At a university's medical college, a professor was giving a lecture. While all the other students were focused on her, a group of four friends sitting at the back corner of the class was having a discussion of their own.
Maru: I don't care what you all do, I'll go with you regardless.
Yori: Have you lost your mind, Maru? I didn't expect this from you! How can you agree to such a disgusting idea? If you guys want to go, go ahead—I'm not coming.
Kun: Trust me, it'll be fun. How long will we live this boring life? There should be some adventure in life.
Akio: Yeah, I'm also bored of these daily lectures.
Yori: (nervously) How can you guys be ready to go to such a creepy place? If we want adventure, there are plenty of places—why not go to Tusu Park instead of the Swimming Town?
Kun: You're always scared, Yori. That's just a story. There's nothing there. I planned to go because no one ever goes there—it'll be peaceful.
Yori: Fine, then you guys go. I'm not coming.
Akio: (teasing) And we don't need cowards
anyway.
Yori: Who are you calling a coward? I just can't sneak out at night. You know how strict my parents are.
Akio: Who's going to tell their parents? I'll sneak out through my window.
Kun: Yeah, I'll use the backyard gate.
Yori: Alright, I'll come too then. You guys bring the rest of the stuff—I'll bring noodles and vegetables.
Maru: Now that you're done fighting, can someone tell me what Sakura wants from me? She keeps staring at me.
Yori: That's nothing new for you. I've already told you how many girls are into you. You're handsome, smart, great at academics, and unbeatable in sports. What more would a girl want?
Kun: Forget all that. Everyone be at the city's back road by midnight.
All three nodded in agreement and shifted their focus back to the lecture.
Actually, these guys were planning to go camping at a lake behind the city. There were rumors in the city that the place was haunted by the spirit of a cursed girl who hunts and kills young men. Many boys had reportedly gone missing from there.
However, no solid evidence had ever been found, and no one had confirmed seeing her.
Technically, no one was allowed to go there, but still, some people sneaked in during the day. No one had the courage to go there at night.
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It's night now. A cool breeze made the weather pleasant—not too hot, not too cold. The moon shone brightly, casting its light over the silent road that disappeared into the darkness. The chirping of insects echoed faintly.
It's night now. A cool breeze made the weather pleasant—not too hot, not too cold. The moon shone brightly, casting its light over the silent road that disappeared into the darkness. The chirping of insects echoed faintly.
Maru, Kun, and Akio arrived at the back road leading to the lake.
Akio: Where's Yori? He was supposed to bring all the food.
Kun: I knew he wouldn't come. He's too scared.
Maru: (opening his bag) I brought some chips—at least we won't starve. But Kun, you brought the shochu, right?
(smirks at Kun)
Kun: Of course! That's the most important thing. What's camping without it?
Akio: Do you think we should wait for Yori or just go ahead?
Kun: I don't think he's coming. It's already been 15 minutes. If he was going to come, he'd be here by now.
Just then, they heard a voice behind them—
"Wait! Were you really going to leave without me? Then why even invite me?"
(Yori came running toward them. The three stopped and turned.)
Maru: Good! Yori's here too—camping will be more fun with all four of us.
Yori: (catching his breath) You were really going to leave me! You could've waited a little. I had to sneak out—my grandpa wasn't asleep yet and was roaming around. I had to wait for him to sleep.
Kun: Never mind—you're here now. Did you bring everything?
Yori: Yeah, yeah, let's go. We still need to return before it gets too late, or my parents will get suspicious.
They started walking again and after about half an hour, they reached a big park gate that was locked with a huge padlock and had a warning sign on it:
"Entry Strictly Prohibited."
There was a 15-foot boundary wall all around.
Yori: How are we going to get in? I don't see any way.
Kun: Just follow me—I know where the entrance is. I came once during the day with my neighbor and saw a broken section.
The other three followed Kun, and about 200 meters to the right of the park, they found a section of the wall that was broken.
Kun: Here's the way in.
They crawled through the gap and entered the park. It was pitch dark inside. Maru turned on his flashlight and saw massive trees and strange-looking bushes spread across a huge area.
Kun: The lake is just beyond this forest.
Yori: Do we really have to cross this jungle? It looks creepy.
Kun: What now, should we go back? We've come this far, let's camp properly.
They continued walking.
After a while, Yori suddenly screamed—
"Let me go! I only came because they forced me!"
His friends turned around to see him, then burst out laughing.
Yori: Why are you laughing? This witch has grabbed me!
Maru: Yori! Just look behind you—see who's grabbed you.
Yori nervously turned his head and saw that his backpack was stuck in a tree. He took a deep breath of relief.
Yori: Haha! I knew it was a tree—I was just messing with you.
Akio: Oh really? We saw the sweat on your face. We know who's scared.
They all laughed again and continued walking.
After some time, they saw the lake. It was about 4 km wide and 12 km long. The place was eerily silent—like no human or animal had ever dared to enter.
Maru: (to Kun) Is this the lake? It looks beautiful. Let's camp under that big tree.
Kun: Yeah bro, let's go.
Yori: I still say this place doesn't feel right. Let's camp somewhere else or come during the day.
Kun: Just shut up and walk. We've come this far. And who knows what time it is now?
Akio: (excitedly) This lake is amazing! If I had known about it earlier, I would've come much sooner.
As they talked, they reached a massive Peepal tree at the edge of the lake.
Akio pulled out a camping mat and spread it under the tree.
They placed their bags on the mat and began organizing the food. Then Kun said—
Kun: "I'll go get some water. You two stay here. And Yori, go collect firewood."
Yori: (nervously refusing) No way! Akio and I will stay. Maru will get the firewood.
Maru: Fine, I'll get it. You two guard the food.
Akio: Okay, just come back quickly, bros.
Kun and Maru left, and now only Yori and Akio remained at the campsite. Yori was chopping vegetables, while Akio gathered the cooking supplies.
Then Akio said—
Akio: "I heard that the witch has been hungry for years, and she really likes those tomatoes in your hand…"
"She's especially attracted to the color red—and your jacket is red too."
Yori: I know you're joking. I'm not that scared, bro.