October 31st 2017

🎩: They will show up at the party.
You must inform the Head.

Wha- :🐸
This message couldn't be sent

"What the heck?? But-", as she tapped the resend option multiple times to no avail, the messy ponytail girl then noticed the litte triangle in the top left corner of her phone gone.

She tried calling someone anyway but the call didn't even work as she feared. It wasn't just a case of bad reception and she knew it since she had perfectly good reception even down there in the depths of earth just a while ago when she was joined by her top hat friend, this was intentional and she could feel it somehow.

She carefully looked around the small office to where she came back climbing that long ladder, trying to see if anyone small enough was hiding behind that old couch or behind that bookshelf somehow.

She then pulled out her shield again and carefully headed to the door, opening it gently only to find that ghostly gas station just as lonely as it was when they arrived but worse.

"Dude! Wha-?!", was the only thing she could say as she realized the black car she and the hat man rented to come and would be waiting for them to come back there was now gone. Emerson looked around in full alert, even suspecting the nicest tree which wasn't much to say as the night made all look fairly disturbing.

"Now how am I supposed to go back...? What's worse, it's already past midnight and not a single soul passes by this ghost station to ask for some help...", Emerson whispered to herself, trying to help her mind stay focused and not succumb to the quiet madness of that place hidden in the darkest corner of the world.

"Someone's probably close using some device to block the signal... I have two options... Look for them, kick their butt and get rid of this blocking or... Start running now and find some help to get back there...", Emerson said to herself, always alert of her surroundings but failing to see anyone near despite knowing well they were there.

"And can't go back in there with top hat dude since he's probably counting on me to deliver the message... So the best option is clear", Emerson nodded and attached her shield to her back again to then take a deep breath and look ahead.

"Let's goooooooooooo!!", and with that she took off running, hoping to get away from that ghostly gas station and find a way to deliver the message before it was too late, running and running with only a dark road ahead and countless trees that looked to embrace her the further she went.

That was until a pair of blinding white lights stood in her way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Halloween.

The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.

Essentially, it is a day dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the departed.

"And just like that time, we will take this day to remember the world as we know it before it departs and the New World is born".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"We're here bitches!", excitedly exclaimed the pink girl, who was now rare to see not holding the hand of her purple girl and this time was no exception. "Naaaaaaat!", shouted and bounced the red bow girl, sparkly blue eyes as she saw Natsuki's custom made magical girl costume and Yuri's also custom sorceress costume, big creepy book included under the arm that wasn't holding Natsuki's hand.

Sayori was wearing her own custom made superhero costume as well, consisting mainly of a cow patterned dress with some red hearts on it, matching boots and arm accessories, those cow ears and horns she received the previous day and of course, her never missing red bow.

"I see you two are aiming for that couple prize", Yuri said with a polite smile as Ryona approached them as well, wearing her own custom made superhero costume, which was some kind of fluffy blue hauberk with a big red heart in the middle, an apparent red one piece suit under it, matching boots and arm accessories and finally, those bear ears she also got the previous day from their magenta haired club mate.

"Yup! We got this contest won hehe!", Sayori said proud with hands on hips while Ryona just looked at her happy to see her in a good mood. "Not so fast Sayori! If anyone's gonna win that contest is us!", a familiar voice announced, making everyone look to the left where a brunette girl wearing a black cropped tank top with the big and green letters DX in it, along with a cowboy hat and cowboy like pants stood smiley with her classic finger raised pose.

"Us? I only see you there simpika", Natsuki said mockingly. "Mayu should be arriving in 3, 2, 1...!", Monika announced as she pointed at the east doors of the school gym that almost magically opened at the count of 3. "Eh?", but Monika's confident smile soon vanished.

"Heh... Your costumes don't really match up or is it supposed to be that way?", Natsuki asked smugly as the student council president, calmly walked towards them, wearing a black long singlet, a long black trench coat, black gloves and a black minister hat, who just said, "hey".

"Mayu! What's the meaning of this?!", Monika asked pouty as she pointed at Mayu's costume. "What?", Mayu asked calmly.

"Your costume! I mean you look hot but- agh! No, that's not what I- Mayu! We were supposed to come as Degeneration X!", Monika exclaimed blushing embarrassed. "Ah, right. Well, the student council happened to ask me for ideas about the group costumes, I suggested them the Ministry and they liked it so I ended up dressing as the Undertaker to match with them", Mayu explained apparently calm but Natsuki could tell she was fighting not to laugh now.

"But why?! How are we gonna enter the couple contest like this?!", Monika asked outraged. "I don't- pfft- know haha...", Mayu couldn't hold back for much longer.

"Now I just look like some slutty cowgirl!", Monika pouted upset. "Gahahaha!", Mayu bursted out laughing along with Natsuki who was having a blast at Monika's expense.

