The night was thick with heat and humidity, while the vast, star-speckled sky above was dominated by a gentle silver moon casting a delicate glow. Despite the late hour, the social pulse around the "Starshine" hotel continued to beat with life. An elderly couple stood on the guesthouse veranda, their eyes scanning the night sky, as though expecting a UFO or some other strange occurrence to break the monotony of their vacation. The night watchman, perched on a bench, was finishing what seemed to be his thirtieth cigarette, the ember a faint beacon in the darkness.
Inside, the hotel was hushed and still, save for a small, stifling café where life lingered on. The room was filled with an almost sleepy calm, and from hidden speakers came the faint, drifting notes of an instrumental rendition of "Morning Moon." Behind the bar, a bored young bartender filed her long nails, while nearby, two brightly clad vacationers played a casual game of billiards. In the corner, a bearded man swayed slightly, apparently having indulged in one beer too many on the first day of his holiday.
Seated at one of the tables were Haruka Tenou and Michiru Kaiou. Haruka wore trousers and a short-sleeved yellow blouse, while Michiru was draped in a cool blue dress.
"I still feel uneasy, Haruka," Michiru murmured, glancing at her reflection in a compact mirror.
"There's nothing to worry about. It's just a reconnaissance of the area," Haruka replied, her voice calm. "Setsuna mentioned that strange temporal anomalies have been popping up about fifty kilometers from here. Our task is simply to check them out."
Haruka reached over, tucking a loose strand of Michiru's hair behind her ear. Michiru's lips curved into a fleeting smile before her expression turned serious again. She gently took Haruka's hand, setting it down with a thoughtful gaze before continuing.
"This place... it gives me chills. Everything's too quiet, too calm," she said, her eyes drifting to the floor, avoiding Haruka's gaze.
"You think it's the calm before the storm?" Haruka asked.
"More like the quiet before a tempest," Michiru replied, her lips forming a faint smile once again.
"Let's go upstairs. You need to get some rest. Tomorrow we'll hit the road again, and we both need our strength." Haruka's voice was warm, her hand resting on Michiru's shoulder as she encouraged her friend to stand. Together, they left the café, leaving behind the group of vacationers who had abandoned their game of billiards and were now savoring frothy drinks. The bearded man continued to doze in the corner, and it was clear his companions would soon follow his lead.
The bartender watched the two girls exit, her gaze detached as she resumed filing her nails. The soft music from the speakers seemed to lull everyone into a gentle stupor. Outside, the elderly couple, having given up on cosmic sightings, retired to bed, and the night watchman had disappeared — likely on a leisurely stroll, but probably just to sneak another smoke.
The balconies emptied as guests drifted off, leaving the entire hotel shrouded in a hot, sultry slumber.
Morning sunlight streamed through the tiny hotel room window, waking Michiru. The night had been unbearably hot, and she had slept in only her green underwear and bra. Reluctantly, she turned over, tempted to let sleep reclaim her on this quiet morning. For several minutes, she lay still, savoring the early hour, but the sun's warmth finally coaxed her to sit up. The river outside murmured gently, filling her with a sudden longing for her own element — the sea.
"No, the sea sounds different," she thought, brushing her emerald hair back. Scanning the room, she noted that Haruka had already been up for some time. Checking her watch on the table, she saw the time — 6:48. "Why isn't she still asleep?" she wondered. At that moment, Haruka entered, carrying her jacket.
"Get dressed. It's a beautiful day. Let's get going," Haruka said cheerfully.
Michiru headed toward the closet, looking for something to wear, though Haruka kept talking.
"We have a little time for ourselves; let's not waste it. I want to... talk."
"Haruka, we're not on vacation," Michiru replied.
Haruka, undeterred, stepped closer, wrapping her arms around Michiru's waist and pulling her close.
"Relax. Just for a moment, let yourself feel like a regular girl," she whispered, lifting Michiru's hair to her lips, twirling a few strands between her fingers. Pushing her hair to one side, she pressed a soft kiss to Michiru's neck. Michiru turned, meeting Haruka's gaze, her arms circling around her. Their lips met in a tender kiss.
They stayed in the room a little longer before finally heading out. The morning air, thick with mist, played with their hair as they drove down the deserted highway in Haruka's car. With the road wide open, Haruka accelerated, delighting in the speed. Michiru, while pleased, couldn't help feeling a bit uneasy; she didn't want any accidents or encounters with the police.
"Haruka, slow down a bit," she murmured.
Haruka gave her an amused look. "Worried we might take off?" she chuckled.
"I just want you to take it easy. We can go all out when we hit the next big stop," Michiru replied, smiling back.
Soon, the buildings had thinned, and tall pine trees bordered the road on both sides. Spotting a small clearing next to the highway, Haruka slowed down and pulled off onto the grassy edge. She took Michiru's hand, leading her quietly into the forest.
Michiru looked at Haruka with a playful smile.
"What are you up to?" she asked teasingly.
