Episode 306: The Haunted House

「Well, let’s head to the next one.」

With that class, the third-year rooms were finished. It was a natural result, but there were no problems.

There were still quite a few idiots… I mean, seniors… hanging around to catch a glimpse of Sara-san and the others, so it was best to move quickly now that our business was done.

Still, everyone seemed to have gotten used to this situation, since they weren’t paying any attention to their surroundings anymore.

Everyone’s adaptability is really something.

「Next is the second-year floor, huh. Hey Marina, are there any interesting exhibits?」

Just as we reached the stairs, Tachikawa-san suddenly spoke up.

By「interesting,」she probably meant something「fun」like the shooting gallery we just did.

「Let’s see. Oh, there’s a class doing a haunted house. I think there was also a class doing some kind of ring toss too.」

「A haunted house!? I’m definitely interested in that!! But ring toss… I don’t really know about that one.」

As for the haunted house Todo-san mentioned, I’d actually visited it a few times during the preparation period for inspections.

They were doing some pretty large-scale prep that involved the art club, so I had plenty of chances to check in on them.

But I hadn’t seen it toward the end, so I didn’t know how the finished product turned out.

「A-A haunted house? I’m, well, that’s a bit…」

「Ah, Eririn is twice as bad as anyone else when it comes to scary stuff, after all~」

「Wait, you didn’t have to say it that loud!?」

Nishikawa-san hurriedly tried to cover Natsumi-senpai’s mouth, but she was easily dodged.

As expected of Natsumi-senpai, she’s got quick moves.

「Eh, it’s fine, isn’t it? Isn’t that actually a plus for guys? Right, Takanashi-kun?」

「…Eh? Ah, yeah, right. I think it’s just normally cute. At least, I don’t think any guy would see that as a negative.」

I didn’t know why she threw the question to me, but I answered Nishikawa-san as a bit of a follow-up.

Obviously, being easily scared isn’t something to be ashamed of.

And for the average guy, I think it’s natural to feel like you want to protect someone like that.

「C-Cute!? Do you really think so? W-Well then… I guess.」

Nishikawa-san nodded, her face turning a little red for some reason.

That wasn’t quite the reaction I expected, but if she’s satisfied with it, then I guess that works.

「…Haha, how should I put it… Kazunari is as airheaded as ever.」

「…Kazunari is just honest. Don’t lump him in with a Pretty Boy who thinks too much.」

「…Gugh… you’re as harsh as ever with me.」

「…That’s not true. To begin with, I have no intention of being kind to any man other than Kazunari.」

「…I-I see. …Right… that’s how it is.」

「…?」

「But if Nishikawa-san is bad with scary things, maybe we should skip the haunted house?」

「N-No, I’ll wait outside, so please don’t let it concern you.」

「That’s no good, right Eririn?」

「She’s right. It’s no fun unless everyone does it together!」

What Tachikawa-san said was our collective feeling, and basically an unspoken rule.

So I, and everyone else, nodded clearly at those words.

If Nishikawa-san said she couldn’t go, then of course, we would…

「Everyone…」

Looking at us, Nishikawa-san seemed moved…

「It’s okay, it’s okay! A haunted house isn’t scary if we all go in together!!」

「Ah, that’s true!! It’s like the saying, a red light isn’t scary if everyone crosses together!!」

…Wait?

Hold on.

Isn’t the flow of this conversation a bit weird?

「Eh!? No, w-well, that’s why I…」

「Alright, then the problem’s solved! Let’s go right now!」

「Come on, come on, let’s go! Let’s all rush in at once!」

An unexpected development began, and while we watched in a daze, the two of them firmly locked Nishikawa-san’s arms on both sides as she started to panic.

What are they planning to do?

「Natsumi, Tachikawa-san, I told you!!」

「Let’s gooo!」

「Departing now!」

「Wait, stop, h-haunted houses are, NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!」

Nishikawa-san’s scream and Natsumi-senpai and Tachikawa-san’s happy laughter echoed through the stairwell.

The three of them disappeared down the stairs with a burst of energy, their voices fading further and further away.

We were left behind, unable to process the sudden situation.