"Stoooop! You did this on purpose didn't you?!", Monika pointed at Mayu upset. "Pfft, sorry hahaha, it's been a while since I messed with you, I had forgotten how much fun it was hahaha!", Mayu laughed.

"Mayuuuu!", Monika grabbed her by the shoulders and began shaking her. "Stop that! Gahahaha!", Mayu commanded angry to then keep laughing.

"Well, this night has been totally worth it so far", Natsuki said grinning as she looked at Monika now pouting and crossing arms upset. "Sorry, sorry, don't be upset", Mayu said but Monika simply exclaimed, "hmph!", and looked away.

"You still look amazing though", Mayu gently grabbed Monika's chin between her fingers and made her look at her as she said those words, softly looking into her emerald green eyes. "A-Awawah- bah-gah- t-thanks...", Monika blushed madly at Mayu's sudden cool attitude.

"Well, that was easy. Pros of being the crush of a simp I guess", Natsuki said as Monika now looked all flustered, touching her chin and smiling like a fool while Mayu went to talk to Ryona a bit. "Where are the others though? They still haven't arrived?", Yuri asked.

"Yeah, I think. Ry and I were the first to get here of our group, Jazz and Kanae were next, they came in their karate costumes by the way, Jazz's was black and had this big cobra on the back and Kanae's was white with this bonzai on the back", Sayori explained.

"Cobra kai and Miyagi do huh? Interesting choice, where are they though?", Natsuki asked. "They said they had to go help with some stuff for the events that will take place in the main building", Sayori replied.

"There will be haunted houses and that kind of stuff, right?", Yuri asked awfully curious. "Yuri, no", Natsuki said unimpressed. "Yep! Wanna see which couple screams first later??", Sayori asked smiley.

"I-I would be gl-", Yuri tried to say a big yes, but the pink girl spoke first. "Ahahaha! Look those guys came dressed up as Naruto and Sasuke! Let's go ask them if they're gay!", Natsuki said as she luckily spotted two boys with the aforementioned costumes, dragging Yuri away from Sayori's crazy challenge.

Soon, more of the literature club members arrived.
Sayori excitedly greeted them every time, never failing to praise their costumes.

Erika came dressed as a very suggestive bunny girl, accompanied by Ruri who was a classic robot made of boxes but remarkably well drawn control panels and details on them.

Omiko and Ryuko came dressed as two bloody nurses from a game called silent hill, which the purple girl greatly praised them for.

Haru as expected arrived dressed up as the most indecent person so far, wearing a classic sexy devil girl costume which was basically a red bikini, the tail and horns.

Kiyomi went for a classic too dressed up as a princess, originally designed by her and Mao came dressed as some kind of office lady.

With most of the club reunited, just a couple of key people still had yet to arrive and Natsuki, Yuri, Sayori and Monika couldn't help but wonder why.

"Welp, almost everyone are here, has anyone texted Emerson or Kanefusa yet?", Natsuki asked. "I did but none of them has replied yet", Monika replied.

"What about Gen?", Sayori asked but as if she had just summoned the devil by calling his name, the earth began to shake. "OSU!!", a loud battle cry like handful of deep voices shouted and got everyone's attention as everyone turned to the north entrance of the school gym.

"Ah, there they are", Monika smiled awkwardly as she saw a group of classic horror movie killers making their way into the gym, Leatherface, Jason, Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, Ghost face and Pennywise the clown all looking in the best shape of their life and with the peculiarity of Pennywise wearing a school cap.

"Yo! Fine ladies of literature I see you- whoaaaaa! Undertaker and Shawn Michaels!", The biggest of them dressed up as Leatherface cheerfully greeted the girls until his eyes noticed the student council and literature club presidents.

"Wahaha! Gozo thought no one would dress up as wrestlers today, surprise surprise!", Gensai laughed. "Well, finally you show your true form my dear clown. You know, I used to fear that character but you just make it look hilarious", Natsuki grinned at him.

"It's because of the cap, I told ya", Jason sighed, he had dreadlocks well hidden. "He won't take it off for more than 30 seconds", Freddy grinned as he removed his hat to comb his mohawk under it, making Natsuki wonder how the heck did the hat not ruin that.

"No, but seriously yo- mm?", Natsuki was about to keep the insults coming but through her hand, she could feel the odd vibration of a body that belonged to none other than the purple haired girl holding it.

She looked at her and saw her with phone in hand and furiously fidgeting with her hair with the same hand while she kept switching glances between the group of muscular killers and the floor, all while her body vibrated non stop.

"Geez...", Natsuki chuckled at her awkward girlfriend, rolling her eyes to then snatch her phone from her hand, startling her a bit. "You bunch of big dummies, my girlfriend wants a pic of you", Natsuki said always confident.