Haruka didn't answer, simply guiding her further into the lush forest. After a few moments, they reached a mountain stream hidden beneath the canopy of trees. The quiet rush of water and gentle bird songs filled the air, creating a serene, almost dreamlike atmosphere, while the low-hanging mist brought a refreshing chill to the humid summer morning.
Suddenly, Haruka stopped and unexpectedly wrapped her arms around Michiru's waist, pulling her close. Michiru's expression shifted as she tried to wriggle free.
"Haruka, we didn't come here for fun. Let me go," she protested, still half-smiling.
Haruka's eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint.
"Oh? So you want a fight?" she teased, and in a swift motion, she pressed Michiru against one of the broad, mossy trunks.
"How could you… We're supposed to be on a mission," Michiru replied.
"Just forget about it… for five minutes," Haruka murmured, leaning in to kiss her gently on the hair.
She trailed a series of soft kisses from Michiru's hair to her cheek, and finally to her lips, capturing her in a deep, tender kiss that melted the last of Michiru's resistance. Sighing, she wrapped her arms around Haruka's neck, a wave of pleasure washing over her in the warm embrace. In that suspended moment, time seemed to fade away, leaving only the intensity of her feelings. Haruka held her closer, her hands tracing Michiru's waist before moving lower, touching her buttocks in a gentle yet assured gesture, drawing a shy but affectionate smile. Held close by Haruka's embrace, Michiru forgot her surroundings; her mind drifted from responsibility, allowing her to surrender completely to this heartfelt desire. She felt as though she were an ocean wave, flowing freely and gently against the shore. Their embrace lingered, the warmth of the moment and shared tenderness giving them a fleeting yet needed escape from the duties awaiting them.
The air was thick with the promise of an impending heatwave as Haruka and Michiru crossed a wooden bridge over a rushing mountain stream, their hands linked together. The murmur of the wind through the treetops mingled with the steady hum of the river, enveloping them in the forest's symphony. Soon, they reached a large clearing, even more picturesque and inviting than the last one. It was a kaleidoscope of wildflowers and herbs, vibrant and fragrant, as though nature herself had poured out her brightest colors here. Mist hung low over the grass, weaving a mysterious veil that made the meadow feel like it had drifted out of a dream.
The clearing's gentle beauty stood in stark contrast to the dark, damp forest looming nearby, as though shadows lingered just beyond, kept at bay by the clearing's magical light. Captivated, the two paused to take in the scene — but it wasn't long before they realized they weren't alone.
Michiru was the first to hear it — a faint rustle in the distance. Haruka's muscles tensed instinctively, and she scanned the foggy area for the source of the sound. Through the mist, they could just make out a figure emerging from the forest. Haruka felt an icy chill travel down her spine.
"Stay ready, Michiru," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Wait," Michiru replied softly, holding up a hand to stop her.
The shape in the fog slowly became clearer — hunched woman, her thick form swathed in a faded, tattered gray dress worn thin by years of use. Her long, grizzled hair hung in matted strands, tangled with dirt and bits of dried leaves. The woman, bent and round, moved slowly, her hands combing through the grass as if searching for something. After a moment, she crouched and began carefully gathering herbs, placing them in a patched, fraying bag at her side. Her wrinkled, worn face was rough, but it held no malice — only a deep weariness. She seemed utterly oblivious to the two young women, fully absorbed in her humble task.
Haruka let out a quiet breath of relief as Michiru took her arm gently.
"Let's go," she whispered. "We shouldn't disturb her."
The two turned and quietly made their way back to the car. Yet as they left, the old woman raised her head, sensing their departure. Her tired eyes sparkled with a secret satisfaction, and a faint, knowing smile crept onto her cracked lips, as if she understood something they did not.
The girls stopped at a small gas station store to grab a bite to eat. The sun had already risen high above the horizon, and the summer heat was beginning to press down heavily around them. Besides the single station building, there were no other structures nearby, and those scattered here and there appeared old and long abandoned.
Michiru sat on a low stone wall surrounding the building and pulled a sunhat over her head, shielding herself from the relentless sunlight. Meanwhile, Haruka headed inside to buy food. Michiru let herself drift into the sounds of nature coming from the nearby meadow: the buzz of cicadas, chirps of crickets, the calls of birds — nature's own quiet symphony. After a few minutes, she sensed someone's shadow falling across her.
"Yes?" she asked, glancing up at the stranger. A towering, hefty man stood before her, his face flushed and damp with sweat from both the heat and his labors. He wore work clothes and looked at her with a questioning expression.
"Good morning, miss. Can I help you with anything?" he asked in a low voice.
"No, thank you. My friend is already taking care of everything," Michiru replied with a polite smile. Then, after a moment, she added, "Actually, there is something… Can I ask you a question?"
The man's face lit up; it was clear that Michiru's presence pleased him, and he seemed eager to savor every moment of their brief interaction.
"Of course, go ahead," he answered.
"Could you tell me a bit about this area? Are there any larger towns or maybe hotels nearby where one could stay?"
The man paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Then, with a brief cough, he gestured widely to the empty expanse around them.
