Sora Ichinose

Perhaps it's because Halloween is around the corner, there are a lot more customers at Éternité during this time, and everyone at the café is up to their ears. Even I, a temporary helper who was dragged here by Hinata Takanashi, am no exception.

The café is a bit less busy today, which is pretty rare these days. As I was about to go to the corner to take a break, I hear a person sighing next to me.

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Sighs*

Sora is sitting at the table, frowning as he subconsciously plays with a Rubik's Cube in his hands. He hasn't touched the dessert he ordered at all, and the pages of a science magazine flap helplessly in the wind. It's clear that its owner has forgotten about it for a while already.

All the clues indicate that Sora is troubled by something.

{character:player}Is something bothering you?

I approach him and sit on the chair opposite him. The slight sound of the moving chair startles Ichinose Sora who is zoning out.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Um, {var:player_nickname}, when did you get here?

{character:player}Just now. It isn't very busy right now. I see that you're zoning out over here and haven't touched your food. Do you not like it?

{character:Sora Ichinose}No, it's very tasty, just... It's not the food...

{character:player}So... there's something on your mind? If you don't mind, you can tell me. Maybe I can help you.

{character:Sora Ichinose}... {var:player_nickname}, which do you prefer, mages, vampires, or zombies?

{character:player}Eh?!

The question that came out of the blue stuns me momentarily because I don't understand how it is related to Sora's troubles. I look suspiciously at the magazine on the table. Could this be the reason why he is acting strangely?

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughs*... Sorry, I should explain properly. What I mean is... which of these three characters would you rather give candy to if they came to your door during Halloween?

{character:player}During Halloween... Let me see...

{character:player}A romantic vampire will definitely catch my attention, but an elegant mage seems good too... Wait, I can't forget about the adorable little zombie...

{character:Sora Ichinose}Another tie...

Sora lowers his head again and starts to play with the Rubik's Cube again. It seems that my answer wasn't very helpful.

{character:player}So you're troubled because you don't know what costume to wear for Halloween?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Yea... My school is running a Halloween fashion show this year. All students of Dewdrop Middle School can participate in it, and they can even invite their friends and family to join too. I heard the winner will get a special prize.

{character:Sora Ichinose}I asked my doctor about it, and he said it's perfectly fine for me to participate in the fashion show based on my recent physical condition.

Sora needs to consult a doctor just to participate in a fashion show. It seems that his body is weaker than I thought.

{character:player}Most importantly, you want the special prize. That's the real reason you want to participate in the event, right?

{character:Sora Ichinose}According to my calculations, the probability that the prize is a newly released sci-fi commemorative book set is as high as 72%. I can't deny that this is a tempting reward for me.

{character:player}You can even predict what prize will be given with your calculations...? Does that mean you asked me which costume is more popular for data?

{character:Sora Ichinose}You saw through me! Like you said, data indicates that these are the three most popular Halloween costumes.

{character:player}As I expected... But since an opportunity like this doesn't come around often, won't you consider cosplaying as a character you like instead?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Hmm...

Sora seems to think of something. His eyebrows, which had just begun to relax, bunch up again, and he twists the Rubik's Cube several times in the blink of an eye. I start to wonder if I said something inappropriate.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Although I've heard people say that you will be able to make the character more charming if you cosplay as a character you like, I think this is an overreliance on willpower which will prove to be fickle, whereas the data never lies... *Coughs*

{character:player}Okay... What is your decision then?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Each of these three options has a 33% chance to win. I can't decide.

{character:player}Since the theory is correct, the only thing left is to put it into practice. It's not really realistic to determine the most suitable costume for you by sitting in a cafe and relying on your imagination.

{character:player}Even three pieces of clothing of the same style can look different on you. Since you're buying clothes, you should go to a clothing store to try them on.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Buy my sister has gone to another city and won't return until at least next Monday.

{character:player}That's easy. I'll come with you.

No matter how mature he usually looks, Sora is still a thirteen-year-old child. The flashes of dependency he inadvertently reveals make me want to help him as much as possible.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Huh? What about your work at the café...? Are you sure it's okay?

{character:player}Tomorrow happens to be my day off, and I think going shopping with you will be a good way to relax.

{character:Sora Ichinose}I-It's settled then! Let's meet at this shop tomorrow. Reina recommended this shop, so I think I'll be able to find something suitable there.

{character:player}Sure, I'll see you there!

After watching Sora leave Éternité in high spirits, I look at the address in my hand...

{character:player}A costume store called... Ghouls and Ghasts?

What a strange name. Why do I have a bad feeling about this...

{character:player}No. 232, No. 233, No. 23... Sora! I found it! This is the shop!

The shop Reina recommended is located at the end of the commercial strip, and its dark decoration makes it inconspicuous among the colorful clothing stores there. There is also no signboard with the shop's name or logo at the door. All it has is an ordinary blackboard with the words "Open" written on it.

{character:Sora Ichinose}... It doesn't even have a sign. No wonder the GPS couldn't guide us here correctly.

{character:player}For some things, people play a larger role than technology. Let's go inside. It takes a lot of time to find the right costume. Hopefully we'll find what we want today.

Sora and I push open the shop's extremely ancient-looking front door.

{character:???}*Cackles* Lost lambs, welcome to the home of demons!

We're greeted by a strange sound that sounds like fingernails scratching a blackboard, accompanied by the sound of banging. Suddenly, a finger that is obviously cooler than the normal body temperature of a human slides across my wrist.

I turn my neck rigidly to find myself face to face with a blue fluorescent "ghost."

*Bang!*

I swear that this is a conditioned response. I didn't mean to punch you.

{character:???}OW! My nose! My nose!

Eh?

The arrogant "ghost" from before is now squatting on the ground and complaining about the pain while holding their nose. Although the makeup still looks terrifying, I'm no longer scared of it.

This person should be an employee here and must have dressed up like this deliberately to attract customers. I look at my hand. Hmm... this job is actually unexpectedly dangerous.

{character:player}I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to do that. You suddenly appeared behind me, so I instinctively...

{character:Employee}It's okay. I didn't consider this... I thought the child next to you would be more scared, but I was completely wrong.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Many supernatural phenomena can be explained by science. At the end of the day, ghosts are imaginary characters that appear in horror movies. I'm not afraid of something that doesn't exist.

{character:Sora Ichinose}But your makeup is quite good. The reaction of {var:player_nickname} affirms this.

{character:player}AHHHHHHHHH!

A scream rushes out of my throat uncontrollably. I quickly pull Sora back and only manage to barely calm down when my back hits the door of the shop. Fortunately, the "ghost" doesn't follow us and laughs in a horrifying manner at us from where it stands.

{character:???}Hehehe...

{character:Sora Ichinose}...Hello, do you work here?

{character:Employee}Hehe... That's right!

{character:player}...Why do you have to dress up like this if you're a staff?!

{character:Sora Ichinose}I think it's to attract customers. This is a Halloween costume store, after all.

{character:Employee}Sorry, I appeared too suddenly. How are you feeling? Do you need to sit down and rest for a bit?

{character:Sora Ichinose}{var:player_nickname}, your pulse is a little fast. you should get some rest.

{character:player}Ahem, it's okay... Sora, you're quite calm about this. Didn't you get frightened by the fake ghost?

{character:Sora Ichinose}There is no real evidence in the world to prove the existence of ghosts. One day science will be able to explain all supernatural events. Just like how people regarded fire as a punishment from heaven hundreds of years ago, but now everyone knows that it is just the flame produced when objects burn.

{character:Employee}Ah... You seem quite reliable despite your young age.

{character:player}Although you're right, even if he isn't a ghost, people will still get a fright if someone pops out from behind them...

{character:player}This boy here wants to buy a Halloween costume that suits him. Do you have any costumes to recommend?

It's somewhat embarrassing to get scared before a child younger than yourself. So I quickly change the topic and redirect their attention to buying clothes.

{character:Employee}Don't worry, in the three years since Ghouls and Ghasts has been in business, we've always been able to guarantee 100% customer satisfaction!

Having seen their unique way of treating customers here, I'm deeply skeptical about this so-called 100% customer satisfaction...

{character:Employee}Ah, if it's for this customer, it would be a good idea to dress up as an elegant Count Dracula.

{character:Sora Ichinose}I see... Can you find a set that is my size so I can try it on...? Hmm? This mage costume...

{character:Employee}You have good taste. This is a limited edition collaboration item with the famous alchemist Nicolas. Wearing it will bring you good luck!

{character:Sora Ichinose}I think this one suits you, {var:player_nickname}.

{character:player}For me? Haha, thank you, but things have been quite busy at the café recently, so I might not be able to participate in the events on Halloween. Let's just choose something for you.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Just try it on. Maybe you'll change your mind.

{character:Employee}In a sense, Halloween is also a festival that glorifies autumn and celebrates the harvest. Since you work hard all the time, don't you think you should let yourself rest on this day? So, why don't you give it a try? I promise the Halloween events of One Han City won't disappoint you.

{character:player}O-Okay then.

{character:Employee}In that case, please follow me to the fitting room over here.

The enthusiastic employee doesn't give me too much time to hesitate. After handing the clothes to me, the employee pushes me and Sora into separate fitting rooms before we can object further.

Oh well, this costume looks pretty nice and fits my taste perfectly. I might as well try it on.

If I have to find someone who is familiar with Sora in this café, the first person I would think of is Reina Nanami. If I remember correctly, they are classmates.

{character:Reina Nanami}You want to know what has been troubling Sora recently? Hmm... I don't really know either. There's nothing special going on other than the announcement that the school will organize a fashion show.

{character:player}A fashion show?

{character:Reina Nanami}Yeah, it's a special Halloween event the school is running this year. It's open to all students of Dewdrop Middle School, and the winner will get a special prize.

{character:Reina Nanami}Hold on, assuming this is relevant, maybe Sora is worried about the fashion show. I mean, he's the only one in class who hasn't decided on what character he wants to dress up as.

{character:player}Huh... Wouldn't Sora choose a character like Frankenstein without hesitation?

{character:Reina Nanami}That's what I thought too, but Sora seems to have his own considerations. Everyone's saying that the reason he's so troubled by this that this year's prize is too attractive to him.

{character:player}Did you just say there's a prize?! Please tell me more about it!

{character:Reina Nanami}The school hasn't officially announced what the prizes are yet, but rumor says this year's grand prize is a set of newly released commemorative sci-fi books.

{character:player}I see, that really is a very tempting prize to him. I wonder what the fashion show held by Dewdrop Middle School will look like. Will any professional models be there to provide guidance?

{character:Reina Nanami}If you're interested... why don't you come and experience it for yourself? It's the school's intention for the Halloween event to be a medium to promote the school to the outside world anyway. We organize similar events two to three times every year, and all citizens of One Han City are welcome to participate at the school.

{character:player}Are you sure? The café should be really busy on Halloween. Are you sure you don't need me here that day?

{character:Reina Nanami}You haven't gotten much rest recently, which is already making me feel bad... Don't worry about Halloween because I've already made arrangements. So please come to our school to enjoy the festive vibe there.

{character:player}But Halloween is next week and I haven't made any preparations yet. And now you're telling me to participate in a Halloween fashion show... I don't even know where to buy a costume from.

{character:Reina Nanami}I think can help you with that. My uncle buys some Halloween decorations every year to decorate the cafe, so I'm quite familiar with these things. And there just happens to be a good costume store among the stores that are partners with Éternité.

{character:player}That's great!

{character:Reina Nanami}This is the address of the shop. It is open 24 hours a day for the entire week before Halloween, so you can take a look at any time. Oh right... there's a very cheeky employee there, so you must be careful.

I'm just buying some clothes. Why would I need to be careful of an employee who works there?

...I suddenly have a bad feeling about this.

{character:player}No. 232, No. 234, No. 23... Found it! This is the shop!

The shop Reina recommended is located at the end of the commercial strip, and its dark decoration makes it inconspicuous among the colorful clothing stores there. There is also no signboard or logo at the door. All it has is an ordinary blackboard with the words "Open" written on it. I would never have found this place if Reina didn't give me the specific address.

After verifying the address a few more times, I push open the shop's extremely ancient-looking front door.

{character:???}Ah! Fresh brains! I shall have a feast tonight!

A strange sound that sounds like fingernails scratching a blackboard rings in my ears, accompanied by the sound of metal banging. Suddenly, a finger that is obviously cooler than the normal body temperature of a human slides across my wrist.

{character:player}W-What's that?

I turn my neck rigidly to find myself face to face with a huge skull.

*Bang!*

I swear that this is a conditioned response. I didn't mean to punch you.

{character:???}OW! My nose! My nose!

Eh?

The arrogant skeleton from before is now squatting on the ground and complaining about the pain while holding their nose. Although the makeup still looks terrifying, at least I can be sure that it isn't anything threatening.

{character:player}I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to do that. You suddenly appeared behind me, so I instinctively...

This must be the "very cheeky employee" Reina mentioned, who must have dressed up like this to welcome customers to match the Halloween theme.

{character:Employee}No, I should be apologizing instead. I'm sorry for giving you such an unpleasant experience. Welcome to the "Ghouls and Ghasts" costume shop! How can I help you?

{character:player}Ah!

I gasp in fear and back away quickly, and only manage to barely calm down when my back hits the door of the shop.

{character:Employee}Oh no! Are you okay? I'm sorry! I appeared too suddenly.

{character:player}Stop! Just stand where you are and don't come any closer. Give me some time to adjust myself.

{character:Employee}Ahem, okay. I'm sorry for giving you such an unpleasant experience. Welcome to the "Ghouls and Ghasts" costume shop! How can I help you?

{character:Sora Ichinose}{var:player_nickname}, what are you doing here?

{character:player}Sora? Are you also here to buy a costume?

The employee in the skeleton costume moved aside to let me inside. Only then do I see Sora Ichinose, who was completely hidden behind him, holding a costume in his hands and looking like he's about to try it on.

