It was supposed to be the fun part of the class trip. After two days of sightseeing, mandatory group hikes, and overly enthusiastic teachers, the horror house was a welcome break something thrilling, harmless, and dark enough to make hearts race. The attraction was built in an old warehouse, retrofitted with flickering lights, fake blood, and trained actors hidden behind secret panels. A guide explained the rules: no touching the performers, stay on the path, don’t run, and most importantly if you find a red door, don’t open it. You barely listened. Your focus was elsewhere.

Nishimura Ri-ki was in your group.

You didn’t know how it happened, you had made sure to sign up with others but somehow, he ended up behind you in the line, breathing down your neck with that smug energy he never seemed to lose.

“Don’t worry,” he murmured just before you stepped in. “If something drags you away, I’ll only laugh a little.” You rolled your eyes but didn’t respond. He liked it when you did.

The halls inside were cold, damp, and too narrow for comfort. Screams echoed from somewhere deeper, footsteps of actors moving fast and quiet behind false walls. People jumped. Laughed. One girl almost cried. And Ri-ki? He was too calm. Every time someone flinched, he smirked. Every time you looked over your shoulder, he was already watching you. At one point, your group turned a corner and the actor ahead of you screamed so suddenly and loudly that everyone scattered. And just like that, you were alone.

Your flashlight flickered. You turned left, following faint noises, until you realized you’d gone the wrong way. The path was darker here. The props more elaborate. And then you saw it. A red door.

Faintly lit from above. Just standing there at the end of the hall. Footsteps echoed behind you. You spun around only to see Ri-ki walking toward you casually, hands in his hoodie pocket.

“You really don’t listen, huh?” he said.

You turned back to the red door. “Do you think they actually punish people for opening it?” He didn’t answer. He was right next to you now. You felt his shoulder brush yours, not by accident.

“Wanna find out?” he said quietly.