At the end of the seemingly endless corridor, a slightly open intersection appeared.
That's where the two routes meet.
Under those poorly connected chandeliers, three beautiful figures were standing there.
Ichinose Honami was leaning against a rusty iron bed. He was actually holding a Plastic Severed Hand Prop that he had just picked up on the road. He was playing with it curiously, without any fear at all.
Beside her, Shiina Hiyori and Yamamura Miki were discussing something in a low voice, probably Anatomical Error who was analyzing the internal structure of the "corpse" he passed by just now.
When they heard the footsteps, the three of them turned their heads at the same time.
"Ah, it finally came out."
Ichinose Honami shook the severed hand in his hand, saying hello as if waving Glow Stick.
"It's really slow, Kazehara-kun, Chihiro-chan."
"We have been waiting here for almost five minutes, right? Or is the 'Operating Room' over there really so scary and making it difficult for you to move forward?"
"No, no!"
Shiranami Chihiro panicked and arranged his clothes and hair that were a little messy due to fright and hugs.
Kazehara Tetsu looks as usual.
"Well, it did take a little time."
His eyes swept over the short-haired girl next to him who wanted to dig a hole in the ground and crawl into it.
"After all, there is an 'emergency', and it is necessary to spend a little time for humanitarian 'comfort'."
"Eh?"
Ichinose Honami blinked, his eyes darting back and forth between the two, and finally settled on Shiranami Chihiro's panicked face.
"Chihiro-chan... are you scared?"
There was a bit of surprise in her tone.
"No, no! Absolutely not!"
Shiranami Chihiro immediately started three consecutive denials, shaking his head like a rattle.
"Haunted House at this level... how could it scare me! I just... just feel a little tired from walking and walking a little slower! That hanging ghost is not scary at all, it's so fake!"
"Really?"
Ichinose Honami tilted his head and did not reveal it immediately. Instead, he put his index finger on his chin and looked like he was thinking.
"But... just now when we were in the next passage, we seemed to hear a super miserable scream."
She looked at Shiranami Chihiro with a half-smile.
"That... could it be Chihiro-chan's voice?"
"Well..."
Shiranami Chihiro was momentarily speechless.
The scream was indeed so loud that even the people in the next passage could hear it clearly.
"That's..."
She hesitated for a long time, but she really couldn't make up a reason.
That feeling of shame was like a fire, burning her whole body.
"Ah... it's true!"
Since I can't defend myself, I have no choice but to change the topic.
Shiranami Chihiro rushed over in anger, pushed Ichinose Honami's back, and pushed her towards the exit.
"Get out quickly! It's not fun here at all! The air is bad, full of dust, and the ghost is so ugly, it's an insult to people's intelligence!"
"Yes yes yes..."
Ichinose Honami was pushed and staggered, but the smile on his face became even stronger.
"It's just not fun, it's definitely not scary..."
"Honami, stop talking!"
The group of people walked through the last corridor noisily and pushed open the heavy door.
From the dark and depressing Haunted House back to the bright and spacious modern shopping mall, the strong contrast gives people the illusion of being in another world.
"Phew... came to life."
Shiranami Chihiro took a long breath of relief, and the tense nerves finally relaxed.
"In general... so-so."
Kazehara Tetsu looked back at the entrance with the scary posters and gave his final evaluation.
"Some places are a little interesting, but other arrangements are too deliberate."
"Same feeling."
Shiina Hiyori nodded, "But it's quite interesting as a pastime."
Everyone walked out of Keyaki Mall and came to Lounge Area outside.
Kazehara Tetsu took out his phone from his pocket and looked at the time.
It's about four o'clock in the afternoon.
There is still some time before dinner time, and the sky is not completely dark yet, but the surrounding Christmas decorations have been lit up one after another.
"So, what's next?"
Kazehara Tetsu put the phone back in his pocket and looked at the four girls in front of him.
"It's a rare trip, are you going to disband again? Or... are you going to Arcade or Dessert Shop over there to sit there for a while?"
"That..."
Ichinose Honami took out his mobile phone and took a look, with a somewhat regretful expression on his face.
"Although I really want to continue playing with everyone... but, I'm sorry."
She clasped her hands together and smiled apologetically at everyone.
"Next...Chihiro-chan and I have made appointments with several other girls in the class to help them choose clothes. The time is almost up."
"Yeah... we're leaving."
Shiranami Chihiro Although he had just experienced social death, he breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that he was leaving.
"Is it another date?"
Kazehara Tetsu raised his eyebrows, "You are really a busy person, Ichinose. You have just finished the exam, but you don't give yourself a holiday."
"For the class."
Ichinose Honami stuck out his tongue, "This is also the responsibility of the squad leader."
"Stop teasing me, Kazehara-kun. Let's get together next time we have a chance!"
She waved her hand, her smile still bright.
"Well, goodbye everyone! Shiina, Yamamura, and Kazehara-kun!"
"Goodbye, Honami, Shiratori."
In a brief farewell, Ichinose Honami pulled Shiranami Chihiro, who was still a little awkward, and turned around to merge into the bustling crowd of people in the mall.
Watching the two figures disappear into the crowd, only three people, Kazehara Tetsu, Shiina Hiyori and Yamamura Miki, were left.
"So..."
Shiina Hiyori tilted his head slightly and looked at Kazehara Tetsu.
"How many of us are left? Where do Tetsu-kun plan to go next?"
"If you are looking for a place to rest, I know there is a cafe with books, and it is very quiet."
Her suggestions are always inseparable from books.
This is also the most comfortable way for her to socialize.
Although Yamamura Miki stood behind her without speaking, he nodded silently.
However.
Kazehara Tetsu did not immediately respond to this tempting offer.
His gaze shifted slightly, looking over Shiina Hiyori's shoulder and towards the side of Lounge Area.
There, there is a huge simulated money tree for decoration.
And in the shadow under the tree, there seemed to be a person standing.
Kazehara Tetsu looked away with a trace of apology on his face.
"Sorry, Hiyori."
He shook his head slightly.
"Although I also want to go and read new books, I suddenly have some personal matters to take care of, so I'm afraid I can't accompany you."
"You two should leave first."
"Private matter?"
However, as a smart girl, she knows what to ask and what not to ask.
"If it's an emergency, it doesn't matter to us."
Shiina Hiyori said considerately, "If you don't mind, we can find a place to wait for you for a while? Anyway, Yamamura and I don't have any special arrangements."
"No."
Kazehara Tetsu refused very simply.
"It may take a long time, and I don't know when it will end. Letting two ladies wait in the cold wind is not what boys should do."
Having said this, Shiina Hiyori naturally understood the meaning.
"Since Tetsu-kun said so... then okay."
She did not show any displeasure and turned around to look at Yamamura Miki beside her.
"So Yamamura, do you want to go have dinner together? By the way, let's discuss the book you wanted to read earlier?"
"Of course, if you don't mind it."
"I want to go..."
"Then it's decided."
Shiina Hiyori waved his hand towards Kazehara Tetsu.
"Then let's take our leave first. Tetsu-kun, I wish you... good luck with your work."
"See you later."
Kazehara Tetsu watched the two figures slowly leave.
The crowd around is still noisy.