Next day. The room is dark and eerie, with no sunlight entering the window due to the curtains covering it, no light bulbs are activated, nor a lamp is opened. All there is bedroom-related objects and furniture. And apparently… Trizha has been sleeping on the floor with her back leaned against the door, head tilted to the left while drooling and snoring.
A few seconds later, Trizha woke up, her eyes gazing around with sleepy eyes. She then stood up slowly, stretching for herself as she yawned and rubbed her eyes. A second after that, Trizha gets a sudden realization that she had been sleeping in the door, and realizes that Nomoro MIGHT still be around.
She slowly opens the door slightly to take a peek from outside, searching for Nomoro. Although, the living room seemed empty and Nomoro was nowhere to be found in Trizha's sight. Trizha sighs in relief as she thinks that he is probably out to do whatever he does.
Trizha: "Phew… he's not around, huh."
Trizha then casually spreads the door open completely and steps out, casually walking forward with a smile on her face as if all evil around her have been disposed of. Till suddenly, she notices Nomoro at the corner of her eye and her instincts instantly kicks in, instantly ducking and hiding herself behind the couch next to her with her heart beating fast, her face letting out sweats as she realizes that she miscalculated.
Meanwhile, Nomoro is wearing a blue shirt and pajamas with a headband while using a broom to sweep the floor… he's actually just cleaning the hotel room. He then turns to the couch where Trizha hid herself.
Nomoro, in his thoughts: "Why did she suddenly hide on the couch like that… is she practicing something for her new video? Oh well, not that I should be minding it…"
Nomoro thinks as a sweat falls down from his face that's filled with confusion, before continuing to sweep the floor using the broom that he just found. In actuality, he already saw Trizha before she did, and now she thinks he didn't see her… although he wasn't paying any attention as he understands that he needs to give her some space after yesterday.
Trizha, in her thoughts: "He didn't see me, did he? I hope not… I don't want to approach him just yet…!"
Trizha thinks as she starts to move away from the couch and move towards the other couch where her stuff was placed down while mumbling "Sneak, sneak, sneak", although Nomoro placed it there not so long ago.
After getting close enough, Trizha quietly opens her bag and takes out new clothes and some other stuff for taking a bath while kneeled down in front of it.
Trizha, in her thoughts: "He didn't steal anything inside of my bag while I was away, didn't he? I need the money to buy some miso ramen!"
Trizha says before slowly turning around to move towards the bathroom. In actuality, taking a bath in the morning is her daily routine, as she heads there while mumbling "Sneak, sneak, sneak" again, her face full of alertness.
Meanwhile, Nomoro is simply watching her from the kitchen, getting more confused the more he watches her behavior, but chooses to ignore it and mind his own business by drinking a glass of cold water.
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A few minutes later, Trizha is taking a shower in the bathroom, refreshing herself while ignoring the fact that the shower of water is making enough noise for Nomoro to hear and she would've gotten caught… At least what she thought if she realized, and Nomoro wouldn't mind about that either.
After a while in the bathroom, Trizha leaves the bathroom with new and comfortable clothes, sighing in relief before it gets instantly replaced with a short realization that Nomoro is still around, her heartbeat fast as she rushes back into the bedroom.
Suddenly, before Trizha can get into the bathroom first hand, a shout can be heard calling for Trizha's name… in a familiar voice;
Wyne: "Trizha…! Come out there, we're gonna hangout. Or are you making-out with your 'male' roommate~"
Wyne teases while standing in front of the room's door, with Margaret next to her just chewing bubblegum.
At the same time, Trizha blushes deeply as she prepares to shout back in irritation. But before she can even release a word, Nomoro walks past her and walks over to the main door, causing Trizha to flinch and instantly hide at the side of the couch yet again.
Meanwhile, Wyne is slowly getting impatient when there is no response from Trizha.
Wyne: "No response… is she really making-out? Girl, too early… I'll just burst in then!"
Wyne then grins as she backs away a little and prepares to tackle the door open, as Margaret watches her, a bit worried. And just as Wyne begins to run towards the door, the door opens slowly by Nomoro, and Wyne stopped in her tracks, her earlier confidence instantly replaced with fear and intimidated expression, while Margaret looks up to Nomoro's tall and intimidating stature, her expression shows amazement and her eyes sparkling in admiration.