{character:Employee}Ah, so you two are friends. I never expected two people who reacted so differently to my surprise to know each other. I'm extremely honored to facilitate your meeting at this store.

{character:player}It sounds like Sora also received your special welcome when he entered?

{character:Employee}Yes, I dressed up as a ghost of the night, but he wasn't afraid at all. He even told me very seriously that there is no concrete evidence that proves ghosts are real in this world.

{character:Employee}After that, he suggested that I dress up as something that exists in the real world for better effects. And... it was brilliant! It gave me a whole new source of inspiration!

To be skeptical of things that can't be proven while believing deeply in science is so typical of Sora.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Reina recommended this shop to you, right? Didn't she remind you to be careful of the employee here?

{character:player}I didn't think she meant I had to be physically careful...

{character:Sora Ichinose}It's so great to run into you here. I was just worried about what I should do... Has Reina told you about the fashion show?

{character:Sora Ichinose}According to the results of past years, there's a higher chance of winning if I dress up as something like a vampire, a mage, or a cute zombie. Can you give me some advice later? Reina said that I should ask you for advice if I need help because you usually give effective advice. So...

{character:player}Well, if you put it like that, how can I say no? I'm happy to help. I'm also looking for a costume, so maybe we can help each other.

Sora is visibly relieved after hearing an affirmative answer. I follow the employee's instructions to the fitting room. The closed door blocks my curious line of sight... so I redirect my attention and listen carefully to the employee's introduction of the most popular Halloween costumes.

{character:Employee}This Nicolas collaboration mage costume is the bestselling product this season. Would you like to try it on?

{character:player}Okay... I'll try it.

There are so many costumes inside that I feel a little lost. I trust the employee's recommendation and enter the fitting room with a costume.

{character:Sora Ichinose}{var:player_nickname}, have you picked a costume yet? I've just finished changing.

I see a cute yet elegant "vampire" after I push open the door of the fitting room. His dark brown hair makes his skin look fairer, and his beautiful blue pupils remind me of the gorgeous color of the sea.

This isn't the biased opinion of a friend. In fact, the employee beside me couldn't hold back from asking Sora if he can take a photo with him.

{character:player}It suits you perfectly, young Count Dracula!

{character:Sora Ichinose}Ahem, you too, great mage.

Sora's expression relaxed after hearing these words of praise. He turned around a few times in front of the mirror, and the cumbersome ornaments on the large cloak seem to cause him some inconvenience.

{character:Employee}Oh, be careful not to trip.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Watch out!

Seeing that Sora is about to step on a corner of his cloak, I reach out quickly to support him so he won't fall over.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Thank you... This costume looks marvelous, but it might have some... safety issues.

{character:player}The ornaments on the cape are too sharp. There will be lots of people visiting the school during the fashion show, so it'll be dangerous to walk around in this costume.

{character:Sora Ichinose}That's what I think too.

It's obvious that Sora has also noticed the cape's issues, but his eyes are showing an emotion that I can't quite understand. It's like he is feeling bothered and happy at the same time?

This is strange... Sora is here to look for a Halloween costume that suits him. Why would he feel happy about missing out on a good option?

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughs*... Then I guess we can only look at other types of costumes. This... can't be helped.

{character:Employee}You can try an adorable zombie costume. This type of costume doesn't have many ornaments, so it will be easier to move around in it.

{character:Sora Ichinose}This is also one of the intended options, but I actually...

{character:Reina Nanami}Hmm?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Nothing. I'll go change my clothes.

"I actually?" I can't help wondering what he was going to say. But Sora returns to the fitting room before I can figure it out.

I change back into my own clothes with many questions running through my head. I turn down the employee's proposal to try on other clothes and wait for Sora to appear again.

I'm not really fixated on what costume I wear, so I'm mainly helping Sora choose one right now.

{character:Sora Ichinose}What about this one?

The door of the fitting room opens again, and a small zombie walks out slowly. The talisman hanging on his forehead sways as he moves, giving people the urge to touch it.

{character:player}Although it isn't as stunning as the Dracula costume, it also suits you very well.

{character:Employee}You can try to jump around like a zombie. That should attract attention faster.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Mmm, I don't think the doctor would let me do that because it will put too much burden on my body.

{character:player}Since it looks suitable, we can keep this one as a backup. Now let's try on other ones.

{character:Employee}Are you interested in dressing up as a wizard? The other customer also tried this one on. You can consider dressing up as a pair of close friends who are soulmates.

{character:player}Hey! Using that wordhere isn't quite right!

{character:Employee}I have a little suggestion to make. A duo featuring a mage who has lived alone for thousands of years and an amazingly talented wizard will surely attract lots of attention.

Sora doesn't say anything this time and returns to the fitting room directly with the clothes. The door opens again in less than five minutes.

{character:player}That was quick... Huh?

Sora didn't walk out wearing the mage costume. He has changed back into his normal clothes. He frowns and returns the clothes to the employee, firmly rejecting his offer to try on more costumes.

{character:Employee}Is there something you don't like about this costume?

{character:Sora Ichinose}...Not really. It's very beautiful.

{character:Employee}Is it because of the size then?

{character:Sora Ichinose}No, it's not because of the costume itself...

Sora answered all the employee's questions by shaking his head. I look at the perplexed expression on his face and suggest going to another clothing shop. Before we step outside the shop, Sora suddenly turns his head and glances at a certain corner.

{character:Employee}That spot... Ah, it looks like we'll be meeting again soon, customer.

{character:player}...?

The sky had become dark by the time we left the last store in the commercial strip. The moon had taken the sun's place above the branches, emitting a soft light that can't be compared with artificial neon lights.

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughs*... What am I doing? I should decide as soon as possible...

The difference in the temperature during the day and at night is already quite significant in October. I'm fine, but it does affect Sora to some extent. His worsening health and the fact that he hadn't found a suitable costume yet made him anxious.

I think back to the clothes that Sora found random reasons to reject even though they were all great. After visiting so many shops, it stands to reason that he should have been able to find something suitable.

Also... he seemed strangely happy when he rejected the costume at that time...

{character:player}...Sora.

After thinking for a while, I make a bold speculation.

{character:Sora Ichinose}...Um, n-no... *Coughs* Why do you ask?

{character:player}Those costumes all looked beautiful, and they all looked good on you. So the only reason you would resist them is that none of them are what you really want.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Well... it's not that...

{character:player}Maybe you aren't aware of it yet. If you don't mind, can you describe the costume you want to me? I can only give you better advice if I know more about you.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Well... I want a costume that doesn't have a bright color tone, and its trouser pants can be broken to reveal metallic skin underneath. I want it to have a robotic right arm with bandages wrapped around it to cover the rust marks on it. I also...

As Sora's slightly childish voice echoes in my ears, a figure becomes clearer in my mind. It is...

{character:player}Frankenstein!

{character:Sora Ichinose}H-How did you guess that?

{character:player}It isn't that hard to guess since you described it in such detail. A monster created in a laboratory who firmly believes in science, is obsessed with calculations, and is lonely, eccentric, and complex. It's quite an innovative idea to dress up as this character on Halloween.

{character:Sora Ichinose}But Frankenstein is neither handsome nor mysterious... There's only a 0.012% chance of winning... *Coughs* It'll be easier to win if I dress up as a popular character.

{character:player}I disagree.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Eh?

{character:player}The most important thing about festivals is to allow people to experience the simplest happiness. There are too many ways to make people happy, and no complex mathematical formulas can accurately calculate this. It's still possible even if there's only a 1% chance.

{character:Sora Ichinose}It'll be rather difficult to win the prize if the chance of winning is less than 50%.

{character:player}The prize is just a result. Just like in mahjong, there is more than one way to win. If it's about the commemorative book set, I can ask Nanaha Onodera for you. She always seems to have a solution for book-related matters.

{character:player}It's not like you get to participate in a Halloween fashion show every day. Wouldn't it be a shame to not enjoy it fully the way you want to? I want to see... what your unique Halloween costume will look like.

{character:Sora Ichinose}...Frankenstein! Of course it's this monster who lives in a laboratory!

Sora's cheeks flush with joy, sweeping away his previous feelings of anxiety and showing a vivacious side of him that is more congruent with a child his age.

{character:player}Let's take action now that you have a clear goal. Let me see... Which store would sell a costume like the one you want?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Actually... I saw it earlier! Follow me!

{character:player}Don't rush, the costume won't run away, so we can take our time...

Ten minutes later, we are back at the Ghouls and Ghasts again. The employee from before has changed into a clown costume and makes an "I knew it" expression when he sees us.

{character:Employee}Ah, dear customers, welcome once again!

{character:player}You said "we'll be meeting again soon." Did you know that we'll be coming back?

{character:Sora Ichinose}I remember the costume was in this corner... Aha, found it!

Sora runs directly to the corner and finds the costume he is looking for among the pile of clothes there so quickly that the employee has no time to intervene. Thinking back on the glint in Sora's eyes when he glanced at this corner, I think this scene must have happened many times in his mind.

Maybe... he would have eventually come back here to get the costume he wants even if I didn't say anything.

{character:Employee}Ah, you want to choose this costume? That's a little surprising. In recent years, the winner of the Dewdrop Middle School fashion show has almost always been dressed up as a vampire or a zombie. However, you might get a surprise if you try something different.

{character:player}You also know about the fashion show?

{character:Employee}Éternité isn't our only partner. Ghouls and Ghasts also supplies Halloween costumes for the teachers of Dewdrop Middle School.

{character:player}The costumes you're providing to the teachers didn't include the one you were wearing when you gave me a fright earlier, right?

{character:Employee}Ah, all I can say is that I hope that the students won't react like you did when they get a fright.

A pregnant silence ensues.

I turn my head silently and begin to pray for the students of Dewdrop Middle School who are participating in the fashion show.

{character:Sora Ichinose}It seems like... something is missing.

{character:Employee}Frankenstein's costume is a little dull. I suggest that you wear some accessories. What about wearing a thin silver chain around the wrist? I can slip that in for free.

{character:Sora Ichinose}That would give Frankenstein the wrong temperament. He is a guy who is afraid of being alone. He pretends to be indifferent, but he is still a soft person at heart.

{character:Employee}How about giving him a jack-o-lantern to carry? The warm light will make him look more alive.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Do you have any cuter jack-o-lanterns? If Frankenstein really exists, I think Halloween would be his favorite holiday because on this day he can blend into any crowd without standing out and won't be treated as a monster by everyone.

{character:Employee}Regardless of whether jack-o-lanterns can be described as cute or not, in my humble opinion, the combination of a jack-o-lantern and Frankenstein is not that great.

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughs* If only there was a way to express the contrast between Frankenstein's appearance and heart...

{character:Sora Ichinose}{var:player_nickname}, do you have any good ideas?

{character:player}I have an idea, but I'm not sure how it will turn out. Wait here for me!

Spending the whole afternoon shopping in the commercial strip has allowed me to find the item I'm looking for and return as quickly as possible. Even so, the round trip took around twenty minutes, so I wasn't surprised to see that Sora had changed into the Frankenstein costume.

{character:Sora Ichinose}This is the thing you say can help Frankenstein? Hmm... It's a fake bird?

{character:player}Hush—you'll find out soon. Excuse me, can you help me secure this bird on the shoulder?

{character:Employee}Leave this to me.

A few minutes later, Sora makes a wow sound in front of the mirror. The bird sits comfortably on Frankenstein's shoulder, preening its feathers there and softening the invisible spikes on his body. The combination of the cold tone of Frankenstein's clothes and the red bird with bright wings shifts the theme of the costume from "monster" to "human."

Obviously, a Frankenstein with human emotions is far more attractive than a monster that only evokes fear.

{character:Employee}This is amazing! It's just like magic. I'm certain that everyone in One Han City will be talking about Frankenstein after the fashion show.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Can you pack this costume for me? Thanks!

{character:Employee}No problem! That will be 20,000 Coppers. Thank you!

We leave the commercial strip immediately after finishing our shopping. Although Sora keeps insisting that he can return home by himself, I still accompany him to the entrance of his community block.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Thank you.

{character:player}It's just taking you home. It's no big deal.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Not just that. *Coughs* I want to thank you for everything today... If it wasn't for you, I would still be obsessing over the data and probabilities.

{character:player}You don't need to thank me for that either. Friends should help each other out, right?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Well... I want to give you this.

{character:player}This is the mage outfit from earlier. When did you buy it?

{character:Sora Ichinose}As your friend, I would like to invite you to participate in the Dewdrop Middle School Halloween fashion show. Without you, I wouldn't have been so resolute in my decision to dress up as Frankenstein. Every generation of Frankenstein had a great butler, and you're someone like that to me.

{character:player}Um... I remember that Frankenstein and his butler didn't have a good ending. This comparison might be a little ominous.

{character:Sora Ichinose}...You focus on such strange things. *Coughs*

{character:player}It's windy at night, so you better go home now. If you get sick now, you won't be able to participate in the Halloween event.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Wait, what about my invitation...?

{character:player}I'll be there on time. I'm honored to participate in this event as your friend, Sora.

I must say, I've never attended a Halloween fashion show with this many people. The entire playground is filled with all kinds of ghosts, and strangely-shaped heads as far as I can see. The place is swamped with ghosts and monsters.

{character:"Ninja"}Confused-looking mage, would you like to stop and watch me perform my fireball technique?

{character:player}Sorry, I already know who I'm voting for.

{character:"Ninja"}What a shame. Feel free to come back to me if you change your mind.

I've had four similar conversations within ten minutes of stepping into the venue. After sighing, I start looking for Sora.

After noticing a familiar shade of red in the corner of my eye, I look in Sora's direction to see him surrounded by three to four classmates who are taking group photos with him in an orderly manner.

{character:Reina Nanami}Is that... Sora? He's dressed up as Frankenstein, right? He stands out so much amongst a group of vampires.

{character:player}Yes, the costume store you recommended is quite good. It would be better if a certain employee wasn't so cheeky.

