Chapter 151 Chapter 139 Are You Human?
“Ah… I remember Sensei Hizuka saying we have to dress as monsters for the Courage Trial.”
Hachiman Hikigaya held an extremely abstract alien costume, twitching his lips as he said this.
“What is this cheap cosplay attire?” Yumiko Miura also sighed, clearly unimpressed.
The summer camp outfits included shrine maidens, wizards, and catgirl costumes; however, there were no proper monster outfits.
It was somewhat challenging to scare anyone with these.
Despite all the complaints, everyone selected and wore their preferred outfits.
Ayaka Hozuki held her witch hat and puzzled, “Is a wizard considered a monster? It doesn’t seem scary at all.”
Hachiman Hikigaya gently touched the nonexistent glasses on his nose, quietly admiring inside, “No, it’s terrifying. No problem, feels like rushing into Ayaka’s route, really scary.”
“Brother-brother,” his shoulder was suddenly tapped. Komachi, now in a catgirl outfit, waved her cat paw gloves, “Ding-dong!”
“What is this? A cat monster?”
“Sort of? Though I don’t fully understand, as long as it’s cute!”
Komachi grinned happily.
Hachiman looked at Yukino Yukinoshita beside him and was surprised she didn’t make a move on Komachi in the catgirl outfit—did seeing the panda increase her tolerance for fluffy things?
“Aside from Komachi, Senpai hasn’t changed her clothes. Doesn’t she fancy any of them?” He asked, looking at the black-haired girl still in her regular clothes.
“No…” Yukinoshita sighed helplessly. At that moment, the changing room door opened.
A young man with black hair wore a light blue female kimono. His hands were concealed in the sleeves as he slowly walked out.
The lively room suddenly quieted down. Everyone stared blankly at Lin Qi, unsure what to say.
Though male by nature, the kimono seemed to fit him surprisingly well, his loose sleeves falling by his sides. The fitted waist made the silk adhere to his figure, showcasing his strong muscles and adding a feminine grace.
An unearthly beauty and harmony transcended gender, perfectly displayed on him.
“Indeed, white suits him better.” Lin Qi approached a mirror, seemingly unsatisfied with the kimono.
This was natural, given the cheap costume meant for cosplaying a snow woman. It certainly couldn’t compare to real kimonos.
Seeing him, Yukinoshita couldn’t help but recall the first time he brought her into his soul domain.
At that time, Lin Qi was dressed in a white female kimono with the mysterious black patterns on his face. He appeared more seductive than now.
“Overall, he gives off a very noble aura,” said Yui Yuigahama in her demoness outfit, astonished.
Her eyes shifted between Lin Qi and Yukinoshita, imagining how the kimono would look on the latter.
In the end, she had to admit Lin Qi looked more suitable than Yukinoshita.
Even Komachi exceeded Yukinoshita’s beauty in this aspect.
That wasn’t right. Komachi must be inferior!
Yui quickly reaffirmed her stance in favor of Yukinoshita.
“It suits you,” Yukinoshita frankly complimented. “But indeed, white is more appropriate.”
“Would you like to try it on?”
“You needn’t bother. Keep it on until the Courage Trial tonight,” the black-haired girl smiled. “You look better in it.”
Except for Hachiman and Komachi who knew their relationship, everyone else sensed their interactions might go beyond what should be normal…
Snow Under Snow likes this type, older than her, and even a teacher.
Yumiko Miura raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. She thought Yukinoshita was the kind who looked down on others but found herself attracted to Lin Qi too.
Even so, despite being infatuated with Hayama Hayato, Yumiko also had to admit Hayato couldn’t compare in terms of looks.
However, she wasn’t just about appearances and wouldn’t switch loyalties to someone prettier than Hayato.
With that, she felt smug, moving closer to Hayato.
After dinner, night descended as a giant bonfire was lit up, with flames rising and illuminating the area. Sounds of wood cracking, sparks flying, enhanced the atmosphere of a bonfire party.
Elementary school students formed teams, guided by high schoolers into the forest for exploration. Completing the trial involved reaching a shrine deep in the forest, retrieving amulets from altar boxes and returning safely.
Night enshrouded the forest in mystery; moonlight filtered through the trees casting twisted shadows. The sounds of leaves rustling and cicadas chirping filled the air.
The only obstacles were the high school students in cheap costumes pretending to be monsters—though their comedic outfits failed to scare anyone.
This could be seen from the happy waves and greetings the elementary school children exchanged with Ayaka in wizard costume and Yui in demoness attire.