In my head, for some reason, the song「Dona Dona」was playing as BGM…

Wait, this isn’t the time for that!

We have to catch up!

And so, we’re all going to rush into the haunted house together!!

Of course, that didn’t happen. Thanks to the efforts of those of us who caught up, mainly Sara-san, Nishikawa-san was safely released.

But the culprits… I mean, Natsumi-senpai and Tachikawa-san, wouldn’t let go until Sara-san scolded them. No, that was a joke too, right? Yeah.

「Now then…」

「You’re right…」

Sara-san reset the mood with an exhausted look, caused by the scene currently spread out before us.

「…Oooooh, it’s finally heeeere!!」

「…Move! I can’t see!!」

「…Nishikawa-san is here!!」

「…Haa, the little Angel-chan is too cute…」

「…You guys don’t get it, the pure Angel with her simple cuteness is the strongest!」

This situation was pretty much the same as when we first went to the third-year floor.

But since Sara-san and the others were second-years, the seniors… mostly guys… who had gathered seemed even more numerous.

In fact, some were already trying to use the advantage of being former classmates to talk to them.

Is it just because it’s a festival that everything turns into such a scene?

「Kazunari, if we stay here, more idiots will swarm us. It’s better to just head inside.」

「…You’re right.」

Just as Hanako-san said, there was no point in staring at this ridiculous scene forever.

The best thing to do was to just act.

「Alright, let’s go, everyone.」

I called out to the group and readjusted my armband just like before.

Showing it off in this situation might not be a very effective repellent, but it would at least serve as a valid reason to push people away for interfering with our work.

But there was one more problem.

「Um, I-I’ll just… stay here.」

「…S-Sorry, Takanashi-kun… um, I will too…」

Facing the classroom we were about to enter, Nishikawa-san and Todo-san had completely lost their nerve.

And the reason was obvious, of course.

「KYAAAAAAAAAAA!!」

「NOOOOOOOOOOO!!」

「「 HIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! 」」

A female scream echoed from inside the room at what seemed like the perfect timing.

Hearing that, the two of them let out similar screams while holding hands.

I had no intention of forcing them to go, so it seemed best to split into an entry group and a waiting group.

Which meant…

We’re actually going into the haunted house now.

「Um… for now, I’ll head in.」

To be honest, I’m not great with this kind of thing either. But since this entire classroom is being used for the haunted house, if we’re inspecting it, we have to go in.

I guess I’ll just have to brace myself.

「I shall naturally accompany you.」

「It’s okay, Kazunari, your Big sister is with you.」

Following me, Sara-san and Hanako-san stepped forward. That’s really reassuring… and I feel a bit pathetic for thinking so.

But you know… even for a guy, scary things are scary.

「Oh, I’m definitely going too!! It looks fun!!」

「Of course I’m going in. Yuji, you’re coming too, right?」

「Gah!?」

I expected Tachikawa-san and Natsumi-senpai to follow. The problem was Yuji.

The truth is, he’s just as bad with horror as I am.

「Hm? What’s with that reaction?」

「I-I just wondered if it was okay for such a large group to enter at once.」

「Oh, it’s fine even with a big group~」

「I-I see. Then… I guess I will too.」

The guide girl immediately blocked his exit, and Yuji was successfully recruited… by force.

And there was no way Natsumi-senpai didn’t notice Yuji’s behavior.

「Man, this looks like so much fun!! Right, Yuji?」

「Y-Yeah… right…」

The smile Natsumi-senpai wore as she laughed was way too meaningful.

She’s definitely planning something… I couldn’t help but think that.

「Um… sorry, I’m…」

「Uu, I am too…」

On the other hand, Nishikawa-san and Todo-san, who had been hesitant the whole time, kept shrinking back apologetically.

Beside them, Hayato gave me a signal with his eyes.

Right. I’ll leave it to Hayato.

「Hayato, we’re heading in. Look after Todo-san and Nishikawa-san.」

「Yeah, leave them to me. Be careful, everyone.」

We all nodded at Hayato’s reply and explained the situation to the reception girl again.

Well, after all the commotion we’d been making right in front of her, it was probably obvious we were here for an inspection.

