What would it feel like to be completely forgotten by the world? To cease to exist in the minds of everyone, with no one even noticing your absence?
If possible, Miko wished she never had to know the answer.
But when she awoke in a daze, finding herself back on the street where she had first disappeared, when she returned home, showered, changed out of her dirty clothes, and before she could even begin to process her emotions—her school called.
On the phone, the administration apologized profusely, explaining that a system error had placed her and her best friend, Yurikawa, in a canceled, empty class. They assured her she would be reassigned immediately, with no impact on her studies.
At that moment, Yotsuya Miko didn't know how to describe what she felt.
Twenty-three classmates—gone.
Not a single survivor.
And yet, their teachers, their parents, everyone who had ever known them—had forgotten them entirely, as if they had never existed at all.
Even her best friend, Yurikawa, had lost all memory of them.
The horror of it chilled Miko to the bone.
She realized:
If she had died in that dungeon and hadn't been saved by Takakai's resets, this would have been her fate too.
Her mother would forget her, puzzled by the belongings in her room.
Yurikawa would believe she had never had a friend named Yotsuya Miko, would think she had always been alone—and might even seek out new friends to fill the void.
Even if someone spoke her name, told others about her—it wouldn't matter.
Because to the world, she would have never existed.
She hated this feeling.
And she didn't know how to ease the dread settling in her heart.
If it were Senpai…
It was only then that Miko realized—she didn't have Takakai's contact information.
She rushed back to his residence, only to find it in ruins, firefighters clearing the debris, with no sign of Takakai anywhere.
Senpai… where are you now?
Dejected, Miko returned home. It was only then, in her dazed state, that she noticed something strange—she had gained power.
A Blessing.
Three effects:
Temporary Immortality – So long as her will held, she could survive fatal wounds briefly.
Safe Zone Detection – In supernatural areas, she would instinctively know where to hide.
Enhanced Physique & Willpower – Pushing her beyond human limits.
(She realized this when she accidentally ripped the faucet off while washing her hands.)
Having learned some basics about the Sacrifice Game from Takakai and Kumami, Miko understood what this meant.
But the power brought her no joy—only greater unease.
After all, even Kumami—a top-tier Crimson Moon player—had been captured and tormented by specters. What hope did she have?
In the deadly world of dungeons, these abilities wouldn't keep her safe. She would still face death over and over—and with her heightened perception, her risks were even greater than most players.
One month?
Her gaze drifted to the calendar on her wall, her expression darkening.
No—according to Kumami, as someone forcibly dragged into the game rather than a voluntary participant, her next mission would align with the regular players' schedule.
Which meant…
In less than two weeks, she would be thrown into another dungeon—another nightmare like Fujisaka Academy.
"Senpai…"
Curled up on her bed, Miko whispered his name, wishing he would appear before her.
Meanwhile, Takakai was…
Well.
Spacing out.
His expression was eerily serene as he stared out the window, like a sage who had transcended mortal concerns, on the verge of ascending to immortality.
"Uwah… Kai-kun is too rough."
Behind him, Chika pouted, holding up the snapped remains of her pink bra, trying in vain to reattach it before sighing in defeat.
"Honestly, acting like such a pervert when we just came to bring you food…"
Maki grumbled as she pulled on her stockings—only to find several rips in the fabric. With a resigned sigh, she kicked them off and slipped her bare feet into her shoes instead.
Night had fallen.
Five hours had passed since Chika and Maki arrived—and the disheveled bedsheets and torn blankets told the story of what had transpired.
"I really couldn't hold back at the time."
Takakai shook his head, his tone tinged with regret.
It had started innocently enough—Chika and Maki had cooked him a meal, concerned he hadn't eaten after sleeping so long.
Then Chika decided to feed him by hand.
Maki, refusing to be outdone, joined in.
Takakai, being Takakai, did not resist.
Somehow, one thing led to another, and—well.
The rest was history.
Thanks to his newly enhanced physique (courtesy of Hirano's Blessing), Takakai's stamina had reached new heights.
Back during their first "duel" at the hotel, he had gradually lost ground in the latter half, forced to rely on restraints and toys to keep Chika—the more aggressive combatant—at bay.
But now?
No tools. No tricks.
Pure, unadulterated overwhelming force.
"Kai-kun, what are you thinking about?"
A soft warmth pressed against his back as Chika rested her chin on his shoulder, her arms looping around his neck.
A single glance confirmed she was still in her natural state.
(His briefly calmed mind wavered again.)
Maki, now fully dressed, sat beside him. Though she couldn't bring herself to cling to him like Chika, she still leaned in close, fidgeting slightly.
Outside, the city lights painted the night in a hazy glow.
Surrounded by their presence, Takakai's restless heart settled once more. He took Chika's hand in his right, Maki's in his left—and for a long while, the three simply sat in silence.
"By the way, Kai-kun, I've already arranged for a construction team. Your house should be repaired in two to three weeks."
Maki suddenly spoke up, her gaze slightly evasive.
"Right, I'll need to figure out where to stay until then."
Takakai nodded solemnly, only now remembering his blown-up home.
"Then, why not stay at my place?"
Chika perked up, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Absolutely not!"
Maki shot back instantly. Though she had come to accept their current dynamic, letting Chika monopolize Takakai's time was unthinkable.
"If not that, then maybe Kai-kun could stay at your house, Maki?"
Chika grinned, unfazed by the rejection.
"T-That's… no, my family situation isn't suitable…"
Maki faltered, her cheeks reddening as she mumbled her refusal.
"Alright, alright. I'll stay in the Shuchi'in security dorm for now. But listen—I need you two to help transfer a girl named Yotsuya Miko to Shuchi'in, preferably into your class. She's the only survivor among the civilians dragged into the dungeon. Her entire class is gone, and she has even better perception skills than me. Of course, only if she agrees. We'll talk to her tomorrow."
Takakai cut off the debate, laying out his decision.
After a brief hesitation, he decided to come clean about Miko. He could sense her budding feelings for him—and admittedly, he wasn't entirely indifferent either.
"Yotsuya Miko, huh? Hehe, Kai-kun really is incorrigible."
As expected, Chika smirked, her expression saying I know exactly what you're thinking.
"…Hmph."
Maki's displeasure was even more obvious, her glare sharp enough to pierce steel.
Guess I'll have to explain everything that happened in the dungeon—Miko included.
Seeing their reactions, Takakai braced himself for the interrogation to come.
Meanwhile, at the Shinomiya Estate…
Kaguya massaged her temples, her usual composure fraying at the edges as a servant approached.
"Any results?"
Her voice was icy, impatience barely restrained.
"…Apologies, Lady Shinomiya. We still haven't found Miss Hayasaka."
The servant bowed deeply.
Kaguya's grip on her chair tightened.
"Leave."
She barely kept her voice level.
Hayasaka… where are you?
Her lifelong attendant, her only true confidant—even compared to Chika or Takakai, Hayasaka held a place in Kaguya's heart no one else could match.
And now, she was gone.
Vanished without a trace.
"Lady Shinomiya."
The servant spoke again, interrupting her thoughts.
"What else do you want?"
Kaguya's temper flared.
"While we haven't located Miss Hayasaka, we did trace her phone's last signal. The location… may be of interest to you."
The servant stepped forward, showing her a map on his phone.
Kaguya barely glanced at it—she had never been good with maps anyway.
"And where is this?"
"The backyard of Takakai's residence."
Kaguya's pupils constricted.