Why don't you try to contact your classmates?

Why don't you try to contact your classmates?
[player]You only called your sister, right? If you don't mind, we can call your classmates. You're all around the same age, so you should all be interested in this type of game.
It seems that Sora never expected me to say this. He subconsciously grips the Rubik's Cube pendant in his hand tightly and makes a shocked expression.
[Sora Ichinose]*Coughing* But I don't know everyone that well.
[player]Eh? But haven't you been in middle school for some time now? How... Do you have any difficulties at school?
[Sora Ichinose]It's my own fault... Right after school started, I took two consecutive weeks off school due to my physical condition. By the time I could go back to school, everyone had already become good friends with each other.
[Sora Ichinose]Although my classmates do invite me to join them in group activities, I always have to take leave suddenly, so everyone has to do my part for me. I've caused them a lot of trouble even though I never intended to.
[player]So you kept your distance from everyone because you feel guilty?
[Sora Ichinose]*Coughing* It's not that complicated. I just haven't spent my time with them. Even the teachers of my non-core subjects can't call me by name, let alone the other students.
Although Sora is speaking in a calm and unhurried tone, I can tell that he's unhappy about his failure to have a good relationship with his classmates.
[Sora Ichinose]So... Don't you think it'll be strange if I suddenly invite them to come out and do something together?
[player]But don't you want to become friends with your classmates? No one can understand how you feel if you hide everything deep inside your heart. You'll never know until you try. Maybe your classmates want to become friends with you and are just waiting for a chance to interact with you.
[Sora Ichinose]...
After I finally manage to convince Sora, he takes out his phone, writes a message seriously, and sends the message to his group of classmates to invite them to play the escape room game together. He puts up a nonchalant front, but the rapid movement of his eyelashes betrays his nervousness.
The sweet aroma of boba tea fills the air, and the sunlight is as warm as ever, but Sora's eyebrows droop lower and lower over time. He looks like a child abandoned by the whole world, and his helplessness is exposed for all to see at this moment.
Buzzzz—
Just as I am about to say something to comfort him, the mobile phone on the table starts vibrating. He glances at it before handing the phone to me in surprise and motions for me to read it together.
[Group Chat Message] Jiang Shan (No Escape from Bad Luck): I love playing escape room games! But I don't have enough pocket money this week. Can I play with you next week?//n[Group Chat Message] Anju Suzumiya: Record, the key information "escape room" was detected at 2:23 pm.
[Group Chat Message] Natalie: Is that the new escape room? I heard that the pancakes next door are super delicious!//n[Group Chat Message] Jiang Shan (No Escape from Bad Luck): ...//n[Group Chat Message] Jiang Shan (No Escape from Bad Luck): Are you sure pancakes are the focus right now?!
[Group Chat Message]Michihito: Me, me, me, me, me! I'm about to come with Akira. The four of us can form a team!//n[Group Chat Message] Michihito: @Sora Ichinose Straight-A, look at me! I can go— (tries his best to capture Sora's attention)//n[Group Chat Message] Akira: ...
The mobile phone keeps vibrating, and it isn't long before there are more than 99 new messages in the group chat.
[player]What are you waiting for? Reply to the messages.
[Sora Ichinose]*Coughing* Um... Yes.
Sora's fingertips tap the phone screen at a lightning-fast speed. I can't see what they are saying from where I am, but I can tell they have agreed on something by the smiling eyes of the person beside me.
[Sora Ichinose]Michihito said he and Akira had just finished watching a movie and can team up with us. But he said it'll be around another half an hour before they will be here, so we'll have to wait for a little longer.
[player]That's okay, we can sit down at the boba shop and rest up before we challenge the escape room.
[Sora Ichinose]Okay.
[player]There seem to be fewer people in the queue in front of the counter now. Do you want a drink, Sora?
[Sora Ichinose]Yes!
[player]Do you want to take a look at the drinks menu? There are a lot of sweets options here. Do you prefer tiramisu or apple pancake with syrup?
[Sora Ichinose]I don't mind!
The sweet aroma in the boba tea store makes this moment more delightful. The boy's good mood is undisguised, and he makes a smile that can melt all negative emotions.
I hope this escape room adventure can make him happier for a longer time.
Sora and I arrive at the store ten minutes before the agreed time. He talks to the employee to reserve an escape room session first, then we sit on the sofa near the entrance to wait for his companions to arrive.
Before long, two boys wearing the same school uniform appear. Although I don't understand why Sora's classmates are wearing their school uniform when they're shopping on the weekend, it makes it easy for me to identify them in the crowd.