{character:Reina Nanami}Haha! I'm glad I managed to help. I hear that Sora is determined to win the prize. It looks like he doesn't have a chance now since the "elf prince" has obviously gotten more votes than him.

{character:player}I think Sora no longer worries about this.

{character:Reina Nanami}Hmm?

As if he is responding to my words, the Frankenstein in the distance grins with joy. After the photo-taking crowd disperses, Sora walks towards the dancing "Elf Prince" and solemnly casts his own vote into their jack-o-lantern.

It's a shame that he didn't win the championship, but his smile right now is more precious.

Because happiness is the greatest reward.

{character:Sora Ichinose}A companion... A companion! Why didn't I think of that before...? *Coughs*

{character:player}Take it easy. Did I say something funny?

{character:Employee}Ah, I see!

{character:player}And you, stop making that expression like you just understand something! You're confusing me even more!

{character:Employee}I apologize for being rude. Your words have reminded me though. I now know what is wrong with this costume.

{character:Reina Nanami}Hmm?

{character:Employee}The charm of Frankenstein is that he is a monster with human emotions. In this world, there's only one person who can make Frankenstein put away his spikes. And that person is...

{character:Sora Ichinose}It's his butler!

{character:Employee}Bingo! We are totally in sync. Would you like to work part time at Ghouls and Ghasts? I'm sure our clothing sales will hit new highs.

{character:player}Unless you want to have science seminars in your shop, you better drop that idea really soon.

I recall Sora's words—if Frankenstein and his butler appear at the fashion show together and Frankenstein shows different sides of himself to the butler and other people, then it could be quite refreshing if it is done properly.

But the solution to one problem tends to create a new problem.

{character:player}So... who will be the butler?

{character:Employee}Well, isn't the answer obvious?

{character:player}...

{character:Sora Ichinose}{var:player_nickname}, as your friend, can I invite you to participate in the Dewdrop Middle School Halloween fashion show? Without you, I wouldn't have been so resolute in my decision to dress up as Frankenstein. Just like in the movies, every generation of Frankenstein has a great butler, and you're someone important like that to me.

{character:player}But I'm not good at role-playing.

{character:Sora Ichinose}And I'm not the real Frankenstein. In the movies, Frankenstein and his butler don't have a happy ending. We can create a perfect ending that belongs just to them at the fashion show.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Please come on stage with me at the fashion show, {var:player_nickname}... I want to go on that stage with my best and most important friend.

Sora raises his head and waits for my answer. His sky-blue pupils reflect the contours of my face, and there is an unmistakable smile on his face.

{character:player}Alright, why not.

My reply is answered by Sora's smiling eyes and... the employee's excited quote.

{character:Employee}That will be 35,000 Coppers. Thank you!

{character:player}...

It's so expensive!!!

I must say, I've never attended a Halloween fashion show with this many people. The entire playground is filled with all kinds of ghosts, and strangely-shaped heads as far as I can see. The place is swamped with ghosts and monsters.

I walk between the crowd and the wall, moving forward with great difficulty as I search for Sora. The elf prince and princess ahead stop walking suddenly and start dancing with the petals. As the crowd spreads out, I step on the corner of my clothes by mistake and am about to have some intimate contact with the ground.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Watch out!

A pair of familiar hands grab my arm, then a Frankenstein with a red bird on his shoulder appears in front of me. Something similar has happened before, except the two protagonists have switched their roles.

{character:player}Wow... how did you get here so fast?!

{character:Sora Ichinose}None of this is a problem to a monster.

This is a classic line in the Frankenstein series of movies, and Frankenstein says it when he meets the new butler for the first time and helps him remove the hat hanging from the tree branch. On a whim, I pick up the conversation and keep it going.

{character:player}In my eyes, you're still a child who needs to be taken care of, young master.

{character:Sora Ichinose}You still want this job? Do you need money that badly? You do understand taking this job means you'll have to accompany a monster on a deserted island that none visits?

{character:player}Drive me away, and there will just be another butler coming in, so why not give it a try?

{character:Sora Ichinose}You are not afraid?

{character:player}Why should I?

{character:Sora Ichinose}...Just so you know, once you've become my butler, you will be my butler for life. So if you wish to leave, it's still not too late.

{character:player}I've seen the drawings of the villa. The room facing the sun on the second floor can be my bedroom. Also, would you like curry beef noodles for dinner tonight, sir?

We have not kept our voices low throughout the conversation. The familiar lines soon attract a group of Frankenstein fans. In a short period of time, the pile of votes in the jack-o-lantern becomes much bigger than that of the vampire next to us who is one of the favorites to win.

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughs* I can't believe it... You must know, we only had a 5% chance of winning when the fashion show started.

{character:player}You can't work everything out with math. For example, there's probably a one-in-a-million chance for us to go from being strangers to friends, and we hit that one pretty accurately.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Looks like I must not let my guard down on the mahjong table even if I have a 99% chance to win.

{character:player}Shush! Concentrate, sir. The event is not over yet.

{character:Student A}Look! It's a newly-released HD image!

{character:Student B}I'm saving this now! Aww, I want to be that little bird on Frankenstein's shoulder!

{character:Student A}After the Halloween event ended, I watched and played lots of Frankenstien-related movies and games. When I saw the butler take all the blame and force the little monster away, I almost send threats to the director.

{character:Student B}Someone has uploaded another HD image of the fashion show on Catchat! I wonder who managed to take such an amazing photo?! This person knows exactly what I like. I'm going to save it and use it as my wallpaper!

It's been a whole week since Dewdrop Middle School held its Halloween fashion show, and people are still talking about it enthusiastically. The Frankenstein played by Sora invoked a lot of nostalgia, and Sora eventually won by one vote.

{character:Reina Nanami}I think Frankenstein-related topics will still be popular for the next month.

{character:player}When I went to the video store to buy a movie yesterday, I found that the movie I wanted was already sold out, and the store was urgently contacting the supplier.

{character:Reina Nanami}The event was very successful this time, so it's not strange that it has caused some chain reactions. By the way, what prize did Sora get? It's been so long, and I still haven't heard him mention it.

{character:player}Haha! It was a set of test papers for all subjects. Sora was bummed out for a while.

{character:Reina Nanami}Hmm, I heard that the same commemorative book set will be on sale at the bookstore today. I hope he manages to buy it.

{character:player}Haha, life is full of surprises. Even data has an error or two. The commemorative book set is no longer important now as Sora has received a better reward.

{character:Reina Nanami}Hmm?

My memories take me back to the night of the fashion show, when the elf price who finished in second place came to Sora's jack-o-lantern and solemnly gave him his vote.

{character:"Elf Prince"}I'm also a fan of Frankenstein. Can we be friends?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Of course! It's nice to meet you.

Their clasped hands are like a bridge of friendship. The stars in Sora's eyes shine far more brightly than the ones in the sky.

There's no better reward than making a friend. This counts as an unexpected bonus.

Symptoms of decidophobia: I. Feeling extremely difficult to make a decision when faced with the need to make a choice. II. Inability to make a satisfactory choice. III. Feeling anxious, conflicted, or even at a loss when you have to make a decision.

Given how Sora acted earlier, I become more and more sure of my judgment.

{character:Sora Ichinose}... Why do you think that?

{character:player}You seemed very ill-at-ease when you were choosing costumes, and you said many times that "it's not the costume." I really can't think of anything that explains this other than decidophobia.

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughs* It's not that. I just, just...

{character:player}Just what?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Nothing... Which one do you think suits me better?

{character:player}The little zombie costume you tried on looked nice, you look good as a mage too, but I think the most impressive one was the vampire costume! I can ask the store to make some changes to the accessories, and that costume will be perfect.

{character:Sora Ichinose}You mean that shop...

When I mention the Ghouls and Ghasts, Ichinose's eyes light up, and that strange emotion seems to return again, making me feel baffled.

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughs* In that case, I'll go with that costume. Vampires are one of the most popular Halloween characters, and I trust your judgment.

Ten minutes later, we are back at the Ghouls and Ghasts again. The employee from before has changed into a clown costume, but it's a shame that no one is in the mood to enjoy his performance right now.

{character:Employee}Ah, dear customers, welcome once again!

{character:Sora Ichinose}I want to buy the vampire costume and the relevant accessories. Hmm... and I want to adjust the size of the cape.

{character:Employee}Are you sure? Don't you want to look at the other costumes?

{character:Sora Ichinose}...According to the data, this is the best result.

{character:Employee}That will be 23,000 Coppers. Thank you!

{character:Sora Ichinose}Here's 23,000. Please check the amount. Okay... it's decided.

It's that weird feeling again, and it's giving me the urge to stop this transaction. But like what Sora said, data doesn't lie... right?

I still feel confused about this even after I say goodbye to Sora and return home.

{character:Student A}Look! It's a newly-released HD image!

{character:Student B}You can see the elf prince staring affectionately at the princess in the corner. That's sooo sweet!

{character:Student A}After the fashion show, I watched and played lots of related movies and games. I couldn't help crying when I saw the scene where the prince desperately rushes back to the forest only to see the princess die!

{character:Student B}Someone has uploaded another HD image of the fashion show on CatChat! I wonder who managed to take such an amazing photo?! I'll love the prince x princess pair forever!

It's been a whole week since Dewdrop Middle School held its Halloween fashion show, and people are still talking about it enthusiastically.

This year, the winner wasn't dressed up as a popular character like a vampire. Instead, the people voted for the modest and polite elf prince and princess.

The scene of the two dancing on petals won over the hearts of everyone present, and even I, who was invited to participate in the Dewdrop Middle School fashion show by Reina Nanami was no exception.

Naturally, the prize that Sora had been dreaming about ended up in someone else's hands.

{character:Reina Nanami}I think elf prince-related topics will still be popular for the next month.

{character:player}When I went to the video store to buy a movie yesterday, I found that the movie I wanted was already sold out, and the store was urgently contacting the supplier.

{character:Reina Nanami}The event was very successful this time, so it's not strange that it has caused some chain reactions. By the way, we got separated when it was time to vote. Who did you vote for in the end? Did you vote for the elf prince?

{character:player}No, I gave my vote to a cute vampire.

{character:Reina Nanami}Speaking of vampires, Sora's Count Dracula was very cute too.

{character:Reina Nanami}I think everyone is just a little tired of vampires since the winner has been a vampire for several years in a row already. I remember that Sora really liked that commemorative book set. I hope he doesn't feel too bad about it...

{character:player}...

To be precise, moisture quickly gathered in Sora's eyes the moment the result was announced. He would have burst into tears if there weren't so many people there.

{character:player}It really is a shame, but I think he'll win next year after his experiences with the fashion show this year.

{character:Reina Nanami}Yeah! I'll vote for him too next time.

I heard that the same commemorative book set will be sold at the bookstore from next Monday onwards. I should send Sora a text message and let him know. Hopefully this little cute vampire will cheer up soon after hearing about it.

The temperature becomes comfortable after the rain continues to fall in autumn. After hiding in an air-conditioned room for a whole summer, I'm finally able to go out and get some fresh air. I can't wait to ask Sora to go somewhere to relax together.

However... I didn't expect that so many people would have the same idea as me!

The commercial strip is crowded with people. After great lengths, Sora Ichinose and I finally manage to escape from the crowd. We lean against the wall and take a few deep breaths. The joy we felt when we went out is gone without a trace.

{character:player}I once had the opportunity to spend a leisurely weekend, but I didn't cherish it and only regretted it after it was too late. If I get to choose again, I will definitely choose not to go out!

{character:Sora Ichinose}A celebration is being held on this part of the commercial strip recently. I thought you came here specially to take part in the fun.

{character:player}I don't have the hobby of being squeezed into a can of sardines... If I knew about this celebration, I would have gone to Mahjong Soul Shrine to play mahjong with Ichihime and the others.

I look around me. The last hope in my heart is wiped out by the crowds of people around me. I sigh with resignation and take Sora into a boba shop that is less crowded in comparison.

{character:player}Depending on the situation, we might have to stay here for a while and plan our afternoon itinerary. Hmm... would you like something to drink?

I check the drink menu carefully and nudge the boy beside me with my elbow. I've known about Sora's physical condition for a long time and know that there are many foods he needs to avoid, so I decide to ask him before ordering.

However, Sora still hasn't responded by the time there are only two or three people left in the queue at the front. I turn around, all puzzled, and see him staring blankly at a promotional poster on the wall.

{character:player}Is that an escape room? Haha, I didn't expect to see the poster of this place in a boba shop.

{character:Sora Ichinose}{var:player_nickname}, you know about this escape room?

{character:player}This place used to be an immersive performance theater that opens every year around Halloween. Tickets for their "The Heart of Samuel" were so hard to come by, and I even watched it with Mai. The owner once mentioned to me that they were preparing to create other immersive experiences at times other than Halloween to make money to pay for the venue's rent, but I didn't expect them to build an escape room in the end.

{character:player}Radio, subway station billboards, in-store posters, and leaflets handed out on the street… ads promoting this escape room have been everywhere in the past week. With all those promotions and the good reviews the theater has accumulated over the years, the place has become really popular.

I look through the stack of leaflets I received on the road just now. Sure enough, I found one with the same style as the poster.

{character:Sora Ichinose}"The Butterfly Effect", "Crazy Thursday", "Shrine of Another World", "Brokeback Notebook", "Enticing Stories About Werewolves and Vampires"...?

Sora takes the leaflet and reads out the names printed on it one by one. Seeing that we are digressing in a rather "strange" direction, I interrupt him immediately to protect the mental health of this minor.

{character:player}Ahem, the names of the escape rooms aren't important. According to the reviews on the Internet, "Shrine of Another World" is currently the most popular escape room. Some people say that this is the most fun escape room in One Han City.

{character:player}Young people love this type of game, so this store is attractive to both puzzle-solving enthusiasts and many customers who mainly want to make friends.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Sounds great.

{character:player}Since we can't continue shopping today, why don't we play an escape room game? This store is just next to the commercial strip, and it'll only take us 15 minutes to walk there.

