It was a dire situation. We had to explain the whole thing to the others. I even showed them the picture of the riddle on the tablet.
[K]"So, let me get this straight. You two were somehow magically transported to an altar when you jumped into the water, then got a curse?"
[Y]"I know it's hard to believe, but that's what happened."
[SE]"I find all of this hard to believe."
[UH]"We swear. It happened."
[A]"From what's happening right now, it's a bit believable. I mean, we couldn't even pull you out back there."
[EK]"Can I see the riddle again?"
[Y]"Sure, here."
[EK]"In the first line, it says something about 50 meters. Maybe that's the maximum radius you can go without being stopped."
[UH]"50 meters from what? The park?"
[EK]"I'm not sure myself."
[SE]"Why don't we try doing some tests?"
[K]"I don't think that's a great idea. What if there are consequences if they go too far?"
[SE]"But we won't know anything if we don't test it out."
[K]"A valid point. How about you two, Maeda-san and Yami. Want to test it out?"
[Y]"I'm fine with it."
[K]"How about you, Maeda-san."
[UH]"Anything to get this curse off me."
(Ah, she's back to her usual self.)
[EK]"Let's first test it out 50 meters away from the ride then."
[SE]"Got anything to measure it?"
[EK]"I don't, but we got a general idea of how far 50 meters is."
Ueno-san and I proceeded to go further away from the Tunnel of love. It looks like it's more than 50 meters. Then did it refer to 50 meters apart from Ueno-san!?
[EK]"If it's not 50 meters away from the Tunnel of love, then it must be 50 meters away from both of you, Hikari and Matsuda-san."
[UH]"You can't be serious. Fifty meters from this guy?"
[K]"That would be a huge problem. How would you guys get back home? If 50 meters is the max, only one of you can go home, and the other will have to stay over."
[A]" Or you could both stay at a hotel."
[Y]"No way!"
[UH]" Never!"
[SE]"Why don't you stay over at my place for today. My parents won't be coming home today. Though I am a bit skeptical about inviting a boy over at my place."
[Y]"I'm not some delinquent, you know?"
[EK]"I could stay over too, so you won't have to be scared. I'll cut it off if he does something."
[Y]"What exactly are you going to cut?" I said while I cover my crotch.
[EK]"How about you, Rei. Want to stay over?"
I completely forgot that Maeda-san was still there. She was silent this entire time that I didn't even notice her.
[MR]"Uhm, I'll pass."
[EK]"Well, guess there's only 4 of us staying over."
[A]"Let me join in too."
[EK]"Want me to print your death certificate?" she said as she glared at Arata.
[A]"On second thought, maybe not. Good with that curse, Yami."
[Y]"Why does it sound like you're not concerned?"
[K]"Well, I guess we'll leave for now. It's already getting dark. Let's continue this tomorrow."
[Y]"Uh, yeah, sure."
Both Katsu and Arata left. Now, it's just me with these girls.
[SE]"So, Matsuda-san. You wanna stay at my place?"
[Y]"I don't even have a choice here."
[SE]"Yes, you do. You could sleep in the streets."
[Y]"Why would I even do that?!"
[SE]"I'm just joking, don't act so serious."
[EK]"Now, the problem is how are we going to break that curse? It said something about returning, but the park is closed, so we'll try tomorrow."
[MR]"Uhm, I will head home now."
(This girl is invisible. I keep forgetting she's still there.)
[SE]"See ya then."
[EK]"See you tomorrow."
[H]"I'll call my parents to let them know I'm staying over."
[Y]"I'll do the same."
I call my parents, but I know they'd forbid me if I told them I was staying over at a girl's house. I had to lie that I was staying over at Katsu's place. I go back to the others.
[EK]"How did it go?"
[Y]"They agreed."
[EK]"Great, now let's wait for Hikari."
(Hikari returns.)
[EK]"How did it go with yours, Hikari?"
[UH]"It's fine. I got permission."
[EK]"Nice, now let's go to Ena's place."
[SE]"How about a change of clothes? I could let Hikari borrow some of mine, but how about you, Matsuda-san?"
[Y]"My house is nearby. I'll drop by, but don't show yourselves."
[SE]"Why not?"
[Y]"I told my parents that I'd be staying at Katsu's place. It'd be a problem if they saw you."
[SE]"Fine, but make it quick."
As we got closer to my place, I told the others to stay hidden. I then went inside to get some pair of clothes. It looks like no one is home yet. I went back outside.
[Y]"I'm back! You can show yourselves. No one's home."
[SE]"What?! We just hid for no reason."
[Y]"My bad."
[SE]"Did you get some change of clothes?"
[Y]"Yeah, I brought some extra. Just in case."
[SE]"Let's head to my place then. Or do you still have something to do?"
[Y]"Nope."
[EK]"Nah."
[UH]"Same here."
We went to Shibata-san's place after I got my clothes. As we got there, I was astonished. Her house was huge. I couldn't even see where it ends. When we went inside, my astonishment never faded. A massive chandelier greeted us from the entrance. Their living room is even bigger than our entire house!
[Y]"This place is enormous. What do your parents do for a living, Shibata-san?"
[SE]"Well, both my parents own their separate businesses."
[Y]"You get to have the entire place to yourself when your parents aren't home? That sounds like a dream."
[SE]"It's not that ecstatic as you think."
[Y]"How can't you be thrilled? This place is a dream come true."
[SE]"Well, at first it's enjoyable, but after a while, it gets tiring. In the end, it's just an empty house."
[EK]"Enough of this drama, show us our rooms, Ena."
[SE]"Oh, right. The guest rooms are on the second floor."
(We all go to the second floor.)
[SE]"The one next to the stairs is Hikari's. Next to that is Kotone's. For Matsuda-san, yours is at the end of the hall."
[Y]"Why does mine have to be that far? It looks like it's more than 50 meters from here."
[SE]"Don't worry, it's not."
[Y]"Wait, where's the toilet?"
[SE]"Each room has its toilet and bath."
[H]"Ena, sorry for all the trouble."
[SE]"It's fine. At least I have some company."
[EK]"Where's the kitchen? We haven't eaten yet. I'll prepare some dinner for all of us."
[SE]"Are you sure? I was planning on ordering food."
[EK]"I'm totally sure. It'd be faster if we cook it here instead. Do you have anything specific you want to eat?"
[SE]"I'm fine with anything you cook."
[EK]"That's the worst answer you could give."
[SE]"Fine, then make me some Kaarage."
[EK]"That's better. How about you, Hikari?"
[UH]"Then I dare you to make the pork dish you can do."
[EK]"Deal! How about you, Matsuda-san?"
[Y]"Some Soba would be nice."
[EK]"So, Kaarage for Ena, pork dish for Hikari, and Soba for Matsuda-san. Now, tell me where the kitchen is."
[SE]"Follow me."
Shibata-san went with Endo-san to show her the kitchen. Now, it's only Ueno-san and me here. I try to talk to her, but she just ignored me and went into her room. Ugh, why do I have to get cursed along with this woman?