"Sure thing! Come on guys, let's pose!", Gensai exclaimed. "Hey, Goz!", Freddy shouted to get Leatherface's attention.

"Yeah and the career vs streak match was just as good! Miss student council president, if it wasn't for your position, I'd definitely be encouraging you to join our club, you truly are a fellow fan!", Gozo was rambling with Monika and Mayu, the latest following him on the stuff he talked about while Monika just smiled and agreed.

But when Gozo said that last thing, the brunette was able to see the mysterious and almost sad smile of her white haired crush, which finally made her ask herself the big question in her mind, "Now that I think about it why didn't Mayu join the wrestling club instead of the student council if she likes the sport so much? I gotta ask her this sometime".

Before Monika even thought of encouraging Gozo to encourage Mayu to do so now, the wrestling club president had to leave the conversation as his friends called for him to join them for a group photo, all already posing and showing off their muscles.

"Not like that you idiots! You're killers not bodybuilders!", Natsuki scolded while aiming Yuri's phone camera at them to which Yuri nodded. "I got a better idea!", Leatherface Gozo exclaimed and approached Yuri, who began feeling nervous.

"Hey! What the heck do you think you're doing?!", Natsuki exclaimed outrageous. "N-Natsuki!", Yuri exclaimed panicking as Gozo easily lifted her up on his shoulder and took her with the other killers.

"Come on guys! Surround me!", Gozo commanded and the rest of the wrestling club members stood around him, putting mean faces and evil smiles lifting their arms while Yuri was on his shoulder defenseless and covering half her face with her big book.

"My gosh", Natsuki snorted but quickly took the picture, surprised to then see Yuri giggling as Gozo put her down. "One more!", Gozo exclaimed and posed showing off his muscles, immediately followed by the others all around Yuri who simply smiled awkwardly, covering the lower half of her face with the Necronomicon as Natsuki took another picture.

"Alright, alright, enough", Natsuki said as she put down the camera and signaled Yuri to come back, who did so all smiles. "You're having a blast aren't you?", Natsuki asked.

"I didn't know these parties could be so much fun hehe... B-But then again, when I'm with you ev-", Yuri spoke not so long before being interrupted. "Ohhhh nonononononono! Nope! I'm not having any of your cheese this early in the night, now come on, let's go try those red drinks!", Natsuki exclaimed and dragged Yuri to one of the large tables full of glasses with some red liquid which they assumed were tomato, strawberry or cherry juice most likely.

"It's good to see the ship as lively as ever~", Haru commented. "Are you seriously not cold like that?", Mao asked, looking at her tanned and voluptuous body a bit embarrassed.

"Woohoooooo!! Man, I just died and went to heaven!", a familiar but not exactly good to hear voice then shouted, making some of the girls roll their eyes and sigh a bit annoyed. "Mm? Oi Kai! Why aren't you dressed up as pinhead like we agreed??", Gozo asked disappointed.

The red haired boy was instead wearing a roman gladiator like costume, mostly just wearing the trunks, belt and some straps around his bare and hairy torso, along with his always present sunglasses and headband but impressive enough, he also carried his own sword, a traditional Japanese katana oddly enough though.

"Like hell I'd dress up as that freak and not let the ladies eyes enjoy all of this!", Kai exclaimed as he turned around and posed, showing off his tattoo of a tiger's head in flames on his whole back. "We didn't need to see any of that though...", Haru said displeased.

"That sword better be a prop", Mayu said with crossed arms. "O-Of course it is gahahaha! Umm?", Kai laughed nervous but his eyes didn't fail to see what everyone else had seen and some still were seeing.

"Ohoho! Miss gyaru~ I must say your costume is q-guhah!", Kai grinned as he approached Haru to look from up close, only for him getting pepper sprayed in the face. "Credits to my dear Emmy for the idea~", Haru giggled.

"What was that for!", Kai asked offended but all grief soon went away as his eyes landed on the red wine haired princess before him. "K-Kiyomi-chan...", Kai said stupefied as he slowly walked over to her.

"Hello, Kai-kun", Kiyomi said with her usually polite smile. "Ahem! My princess, would you allow this humble soldier to escort you to the dance floor?", Kai asked as she kneeled before her, gently taking her hand and lowering his head.

"O-Oh my, hehe...", Kiyomi giggled flattered. "I must say that new haircut and hair color look lovely on you", Kai grinned coolly as he kissed her hand, making the girl blush.

"Now that I remember, Kai doesn't know about the Kiyomi-Ryou situation, does he?", Erika asked in whispers to her fellow gyaru. "I don't think so, Kai didn't come to school yesterday so he wasn't there when she told us about it...", Haru replied.

"Did you hear what he said about her hair though?", Mayu snorted. "Yeah, he's either too dumb or too simp", Monika chuckled.

