THEY'RE HERE, THOSE DAMN MUSHROOMS

The clinic stood in a remote area, with barely any other buildings around. Nature itself decorated the surroundings, creating a serene atmosphere.
Inside, only nine people worked there—two doctors, three nurses, two cleaners, a receptionist, and a pharmacist. They all knew each other well and were close friends. Occasionally, they called for volunteers when the workload became too much.
Haruto, Takumi, and his dad were perched on a tree, observing the building from a safe distance.
“There are five rooms in the building, not counting the bathrooms. The oxygen tanks are in the storage room there.” Takumi’s dad pointed toward a slightly open window—just big enough for a normal-sized person to squeeze through.
“I’ll go inside and ask for a check-up. While I keep them distracted, you two sneak in through the window and steal at least three tanks. Make sure they’re working,” he instructed.
“But just in case, Dad,” Takumi said, “if someone heads toward the storage room, we need a signal.”
“Good point,” his dad muttered, scratching his chin.
“I’ve got an idea,” Haruto said, grinning.

---
“Yo! Receptionist Betty, nice to see you again. You’re looking as lovely as ever,” Takumi’s dad greeted in English as he strolled into the clinic.
“Oh, shut it, you old geezer. I’m not in the mood today,” Betty snapped back in English, clearly annoyed.
“Ouch, you’re gonna break this old man’s fragile heart. Don’t be so grumpy all the time—you’ll get wrinkles.”
Betty was a blonde-haired, 27-year-old woman from England who had moved to Japan and gotten hired as the clinic’s receptionist. She had a fiery personality and was prone to mood swings.
Takumi’s dad looked out for her like the daughter he never had. She was fluent in both Japanese and English.
“So, what happened this time? Hurt your hips?” Betty teased.
“Haha, not this time. I just need my throat checked. It’s been dry and itchy—worse than usual.” He let out a rough cough.
“Ah, take a seat. The doctor will call you in soon,” she said with a smile, a stark contrast to her earlier attitude.
Takumi’s dad sat down, fidgeting slightly. I hope they’re doing well on their end…

---
Outside, Haruto helped Takumi climb through the window. They had decided who would go in through a round of rock-paper-scissors.
Takumi squeezed through the opening, landing in the dark storage room. He turned on his phone’s flashlight and began searching.
“Any luck?” Haruto whispered.
“Not yet, I just started looking,” Takumi whispered back.
“Well, hurry up!” Haruto hissed.
“I am, I am—” Takumi accidentally knocked over a metal cup, sending it clattering to the floor. He dove to stop it from making more noise.
They both froze, holding their breath.
“Are you dumb?!” Haruto hissed again. “How does that even happen?”
“Cut me some slack. No one heard it.” Takumi resumed searching.
Inside the clinic, Betty frowned. “Did you hear that?”
“Heard what?” Takumi’s dad asked, feigning confusion.
“I swear I heard something from the storage roo—”
“Well, I didn’t hear a thing. Maybe you’re just tired from working the night shift,” he interrupted smoothly.
“Oh, you’re probably right, lol. I really should take a break sometimes,” she sighed.
“Mhm, you work too hard,” he said, relieved she bought the excuse.
A nurse called from across the room. “Mr. Todo, the doctor will see you now.”
“On my way,” he said, standing up and dusting off his pants.

---
“I found them!” Takumi whispered excitedly, staring at a row of five oxygen tanks.
“Took you long enough! Pass them through the window,” Haruto said, positioning himself to catch them.
Back inside, the doctor checked Takumi’s dad’s throat. “Mr. Todo, since when has this been bothering you?”
“For four days, Madam. It seems my old body is finally succumbing to small ailments.” He let out a nervous chuckle.
A loud crash suddenly echoed through the clinic.
Everyone in the building froze.
“What was that?!” a nurse gasped.
“I—I don’t know,” Betty stammered. “Maybe… an intruder?”
“Oh my, we need to call the cops. Nurse, get the watchman outside and have him check the storage room,” the doctor ordered.
Takumi’s dad clenched his fists. These idiots… There was no choice. He had to use Haruto’s backup plan.
Clutching his chest, he let out an exaggerated wail.
“Ahhhh! My hearrrrt! It’s gonna explooooode!” he bellowed.
“W-what do you mean, Todo?!” Betty shouted, panic setting in.
“I’m gonna diiiiieeeeee!” he cried as he collapsed to the ground.
The doctor rushed over, kneeling beside him to check his pulse. His heartbeat was perfectly normal—just a little fast.
Takumi’s dad suddenly sat up, shoving her slightly. “Oh! Just a stitch! Haha, my bad,” he said, rubbing the back of his head.
They all stared at him with a mixture of disbelief, anger, and sheer annoyance.
Before they could say anything, the watchman entered, gripping his club.
“What happened, Madam? An intruder?” he asked.
The doctor sighed, shaking off her frustration with Todo. “Yes. Can you check the storage room?”
The watchman nodded and walked toward the door.
Takumi’s dad held his breath. Please be gone, please be gone…
A moment later, the watchman called out, “No one’s here, Madam, but the place is a mess.”
“The thief must have already escaped,” she muttered. “We’ll have to involve the police.” She turned back to Takumi’s dad with a glare. “And you—get out. I’ll check your throat tomorrow. We’re closing early to report this.”
“Alright, alright… I’ll leave,” he muttered, walking out.
As soon as he stepped outside, he collapsed onto the ground, smacking it in despair.
“How can I ever show my face there again?” he groaned, a single tear rolling down his cheek.
“Psst.”
He turned to see Haruto and Takumi peeking out from the bushes, struggling to hold in their laughter.
“You… you actually did it,” Haruto wheezed.
“You shouted so loud we heard you from outside,” Takumi laughed, clutching his stomach.
“Hey!” Takumi’s dad barked. “And what was that loud crash, huh? Which one of you messed up?”
“Takumi tripped over an oxygen tank and knocked over a bunch of stuff,” Haruto snickered.
“But did you guys get the tanks?” Takumi’s dad asked, shaking his head.
“Yup, four of them,” Takumi confirmed, wiping a tear of laughter from his eye.
Takumi’s dad sighed in relief. “Finally. We can save them…” He flopped onto the ground, laughing.
Haruto’s grin faded. “We gotta hurry. The cops will be here soon.”
“Yeah, we shoul—” Takumi stopped mid-sentence. His expression changed.
A strange blue glow shimmered beneath the long grass.
“Do you guys feel like it’s getting harder to breathe?” Takumi’s dad asked. “Or is it just me?”
“Yeah… it’s like those mushrooms…” Haruto murmured.
Takumi’s eyes widened in horror. “They’re here. Those damn mushrooms!”
The glowing fungi sprouted around them, releasing a toxic dust.
Without wasting a second, Takumi and Haruto strapped on their oxygen masks. Takumi’s dad fumbled with his, his vision blurring.
He collapsed as the mushrooms continued to grow, spreading their eerie blue light across the ground.
And all they could hear was the silence creeping in…