Close Connections

Having looked through every classroom, I was disappointed to find nothing.

"Well, it looks like we have to wait for others."

"Yeah."

My confrontation with Masami happened unexpectedly, but I was glad to see her open her eyes to reality. She still had the same neutral face, but her voice now sounded human like.

"Dammit! I was stupid for walking up those stairs!"

Right as I said that, I heard an explosion coming from the dead end of the hallway.

Is that them?

I rushed over, to see a huge hole in the wall. I heard familiar voices coughing.

"You should have warned me, Masato! I could have been blown up!"

"Don't cry about it! I said to run when I put the container inside."

"Hey! Guys!"

I waved my hands towards them.

"Noboru! You're alive!"

"Dude!"

They both jumped onto me.

"AGH! My back!"

"Sorry!"

They removed themselves, allowing me to stand back up.

"Wait, you were with Masami?"

Ko pointed at her.

"Yeah, she followed me down here."

"Yes... I did..."

Masami looked nervous.

Wow, she sure shows more emotions than before...

"Thank you!"

Ko hugged her.

"Huh? For what?"

"You kept him company, right? He would've been probably scared to go alone."

"Hey! I-I'm not that scaredy-cat!"

My face was red from embarrassment.

"Don't worry. I would have probably fainted if I was chased by that thing."

"I had to change my pants..."

Somehow, they heard me whisper that, and started laughing.

"H-How did y-you even h-hear me?! That's not funny!"

"It is, a bit."

Masato had that smug look on his face again.

He doesn't know how much I hate that look of his.

"Alright, alright. Can you show us a way out?"

Both of them looked at each other before shaking their heads.

"How?! We came two hours ago!"

"Well... I dragged Masato around the school, as we were trying to find the container and... somehow got lost..."

"Oh, Ko..."

"Maybe I could help?"

We all turn towards Masami.

"You can?"

"Yes, you technically finished the task, so I could give you a little help."

Hearing this, we all jump on her.

"Huh?!"

"Thank you so much!"

"Thanks!"

"You have no idea how much this helps us!"

For the first time in her life, Masami was flustered.

"C-Could you please get off me? I still have the button, you know."

We get off her.

"Yeah, but... you know... you could just throw it away... since we're friends..."

Masato gave her a sly look.

"No. Even if I wanted to, they would activate the contraption if I dispose of this, or fail to report you cheating."

"Dammit! I thought it was a good plan..."

"Anyway, we have to hurry. We only cleared 2 locations for 2 days. Let's at least make it a 3."

I reminded them.

"Lead the way."

After that, we spent 10 minutes going around the school. When I asked Masami why didn't we go straight to the exit, she said that the building was unstable at the entrance, and that it would probably collapse on top of us.

When we finally got out through the emergency exit, we decided to chose our next location.

"Okay, all the locations are: the local hill that's on private property, abandoned swimming pool, the local supermarket that closed not too long ago, the forest that's on the other side of the town, and the almost abandoned shopping mall."

"Pick your poison!"

"That's not funny, Masato."

I brought out the holographic map, that Masato took with him.

"Here, here, here, here, and here."

I marked all the locations on the map, and a holographic picture appeared above each location, describing what awaits us there.

"I don't think we should break into private property first, so that's off the list for now."

I don't want to have problems with the police, already.

"Forget the swimming pool then. I don't want to go where people bathed, plus it's probably the most contaminated location."

Ko shivered at the thought.

"Okay, what do you think, Masato?"

"Hm... I don't want to go into that forest today. Maybe another day when the sun's out."

"Alright. Supermarket or mall?"

"I vote mall!"

Ko said.

"I vote supermarket!"

Masato said.

"Hey!"

They both said in unison. I turn around to face Masami.

"You see what I deal with?"

She lets out a small laugh.

"They're a handful."

"Noboru, please choose the mall! Please!"

"No! Choose the supermarket! It's closer!"

"Alright you two..."

They stopped to listen to me.

"We're going to the mall."

"Yeah! Take that, Masato!"

"Why dude?!"

"Because it's the only location with people in it. If we finish it now, we won't have any location people can see us on."

"Uh...fair."

"Then it's settled. Let's meet at the mall in an hour."

"Right!"

We all scatter, going to our houses to restock or check if something is needed.

When Masami and I got home, it was 15:02 PM.

"I take it you're coming with us?"

"There's no other way."

"Say, did you eat anything today?"

"I had a granola bar."

"What? That's unhealthy, you know?"

"It gives me enough energy for the whole day."

I open my bag and hand her my packed lunch, which were rice bowls.

"Eat. Don't ignore yourself."

She looked uneasy for some reason.

What is wrong? Did I offend her?

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah... Everything is fine."

"Then why are-"

I realized that I was a bit pushy, and hide my red face in embarrassment.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to push you, or anything."

"No, it's fine! It's just that... you're too kind."

Ah! Why do compliments from girls always make me flustered!?

"Well, you should eat. You'll be watching us for at least 3 to 6 more hours."

"Alright."

After she sat down to eat, I went back into my room to get a spare change of clothes. Then, I went back down to get more water, since I downed it all after that chase...

I wish I could forget that part of this day.