"Like you're one to talk", Natsuki appeared out of nowhere drinking some strawberry juice, always ready to mess with Monika. "Should we tell him though?", Mao asked.

"Nah, I'm sure she'll tell him herself soon, it's better that way anyway", Haru said. "Oh look, Kiyomi accepted!", Erika pointed out as Kai got up and took Kiyomi to the dance floor, having her hook her arm with his.

"Well, no surprise why Kiyomi wears glasses, girl's too damn blind if she likes that airhead", Natsuki grinned. "At least he seems to know how to have fun", Yuri giggled as Kai started dancing like a robot while Kiyomi pulled out some simple but cute dance moves, unable to contain her chuckles at the way her partner danced.

"Are you implying I don't know how to have fun, huh?!", Natsuki asked feisty with hands on hips. "I-I didn't say that", Yuri replied now panicking.

"Nope, she totally said that", Erika commented. "I didn't!", Yuri exclaimed as she saw the offended and angry expression on her girlfriend's face.

"Nnngh! Get your Purple ass here! I'm gonna show you why they call me Funtsuki!", Natsuki exclaimed outraged as she dragged her girlfriend to the dance floor. "Who calls her that?", Mayu chuckled.

"Nobody but since they're dancing too, we're dancing too!", Monika exclaimed as she caught Mayu's hand and dragged her there against her will. "No! I don't wanna!", Mayu could only protest.

"Let's dance too Ryyyy!", Sayori bounced excited to then grab her girlfriend's hand with both hands and drag her too. "B-But I don't know how...", Ryona said nervous but not daring to refuse her dear girl's requests. "Me neither!", Sayori replied, always enthusiastic.

"Well, we're not gonna stay here watching them have fun, come on Ruri-chan!", Erika exclaimed as she grabbed Ruri's wrist who was thankful for the box on her head hiding her great blush now and pulled out her phone quickly.

"Hold on, I know what you're gonna type there. If you don't know how to dance, just do what that dunce is doing, you already have the costume, right?", Erika grinned. Ruri gripped her phone a bit but surprisingly soon, she put it back in the box compartment and shyly walked closer to Erika, just waiting for her to proceed.

"That's more like it~", the twintailed girl said proud as she held Ruri's small hand and whose heart was now pounding faster than the speed of sound. "I'll show you some nice moves, you better pay attention~", Erika winked at the poor girl who was now begging for this nice dream to never end

"Rikishi dance?", Gozo asked. "Rikishi dance", The rest of the wrestling club replied serious at the same time and nodded. "Let's goooooooooooo!", they shouted and ran to the dance floor like a pack of bulls.

"Hah... Emmy hasn't arrived to dance for her- eh I mean with her ehehehe...", Haru smiled deviously. "Single pringle dance?", Mao asked her shrugging. "Single pringle dance it is", Haru chuckled and with that finally, the whole crew occupied the dance floor.

And they danced and danced, until their feet were sore, breathing became more difficult and their hearts were satisfied and agitated, all night it felt for them although just barely two hours passed.

Two hours where the last two literature club members never showed up.

Two hours that would be the last they'd enjoy that night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The New World.

A world where no one has to hide their true self.

A world where there's no judgement, no prejudice, just equality.

A world where the strongest earn it all and the smartest found their way to the top.

A world where everyone has value and no useless person exist.

A world where you'll all want to be part of.

But just like any other good thing in history, for the transition between this rotten world and the new one, sacrifices are necessary.

Their sacrifice.

"And this time, no one will survive".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Man! I didn't think dancing could be that fun!", Natsuki exclaimed and sighed a bit tired. "Then you were really missing on the fun", Monika grinned.

"Eh?! N-No I wasn't! I mean... I didn't remember dancing could be that fun! It's just been some time since I had this kind of fun", Natsuki justified herself. "Sure, sure, whatever you say", Monika giggled mockingly, making the pink girl hiss at her.

"By the way, has anyone heard of Emerson or Kanefusa yet?", Yuri asked curious. "Nope, I tried calling Emerson a few times whenever we took breaks from dancing but her phone seems to be dead or something", Mayu replied.

"Well, it's getting late for them, maybe they won't come and went to do something else together~", Erika said. "No!", Haru protested.

KCKKCKHCHLIKCH!

"I doub-!", Monika was about to reply as the unmistakable sound of glass shattering somewhere near cut her off and startled her and some of her friends a bit. "What the...?", Natsuki asked confused as they all turned their attention to the table with red drinks.

With now some students approaching and surrounding him, on the ground trying to get up was a boy dressed up as some kind of zombie, clothes ripped and all but what the pink girl and the dark blue haired girl didn't miss, were his red hair tied up in four low ponytails they remembered well.

