章節 81: And thus Halloween Break Starts
The rest of the event, a span of two days, unfolded without significant upheaval. There were sporadic visits from inebriated groups, but only two incidents escalated into confrontations with the students in Yasushi's class, who were in costume.
It was now the final day of the school event — Friday. With just two hours remaining, the atmosphere shifted. The decision to alter the haunted house experience had an unexpected effect: a surge of visitors, including many who had already explored it on the first and second days, began to flood in.
Among the changes, a notable addition stood out. Yasushi, dressed as the zombified Oda Nobunaga, and Jingliu, portraying the city's goddess, Hakufubuki, introduced a dance sequence. At a designated area where visitors paused for a brief respite, the sight of the two in a graceful ballroom dance captivated the audience.
Fake snow drifted down, adding to the surreal ambiance. Couples joined the dance, blending into the scene, while others watched in awe. The fusion of eerie and enchanting elements left visitors with reviews that praised the haunted house for being both terrifying and unexpectedly romantic.
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Yasushi perched himself on the wooden box, the kind that had seen better days but served its purpose well enough. The haunted house attraction was winding down, with just a few groups left to terrify before closing time. His phone screen lit up briefly in the dim light: fifteen minutes to go. Soon, they'd know who emerged victorious from the event.
The distant sound of screams echoed through the halls. Yasushi rose from his makeshift seat and sauntered over to where Jingliu stood. She adjusted her costume, the elaborate outfit of the city's goddess Hakufubuki, as she caught sight of him.
"Dancing for hours on end is exhausting. Especially in costumes like these," Yasushi commented, his voice tinged with fatigue and a hint of amusement.
Jingliu let out a soft chuckle, her eyes sparkling with shared exhaustion. "It is. But seeing everyone pass through with those smiles, followed by screams of terror... it's quite something."
Suddenly, the screams grew louder, signaling the approach of the next group. Yasushi and Jingliu exchanged a quick glance, then moved into their positions. The transition was seamless, a well-rehearsed routine. As the group entered the designated area, the two began to dance. Their arms held in precise positions, they glided across the small space. Fake snow fell gently around them, creating a surreal, almost magical atmosphere.
The visitors watched, captivated by the unexpected spectacle. The contrast between the haunting environment and the graceful dance added a layer of enchantment to the horror. Yasushi could see the mix of emotions on their faces: fear, wonder, and perhaps even a touch of admiration.
They both stopped, and Jingliu turned to face the guests, her lips curving into a smile that was both inviting and enigmatic. Her crimson eyes seemed to pierce through the very fabric of their thoughts. "Join me, humans, in my dance of snowflakes," she intoned, her voice a melodic whisper that carried a strange, compelling power. "Unite and create a vision of pure beauty as we paint the world in a sparkling wonderland. Dance with me, and let your hearts join the symphony of winter's enchantment. Let us celebrate the miracle of snow together."
The visitors stood rooted to the spot, her words weaving a spell of bewilderment and wonder around them. They exchanged glances, uncertainty etched on their faces. A moment stretched into eternity until finally, a young girl took a decisive step forward. She grabbed her boyfriend's wrist, her eyes shining with a mixture of determination and shyness. They began to dance, their movements clumsy and uncoordinated at first.
The boy's awkwardness was evident as they stumbled through the initial steps, but gradually, their laughter broke the tension. They moved with increasing confidence, finding a rhythm that was uniquely theirs. Their enjoyment became infectious, a visible joy that rippled through the group.
One by one, the others looked at each other, the hesitation slowly dissolving. They didn't want to miss out on the spontaneous moment unfolding before them. Soon, more couples joined in, some with a natural grace, others with a charming awkwardness.
The small area transformed into a scene of unexpected celebration. The fake snow continued to fall, catching in hair and on shoulders, adding to the surreal beauty of the moment.
Yasushi and Jingliu kept dancing, their movements fluid and graceful, guiding the newcomers into the dance. The haunted house's eerie ambiance softened, replaced by a strange, magical energy. The visitors, once wary and apprehensive, now moved together in a unified flow, their hearts synchronizing with the enchanting dance of winter's spell.
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"I'm dying, help me…" Yasushi mumbled, collapsing into a chair, his body sagging with exhaustion. The event had finally drawn to a close, leaving everyone who had participated utterly spent.
Chairs became makeshift beds, as many students slumped into them, eyes closed in weary relief. Others sprawled across the classroom floor, their limbs splayed out, too tired to care about propriety. Audible groans filled the air, a chorus of fatigue and resignation.
Senbarisu, their teacher, stood near the blackboard, surveying the scene with a mix of sympathy and amusement.
She nodded to herself, then crossed her arms, her voice cutting through the murmurs and groans. "I know you're all exhausted, and believe me, so am I. Though I didn't do as much as you all did, mostly behind-the-scenes stuff." She paused, letting her gaze sweep over the room. "But now, I believe it's time to announce the winners of the event!"