"Not much to see around here… Only the locals live nearby, and they've been farming their land for generations. You won't find many tourists here. And the locals… Well, they're not too keen on visitors. They prefer their peace, so I wouldn't count on any help from them. But to the south, there are bigger towns with old temples that draw people from the cities. That might be more the kind of place you're looking for."
Michiru glanced at the distant line of forests, a gentle breeze lifting strands of her hair.
"We actually just came from there," she replied. "We prefer quiet, less crowded places to find a bit of solitude."
The man scratched his belly, shifting slightly on his feet.
"Well, there is one hotel in the area, though it's strange how it manages to keep going out here in the middle of nowhere. I stumbled upon it once, returning from a walk through the woods. It's large and modern, with a beautiful garden… But when you look at it from another side, you see an older, rundown building."
"What?" Michiru's eyes widened in surprise.
"I don't know, miss. I'm just telling it like it is," he said earnestly. "I don't go there often myself, though. The people around there… they're strange, hard to talk to. Not a place for someone like you."
He leaned in closer, his voice lowering. "I'd advise against going there."
"Why?" Michiru's curiosity was piqued, though she tried to keep her expression neutral.
"Because people disappear there. Tourists who, like you, hike through these mountains. They go through those doors, and no one ever sees them again. Their faces… they're erased from memory. Only strangers, people who've only crossed paths with them once, remember. But those who enter that hotel… they remain there forever."
Michiru felt an uneasy chill creep over her despite the heat. At that moment, she heard Haruka's voice calling her.
"Michiru! Let's go!"
Relieved, she quickly rose, breaking off the strange conversation.
"I'm sorry. I have to go," she said, brushing past the man as she made her way to the car.
"Let's get out of here," she told Haruka firmly as they climbed in. As they drove away, the man called after them, his fists clenched.
"Don't go there! Evil lurks in that place! If you disappear, your face will haunt me in my nightmares!"
But Michiru was already beyond hearing his final warning as they sped off, leaving his words to drift away in the empty, hazy air.
After several minutes, the women found themselves on a road surrounded by dense forest. The humid scent of resin and decaying plants filled Michiru's senses, stirring a strange mix of emotions. An odd feeling of tension, a readiness for action, blended with a calm that was nearly tranquilizing. She didn't want to mention it to Haruka, uncertain what these mood swings could mean. False alarms were never her style — and Haruka didn't care for them either. Michiru watched the dripping shadows of trees arching over the road, her hands resting in her bag, fingertips lightly grazing the surface of a compact mirror. It always calmed her, allowed her to focus.
Haruka kept her eyes on the road, but she cast frequent glances at her companion, noticing something slightly off. She knew Michiru better than she knew herself, and no pretense could disguise Michiru's inner state from her. Still, she chose to keep her questions and concerns to herself.
In a clearing off the road stood an ancient tree with a hollowed trunk, beside which a black minivan was parked. Its owners were milling around — a tall guy with shaggy blond hair was bent over a map, while a girl in brown shorts and a sleeveless green shirt peered over his shoulder, speaking to him incessantly as he shushed her. A few paces away, another guy with black hair and glasses flipped through books, likely local travel guides. As Haruka and Michiru drove past, Haruka slowed down, murmuring a comment about the group under her breath. Just then, Michiru's gaze locked onto a figure they hadn't noticed before. Standing close to the road was a young woman dressed entirely in black. She had long, curly black hair and intense brown eyes, which held a peculiar, almost hypnotic quality. In that brief glance, Michiru felt captivated by their depth, as if something about those eyes seized her and wouldn't let go.
"Stop, Haruka. Right now." Her tone was cool, each word laced with an unmistakable firmness. Surprised, Haruka obeyed without question. For a moment longer, Michiru held the stranger's gaze, spellbound by the mysterious allure within, until she finally shook herself free from its pull.
The dark-haired girl approached their car, a smile on her face. She appeared entirely ordinary now, as though the earlier enchantment had been nothing but an illusion in Michiru's mind.
"Thank you for stopping. I'm sorry to bother you, but my friends and I are a bit lost. We're looking for a specific place but seem to have gotten turned around."
"Perhaps we can take a look at the maps you have," Michiru offered, stepping out of the car. "Right, Haruka?"
"Yes…" Haruka replied, though a trace of reluctance colored her voice. Michiru cast her a pointed glance.
"Come on, don't be so cold…" she whispered in Haruka's ear. The dark-haired girl studied Michiru's face, her gaze lingering with a hint of curiosity before she turned back to her friends. Haruka also stepped out of the car, though she and Michiru stayed a few steps away from the strangers.
"Are you sure everything's alright?" Haruka asked. "Something feels off about that dark-haired girl."
"Relax… That's precisely why I had you stop. There's something intriguing about her. And after all, isn't our task to investigate what's going wrong in this area?" Michiru quietly explained her plan to Haruka.
"Got it. So, we need to get close to them, right? 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer,' is that it?" Haruka replied with a wry smile. Michiru looked at her coolly.
"Why assume they're enemies? We haven't even introduced ourselves yet."
