"So that's how it is… a traditional Japanese-style haunted house. Though they've added a twist—an escape-room element."
The challengers would have to explore two different locations, a school and a hospital, to find key clues. Only by piecing them together at the final exit could they solve the puzzle and escape alive.
Senya had expected that a theme park built around the "Mr. Pan" dolls would only have the usual run-of-the-mill attractions. But this was a whole different level—an elaborate setup that sounded genuinely interesting. A pleasant surprise, really.
At this moment, Yukinoshita Haruno was holding the leaflet handed out by the staff, reading through the description and gawking at the creepy illustrations.
It didn't just give a rough outline of the haunted house's backstory and design style; it also listed detailed safety precautions.
Naturally, people with high blood pressure or heart disease were forbidden entry—no need to explain why.
Phones, keys, wrenches, even baseball bats all had to be stored in lockers outside for safety. After all, there were always those guests who, when frightened, didn't run away but instead turned around and picked a fight with the costumed NPCs.
The result? The poor staff—supposed to be the ones doing the scaring—ended up fleeing in panic as terrified visitors chased them down. A quick online search would reveal plenty of such hilarious cases.
This haunted house even offered something called an "angel escort service," designed specifically for people with endless curiosity but zero courage.
A staff member would accompany them through the attraction. None of the jump-scare NPCs or frightening mechanisms would trigger—it was basically just a guided tour to soak in the atmosphere.
Kind of like taking the cable car to the top of a mountain instead of hiking. The journey didn't matter; just reaching the summit and snapping a few pictures for social media was enough to count as "been there, done that."
They'd also set up a safety keyword. If someone really couldn't take it anymore, they could throw up both hands and shout: "I quit!"
Embarrassing, sure, but at least the nearest staff would immediately escort the guest out through a safety exit—no need to endure more torture while trembling on the brink of a panic attack.
Overall, the haunted house gave off a very professional vibe. They'd thought of everything.
Not that Haruno, holding the rule sheet, had any intention of telling the others about the safety word.
"My, my. Today's turning out to be quite the jackpot. One fun thing after another~"
Yukinoshita Yukino, however, did not think any of this was fun.
Right now, they were in the waiting area at the haunted house entrance.
And they hadn't even gone inside yet. Already, Yukino could feel the designers' malicious intent seeping out from every detail.
The entrance had been shaped into a giant, bloody gaping mouth, with sharp fangs dripping crimson liquid. From the ceiling hung skeletons clad in tatters, eerie green light glowing in their eye sockets.
Worst of all were the "benches" in the waiting area. They were fashioned from grotesque piles of flesh and severed limbs, with eyeballs and lips embedded here and there. Just looking at them drained one's sanity meter in chunks.
And yet, her sister and Senya were calmly seated right on those things, as if it were nothing.
Wasn't this supposed to be a Mr. Pan doll-themed amusement park? How could they seriously run something this horrifying and disgusting?
Yukino wasn't the only one deeply unsettled.
Sawamura Eriri felt the same.
A chill breeze, source unknown, brushed across her skin. The sound system hidden in the ceiling played out bloodcurdling effects. She hugged her arms tight, rubbing them up and down, as goosebumps spread everywhere.
"Do we really have to go in?" Eriri whispered nervously into Rokka's ear.
"Of course. We've queued this long. It's almost our turn," Rokka replied.
"But… this isn't what you said before. How is this not scary?"
Right at that moment, from the haunted house entrance, came the roar of a chainsaw—followed by a bloodcurdling scream.
Eriri clearly heard a deep, masculine voice cry out: "Mommy, help me!"
Just how terrified did you have to be, as a grown man, to throw away all dignity and scream something that humiliating?
Eriri's legs began trembling uncontrollably.
With something like the giant pendulum ride earlier, it had been scary but predictable—you knew it would just swing back and forth. Because the trajectory was obvious, it was frightening but bearable.
But a haunted house? Who knew what would happen next? Even knowing it was all fake didn't help. Her whole body resisted—she simply couldn't handle it.
Rokka looked at Eriri's pale face with sudden seriousness. "Eriri… are you really that scared?"
Eriri nodded frantically like a bobblehead.
"Then that's even better!"
Wait—what?!
