A few hours drifted by, and Hiraku's class attraction became a surprising hit. It was a typical haunted house, yet it had a distinct twist that drew in parents, students, and guests alike. The talk among them all centered around one thing: the goddess Hakufubuki who waited in the heart of the attraction.
Jingliu, embodying the goddess, stood as a figure of serenity amidst the darkness. Her presence radiated a calm that cut through the fear. Visitors would stagger in, terror-stricken, only to find solace in her quiet company. She embodied tranquility, draped in her ethereal costume, eyes a shade of red that held a soft intensity.
Groups would stumble through the dark, hearts pounding. They gasped at shadows, shivered at unseen threats. But upon encountering Jingliu, a strange peace washed over them. At first, they mistook her for another harbinger of fright. But Jingliu did nothing more than touch their shoulders or gently tap their heads, a small smile playing on her lips. Her gaze, deep and steady, pierced through their fear, offering a quiet comfort as they moved on.
+-+
"Good work out there. It seems like everyone's loving the touch of the goddess in the middle of it," remarked Yasushi. He sat beside Jingliu, who leaned against his shoulder, clearly exhausted.
"The rest of you did great work too… although having to do that repeatedly can be a bit tiring, but it's still rather fulfilling," said Jingliu. She smiled to herself, a small, contented smile that hinted at her weariness.
"This feels more tiring than playing a long game of baseball. I didn't think I'd need to run back and forth, chasing so many people in such short, timed intervals. It honestly feels like a drill for practice, sheesh," Furuya remarked, guzzling down water like a marathon runner.
Before anyone could react, Senbarisu burst in, looking pleased with herself. She carried a tray of food, balancing it with the skill of someone who knew how to navigate through chaos. "Good work! I got some food for you, so hurry up and chow down! A lot of people are looking forward to the attraction opening up again. We only have a few hours left before school ends—and remember, we're doing this tomorrow and the day after, so steel yourselves!"
The group gathered around the food Senbarisu set down, the aroma drawing them in like moths to a flame. They began eating hungrily, each bite a small reprieve from the exhaustion that clung to them. Thirsty and famished, they knew this twenty-minute break was both their first and last before the day's work would resume and grind on until the event's end.
"Food… food…" Furuya murmured, almost in a trance. His words spread through the group of boys like a chant, each one picking it up and murmuring along. The girls looked on, puzzled, while Senbarisu's eyes sparkled with amusement.
"I didn't think you were this deprived of nutrients," she said, her tone light but tinged with genuine surprise.
None of the boys answered. They simply continued eating, the silence broken only by the sounds of chewing and the occasional clink of chopsticks against plates. The food disappeared quickly, a testament to their ravenous hunger. Once done, they leaned back, savoring the brief moment of relaxation.
The break ended too soon. They all knew it would. One by one, they stood, stretching tired limbs, the brief respite already fading into memory. They exchanged glances, a silent acknowledgment of the camaraderie forged through their shared effort. Then, with a collective sigh, they got up and returned to their tasks, ready to face the remainder of the day.
+-+
"Hahahaha!!" Yasushi's scream echoed through the dimly lit hall as he swung his replica sword toward a group of terrified guests. They scattered, their fear palpable in the confined space. Dressed as a zombified Oda Nobunaga, he relished the role, his success evident in their panicked faces.
He chased them for a bit, keeping up the theatrics, his voice a constant, haunting presence. Eventually, he let them go, their frightened screams fading into the distance. With a few minutes to spare before the next group, Yasushi sank onto a small seat tucked away in a corner. He sighed deeply, the rush of adrenaline ebbing.
Pulling out his phone, he checked the time — forty minutes left. Just forty minutes before the first day of the event wrapped up. The thought brought a weary smile to his face; everyone was tired, and the promise of rest loomed close.
Two minutes passed, his brief respite barely enough to catch his breath. He heard the next group approaching, their footsteps uneven and voices loud. Yasushi stood, ready to dive back into character. But as they rounded the corner, he noticed something off. They were drunk, their movements sloppy and erratic.
One of them staggered forward, eyes unfocused but filled with a drunken bravado. Instead of the expected scream or attempt to flee, the man swung a punch at Yasushi. Instinct took over, and Yasushi dodged, the fist whizzing past his face. The unexpected turn left him off-balance, the playful atmosphere suddenly tinged with real danger.
