoke. "It's time to move on."

Though they were safer in the dark, remaining idle would prevent them from finishing the game.

"I can see just well enough to guide us," Kaguya said coolly, "The exit's just ahead on the right. Follow me."

They made their way to the door, and Amamiya gently tested the handle. "It's open. Looks like no hidden lock puzzle…"

Then, they all froze.

The corridor beyond was brightly lit, a stark contrast to the factory's otherwise eerie darkness. Yet, no one felt relieved; they were all transfixed by a looming shadow on the opposite wall.

A huge, ink-like shape stretched across the wall, almost tiger-sized, its movements eerily feline as it stretched out its form. They watched, horrified, as the shadow seemed to groom itself like a cat.

As if sensing their attention, the shadow vanished.

Bang!

Amamiya reacted instantly, slamming the door shut.

Everyone backed up, clutching their chests as they tried to calm their racing hearts.

"That was massive…"

"Was that… thing a cat or a tiger?"

"And the whole corridor's lit up—there's no way to get through."

If the shadow cat preyed on those illuminated by light, the bright corridor was effectively a death trap.

Shikimori frowned, gripping her bamboo sword tightly. "…Let's search the room again. Maybe there's an alternate way out."

"How about the ventilation ducts?" suggested the girl with glasses.

"Worth a shot," Shikimori agreed, "and no flashlights this time."

"…"

The group split up, and it wasn't long before they found a ventilation duct tucked away in a corner.

"There's a vent here," the girl with glasses observed, looking up at it. "But how are we supposed to reach it?"

Shikimori pondered for a moment. "We could stack those boxes."

"No good," Kaguya countered, shaking her head. "They're too flimsy to hold anyone's weight."

Amamiya paused, then sighed. "Then it seems we only have one last option…"

"What is it?" The others turned to him, curious.

Amamiya's gaze settled on the spiky-haired boy. "Kurosaki, you'll form the base."

"Not Kurosaki—Yamazaki! And what do you mean by 'form the base'?" the boy huffed. "I don't get it."

The girl with glasses brightened with understanding. "He's suggesting a human pyramid, like in gymnastics."

Amamiya shot her an approving look. "Exactly—well done, class monitor."

She sighed. "…I only guessed as much."

The spiky-haired boy muttered as he looked up at the vent, "A human pyramid, huh? But why do I have to be the base?"