Wyne: "Oh, sh–"
Margaret: "Whoa…"
Nomoro just looks down at the two with his expression unreadable, his small, cat-like irises seemingly staring deep into their soul, which gives Margaret a little sense of excitement while Wyne a sense of intimidation from him.
Wyne then catches Trizha peeking out of the couch at the corner of her eye, slightly looking at her while trying not to lose her gaze on Nomoro.
Meanwhile, Trizha glares at Wyne and starts performing the "Girl Code" hand sign language. But instead of informing her to come later, as expected, she instead said this;
"You. Idiot. I am. Not. Making. Out. With that. Guy."
Trizha signs aggressively. Wyne just stares at her, sighing silently in disappointment because she mostly expected that Trizha informs her to punch Nomoro in his stomach…
In response, Wyne just grins widely with teeth, before placing her hand over her heart and waving at Trizha, then suddenly gives her the middle finger. Which could also translate to "Sorry, Goodbye. Idiot."
Trizha just stares at Wyne in disbelief, cursing at her in her mind as Wyne just holds both of Margaret's shoulders from behind, pulling her along with herself away.
Wyne: "Oops, perhaps we entered the wrong room… let's go, Margaret–"
Nomoro: "Hold on there for a second."
Wyne and Margaret stop in their tracks as they hear Nomoro's demanding, deep yet gentle voice, which once again sends excitement to Margaret and fear for Wyne.
Wyne: "Wh-what is it…?"
Nomoro: "You guys… are Trizha's best friends, right?"
Wyne: "Uhm… yeah?"
Margaret: "Yes…! We are looking for Trizha. Is she here?"
Margaret says cheerfully and eagerly to Nomoro, her mouth smiling widely to him. Wyne gets weirded out by Margaret, never seeing this side of her before.
Wyne, in her thoughts: "Where did all that cheerfulness come from…"
Nomoro looks at them for a moment, before responding with a gentle tone;
Nomoro: "...yes."
Nomoro then turns his head around to look at the couch where Trizha was hiding.
Nomoro: "Trizha, your friends are looking for you."
Trizha instantly emerges from the couch in disbelief and shock, turning to Nomoro.
Trizha: "How did you know I was hiding here?!"
Nomoro: "It's a bit complicated…"
Nomoro says as he rubs the back of his head, as Trizha skeptically and suspiciously looks at him while picking up her purse, slowly walking out of room while trying to make long distances with Nomoro, her eyes never leaving his until she is finally out.
And when she did, she sighed deeply walking alongside the two.
Trizha: "Haaahhh… that was very scary…"
Wyne: "Not so scary anymore, huh? Just wait for that one 'scare room' Margaret
told us about days ago."
While walking in the corridors, a man in black hoodie passes by them in the opposite direction while the trio are having a conversation with random stuff. He stops walking as he slightly turns his head to take a look at the three with his glowing red pupils, his eyes mainly staring at Trizha. He slowly grinned maliciously and starts to speak;
???: "...Going out without a direct protection for that damned General, eh? Perfect timing…"
The man in black hoodie then turns forward and continues to walk, before noticing that Nomoro was still standing at the doorway, his eyes staring at the man with calmness in his face. The man's grin fades, muttering;
???: "...Not yet…"
He says before looking down on the ground, continuing to walk forward and leave the area. Nomoro watched the man leave for a few seconds, before entering back into the room and closing the door.
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Some time later at the entertainment district of the hotel, inside the Arcade.
The trio enters the arcade, Wyne and Trizha entering with all rainbows and sunshine, whilst Margaret is all sadness and darkness.
Trizha: "Haahh… I'm glad that the scare room is in maintenance…! I'm not in the mood for some jumpscare, like I just woke up."
Wyne: "Yep, they said that a scare-animatronic started moving on its own and gripped a kid's hand weeks ago. Now it's shut down and under investigation."
Trizha: "Yeah– wait, why does that sound so familiar?"
Wyne: "What do you mean?"
Trizha: "I'm not sure… I swear I remember this one dead game about creepy animatronics and pizza places… but whatever. That's nothing important compared to…"
Trizha and Wyne both turn to Margaret at the same time with a sweat falling down their faces, whose head is lifted down depressingly and filled with disappointment.
Trizha: "...that."
Wyne: "Yep, I can see that… she probably had a lot of hype going into the scare room, only to find out it was in maintenance. Let's lend her some sympathy…"
Trizha: "Indeed."