The man's friends laughed, seemingly unaware of the shift. Yasushi straightened, his mind racing. He needed to diffuse the situation, keep the role alive but protect himself. He raised his sword again, but this time, the swing was calculated, a warning rather than a threat.
"Move along," he growled, his voice carrying the weight of Oda Nobunaga's fierce legacy. The group hesitated, the drunken haze momentarily lifted by the force of his presence. Slowly, they backed off, muttering under their breaths, and stumbled further into the attraction.
Yasushi watched them go, the tension in his muscles slowly releasing. He glanced at his phone again. Thirty-eight minutes left. He took a deep breath, readying himself for whatever came next.
Not long after, loud screams erupted from the direction where Jingliu was stationed. Yasushi reacted instinctively, sprinting toward the commotion. Upon arrival, he was struck by the scene before him.
Jingliu stood, eyes blazing with fury, her foot firmly planted on the backside of one of the drunken guests sprawled on the floor. Her replica ice sword lay slightly bent, a clear sign it had been used to strike someone. The atmosphere crackled with tension.
Other students, including Senbarisu, arrived just as another drunken guest wobbled toward Jingliu, aggression in his eyes. Before he could reach her, Furuya appeared out of nowhere, delivering a dropkick that sent the man crashing to the ground.
"What the hell is happening?" Yasushi muttered, his mind struggling to process the chaos. He shook his head, pushing aside his confusion, and quickly moved to restrain the other drunken guests. They offered no resistance, subdued by the sight of their fallen companions and the determination in Yasushi's eyes.
Jingliu took a deep breath, her anger still simmering but under control. The bent sword hung loosely in her hand, a testament to the intensity of the moment. Furuya stood nearby, catching his breath, his eyes scanning the scene for any further threats.
Senbarisu, always quick to act, stepped forward and addressed the group, her voice firm. "Let's get them out of here. We don't need this kind of trouble ruining the event."
Yasushi nodded, grateful for her decisiveness. He and Furuya began to escort the drunken guests out, their grip firm but careful. The other students watched, a mix of relief and admiration in their eyes.
As they walked away, Yasushi glanced back at Jingliu. She was still standing tall, the fire in her eyes slowly dimming to a steady glow. He marveled at her strength, at how she had held her ground against the drunks.
Once the situation was under control, Yasushi and Furuya returned to the group. They exchanged weary but determined glances, knowing that they still had work to do before the day ended. The event had taken an unexpected turn, but they were ready to face whatever came next, bound by the shared experience and the resolve to see it through.
+-+
"Apart from the small hiccups — the one at the start of the day and the one near the end — we pulled through and had the highest guest count come through our attraction," Senbarisu announced, a tired but triumphant smile on her face. "And as we discussed, we'll be changing up a few things about it, starting tomorrow and especially on the last day, so let's keep up the energy everyone. Tomorrow, I'll have food and drinks ready when your breaks start."
The class responded with a collective groan of approval, their fatigue evident but mingled with a sense of accomplishment. Senbarisu chuckled at their response. She raised her hand and declared, "Dismissed! Be here at the same time tomorrow, so no issues arise!"
With those words, the students dispersed, their movements slow and weary. Yasushi's group lingered by the gate, waiting for their rides, the cool evening air a welcome contrast to the stifling atmosphere of the haunted house.
Xinyi's car arrived first, her maid seated inside, waiting patiently. Xinyi turned to Jingliu, Layena, and Yasushi. "I'll take these guys home. We'll see you three tomorrow." She winked playfully, her energy seemingly boundless despite the long day.
She and Laura helped Furuya into the car, the poor guy groaning the entire time, his body clearly protesting the day's exertions. Yasushi watched them drive off, the car's headlights cutting through the gathering dusk. He turned back to Jingliu and Layena, a sense of quiet camaraderie settling over them.
The evening was still, the chaos of the day giving way to a peaceful silence. They stood there for a moment, the weight of the day's events slowly lifting. Yasushi glanced at Jingliu, her fiery determination earlier now replaced with a calm resilience.
"Ready for another round tomorrow?" he asked, a tired smile playing on his lips.
Jingliu nodded, her expression softening. "Yeah, we'll make it through."
Layena stretched, her movements slow and deliberate. "Let's get some rest. We've earned it."
They stood there a moment longer, savoring the quiet, before Yinhaie pulled up with their car. Without a word, they got in, heading home for some well-deserved rest after the day's successful run.