"True," Haruka conceded, placing a hand on Michiru's shoulder as they walked over to the group. The dark-haired girl smiled, her gaze meeting Haruka's, and for a brief moment, she too felt drawn in by those deep brown eyes. They held a gravitational pull, like quicksand pulling her toward a hidden place within. Haruka shut her eyes, breaking the contact to return to reality.
"My name is Sakiko Hayasu," the dark-haired girl introduced herself, gesturing to each of her friends in turn. "And these are Ichiban Iwata, Ruri Fumiya, and Kazusa Otome." She pointed to a black-haired guy with glasses in a white shirt and jeans, a red-haired girl with curly hair, and a tall guy leaning over the map spread out on the hood of their car.
"Nice to meet you," Ichiban said politely.
"Hey there!" Ruri waved.
"Hello," Kazusa mumbled.
"Michiru Kaiou." She introduced herself and then added, "And this is Haruka Tenou. Haruka, take a look at these maps — you're better at navigating." She nudged Haruka toward Kazusa, leaning in to whisper in her ear before stepping away, "Keep them engaged. I'll watch them."
She moved a little apart from the group, her gaze flitting from one to the next. They all seemed perfectly normal — except for Sakiko. An odd chill emanated from her, accompanied by a sensation of standing in the shadow of a mystery. Feeling Michiru's gaze on her, Sakiko met her eyes, those dark orbs gleaming as if harboring a miniature galaxy within.
"Beautiful…" Michiru thought. She didn't break the connection, letting her gaze travel over Sakiko's face, her hair, her slender figure.
"Beautiful eyes, delicate nose and lips, small frame, pale skin. She's perfect — almost too perfect," Michiru mused, wondering who this mysterious stranger was and why her gaze had such an intense pull.
After a few moments of chatting about trivial matters, Michiru's new acquaintances learned from Haruka about a nearby hotel, deciding to head there to rest.
After a short drive, the travelers arrived at a small mountain village, hidden away in a remote part of the highlands. The village seemed timeless, as though nothing had changed here in centuries. The silence was profound, heavy. Even the faintest rustle of leaves was absent, and not a single forest creature stirred. Every tree and blade of grass stood still as though frozen in place. The villagers moved slowly along the narrow street, engaged in their monotonous routines. They looked less like living individuals and more like static parts of the scenery, performing their duties in a daze. They paid no attention to the cars passing by, as though the hum of engines fell upon deaf ears.
"It's strangely quiet here, don't you think?" Neptune murmured, glancing around. She tried to catch a glimpse of someone's face, but each person she looked at turned their head away, avoiding eye contact.
"Unbelievably quiet… but it's a small town. They're not usually bustling," Uranus replied with a casual shrug.
Michiru shook her head slowly, her gaze fixed out the window, gesturing toward the unmoving trees nearby.
"That's not it. The silence here feels unnatural… didn't you notice? Since we entered the village, there hasn't been a single bird song?" she explained softly, her voice tinged with unease.
Haruka's face grew serious, realizing it only now. "You're right… it's eerie, like something's crawling over my skin."
With a hint of apprehension, Michiru took out her mirror and examined it intently, staring into its depths. She held it in silence for a while.
"Well? Any anomalies?" Haruka asked impatiently.
"Nothing… this place is clear…" Michiru closed her eyes briefly, then added, "Or protected by very powerful magic."
Meanwhile, their new friends' minivan rolled slowly down the road. Kazusa was at the wheel, with Ichiban in the passenger seat, while Ruri and Sakiko sat in the back. Ruri gazed out the window, her eyes tracing the tree-lined hills that stretched out toward the horizon.
"It's beautiful here… It feels like a perfect vacation spot," she sighed happily, breathing in the cool mountain air. "I can't wait. The fresh air, the peace... This is going to be wonderful."
Kazusa grinned at her joy, but Ichiban seemed preoccupied. He was watching the villagers with a wary eye, noticing how they moved like specters along the road.
"Hey, they look like zombies, don't they?" he muttered, gesturing toward one who was walking nearby.
Kazusa shrugged. "It's just that you're not used to rural folks. Tokyo's got you spoiled," he replied lightly.
Ruri chuckled, but her laughter soon faded. "Since we entered this village, I've had the feeling that time is standing still. Everything here feels like… like a dream."
"Or a cemetery," Sakiko murmured, staring out the window with a pensive look.
Eventually, both cars stopped outside a small hotel. Ruri was the first to step out, stretching her legs with a delighted sigh. "Ah, it's so good to move again!" She spun around.
"It's really beautiful here," she added.
Ichiban and Kazusa joined her outside, while Michiru and Haruka got out a bit farther back, exchanging glances.
The hotel was a two-story building standing eerily close to the edge of a dark forest. Its white walls gleamed pristinely, likely the result of a recent renovation, and each window boasted a small balcony, adding a curious elegance to the structure. It stood in stark contrast to the decrepit wooden houses they had passed on their way. In front of the building was a small, meticulously kept park. The grass was evenly trimmed, as if someone carefully maintained it daily, and scattered benches invited visitors to sit beneath the shade of towering trees. Nearby, a polished marble statue of a rearing horse added an air of grandeur to the scene, though the lifeless eyes of the statue seemed to follow anyone who looked its way.