[player]Sora, your classmates are over there.
[Michihito]Straight-A, we're sorry it took us a while to get here.
[Sora Ichinose]This is PLAYER. We'll be playing the escape room together today. PLAYER, this is Michihito, and the one next to him is Akira. They're both my classmates.
[player]Hello!
[Akira]H-Hi...
[Michihito]Wow! Is this your friend? Your friend looks really amazing. Please carry me because this is my first time playing an escape room game.
[player]It's also our first time coming to this place. Let's help each other!
The atmosphere cools down quickly after everyone makes polite greetings. The teenagers are making awkward polite smiles and are even standing uncomfortably.
Although I had heard Sora mention that he isn't very close with his classmates, seeing this scene still surprised me. His description was way too conservative because this scene was no different from strangers meeting for the first time.
[Shop Employee]Excuse me, have your companions all arrived? The "Shrine of Another World" escape room you reserved is almost ready. We can start at any time.
[Michihito]We're here! I can't wait to explore the escape room!
[Shop Employee]Okay, please leave your personal belongings with me. I'll return them to you after the game ends. Please wear the blindfold because our adventure to another world is about to begin. This escape room consists of seven rooms, and the fastest completion time so far is 46 minutes.
The employee hands me a blindfold respectfully. I sense a hint of danger from this due to my familiarity with this practice...
[player]Can I not wear it?
[Shop Employee]For a better game experience, please cooperate with me.
Deprived of light and vision by the blindfold, I am guided forward by the employee. Along the way, Michihito screams and howls all the way as he calls out for Akira, which makes the employee guiding me laugh out loud.
[Michihito]A-Akira, are you there? AHHHH! I'm so scared! Why isn't anyone talking? Help me—
[Akira]...I'm here.
[Sora Ichinose]PLAYER... Are you there?
[player]I'm here too.
[Sora Ichinose]Okay...
As the employee's footsteps fade into the distance. The crisp sound of a lock signals the beginning of the game. Our escape room adventure has officially started.
I pull off my blindfold and regain my deprived sight. In front of me is the familiar scene of Japanese-style corridors, small bridges, and flowing water. This place is quiet and peaceful, which is completely different from the dark and scary escape room I was expecting.
[player]...The flowers, plants, and trees are arranged in exactly the same layout as the courtyard of the Mahjong Soul Shrine. Even the flowers have the same scent here! The designer of this escape room really put their heart into it.
[player]I wouldn't be surprised at all if Ichihime and Wanjirou suddenly appear. This place looks like just a miniature version of the Mahjong Soul Shrine!
[Sora Ichinose]The owner of this store once said in an interview that each escape room is based on a real place, and that a lot of money has been spent on spices and vegetation to give customers the most authentic experience.
[player]There was an interview? Sora, so you've been paying attention to this store for a while now?
[Sora Ichinose]I just did some research on our way here. Having more information will increase our chances of completing this escape room.
[Michihito]Is this what they call "the calm before the storm"? Will an evil god or rebellious priestess suddenly appear the moment we relax our guard?
[Sora Ichinose]The "Shrine of Another World" escape room we chose is more about solving mysteries. This type of escape room usually doesn't have many horror elements, so don't worry about that.
[Michihito]That's great! Haha, what are we doing now? Should we start looking for clues?
[player]After hearing that there aren't any horror elements, Michihito becomes more proactive almost immediately.
[Akira]...Um.
[player]Akira, you look like you have something to say. What is it?
Three pairs of eyes look at Akira, whose body is visibly tense. He doesn't react for a few seconds before finishing his sentence.
[Akira]Well, after all, he is afraid of the dark, heights, water, and ghosts.
[Michihito]Hey! Akira, don't expose me like that! I have a reputation to preserve too...
The light relieves the tension, and the boys become lively again in an instant. The relaxed atmosphere affects even Sora, who forgets about solving the puzzle for now.
[Guardian]Muhahahahah! Good afternoon, everybody! I am the guardian of this shrine! You can call me the "Divine Will". I have good news and bad news for you. What do you want to hear first?
A strange voice is broadcast in the escape room, interrupting the relaxed and pleasant conversation. Everyone unanimously chooses Sora as the representative to answer the question.
[Sora Ichinose]We want to listen to the good news first.
[Guardian]Muhahahahaha! I'll tell you the bad news first then!
[Sora Ichinose]...
[Guardian]To protect this shrine from the influence of evil forces, the kannushi separated this shrine from the real world and transferred it to this pocket dimension. However, this place has long been eroded by the power of darkness, and a demon is about to awaken. Everyone, including you, will become its sacrifice.
