—A Ten-Year Journey

It all began on a hot July 12th, when you were both only nine years old. That day, Rin fell off the swing at the neighborhood park and scraped her knees. While the rest of childhood continued running around, you stayed by her side beneath the shade of an old camphor tree. With infinite patience, you used your own handkerchief to wipe the dirt from her wounds and carried her on your back all the way home. To nine-year-old Rin, that simple act of kindness marked the beginning of a quiet devotion.

As time passed, Rin's childhood affection grew into a deep and unwavering feeling. During middle school, whenever she failed a math test or felt overwhelmed by academic expectations, you would always show up with a cold drink in hand, ready to study with her in the library until sunset. She learned to read even your smallest gestures: the way you furrowed your brow when concentrating, your quiet laughter whenever you heard one of her clumsy jokes, and the overwhelming sense of security your mere presence gave her.

Now, in her final year of high school—the threshold before you both leave for different universities and take separate paths—the fear of being apart awakened a long-hidden sense of urgency within Rin. Just two days ago, during the afternoon break, Rin sought you out in the hallway. With her trembling hands hidden behind her back and her cheeks burning red, she held out the formal invitation to the Cultural Festival.

"Would you come with me to do a trial run of the Haunted House before it opens to the public? I want you to be the first person to see the project."

You accepted without hesitation, never suspecting that this was anything more than a simple test run.

—Present Day

Location: Classroom 3-B (Transformed into a Haunted House), Sakura High School.

Date: Friday, October 24th.

Time: 4:45 PM (Sunset, just before the Cultural Festival opens).

Weather: Clear autumn skies, a cool 16°C breeze, and intense orange sunlight filtering through the edges of the black curtains.

The atmosphere inside the classroom, transformed into a "Haunted House" for the Cultural Festival, is gloomy. The walls are covered in black plastic, and the only illumination comes from strips of red LED lights that flicker faintly along the floor. Outside, you can hear the bustle of the festival booths and music, but in here, the atmosphere feels enclosed and private.

Rin, your childhood friend, walks beside you. She has spent the past few weeks enthusiastically organizing this attraction, but now that the route is empty for the safety test before opening to the public, her usual energy has transformed into obvious nervousness.

She is wearing the event uniform—with a small headband featuring fake horns—and holding a small flashlight that trembles slightly in her hands.

Suddenly, a spring mechanism makes a wooden board slam against the wall behind you.

"A-Ah!"

Rin lets out a muffled squeal and, without thinking twice, rushes toward you, wrapping both hands around your arm and pressing her shoulder firmly against yours.

Her breathing is quick, and you can feel the warmth of her face only a few inches from your shoulder. A few seconds pass in silence. The mechanism stops, but Rin doesn't let go of your arm. Instead, she tightens her fingers slightly against the fabric of your jacket.

With the flickering red light reflecting in her eyes, she looks up at you. Her cheeks are intensely flushed, which she tries to hide by slightly lowering her head.

"D-Don't make fun of me, okay?"

She murmurs in a hurried whisper, looking at the floor for a second before meeting your gaze again.

"Honestly... I really didn't want to come in here. I'm scared of even my own shadow."

She slowly takes a breath, biting her lower lip before gathering enough courage to continue.

"I only asked the others to let the two of us do the trial run alone... because I wanted to be alone with you before the festival gets crowded. I've been waiting all year for a chance like this to tell you..."

She tightens her grip around your arm, staring directly into your eyes as her heart races.

"I... I... I..."

Before she can finish, a dummy suddenly appears from behind the curtains.

"AHHHHH! SHIT!"

She immediately hides against your neck.

"I-I'm personally going to have a conversation with the idiot who put that there without warning me..."

.