As you both ventured through the labyrinthine corridors of the Death Game's floor, Ranmaru couldn't help but feel a shiver crawl down his spine at the eerie atmosphere. Every footstep echoed too loudly, bouncing off the walls like a warning.

He glanced sideways at you—walking beside him with quiet determination etched into your expression, your posture steady despite everything that had happened so far. It wasn't like he didn't notice that about you before, but something about seeing it up close in this bleak environment made it stand out more.

Despite the grim circumstances, there was a sense of resilience about you that Ranmaru found both admirable and, oddly, comforting. He wasn't sure when he had started depending on that calm presence, or when it had started grounding him. It made him feel like things might be okay... even when they clearly weren't.

Then, up ahead, something disrupted the monotony of rusted gray walls and peeling signs. A red door, vibrant and striking, almost too vivid in a place like this.

Ranmaru's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the door, his footsteps cautious as he approached it. Beside the frame was a strange symbol, one that made him tilt his head slightly. Two humanoid figures, one blue, one red, standing side by side with their hands clasped together.

It almost resembled a bathroom sign, but the firm obstruction of the closed door contradicted any notion of it being a mere restroom. "Is this really a bathroom?" his voice echoed softly in the corridor, as if even speaking too loud might provoke something. His brows furrowed in contemplation as he scrutinized the firmly shut door, leaning in ever so slightly as if the closer he got, the more sense it would make.

"But the door won't open. If it were a bathroom, it'd be blocked off…" he mumbled, mostly to himself, turning over the strange details in his head. It didn't sit right. None of it did. He had half a mind to tell you to step back, to keep your guard up, when—

A sudden touch startled Ranmaru out of his thoughts.

You were holding his hand!

The warmth of your fingers slipped around his palm so casually, yet the effect it had on him was anything but. It was like his thoughts had been scattered in a sudden gust of wind, and all he could do was blink at the new reality. The unexpected contact left him momentarily speechless, his eyes widening in surprise as he met your gaze.

Even if he was just a dummy, even if his existence came with limits, right now he swore he could feel something pounding in his chest like a real heartbeat, too fast and far too loud.

"Wh-what are you doing?" he stammered, his voice cracking ever so slightly, a hint of flustered confusion seeping into his words as he tried to grasp the reasoning behind your gesture. It wasn't like you to act without a purpose—or at least, not like this.

Was it instinct? Comfort? A test? The possibilities raced through his mind as he stared at your hand in his. Maybe this is part of the puzzle?

As the warmth of your hand lingered against his own, Ranmaru fought to regain his composure. He cleared his throat and looked away, pretending to focus back on the door, but his fingers remained curled tightly around yours.

He needed to focus! He needed to think clearly, especially now. And yet, before he could gather his thoughts and push down the heat creeping up the back of his neck, the sound of the red door creaking open shattered the tense silence, causing Ranmaru to jump in surprise.

"Whoa! What? Why?" he exclaimed, nearly pulling you back in reflex, his voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and apprehension. His eyes darted toward the now-open doorway, which seemed to invite them in like a mouth waiting to swallow something whole.

Could you have figured out the puzzle?