Sora's interest in the escape rooms is completely undisguised, so I thought he would immediately agree to my proposal. But to my surprise, he didn't agree immediately.

{character:Sora Ichinose}But... We need at least four people to play these escape rooms. We're missing two people.

{character:player}Is that what you're worried about? I'll call some people and ask if they're interested. We should be able to find someone to play with us in no time.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Ask... who?

{character:player}Family, friends, mahjong friends—you can call whoever you want. It's the weekend today, so there should be many people who want to go out and relax.

My excitement for the escape room sweeps away my feelings of frustration. I immediately take out my mobile phone and start calling people. At the same time, I don't forget to pat Sora on the shoulder to indicate that he should also contact his friends.

It turns out that reality is very different from my expectations. Everyone is very enthusiastic about the weekend, and everyone I invited told me they had already made arrangements. To think I even need to "reserve" my friends in advance to meet them on the weekend...

I hang up the phone after getting rejected again. When I turn around, I see Sora leaning against the wall in a daze. He twists and rotates the Rubik's Cube on his mobile phone pendant in his hand, which is what Sora usually does when he is sad.

{character:player}Joseph and Kana still have work to do for their company. Hinata said the café is so busy with customers that she doesn't feel right about asking for leave, and Usumi didn't even answer the phone, probably hiding somewhere because he did something to make the vice president angry again...

{character:Sora Ichinose}Big sis said she needs to buy groceries with mom and doesn't have any time to play an escape room with us.

{character:player}We were careless. I never expected our escape room adventure to end before it even started.

I'm a little annoyed because our plan keeps getting interrupted for various reasons. After confirming that there's no one I can invite on my contact list, I look at Sora because I'm unwilling to just go home like this.

{character:player}Maybe I have a way to find some companions.

{character:Sora Ichinose}What is it?

{character:player}You only called your sister, right? If you don't mind, we can call your classmates. You're all around the same age, so you should all be interested in this type of game.

It seems that Sora never expected me to say this. He subconsciously grips the Rubik's Cube pendant in his hand tightly and makes a shocked expression.

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughing* But I don't know everyone that well.

{character:player}Eh? But haven't you been in middle school for some time now? How... Do you have any difficulties at school?

{character:Sora Ichinose}It's my own fault... Right after school started, I took two consecutive weeks off school due to my physical condition. By the time I could go back to school, everyone had already become good friends with each other.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Although my classmates do invite me to join them in group activities, I always have to take leave suddenly, so everyone has to do my part for me. I've caused them a lot of trouble even though I never intended to.

{character:player}So you kept your distance from everyone because you feel guilty?

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughing* It's not that complicated. I just haven't spent my time with them. Even the teachers of my non-core subjects can't call me by name, let alone the other students.

Although Sora is speaking in a calm and unhurried tone, I can tell that he's unhappy about his failure to have a good relationship with his classmates.

{character:Sora Ichinose}So... Don't you think it'll be strange if I suddenly invite them to come out and do something together?

{character:player}But don't you want to become friends with your classmates? No one can understand how you feel if you hide everything deep inside your heart. You'll never know until you try. Maybe your classmates want to become friends with you and are just waiting for a chance to interact with you.

{character:Sora Ichinose}...

After I finally manage to convince Sora, he takes out his phone, writes a message seriously, and sends the message to his group of classmates to invite them to play the escape room game together. He puts up a nonchalant front, but the rapid movement of his eyelashes betrays his nervousness.

The sweet aroma of boba tea fills the air, and the sunlight is as warm as ever, but Sora's eyebrows droop lower and lower over time. He looks like a child abandoned by the whole world, and his helplessness is exposed for all to see at this moment.

Buzzzz—

Just as I am about to say something to comfort him, the mobile phone on the table starts vibrating. He glances at it before handing the phone to me in surprise and motions for me to read it together.

[Group Chat Message] Jiang Shan (No Escape from Bad Luck): I love playing escape room games! But I don't have enough pocket money this week. Can I play with you next week? [Group Chat Message] Anju Suzumiya: Record, the key information "escape room" was detected at 2:23 pm.

[Group Chat Message] Natalie: Is that the new escape room? I heard that the pancakes next door are super delicious! [Group Chat Message] Jiang Shan (No Escape from Bad Luck): ... [Group Chat Message] Jiang Shan (No Escape from Bad Luck): Are you sure pancakes are the focus right now?!

[Group Chat Message]Michihito: Me, me, me, me, me! I'm about to come with Akira. The four of us can form a team! [Group Chat Message] Michihito: @Sora Ichinose Straight-A, look at me! I can go— (tries his best to capture Sora's attention) [Group Chat Message] Akira: ...

The mobile phone keeps vibrating, and it isn't long before there are more than 99 new messages in the group chat.

{character:player}What are you waiting for? Reply to the messages.

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughing* Um... Yes.

Sora's fingertips tap the phone screen at a lightning-fast speed. I can't see what they are saying from where I am, but I can tell they have agreed on something by the smiling eyes of the person beside me.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Michihito said he and Akira had just finished watching a movie and can team up with us. But he said it'll be around another half an hour before they will be here, so we'll have to wait for a little longer.

{character:player}That's okay, we can sit down at the boba shop and rest up before we challenge the escape room.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Okay.

{character:player}There seem to be fewer people in the queue in front of the counter now. Do you want a drink, Sora?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Yes!

{character:player}Do you want to take a look at the drinks menu? There are a lot of sweets options here. Do you prefer tiramisu or apple pancake with syrup?

{character:Sora Ichinose}I don't mind!

The sweet aroma in the boba tea store makes this moment more delightful. The boy's good mood is undisguised, and he makes a smile that can melt all negative emotions.

I hope this escape room adventure can make him happier for a longer time.

Sora and I arrive at the store ten minutes before the agreed time. He talks to the employee to reserve an escape room session first, then we sit on the sofa near the entrance to wait for his companions to arrive.

Before long, two boys wearing the same school uniform appear. Although I don't understand why Sora's classmates are wearing their school uniform when they're shopping on the weekend, it makes it easy for me to identify them in the crowd.

{character:player}Sora, your classmates are over there.

{character:Michihito}Straight-A, we're sorry it took us a while to get here.

{character:Sora Ichinose}This is {var:player_nickname}. We'll be playing the escape room together today. {var:player_nickname}, this is Michihito, and the one next to him is Akira. They're both my classmates.

{character:player}Hello!

{character:Akira}H-Hi...

{character:Michihito}Wow! Is this your friend? Your friend looks really amazing. Please carry me because this is my first time playing an escape room game.

{character:player}It's also our first time coming to this place. Let's help each other!

The atmosphere cools down quickly after everyone makes polite greetings. The teenagers are making awkward polite smiles and are even standing uncomfortably.

Although I had heard Sora mention that he isn't very close with his classmates, seeing this scene still surprised me. His description was way too conservative because this scene was no different from strangers meeting for the first time.

{character:Shop Employee}Excuse me, have your companions all arrived? The "Shrine of Another World" escape room you reserved is almost ready. We can start at any time.

{character:Michihito}We're here! I can't wait to explore the escape room!

{character:Shop Employee}Okay, please leave your personal belongings with me. I'll return them to you after the game ends. Please wear the blindfold because our adventure to another world is about to begin. This escape room consists of seven rooms, and the fastest completion time so far is 46 minutes.

The employee hands me a blindfold respectfully. I sense a hint of danger from this due to my familiarity with this practice...

{character:player}Can I not wear it?

{character:Shop Employee}For a better game experience, please cooperate with me.

Deprived of light and vision by the blindfold, I am guided forward by the employee. Along the way, Michihito screams and howls all the way as he calls out for his companions, which makes the employee guiding me laugh out loud.

{character:Michihito}Akira, are you there? AHHHH! I'm so scared! Why isn't anyone talking? Help me—

{character:Akira}...I'm here.

{character:Sora Ichinose}{var:player_nickname}... Are you there?

{character:player}I'm here too.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Okay...

{character:player}Why don't we try our luck at the escape room? It isn't uncommon for people to not have enough people. Maybe the employee can help us find two other players.

{character:Sora Ichinose}So... do we have to team up with strangers?

{character:player}Isn't that better? Maybe we'll have two new friends to play mahjong with after this game.

Sora isn't at all shy, so he agrees to my proposal after a slight moment of hesitation.

{character:Sora Ichinose}That's indeed a great idea. Should we go there now?

{character:player}There's no rush. Let's rest here for now and save our energy for when we go to the escape room. Reviews for this boba shop seem great. Would you like something to drink?

{character:Sora Ichinose}I'll have the same thing as you.

{character:player}Go and get us some seats first. I'll be back soon.

After half an hour, Sora and I are standing in front of the doors of the escape room. The extensive advertisements have attracted a lot of customers like us to the store. Fortunately, the employees here are well-trained, and they didn't make any mistakes despite the busy business.

Sora takes the initiative to talk to an employee. He expresses our intention in a concise and clear manner and wants the employee to help us find others who would be willing to play together.

{character:Shop Employee}It's the weekend today, and there are many customers here today. You should be able to find others who are willing to play with you soon. I suggest that you decide which escape room you want to experience first. That would make things easier.

{character:Sora Ichinose}We want to experience the "Shrine of Another World" escape room.

{character:Shop Employee}Sure thing. I'll sort it out right now. Please go to the service counter and choose a time slot.

{character:Sora Ichinose}I'll come with you.

{character:Shop Employee}Right this way.

The employee makes a standard smile in my direction and leads Sora to the service counter. In my boredom, I flip through the customer log and try to get some clues in advance.

Just as I am about to extract some useful information from the many voice messages, I suddenly hear the sound of people chatting quietly.

{character:??? A}W-What's this? Are my eyes playing tricks on me? So it's true that straight-A students don't spend all their time in the library...

{character:??? B}It looks like he's with a friend.

{character:??? A}On my way here, I think I overheard them say they wanna play the most popular escape room, and that they haven't got suitable companions. Should we invite them to play with us?

{character:??? B}I guess we can... but I don't know him very well...

{character:??? A}Me too... I finally mustered up the courage to ask him about a math problem last time, but I got interrupted by something else.

{character:??? B}...Forget it then?

{character:??? A}That would be a shame. We rarely see each other at school. Since we're lucky enough to meet outside, don't you think we should give it a go?

These two voices sound very young. I look over out of curiosity and see two students wearing Dewdrop Middle School uniforms. Although it isn't clear why they're wearing their school uniform when they're shopping on the weekend, it makes it easy to deduce what they're talking about.

Dewdrop Middle School, straight-A student, with a friend... Based on what they said, it's clear who they're talking about.

As I expected, the two boys approach us after Sora returns from the service counter.

{character:??? A}Straight-A, what a coincidence!

{character:Sora Ichinose}Michihito, Akira, hello.

{character:Michihito}I didn't expect to see you here. It's such a coincidence. Ahem, I heard the employee say that you're looking for someone to play an escape room with. Akira and I are also looking for a team. Do you mind if the four of us form a team?

{character:Sora Ichinose}You want to team up with us?

{character:Michihito}Don-Don't worry about it if it isn't convenient for you. Just pretend I never asked...

{character:Sora Ichinose}I'm okay, but I need to ask {var:player_nickname} about it.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Eh?

Sora isn't too shocked to see his classmates who suddenly appeared in front of us. Maybe he saw them before I did. This child is used to keeping everything to himself... He probably agreed so readily because he actually really wants to interact more with his classmates.

{character:player}We're thinking of playing the "Shrine of Another World" escape room. You're welcome to join us if you also want to play this one.

{character:Michihito}No problem! By the way, this is our first time playing an escape room. Please guide us.

{character:player}It's also our first time coming to this place. We'll be relying on Sora to solve the puzzles.

{character:Shop Employee}Let's start since you've already decided. Please follow me to the storage lockers where you can store your personal belongings.

{character:Michihito}Ahhhh! Where did you suddenly come from?

The child called Michihito is obviously more energetic and outgoing than his friend. He seems to always have something to say, which makes the atmosphere between the four people in the room less awkward.

Even so, it doesn't look like Sora is that close with his classmates. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they are just strangers who know each other, which concerns me. When I store my belongings, I walk a little slower on purpose to try and find out the reason for this from his classmates.

{character:Michihito}I never expected the straight-A student to say yes to us. I was ready to be rejected.

{character:player}Why did you think Sora would reject you?

{character:Michihito}Well, the main reason is... he rarely comes to class, and even when he does, it's to prepare for the Math Olympiad. He rarely has any interaction with someone who sucks at studying like me. I feel like he should be more interested in more profound things like studying how a rocket is launched or extremely complex things. That seems to match his image of a straight-A student.

{character:player}Haha, don't make Sora out to be that extraordinary. After all, he's just a middle school student like you guys.

{character:Michihito}Haha, I know, but I couldn't get my head around it so quickly.

I know that Sora always has to take leave from school due to his health, but I never realized it would have such a large impact on him making friends. I keep thinking about this until after everyone has stored their personal belongings.

{character:Shop Employee}Everyone, please wear the blindfold because our adventure to another world is about to begin. This escape room consists of seven rooms, and the fastest completion time so far is 46 minutes.

The employee hands me a blindfold respectfully. I sense a hint of danger from this due to my familiarity with this practice...

{character:player}Can I not wear it?

{character:Shop Employee}For a better game experience, please cooperate with me.

Deprived of light and vision by the blindfold, I am guided forward by the employee. Along the way, Michihito screams and howls all the way as he calls out for Akira, which makes the employee guiding me laugh out loud.

{character:Michihito}A-Akira, are you there? AHHHH! I'm so scared! Why isn't anyone talking? Help me—

{character:Akira}...I'm here.

{character:Sora Ichinose}{var:player_nickname}... Are you there?

{character:player}I'm here too.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Okay...

As the employee's footsteps fade into the distance. The crisp sound of a lock signals the beginning of the game. Our escape room adventure has officially started.

