Soon, seven days passed.
In the first few days, Yukino and Kaguya did very well as blue-clothed employees.
Neither of them delved into the strange rules; they simply followed the Blue-Clothed Employee rules and Hayashi's guide.
But as they dealt with more rabbits and rescued more tourists, they inevitably learned more about "It."
Fortunately, they had Hayashi's guide.
Three days later, when their contamination reached the critical value, they began to read the information Hayashi provided afterward:
They went to the Aquarium and changed into black work uniforms.
[Firmly believe you are human.]
[Help other Black-Clothed Employees escape. They know about the zoo's anomaly, and helping them will be harder, but it must be done!]
...Below was the guide for helping all the Black-Clothed Employees currently in the Zoo.
It was much more detailed than the guide for helping tourists in the previous days.
Hayashi had written in extreme detail about the personalities and thought patterns of these Black-Clothed Employees, how to gain their trust, and how to reinforce their human cognition... It was twilight.
"Helping Black-Clothed Employees escape is much harder than helping tourists!"
Kaguya exclaimed, looking at the guide outside the Aquarium entrance.
"Indeed!"
Yukino, who had also changed into a black work uniform, nodded, especially when she saw the notice at the Aquarium entrance.
1. After entering the Aquarium, there is no one here. Collect a black work uniform at the entrance...
2. Do not go to the Lion Park.
3. Ensure that rabbits are present wherever you are: escaped rabbits, rabbit toys, people wearing rabbit ear ornaments, or 'rabbit blood.' Rabbits are our code word; they symbolize safety and protection.
4. When visiting the Elephant Park, do not look at the notice boards.
5. Do not trust any slogan on the map... It was completely opposite to the rules inside the zoo, as if the position had completely changed.
Especially the attitude towards rabbits.
"The principles of behavior are completely opposite to those of tourists and blue-clothed employees. Interact with and trust everything related to rabbits, avoid the Lion Park, accept elephant cognition... It's like telling them to go to their deaths."
Kaguya said with a sigh.
"Yes, and it feels like if you remain suspicious of these rules and frequently change your stance, that's the real danger."
Yukino nodded in agreement, then said,
"Perhaps the Black-Clothed Employees are closer to the truth."
"By the way, how is Hayashi now?"
Kaguya suddenly asked.
"He's mentally exhausted. He hasn't closed his eyes for several days; I'm a little worried he won't be able to hold on."
Yukino said with deep concern in her clear eyes.
"Dangerous shade during the day, the brightly lit Director's Office at night."
"Avoiding light during the day, drawn to light at night. At night, facing... How could he possibly rest at night!"
Kaguya's tone also held some worry, but then she changed her words, speaking with a seemingly cold but somewhat admiring tone.
"But this is his own choice."
"Yes, we can only do what he needs us to do."
Next, Yukino and Kaguya were no longer blue-clothed employees but black-clothed employees.
While helping other Black-Clothed Employees escape, they were also helping tourists escape.
As time went on, they gradually felt "It's" anger.
Specifically, the crying sounds from the Director's Office in the Zoo grew louder every night.
At first, it could only be heard near the Director's Office.
Now, Yukino and the others, hiding in other parts of the zoo, could hear it.
Under such a sound, let alone sleeping, listening for a little longer made them feel dizzy.
During this time, "It" naturally thought about cutting off the power and such, but Hayashi defused it all in advance.
This situation made "It" increasingly furious!
Thus, the seventh day arrived. During this period, not a single tourist or zoo employee was eaten by it.
"It's" crying never stopped.
Finally…
At a certain critical point, the lions in the Lion Park let out joyful roars.
They pounced towards a certain part of the zoo... It was the Goat Park, which Yukino and Kaguya had never seen before!
There, a weak black sun was being torn apart by white lions, emitting painful wails.
Finally, a black sun the size of a ping-pong ball was placed in Hayashi's hand by the white lions as if it were a trophy.
"Beep beep—!"
The sound of a bus echoed. Yukino and Kaguya understood that their dungeon run was over...
"This is the cursed tool of the Zoo!"
In the villa shrouded in white mist, Yukino, Kaguya, and Yuki looked curiously at the black sun in Hayashi's hand.
"Mm!"
Hayashi, who had recovered all his memories, showed a satisfied smile. It wasn't easy.
For him, the most difficult part of this Zoo Rule Paradox was 'knowing.'
Knowing too much, he had no power to resist "It."
But fortunately, he could rewind time. Although he couldn't keep notes or anything, he could engrave on himself and use human skin paper to send messages to Kaguya and Yukino and to his amnesiac self.
Otherwise, relying solely on himself, he probably would have had to die hundreds of times to clear the instance successfully.
"Kaguya-san, Yukino-san, thank you!"
Hayashi sincerely thanked Kaguya and Yukino.
"No, I should be thanking you!"
Moonlight streamed through the villa's glass window, falling on Yukino's clear, pretty face. She gently shook her head.
She had a feeling that if it weren't for Hayashi, she would currently be soaking in the whale pool of the Aquarium at the Zoo.
"Yukino is right! Consider me owing you a favor."
Kaguya's eyes no longer held arrogance, but a hint of admiration, as she also echoed. For her and Yukino, this zoo was indeed quite dangerous.
Without Hayashi's guide, she truly didn't think a smart person like herself could escape safely.
However, a carefree person like Fujiwara Chika was different; she didn't even need help and left happily, taking Iino Miko with her.
"Mm, a favor. If you need anything, don't hesitate; I will definitely do my best to achieve it!"
Yukino also pursed her thin lips slightly, a barely noticeable curve forming at the corner of her mouth as she promised Hayashi.
"Ah!"
Yukino's words made Hayashi instinctively rub his chin.
"What?"
"Do you need my help? That's perfect!"
Seeing this, Yukino's calm, beautiful eyes lit up slightly, and her tone carried a hint of happiness. She was naturally happy to be able to repay a favor.
What she didn't notice, however, was that Hayashi's gaze towards her was slightly... not entirely wholesome.
Perhaps the impression Hayashi left on her during those seven days in the Zoo was too profound.
Becoming the director, leaving a guide, and facing "It's" threat alone at night.
At this moment, Hayashi seemed even more reliable in her eyes than her once-admired sister and mother.
So now, she, who was usually very perceptive to others' gazes, completely failed to notice the strangeness in Hayashi's eyes.
However, Yuki and Kaguya, who were beside them, noticed the anomaly, and both fell silent, looking as if they were watching a show.
Especially Kaguya!
She still held a grudge against Yukino, who told Yukino to maliciously slander her by saying she had a broken heart.
"Can you really help with anything!?"
With a pure smile mixed with a hint of embarrassment, Hayashi feigned hesitation.
Secretly, he was already preparing to take out the cat tail he had swiped from Elysia.
"I, Yukinoshita, will repay any kindness!"
Yukino's pretty face showed pride, and her tone was firm.