「Got it~. But since it’s an inspection, that means you should be treated like normal guests, right?」

「…Um?」

I guess so when you put it that way?

But it’s not like she really needs to go that far.

「Guide for six! It’s a Student Council inspection! Satsukawa-san is coming in too~」

Without waiting for my answer, the reception girl quickly sent word inside.

And for some reason, she put a lot of emphasis on the fact that Sara-san was entering.

「「「 UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! 」」」

!?

Immediately after, a roar carrying incredible intensity thundered from inside the classroom.

To have this kind of production, maybe this haunted house is more professional than I thought.

「SHE’S HEREEEEE!!!」

「I’m first!!」

「It’s my turn next, isn’t it!?」

「Don’t mess with me!! You guys were just complaining about how annoying this shift was!?」

「Stick to the schedule, you punks!!!!」

「The boys are too loud!!!」

「Knock it off already!!」

「「「……………」」」

Well… of course it wasn’t professional.

As the noise from the idiots inside reached her, Sara-san’s eyes grew colder and colder. Hanako-san’s too.

Seriously… it’s like this everywhere we go.

「Haa… let’s just go.」

I was starting to get pretty fed up with this pattern myself.

But thanks to all that, the feeling of being a bit scared had vanished, so it actually might have been a help.

Let’s just get this over with while we can.

Once we actually stepped into the haunted house, the atmosphere was more authentic than I expected, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit of tension.

Mannequins wearing wigs, and a heavy use of「shadows」through clever lighting. Antique ornaments sitting in the dark added to the strangeness of the place, making me feel a weird sense of anxiety.

The space we were in now felt like a recreation of a room from the early Showa era, with its own unique atmosphere.

Of course, given the size of the classroom, they couldn’t fit that much space in.

It was really only a「corner」of the room.

But that cramped feeling actually made it feel like there was no escape.

What was unexpected for me was that I’d assumed it would be a standard haunted house with youkai or fallen warriors jumping out one after another.

Considering that, this was more modern… like「The R○ng」or「Ju-〇n,」the type that relies on the「vibe」until the main attraction appears.

「I-It has more atmosphere than I thought.」

「R-Right… even though it’s just a mannequin, when they show it like this, it’s a bit…」

Despite making such a scene before entering, Natsumi-senpai and Tachikawa-san had become a lot quieter.

Ironically, their vibe only added to the anxiety of the place.

Which meant I was starting to feel a bit… you know.

「Kazunari-san, please do not push yourself.」

「I-I’m fine.」

Sara-san spoke to me calmly while squeezing my hand, probably trying to reassure me.

That’s exactly why I couldn’t back down, regardless of how I really felt.

Call it a front or call it acting tough, I couldn’t afford to look pathetic.

…It might be too late for that, though.

「I’ll tear anyone who scares Kazunari into pieces.」

「Wait, Hanako-san, that’s way too dangerous even for a joke.」

「It’s fine. I’m serious.」

「…………」

I wanted to ask what exactly was「fine」about that.

Tachikawa-san, who got the answer directly from Hanako-san, turned toward us in silence. It was hard to tell if Hanako-san’s blunt voice was serious or a joke. But from what I heard… unfortunately, she sounded pretty serious.

「Aaaaaaaagh!」

「Gah!?」

Just as we were about to move from this strange little room, a raspy voice echoed from a nearby shadow. And as if on cue, the sliding door of the closet in front of us started rattling.

We watched for a while and, as expected, it started to open slowly.

So that’s where they’re coming from.

「Kazunari-san, this way.」

I braced myself for what was coming, but Sara-san suddenly pulled me toward her, and my vision went to zero.

Wait… that’s weird.

I was definitely supposed to be in hell… I mean, a haunted house… so when did I get to heaven?

「Aaaaaaaa… aaah? …A-Ahhhhhh!?」

The ghost finally appeared!

But unfortunately, with my vision at zero, I couldn’t see it.

But more than that, the ghost’s groan seemed to change unnaturally.

Like it was surprised by something?

「「「 Aaaaaaaagh! 」」」

Gah!?