"Minoru...?", Ryona muttered as they watched the boy soon get back up looking groggy and pushing away the people that tried to help him to then just walk away like a drunk man, zigzagging a bit, leaving the shattered glass and red liquid on the floor behind as well as a handful of concerned students who could only watch him go.

"Someone probably brought some booze to the party, huh?", Mao said. "I'm gonna have to go and keep an eye on him...", Mayu sighed, watching him go through the west entrance to then start walking in that direction.

"I'll go with you!", Monika enthusiastically almost jumping as she followed her. "There goes the simp", Natsuki chuckled.

"Kai", Gensai said serious as the others were distracted. The red haired boy looked at him twitching his mouth, switching glances between him and Kiyomi next to him checking her phone.
Gensai nodded, Kai sighed.

"Wait up ladies! I'll go with ya! Drunk boys can be dangerous!", Kai went back to his cheerful self as she ran after Monika and Mayu, excusing to Kiyomi first of course. "I can handle this myself fine, thanks", Mayu replied but Kai still followed them.

"I'm gonna go check out the haunted house they prepared, anyone wanna join?", Mao asked. "Ah! Us! Natsuki, wanna have that contest of who screa-", Sayori enthusiastically asked but the pink girl had other plans.

"No thanks! Yuri and I will go check out the autocinema they put on in the parking lot! Bye!", Natsuki exclaimed as she began dragging Yuri away from her. "I-Is there really one?!", Yuri asked excited.

"Yeah, this girl from our class posted on Instagram about it, I just hope they aren't playing horror movies...", Natsuki said a bit nervous. "I hope they're playing horror movies!", Yuri exclaimed excited. Natsuki just looked at her unimpressed.

Gensai watched Sayori, Ryona and Mao go, typed something on his phone and then quietly followed the pink and purple couple.

"Hah... There they go~ although they all have someone making a bad trio with them...", Haru said. "You guys will go make out somewhere too?", she then asked Omiko and Ryuko who stopped their chat to blush madly and look at her outraged.

"Maybe we could go to the haunted thing too-", Erika was about to suggest but a loud beep interrupted. "One sec~ Emmy, Emmy, Emmy! Aaaand it's not...", Haru said as she pulled out her phone, hoping for that girl to contact her as she never loses hope but again disappointment was the only thing she got.

Or so she thought at first.

❔: Please all come to the school gates, I need your help with something!
- Your friendly clubmate.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"Wooooow!", exclaimed the bubbly girl as the 3 of them stood before the main building which now looked like it had been abandoned for decades. There were no lights coming from anywhere other than the moon above and the only noises they could hear were drowned screams of students inside. The windows were all blocked with cardboard or black cloth, in some cases even wood and the entrance just lead to a dark corridor for whoever dared to go inside.

"They really outdid themselves with this...", Mao said. "Yeah... Wonder what kind of things they have inside now...but...", Ryona said genuinely curious to then pause and look at her girlfriend.

"Are you sure you're gonna be okay with this, Sayori?", Ryona asked concerned. "Ehehe... I'd be lying if I said I'm not scared... But you're with me and I know you'll protect me from anything, right?", Sayori said, cutely gripping her sleeve which only squeezed Ryona's weak heart.

"I kinda feel bad for getting in your way now you lovebirds", Mao smiled awkwardly. "No! Don't feel baaaad!", Sayori exclaimed and attacked her with a big hug.

"Alright, alright, I won't haha", Mao chuckled and felt trouble breathing from the squeeze. "Mao, I've been meaning to tell you something...", Ryona suddenly spoke serious.

"What's up?", Mao asked as Sayori let go of her and looked at her girlfriend with curious eyes. "I wanna... Thank you for... Well, it's weird since you didn't really do anything directly but anyway... One way or another, it was thanks to you that I was able to find out something very important about Sayori... Something I can now help her with...", Ryona said looking at Sayori as she spoke, always warmed by the red bow girl's embarrassed but happy expression.

"Your feelings for her and her feelings for you, right? Haha no need to thank me! It was quite obvious really", Mao grinned. "Y-Yeah haha...", Ryona smiled awkwardly. She wasn't planning to tell Mao about her girl's depression so she was glad she assumed that.

"Yo! Good to see you here guys!", the 3 of them turned around to the familiar voice only to find two girls in karate gis, one white and the other black which matched with her beanie hat and noticably, the latest held a slightly large suitcase for some reason. "Jasnae!", Sayori exclaimed as she rushed to hug both.

"Jas what?", Jasmine asked with an awkward smile. "I heard that's how Haru calls your ship!", Sayori replied bouncing as she let go of them.

"Of course ahaha...", Jasmine said. "Hello", Kanae politely waved her hand at Mao and Ryona there who did the same.

"You're here to try the haunted... school?", Jasmine asked. "Yup! Everyone has been waiting for you by the way!", Sayori exclaimed as she remembered.