"This place is so clean. Strange for a town that looks like it's been forgotten by the world," Kazusa remarked, his voice filled with suspicion.
"Everything seems… perfect," Haruka noted, her eyes narrowing.
"A little too perfect," Sakiko murmured.
"Like something out of a video game," Ichiban added, though his gaze drifted toward Michiru, his attention clearly captivated.
"Let's not overthink it. We're here to relax, so why don't we go inside?" Ruri suggested, her cheerful tone attempting to restore the lighthearted mood.
Haruka and Neptune lingered a few steps behind the others, eyeing their surroundings with cautious curiosity.
"Do you sense anything?" Haruka asked, glancing sideways at Michiru.
"Nothing. Completely clear," Michiru replied, shaking her head thoughtfully.
As they spoke, an elderly woman paused in front of them, her thick glasses magnifying her eyes to a nearly comical degree. She stared intently at the pair, scrutinizing them as though they were out-of-place artifacts. Haruka met her gaze with an icy look, causing the woman to falter, lower her head, and shuffle away without a word.
"Look, look!" Ruri's excited voice broke the strange atmosphere. She was pointing up to a peculiar bas-relief above the hotel entrance. "What is that? It's hideous!" she added with a shudder.
The group lifted their heads, taking in the grotesque carving Ruri had spotted. The sculpture depicted a monstrous figure with three feminine heads, each snarling with sharp teeth and wild, flowing hair, frozen mid-scream.
"Chimera…" Sakiko whispered as she inspected the relief closely. "A three-headed beast that brings dark dreams and lures hearts toward destruction. It feeds on the souls of its victims… or so the legend goes," she added, a faint smile creeping onto her face.
For a moment, silence fell over the group as they stared. It was Ruri who finally broke the quiet, urging them forward.
"Come on, let's go inside," she suggested, her voice filled with anticipation.
The hotel interior was styled in a Western manner, exuding a minimalistic yet clean charm. The reception area was spacious but sparsely furnished – a few wicker chairs arranged around a small table, neatly stacked with brochures waiting for someone's attention. No additional furniture, no decorative embellishments, just polished marble tiles reflecting the warm light of the elegant ceiling lamps. Opposite the entrance stood a wide staircase leading to the guest rooms upstairs, while to the side was a passage connecting to the dining area and a second set of doors, hinting at access to a garden and the nearby forest.
"We shouldn't wait around. Let's get the luggage," Kazusa declared, clapping Ichiban on the back. "You girls handle the room arrangements."
"Let's go!" Ichiban added, though his gaze lingered on Michiru longer than necessary.
"There's a café upstairs," Ruri pointed out, gesturing to a colorful advertisement near the staircase. "Once you're done with the bags, we'll meet you there!"
Haruka placed a reassuring hand on Michiru's shoulder.
"I'll help them and bring our bags too," she offered.
"Alright," Michiru agreed with a slight nod, heading off with the other women to find the café.
The café was small and cramped, an odd mix of styles that felt both confusing and fascinating. It resembled a hybrid between an old sushi bar and a Western-style coffee shop – tiny round tables crammed together, with decorations that seemed plucked from entirely different eras. A modern neon sign illuminated one wall, while traditional hand-painted fans adorned another. The room was eerily quiet, save for the soft clinking of dishes. Behind the counter, a waitress bustled about, while in a corner, a plump woman devoured an enormous ice cream sundae with almost comical enthusiasm.
"What a weird place," Ruri commented, her nose wrinkling slightly as she surveyed the eclectic setting. "It's like someone couldn't decide on a theme."
"It looks like it was pieced together from random fragments," Michiru added, her eyes scanning the incongruent design.
"Like a puzzle?" Ruri suggested.
"More like a collage. Nothing here fits together," Sakiko observed.
Soon, the two men and Haruka joined them at the table. Kazusa plopped down into a chair, shaking his head in disbelief.
"This place is really strange. You wouldn't believe what's up with the rooms," he began, a mix of exasperation and amusement in his voice. "The room we booked for Sakiko and Ruri is in a traditional Japanese style, like something you'd find at a temple. But ours and Haruka and Michiru's? Totally Western – beds, nightstands, the works. It doesn't even feel like we're in Japan."
"So, we got the prettiest one, huh?" Ruri quipped, breaking into a laugh.
"Yep, and it has this stunning view of the forest. Sakiko, you'll feel right at home," Kazusa replied with a grin.
Ichiban remained silent, his eyes fixed intently on Michiru. Haruka noticed his lingering stare, her expression hardening.
"Got a problem?" she asked sharply, her tone cutting through the conversation.
Startled, Ichiban quickly looked away. But just then, the café door opened, and a woman dressed entirely in black stepped inside. Her presence was striking and unsettling. Though her outfit was elegant, there was something icy about her – an aura that seemed to carry a chill through the air. She smiled faintly, and Sakiko suddenly went pale. The black-haired girl clutched her head, her breathing becoming shallow and uneven.
