They walk around the large house from room to room explaining who the family was and how well regarded the Holden family was. Showing the rooms where the murders happened then leading them outside to walk around the house showing how old time house were made and such. Once behind the building that leads to the large forest, Mr. Yamada stops. Everyone looks confused.
Mr. Yamada “Are you ready? Because now it’s time for… the test of courage!..”
He turns around and looks at them with an evil grin, turning on the flashlight underneath his face. This time, the class gulps and sweats realizing what comes next as they look into the ominous forest.
Ms. Samuel “You heard him. That’s why you got partners in the first place.”
Some students try to play it off like they aren’t scared while others openly begin to freak out. Shiori and Hikigaya look unimpressed unlike the others who are quite unnerved. They look back at them confused.
Hikigaya “What? Have you guys never been to their website?”
Shiori “It’s literally the big attraction for the tour.”
They shake their heads. Eventually the class is organized and lined up to walk along the designated path that leads into the forest and loops back around to the front of the house where the other school staff are waiting.
Mr. Yamada “Okay, two at a time. You will go, we will wait a few minutes then I’ll tell the next pair to go. Understood? Great.”
He smiles at them as he begins sending them off.
Mr. Yamada “Make sure to stay on the very clear dirt path!”
He calls out as the first pair enters the forest. Ms. Samuel leans over to Mr. Yamada.
Ms. Samuel “So just double checking, this is totally safe right?”
Mr. Yamada “Of course, of course. The path is made very clear so you can even see it in the dark. And there are absolutely no animals around the area. We think it has something to do with the weird time anomaly, but of course we don’t know. There’s also surveillance around the perimeter of the manor, being a landmark and all.”
Ms. Samuel “Wow, you really got it all covered.”
Mr. Yamada “Well, I have been doing this for many years.”
He smiles at her. Suddenly there’s screams from the forest of the first pair as they come running out the proper exit point.
Ms. Samuel “And the screams..?”
Mr. Yamada “Oh, that. I got some help.”
In the forest, Tsuki is dressed up in makeup to look like one of the victims of the murdered family. After the kids run away, he goes back behind the tree and giggles to himself.
Tsuki “The look on their faces! Priceless!”
As the next group comes up, he stands and slowly steps out from behind the tree. Most people don’t notice him until he’s fairly close. He just slowly stumbles around and stops when they see him. He then turns his head slowly to look at them then lunges at them. That’s when the students take off screaming. Shiori and the others are mostly towards the middle of the class with Haru, Chizuru and Sugawara leading their group. The more screams Sugawara hears, the more frightened he becomes and he latches onto them more.
Mr. Yamada “Alright, you three. You’re up.”
Sugawara’s heart starts racing as they begin to step forward. He sweats a lot and closes his eyes as Chizuru holds his hand. Haru then does the same.
Chizuru “It’s okay. If we get scared, we’ll be scared together.”
She smiles at him. He calms just a bit.
Haru “Yeah, that’s right. Besides, what could possibly be out here that’s so scary? O-”
They stop when they hear a stick crack. They look ahead to see Tsuki slowly turn his head towards them.
Haru “That’s…”
Chizuru “Really…”
They begin to sweat as Sugawara completely freaks out.
Sugawara “A GHOST!!”
He runs away leaving Chizuru and Haru behind.
Tsuki then lunges at them causing Haru and Chizuru to scream and run away. Shiori watches the exit point as the three of them leave running and crying. She giggles a bit to herself as Mr. Yamada calls them forward to head out. As they begin walking, Hikigaya starts chatting with her.
Hikigaya “I didn’t realize you were so into things like this.”
Shiori “Yeah, I’m really into the supernatural. It may also be just because this place is the closest to home but this has got to be my favorite haunted location ever.”
Hikigaya “I totally know what you mean. The others aren’t really into things like this so I don’t get to talk about it often.”
Shiori looks at him for a moment while he looks ahead, kind of bummed that the others aren’t as passionate about the topic. She looks ahead as well.
Shiori “Well, I like this stuff. Haunted locations, mysterious cases, weird anomalies.”
Hikigaya “Yeah, me too.”
He smiles softly at her. She closes her eye and smiles back.
Shiori “So what do you think happened here that night?”
Hikigaya “Oh, you want to get me started right now? Don’t mind if I do!”
He begins to explain his thoughts on the case as she enthusiastically responds with her own thoughts. They begin to approach the part where Tsuki would normally come out and scare them.