"Ah, yes... We were just done helping with some stuff for this", Kanae said glancing at the building. "That's what that case was for?", Mao asked glancing at the object Jasmine held.

"More less haha...", Jasmine replied. "So you know what's in store for us there?", Mao asked.

"Not... Really, we were helping with outside decorations around the building, what's in there it's just as unknown to us as it is to you", Jasmine replied. "Wanna go in there together then?? Natsuki and I were gonna have a contest to see who screams first but she got away... Wanna compete against me, Kanae??", Sayori enthusiastically asked.

"E-Eh?", Kanae was confused. "Hahaha! Sure, she will compete, I wanna see if she's weak to this kind of stuff too", Jasmine grinned as she wrapped her arm around the girl's shoulder. Noroe pouted offended and elbowed her ribs.

"Ouch!", Jazz exclaimed. "Well then what are we waiting for? Let's gooo!", Sayori grabbed her girlfriend's hand and bounced her way inside. The other 3 just calmly followed them.

A great pressure that gradually got heavier as soon as they entered the dark hallway and began walking through it made it's presence felt on the 5 girls, however, no sign of life did the same.

Walking around a place usually full of people, always so lively, now completely dead and consumed by the darkness had a special effect on how those that were part of that life perceived it now.

The girls were constantly looking around for any sort of jump scare, listening carefully for any kind of creaking noise or any lament, even sniffing quietly for that characteristic smell of latex that surely some of the students dressed up and waiting to scare them wore, but none of that could be seen, heard or smelled.

Some of them, for a moment felt like they had gone through a portal that took them to an obscure mirror dimension where dead had been a constant for decades at the very least.

"I-I thought something would've jumped to scare us by now...", Sayori said nervous and clinged to Ryona's arm. "Me too... Huh?", Jasmine replied as they reached the end of the hallway where two turns, one the left and one to the right awaited them.

"What the...?", Jasmine mumbled concerned as she got ahead a bit only to find those hallways blocked by a pile of the chairs and desks they used during class. "They really put effort into the atmosphere hehe...", Mao said nervous as she and the others noticed.

"Well? What now?", Ryona asked. "The only option aside from exploring the rooms is using the stairs we passed a moment ago to reach the first- eh?!", Jasmine began to explain but as she turned around to point at them, she noticed the only good source of light that dark hallway had was now gone as the main doors were now closed.

"I-Is this all part of the atmosphere?", Sayori asked nervous. "I hope so...", Noroe mumbled as she approached her girlfriend and tapped her arm. Jazzy nodded.

"Let's go upstairs then, we shouldn't try exploring the rooms yet they probably have the worst scares there haha", Jasmine said. The others had nothing to protest and followed her back to the stairs where aside from some creepy drawings on the walls there, nothing really happened yet.

"It's all the same as down there but most of the rooms here are classrooms... With windows", Mao said nervous. "Plus the windows to the outside are covered so there's barely any light around here...", Ryona added.

"I guess the jump scares will come from the classroom windows so watch out for that", Jasmine said. "R-Rain drops keep falling on my head♪", Sayori nervously sang as she clinged harder to Ryona's arm who just smiled and petted her hair to calm her down a bit.

Both Jasmine and Kanae hoped those jump scares from the classroom windows would come up soon as they kept walking through the hallways but once again, all they kept running into was nothing but that now almost usual dead silence.

"Is the experience of this... Haunted thing basically just walk around a seemingly abandoned school or something...?", Ryona asked, starting to grow impatient herself for something to happen. She didn't like the suspense that much.

"I swear we heard screams when we were outside... Did those guys already leave or what?", Mao asked. "We heard that too... We even saw some shadows running through the blocked windows when we were approaching you", Kanae said.

"So it's like everything died as soon as we entered huh?", Jasmine mumbled to herself, looking around discreetly but thoroughly. "Maybe the real experience is exploring the-", Mao tried to suggest.

"Nnnngh...".

"U-Uh... Guys?", Mao was the first to see it as her brain told her to stop at once and watch. The others turned around as they noticed her staying behind, looking at one of the classroom windows. "Look", Mao gulped as she shyly pointed at the window for them to look.

The 4 girls came back quickly and stood next to her, all opening their eyes widely as they saw the strange scene going on inside the classroom.

"A part of me never wanted to believe in that story... But due to the tragedy it represents and the grief that person holds... I chose to believe in it and I chose to help her... Just in case there was a minimal chance it was true... So it wouldn't happen... Again I guess... But being face to face with the truth and knowing what could be...".

For the first time in a long time, Jasmine felt genuine fear again.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"Tch... Seems we lost track of him...", Mayu said annoyed as her and her two companions found themselves arriving to the central part of the school garden where on a brighter day, would be full students sitting here and there, chatting and enjoying their lunch time.