Why? What did she ever do to deserve this?!
It wasn't like she'd ever drawn Rokka into one of her doujinshi the way she had with that black-stockinged woman!
Rokka slung an arm over Eriri's shoulder, flashing a thumbs-up. "Trust me, Eriri. I'm your best friend. I'd never let anything bad happen to you."
"…You'd better mean that," Eriri muttered, pouting.
Their hushed whispering didn't escape Haruno's notice. "What are you two plotting over there?"
Eriri panicked and shook her head. "N-nothing!"
Rokka quickly laced her fingers with Eriri's. "We're just excited about going in."
Excited, my ass!
Even Yukino, trying to put on a brave face, chimed in stiffly, "It does sound… interesting inside."
Interesting? Did no one else hear that middle-aged man screaming for his mommy just now?
Eriri silently begged Yukino: Please, don't keep pretending. Just admit you're scared so we can all quit together like last time!
At that moment, Senya rose from beside Haruno and stepped toward the three girls. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"No problem!" Rokka struck a fist-to-chest pose she must've copied from some anime, radiating false bravado.
Senya wasn't really asking her, though. His eyes lingered on the other two, who were clearly betraying themselves through their pale faces.
And then Yukino, catching her sister's teasing smile, forced herself to nod firmly. "I'll be fine. A haunted house is just an artificial construct. Everything inside is man-made—the terrifying NPCs are merely actors in costume."
Her words sounded like an answer to Senya, but in truth they were more for her own courage.
She'd already chickened out once today—on the pendulum ride. And Haruno had teased her mercilessly afterward, laughing that smug, infuriating laugh. Clearly taking pleasure in Yukino's embarrassment.
That was why Yukino felt she absolutely had to redeem herself here.
This time, not even Senya could make her back down.
I'm doomed…
Yukino's declaration crushed Eriri's last hope.
Four out of five in their group were committed to going in.
That was that—the matter settled.
"Um… I'll just pop into the restroom first," Eriri mumbled.
She'd felt her stomach churning after the pendulum ride earlier. Though she hadn't actually vomited, she'd dry-heaved in the restroom for a while. Better safe than sorry—before a haunted house, one should really empty their stomach, just in case.
"Hurry up, okay?" Rokka called after her. "It's almost our turn."
"…Got it," Eriri muttered, though she couldn't shake the feeling Rokka had been plotting something against her all along.
Once Eriri was out of earshot, Rokka tugged Senya aside, whispering conspiratorially.
"Actually… Eriri's terrified of haunted houses."
"I noticed. It's pretty obvious."
"Right? But she's too proud to admit it. So she's forcing herself to come with us."
"And your point is?"
"When we get inside, could you… look after her a little?"
Senya eyed her curiously. "That's all you wanted to say?"
"Mm-hm! I'll be too busy taking care of myself. Yukino's probably the same. And I don't know Haruno-senpai that well. So… you're the only one I can rely on."
Rokka congratulated herself silently. Her not-so-brilliant brain wasn't great at academics, but in moments like this? Genius-level improvisation. Her reasoning was flawless.
"Such touching friendship," Senya said dryly, ruffling her hair.
"So that means you'll do it?"
Just then, Eriri reappeared, shuffling back.
"That was fast," Rokka said, blinking in surprise. "Barely two minutes. You didn't even have time to take your panties off!"
"It's not that…" Eriri mumbled, looking uneasy.
The restroom attached to the haunted house looked terrifying—flickering lights, rusty pipes, glowing green emergency exit signs. She couldn't stop replaying scenes from horror movies where characters were murdered while alone in bathrooms. There was no way she was going in by herself.
Senya read her reaction and pulled his hand back from Rokka's head. "Alright. I'll do it."
"Thanks!" Rokka beamed.
She rejoined Eriri, and the two headed off together toward the restroom.
On the way, Eriri eyed her suspiciously. "Why did you thank Senya just now? What were you two talking about?"
"Nothing important. I just said I'm jealous you've got such an amazing friend like me," Rokka said with mock pride.
"…You're unbelievable."
By the time the two returned, it was their group's turn.
They stepped together through the gruesome mouth-shaped entrance.
The corridor grew darker and more oppressive as they walked. Even their companions' expressions blurred into vague silhouettes.