Both Trizha and Wyne nod in agreement as Wyne crosses her arms and Trizha suddenly turns back to Wyne with a surprised yet confused expression.
Trizha: "Hold on, since when have you understood things more easily?"
Wyne: "Hah? You think I'm always slow-minded? I thought you already knew that! I may be slow-minded, but that doesn't entirely mean I'm dumb and stupid."
Wyne then sighs in disappointment as well, shaking her head upsettingly.
Wyne: "If I was a fictional character, readers should be aware that I'm still built to be human."
Trizha: "Okay, okay! You've made your point, congratulations, let's just go play games and maybe… cheer-up Margaret while we're at it."
Trizha says as she grabs both of Margaret's shoulders from behind and pulls her along with herself into the arcade. Wyne just gasps at the two in disbelief and jealousy.
Wyne: "Hoy! I'm the one who holds Margaret!!"
Wyne shouts as she follows the two into the arcade. But on second thoughts, she is wondering why Trizha hasn't taken out her phone to make a video when she usually does it at times like this. Not to mention becoming less cheerful than normally…
But for some reason, Wyne felt an unexpected fang of happiness on that theory.
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The trio walks around the arcade, looking for something to play while other students nearby do the same. After seconds of searching they find a claw machine with cute bunny plushies inside it.
Trizha then gasps at the sight of the plushies inside the claw machine, her cheeks flushing red at their level of cuteness.
Trizha: "Look at those bunnies! So cute!"
Wyne: "Uh, yeah, as an experienced arcade gamer, I wouldn't recommend gambling on those—"
Suddenly, Wyne gets cut-off by Trizha instantly paying the claw machine to play and catch one of the bunnies, while Margaret watches in anticipation and excitement for Trizha's performance, her earlier depressive look disappearing instantly.
Trizha: "Come on, come on, come on!"
Margaret, mumbling: "You can do it…!"
Wyne: "Annndddd there she goes…"
Wyne says as she sighs in annoyance, knowing that the grip of the claw machines are often inaccurate. As seen, each time Trizha tries to catch one of the bunnies, the grip of the claw machine loosens significantly the moment it catches one of the plushies.
Trizha: "Ugh, damn it! I'm out of coins! Margaret, help out!"
Margaret: "I got you!"
Trizha and Margaret both giggle mischievously and creepily as they continue to gamble for just a simple cute bunny plush, while Wyne just stares at them in disbelief with a face that says "They are seriously still going at it?"
Wyne once again sighs as she turns her head to her left, before noticing a poster at some ceiling that says "La Luna Sangre Aquarium Tour, starting tomorrow at 1:30pm to 2:30pm!! To participate and witness a flamboyant and fun adventure, buy your tickets at the counter today for only 15 MYR each person! Selling of tickets ends at 6pm. Get yours now and don't miss out on The Amazing World Of the Ocean!"
Wyne reads the poster with squinted eyes, her face forming a sense of excitement after reading all of it.
Wyne: "Oh wow, an Aquarium tour? That sounds fun!"
Wyne then turns back to the two, her face cheerful and excited, with a wide smile as she tries to tell the two about it.
Wyne: "Hey guys..."
Suddenly, as Wyne turns to the two, her excitement wears out instantly as she witnesses just what they were about to do; Margaret is distanced from the claw machine, and Trizha is lifting up a chair and is about to slam it into the claw machine to destroy it.
And why and how did this happen? Simple; Trizha hates getting stressed. And gambling her money on the claw machine is the perfect way to implant stress into her, and when it finally reaches her peak, she recklessly decides to grab a chair nearby and use it to destroy the claw machine.
But luckily, Wyne turned to the two in time just before Trizha slams the chair at the claw machine, as the two stare at Wyne with embarrassed expressions.
Trizha: "Heheh…"
Trizha giggles as she lowers the chair and pats it softly, before standing beside Margaret with a wide smile of undeniable. Trizha then instantly points her finger at Margaret.
Trizha: "She's the one who told me to do it."
Margaret: "I-I was just watching… although I did feel disappointed that you didn't continue."
Wyne: "Okay guys, shut up, shut up! Listen, there's an Aquarium tour tomorrow, so let's go pay for it, and walla."
Trizha and Margaret just stares at Wyne for a few seconds, before saying;
Trizha: "Care to elaborate?"
Wyne just gets pissed off by this, trying to hold out her anger.
Wyne, in her thoughts: "For once in a while… I'm the most sane person here. Yeah. The three of us are acting out of character."
