After deciding to give up, he started to gain popularity

Fortunately, after participating for the first time, Natsukawa Zou purposefully wrote down all the game processes and the rooms and locations where the corresponding props were placed, so that they could save a lot of unnecessary time.

This is the same model as "playing the game, but speedrunning it", where you try to shorten the time to complete the game to the maximum because you are in a hurry to get a refund.

Whether it’s fun or not is another matter, but at least there is a chance for a refund!

"We probably have to walk for about 10 minutes to reach the first checkpoint. If you feel tired during that time, be sure to tell me and don't force yourself," Natsukawa Zou reminded.

If I remember correctly, the first game we officially encountered was the "Emotion Test" game starring Silly Octopus Head. It was not a complicated thing, so we could just act it out casually. The main thing was that the empty road ahead was difficult to walk on, and the empty environment would create a very depressing atmosphere. Eriri was originally a person who was afraid of such things, so Natsukawa Kanade thought of telling her in advance so that she could be mentally prepared.

"Okay, I understand..." Ying Lili nodded slightly.

But in her heart, she wanted to pout. What? Although she doesn't exercise or go out much, it's not like she can't walk a 10-minute distance, right?! Zou is too contemptuous!

The little golden retriever decided to perform well this time.

She has grown up too!

173. He always seeks truth from facts

"Kou... could we have taken the wrong road? Why haven't we arrived yet after walking for so long..." Following closely behind Kanade Natsukawa, Eriri said hesitantly.

At first she didn't care at all, thinking that as long as she had the other person's company, she would be happy even if she was just taking a walk. However, as she walked along, looking at the unchanging dark environment, she couldn't help but start to murmur in her heart.

I've been walking for such a long time, why don't I see anyone around?

She didn't suspect that Xia Chuan Zuo was up to something, but rather, she even hoped that he would be up to something, preferably like before, with his little thoughts completely exposed...

In short, she was very nervous. She was a person who was prone to daydreaming, and on top of that... although she didn't want to admit it, she was indeed a little... afraid of ghosts and so on. So as she walked along the way, listening to the deep and bone-piercing crow sounds coming from the surroundings from time to time, the hairs on her body stood up.

It is no exaggeration to say that if she had not felt the warmth and security coming from the other person's palm, she would have covered her ears and ran back with tears in her eyes, just like she did last time.

What kind of test of courage is this? I'd rather not participate!

But despite this, the oppressive feeling brought to her by the dim environment was real, and in order to guard against any sudden frightening situation, she was on edge the whole time. Now she really couldn't bear it anymore... She didn't even have time to think about anything else!

"Uh..." After hearing Eriri's question, Natsukawa Kanade turned around and said in a gentle voice, "It is indeed this road. We are not wrong."

After all, this was not his first time, so he was naturally confident.

"..." Ying Lili didn't say anything, but her expression was still a little hesitant.

"We should be there in about a few more minutes..." Seeing her like this, Xiachuan Zou added.

Originally they could have arrived faster, but in order to take care of Zhaili's physical strength and because he also needed a buffer, they simply took a walk instead of rushing, so it took a long time.

I didn't expect that... you couldn't even hold on for a walk? You're really worthy of me, Eriri! Natsukawa Kanade sighed inwardly.

He thought that Eriri was a little tired, but he was too embarrassed to bring it up directly, so he stammered and beat around the bush.

After all, she has a criminal record, and Natsukawa Kanade is convinced of this.

As for the possibility of being afraid of ghosts, he didn't think about it. In his opinion, although Eriri was indeed afraid of ghosts and ghosts, she had never seen them, hadn't she? And because of his preconceived impression, he felt that the difficulty of this courage test was not in the so-called "enduring shock", but in the alternative "solving puzzles".

So he didn't attribute Eriri's unusual behavior to this at all, and just thought that she was trying to remind him in disguise that "it's time to take a break."

So Natsukawa Kanade spoke very considerately: "I think we can take a short break... Even if we are not tired physically, we still need to pay attention to our mental state, right?"

He was even thoughtful enough to give a perfect reason.

And everything was just as he expected. Eriri nodded in agreement without even any hesitation. This made Natsukawa Kanade nod secretly, thinking that he really understood Eriri more and more. He could completely guess what she was thinking just by making a casual expression... All he could say was - no one understood Eriri better than him!