"Sakiko-chan? What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost," Ruri asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Sakiko didn't answer. The mysterious woman strolled leisurely across the room, her gaze briefly locking onto Sakiko before she disappeared into the back of the café. Michiru caught a glimpse of her smile – cold and unnerving.
Sakiko abruptly stood, pressing her hands to her temples. "I… I need to leave," she stammered, her voice trembling. "I don't feel well."
Before anyone could stop her, she hurried out of the café, leaving the group in stunned silence.
"What's going on?" Kazusa asked, frowning as the café door swung shut behind her.
"Shouldn't someone… go check on her?" Ruri suggested hesitantly, breaking the awkward tension hanging over the table.
"I'll go," Michiru decided. Without waiting for a response, she hurried into the corridor.
At the far end, she spotted the same mysterious woman in black. Her piercing gaze and sly, malicious smile sent a shiver down Michiru's spine. Her heart pounded faster, and goosebumps rose on her skin. It was as if the same cold, oppressive force that had overwhelmed Sakiko was now reaching for her. But unlike Sakiko, Michiru quickly shook it off. She steeled herself, knowing she needed to find her friend before things worsened.
Scanning the corridor, her eyes landed on the slightly ajar door to the women's restroom. Wasting no time, she made her way there.
Inside, Sakiko was leaning against the sink, staring blankly at her reflection in the mirror. Her face was pale, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead as she struggled to catch her breath. Michiru quietly closed the door behind her and approached carefully, not wanting to startle her.
"Leave," Sakiko muttered weakly, her voice trembling as she turned her head slightly toward Michiru. "Please… just leave me alone. I feel awful…"
Michiru's gaze softened, but her tone carried an edge of determination.
"You know something about this place, don't you? About what's happening here?" she asked firmly.
Sakiko closed her eyes, as though trying to block out both her pain and the question.
"Please… just go. My head hurts, I feel sick… I don't want anyone to see me like this…"
For a moment, Michiru stood silent, giving Sakiko the space to compose herself. Then, taking a gentler approach, she spoke again.
"It's that woman, isn't it?" she asked, her voice quieter but no less resolute. Sakiko didn't respond, her exhaustion written all over her face.
"I felt it too," Michiru continued, her tone softening further. "The chill, the dread, the unease…"
Sakiko's eyes slowly opened, meeting Michiru's. Tears welled up as the realization dawned that she wasn't alone in what she had experienced. Her lips quivered into a faint, grateful smile. Michiru stepped closer, placing her hands gently on Sakiko's trembling shoulders before pulling her into a comforting embrace.
"Breathe," Michiru murmured. "Calm yourself. Let every part of your body relax. Let that energy slide off you like water. Just… breathe deeply."
Following her advice, Sakiko took slow, deliberate breaths. Gradually, her trembling eased, and while she still appeared drained, her color began to return.
"I'll tell you more," Sakiko whispered, her voice steadier but still faint. "But… please… I need to rest first."
She glanced at the mirror one last time, smoothing her hair, before following Michiru out of the restroom.
The group was waiting outside, their faces etched with concern. Michiru gently guided Sakiko to Ruri.
"Look after her," Michiru said. "Take her to your room and make sure she rests. We'll catch up later."
Ruri nodded, wrapping a supportive arm around Sakiko as they made their way toward the stairs. Turning to Haruka, Michiru gave her a brief nod.
"Let's go."
Without another word, the two of them headed to their shared room. The air between them was thick with unspoken tension.
Night fell over the hotel, and the surrounding area was engulfed in impenetrable darkness. With the last lights in the lobby dimmed, the building seemed to blend into the shadowy mountains, becoming just another silhouette amidst the faint rustling of the cold night wind. The hotel, already sparsely populated during the day, now felt entirely abandoned. The empty hallways were steeped in a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional creak of old wooden floors or the soft whistle of wind slipping through ill-fitted windows.
Haruka, Michiru, and their newfound companions retreated to their rooms, each lost in their own thoughts. Behind the closed door of their shared room, Michiru sat on a wooden chair at the small desk, while Haruka reclined on the bed, arms folded behind her head, staring blankly at the ceiling as if searching for answers to the unspoken questions swirling around them.
On the desk lay a small, ornate mirror — Michiru's talisman, a tool she used to sense magical disturbances. Her fingers grazed its smooth surface as her sea-blue eyes studied it intently, searching for any sign of the extraordinary.
"Still nothing..." she murmured with a sigh, setting the mirror aside. "If it weren't for this eerie silence, I'd almost believe we were wrong — that this place is perfectly ordinary."
Haruka sat up slightly. She reached for a local food flyer she'd picked up earlier and crushed it in her hands with visible frustration.
"You know that's impossible. This place practically screams that something's wrong," she muttered, glancing toward green-haired woman.
Michiru inhaled deeply, as though gathering the courage to voice a thought that had been haunting her.