Tsuki “Okay, the next pair. Let’s do it.”
He begins to do his normal act and slowly turns his head to look at them. However, they just walk by without noticing a thing. Tsuki gets stunned as they completely miss him.
Tsuki ‘Wahhh! They’re totally involved in their conversation!’
He then tries to make his way next to them quietly and attempts to scare them again from the bushes. They still don’t notice him. They eventually get too far for him to still be able to try and scare them. He pouts about them not getting scared and walks back to his spot.
Tsuki “Dumb first years… Ruining all my fun… Now I don’t even feel like scaring the rest…”
He pouts behind the tree as he hears the next pair approach. He exhales and closes his eyes for a moment.
Tsuki ‘Whatever. The show must go on.’
He begins to do his normal routine as Lucy and Ryuji approach. As he steps out and turns his head, Ryuji and Lucy, who were smiling and talking a moment ago, stiffen up for a moment, noticing him.
Ryuji/Lucy “Oh-”
That is the only noise they make as they continue walking, obviously shaken a bit by Tsuki but not terrified. Tsuki goes back behind the tree and covers his mouth trying to hold in his laughter.
Tsuki ‘Now that is a reaction!’
Eventually the rest of the pairs make it through getting just as scared as the others. Once everyone is through, Mr. Yamada congratulates them on making it out alive. He then proceeds to gather everyone and continues the tour. Tsuki comes out from behind the tree and through the bushes onto the path. He stands and dusts himself off a bit then wipes most of the makeup off onto his tattered shirt before peeking his head up. He notices a small blue light glowing off in the distance. A light he doesn’t recognize. He takes a couple steps forward towards it.
Tsuki “Blue.. fire?..”
It then proceeds to jump away from him.
Tsuki “No, wait, come back.”
He steps through the bushes, off the trail, to follow the moving blue fire.
After a couple hours of history lessons, the tour goes on break for the class to have lunch. They all sit in the dining room.
Chizuru “I didn’t know you liked scary things, Shiori.”
She nods.
Shiori “Anything supernatural or horrifying. I love getting scared.”
Sugawara “Lucky you…”
They look at him. He gets embarrassed.
Haru “We learned today that Sugawara hates scary things.”
Sugawara “What about you?”
Haru “Hmm… I don’t mind them I guess. Fictional things I don’t find very scary. Like movies, or stories and the like. Being in real danger on the other hand, no way! Like bungee jumping or hang gliding. I hardly tolerate roller coasters…”
He says drooping. Lucy laughs at him. As they talk and eat, Shiori begins to overhear other conversations.
Mr. Yamada “Have you seen Tsuki come back yet?”
The other staff shakes their head.
Mr. Yamada “That’s weird. He should’ve been back by now…”
She looks over in their direction. Her eye focused.
Chizuru “Is something wrong Shiori?”
She sits quietly for a moment, listening intently until she hears something that makes her ear twitch. She suddenly gets up and runs out of the room. Hikigaya stands too.
Hikigaya “Shiori? Where are you going?”
He chases after her. Ms. Samuel is caught off guard and can’t stop them from running out of the house in time.
Ms. Samuel “Both of you get back here right now!”
As she calls them, there is a blood curdling scream from the woods. Everyone freaks out as Ryuji and Lucy begin to rush after their friends. Before they can however, Ms. Samuel and the other staff slam the doors and windows shut.
Ms. Samuel “No one is going back out there until the police arrive, understand me?!”
Lucy “Ms. Samuel! My friends just ran out there! We have to go help them!”
Ms. Samuel “My top priority is protecting my class from whatever is out there! I will not abandon the rest of you or let you put yourselves in harm's way just because those two decided to!”
Lucy sweats and looks upset with her answer but understands the situation. Ms. Samuel is also sweating as she turns her back towards the class. The other staff have already started calling the police.
Ms. Samuel ‘How did this happen? What is even happening? I wasn’t trained for something like this!’
As she freaks out, Mr. Yamada places his hand on her shoulder. She quickly looks at him. He smiles softly at her.
Mr. Yamada “It’s going to be alright. When help arrives, everything will be handled.”
He smiles at her but she feels his hand shaking. She then notices his eyes are beginning to be glossy like tears are forming. Ms. Samuel smiles back and takes his hand.
Ms. Samuel ‘That’s right. Tsuki could still be out there… I hope those two stay safe while help comes.’
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