These trials seemed less frightening than the night itself.
Such an unimaginative trial would only be remembered during reunions as anecdotes about silly cosplayers, not the event itself.
To preserve precious childhood memories, Lin Qi decided to ramp up the difficulty.
“We’re the last group! Let’s go!” Komachi announced with a megaphone as the last team assembled.
The last team was Ryumi Tsutsumi joining four elementary girls.
After apologizing to those excluded previously, Ryumi took the lead with a flashlight, not minding hanging on to digital cameras around her neck.
The other four followed closely behind, wary of straying too far.
Without flashlights, the forest could be quite scary at night, especially for younger kids.
“Damn, why’s she acting so cool leading us?”
“Exactly! Aika, did she apologize to you too? I heard she apologized to many people, isn’t that amusing?”
“Ha, did everyone think apologizing means they’ll talk to her again?”
The conversation turned to Aika who, hearing her friends laugh at Tsutsumi, grew frustrated yet forced a smile.
How foolish, apologies don’t mean anything.
Did you expect me to forgive you just because you apologized?
Back when she was ostracized, did Imami and Kariwa speak about her behind her back too?
Aika pouted, thoughts chaotic. Even the demoness Yui coming out to spook her, went unnoticed.
The mocking laughter over the catgirl outfit merged with earlier ridicule in her mind.
“Oh, I feel so stupid…”
Defeatedly, Yui bent into a dejected posture, unable to hold back tears.
The five continued forward, soon nearing an old shrine adorned with vermilion torii gates.
The atmosphere became eerie. Taking the lead, Tsutsumi slowed, crossing the torii gates before climbing steps leading to the suspended amulet above a collection box.
Reaching out, Imami squeezed past Tsutsumi and ripped the pendant, grinning triumphantly.
Tsutsumi sighed, turning away with the flashlight.
“Tsk!”
Discontent echoed behind her. Ignorantly, she carried on, merely ensuring they had enough light.
Descending the steps, something tripped her, causing her to stumble. Her flashlight slipped from her grip, clattering as its beam vanished.
Thankfully, she avoided injury, and bent to retrieve the dropped flashlight.
A shadow blotted the moon, casting her in darkness. Looking up, crimson eyes glinted malevolently.
Black patterns adorned his handsome face, spreading to his bare upper body, half of whose kimonos were draped around him. Standing at over two meters tall, his four thick arms crossed in defiance like a god among demons.
“Ah!”
High-pitched screams rang across the silent forest, four girls trembling in place.
Eager to flee but blocked by the shrine, they retreated desperately yet were cornered.
Staring blankly, Tsutsumi seemed frozen, eyes lifeless. Even her scream remained unheard.
“Y-You’re a monster!” Imami screamed.
Lin Qi, agitated by the piercing shrieks, frowned.
“Eh!” Four girls instantly clammed up, tears streaming freely.
Halting her scream, Lin Qi gazed at Tsutsumi.
She wouldn’t lose her wits, right?
Had he gone overboard?
“How should we proceed, Imami?”
“Let’s escape when the monster decides whether or not to eat Tsutsumi!”
Four girls gathered, fear shaking their whispers.
Seeing Lin Qi unmoving, their courage increased slightly, planning to sneak away.
Lin Qi feigned not noticing, rubbing his chin pensively about how to alleviate psychological trauma from fright.
Naturally, it couldn’t be helped.
While pondering, something flickered across his chest.
“Hmm?”
Turning, Aika threw a pebble, hitting his chest, yelling, “Run, Tsutsumi!”
“Aika, what are you doing?”
“Run! What if the monster gets angry?”
Crying, she urged, three companions trying to stop her. Yet, Aika continued throwing stones.
Snapback, Tsutsumi darted down the path, pursued by four frantic girls disappearing from sight.
Scratching his head, Lin Qi resumed normality. Hands retracted, his presence diminished.
“Fascinating conclusion,” he remarked, Yukinoshita emerging from behind a tree, surprised at the fleeing kids.
“I never expected Tsutsumi to be scared stiff.” Lin Qi fixed his kimono.
“Baffled though, what mannerism does Lin Qi possess?”
Complex emotions swelled in her eyes as she witnessed Lin Qi’s alternate form.
Initially shocked, she recovered.
“That’s my battle mode, second phase boss. People can’t see it, which is unfortunate for you,” he joked.
In truth, his unique mode used to scare kids.
“Lin Qi, are you really human?”
The black hair girl wondered finally.
“I believe so.”
…