"Sakiko..." she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm certain she knows something about what's happening here. Maybe not everything, but at least part of it."
Haruka swung her legs off the bed and leaned forward, her interest piqued.
"Sakiko? Do you think she's hiding something? Did anything happen when you were alone with her in the bathroom?"
Michiru shook her head, her teal hair catching the dim light.
"Not exactly. She was in terrible shape — shaking, pale, barely holding herself together. I don't think she was faking it. Whatever affected her, it felt like a deliberate attack aimed directly at her. But what struck me was how strongly she reacted to it."
Haruka tilted her head slightly. "What do you mean?"
"I think she's highly sensitive to magic," Michiru explained, her tone becoming more certain. "But she's inexperienced. She doesn't know how to defend herself, and worse — she might not even realize who she truly is."
"Did you try using the mirror on her?" Haruka asked cautiously, her voice lowering. Michiru shot her a pointed look.
"Of course not! She was terrified and barely able to stand. I couldn't attack her in that state!"
Haruka softened, moving closer and wrapping an arm around Michiru in a reassuring embrace.
"It's okay. If she's an enemy, she'll reveal herself sooner or later. And when she does, we'll deal with her."
Michiru pulled back slightly, meeting Haruka's gaze with quiet determination.
"I don't think she's our enemy, Haruka. I have a feeling she can see the true nature of this place."
After a moment, Michiru rose from her chair and walked to the balcony. Sliding the door open, she stepped out into the night air. A mountain breeze swept through, tugging at her long teal hair like invisible waves. She rested her hands on the metal railing. Below her, the lake glistened faintly, a vast expanse of black glass mirroring the surrounding darkness. The mountains loomed like silent sentinels, their outlines merging seamlessly with the starless sky.
Michiru's gaze wandered over the landscape as a deep sense of unreality settled over her.
"The night here feels... surreal," she thought, her mind grasping at the stillness. "Not a single sound, not even the whisper of life. It's as if the world is holding its breath..."
Behind her, Haruka appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame. She didn't say a word, allowing Michiru the solitude of the moment.
Sakiko stepped out of the bathroom in the room she shared with Ruri. She was wrapped in a black bathrobe, a white towel securely tied around her freshly washed hair. Standing in the doorway, she called out to her roommate:
"Ruri, the bathroom's free. You can take your bath now," she said, reaching for her nightgown lying on the nearby bed.
The red-haired girl dashed over, her face lighting up with enthusiasm.
"Great! What are you going to do now?" she asked, tightening the belt of her robe.
"I think I'll step outside for a bit," Sakiko replied while slipping into her nightgown. "I could use some fresh air."
"Just don't go too far!" Ruri teased, winking. "Who knows, there might be some creepy old guy lurking around!"
Sakiko chuckled softly but didn't reply. She quietly left the room, carefully closing the door behind her.
The cool floor of the hallway felt soothing beneath her bare feet as Sakiko walked in silence. The faint light from a night lamp reflected softly off the tall windows, casting elongated shadows along the corridor. The darkness wrapped around her like a comforting embrace, making her feel surprisingly calm, as if she belonged in it. Descending the staircase to the ground floor, she passed through the quiet lobby and made her way into the garden. The mountain air greeted her, tousling her black nightgown and loose hair. The stillness of the night was profound, interrupted only by the gentle rustling of leaves stirred by the wind.
She approached the lake, its glassy surface shimmering under the silvery glow of the moon. The damp air carried the scent of water and earth, a welcome change after the blazing heat of the day. Gazing at the moon's reflection, Sakiko felt a soft smile forming on her lips. Her dark eyes sparkled, mirroring the silvery light.
From the balcony above, Michiru watched Sakiko as she moved gracefully through the shadowed garden.
"It's her. She's gone outside," Michiru said softly, turning to Haruka, who sat beside her.
"I'll come with you," Haruka offered, setting her teacup down on the table.
"No," Michiru replied, shaking her head gently. "She trusts me more. She's already started to open up. Your presence might alarm her."
Haruka sighed but nodded in agreement.
"All right, have it your way. But remember, I'll be watching everything from here."
Without another word, Michiru left the balcony, descending quickly to the garden.
Though Michiru moved with the utmost grace, Sakiko somehow sensed her approach. She turned just as Michiru stepped closer, their gazes meeting in the pale moonlight.
"It's beautiful here, isn't it?" Sakiko said, her voice calm and serene. There was no trace of the earlier exhaustion Michiru had noticed in her before.
"It is," Michiru agreed. "But it's not really my element. I feel more at home with the ocean waves — their endless movement and unpredictability."
Sakiko glanced back at the moonlit lake and the ink-black silhouette of the forested mountains beyond.
"The sea has always terrified me," she admitted. "It's vastness, its constant change... I prefer something solid, like these mountains and the forests around them."
A comfortable silence settled between them as Sakiko bent down to pick up a small stone. She tossed it into the lake, the loud splash breaking the stillness of the night.
"Hey! You're scaring my fish!"
A man's voice, gruff but amused, echoed across the water.