------

After finding a relatively clean pile of rocks, Natsukawa Kanade carefully moved Eriri over there and settled her down. He then prepared to check the surroundings to see if there were any poisonous snakes or the like.

Although these areas have been cleaned manually, he still has to take some measures just in case.

But who would have thought that as soon as he let go of his hand, Ying Lili would suddenly hold it again and hold him tightly.

"Don't leave me alone..." The little golden retriever looked aggrieved.

"Ah?" Xia Chuanzou was stunned, then quickly comforted her, "I didn't mean to abandon you, I just wanted to check the surroundings..."

"Then I'm going too!"

"Well, this will be very tiring..." Xiachuan Zou advised tactfully.

He was thinking of expanding the inspection range a little bit in the visible places. After all, he didn't know how long they would rest. But if he took Zhaili to inspect all the surroundings, it would be better for them to just go to the first checkpoint together.

"I'm not tired!" Ying Lili shook her head.

"..."

Seeing her so "stubborn" look, Xiachuan Zou had no choice but to agree to stay.

But completely ignoring it is definitely not an option. He can only pay more attention to the movements around him when he takes a break.

As for Eriri who was standing aside, she didn't think too much about it. She just watched Natsukawa Kanade sit down beside her as she wished, and her mood visibly calmed down.

Not only that, in pursuit of a stronger sense of security, her body involuntarily leaned towards Xiachuan Kanade until their arms were almost entangled together.

"......?" Xia Chuan Zou looked at her in confusion, but didn't say anything.

Eriri was even more pleased to see this. She was even worried that her subconscious behavior of seeking warmth would cause disgust from Kanade. But when she found that the other party actually acquiesced, she was immediately delighted.

To be honest, she was a little nervous at first, but now that they were closer, the pleasant scent coming from each other gradually enveloped her completely, and all the very appropriate things in her mind popped up again.

Night, deserted place, grove, a single man and a single woman...the key words can no longer be used!

And then think about what happened before they entered the venue...Wow! Eriri, move out!

Never again be a stupid loser who only knows how to whine and cry about the boy she likes running away!

Thinking of this, the little golden retriever boldly stretched out his other hand, pulled the opponent's sleeve, and then formed a siege with his other hand - wrapping around Xiachuan Zou's arm!

Nice Ying Lili! The little golden retriever is secretly happy!

It can be said that although this is only a small step in her real life activities, it is a big step in her strategy plan!

It can also be said that she took a rock-solid step!

Now, even Zou would be able to understand her feelings a little bit, right?

Mmmmm…

The little golden retriever swallowed nervously.

And Xiachuan played the person——

I don’t feel anything, really.

After all, not everyone is as broad-minded as Kasumigaoka Utaha.

Although there is definitely no problem compared to Kaguya and Yukinoshita...but if there is something that I don’t feel, then I just don’t feel it!

Natsukawa Kanade has always been pragmatic.

Love red, also love——.jpg

174. Sudden crisis!

Although it was nominally for rest, Eriri was the only one who actually relaxed. Not only that, she even had time to start thinking about the future.

This idiot's mind is so divergent that if Xiachuan Zou doesn't say something to attract her attention now, she might have even thought of the name of their great-great-grandson.

"Have you had a good rest, Eriri?" Natsukawa Kanade couldn't help but ask.

He could hardly sit still any longer.

Although he has always been tasked with "inspecting the surroundings", in practice he just looks around with his eyes, which does not require any concentration at all. He just needs to pay attention to anything that moves.

In addition, Eriri was silent and didn't talk to him, so he was really bored and couldn't help but start thinking about his future plans. But as he thought about it, he felt that sitting like this was not a good idea. He couldn't let time be wasted like this, right? Then it would be difficult to deal with Mahiru.

So he spoke to Eriri in a slightly urging tone.

"Actually, there won't be anything like this in the subsequent gameplay content - you won't have to walk so much, so you don't have to worry." Seeing that the other party seemed a little embarrassed, Xia Chuan Zou added at the right time.

"..." Ying Lili could only nod gently, "Is that so... Then let's go."

In fact, she has never been interested in the game content of the test of courage competition. The reason why she invited Xiachuan Zou was because of that plan - a battle with a pounding heart!

