[Kai, why won't you say anything?]
The voice outside continued.
It was as if the earlier silence had been an illusion, as if the quiet that followed the footsteps earlier had never happened.
Knock knock knock—
The knocking persisted.
Inside, the three remained utterly silent.
What was going on?
After the outside had gone completely quiet earlier, the three of them had assumed the worst. Especially after seeing the corpse in the fridge, Kai and Maki were even more convinced that everyone in the hall had died.
But now, those voices were back.
Why now?
They'd been silent for so long before—had it all just been a misunderstanding? Had nothing actually happened, and maybe the footsteps had somehow blocked out all sound?
[Come on, nothing happened out here. Don't hide.]
[Yeah, we've been knocking for ages, calling you ever since you went in. Why didn't you answer?]
[You guys are acting weird, hiding like this. What's going on? Nothing's happened.]
The voices kept coming, calm and steady.
Knock knock knock—
So consistent… almost rhythmically perfect.
Should we respond?
No. Don't act rashly. There's too much that's off.
Kai immediately shot down the idea.
If things were really normal, the burly white guy and that Old Guo fellow would've said something. Especially Old Guo, who had tried to take charge before—he wouldn't stay silent now.
But now, it was only the three who had stayed in the hall that were speaking.
Too suspicious.
[Guo won't open the door either, won't say a word. That foreigner's the same. We had no choice but to come knock on your door.]
[Yeah, seriously, open up. At least say something. Just standing there in silence—what's the point?]
[There's nothing wrong out here, really. We're all residents. Can't we talk things out?]
Knock knock knock—knock knock knock—
The knocking and voices persisted.
Strangely persistent.
Even though no one inside responded, the knocking never stopped.
Kai remained silent.
Kaguya and Maki also made no move toward the door.
On the contrary, all three quietly stepped back, putting distance between themselves and the entrance.
[Hey now, are you really that wary of us?]
[Why're you backing off? Come on, let's talk.]
[We're neighbors, aren't we? No reason we can't talk face to face.]
Knock—knock—knock—
The knocking seemed to grow louder.
Like fists pounding the door.
The force wasn't excessive, but the tone was shifting—growing impatient.
Something was wrong.
Definitely wrong.
Kai rubbed his temples, feeling a strange haze fogging his mind. He almost wanted to reply, but instinct clamped his mouth shut.
He didn't know exactly what was off.
But he remained silent, staring at the door.
[What's the problem? You've seen us before.]
Sun Dajun's annoyed voice came through along with pounding on the door.
Yeah… what is the problem?
Kai thought to himself.
[What's your problem? Is this racism or something?]
The Black guy spoke up, his Huaxia fluent like a native.
But Kai still felt he shouldn't respond.
Something was very wrong.
[Come on, open up. We're totally normal.]
The blonde girl spoke in fluent Japanese, her tone exasperated.
Why are they trying so hard to prove they're normal?
Kai almost asked.
[Because we really are normal.]
Then why aren't you knocking on the other doors?
[We did. They didn't answer. What else could we do?]
Then I won't open this door either.
[Why not? Why treat your neighbors like this? Open up. We can talk.]
Talk about what? We don't even know each other.
[Come on, we're all neighbors. Neighbors should help each other. Ask anyone.]
I don't want to talk to you. Just leave.
[Don't be like that. We live in the same place. Let's get along. Open the door.]
I said, I don't want to talk. I won't open it.
[Open up. Open up. Open up.]
I told you—I don't want to talk—I don't want to…
…talk?
Like being drenched in a bucket of ice water, Kai suddenly snapped awake.
Talk?
What the hell?
He hadn't said a single word this whole time!
These… things outside… they could read his thoughts? They were responding to what he was thinking?
What the hell was outside that door?
Turning, he saw Maki still standing there, but Kaguya had already stepped forward. Both wore serious, confused expressions—as if they were holding a conversation with someone—even though neither of them had spoken aloud.
[Open up. Open up. Open—]
Dong—Dong—Dong—
The knocking on the door echoed, growing heavier with each strike, accompanied by the overlapping voices of the three figures outside.
Pa!
Takashina Kai reached out and slapped Shinomiya Kaguya and Shinjo Maki on the shoulders—not too hard, but firm enough to snap them out of their daze. The two girls blinked, then quickly regained their senses. In that instant, they realized they'd unknowingly begun to act abnormally.
[Open the door.]
Dong!
A thunderous thud shook the floor lightly as the pounding intensified.
Kai took a step back, retreating toward the corner of the hallway. He was almost out of sight of the front door now.
[Open the door.]
DONG!!
The second impact was violent—like a small earthquake.
Kai, caught off guard, stumbled and fell to the floor.
Maki quickly caught herself against the wall to avoid falling, while Kaguya managed to stay on her feet, immediately pulling Maki back with her free hand. In her other hand, she still clutched the wall clock they'd taken from the hallway.
[Open the door.]
DONG—!!!
The third blow crashed down. All three were thrown to the floor, unable to withstand the shock.
[Open the door.]
[Open the door.]
[Open the door.]
The voices outside began to repeat in unison.
The firmly shut front door trembled violently. Cracks began to appear around the doorframe.
The three voices had lost all individuality. They overlapped into a monotone, mechanical chant.
Open the door!
The trio outside shouted as one, slamming their fists against the door with increasing force.
Open the door!!
The metal door—supposed to be a sturdy, secure security door—began to bulge outward as if something was about to burst through.
Kai climbed to his feet, using one hand to steady himself against the wall and the other to support the trembling Maki beside him. Together, they turned to retreat further down the hall.
Kaguya, slightly ahead, stayed in a half-crouched position to brace against the shaking. She, too, began backing away.
Dong—
Another heavy bang rang out.
But this time, it made all three freeze.
[Open the door.]
The same three voices echoed in perfect sync—but now, the sound came from behind them.
It came from beyond the door leading into the living room.
Crack—Crack—
The wooden door, already flimsy, began to splinter.
[Open the door.]
The three identical voices now boomed from the other side of the living room door, echoing alongside the pounding.