I pull off my blindfold and regain my deprived sight. In front of me is the familiar scene of Japanese-style corridors, small bridges, and flowing water. This place is quiet and peaceful, which is completely different from the dark and scary escape room I was expecting.

{character:player}...The flowers, plants, and trees are arranged in exactly the same layout as the courtyard of the Mahjong Soul Shrine. Even the flowers have the same scent here! The designer of this escape room really put their heart into it.

{character:player}I wouldn't be surprised at all if Ichihime and Wanjirou suddenly appear. This place looks like just a miniature version of the Mahjong Soul Shrine!

{character:Sora Ichinose}The owner of this store once said in an interview that each escape room is based on a real place, and that a lot of money has been spent on spices and vegetation to give customers the most authentic experience.

{character:player}There was an interview? Sora, so you've been paying attention to this store for a while now?

{character:Sora Ichinose}I just did some research on our way here. Having more information will increase our chances of completing this escape room.

{character:Michihito}Is this what they call "the calm before the storm"? Will an evil god or rebellious priestess suddenly appear the moment we relax our guard?

{character:Sora Ichinose}The "Shrine of Another World" escape room we chose is more about solving mysteries. This type of escape room usually doesn't have many horror elements, so don't worry about that.

{character:Michihito}That's great! Haha, what are we doing now? Should we start looking for clues?

{character:player}After hearing that there aren't any horror elements, Michihito becomes more proactive almost immediately.

{character:Akira}...Um.

{character:player}Akira, you look like you have something to say. What is it?

Three pairs of eyes look at Akira, whose body is visibly tense. He doesn't react for a few seconds before finishing his sentence.

{character:Akira}Well, after all, he is afraid of the dark, heights, water, and ghosts.

{character:Michihito}Hey! Akira, don't expose me like that! I have a reputation to preserve too...

The light relieves the tension, and the boys become lively again in an instant. The relaxed atmosphere affects even Sora, who forgets about solving the puzzle for now.

{character:Guardian}Muhahahahah! Good afternoon, everybody! I am the guardian of this shrine! You can call me the "Divine Will". I have good news and bad news for you. What do you want to hear first?

A strange voice is broadcast in the escape room, interrupting the relaxed and pleasant conversation. Everyone unanimously chooses Sora as the representative to answer the question.

{character:Sora Ichinose}We want to listen to the good news first.

{character:Guardian}Muhahahahaha! I'll tell you the bad news first then!

{character:Sora Ichinose}...

{character:Guardian}To protect this shrine from the influence of evil forces, the kannushi separated this shrine from the real world and transferred it to this pocket dimension. However, this place has long been eroded by the power of darkness, and a demon is about to awaken. Everyone, including you, will become its sacrifice.

{character:Sora Ichinose}What's the good news?

{character:Guardian}The good news is that the kannushi predicted this and left clues in the shrine. If you follow the clues and find the final secret room, you will be able to activate the portal of light and return to the real world.

{character:Guardian}If you fail to find the portal left behind by the kannushi before time runs out, you will have to face the demon's wrath alone.

{character:Sora Ichinose}What are the kannushi's clues?

{character:Guardian}Muhaha! Finally a question about something important! My answer is... I don't know! It could be a piece of paper or a painting. I do not have the courage to pry about the kannushi's business.

{character:Guardian}Of course, a nice person like me is more than willing to help you. If you get stuck, you can ask me for a hint. But... you'll be punished accordingly every time you ask for help. That's all for now. Good luck!

{character:Michihito}A demon, sacrifices, another world... EEEEK! I thought there are no horror elements!

{character:Akira}This is just a background setting to make the experience more immersive.

{character:player}Let's start looking for clues now. There's a lot to investigate in this room, and I'm afraid it'll take a lot of time.

The bright light saves us a lot of time when we search for clues. Michihito and Akira very naturally team up to help each other, forming a sharp contrast with Sora who is acting alone.

{character:player}Sora, is there anything you need me to help you with?

{character:Sora Ichinose}There's a combination lock on the door. {var:player_nickname}, you can keep an eye out for items related to numbers.

If this escape room really is a one-to-one replica of the Mahjong Soul Shrine, I'm definitely the one who knows this place best among the four of us. However, not long after I start searching, the broadcast notifies us that the puzzle has been solved.

{character:Guardian}Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Muhaha! I didn't expect you to solve the first puzzle so quickly. The demon lord will be very satisfied with such clever minds... Um, I mean, you must find the clues of the kannushi quickly to go to the next room and find a way to return to the real world.

So fast! That was my first thought when I heard the guardian. The puzzle of the first room of an escape room is usually not too complicated, but it's still amazing that it was solved so quickly.

{character:player}Haha, it's so relaxing to play problem-solving games with Sora.

{character:Michihito}Who am I? Where am I? What should I do? Everything happened so quickly, as if some wondrous experience is missing.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Eh?

{character:Michihito}Um, what I'm trying to say is that solving the puzzle shouldn't be our only goal. There are many easter eggs waiting for us to discover in the room, which will also be fun. Um... forget it. That's not important. Let's hurry to the next room.

{character:Akira}...Watch out.

{character:Michihito}Hmm? What out for what?

{character:player}Akira is telling you to be careful of the mechanisms in the rooms. After all, a demon can appear at any time to capture you!

{character:Michihito}No way! I'm not that unlucky, am I...? Akira, you have to protect me!

{character:Sora Ichinose}...

Sora doesn't participate in the playful quarreling of his peers. He is standing between them, but he doesn't know how to blend in.

Contrary to the first room, the second room is very dimly lit, and the lantern can barely illuminate the outline of the entire space. There is no furniture here, and everything is in plain sight. The room is so empty it makes one panic.

Fortunately, there isn't much room to explore here, and it isn't necessary for the four of us to take action separately. I lean on the wall and feel my way forward inch-by-inch, using the most primitive way to find the exit.

{character:Michihito}Everyone, come here! There seems to be a mechanism here.

Everyone pays attention to Michihito, who has been afraid of everything so far and has been walking between his two classmates to make himself feel safer. Because of this reason, Sora should have already searched the walls that Michihito can touch. Given Sora's attention to detail, he shouldn't have missed anything.

After pressing down on the raised mechanism on the wall with our fingers, secret doors open on both sides of the room with a loud bang. From time to time, strange noises can be heard from the narrow and deep corridors behind the doors. Although I know it is just music played by an employee, I still flinch in my heart.

{character:Guardian}You four must really be in a hurry to return to the real world. You managed to find the secret room so quickly. There is half a key in each of the two rooms. You need to split into two groups to complete the task at the same time to get them. Muhaha! I've wished you good luck many times already, so this time... I hope you stay safe and sound!

{character:Michihito}Ahhhhhhhhh! What does "I hope you stay safe and sound" mean? If we fail to complete the mission and get the key, would we be captured and eaten by the demon?

{character:Akira}...You are really absorbed in the story.

No matter how strange the background setting read out by the employee, our most important goal is to get the key and escape. According to my previous experience of playing other escape rooms, it'll be more efficient if we split into compatible groups, and everyone will even grow closer.

{character:Michihito}Since we need to split into two groups, why don't we...

{character:player}Why don't we split into groups based on where we're standing right now? Sora and I will go to the room on the left, and you guys will go to the room on the right. I don't know what challenges lie ahead, but the better we know our group members, the better our teamwork.

{character:Michihito}I agree 100%! Akira is very brave, so I won't feel so scared if he's with me.

{character:Akira}I only look brave because you are too chicken-hearted.

{character:Michihito}Akira, what has my image become in your eyes?!

{character:Akira}...That's something that can only be understood and can't be expressed in words.

After watching the two noisy people leave, Sora and I step into the corridor on the other side. The path had a wicked curve, and we finally reach our destination after going through an unknown number of turns.

The layout here is like a mahjong table version of Alice in Wonderland. The floor is the tabletop, the walls are the edge of the table, and there are large and small mahjong tiles neatly stacked on the side. In this environment, we have become the discordant factors that don't seem to fit in.

{character:Guardian}Muhahahah! Pitiful sacrifices! I'm delighted to tell you the rules of completing this puzzle. After all, I might be the last person to talk to you in this alternate world. Mahjong is a traditional game in One Han City, and it is no exception in this alternate world. The key you need is embedded in one of these 136 mahjong tiles.

{character:player}It'll take at least an hour to flip through all these mahjong tiles. There should be some important information you haven't told us, right?

{character:Guardian}Correct! What an intelligent mortal! You can use your reasoning to find out which mahjong tile the key is hidden in. The puzzle is above you.

I look up and see a logical reasoning problem engraved on the ceiling, except the handwriting... is terrible, to say the least.

{character:player}Solving reasoning questions is Sora's specialty. It seems that Lady Luck is still on our side.

However, Sora doesn't move at all. He stands there and lets the wind blowing from nowhere mess up his hair.

{character:player}What is it? Are you feeling unwell?

{character:Sora Ichinose}I'm still okay, so you don't need to worry about me.

{character:player}But you look a little troubled. You clearly discovered the secret door's mechanism earlier, but you didn't say anything about it. Why is that? It's just the two of us here, so you can tell me if you don't mind.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Because I want to become friends with Michihito and Akira.

{character:player}Hmm... But what does that have to do with this?

{character:Sora Ichinose}It's just like how everyone is attracted by a Rubik's Cube—feeling happy is a prerequisite for making friends. I just wanted to increase the chance of success. I thought doing this would make them happier.

The boy sighs lightly while frowning, expressing feelings of helplessness and confusion.

{character:Sora Ichinose}But I think I messed everything up again. It would have been nice if the employee let me bring a Rubik's Cube into the escape room...

{character:player}But Sora, the Rubik's Cube is not the only thing that you are good at. You'll never make true friends if you pander to them blindly.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Really?

{character:player}Those people weren't attracted by the Rubik's Cube, but you who were playing the Rubik's Cube. In my eyes, you have a lot of strengths. You're good at math and can solve any problem related to numbers. You've also read a lot of books and are far more knowledgeable than your peers.

{character:player}These are all your strengths. If you show people who you really are, I'm certain they'll be attracted to you. That's what happened to me.

{character:Sora Ichinose}It's as simple as that?

{character:player}Of course! Making friends isn't that complicated.

How Sora usually acts, his confidence at the Math Olympiad, how serious he is when he studies coffee, how excited he looks when he talks about science... He is far more dazzling in all those situations than he is now.

There are so many amazing things about this child for people to discover. No one will reject such an outstanding person.

{character:Sora Ichinose}You're wrong.

{character:player}Eh?

{character:Sora Ichinose}We first met in the mahjong room of the Temple of Moons. At that time, someone who was playing at your table had to leave early, so I took their place. Although you asked me to play first, your dazzling appearance on the mahjong table had attracted my eyes to you for a long time.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Thank you, {var:player_nickname}. I know what to do now.

Sora raises his head and forgets everything depressing him before. As I look at the slightly red tips of his ears, I feel happy about my choice in teaming up with him.

Oh? You want to know whether we've cracked the puzzle? With Sora helping me, of course we got the key.

{character:Michihito}Straight-A, what should we do next?

{character:Akira}Ichinose, are you looking for this?

{character:Michihito}Straight-A, take a look at this—

{character:Akira}I-Ichinose...

In the next rooms, Sora won over his classmates with his intelligence, becoming the leader of the team. We solved the puzzles at lightning-fast speed with the help of the strongest member one could ask for. In about half an hour, we have solved the puzzles of four rooms and entered the last room of "Shrine of Another World".

An old picture frame, a cobweb-covered sofa, a tattered bookshelf... There is even an incomplete magic circle that looks like a slowly unfolding net drawn on the ground in the center of the room. Everyone subconsciously avoids this area when walking.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Although this looks like a trap, we can't solve the puzzle unless we complete the magic circle. Michihito, you and Akira will search around the sofa and the picture frame. {var:player_nickname} and I will search the bookshelf. If we're fast enough, we might even break the record for clearing this escape room.

{character:Michihito}No problem! Leave it to us.

Generally speaking, the last room of an escape room will have more difficult puzzles and mechanisms than the previous rooms. Firmly believing that details are the key to success, I study every item on the shelf carefully.

To my surprise, the designer of this room guessed my mentality perfectly and hid a trap on the bookshelf. After a loud click, the walls on both sides begin to move forward slowly.

{character:Guardian}Oh! You managed to find the hidden stage. How "lucky" of you! You'll be squashed flat if you can't activate the portal in ten minutes. Haha! Good luck!

The person who calls himself the guardian talks in an uncharacteristically gentle voice, but I couldn't smile at all. There's no way I can say that I am "lucky" to trigger such a terrible mechanism.

{character:Michihito}What?! What should we do?! Straight-A, save me!

The constantly approaching walls fill me with a sense of dread, making even me nervous, let alone the boys around me. Fortunately, Sora kept his cool and calmed everyone down without wasting too much time.

{character:Sora Ichinose}According to the clues we found when we searched separately before, we must activate the magic circle to leave.

{character:Akira}I found a lockbox in a cushion of the sofa.

{character:player}In it is a clipping of a poster that says you must listen to the demon's heartbeat to get the code.

{character:Sora Ichinose}The demon's heartbeat... I get it! There are a number of heart-related books on the shelf.

Sora presses the number on the lockbox and takes out an incomplete magic circle diagram, then I help him complete the magic circle.

{character:Guardian}Muhahahahaha! You really managed to escape! It seems that the demon king's revival plan will be postponed. Although I'm not happy about it, cunning mortals, congratulations on returning to reality—

The exit opens after the sentence finishes, and the employee smiles politely while guiding us out. Although I know in my heart that the store won't really let us get crushed, I take a deep breath after leaving the escape room. It feels so great to be free.

Each of the four people in our group has a different reaction. Michihito, who was most immersed in the story, was terrified by the final mechanism and was absentminded until after we left the room. Fortunately, he recovered very quickly and started hugging the people around him and cheering when he learned that we broke the fastest record.