"It seems he wasn't that drunk if he noticed us following him...", Monika twitched her mouth as she sat down and crossed her legs on one of the benches to rest a bit, looking at the stone made tree planter in the middle occupied by a small sakura tree who had felt the effects of the current season as it's foliage mixed with red and orange showed.

"Nijimura", Mayu sighed as she had to acknowledge the red haired boy who followed them despite being told not to and who she hoped could ignore until she was done with little issue. "Osu! At your service Mayu-chan!", Kai exclaimed grinning as he did a small jump to front, beating his chest.

"It's Miss student council president for you or Tsurugi-san at the very least", Mayu said annoyed. "Sorry, sorry haha! State your orders then Tsurugi-sama! I shall give my life to protect your beauty if necessary!", Kai said as he kneeled humble before her.

"Monika, I can't stand this guy...", Mayu grunted and got away from him. "Alright, alright, I'll do it hehe", Monika giggled, already guessing what Mayu needed from him.

"Kai, you're a boy... I guess...", Monika smiled awkwardly. "What do you mean you guess?!", Kai asked offended and sad.

"Sorry haha, anyways... As the boy you are, if you wanted to get drunk at school where you're obviously not allowed to, what place would you go to do so?", Monika asked. Mayu refused to look at him but was listening carefully.

"That's easy! I did it a lot of times back in th- I-I mean my older brother did... Anyways, the best place for that would obviously be a closed area that no one is using at the moment, I've taken my time to explore the school so tonight I'd choose the back of the school, you know around that small tennis field near the water tanks", Kai explained.

As soon as he gave his answer, Mayu began walking in that direction. Monika and Kai went after her and quickly caught up with her and silently continued to the farthest part of the school.

When the water tank could be seen in the distance, it's shadow resembling a giant flea or some sorts, the three of them heard again that sound of glass shattering drowned in the distance which only made the white haired girl start running right to the tennis court a bit further in the distance behind the giant flea.

"Mayu! Take it easy! If they... Hear you they could try... To run away!", Monika shouted in whispers as she did her best to keep up with her. "Trust me, they won't!", Mayu replied determined.

Monika was surprised and at the same time fascinated at how seriously she could take her job, adding yet one more entry to her long list of things she liked about the white haired girl.

The green metal door that almost camouflaged with the rest of the green fence around it and that should've been closed, was blatantly open. "The padlock wasn't forced...", Mayu said as she analyzed the small basic padlock still hanging from it.

"That small area is where Kanae and Jazzy used to host their club activities right?", Monika asked as she pointed at another similar door inside at the opposite corner of the field, opened as well. "Yeah, up until last week when they were relocated in the school gym due to the increase in their club members", Mayu replied.

KCKKCKHCHLIKCH!

Another shattering glass.
They said the third is the last but for the student council president, one should've been enough.

Mayu ran again, heading to that open door in the opposite corner. In her mind, the reports for those problematic students had already begun to take form.

Monika and Kai kept doing their best to keep up with her as Mayu's speed was remarkable or perhaps they just were slow. They weren't sure.

"Party's over! As president of the student coun-?", Mayu had started shouting as she reached the door, using her body to block it, placing her hands on both sides of the door frame so one could escape no matter how fast they tried to be but what her golden eyes found was something her brain just couldn't process logically.

"It wasn't just some kind of deluded story then... Does this mean we failed? I don't understand... Didn't she make sure this part wouldn't...? Agh! This is confusing! Please tell me I'm just having a bad dream...".

A sentiment familiar to him but never welcomed. A feeling he did his best to get rid of with his own strength.
Kai could feel that desperation growing inside of him again.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"I'm surprised there's enough cars to make this look like an autocinema", Natsuki said. "Yes... I thought not many students would bring one here since the station is relatively close...", Yuri added.

The parking lot area had been set as one of the best entertainment forms the decades between 1940 and 1970 had seen.

All the cars had been parked together, occupying one half of the area while the other was perfectly empty aside from a huge white rectangle painted on the wall and that served as screen, projecting some old werewolf movie which surprisingly didn't scare the pink girl as the old special effects and costume of the monster almost looked comical.

"I hoped they'd be playing a better movie...", Yuri pouted disappointed. "What? No! This movie is perfect you purple nerd! Hahaha!", Natsuki laughed almost feeling victorious and extremely glad she wouldn't have to watch a scarier movie.

"T-There's a small problem though, darling...", Yuri said. "What now? Don't you even try to get out of this to go to that stupid haunted-", Natsuki feisty as ever began asserting dominance and defending her position.

"We don't have a car", Yuri said with an awkward smile, not letting Natsuki finish and making her realize the awful truth immediately. "Oh", Natsuki simply replied.