The lack of visibility amplified their fear.
To calm herself, Eriri forced a laugh. "See? Once you're inside, it's not so bad."
"Eriri-chan," Haruno's voice carried that playful lilt, "we've only just begun. Things are bound to get more… intense later."
She sounded relaxed—mocking, even—compared to Eriri's trembling bravado.
"Oooh, look, the floor's filling with fog!" Rokka bent down in awe.
"It's probably dry ice," Yukino explained coolly. "Basic effect. It's even in our textbooks."
"Wow, Yukino, you're amazing—knowing stuff like that!"
"It's hardly impressive. Just common knowledge."
This idle chatter actually helped Eriri relax. For a fleeting moment, she thought maybe she really could make it to the end.
But that hope shattered quickly.
Ahead of them, the path split in two.
A broken wooden sign stood at the fork, glowing faintly with fluorescent paint: "Two paths. Only teamwork will lead you to safety."
The meaning was obvious—they had to split into two groups.
Eriri, trembling, instinctively reached for the person beside her… only to find empty space.
Rokka had already darted off, linking arms with both Yukino sisters. "Let's take the left path together!" she chirped, not even pretending to be subtle.
Wait! Don't leave me alone!
Panicked, Eriri scrambled toward the girls' side.
But Rokka cut her off mercilessly. "Eriri, you should go with my brother on the right. Otherwise, he'll be all alone. Wouldn't that be pitiful?"
Eriri froze mid-step.
In the dim light, Haruno smiled faintly and exchanged a look with her sister.
Yukino gazed at Senya without much reaction.
Senya broke the silence. "Well? What do you all think?"
"Let's do as Rokka says," Haruno smirked. "We can even turn it into a competition. See which team makes it out faster."
She clearly knew Rokka was scheming but played along anyway. After all, in her eyes, Eriri might be cute, but her tsundere personality posed zero threat whatsoever.
"And you, Eriri?" Senya asked.
Eriri's thighs clamped together involuntarily. "I-I'll be fine."
"Then it's settled," Yukino declared. "Let's go."
The group split at the fork.
Senya and Eriri headed down the right-hand path.
The deeper they went, the colder it got. Not just psychologically—the air conditioning was cranked high.
Soon, they entered a room.
This one was fully lit, but that didn't make it less disturbing. Rusty surgical tools lay scattered across the floor. Bloodstains smeared everywhere. The hospital bed sheets were ruined, brown human-shaped imprints replacing the pure white.
The whole place reeked of dread.
Senya stepped into the center, scanning the surroundings.
Eriri clung close, trailing him like a timid bride. Forcing a weak laugh, she said, "See? Just like Rokka said. It's not scary at all!"
The words were practically a flag.
The moment they left her lips, the door behind them slammed shut with a deafening bang.
"Eek!"
Eriri jumped like a startled rabbit, pressing herself against Senya's side.
Then the white lights flickered and shifted to a bloody crimson glow.
A chorus of eerie whispers filled the air, mixed with the sound of metal dragging across the floor. Growing closer. Louder.
The pacing was relentless.
"Yaaaah!"
Eriri's bravado shattered. She shrieked and latched onto Senya's arm with all her strength.
Senya wanted to laugh and reassure her, but the haunted house gave them no time. With so many customers waiting, the staff clearly kept the tempo fast.
Suddenly—Bang!
The wall burst open.
A bloody hand shoved through, tossing a severed "head" into the room.
It rolled to a stop right at Eriri's feet.
Her scream caught in her throat.
Eiri didn't even scream this time.
Her pupils shook violently, and her legs jolted as if struck by lightning. She leapt straight up, arms locking tightly around Minamoto Senya's neck, while her legs clamped around his waist. Her whole body curled into a trembling ball, shaking uncontrollably.
The moment the scare happened, she hadn't thought at all—it was pure instinct, her body reacting on its own!
"Eiri, too tight—too tight!" Senya gasped, patting at her arms. The strength with which she clung to his neck was suffocating him.
"Run! Run, run, run!" Eiri buried her face against his chest, eyes squeezed shut, not hearing a word he said.
With no other choice, Senya pried her arms loose with one hand, supported her small backside with the other, and hurriedly carried her out of the room.
