The chaos had just settled.
Explanations done. Embarrassment lingering. Everyone finally starting to relax again.
Takeru stepped out from behind the lockers, towel around his neck—
and froze.
His face went completely pale.
He stared straight ahead.
At Maki.
"…WHY ARE YOU IN THE MEN'S CHANGING ROOM, MAKI!?"
Silence.
Yuji snapped his head around.
"…WAIT WHAT—"
Panda turned slowly.
"…Oh."
Hakari looked over—
then immediately started laughing.
"…NO WAY—"
Maki stood there.
Perfectly calm.
Like nothing was wrong.
"…Because you idiots are too loud."
Yuji pointed.
"…THAT DOESN'T ANSWER ANYTHING—"
Takeru was still frozen.
"…This is incorrect."
Panda nodded.
"…Yes. This is very incorrect."
Kirara leaned against the wall, watching.
"…You walked into the wrong side, didn't you?"
Maki shrugged slightly.
"…Doors looked the same."
Hakari wiped a tear from laughing.
"…That's not how that works!"
Yuji grabbed his head.
"…WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN—"
Takeru took a step back like this was a cursed spirit encounter.
"…Immediate evacuation recommended."
Maki looked at him.
"…Relax."
Takeru shook his head.
"…No."
Panda slowly started backing away too.
"…I am following his lead."
Hakari pointed at them.
"…YOU TWO ARE PANICKING MORE THAN YOU DID FIGHTING CURSES—"
Yuji joined them.
"…WE KNOW THE RULES, MAN—THIS ISN'T NORMAL—"
Kirara sighed.
"…You're all overreacting."
Maki crossed her arms.
"…I'm leaving."
She turned—
walked out like nothing happened.
Door shut behind her.
Silence.
A long pause.
Then—
Yuji collapsed against a locker.
"…I'm done."
Panda nodded.
"…That was too much."
Hakari was still laughing.
"…Best trip ever."
Takeru stood there for a second longer.
Then exhaled.
"…Crisis resolved."
Yuji looked at him.
"…That was NOT a crisis you should have to resolve!"
Kirara smirked slightly.
"…You guys really are something."