I had realized the Trick House had shifted into Advanced Mode, but I couldn't help wondering just how intense the challenges would get. It was highly likely that the version I’d gone through with Shiro-san had been something similar. After all, we had played the Pocky Game then too, and it had been considerably more provocative than the challenges I’d faced during Alice’s turn.
If that were the case, I could predict the upcoming rooms to some extent, but if this was a completely different set of tasks, guessing would be impossible. Well, regardless, the task at hand was the Pocky Game.
"Alright, let's begin."
"Yeah. I'm excited! How is this supposed to end?"
"...I think we have to finish the whole thing and then kiss."
"I see, I see."
The game with Kuro felt different than the one with Shiro-san. While Shiro-san had raced to the center in an instant and waited for me to catch up, Kuro nibbled slowly, matching my pace perfectly.
Gazing into each other’s eyes as the distance between us gradually closed made for an authentic Pocky Game experience, but it was incredibly bashful. Because we were approaching each other so slowly while eating—unlike a direct kiss—the tension was palpable. As we neared the final sliver of the biscuit, Kuro stopped and closed her eyes in anticipation.
Sensing her desire for me to take the lead, I finished the last bite and pressed my lips to hers.
"Mmh... Ahaha, that felt a little more embarrassing than a regular kiss, didn't it?"
"I was thinking the same thing. Closing in so slowly makes the nerves act up in a weird way."
"Right? But it was fun. Let’s do it again sometime."
After laughing happily, Kuro took my hand and led me toward the next room. When we arrived at the third chamber, the instructions were as follows:
Both participants must watch a thirty-minute romance movie in the posture shown in the diagram below.
This task hadn't appeared during Shiro-san’s run. So much for the theory that Advanced Mode was identical to her version.
Still, I had to hand it to her. Alice’s idea of an "advanced" romantic activity was watching a romance movie together... though the posture was the real catch here. According to the diagram, I was to sit cross-legged with Kuro perched on my lap. In terms of physical intimacy, it was a step up from the planetarium, and it lasted longer too. It certainly lived up to the "advanced" label.
"A movie?! By movie, do you mean that video technology from Kaito-kun’s world?!"
"Eh? Ah, yeah."
"Wait, we can actually watch a movie here?!"
"P-Probably. Shiro-san created the base for this park, and she used a lot of technology from my world..."
"Oohhh, yes! I’ve been dying to see one!"
Kuro’s excitement shot through the roof. I wondered why for a split second before remembering that her business, the Seditch Magic Tool Trading Company, was currently in the middle of developing video magic tools.
"Ah, right. You’re working on video magic tools, aren't you, Kuro?"
"Yeah! I had the technical knowledge, but since I’d never seen the real thing, I've mostly been working in the dark. I’m so happy to see the genuine article here. Actually experiencing it makes a world of difference."
"I see. Well, if you’re happy, Kuro, then I’m glad."
"More than that, though, I’m just happy I get to watch it with Kaito-kun. Sharing my very first movie with you... it makes me feel so incredibly lucky."
"Kuro..."
Seeing her smile from the bottom of her heart made my own chest swell with warmth. For Kuro, this was a momentous first. She was clearly moved, and getting to share that experience with her felt like a precious gift.
Serious-senpai: "...Ah, ugh... I’m turning into sugar again..."
Machina: "Let’s see... cooking sake, mirin, and soy sauce..."
Serious-senpai: "Are you trying to make warishita?!"