Unfortunately, Sora is right next to him, and Sora doesn't seem to be used to such physical contact. He struggles awkwardly, only to be hugged even tighter.

{character:Michihito}We're saved! We survived!

{character:Sora Ichinose}Your choice of words is inaccurate. You should say we completed the puzzle.

{character:Michihito}From now on, you're my "savior". My admiration for you is as endless as a surging river and is unstoppable like a flooding river!

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughing* That's so over the top.

{character:Michihito}Is this the difference between a straight-A student and me? Can I play escape room games with you again next time?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Of course you can.

{character:Michihito}What about other activities? Like playing mahjong or going to an arcade?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Yeah, you can send me a message or call me on the phone.

{character:Michihito}Oh, does that mean we're now... friends? I've always wanted to be friends with a straight-A student.

{character:Sora Ichinose}We're friends as long as you are okay with it.

The boy who has been hugged tightly struggles to regain some freedom in the tight embrace. He then looks at his classmate seriously.

{character:Michihito}Yes! Of course I am! Akira is willing too. You're both my friends!

{character:Akira}...Can you be quieter? Everyone in the lobby is staring at us.

{character:Michihito}Sora! Hehe, since we're friends now, you won't mind if I call you that, right? Why don't we play another escape room game tomorrow? I'm sure we'll do better this time!

{character:Sora Ichinose}No.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Eh?

Sora, who has broken free from the shackles, stands beside me with a familiar smile on his lips and the long-overdue mischievousness and playfulness for his age.

{character:Sora Ichinose}I've been getting ready to invite {var:player_nickname} to play mahjong together at the shrine tomorrow.

{character:Michihito}I can go too—

{character:Akira}No, you can't. You still need to finish your homework.

{character:Michihito}This is the worst piece of news I've gotten all day...

{character:Shop Employee}Excuse me, these are the items you stored with us earlier. Please check that you have everything.

The employee returns our belongings to us. The Rubik's Cube pendant that is dangling in the wind on Sora's mobile phone is particularly eye-catching. He grabs the Rubik's Cube and fiddles with it a few times habitually to restore it to normal.

{character:Michihito}No matter how many times I've seen it, I still think it's amazing every time I see you solve the Rubik's Cube.

This is how Sora usually makes friends, and it helped him make his first group of friends. He looks at the Rubik's Cube in his hand and puts it in his pocket after smiling.

{character:Sora Ichinose}I can teach you later.

{character:Michihito}Woohoo! I also want to learn how to solve burr puzzles!

{character:Akira}Me too...

Our group of two quickly becomes a group of four. Although my ears are filled with the sound of chatter, it doesn't feel noisy to me at all. Sora attaches great importance to his Rubik's Cube, but I know he no longer needs it to make friends.

It looks like we'll have two new friends to play mahjong with in the future. Hmm... It's time to practice my mahjong skills again.

{character:player}Why don't we split into two groups by playing rock paper scissors?

To give Sora more opportunities to interact with his classmates. I propose to use a familiar game to split into two groups to become closer.

The boys hesitate after hearing my proposal. After several rounds of rock paper scissors without any tacit understanding, I form a team with the boy called Akira, and Sora forms a team with the enthusiastic Michihito.

However, they didn't engage in friendly interactions as I expected... After Akira and I start acting alone, the scene becomes the exact opposite of "warm and sweet."

{character:Guardian}You two have a very simple mission. The key you need is inside this small block of ice, and you just need to find a way to melt it. Muhahaha! Lady Luck really is looking over you two.

I look at a huge block of ice that is half the height of a person in front of me, I fall deep into thought.

{character:player}Are you sure you understand the meaning of "small"?

{character:Guardian}This is indeed a small object compared with the size of a demon. I very thoughtfully prepared two ice picks for you. Now, let me hear the sound of ice breaking!

{character:player}The guardian claims to want to help us to return to the real world, but keeps mentioning the demon every few sentences. Is it possible that we're caught in a trap that would awaken the demon instead? Akira, what do you think?

{character:Akira}Hmm.

{character:player}This challenge is completely physical. I hope we can complete it soon.

{character:Akira}Hmm.

After separating from his classmate, Akira seems to become a different person. He becomes a person with few words and answers every question with fewer than two words. He even looks uncomfortable whenever I approach him. Even looking at each other in the eye is a luxury, let alone having a pleasant conversation.

The moment I got the key, Akira turns and leaves, as if he is running away, leaving me alone to face the chaos of the broken ice on the ground.

{character:player}I never expected Akira, who has such a vicious tongue, to have a hidden fear of social situations, which makes me really curious about how Michihito managed to start talking to him in the first place.

{character:Michihito}AHHHHH—

While I mumble under my breath, Michihito's terrified screams pierce the walls into my ears. About ten minutes later, Sora brings the frightened Michihito back to the meeting point. I don't know what happened, but both of them have unhappy expressions on their faces.

{character:player}What happened?

{character:Sora Ichinose}I...

{character:Michihito}It's my fault... I held Ichinose back. Ahaha, if only I managed to find the clue sooner.

The change in the form of address from "Straight-A" to "Ichinose" catches my attention, even if there did seem to be some misunderstandings between them. However, getting recklessly involved in the relationship between young people can easily cause a backlash, so I have no choice but to hold my silence.

Sora seems to also have noticed this detail. There is an obvious pause in his movement when he steps forward, but he quickly resumes his usual pace.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Since we've got the key, let's open the exit and go to the next room.

{character:Michihito}Yes! Let's not waste any time!

The two boys work together tacitly to keep focusing on the game and avoid talking about what happened just now, so I can only suppress the doubts in my heart for the time being. It just seems that my plan of helping Sora make friends during this group challenge has failed. The next game session is my last hope.

However, the atmosphere between us hasn't improved at all by the time we step into the last room. Sora has almost no communication with the other two people.

Can a team with such poor communication solve the final puzzle and escape from the room? The answer, of course, is no.

While searching for clues, I touch a mechanism by mistake. After a loud sound, the walls on both sides begin to move forward slowly.

{character:Guardian}Oh! You managed to find the hidden stage. How "lucky" of you! You'll be squashed flat if you can't activate the portal in 30 minutes. Haha! Good luck!

{character:Michihito}What?! What should we do?! Save me!

{character:Akira}The store won't really crush you, but my arm will be bruised all over if you don't let go now.

The constantly approaching walls fill me with a sense of dread, making even me nervous, let alone the boys around me. Only Sora has managed to keep calm. He even silently speeds up his search for clues.

As time passes, the space available for us to move in becomes smaller and smaller, and the emotions of the boy gradually reach a critical point. Time seems to pass even faster in the chaos, and in the end, we rely on the guardian to provide us with the password to leave the escape room.

Light shines into the escape room from outside, which is difficult for us to adjust after spending so long in the darkness. What's more uncomfortable is the mood of our group. Since we relied on the store's hints to find the exit, no matter how we look at it, we failed the challenge.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Excuse me, can you explain the last puzzle to me?

{character:Shop Employee}Of course. Actually, you got really close to solving the puzzle, but one of your friends put a book that is a clue under the sofa cushion, which is why you couldn't solve the puzzle in the end.

{character:Michihito}Oh, I messed everything up again... I'm so sorry, Ichinose.

{character:Sora Ichinose}We only had a 50% chance to complete the challenge anyway, so you don't need to apologize to me.

{character:Michihito}Ahem, it's getting late. Akira and I still need to go to the library, so we'll leave first.

{character:player}Okay, take care then.

{character:Michihito}Bye, Ichinose.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Bye.

After watching Sora's two classmates leave, Sora and I become a group of two again. Since he hasn't said anything, I ask him about what happened when we split up?

{character:player}Sora, if you don't mind, can you tell me what happened when you were with Michihito? You were both so quiet in the second half of the game, which didn't seem to match your desire to make friends with your classmates.

{character:Sora Ichinose}...

{character:player}Is it something you don't want to tell me?

{character:Sora Ichinose}I just don't know how to talk to him. We didn't actually have any conflicts.

{character:Sora Ichinose}We encountered a reasoning problem that required two people to work together, but Michihito and I don't know each other that well, and it would be too overbearing of me to directly command him, so we had to find the clues by ourselves. However, many clues were scattered all over the room...

{character:Sora Ichinose}Now that I think about it, at first, Michihito would ask questions around me, but he stopped talking after he saw that I was busy. Maybe he got a little unhappy because I was too busy solving the puzzle and ignored him. I thought it would make him happier to leave the dark room if we can solve the puzzle quickly, but... I seem to have made a mess of things.

The boy sighs and focuses on the Rubik's Cube in his hands to hide the sadness in his heart. Sora wants to make friends more than anyone else, but he just doesn't know how to do it.

The friendship between young people is the purest and warmest, and it would be a pity to miss it. Combined with what Michihito said earlier, I basically understood the source of all problems.

{character:player}Perhaps everything is just a misunderstanding.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Eh?

{character:player}You wanted to solve the puzzle and leave the escape room quickly because you knew Michihito was afraid of the dark, but Michihito thought he annoyed you by constantly asking you questions, so he chose to keep quiet to not get in your way of solving the puzzle. You misunderstood that and it made you even more reluctant to approach him.

{character:Sora Ichinose}I thought he was angry. It'll be great if he wasn't angry.

Sora's eyebrows and eyes relax. He looks in the direction his classmates left. The green branches of the trees on both sides of the road sway in the wind like they are waving to him.

{character:Shop Employee}Customers, our store sincerely invites you to participate in our latest event. If you write down your experience or recommendations in the guestbook, you'll have the opportunity to win a free escape room experience coupon that can be used whenever you want!

Probably because the employee was aware of the awkward atmosphere before, he doesn't come forward to invite us until Sora's eyebrows relax. I am about to nod when I see Sora take the pen and paper from the employee first.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Since it's a misunderstanding, it'll be better to explain things in person. I want to invite Michihito and Akira to play another escape room game. {var:player_nickname}, will you play with us?

{character:player}Of course, don't forget you need four people to play these escape rooms.

It seems that this afternoon wasn't fruitless. Well... Why don't we go and play mahjong with Ichihime and the others at Mahjong Soul Shrine then?

"Physics & Romance" is a newly released romance game. Its excellent animation and unexpected storylines have attracted the attention of many people, making it one of the most popular games in recent days.

It is said that more than 100,000 college students were invited to complete surveys for this game when it was being developed, and that all the options are based on real situations and events.

Of course, this isn't my point. The main reason I'm mentioning this is that Sora Ichinose is playing this game in front of me right now.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Hmm, I failed again...

After the words "Game Over" start flashing on the screen, Sora puts down the console and scratches his head in frustration. It's clear that this isn't the first time he got a bad ending.

{character:player}I never expected you to be interested in a romance game, Sora. I thought you would like sci-fi games more.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Knowing what's popular in the market gives me more topics to talk about when communicating with other people.

{character:player}Haha, in a way, the fact that "Physics & Romance" has kinda won over your approval has made me a little curious about it.

{character:Sora Ichinose}{var:player_nickname}, you haven't tried this game yet?

Sora raises his head suddenly and looks at me with eyes full of pleasant surprise. I've only seen this look before when he was solving complicated mathematical olympiad problems.

{character:player}Yeah, I've only seen the trailers and some interviews with the dev team. I don't really know any details.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Umm... Would you like to play it together?

{character:player}Eh? But isn't it a single-player game?!

Sora sighs deeply and opens his notebook with some embarrassment. The pages are filled with records of bad endings Sora achieved while playing the game, and there are far more than I ever imagined.

{character:Sora Ichinose}To improve my experience, I investigated many games of the same type before I started playing it. I even did research on the trailers, CG pictures, game guides, and player comments and made a special form for this purpose.

{character:Sora Ichinose}The problem I'm facing now is that... I can't seem to clear the game even though I have so much data.

{character:player}If you want a happy ending, isn't the fastest way to search for guides online?

{character:Sora Ichinose}But then the meaning of "observation and interaction" would be lost... Since there's no problem with the game itself, I can only try to find other ways to clear the game. If you play it, you could provide me with a different data sample.

{character:player}I'm afraid you're the only person in One Han City who would treat a romance game as data analysis. Anyway, the mahjong room is full right now, which means I probably won't get a seat anytime soon, so I guess I might as well play with you for a while.

After hearing my affirmative reply, Sora immediately frees up the seat beside him and motions for me to sit down. Then he eagerly presses the "Start Over" option.

The screen of the console dims before becoming bright again, taking me and Sora into a dark alley where a chubby boy is surrounded by people and is clutching the straps of his schoolbag helplessly.

{character:Delinquent A}Heh, fatty, who are you trying to avoid by sneaking out through the back door of the school?

{character:Delinquent B}I'm tight on money recently, so lend me your pocket money! Hahahahaha!

{character:player}Pause! If I remember correctly, isn't "Physics & Romance" set in a university ? What's with these junior high school delinquents?

{character:Sora Ichinose}This is the prologue animation of the game. While he was in elementary school, the protagonist met the heroine by chance when he was being blackmailed by delinquents. After they reunite at their university, the protagonist starts to pursue the heroine. That's what it says in the game description.

{character:player}I see, so this means a "dude in distress" scene is coming up.

As soon as I finish speaking, a girl wearing the same school uniform appears on the screen. She quickly walks inside the encirclement and stands in front of the protagonist like his protector.

{character:???}Stop! I won't let you bully other people!

{character:Delinquent A}Where did this pipsqueak come from? Someone throw her outta here!

{character:???}I've already called the teacher! The teacher is rushing over here now. Those who bully others will have to write a self-criticism note as punishment!

{character:Delinquent B}Hah! Who are you trying to scare? Do you even know how to spell "self-criticism?"

{character:Delinquent A}I think someone really is coming this way. I don't want things to blow up. Darn, what a bummer.

{character:Delinquent B}It's your lucky day! Pipsqueak, I'll remember this! You better pray that you don't run into me again.

{character:Delinquent A}Hey, stop wasting time. We gotta get outta here.