Both women turned toward the sound. In the distance, they could just make out the shape of a small boat with a figure sitting inside.
Michiru squinted, trying to get a better look. Intrigued, she retrieved her compact mirror. In its reflection, she clearly saw the boat and the man aboard it.
"I'm sorry!" Sakiko called out to the man. "I didn't mean to disturb you!"
"No harm done," the man replied with a chuckle. "I just didn't expect to see anyone out here."
"What do you mean?" Sakiko asked, pointing toward the building behind her. "There's a hotel right there."
The man scratched his bald head and laughed.
"That old ruin? You call that a hotel? I bet you came here with your friends, looking for a thrill in some abandoned place. Kids these days..." He shook his head. "But that's none of my business. I'm just here to fish."
With that, the man rowed farther into the darkness until he disappeared completely.
Sakiko stared after him, bewildered.
"What did he mean by that?" she asked Michiru, her voice uneasy.
Michiru's brow furrowed as she glanced down at her mirror again. It now showed nothing out of the ordinary — just the calm, empty surface of the lake.
"I don't know," Michiru admitted, though her tone hinted at concern.
"Maybe he's just some lunatic," Sakiko said, her voice trembling slightly. "I think I should head back to the room. You should too."
Michiru hesitated, wanting to ask about Sakiko's earlier condition, but something in the girl's expression stopped her. It wasn't the right time — not yet.
Ichiban paced back and forth in his room, muttering under his breath. Kazusa, sprawled on the bed, tolerated the behavior for as long as he could. Eventually, however, his patience ran out.
"Calm the hell down! Some of us are trying to sleep here!" he shouted, glaring at his roommate.
Ichiban didn't react. He kept mumbling to himself, his footsteps echoing across the room with an irritating rhythm.
"You're seriously starting to piss me off. Calm down, or you'll regret it," Kazusa warned, his voice low and dangerous.
"I have to tell her... I have to..." Ichiban murmured. His pacing stopped, and he turned to face Kazusa, his eyes wide and almost feverish.
"Tell her what? What's wrong with you?" Kazusa snapped, sitting up on the bed.
Ichiban hesitated for a moment before blurting out his confession.
"That Michiru... the one we met today... She's like an angel. Her eyes, her skin, her hair — they're perfect. I can't take it anymore. I have to tell her how I feel. I want to drown in her ocean," he declared with a passion that made Kazusa roll his eyes.
"You've got to be kidding me," Kazusa said as he got up from the bed. He walked over to Ichiban, ready to shake some sense into him if necessary.
"We've known her for half a day. You can't just say something like that to a random girl. You don't even know her!" Kazusa tried reasoning with him, but Ichiban seemed oblivious.
"I know everything I need to know... She's an angel sent from heaven," Ichiban said, his voice dreamy and detached from reality.
Kazusa groaned, his frustration mounting.
"Stop spouting nonsense! What angel? What do you think she's going to say if you tell her that? And besides... I think she's into girls. Didn't you see how she acted around that other chick?"
At that, Ichiban's face twisted with anger. Before Kazusa could react, he felt a sharp sting across his cheek.
"Don't blaspheme!" Ichiban shouted, his voice trembling with rage. "I don't need your advice! I'm going to her. I'll tell her about my love!"
With that, he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
"Fine! Go ahead! And I hope that lesbian punches you even harder than you hit me," Kazusa muttered under his breath, rubbing his sore jaw.
Ichiban walked slowly down the corridor, his mind spinning with thoughts of Michiru. His heart pounded in his chest as he rehearsed what he would say to her. When he finally reached Haruka's door, he hesitated, his hand hovering over the handle.
But then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a light at the end of the hallway. Curious, he turned and walked toward it. The faint glow came from a partially open door. He pushed it gently, peeking inside.
What he saw made his eyes widen in disbelief.
There, in the softly lit room, sat Michiru. She was completely naked, her flawless skin glowing in the dim light. A serene smile graced her lips as she reached out to him, her fingers beckoning him forward. Ichiban stood frozen in the doorway, his mouth agape. Then, as if drawn by an invisible force, he stepped inside. Michiru wrapped her arms around him, her touch soft and warm. She leaned in close, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered words he couldn't understand. But the meaning didn't matter. Nothing else mattered in that moment. The door closed behind him with a quiet click, sealing the two of them in their private world.
Michiru and Sakiko climbed the stairs, their exhaustion evident in every step. Both were eager to reach their rooms and collapse into sleep. Suddenly, Sakiko faltered, her hand shooting out to grip the banister for support.
"Sakiko! What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Michiru asked, rushing to her side, her voice laced with concern.
Sakiko's face was pale, her breathing uneven as she whispered, "Something... something bad happened..."
Before Michiru could press for more, Sakiko straightened, brushing her off with a subtle but firm motion. Without another word, she resumed her climb, heading toward her room.
Michiru stood frozen on the stairs, her gaze fixed on the retreating figure of the black-haired girl. Questions swirled in her mind. What did she mean? What could have happened?
After a long moment, Michiru let out a quiet sigh and turned toward her own room.