woosh—
Amidst the torrential rain, Kaguya awoke in a dimly lit room.
She frowned slightly, instinctively raising a hand to her forehead. A wave of dizziness and headache assaulted her—a deep, nerve-wracking fatigue, the kind that came from prolonged exhaustion. It made it hard to focus.
Where… is this?
She couldn't hear Takakai's voice. Had they been separated?
This is really not good…
Ding-a-ling— Ding-a-ling—
The delicate chime came from the translucent, crystal-like ornaments hanging above the bed, swaying and lightly colliding with each other.
The window, fogged as if veiled by mist, allowed only a faint glow of daylight to seep in. The glass itself was inexplicably blurred, making it impossible for Kaguya to discern anything outside—only that it seemed to be daytime.
No matter what, staying here isn't an option. I need to assess the situation.
With that thought, Kaguya sat up from the bed—cluttered with stuffed animals—and carefully stepped down, scanning her surroundings.
The bedroom was awash in pink, adorned with cute decorations and toys. The wardrobe was filled with an assortment of clothes, all signs of a privileged upbringing. Books and certificates placed on one side of the room further indicated the child's excellence.
[Miyazawa Hana]
That was the name on the certificates—likely the name of the child who once lived here.
This name… I feel like I've heard it somewhere before.
Kaguya couldn't shake the thought. She searched the room but found nothing particularly noteworthy—no rule lists, no clues. Next, she tried opening the windows, but both on either side of the bed were sealed shut by some inexplicable force. Even with her enhanced strength, she couldn't budge them.
Her gaze then fell on the only exit—the door.
This should lead out of the bedroom… but what's waiting outside?
Given the inherent danger of this dungeon, Kaguya decided caution was paramount.
She pressed her ear against the door, listening.
No unusual sounds.
Holding her breath, she turned the handle. The unlocked door opened with a soft creak.
Beyond it lay a spacious, hollow-feeling hall.
A moldy circular rug lay in the center, its patterns faded beyond recognition.
Two doors stood on either side of the hall—both heavy security doors, starkly out of place in what otherwise seemed like a traditional wooden structure. To the left, a staircase led up to a raised platform, where yet another door waited.
What kind of place is this? The architecture clashes completely—like two different rooms forcibly stitched together.
A chill ran through Kaguya. She hugged herself, gripping her sleeves tightly, before stepping cautiously into the cold, dimly lit hall.
Soon, her eyes caught a yellowed notice pinned to the wall.
[Shirasawa Elementary School Daytime Regulations]
All students must remain within the teacher's line of sight. If a student leaves the designated area, the teacher must retrieve them immediately. Students are not permitted to roam unsupervised.
Strictly adhere to the student schedule. Conduct frequent headcounts. If a student goes missing, halt all activities until the missing student is found.
Students may only move within assigned classrooms. Unauthorized outings (e.g., bathroom breaks) require at least one supervising teacher.
Teachers must monitor student conversations. Discussions involving myths, monsters, or supernatural topics are strictly prohibited. Students must be guided toward scientific thinking.
Disciplinary action (including corporal punishment) must be taken against rule-breakers. Repeat offenders will be handed over to the Special Management Teacher.
When parents arrive to pick up children, teachers must have students verify the parent's eyes, nose, and mouth. If the child cries, the parent must wait 10 minutes before leaving with them.
The notice was written in slightly archaic Japanese, but Kaguya had no trouble deciphering it.
First rule set acquired.
She read it multiple times, committing every word to memory. Then, as an extra precaution, she tore the notice off the wall.
Just as she considered exploring further—
Creak—
The rightmost door swung open.
Kaguya flinched, scrambling backward. With no hiding spots, she retreated toward the staircase—her escape route if things turned dangerous.
Squeak—
The figure stepping through was Takakai.
"How's your side?"
He didn't approach immediately. Instead, he locked the door behind him and kept his distance.
"No issues so far. Any sign of Hayasaka?"
Kaguya shook her head, studying him just as cautiously.
Reuniting in a dungeon doesn't guarantee trust.
A basic principle they both understood.
After a moment, Kaguya relaxed slightly. Her blessing confirmed it—no malice, no distortion. This was Takakai.
But then—
Tap… Tap…
Footsteps.
From the platform above, beyond the railing, behind that door—something was approaching.
A strange sensation gripped Kaguya.
She'd never heard this sound before.
Yet it felt familiar.
"Hide! It might be coming for us!"
Yoshitaka's voice rang in her head, frantic.
"Everyone, hurry! In here!"
Miyazawa Hana urged, yanking open the bedroom door.
"Go first. I'll cover you."
Takakai raised his pistol, eyes locked on the door above.
Kaguya bolted back into the bedroom, diving under the bed.
"We're safe here. It won't find us."
Miyazawa Hana's voice whispered beside her.
Click—
Takakai locked the door behind them.
Outside, thunder rumbled.
A flash of lightning illuminated the room—casting Takakai's shadow onto the bed.
For a split second, Kaguya thought she saw something move on the mattress.
Alone beneath the bed, she shifted uncomfortably, setting down the notice she'd torn off—only for her fingers to brush against crumpled paper.
…What?
She turned her head.
Two more identical, yellowed notices lay beside hers—same size, same tear marks.
Her breath hitched.
She grabbed one, unfurling it.
The same words. The same handwriting.
Even the rips matched perfectly.
"..."
A numb silence settled over her.
Then, her gaze drifted forward—to the underside of the bed.
Scratched into the wood, rough and uneven, was a single line of text:
[Am I going in circles?]
Am I… going in circles right now?
Ding-a-ling—
The chimes rang again.
Kaguya sat up in bed.
Miyazawa Hana hummed softly, scribbling in a notebook at the desk.
Yoshitaka yawned, fiddling with a daruma doll on the toy shelf.
Takakai leaned against the door, eyes closed—but the moment Kaguya stirred, his gaze snapped to hers.
"Awake?"
"Mmn. This dungeon… isn't as scary as I expected."
Kaguya shook her head, swinging her legs over the edge. As she stood, her forehead brushed against the hanging ornaments—another cascade of delicate chimes.
At least we started together. That avoids a lot of problems.
Relief flickered in her chest as she looked around—at the four figures standing in the room.