After the delinquents leave, there are suddenly only two people left in the alley. The sky starts to rain at the right time, covering the image with a layer of fog. The little girl turns around and extends an olive branch to the boy.

{character:???}Are you okay? Can you still stand? ... Don't worry, I've scared off the baddies. No one will bully you now. What's your name?

The beautiful scene comes to an abrupt end, and a box appears in the center of the screen: Please enter a character name.

Sora uses the joystick skillfully and moves the cursor to the randomize button next to the box. Recalling his original intention for inviting me to play the game together, I decide to play my role as his helper conscientiously.

{character:player}Sora, don't you want to enter your name?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Huh?

{character:player}Gal games aren't like other games. Entering your own name will make the experience more immersive. If you change how you see this game, maybe you'll be able to find the key to clearing the game.

{character:Sora Ichinose}There's no data to support your theory, but I think your idea's worth a try.

Sora makes "Sora Ichinose" walk back and forth on the screen. I can't help but smile when I see his childish behavior. As if he could read my thoughts, Sora coughs lightly to relieve the embarrassment.

{character:Sora Ichinose}It really does feel like a new experience... Ahem, I was right to ask you to help me.

{character:player}Come on, the game just started. It's too early to say something like that. Let's talk to the heroine. She looks really impatient already.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}I'm... My name is Sora Ichinose.

{character:???}Sora Ichinose? What a lovely name. Don't walk home alone late at night next time. It's very dangerous.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}You... Are you leaving?

{character:???}Yeah! I need to go home too. Any later and my mom will start to worry about me. Bye! We'll meet again if we are destined to!

The girl is completely oblivious to how heroic she was just then. She waves her hand lightly and skips as she prepares to leave the alley.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}Wait...! What's your name?

{character:???}Ryuushi—My name is Ryuushi—

Her voice travels through the air from afar through the pattering of the rain, sounding unreal and like something from a dream. If he wasn't holding the umbrella she gave him, he would've thought that everything that just happened was his own fantasy.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}Ryuu...shi? Doesn't that sound just like the particles the teacher taught us about in physics class? What a strange name. But... thank you... I think we'll meet again.

Rat-tat-tat—

After the prologue ends, I can hear the sound of Sora's finger tapping the table clearly. He is tilting his head, and confusion fills his blue eyes.

{character:Sora Ichinose}I don't get it.

{character:player}What do you mean?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Why did the heroine step forward to save him alone? According to the character introduction in the game introduction, she is neither a martial arts master nor from a family of Taekwondo experts. Any junior high school student can push her to the ground. Wouldn't the situation be even more dangerous then?!

Although the "dude in distress" trope is quite clichéd, it often symbolizes the beginning of a bond in TV series, novels, and games. The question Sora asked was from an angle I never considered.

After thinking about it for a while, I decide to listen to his thoughts first.

{character:player}What would you do?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Well, if it was me... I would definitely choose a way that can ensure everyone's safety, such as asking others for help. Since the delinquents were junior high school students, a classmate might not be able to provide much practical help. In this situation, it's safer to ask a teacher for help.

After pausing, he elaborates further.

{character:Sora Ichinose}A P.E. teacher would be best.

Listening to Sora's description, my brain draws a specific scene for me by itself.

Surrounded by a crowd, the protagonist is trembling in a corner. Heavy footsteps travel over from the alley at this time, announcing the arrival of a burly P.E. teacher who appears before the crowd and chases away the wicked delinquents.

Facing the teacher who saved him, the protagonist is so moved that he vows to repay the teacher's help by studying hard. Soon after, the protagonist takes home the trophy of the mathematical olympiad, bringing glory to his school.

Eh? Why has the story become so motivational? Isn't this a romance game?!

{character:player}Sora, you're not wrong, but there are moments when people can't be absolutely rational. When this happens, they will step forward without hesitation even if they know what will happen.

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughs* Will you also do the same?

{character:player}Of course! Humans are complex and contradictory by nature.

Sora hasn't been able to spend much time with others due to his physical condition, so I completely understand his doubts right now. I wanted to help him understand the heroine's actions through my explanation, but Sora has obviously misunderstood something.

{character:Sora Ichinose}I understand, so {var:player_nickname} likes to interact with others in this way.

{character:player}Not exactly...

The console that has been neglected for a while starts playing brisk background music suddenly, interrupting my explanation and diverting Sora's attention back to the game.

It'll seem too deliberate if I continue explaining that topic now. Forget it, I'll explain it to him again later.

A university campus filled with the exuberant aura of youth appears in front of us. The breeze blows petals into the window of the library, making the sunlight look even softer.

"Sora Ichinose" keeps moving back and forth between the bookshelves. It's rare that the professor didn't arrange any after-class experiment today, so he decided to come to the library to take out an important textbook. As he gets closer and closer to his target, he reaches out excitedly...

However, at the very instant he touches the book, another hand grabs the book's spine. "Sora Ichinose" looks in the direction of the other hand and sees a familiar face.

"Ryuushi"—a familiar name pops up in his mind. Despite the changes to her face, one glance is all he needs to recognize the girl from back then.

{character:"Ryuushi"}Sorry! I didn't see you just then. I didn't do that on purpose.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}...It's you.

{character:"Ryuushi"}Excuse me? Have we... met before?

The girl on the other side looks over in confusion, totally unaware of the turbulence waving in his heart. Fate is such a marvelous thing—she rescued him in that moonlit alley back then, and now, ten years later, he has reunited with this person who has made a place in his heart in this brightly lit library.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}The force of attraction related to the product of the distance between any two objects or particles and their masses is called gravity.

{character:"Ryuushi"}What?

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}Oh, it's nothing. I just thought of something suddenly.

{character:"Ryuushi"}Do you also study physics? Haha, what a coincidence! Can I borrow this book first? Please! The monthly exam is next week, and I really need this book.

The game freezes on the girl's cute gesture of putting her hands together, and two options pop up on the screen—"Let her borrow the book" and "Insist on borrowing the book yourself".

Recalling the number of failures recorded in Sora's notebook, I get ready to give him some advice when I see that he has chosen the first of the two options.

On the screen, the girl takes the book and thanks the protagonist gratefully. The game uses an obvious pink arrow to remind us that her feelings for the protagonist have improved.

{character:player}Sora, I think you're actually playing pretty well. Why weren't you able to clear the game even once?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Some parts of the game have been designed unreasonably, so it's normal for there to be some deviations in my calculations.

{character:player}Unreasonable? What do you mean?

{character:Sora Ichinose}According to my investigations on games of the same genre, I have to choose "Let her borrow the book" to continue the story, but this is obviously wrong. Compared with the small amount of Affinity gained, the other option lets you gain 50 Knowledge Points... What a shame.

{character:player}Points? Knowledge Points? What's that?

His words don't make any sense to me, someone who had only watched trailers of this game before, so I can't help interrupting him. He opens the character interface and patiently answers my question.

{character:Sora Ichinose}In addition to height, weight, and other basic information, Physics & Romance also has other stats such as Knowledge, Agility, and Stamina Points.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Each stat plays a different role in the subsequent story. For example, Agility increases the chance that players will trigger special tasks, and Stamina increases the duration of some limited-time tasks.

{character:player}What about the Knowledge Points you just mentioned? What do they do?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Knowledge is one of the more important attributes. According to the game's setting, the heroine admires straight-A students, so if your character confesses their love to her when you have 200 Knowledge Points...

{character:player}Is it needed to clear the game?

{character:Sora Ichinose}To be precise, the chance of clearing the game in the subsequent story reaches 80.75%.

The data he calculates is accurate to two decimal places. How strict!

{character:player}Let me see... The character currently has 150 "Knowledge Points." If you got that book... Oh! It's such a pity when I think about it now!

{character:Sora Ichinose}I've already recorded this point. I'll email this feedback to the game developers later. I hope they'll improve this.

This is a commonly used method to increase the interaction between the male and female protagonists in romance games, but... looking at Sora who is carefully making records, I think it will take this child a while to understand this.

After last time's "book-borrowing" incident, "Ryuushi" and "Sora" become acquainted quickly and become good friends.

{character:"Ryuushi"}Ahhhh! Who is it?! I just respawned at the altar—

The girl screams while holding a mobile phone and rolls into a ball angrily on a sofa in the student council's room. On the gray screen, the scene of a character being killed with one hit is replaying.

Recently, other than attending classes and doing experiments, "Ryuushi" has been practicing hard on her mobile phone to try and become an expert who can defeat all her enemies in a game.

{character:"Ryuushi"}This is too much! Is this really a beginner match?!

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}Is this why you aren't participating in club activities? Why have you suddenly become addicted to playing games?

{character:"Ryuushi"}Don't you know? The school announced a new gaming competition last week.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}I did hear my classmates talk about it, but... what's that have to do with you?

{character:"Ryuushi"}Of course it has something to do with me!

The girl pulls out a promotional poster of the gaming competition from the drawer and points at a line of words on it, indicating that "Sora" take a closer look at it.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}The first prize is... a lab access card?!

{character:"Ryuushi"}That's right! With this access card, we can use the physics lab whenever we want to while we're at university, and there's no time restriction!

{character:"Ryuushi"}To people like us who are crazy about doing experiments, this is the best reward ever! When I win first place, I'm definitely going to send a Catchat message to celebrate!

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}Let me see. 0-13-2... What place did you say you were going to take before you would send that Catchat message?

{character:"Ryuushi"}Hey! How can you say something that cold when your mouth has a temperature of 36°C? I've been practicing really hard, but my hands seem to have a mind of their own.

As if to prove her point, the girl raises her hands and wiggles them to the left and right.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}Do you really want to win this prize?

{character:"Ryuushi"}Of course! I'll do anything to get it.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}Haha! You don't really need to make such a big sacrifice. I've got a better way to help you.

{character:"Ryuushi"}Huh?

As expected, the game offers two options again. Sora and I look at each other with some uncertainty and confusion.

I see Sora moving the joystick to choose the second option, so I stop him quickly.

{character:player}Sora, I think you should choose: "Invite her to team up" here.

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughs* But... according to the hint given earlier in the game, I'll get 1 heart of Affinity if I win the prize and give it to her, while I'll only get half a heart if I choose to team up with her.

{character:Sora Ichinose}A happy ending is guaranteed once you get five hearts, so wouldn't it be the better option to not team up in this case?

Sora Ichinose picks up his pen and starts to calculate something busily. As the tip of his pen moves, line after line of numbers appear on the paper like a scale that measures people's hearts. Rational, but cold.

Before Sora finishes writing the last number, I grab his hand gently and take the gel-ink pen from him.

{character:player}To help you understand, I think I'll put these things away for now.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Huh? But I haven't finished making my calculations.

{character:player}It's very easy to choose the correct answer. Sora, you just need to ask yourself what you would do in that situation.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Ask... myself?

{character:player}Yes. Don't treat this as a game. Treat it like something that is happening in real life and listen to your heart. Maybe that's the best answer you're looking for.

{character:player}...

The afternoon sun shines into the room, dyeing the whole room with a warm color. This kind of warmth is able to reach all the way to the bottom of one's heart and temporarily pulls Sora away from the world of probabilities and calculations.

He lowers his head and considers this question seriously.

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughs* If it's with you, {var:player_nickname}... we only have about a 50.70% chance of winning if we team up, the possibility of significantly improving our performance via pre-competition training is not high, and we will probably be eliminated in the preliminary stage...

{character:player}I'm going to interrupt you. I can almost hear a "but" coming up.

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughs* But... I'll still choose to team up with you.

{character:Sora Ichinose}It's just that I can't represent everyone. It doesn't mean that the decision to team up is the correct decision.

{character:player}There isn't a perfect formula that can be used to calculate human emotions, and things never develop according to preset plans.

{character:player}Just like when we entered the Halloween fashion show of Dewdrop Middle School. You chose to wear something that wasn't supported by data, but you still managed to get good results.

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughs* Is that so...

Under my encouraging gaze, Sora skeptically chose "Invite her to team up."

Before long, it is the day of the preliminary selection, and "Sora" and "Ryuushi" arrive at the venue early to face their opponent.

{character:player}As expected of a romance game. Even the venue of a gaming competition is decorated so romantically. It gives me the feeling of an idol drama.

{character:Sora Ichinose}There seems to be some clipping on the ground in the lower right corner, and all the NPCs freeze when they pass by.

{character:player}...

No one is better than Sora when it comes to destroying the atmosphere with a comment.

{character:"Ryuushi"}Help! Help! The opponent's assassin is coming again...

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}There's a healing pack under the tower. Quickly—Urgh, it's too late.

Before "Sora" can finish talking, the hero "Ryuushi" is using has been finished off by the opponent's blade. The scene of her defeat with the "I... I refuse to accept this..." voice line from her character makes her look quite miserable.

*Buzz* A red light turns on, mercilessly announcing the fact that they've been eliminated.

{character:"Ryuushi"}I'm sorry, I dragged you down.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}You did way better than you usually do during practice.

{character:"Ryuushi"}To thank you for training with me during this time, I'll take you to the amusement park around our campus tomorrow. It'll be my treat! Um... I mean, if you are free.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}Ahem, of course... I have time.

*Bang* Beautiful fireworks special effects fill the middle of the screen, and the system prompt pops up to tell us that a secret date story has been triggered.

{character:Sora Ichinose}They didn't win any prizes, but the heroine somehow seems even happier... Is it possible that the game has a special stage-clearing algorithm?

{character:player}Haha, this has nothing to do with algorithms. There are no guides that can help us when it comes to emotions, and every piece of interaction is important. Taking this part of the story as an example, we've been training with "Ryuushi" every day, so it's normal for them to develop feelings for each other.

{character:Sora Ichinose}But we didn't provide any actual help. We didn't even pass the first round of the gaming competition.

{character:player}The point here isn't what we end up winning, but who we spend our time with.

You need to explore things for yourself to experience the things that make the romance interesting. I deliberately answer him vaguely to avoid influencing him excessively.

