“Shall we all go on a trip this three-day weekend?”

Fujiwara said this around the time the first semester was finally coming to an end.

As the student council, they had an upcoming exchange event with a sister school in France, but fortunately, the other side was preparing everything this year. So Shirogane and the others definitely had free time.

“We have a villa where we can play an interesting game. And it’s not just any game. After all, it’s a time-honored game that has been passed down in my family for generations.” Fujiwara said this brimming with confidence, but upon hearing it, Shirogane and Ishigami couldn’t help but exchange glances.

”…The Fujiwara family?” ”…A game passed down for generations?”

The two men looked at Fujiwara with wary eyes.

But Fujiwara continued her explanation without even noticing their suspicious looks.

“It’s a treasure hunt set in the entire mansion — what you’d call a real-life puzzle-solving game nowadays. And those who successfully solve the puzzles will actually receive a treasure. I don’t know what the treasure is either, but I suspect it might be a lucky item that makes you end up with the person you have a crush on. After all, my father and mother got married because of that game too.”

“End up with the person you have a crush on…”

“A lucky item…”

Following that, it was Kaguya and Ino who reacted to Fujiwara’s words.

“But this game requires a certain number of people. So I think now is the only chance when everyone’s schedules align. Before the president goes to America, let’s all go as a farewell trip! Plus, since it’s my family’s villa, there’s no accommodation cost either.”

“Hmm…”

Hearing “farewell trip,” Shirogane fell into thought. As the one being sent off, he couldn’t brush aside their feelings.

Just as Shirogane was about to nod at Fujiwara’s words, Ishigami’s hand suddenly shot out in front of him.

“Wait, President. I think we should confirm something… Fujiwara-senpai. Isn’t there something you haven’t told us yet?”

“Huh?”

“I’m all for the president’s farewell trip, but I’m concerned that the information is a little too convenient. Could you tell us the detailed rules of this game?”

“Well, um… the rules are a secret until the day of. It would be bad if people prepared countermeasures, you know.”

“I see. Then tell us what else you’re hiding.” “Eh! U-um…”

Pressed by Ishigami, Fujiwara fidgeted and averted her eyes.

She looked around for help, but everyone was looking at her suspiciously.

Then, finally unable to hold out any longer, Fujiwara spoke up.

“W-well, actually… the game also includes cleaning the mansion. Since it’s an experiential game, during the process of solving puzzles you might need to wipe the hallways, polish vases… so the owner of the mansion benefits too. That’s why, if I invite friends to play the game, I get an allowance from my grandfather…”

Just a little bit, she added lamely.

Hearing this, Shirogane let out a sigh of relief.

“What, is that all?”

For Shirogane, a little cleaning was nothing. If anything, since they were getting to stay at someone else’s villa for free, it was only natural.

“Then I’m for it. If I think of it as a working trip, even if I end up cleaning for three straight days, I don’t mind.”

“President!”

Fujiwara’s eyes lit up at Shirogane’s words.

“Of course, it’s not like we’ll be cleaning all three days. If that were the case, I’d be the first to run away! Ahaha!” “That’s true too, hahaha!”

---

And on the day of the trip, just as Fujiwara had declared beforehand, the game began — and as a result, Shirogane found himself locked in an underground dungeon.

”…Why?”

Shirogane couldn’t understand his situation.

When he came to, he was lying on a mattress about a meter high, inside a cell.

“What… seriously, what is this situation?”

When he got down from the mattress to the floor, Shirogane staggered around. But he couldn’t go any further after just a few steps.

Blocking Shirogane’s path were crude iron bars.

“What the hell… seriously, what the hell is this. This isn’t even at the level of a game.” Shirogane didn’t even know where he was imprisoned.

Inside the cage, there was only the mattress he had been sleeping on and a toilet.

Occasionally, someone’s footsteps echoed from the ceiling. But no matter how much he shouted at the ceiling, it was useless.

“You said there was nothing hidden besides having us clean, you damn ribbon! This is no joke!” Gripping the iron bars with both hands, Shirogane yelled.

But no matter how much he shouted, no one answered.

In the seemingly infinite time of solitude and fear, Shirogane could only look back on the past.

Why had things turned out like this—

Shirogane decided to try remembering things in order, starting from when the trip began.