The cold wind in December carries a bit of a biting whistle.
The cold wind passed through the gap in the automatic door of Keyaki Mall, creating a chill in the atrium.
Although the mall has constant temperature air conditioning, people can still feel the unique winter chill near the door.
"It's so cold..."
Ichinose Honami shrank his neck and buried half of his face in the off-white Scarf.
The breath she exhaled instantly condensed into a white mist in the air, and then quickly dissipated.
"It's true, it's already December."
Shiina Hiyori, who was standing next to her, also breathed a sigh of relief.
She held the Hot Milk Tea she just bought in her hands, trying to absorb the warmth.
Although the so-called "Kazehara Group" was originally just a makeshift product for exam preparation, it seems to be because of that wonderful chemical reaction.
Even after the exam ended, this small group spanning the three classes A, B, and C did not disband.
On the contrary, on such a Special Arrangement-free weekend afternoon, the five of them actually gathered together again.
"Speaking of..."
Ichinose Honami rubbed his hands to keep warm and turned his head. His eyes that were always smiling were now staring at the man standing in the middle with a bit of "hateful resentment".
"I have to say it again! Kazehara-kun... the questions you Class A gave are simply not made by humans!"
When Ichinose thinks about the exams he took a few days ago, he feels like his brain is still getting hot.
"Why are the questions all filled with scraps from scraps? Is that a normal knowledge point for Student Council to memorize?"
"Although the source can be found in the notes of the textbook or extended reading, who would remember that kind of thing!"
She waved her fists angrily, like a squirrel with explosive hair.
Although she was speaking harshly and her tone was full of accusations, there was no real anger in her eyes.
It was more like a coquettish complaint between friends.
Kazehara Tetsu looked at the energetic girl in front of him with a smile on his lips.
"There is nothing we can do about this, Ichinose."
"After all, our positions are different. In order to ensure Class A's advantage, I must create as much trouble for you as possible within the limits allowed by the rules. This is the so-called 'war'."
"But..."
Kazehara Tetsu paused for a moment, and his eyes stayed on Ichinose's angry face for a moment.
"For the sake of your hard work, if there is a chance in the future... I can consider a little "relaxation". For example, next time I will only test the text content, how about it?"
This is a "temptation" with an obvious ridiculing nature.
However, Ichinose Honami's reaction was unexpectedly resolute.
"No!"
She refused almost without thinking.
The originally bulging cheeks gradually calmed down and were replaced by an extremely serious expression.
"Although I appreciate Kazehara-kun's kindness... but it's just as you said."
She straightened her back, and there was a certain light shining in her clear eyes.
"For the sake of your own class, you cannot do things that affect the interests of the class. If you rely on your opponents' charity or letting go to win, that will not only be an insult to everyone's efforts at Class B, but also irresponsible to you."
Shiranami Chihiro, who was standing nearby, looked at the handsome appearance of his own Leader, with little stars of admiration already appearing in his eyes.
"As expected of Ichinose."
Kazehara Tetsu chuckled lightly, a hint of appreciation flashed in his eyes.
This woman is really interesting.
"Since you have such an awareness, then I will wait and see."
Kazehara Tetsu ended this topic and looked around at the bustling crowd.
"Then, call a few of us... especially those who just finished the exam and want to sleep in, and go to all the trouble to gather here."
"What is your purpose today? Ichinose."
"Isn't it just to find a place to complain to my face about the perverted questions I asked?"
"Ah! Of course not!"
When it comes to today's "business", Ichinose Honami's original serious expression instantly collapsed, replaced by a mysterious excitement.
She stretched out a finger and pointed to a newly renovated area on the third floor of Shopping Mall.
A huge black curtain hung there, with several large, twisted characters written in bright red paint.
"Dangdang..."
"I heard it's Immersive Horror Experience Hall which just opened recently."
"To celebrate the successful conclusion of Final Exam, and also to release the pressure accumulated during the preparation for the exam..."
"I suggest that we all come here together to challenge our courage!"
"Eh... Eh?"
The first one to scream was none other than Shiranami Chihiro, who was usually the most attached to Ichinose.
"Ghost, Haunted House? Honami, isn't this a bit..."
"It's okay, Chihiro-chan!"
"I heard that the reviews there are super high! And with so many of us together, it will definitely be no problem!"
"This is also a good opportunity to exercise your courage! And as long as I am here, I will definitely protect you, right?"
As she said that, she winked at Kazehara Tetsu.
Kazehara Tetsu looked at Ichinose's enthusiastic expression and shrugged.
"Let's go."
Buy tickets and enter.
When the black door curtain closed behind him, the noise in the mall was instantly cut off.
Instead, there was darkness that could not be seen, and a faint smell of disinfectant filling the air.
This is a Haunted House with the theme of "Abandoned Hospital".
In the dim corridor, there were only a few fluorescent lamps with poor contact, sizzling overhead, and flickering pale light projected on the wall.
"Woo..."
Shiranami Chihiro, who was walking at the back, let out a mournful cry.
Her whole body wanted to shrink into Ichinose Honami's body, and her hands tightly grasped the hem of Ichinose's clothes.
Whenever the sensor Sound System hidden in the wall played a shrill scream, or a staff member wearing a blood-stained nurse uniform suddenly jumped out from the corner, she would tremble violently.
"It's okay, it's okay, Chihiro-chan, it's all fake..."
Ichinose Honami smiled bitterly to comfort his friends behind him, while also being wary of the unknown fear ahead.
Kazehara Tetsu, who was walking at the far side of the team, had a clear look in his eyes, even looking at him with a hint of boredom.
In his view, the horrific scenery here can only be described as the product of an industrial assembly line that "merely meets standards."
"At this level, it can only scare children."
He made this evaluation in his mind and glanced around casually.
Just as he expected, Shiranami Chihiro was frightened out of his mind.
Yamamura Miki Although she didn't scream, her already thin sense of presence was compressed to the extreme at this moment. She walked silently in the shadows, like a real ghost.
However.
What surprised Kazehara Tetsu was Silver-haired Girl who had been walking beside him.
"..."
A soft little hand quietly closed on his palm at some point.
Kazehara Tetsu lowered his eyes slightly and saw the side face of Shiina Hiyori through the dim light.
She didn't panic or tremble like Shiranami Chihiro.
Her expression remained calm.
However, she held Kazehara Tetsu's hand tightly.
Are you pretending to be garlic?
Kazehara Tetsu let her lead him, thinking to himself.
If you are really scared, your body temperature will usually rise due to the secretion of adrenaline, or your palms will become sweaty.
But Shiina Hiyori's hands are very dry and the temperature is normal.
This Class C think tank seems to be using this method as a cover to make some more bold contacts openly and openly.
Kazehara Tetsu didn't expose her, but just shook her hand slightly with her backhand, feeling the touch.