She learned this from her omnipotent netizens. It seems to be based on the suspension bridge effect. When you encounter a situation that makes your heart beat faster, when there is another person, you will mistake this situation for your heartbeat for the other person...

She thought this method made sense, and she happened to be running a courage test competition, so she made an appointment with the other party as soon as possible.

But now, it seems that it doesn't matter if there is no such a courage contest? Anyway, her purpose is just to find a reason to stay with Zou, and then use her girlish charm to attract him! And this goal has been achieved now, so it doesn't matter whether she participates in the future or not.

Even if you think about it carefully, you can say that this courage test is completely providing negative effects! Because she suddenly remembered that when they went to the haunted house before, Zou always acted as if he was not afraid at all, and he could even find her lost in that maze-like gathering place of ghosts...

Doesn't this comparison make her look inferior?

After all, fear is a physiological subconscious reaction, which she cannot control at all. If she is looked down upon or even despised because of this, then it would be putting the cart before the horse!

After realizing this, Ying Lili spoke decisively: "My foot seems to be injured just now, and I can't walk anymore..."

When the little golden retriever thought about the fact that he was lying with his eyes open for some ulterior motive, his face couldn't help but blush.

Fortunately, it was dark enough that day so that no one around could notice anything.

"Ah? Your foot is also injured?" Xia Chuanzou said subconsciously.

"Also?" Eriri frowned, paying close attention to his words. "Are there others... like me?"

"Yes." Xiachuan Kanade nodded. He certainly didn't understand the subtext behind Eriri's words, and he didn't think there was anything to hide, so he continued to explain, "It's about a friend of mine. He also injured his foot some time ago, so I was a little surprised just now."

"I see..." Eriri nodded thoughtfully.

Based on the girl's intuition, she felt that there must be something fishy here. After all, she was telling a white lie, claiming that her foot was injured. It was possible that the "friend" the other party was talking about was also in the same situation, and she must be a girl, otherwise how could she use such despicable means to deceive Zou's sympathy?

Such a lowly woman's words!

It was clearly just a matter of one or two sentences, but in her mind she had already imagined the entire plot.

But when she thought that it was she who was with Zou at the moment, she couldn't help feeling proud.

Fortunately, she was smart and knew to invite Zou in advance, otherwise, who knows who would be the one staying with him now. If something inappropriate happened because of this, she would not even have time to cry!

"Ahem... Anyway, if my foot is injured, I won't be able to continue participating in the Test of Courage, right? So..."

"So... you don't want me to participate without telling you, do you?" Xiachuan Zou's face turned pale for a moment.

He is not a superman with cheats, he is just an ordinary high school student who has exercised a little bit. Carrying a girl on his back to participate in a long-distance race is already reaching his limit. If he continues, he will really die!

"Ah? Is this okay?" For a moment, Ying Lili was indeed moved.

After all, this was a legitimate opportunity to get intimate, and it was he who took the initiative to propose it. She really wanted to just agree to it regardless of the consequences. At worst, she could just close her eyes on his back the whole time, and it would be okay to just smell his scent, right?

However, considering that Zou almost fell down at the entrance before, it was obvious that he was overworked from his job as the student council president. She certainly couldn't expect such excessive behavior again, even if the proposal was made by Zou himself.

He could choose to ignore his own body, but she couldn't just watch him do that.

Because love is mutual. Only when two people care about each other can the relationship last for a long time.

Even though she may not have been like this before, she will definitely become such a person in the future, and it’s just right to start from now on!

"Forget it." Eriri shook her head and responded considerately, "If that's the case, won't you be very tired? And you've finally finished your work at the student council and found some time, so you should relax and don't always force yourself like this."

"Besides... for me, just... just taking a walk and chatting with you... is fine. It doesn't matter whether I participate in the Test of Courage or not..."

She still had some little thoughts, and could even be said to have made huge sacrifices - in the past, even if she really did something, she would not want to say it or show it - because she was embarrassed.

But after going through so much, she has completely understood that if she doesn't convey her feelings in a timely manner in a way that the other person can understand, one day conflicts will break out between the two of them due to various misunderstandings, or they may miss each other because of this. She has lost the most important person because of this... So she will never make the same mistake again!

Even if she felt ashamed, even if she couldn't say it, she would try her best to say it, just like she once swore, this time, she would change, and it would not be just talk anymore!