Several students, drenched like drowned rats, were persuaded back to the Old Hotel.
The group sat in the lobby, their expressions unusually grave.
Suzuki Sonoko looked left and right, unable to stand the stifling silence. She leaned close to Jiang Xia and whispered, "The atmosphere feels weird. They don't seem to be just scared... Did that deceased Tsukishima student really affect them that much?"
Before Jiang Xia could answer, a voice cut in from beside them.
At some point, Chikada Yumi had put her glasses back on. She walked over to Suzuki Sonoko, her voice carrying a trace of strange excitement:
"To our Drama Club, Tsukishima Fuyuko truly was the most special person—practically a born star. Every movement she made on stage would firmly capture everyone's attention. An ordinary person like me could probably never shine as brightly as she did."
"Yumi-senpai..." Mouri Ran looked at her peaceful smile, a little worried about her mental state. "Are you all right? If you're scared, you can tell us. Don't force yourself to endure it alone."
As though sensing her concern, Chikada Yumi smiled and shook her head. "Scared? No, I'm different from the others. I'm not afraid of Tsukishima Fuyuko's ghost at all. On the contrary, when she was alive, standing beside her was painful enough to make me feel dead... Heh, I wonder if she can understand this sorrow of mine now. I truly would like to see her. If she wants to come find me, then let her come."
As she spoke, she seemed to find the sight of everyone gathered in the lobby somewhat foolish. She turned and headed upstairs. "I'm going to sleep. Good night."
With someone taking the lead, the others also left one after another, each wrapped in their own thoughts, and returned to their