第５９９堀：よく見なければ扉はどっちに開くかわからない (Part2)
So, for the time being, I decided to follow the guidance and continue down the path. However, we ended up walking in circles through similar corridors over and over again. Those of us who knew about this kind of "loop" trope—myself, Taiki, Shuten, and Suiryu—were unfazed, but the other members were starting to break down, exhausted and questioning if we were actually making any progress or if we’d ever get out.
Yeah. Putting aside those of us who knew the trope, it’s understandable that anyone without prior knowledge would feel completely lost. It’s the kind of thing that could drive you mad if you let it.
Overcoming that trouble, we wandered around the not-so-large library for about five minutes before finally discovering the stairs to the first floor. I suppose it was testing our patience.
Well, setting that aside, we planned to investigate everything at once, so we headed down to the first floor, and...
"Huh? Where are we?"
"Wait? Didn't we just leave Mikos-chan and the others in the library!?"
Kagura and Mikos looked around in surprise. Actually, everyone else was looking around, too. All that stretched out before us was an empty, barren room. There were no bookshelves, no books, and no tables.
"Did they pull a prank and move the books and shelves out?"
"If they did such a thing, we must have the Academy Principal replaced."
Kanna answered my joke with complete seriousness. Yeah, I guess only Taiki really gets my jokes. I’d better not say anything reckless.
"Oh? There’s a door over there," Dressa pointed out. A door had appeared on the wall before we knew it.
"But was there a door in a place like that?"
"I don't know. I'm her sister, after all."
"I don't know either. In the first place, I don't think this is even the same library anymore."
It seemed the people from the Academy were unaware of that door.
"In that case, is that the secret room?"
"I hope so. Shuten-chan, Suiryu-san, what do you think?"
When Taiki asked them, both nodded.
"I can feel a human presence from that room."
『Indeed. That sensation belongs to Sota.』
It seemed we hit the jackpot. Just as I thought that, a voice drifted from the door.
『Open that door and enter. If you can understand this voice, these words.』
This time, it was a clear, male voice. Based on what Suiryu said, I could safely assume this was the first head of the Kamishiro family. A ghost, or a spirit, so to speak? Well, I didn't sense any hostility, so I wasn't overly guarded.
I looked at everyone, and since they didn't seem to sense any immediate danger, we decided to proceed.
"Alright, Kagura. You do the honors."
"What!? W-why do I have to open it!?"
"Well, Suiryu says it's Sota's voice, so shouldn't a blood relative open it? Or, if you don't want to, I could ask Lady Kanna..."
"I'll do it!!"
I don't know what it is, but Kagura seems to have a competitive streak against Kanna. Is it that classic complex of having an overly talented older sister? Taiki-san's lessons are so intense that there's no room to fire off questions like Kanna does, so I suppose it's understandable. Though, Kagura is a student and Kanna is a researcher; they have different foundations, so it can't be helped.
"Good luck, Kagura!!"
"Mikos is coming too!!"
She didn't forget to bring her "Mikos Shield" for self-preservation, so she hadn't lost her cool entirely. The rest of us braced ourselves just in case. There was no way we were just going to let Kagura and Mikos walk out there alone. Providing that kind of cover is a job for the adults.
"Here we go."
"Wait!?"
Ignoring Mikos's protest, she tried to push the door open in one go...
"Ngh!?"
It wouldn't budge, and Kagura let out a strange noise as she put her weight into it.
『...It's a pull door.』
A voice with a certain indescribable tone drifted from the door.
"..."
Everyone was speechless. We knew she was trying her best, which made it all the more awkward.
"Um, Kagura. You're supposed to pull it."
"...I know that."
Mikos said it hesitantly, and Kagura finally pulled the door. It opened smoothly. Inside, standing right in front of the door, was a man with a look of apology on his face.
『I should have written that it was a pull door on the outside,』 he said to Kagura, who was hanging her head in shame.
What are we supposed to do with this atmosphere? It happens to everyone. Even if there’s a sign that says "Pull," it’s common to push out of habit—it happens at department stores all the time. I’ve experienced it myself. You feel so embarrassed when you make a clumsy mistake like that, don't you? As you get older, you stop caring as much, but when you're young and sensitive, it can really weigh on you. It makes for a good laugh later, though.
I imagine it’s pretty rough for Kagura right now, though. In a situation like this, what would you all do?
> Comfort her
> Leave her alone
> Act like you didn't see anything and treat her normally
Am I the only one who thinks all of these are landmines when dealing with a female student?