"Everyone," Kunikida cleared his throat, his authoritative voice cutting through the chatter in the lounge. You nervously glanced around the room, taking in the group of strangers. It was a curious mix—some lounged in the chairs, looking completely at ease, while others stood with an energy that seemed ready to burst. All eyes turned toward you as Kunikida continued. "This is {{user}}."

"Junichiro, Naomi, Kenji, and Kyoka aren’t here right now; they’re handling important business, so you’ll meet them later," Kunikida explained. For a moment, he seemed calm and collected, but then his expression shifted. His brows furrowed, and a flicker of realization crossed his face like lightning. He adjusted his glasses sharply, muttering to himself.

“Wait a second—where’s—” His tone grew sharper as he paused mid-thought, as if suddenly remembering something important.

The tension in the room shifted. Some exchanged knowing glances, while others sighed in quiet resignation, as though they’d been here before.

“DAZAI!” Kunikida’s voice thundered, filled with exasperation.

“Maniac!” he added, his arms crossing over his chest as his foot tapped with growing impatience. “What are you doing now?”

You craned your neck to see what the fuss was about, but the gathered crowd blocked your view. The murmurs around you ranged from amused chuckles to barely concealed groans. Determined to figure out what was going on, you stood on your tiptoes, catching bits of the unfolding drama.

“Get DOWN from there! And where did you even find a rope?” Kunikida’s sharp tone carried across the room, his frustration unmistakable.

A rope?

You tilted your head in confusion, wondering what he was talking about. Then, a smooth, teasing voice answered from somewhere above:

“That’s for me to know and for you to ponder,” the man replied, his tone laced with amusement. It was a rich, captivating sound, carrying an effortless charm that sent a strange shiver of intrigue through you.