"It's okay, it's okay—it's over now."
Once they escaped back into the hallway and the "crisis" seemed to subside, Senya gently patted her back, murmuring comfort.
Eiri slowly calmed down, realizing what an embarrassing scene she'd just caused. Her cheeks burned red, and she was just about to wriggle down when—
From the ceiling, a blood-red, long-tongued hanging ghost suddenly dropped down, its face hanging inches from hers.
Face to face.
"KYAAA—!!"
Senya's expression twisted.
Not because of the ghost. But because Eiri's high-pitched scream nearly shattered his eardrums!
Back to square one—he braced her butt in his arms and bolted.
Behind them, staff members in grotesque costumes began chasing deliberately, keeping the tension high.
Senya dashed frantically, his speed increasing in proportion to Eiri's decibel level. Solving the puzzles, finding clues—none of that mattered anymore. It was all on him.
Meanwhile, Eiri clung to him like an octopus, eyes squeezed shut, whispering frantic nonsense to herself.
When Senya finally caught the words, he nearly tripped laughing. That tune—she was singing the Doraemon theme song!
Her fear had twisted it slightly off-key, but still recognizably Doraemon.
The haunted house was chilled with strong air conditioning, yet Senya felt hot and restless. Carrying Eiri's full weight while running around nonstop wasn't the issue—his stamina was absurdly high.
The problem was something else entirely. Something pressing.
"Eiri, really—it's fine now. You can open your eyes."
He ducked into a shadow beneath the stairs to catch a break. Normally, he'd have been content to play along with the haunted house vibe. He'd even closed off his ever-present "God's Eye" perspective just to enjoy the immersion.
But at this rate, without "cheating," he couldn't keep dodging the relentless NPCs while carrying her.
And in this sweltering summer heat, with only thin layers of clothing…
From the moment she'd latched onto him, he'd been holding her soft little bottom as he ran. Their bodies pressed and rubbed together with every movement.
Eiri might not have realized, but Senya had. And she definitely wasn't flat.
Add to that—she was wearing a skirt today.
At one point, his hand had slipped beneath the outer fabric instead of holding the hem, and he'd realized—Eiri hadn't worn safety shorts.
She was too panicked to notice, but Senya couldn't ignore it.
If this continued, he'd explode.
"D-Did we make it out?"
Eiri peeked up, forehead beaded with sweat. But the instant she noticed they weren't outside yet, she shut her eyes tight again and buried herself against him.
"We're not out at all! Senya, keep moving! I don't want to stay here any longer!"
She squeezed tighter, shaking him as if to urge him forward.
Senya, however, let go of her hips, closed his eyes, and drew in a deep breath.
"No more, Eiri. You need to come down now."
"B-But… but I'm scared…"
"Then at least come down. I'll carry you on my back instead."
The environment was momentarily calm, no jump scares triggering. And in that lull, Eiri finally noticed how ragged Senya's breathing had become.
Too ragged.
Her brain clicked. He wasn't just tired from carrying her—something else was happening.
Something she could feel pressing against her stomach.
W-Wait… could it be…?
"Eiri?" Senya called softly when she didn't answer.
"Ah… ah!"
In that instant, a storm of complicated feelings surged within her, washing away her fear.
She quickly unlatched herself and slid down.
"Phew…"
Freed of the "accessory," Senya exhaled in relief.
Eiri, now realizing the situation, kept her head bowed, cheeks blazing crimson.
Senya forced himself to think of his dumb friend Haruhara Yampei's idiotic grin—anything to cool his thoughts.
"Come on."
He crouched down slightly, back toward her, ready to carry her properly.
"N-No! That's fine!"
Eiri refused instantly.
Knowing she'd caused that… change in him, her heart and mind were a mess. She didn't hate their contact—if anything, the memory was strangely sweet. But she had no idea how to face him again like that.
"Then… hand?"
Senya held one out.
This time, Eiri didn't refuse. Her lips trembled, but she nodded.
"Th-Thank you."
"No worries. When you're scared, don't think too much. Just keep your head down and follow me."
"…Okay."
Hand in hand, they walked deeper into the haunted house.
Eiri could barely recall what happened afterward—the scares, the atmosphere—it all blurred.
