The atmosphere in the living room was still warm. This time, Arou decided to set up a "mini training session" for Airi so she could feel more confident while playing.
"Alright, Airi," Arou said as he adjusted a few simple levels in the game. "We'll try training mode. No one loses here—it's just about learning basic movements and strategies."
Airi stared at the screen seriously, her hands still trembling slightly.
"Training… okay… I'll try," she replied, attempting to sound confident, though her soft voice wavered a little.
Haru cheered from the other side of the sofa.
"Yay! Let's see Airi become a master! Don't lose to Tomo, alright?"
Tomo added with a laugh, "Haha, don't let that happen, Airi! I don't want to lose to a beginner!"
Arou gently patted Airi's shoulder, encouraging her.
"Just focus on the basics first. We'll take it slow."
Airi began pressing the buttons. Her character moved a bit awkwardly at first but kept progressing. Occasionally, she pressed the wrong button, causing the character to jump in the wrong direction.
"Ah! Wrong again…" she murmured shyly.
Arou smiled patiently.
"It's okay… try again. Remember, move the analog stick gently, not too hard… there, that's better!"
Haru and Tomo started reacting in their own ways, laughing at the chaos on the screen.
"Hahaha! Airi, you almost made your character fall off the cliff!"
"Relax… it's just training! You'll get better!" Arou added with a light laugh.
Little by little, Airi began to adjust. Her movements became steadier, her inputs more precise, and she started avoiding small traps in the game. The redness on her cheeks slowly faded, replaced by a small, proud smile.
"See? You're starting to keep up with us," Arou said.
Airi smiled, glancing at him briefly before focusing back on the screen.
"Yeah… this is… kind of fun… I think I'm starting to understand," she said softly.
Tomo patted her back, laughing.
"Alright, now we officially have a fourth player! Full team!"
Haru added, "Let's see who can last the longest!"
They began playing more seriously, but still casually. Laughter and cheers filled the living room, while Arou continued to patiently observe Airi, giving small tips and occasionally laughing at the chaos they created together.
Airi, who had been hesitant and shy before, was now starting to enjoy the moment. Even as a beginner, she felt closer to Arou, Tomo, and Haru. That morning, their simple living room was filled with laughter, chaos, and a sense of joyful learning.
After the basic training, Arou smiled and looked at Airi.
"Now, I'll teach you a small trick that can make the game more fun," he said.
Airi looked at him curiously, her cheeks still slightly flushed.
"A trick…? What kind of trick?"
"It's a secret… but don't worry, it's easy if you focus a little," Arou replied as he adjusted the controls.
Haru and Tomo exchanged glances, then laughed.
"Hahaha! Airi's getting taught a secret trick by Arou! Lucky!"
"Don't tell anyone else, alright… this is just between you and me," Arou said, lightly tapping Airi's shoulder.
Airi gripped the controller tighter, a bit nervous but excited.
"Okay… I'm ready…" she murmured.
Arou began explaining step by step.
"First, press this button… then move the analog stick here… alright, try it now."
Airi followed his instructions. Her character moved more smoothly than before, though still slightly unsteady at times.
"Good… almost perfect! Now try again, but more relaxed… see? You can do it," Arou said with a patient smile.
Tomo cheered from the sofa.
"Whoa! Airi's getting good! Don't lose to us now!"
Haru added, "Yeah, don't panic! That's Arou's secret trick!"
Airi smiled faintly, feeling proud as she managed to use the trick.
"This is… fun… I feel like I can actually do it now," she said, her eyes on the screen but occasionally glancing at Arou.
Arou gently patted her shoulder again.
"You're doing great… see? I told you you could. This is just the beginning. I can teach you more if you want."
Airi lowered her gaze slightly, her smile soft.
"Yeah… I want to… I want to learn more…"
Tomo and Haru laughed together, while Airi and Arou stayed focused on the game. The morning was filled with laughter, a bit of chaos, but also warmth—a simple moment that brought them closer.
Airi quickly got used to the trick Arou taught her and even started messing with Tomo and Haru a little.
"Hahaha! Airi, you're starting to beat me!" Tomo laughed, waving his hand.
"Hey, don't get ahead of yourself! I'm just trying—ah, got it!" Airi smiled proudly, her eyes sparkling.
Haru slapped the table, laughing loudly.
"Wow! Airi's dangerous now! Don't let her wipe us out!"
Arou looked at Airi with a warm smile.
"See? You're much more confident now. I told you—you could do it."
Airi smiled shyly but with satisfaction.
"Yeah… this is… really fun… I didn't expect this," she murmured.
They continued playing, laughter and chaos filling the room.
Then suddenly—
A loud knock echoed from the front door.
Everyone froze.
"Uh… who was that?" Tomo asked, his eyes widening.
Arou set down his controller and slowly stood up.
"I don't know… wait here, I'll check," he said as he walked toward the door.
He opened it carefully…
…but no one was there.
Only a gentle breeze slipped inside, making the door creak slightly.
Arou looked around, confused.
"No one… that's strange…"
Airi, standing behind him, clasped her hands, a chill running through her.
"Who could it be…?" she whispered softly.
Haru and Tomo exchanged uneasy glances.
"Maybe just a neighbor… or a cat… right?" Haru said, trying to reassure himself.
"Yeah… probably just the wind… or someone messing around," Tomo added with a nervous laugh.
Arou closed the door slowly, still alert.
"Alright… it's probably nothing. Let's go back to the game," he said, forcing a small smile.
They returned to their seats, but the atmosphere had shifted. Airi glanced at Arou, feeling safe just because he was there. The game continued, but a question lingered in their minds—
who had knocked on the door?
The cheerful morning now carried a hint of mystery.
---
After that sudden knock, the living room still felt off. Airi had grown more confident in playing, but her eyes occasionally drifted toward the door.
"Hahaha! Airi, you're getting really good!" Tomo shouted.
"Hey, don't celebrate too early! I'm just trying—ah! Got it!" Airi smiled proudly, her eyes shining.
Haru laughed.
"Here it is… our fourth player causing chaos too!"
Then—
another knock.
This time softer, but clear.
Everyone fell silent.
Arou slowly stood up, holding his breath as he walked toward the door.
But before he could reach it—
CRASH!
The sound of a plate shattering came from the kitchen.
Everyone flinched.
"W-was that… from the kitchen?" Tomo muttered, his face pale.
Before they could recover, the living room lights began flickering, casting moving shadows across the walls.
Airi grabbed Arou's arm, trembling slightly.
"What… what is this…?" she whispered.
Then—
footsteps.
From behind them.
Slow.
Approaching.
Haru swallowed hard, his eyes wide.
"W-who's behind us?!"
At that exact moment, the bathroom door slammed shut on its own.
A soft wind drifted through the room, making the curtains sway—
but no one was there.
Arou looked around seriously, then gently reassured Airi.
"Stay calm… we're all here together. Nothing will happen as long as I'm with you."
Airi lowered her head slightly, still holding onto him.
"Thank you… I feel… safe when you're here," she whispered.
They sat back down, trying to focus on the game again—but the tension lingered in the air. Every strange sound kept them on edge.
Behind their forced laughter, one question remained—
what… was in this house?
That once cheerful morning was now wrapped in mystery, leaving behind an uneasy feeling that refused to fade—and for Airi, it was a quiet realization that no game could ever prepare her for something like this.