"W-We can just stand here and watch? What matters is that we are toge-", Yuri tried to say. "No cheese please... And it's a bit lame to do that...", Natsuki raised her hand to shut Yuri up, unimpressed whatsoever.

"Then?", Yuri asked. "Hmmm.... We have three options. One, we look around these cars and see if there's anyone we know that can let us inside their car to enjoy this shit... Although we probably won't be able to ma- anyway! Two, we do it GTA style and steal someone's car or three, we go back to gym with the others", Natsuki explained, raising one finger with every option she stated.

"Option one sounds good to me", Yuri said. "I prefer option two to be honest but whatever, we can always rely on number 3 if we fail, plus I don't wanna go back now and take the risk they drag me to that haunted shit", Natsuki said.

Hand in hand as it was almost mandatory for them now, the pink and purple girls began discreetly walking around the car rows, glancing through the windows hoping for a familiar face to be seen inside one of them.

Natsuki couldn't find anyone she knew but the people she managed to look at inside those cars for some reason made her think like she was seeing a pattern but she soon shrugged it off, attributing it to the lack of light and lack of that unique style some guys could have in that school.

When they were right in the middle, the screen turned completely white and a dim buzzing sound was the only thing preventing a dead silence to fall in that place.

"Is the movie over?", Natsuki asked confused as she looked at the white screen. She had just noticed how dark that place actually was as that sole white light it displayed almost made every car there look like they were painted that color.

"I-I wasn't paying attention, sorry...", Yuri said. She too noticed something, aside from her anxiety kicking in now of all times, that white light getting less and less intense with every second that passed, slowly tricking them into a darkness they weren't expecting.

THUD!

"Is it just me or the l-fuck!!", Natsuki began saying as she too started to notice but the sound of glass being hit but not shattered almost felt deafening amidst that eerie dim buzzing, startling her a bit.

THUD!
THUD!
THUD!

3 times the same sound again.
Both girls ears soon identified which window that was coming from. They turned around to the passengers seat window of the white car to their left.

No sound came again but curiosity got the best of them, making the girls lean down a bit and focus their eyes on what the window stored in the other side.

As normal as it could've looked to almost anyone else, to them something was just off.

A feeling that soon was corresponded as the driver's door opened.

"What in the...? This shouldn't be happening... His dead and the destruction of his work should've prevented this from happening. The world is lost after all...? No, no, no... That's why we're here, that's why she's here!".

Quietly watching over them from behind, Gensai who had fought even his own demons before, found himself face to face with what caused him to lose his way once before. Confusion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shiho Todo.

Vice president of the boxing club. Suffered an overwhelming and humiliating defeat against Jasmine just one month ago.

People called her a prodigy many times, which gave her enough confidence in herself to be the best but the truth is she was nothing but a cheater.

Buying referees, judges, even hiding stuff in her gloves just so she could make more damage to her opponents, were just some of the many things she was willing to do to win.

Umanosuke Daitori.

Vice president of the sumo club. Suffered and overwhelming and humiliating defeat at the hands of the wrestling club president, Gozo Meguro last month too.

His height and complexion as well as his training in a sport made for big man like him always made him feel better than anyone just an inch shorter than him, which as for this country goes, you could say it was the vast majority of people.

He was never shy about it though, he always looked down on others and never missed a chance to show his superior strength. Just a straight up bully who never knew when to stop.

Minoru Arashiyama.

Vice president of the MMA club. Suffered an overwhelming and humiliating defeat at the hands of Ryona Aono, Natsuki Sakurami and the top hat man last month as well.

To say his strength lived up to his title would be an overstatement. The only reason he got that position was because he stole the chance others created.

The guy who originally had been looked at for that position was attacked from behind the day prior to his fight against Minoru who had challenged him. Of course, the attackers, a gang of delinquents, were paid by Minoru to lay him waste.

The guy didn't show up to the fight as he was hospitalized. Minoru won by forfeit and demanded his title. The perfect example of how much of a cowardly opportunist he was.

"They say zero means nothing, but for me zero is the beginning of everything. Don't they always say things like "back to ground zero" or "start from zero" when they want to start something over? Even the end starts from zero you see.
3 zeros".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The scene they found themselves witness of was similar.

Amidst a handful of teenagers familiar to some of them, all laying down and absently staring at the ceiling, someone received a kiss.

The pale blond girl dressed up as a vampire Sayori and her group saw pinned a boy to the wall as she kissed him.

The red haired boy of the four low ponytails dressed up as zombie Monika and her friends saw also kissed a man, pinning him against the floor.

The huge black haired man of the topknot dressed up as a werewolf Natsuki and Yuri saw as he got off his car, held a girl with one arm while he kissed her.

There was however one thing they all shared in common.

They all soon set their bloodshot eyes on them.