Wyne thinks, before sighing as extends her hand out the two.
Wyne: "Just… hand me 15 MYR, both of you. I'm gonna go pay us some tickets…"
A few minutes later, Wyne returns with three tickets in her hand.
Wyne: "There. Take one of the tickets."
Both Trizha and Wyne take their tickets and put them inside their purses.
Trizha: "Great! Now that you're back, let's go play another game."
Wyne: "...you're not gonna try and slam another chair at it, right?"
Trizha: "Oh absolutely not!"
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The trio then goes around to find another arcade machine to play. And minutes after that, they soon found another one called "Trio-Adventures", and in front of the arcade were three game consoles in order to play the game.
Margaret: "Hey guys, let's play this one."
Trizha: "Huh, this one synergies and fits us, don't you think?"
Wyne: "Yeah… wait, how do we play this game?"
Trizha: "Idiot, there's three game consoles in front of us. Slowpoke."
Wyne: "Oh. I didn't see that…"
Trizha: "Glad to have you back to your original senses, Wyne."
Wyne: "Wait, what do you mean?"
Trizha: "Exactly."
Wyne: "Hah?"
Wyne just stares at Trizha confusingly, not understanding what she meant, either because of her slow mind or is that Trizha's point is hard to see, before turning back to the arcade as the three of them pick up their game consoles. But the moment they grabbed the consoles, the game started immediately.
Trizha: "Whoa, it started already…"
The trio then plays the game, where the three of them are in a dungeon playing as pixelated characters while trying to fight against the evil god. They all go around doing obby, going through hidden traps, and others. All of the sudden, a group of zombie knights appeared and were about to pierce Trizha's character with their swords, but that was until Margaret came to rescue her in time.
Margaret: "Trizha, watch out!"
Margaret's character pushes Trizha away and saves her character, causing Margaret to get pierced instead.
Trizha: "Noooo!!"
Margaret: "Ah. I died. Oh well… at least I get to see how I die."
Wyne: "That's just creepy!"
Wyne says as she and Trizha continue on playing. Their characters continue forward into adventure.
As only a few minutes had passed, it was hours for the game. Soon enough, both Wyne and Trizha were ambushed by more zombie knights. And Wyne, knowing there aren't any choices left, shouted at Trizha at the top of her lungs.
Wyne: "Trizha, go!!! Finish the game, I'll hold them off."
Trizha" Why the heck are you suddenly shouting at me like this is real?!"
Wyne: "Duh, to make this moment more engaging and fun. Don't bring reality into these kind moments, it's stupid."
Wyne then turns back her character to the zombie knights, her sword prepared for sacrifice while Trizha's character runs off to finish the game.
Wyne: "I'll avenge Margaret!!!"
Trizha: "Again, why are you shouting?!"
Wyne's character then rushes towards the zombie knights, aiming to hold them off. Eventually, she died.
Wyne: "Aight, I'm just gonna go buy some water with Margaret."
Trizha: "Don't leave me here."
Wyne: "Yeah, yeah. We're just right here."
Wyne then grabs Margaret by her shoulders from behind as they walk together to find some water, leaving Trizha to finish the game by herself this time.
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And… as she does, she watches as her character falls out of the sky upside down, slowly spinning in the air elegantly as if everything… has ended. All the sacrifices along the way, all the trauma her character had experienced, were all worth the effort she had done.
And afterwards, the game shows three big stars on the screen with a message below it;
"Congratulations for finishing the game! Your Noble sacrifice to save the world from the constant oppression of the evil God, has deeply given a new ambition for the future generations to continue your legendary legacy. May we respect you through the bottom of our hearts!"
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Trizha stares at the screen for a few moments, resonating to it as if it was familiar to her. But she couldn't bring it to her mind on what it was, but she swore that she had experienced something similar…
And so, Wyne and Margaret return with three bottles of water.
Wyne: "We're back, Trizha… uh, you okay?"
Trizha kept her eyes on the screen for a few seconds, before turning back on the two with a look of uncertainty in her face.
Trizha: "Yeah… I'm fine. Let's go back, I'm tired."
Wyne: "Uh, yeah… sure. But just a short break and then we go back, since we haven't had much fun yet…"
And so, the trio went back to the dormitory to rest for a few minutes, before heading back to continue their hangout. Is the game Trizha played, really just a game? Perhaps not. But hopefully, it was.