What she remembered vividly was the warmth of Senya's palm. And that uncomfortable pressure against her lower belly.
Her head spun.
They eventually regrouped with Yukino, Haruno, and Rokka. Whatever was said, whatever reactions followed—Eiri hardly processed them.
It wasn't until they emerged from the haunted house into the sunlight, when Rokka grabbed her shoulders and shook her, that she snapped out of her daze.
"Eiri! Snap out of it!"
"…!"
Like waking from a dream, her eyes cleared.
Around her, Rokka, Yukino, Haruno… and Senya—all looked at her with worried eyes.
"…Rokka. Everyone."
"Jeez, you scared us, Eiri! I thought the haunted house broke you."
It did. But not just the haunted house…
"I-I'm fine now!"
Her words didn't fully reassure. Yukino stepped forward, pressed a hand to her forehead, and confirmed she was alright.
Everyone sighed in relief.
"That's good." Haruno glanced at her phone. "Anyway, it's about time for lunch."
The group agreed.
Lunch was at one of the theme park's casual cafés.
The food was mediocre, overpriced, and the crowd made the experience unpleasant. Only Yukino seemed enchanted—because the plates had little "Mr. Pan" character designs on them.
The afternoon, under harsher sun, they stuck to indoor attractions. The pace slowed, leisurely and whimsical, much like the morning.
Haruno seemed less lively after lunch, even stifling yawns. Senya guessed she probably had a habit of napping midday.
But it worked out—no more surprises for the rest of the day.
By four o'clock, tired from the day's adventures, they parted ways. Senya and his sister rode the train home, while Eiri caught a lift with the Yukinoshita sisters.
At her house, she thanked them and got out.
"Eiri, you're back! Did you have fun?" her mother asked.
"…Mm."
Distracted, Eiri brushed past her with only a brief reply and went straight to the bath.
She sank into the tub, bubbles floating across the surface.
Her teeth pressed lightly against her lip as she recalled the haunted house. More specifically—her contact with Senya.
The friction. The pressure.
The memory made her eyes shimmer with a soft, feminine glow.
Her slim fingers traced across her belly, remembering. Measuring.
One span. Two spans. Three…
Her cheeks flushed crimson as she counted.
She couldn't let it go. Couldn't possibly let it go.
She tugged lightly at her lower stomach, over and over, replaying the sensation.
As a doujinshi artist who specialized in risqué content, Eiri had always assumed such "exaggerations" existed only in fantasy.
But today—her worldview had been shaken.
Maybe not every boy was like this. But Senya, growing taller and more handsome every day, compared to her petite self…
If—just if—they ever reached that stage…
Would she, like the heroines she drew, throw up a "V" sign, roll her eyes back, and faint on the spot?
Maybe not. Senya was gentle, after all. He wouldn't push her that far.
Still… perhaps some preparation was in order.
Her hand hovered midair, fingers curling experimentally, then brushed against her lips.
Her whole face turned scarlet.
"Eiri! You've been in there forty minutes! Don't faint in the bath!" her mother called.
Clatter!
"Huh? What was that?"
"N-Nothing!"
Just a bottle of body wash tumbling from between her tightly pressed legs.
Senya, meanwhile, had already tossed the haunted house incident to the back of his mind.
But in Eiri's, it had taken root. She replayed it over and over, expanding and embellishing. Women, when it came to imagination, could be even more creative than men.
Especially women like her—the acclaimed doujinshi artist, Kashiwagi Eiri.
"I'm home! Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"
Rokka swung the door open with chuunibyou flair.
Their pet, a black-feathered bird with crimson eyes, waddled over to greet her. She played with it happily.
Senya headed straight to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
"Senya, you didn't go wash first? Did something follow you back from the haunted house?!" Rokka gasped dramatically, clutching the bird.
"I'm heading out again soon."
"Oh? Where to?"
"Bringing food to Toka at the school gym. I can't let her live off convenience store bread and rice balls."
"Oooh."
"Wanna come?"
"I'll stay home and guard the house!"
By 5:30, Senya had changed clothes, packed a bento, and left without fuss.
By 6:00, inside the gym, Toka's teammates called out excitedly mid-practice:
"Toka, isn't that your little brother at the door?"