Given Sora's usual personality, I thought he would keep asking me questions about this, but he holds the game thoughtfully for a while before ending this topic himself.

{character:Sora Ichinose}I think I understand a little of what you're saying.

{character:player}Sora, I suggest that you choose "Win the competition for her."

At almost the same time, Sora moves the joystick to select this option. I feel so relieved to see that our tacit communication is good enough that it seems like it has been tested many times in countless drills.

But the facts prove that... wrong samples are useless no matter how many you have.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}So there you are. I've finally found you.

{character:"Ryuushi"}Hmm? What's up?

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}Ahem, I... I want to give this to you. I remember you really wanted this prize.

The boy takes out the prize he just won and carefully hands it over to her.

{character:"Ryuushi"}Thanks, but... I can't take it.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}Why? I asked the teacher, and he said...

{character:"Ryuushi"}It's not that. I... I have a few questions to ask you.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}Go on.

{character:"Ryuushi"}Your roommate's birthday is next week right? Do you know what present he would like?

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}My... roommate?!

{character:"Ryuushi"}Yea, we teamed up for that gaming competition, and he took time to practice with me every day. I want to give him something to thank him.

{character:player}...

The game devs used a distinctive dialog box to show the heroine's current Affinity for the roommate, which is as high as four hearts. It's like they're afraid that players won't notice this, so they even added a special flower-scattering effect.

{character:player}...

{character:player}...

{character:player}Hold on, can anyone tell me why there's a secondary male character in a romance game?!

{character:Sora Ichinose}It looks like this is part of the twist.

{character:Sora Ichinose}It's so hard to guess what a girl is thinking. Not even the data is one hundred percent accurate. The roommate's Affinity with her is higher than ours, so we need to be very careful with the next decision.

{character:player}True, but I already have a bad feeling about this.

I must say, Sora is a very intelligent boy who is open to other people's opinions. It didn't take him long to immerse himself in the situation to choose the correct option. After experiencing the "damsel in distress" and "through thick and thin" events of the story, his Affinity with "Ryuushi" has risen steadily to four hearts, and it looks like it won't be long before he'll clear the game.

It's the New Year in the game, and "Sora" and "Ryuushi" are meeting together in the commercial strip. These two youths who are celebrating the New Year away from home for the first time have come together, and the fireworks above them create an ambiguous and romantic pink atmosphere around them.

When the "Confess your love now" option pops up on the screen, I take out my phone and get ready to record the moment Sora clears this game for the first time. However, I wait for a long time and watch as he keeps moving the cursor back and forth between the two options without selecting either of them.

{character:player}Sora?

{character:Sora Ichinose}... Um, {var:player_nickname}, what would you choose here?

{character:player}Hmm, there are fireworks, it's the New Year, and you're on a date... There are so many romantic factors here that you shouldn't even have to hesitate right? Of course you should choose to confess your love!

{character:Sora Ichinose}You see... We've only got four hearts of Affinity here, which means there's a 20.00% chance of failure.

Sora sighs and reaches out habitually on the desk for the pen and paper I put away earlier, as if he wants to further calculate the success rate of the love confession.

{character:Sora Ichinose}I tried the method we used earlier, but... it seems even more difficult here.

{character:player}Eh? Why is that?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Because I care about her, I'm even more afraid of taking risks than usual. I don't want even the slightest risk of losing her.

Sora signs and looks at me for help.

I receive the console and select "Confess your love now" under Sora's surprised gaze.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Why did you choose that? Did you use a different calculation formula?

{character:player}Um... It's my gut instinct.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Are you telling me there's no data to support your decision?

{character:player}It seems that you still don't understand the core essence of a romance game. Human emotions are not data, and there are no fixed values that can guarantee that you'll "clear the game".

{character:player}"Love" isn't something that numbers can express accurately as there are too many things that can affect it. Time, location, people... Feelings change due to different situations. However, sincerity and bravery will always be the key to success. They can make the impossible become possible and make up for some shortcomings.

{character:Sora Ichinose}But...

{character:player}I'm just giving you a piece of advice. You can decide whether or not to choose this option. Maybe a little bravery is all we need to succeed!

Sora lowers his head and thinks for a long time. He thinks for so long that I think he would reject my choice, but I'm overjoyed when Sora presses the OK button in the end.

{character:Sora Ichinose}I still don't understand this problem-solving method, but I'm willing to trust your gut instinct.

After receiving Sora's request for help, I hesitate momentarily but fail to say what is on my heart in the end. To try and max out your Affinity is the most basic way to clear romance games, so I can't say that his choice is wrong.

After seeing my silence, Sora thinks for a long time before he eventually chooses the option to not confess.

Fireworks filled the dark night, scattering sparks everywhere and reflecting people's smiling faces with its fleeting brilliance.

"Sora's" eyes linger on the girl for a long time, but he doesn't say anything in the end and enjoys the splendid fireworks peacefully.

{character:"Ryuushi"}Ichinose, I...

"Boom—" Fireworks bloomed at an inopportune moment, covering "Ryuushi's" words.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}Huh? What did you say?

{character:"Ryuushi"}You... idiot!

{character:???}What's this? A gentleman must never make a girl angry.

A slender hand passes a tissue to "Ryuushi," and the owner of the hand looks at "Sora" reproachfully.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}...I don't know what happened. "Ryuushi" just started crying for no reason.

{character:???}Eh, I suggest that you don't say anything right now.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}?

The girl who had just stopped crying stomps her foot and turns to leave in the darkness, ignoring the confused "Sora."

A bright red dialog box appears. Your Affinity with "Ryuushi" has decreased.

{character:player}Who is this person who suddenly appeared?

{character:Sora Ichinose}He's the protagonist's university roommate. Based on how the events unfold, you can also call him the secondary male character.

{character:player}Hold on, why is there a secondary male character in a romance game?!

{character:Sora Ichinose}This is part of the hidden story. Also, the heroine has quite a high Affinity with him. Hmm... I have a bad feeling about this.

Students wearing academic dresses have gathered here in groups of two and three. They wear smiles on their faces and are laughing happily, filled with the exuberance of youth.

"Sora" is waiting anxiously with a love confession letter in his hands.

{character:"Ryuushi"}Sorry, I'm late.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}It's okay, I just got here too.

{character:"Ryuushi"}Sora, why did you ask me to come here?

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}I... I want you to have this.

"Sora" hands over an exquisite envelope to the girl and anxiously watches her reaction. The girl freezes for a moment before reacting quickly.

{character:"Ryuushi"}Thank you for feeling this way about me, but I can't take this. I already have someone I like.

Background music starts playing leisurely. The screen becomes colorless for a moment as "Ryuushi" walks past the protagonist and disappears into the background.

Two big words, "Game Over", appear mercilessly on the screen as the previous events are saved.

{character:player}Bad premonitions are always more likely to come true than good ones. Who would have thought that the heroine would gradually alienate us in the subsequent story, that our Affinity with her would keep dropping, and that she would end up with the secondary male character instead.

{character:player}Even though we maxed out all the values, we still failed to win over "Ryuushi." What went wrong?

{character:Sora Ichinose}*Coughs* It seems that this is yet another failure sample.

Compared with me who is feeling annoyed, Sora seems to have accepted this bad ending a lot faster. However, the sad gaze in his eyes exposes his true feelings. He isn't as calm as he appears.

I don't think anyone can keep smiling after dozens of consecutive failures. For Sora, this might be the most difficult puzzle he has encountered so far.

I can't bear to see his disappointed expression any longer, so I pat his shoulder to comfort him.

{character:player}We were so close. If we try again, I'm sure we can clear the game this time.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Yeah.

After selecting "Start Over" with the joystick, Sora and I are brought back to the alley at the very beginning. With our previous experience, we should have no trouble clearing the game this time.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Huh? Why did the Affinity decrease even though she said she wasn't angry?

{character:Sora Ichinose}This is strange... The heroine invited us on a date on Wednesday, but she said she was busy on Wednesday before when she turned us down.

{character:Sora Ichinose}What? So when the heroine says "I don't mind anything," that means she doesn't want deep-fried food, seafood, barbequed food, or foods that contain flour? Did I miss something?

{character:player}...

Despite his previous experience, Sora's questions didn't decrease at all. His data has become meaningless in the face of something as complicated as love.

It looks like you still have a lot to learn before you can clear the game, Sora, don't you think?

Fireworks are the most romantic thing on this night. They fly into the sky and burst into beautiful patterns that illuminate the faces of pairs of lovers below them.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}I'm not sure if this is the right time to say this, but... I want you to know how I feel. "Ryuushi", I love you!

"Boom—" As if they are applauding "Sora's" courage, the fireworks burst into their most beautiful form at this time. The light reveals the girl's face, which is blushing with embarrassment. She lowers her head and stares at her toes.

{character:"Ryuushi"}Actually, I... I feel the same...

Beep beep— Beep beep—

The alarm clock works tirelessly to awaken its owner, who is stuck in a dream. Too bad its efforts don't win the praise of its owner, who reaches out from under the quilt and turns it off ruthlessly.

The person on the bed turns over and prepares to fall asleep again, but the scene of embracing the girl in the dream makes him wake up quickly, and he sits up straight.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}I... Did I confess my love to "Ryuushi" last night?!

The boy who just has woken up and still has bed hair sits there on the bed and stares at his hands in disbelief.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}I think I even held her hand... Was that real? Or was I dreaming?

He stands up quickly and reaches for his phone to try to find any clues that could prove what had happened.

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}Huh? This is a... message from "Ryuushi"?

{character:"Sora Ichinose"}r=a(1-sinθ)... Hold on, this is...!!!

The young man's cheeks are filled with joy. He smiles uncontrollably as he replies to the text message one word at a time with his fingers trembling with joy.

y=1/x, x^2+y^2=9, y=|-2x|, x=-3|siny|. The text message has been edited and sent successfully.

Soft music starts playing as the screen gradually becomes blurry. My thoughts drift back to the night of the fireworks and two people hugging each other under the starry sky.

The happiness on the screen is completely transmitted to outside the screen. Even Sora can't help but smile.

{character:Sora Ichinose}I finally cleared the game.

{character:player}Haha! To someone who doesn't know what's going on, they'll definitely think you just solved an incredible problem instead of clearing a game. But... what did the text messages the protagonist and the heroine sent to each other at the end mean?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Well, it's a little difficult to explain this with words alone, so I'll solve the problem for you.

Although he isn't good at romance games, Sora is good at anything related to numbers. The boy exudes a confidence that makes people forget about his age at this moment.

{character:Sora Ichinose}This is a cardioid.

{character:"Ryuushi"}Huh?

{character:Sora Ichinose}It is said that a math genius fell in love with a princess far above his station, so he designed a special equation to express his love.

{character:Sora Ichinose}The answer to the equation is a curve shaped like a heart, which is why people started calling it a cardioid later on. The text message reply sent by the male protagonist has a similar meaning.

Sora hands the paper with his calculation on it to me and motions for me to read it carefully. Skipping the complicated calculation steps above, I capture the key information immediately.

The curves drawn according to the four equations are arranged in a row to form the pattern: "L, O, V, E".

{character:Sora Ichinose}I love you. This is the answer.

{character:player}There must be a science major in the dev team, or else they would never come up with this way to make a love confession.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Maybe they saw it on Catchat. The times are changing, and there are many new ways to receive information.

{character:player}Speaking of this, I did some searching on my phone and found that this game has a variety of endings. Catchat alone recommended three to four endings to me.

{character:player}If you're interested, we can try out the other endings too.

Without needing me to remind him, Sora takes the initiative to put away his notebook and gives up trying to use data to calculate emotions.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Everyone makes different choices while playing the game, but they can all achieve a happy ending. I chose the best answer based on the data and my calculations, yet I can't clear the game.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Since this isn't a game design issue, it means I still have a lot to learn.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Let's try again. This time, I want to rely on myself to get a happy ending!

{character:player}Yeah! I believe in you.

There is inevitably some gap between ideals and reality, which is especially obvious after the game starts.

{character:Sora Ichinose}Huh? Why did the Affinity decrease even though she said she wasn't angry?

{character:Sora Ichinose}This is strange... The heroine invited us on a date on Wednesday, but she said she was busy on Wednesday before when she turned us down.

{character:Sora Ichinose}What? So when the heroine says "I don't mind anything," that means she doesn't want deep-fried food, seafood, barbequed food, or foods that contain flour? Did I miss something?

{character:player}...

I smile without saying anything in response to Sora's question. It seems that Sora has a lot to learn before he can clear the game.

{character:Sora Ichinose}{var:player_nickname}, I hope I'm not interrupting anything with this phone call.

Since we cleared the game together last time, Sora has been calling me every day to share what he has seen at school or to discuss intense battles on the mahjong table. This has already become a habit for the two of us.

Of course, we do get dead air situations sometimes, after all, he is still learning how to contact others and actively express himself, and it's normal to not be perfect.

{character:player}*Coughs* Of course not. What's up, Sora?

{character:Sora Ichinose}Um, I heard coughing. Are you sick? Did you go to the hospital?

{character:player}Maybe I caught a cold from staying up late last night. Don't worry, I'll get better soon.

{character:Sora Ichinose}You're very important to me, so you have to take good care of yourself.

The youth's words are straightforward and warm, reflecting frankness that adults rarely show. I'm still a little shocked by his transformation when I end the phone call.

This change is good for him. He's become more lively compared to when I first met him.

{character:player}Can a game change a person so much? Sora is becoming more and more like the protagonist of the game and is acquiring the qualities of a considerate guy.

Ding—The alert sound of my phone rings, interrupting my train of thought. Sora has sent a text message reminding me to drink more warm water, which makes me retract my hypothesis.

{character:player}Who am I kidding... He still has a long way to go.

{character:player}However, Sora really does learn very quickly. It only took him one week to learn a new way to interact with others.

I become a little curious when I think of the boy on the other side of the phone.

I should recommend a different type of game to Sora next time. I can't wait to see what he'll be like after clearing the game.