The students responded with a collective groan, a sound that made her chuckle. "As you know, the teachers organized this, so it's not an 'official' event, but that doesn't matter. The winners will get a pizza party once everything is cleaned up, and…" She paused dramatically, allowing a moment of anticipation to build, although it was clear that the students were too worn out to fully appreciate it.
Senbarisu continued, her tone light, trying to inject a bit of energy into the room. "You all worked incredibly hard, and the effort you put in showed in every scream and every laugh from the visitors. But a special shout-out goes to Yasushi and Jingliu for their amazing dance performance. It brought something unique to the haunted house, something memorable."
A few students managed weak smiles and nods of agreement. The memory of the dance, the fake snow, and the hauntingly beautiful choreography lingered, a bright spot in the otherwise grueling event.
"We won! But barely!" Senbarisu's voice cut through the heavy air of exhaustion, infusing the room with a sudden jolt of energy. "Apparently, the other classes made changes across the board after they saw our success on the first day, but we already came up with our own countermeasures for it! We beat the third years, who decided to collaborate, by just fourteen points!"
Her excitement was contagious. "Now we can have our party!!" she declared, just as multiple teachers entered the room, laden with boxes of pizza and an assortment of soft drinks.
The announcement acted like a spark igniting a fire. Despite their fatigue, the students began to stir, their curiosity and hunger overpowering their weariness. Eyes that had been half-closed with exhaustion now widened with renewed interest. Slowly but surely, they rose from their makeshift resting places and made their way towards the bounty of pizza boxes stacked in a tantalizing display.
The scent of hot pizza wafted through the room, mingling with the lingering fatigue to create an almost surreal atmosphere. They approached the boxes hesitantly at first, as if unsure whether they had the energy to enjoy the feast laid out before them. But once they took their first bites, something shifted. The rich, savory flavors seemed to revive them, bite by bite.
Yasushi, feeling the gnawing hunger in his own stomach, joined the throng. He and his friends grabbed slices, the warmth of the food seeping into their hands and radiating comfort. They ate slowly, savoring each mouthful, allowing the food to replenish their energy reserves.
Yasushi glanced over at his friend Furuya, who was eating quietly beside him. Silent tears traced paths down Furuya's cheeks, catching the light in a way that seemed to magnify the depth of his fatigue. Yasushi felt a pang of empathy, recognizing the exhaustion in his friend's eyes. Around them, Xinyi, Laura, Layena, Catherine, and Jingliu sat in a similar state of weary satisfaction, though without the tears.
The room was filled with a quiet camaraderie. For the remainder of their time, they mostly ate in silence. The sounds of chewing and the occasional murmur of conversation created a soothing backdrop. Every now and then, a burst of laughter would break through, bouncing off the classroom walls and reminding them of their shared experiences over the past three days.
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"I'll see you guys Halloween night then. We're all meeting up for the costume competition, right?" Yasushi asked, leaning against the school gate as he and his friends waited for their rides.
"Yeah… it's in a few days, so we have time to rest," Furuya replied, slumped against the gate's pillar. His voice carried the weight of exhaustion. "But after that, we won't see each other till the end of Halloween break."
"It's fine, we need the break," Xinyi interjected as she spotted her ride pulling up. "Anyway, we'll see you guys there in a few days." She gave a quick, reassuring smile, then began ushering Laura, Furuya, and Catherine into the vehicle. They waved at Yasushi, Jingliu, and Layena before the car drove away, leaving a sense of lingering camaraderie in the air.
"Are you going to dress up, Yasushi?" Jingliu asked, her eyes following the departing car.
"No… I'll pass," Yasushi replied, a chuckle escaping his lips. "But I'll come with you and support you. Or maybe I'll just bring the fake sword and go as a 'modern day Oda Nobunaga.'" He laughed at the thought, the sound light and airy.
"Well, there are going to be plenty of people dressing up even if they don't participate, but I won't force you," Jingliu said, her voice carrying a gentle insistence as Yinhaie's car pulled up to the curb.
"How about you, Layena?" she asked, turning to her assistant.
Layena shook her head, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. "I'll be busy during the event, Lady Jingliu. I have… a friend to help," she said, casting a glance at Yasushi that left Jingliu puzzled.
Jingliu didn't press for details. Instead, she nodded, and they all slid into the car. Yasushi settled into his seat, feeling the weariness of the past days ebbing away as the door closed with a soft thud.
As Yinhaie navigated the familiar streets, the promise of their two-week break stretched out before them like an open road. The recent whirlwind of activity, the frantic preparation, and the ultimate triumph of the school event were now behind them. They were free to rest, to enjoy the quiet moments that had been so scarce.
創作者的想法 
Haruki_Murakami
Haruki_Murakami "Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makararating sa paroroonan." -Filipino proverb
"He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will not reach his destination."
Meaning: This proverb emphasizes the importance of remembering one's roots, acknowledging past experiences, and learning from them in order to achieve success in the future.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票