[Sora Ichinose]What's the good news?
[Guardian]The good news is that the kannushi predicted this and left clues in the shrine. If you follow the clues and find the final secret room, you will be able to activate the portal of light and return to the real world.
[Guardian]If you fail to find the portal left behind by the kannushi before time runs out, you will have to face the demon's wrath alone.
[Sora Ichinose]What are the kannushi's clues?
[Guardian]Muhaha! Finally a question about something important! My answer is... I don't know! It could be a piece of paper or a painting. I do not have the courage to pry about the kannushi's business.
[Guardian]Of course, a nice person like me is more than willing to help you. If you get stuck, you can ask me for a hint. But... you'll be punished accordingly every time you ask for help. That's all for now. Good luck!
[Michihito]A demon, sacrifices, another world... EEEEK! I thought there are no horror elements!
[Akira]This is just a background setting to make the experience more immersive.
[player]Let's start looking for clues now. There's a lot to investigate in this room, and I'm afraid it'll take a lot of time.
The bright light saves us a lot of time when we search for clues. Michihito and Akira very naturally team up to help each other, forming a sharp contrast with Sora who is acting alone.
[player]Sora, is there anything you need me to help you with?
[Sora Ichinose]There's a combination lock on the door. PLAYER, you can keep an eye out for items related to numbers.
If this escape room really is a one-to-one replica of the Mahjong Soul Shrine, I'm definitely the one who knows this place best among the four of us. However, not long after I start searching, the broadcast notifies us that the puzzle has been solved.
[Guardian]Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Muhaha! I didn't expect you to solve the first puzzle so quickly. The demon lord will be very satisfied with such clever minds... Um, I mean, you must find the clues of the kannushi quickly to go to the next room and find a way to return to the real world.
So fast! That was my first thought when I heard the guardian. The puzzle of the first room of an escape room is usually not too complicated, but it's still amazing that it was solved so quickly.
[player]Haha, it's so relaxing to play problem-solving games with Sora.
[Michihito]Who am I? Where am I? What should I do? Everything happened so quickly, as if some wondrous experience is missing.
[Sora Ichinose]Eh?
[Michihito]Um, what I'm trying to say is that solving the puzzle shouldn't be our only goal. There are many easter eggs waiting for us to discover in the room, which will also be fun. Um... forget it. That's not important. Let's hurry to the next room.
[Akira]...Watch out.
[Michihito]Hmm? What out for what?
[player]Akira is telling you to be careful of the mechanisms in the rooms. After all, a demon can appear at any time to capture you!
[Michihito]No way! I'm not that unlucky, am I...? Akira, you have to protect me!
[Sora Ichinose]...
Sora doesn't participate in the playful quarreling of his peers. He is standing between them, but he doesn't know how to blend in.
Contrary to the first room, the second room is very dimly lit, and the lantern can barely illuminate the outline of the entire space. There is no furniture here, and everything is in plain sight. The room is so empty it makes one panic.
Fortunately, there isn't much room to explore here, and it isn't necessary for the four of us to take action separately. I lean on the wall and feel my way forward inch-by-inch, using the most primitive way to find the exit.
[Michihito]Everyone, come here! There seems to be a mechanism here.
Everyone pays attention to Michihito, who has been afraid of everything so far and has been walking between his two classmates to make himself feel safer. Because of this reason, Sora should have already searched the walls that Michihito can touch. Given Sora's attention to detail, he shouldn't have missed anything.
After pressing down on the raised mechanism on the wall with our fingers, secret doors open on both sides of the room with a loud bang. From time to time, strange noises can be heard from the narrow and deep corridors behind the doors. Although I know it is just music played by an employee, I still flinch in my heart.
[Guardian]You four must really be in a hurry to return to the real world. You managed to find the secret room so quickly. There is half a key in each of the two rooms. You need to split into two groups to complete the task at the same time to get them. Muhaha! I've wished you good luck many times already, so this time... I hope you stay safe and sound!
[Michihito]Ahhhhhhhhh! What does "I hope you stay safe and sound" mean? If we fail to complete the mission and get the key, would we be captured and eaten by the demon?
[Akira]...You are really absorbed in the story.
No matter how strange the background setting read out by the employee, our most important goal is to get the key and escape. According to my previous experience of playing other escape rooms, it'll be more efficient if we split into compatible groups, and everyone will even grow closer.
[Michihito]Since we need to split into two groups, why don't we...