"If you like someone, be brave and go after them. Better to fail than to miss the chance. Because if you fail, you can always get back up—but if you miss it, it's truly gone."
"B-But... what if Tsubasa doesn't like me?"
Takashi's voice wasn't loud, but every word hit right where it counted in Maki's heart.
"What if I get rejected?"
In front of Takashi, Maki finally dropped her guard and showed her true self.
There was a hint of unease on her face.
She was afraid of being rejected.
Afraid of hearing Tanuma Tsubasa say, I don't like you.
Behind her proud exterior, she was actually timid, sensitive, and fragile—like a stray cat that's been wandering alone for too long.
Afraid to approach humans, yet yearning for someone to take her home.
"So what if that happens?"
Takashi smiled and placed a hand on her head, though he didn't ruffle her hair.
Because a girl's hairstyle is not to be messed with.
Instead, he lightly patted her head without disturbing it.
"You've already shown your utmost sincerity and courage. So even if you're rejected, the one who should feel regret isn't you—it's him."
"Even if he meets someone better in the future, there will never be another person who likes him the way you do."
Maki turned her head slightly, as if shy. "I-I don't actually like him that much... just a little."
"Sure, sure."
As Takashi withdrew his hand from her head with a grin, Maki suddenly reached out and grabbed his hand.
Takashi: "?"
"You're the one who encouraged me to confess!"
Maki still had her head turned, not looking at him, as if she were talking to an invisible person. "If I fail, Takashi, you'd better take full responsibility."
"Huh?"
Takashi's jaw dropped.
No way, girl!
It's your love life—I encouraged you, supported you like a good wingman, and if it fails, you blame me? Want me to take responsibility?
What kind of logic is that?
Isn't that like having a baby with someone else and asking me to raise it?
This is just bullying a nice guy!
Isn't that a bit much?
No wonder she gets along with Nagisa.
Maki raised her dewy eyes, feisty yet pleading as she said, "Please?"
"..."
Takashi fell silent.
He didn't dare promise her anything.
Because it would be a lie.
No matter how beautifully he worded it, everything between him and Maki was fake.
She didn't know his real name, his real personality, not even their first meeting was genuine—it was calculated.
This kind of relationship wouldn't last long.
He might not be able to take responsibility.
Takashi knew that the best move right now was to agree for the time being. After all, who knows what'll happen in the future?
But he didn't want to lie to her.
The girl had already been through enough—he couldn't bring himself to hurt her further.
When people want to escape a tough situation, they usually try to change the subject. Just as he was about to think of one, Nagisa's voice came from afar: "Why are you two so slow?"
Takashi, startled like he'd been electrocuted, quickly pulled his hand from Maki's grip and said casually, "Sorry, I got held up on a call."
Even though Nagisa was her best friend, Maki's displeasure at being interrupted was practically written all over her face.
Why does she always show up at the worst times?
It wasn't until Takashi lightly bumped her shoulder that she fixed her expression.
"Guys, before we go in, let's take a photo," said Nanami, holding up a camera.
Takashi asked, "Is there a reason for that?"
Why did that voice sound so familiar? Kinda like the store manager...
Even though Takashi had changed his tone on purpose, he wasn't a professional voice actor.
Nanami reported the store's status to him daily, and since she aspired to be a voice actress, she naturally picked up on the resemblance.
"It's not a requirement. It's just that customers like to take a before-and-after photo when going into the haunted house—some keep it as a special memory," Nanami explained, all while staring at Takashi's face.
She's not going to recognize me, is she...?
Just to be safe, Takashi waved her over.
Nanami hesitated but still leaned in.
Takashi dropped the act, used his natural voice, and whispered in her ear, "Nanami, you wouldn't want to lose this job, would you?"
"!!!"
Nanami's pupils dilated instantly.
It was the manager!
Ugh, why does she keep getting caught?
"Manager, please no..."
Nanami clasped his hands in both of hers, quietly begging.
"How many times has it been now?"
Nanami: {>~<}
"Forget it. It's your life. Just pretend I'm a normal customer and don't expose me, alright?"
Takashi just wanted to scare her—he had no intention of reporting her or getting her fired.
A high schooler working overtime was her business.
It's not like he'd be the one getting called in for a parent-teacher meeting.
Just then, Maki impatiently called out, "Takashi, what're you whispering about? Hurry up, you're the last one."
"Coming."
Takashi jogged over and posed with the other three for a photo.
To prove they went in smiling, the photo showed them all grinning happily.
But that happiness didn't even last ten seconds.
"AHHHHHHHHH!!"
As they queued up, someone came screaming out.
Someone else crawled out, twisted and creepy.
Another person was carried out, eyes blank and foaming at the mouth.
Takashi noticed some people had literally peed their pants.
So Nanami wasn't kidding after all.
"This... this intense?" Tanuma Tsubasa finally began to feel nervous.
"What's wrong, scared already, Tsubasa?"
Maki, proud like a white swan, lifted her chin. "Such a coward~"
"I'll allow you—just this once—to hold my hand."
She said it beautifully, but her trembling hands gave her away. She was just as scared and only putting on a brave face.
"That might not be appropriate..."
Tanuma Tsubasa spoke while glancing repeatedly at Nagisa.
Clearly, he'd rather hold his girlfriend's hand than Maki's.
"What's inappropriate? Maki isn't a stranger," Nagisa said indifferently, as if it didn't bother her at all that her boyfriend might hold another girl's hand.
Is she really that chill?
Takashi looked at Maki and blinked.
I dunno either! Maki blinked back.
Even she didn't expect Nagisa to be so generous.
Lending out her boyfriend, just like that.
"Customers, it's your turn," Nanami reminded them, and the four slowly walked inside.
"Welcome to the Ju-On themed experience. Have fun."
Takashi lingered behind, watching her holding her, and her holding him—this love triangle full of hope and desire—he felt totally satisfied.
Mousey me loves watching this kind of moral ~ chaos.
The last time a love triangle felt this juicy was Temptation of Going Home.
Takashi was just wondering who between Nagisa and Maki was "Ellie" and who was "Pinru" when he suddenly felt something soft and squishy in his palm.
He instinctively squeezed.
"Ah!"
In the darkness, Nagisa made a strange noise.
"What's wrong, Nagisa?"
"It's nothing. My palm just bumped into something."
Takashi: "..."
He had a pretty good idea what he was holding now.
…
Meanwhile, Nanami watched the surveillance feed, showing Tanuma Tsubasa holding Maki's hand, Maki holding Nagisa's, and Nagisa holding Takashi's.
She fell into deep thought.
What exactly is going on between these four...?
It really felt like they were in some bold new kind of relationship.
___
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