As I was thinking that, the number of ghost groans increased all at once. Judging by the sound, they were definitely gathering around us.

The groans were getting denser and louder… just how many ghosts were gathering here?

「Whoa, whoa, it’s like we’re in Resi-〇nt Evil or something!?」

「Wait, wait, wait, isn’t this way too many!?」

「A shotgun… no, here I’ll use a rocket lau… without hesitation.」

「Hanako-san, what are you saying!? Also, that’s a waste, so use a hand gren—never mind!!」

Judging by Natsumi-senpai and Tachikawa-san’s voices (Tachikawa-san especially sounds panicked), the situation around us must have turned completely weird.

Actually, thinking about it calmly, does it even make sense for that many ghosts to gather in one spot in such a small haunted house?

「It is alright, Kazunari-san. I am here with you.」

「Um, well, Sara-san?」

On the other hand, Sara-san showed no sign of letting go, maybe still under the impression that I was scared. If anything, she was gently stroking my head even in this situation.

But to be honest, I wanted to see what was happening with my own eyes right now.

「「「 Aaaaaaa… a-ah… ah… AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!?? 」」」

And then, the ghost group’s groans changed again.

This wasn’t a misunderstanding. They were clearly shocked by something they saw.

Seriously, what is happening!? Hey!?

「S-Sara-san!?」

「Kazunari-san, not yet.」

Squish…

「Mgh.」

Sara-san tightened her hug around my head a bit more.

Along with that, my face was buried even deeper into Sara-san’s soft heaven.

「「「 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!???? 」」」

And the ghost groans weren’t groans anymore, they turned into full-blown screams.

They didn’t feel like horror elements at all anymore, just shouts of pure shock.

The haunted house itself had a good atmosphere, so it was a shame the quality of the ghosts was so low.

「…I can see where this is going.」

「…What a coincidence. Me too. The haunted house is pretty much ruined…」

「…The usual routine.」

「…That was a bit of a help…」

「Hey!! What are you guys doing!?」

「If you crowd up here, Satsukawa-san and the others can’t move forward!!!!」

「Wait, you guys are cheating!!!」

Apparently, the classmates who noticed something was wrong had gathered.

This is becoming a total mess.

「Sorry, Satsukawa-san!! I’ll get these guys out of… the…」

「What are you guys just standing around… for…」

「What on earth are you look… ing… at…」

The group that gathered seemed to choke on their words halfway through.

Don’t tell me they’re shocked by something too, just like the ghosts?

But by what?

「Um… Satsukawa-san.」

「Is there something?」

「W-w-what exactly are you doing?」

「Can you not tell by looking?」

「N-No… well…」

Sara-san and the seniors started a mysterious exchange, and I realized they were shocked by Sara-san’s actions… but Sara-san was just holding me.

Which meant there shouldn’t be anything else she could be doing.

…Oh?

Wait, that means the reason the seniors are shocked is…

「Satsukawa-san, um, that is the V-Vice President… right?」

「What about it?」

「W-why is he in that state?」

「I have no reason to explain that to you.」

「「「…………」」」

「Um, Sara-san?」

「Kazunari-san, if you peek, that’s a no-no… alright?」

Squeeze…

I finally wanted to see what was going on and tried to lift my face, but I was immediately pushed back down. And Sara-san continued stroking my head as if nothing had happened.

「Wha…」

「W-what is… she doing…」

「Wait… no way…」

「Ah, ah, aaaaaah…」

Even I could predict what kind of development was waiting for us at this point.

It’s probably the same as always… even if it’s coming from me.

So, I decided to just own it.

I pressed my face against Sara-san a bit more to act spoiled.

Whatever happens, happens.

「Fufu… Kazunari-san is such a good boy♪」

Stroke, stroke…

「Wha…」

「Wha………」

「「「 WHAT THE HECK WAS THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!? 」」」

Inside the haunted house, the ghost group let out a massive cry of shock for some reason. I don’t really know what they’re talking ab… actually, never mind.

If that voice came from a guest it would be normal, but it definitely isn’t the kind of voice a ghost should make.

When the ones doing the scaring are that scared, it’s totally backwards, isn’t it?