Bad outcomes keep being baited but not actually following through. For instance, if this was a completely trashy manga, then Chako would've gone to Esemori and Reiji wouldn't have gotten there first (or wouldn't have gone there at all). Instead, that was subverted by Reiji arriving first. Now Chako is more informed, which is all-things-considered at least a better outcome than her just getting sucked in by Esemori unimpeded.
(I'm approving of this manga for not just being bluntly dismal. When something bad finally actually happens, that'll be something.)