第６０５堀：トイレの調査 (Part2)
"Don't give me that 'Huh?' look. We stayed behind to keep watch, remember?"
"Ah, right."
We cracked the door open just a sliver and peered into the hallway. Footsteps approached, and a female student walked past as if nothing were amiss, heading straight into the restroom.
"Have you seen her before?"
"No, she’s not in my grade. Probably a lower-classman."
"She just walked in like it was perfectly normal, didn't she?"
"She did."
"What about the rumors that it’s not being used?"
"Well, it’s just a rumor, after all... though, since every other stall was out of commission, the 'not being used' part is probably true."
"Ah, I see. Then again, maybe she just happened to be the one who decided to use it."
"It is lunch break, after all. If the other restrooms are full, people might come here."
Coincidence. That’s a possibility I can’t rule out.
Well, it’s not like she’s suddenly the culprit, but there’s no way to know the truth. After all, meeting the First Dungeon Master so suddenly was already too convenient to be real.
As my fear began to ebb and I started to calm down, Ria returned.
"This way."
"Oh, so that’s where you were."
We invited Ria into the classroom and listened to what had been decided at the command center.
"For now, we’re going with Kagura’s suggestion: keep watching. It’s tiring to monitor for long periods, so we’ll do it until after school when the students leave, and then Yuki and the others will take over. Is that alright?"
"Yes. That’s fine."
"Then I guess we’ll just wait here. Oh, by the way, that person who went into the girls' restroom—she still hasn't come out."
"Oh, now that you mention it."
It felt like nearly ten minutes had passed by now.
"But, isn't that still within the realm of normal?"
"Well, I suppose so."
"Hm? Someone went into the girls' restroom?"
"Yeah. While you were off reporting, a female student went in and hasn't come out yet. Though, it’s only been about ten minutes."
"Just a margin of error, I guess."
"I see. I’ll stay here with you until she comes out. We might run into her."
And so, Ria joined us in the classroom to wait for the student to emerge, but...
"She’s not coming out, is she?"
"She really isn't."
"It’s been twenty minutes. Are you sure you saw her?"
"I did. Right?"
"Yeah. I saw her too, so there’s no way I misidentified her..."
"Then maybe something happened inside. You know, with the ghost rumors and all. It’s not impossible that she had a sudden medical emergency."
At those words, Mikos and I jumped to our feet.
We had completely forgotten about that possibility. We had just assumed she was there to use the facilities.
"We have to check, quickly!"
"Y-yeah, you're right!!"
"Agreed. It’s definitely been too long. I’ll go call Yuki and the others, so you two go ahead and check the restroom. If things look bad, don't push yourselves."
With that, Ria dashed off toward Yuki’s group, and Mikos and I hurried into the restroom.
Suddenly, a strange voice drifted from the back of the room.
"...*Sigh*, why am I eating lunch all by myself in a place like this?"
...?
I didn't quite understand what she was saying. The restroom isn't exactly a place for dining.
I exchanged a look with Mikos, but she seemed just as confused. Since it was clear someone was in there, I approached the stall and called out.
"Hey. Is someone in there?"
"Eek!?"
*Eek?*
"...Not again. Can't you leave a person to their peace? *Sniff, sniff, sob...*"
Hm? She started crying all of a sudden.
"Hey, Kagura. Do you think she’s feeling ill?"
"Ah, right. That must be why she won't come out. Wait here. I’ll help her right away."
"H-huh? Help her...?"
Without waiting for an answer, Mikos and I forced the door open...
"Gyaaa!?"
Inside, a female student was sprawled on the floor, still clutching a piece of bread.
As we stood there tilting our heads in confusion, it seemed Ria had brought Yuki and the others back...
"We heard a loud noise and a scream—is everyone okay!?"
Um, how do I explain this?
I was left to ponder that.
To all of you, I trust that you are understanding readers. Please, just leave her be. I won't say everyone has experienced this, but I’m sure many who read this will understand. It’s a story about school mysteries, but also about the social structure of school life.
In other words... to those brothers who have already figured it out:
"Don't cry until the very end."
It’s the classic case of "the ghost turns out to be nothing but withered pampas grass"... *Ugh.*
Well, putting aside such an overreaction, everyone has their moments of eating alone, right?
"When you eat, you must be free, undisturbed, and—how should I put it—saved. Alone, quiet, and enriched..."
As a certain famous person once said, eating alone isn't a bad thing at all.
Oh, and the first volume of *Victory Dungeon* was published in Monster Comics on October 27th. The artist, Suzume Yamaneko, has been working very hard on it. If you're interested, please check out the comic adaptation.
I know you might have a lot to say, but please keep that for the activity reports.