Ultimately, the plan the three of them settled on was to remain in the room for now and wait to see if anyone from the other two groups would make the first move.
The situation outside was unclear, and acting rashly at a time like this was not a good idea. Therefore, Kaguya Shinomiya, with her sharp hearing, stayed in the hallway near the main door, keeping a constant watch on the movements outside. Maki Shijo, on the other hand, conducted a more thorough search of the room, looking for any missed clues. Gao Hai assisted the young woman, helping her search through the various items in Room 208.
"Judging by the clothes, it looks like a young man lived here alone."
Maki, who had found some simple men's clothing in the wardrobe, said this while frowning and wiping her hands several times.
"And the kind of single man who didn't take very good care of himself."
Gao Hai stared at the moldy boxer shorts and socks with faint yellow stains lying by the bed. In the end, he couldn't bring himself to touch them and simply kicked them to the corner of the wall.
"Unfortunately, I couldn't find a diary or any kind of record. It seems the last person who stayed here didn't leave anything useful behind."
After a fruitless search, Maki wore a disappointed expression. She patted her not-so-prominent chest and let out a long sigh.
"Generally speaking, not many people keep records by writing in a diary. At least where I'm from, only elementary school students write daily entries at their teacher's request. Once you get to middle or high school, nobody really does that anymore."
Gao Hai walked over to the kitchen, opened the door, and casually chimed in.
"That just proves you don't understand the diversity of people. Lots of people have a habit of keeping diaries, you know, especially those who are sensitive and introspective. Besides, are you really a novelist? Isn't your type supposed to enjoy writing things down all the time?"
Really not wanting to touch those dirty clothes again, Maki Shijo kicked the pile to the side of the wall, right next to the heap of boxer shorts and socks. The two piles of filth were now mixed together.
"That's why I always say I just write web novels. My job, when you get down to it, is to write things that aren't very deep, things that let people relax. How could I have the same habits as those who write serious literature? The kitchen stove still has gas, and there's water, too. It seems to be clean tap water. This place is so rundown, yet the utilities like water and gas are still on. What's the deal with that?"
Gao Hai felt a bit perplexed after testing the kitchen stove and the sink faucet. Hearing this, Maki also walked into the kitchen. Seeing the blue flame ignite on the stovetop, a look of pleasant surprise appeared on her face.
"This way, at least we're guaranteed to have hot water."
She looked at the wok sitting on the side. It was made of stainless steel, so it wasn't rusty, just covered in a layer of dust. As long as it was cleaned, it could be used to boil water or cook noodles.
Maki had originally thought she'd have to live like a savage for the next few days. Seeing that the water and gas were still on was the best news she could have possibly received.
"While it's a good thing, the only food we have right now is instant noodles and compressed biscuits. Hmm, I guess it's better than nothing."
Gao Hai himself had always been a fan of steeping instant noodles. In his view, instant noodles were meant to be steeped; deliberately boiling them was just making extra work. He would only consider boiling them when he was exceptionally bored. Speaking of which, the reason he got transported here seemed to be because he went out to buy eggs and ham to go with his boiled instant noodles.
"Maintaining one's quality of life is extremely important, no matter the circumstances. It has a very positive effect on regulating one's state of mind. Although our ingredients are limited, since we're guaranteed water and gas, I'll be in charge of dinner tonight. Hmph, don't think I'm some sheltered young lady who can't do anything."
Disagreeing with Gao Hai's idea, Maki shook her head, patted her not-so-prominent chest, and showed a slightly proud expression.
"Is that so? Although I've visited Shuchiin, I don't know much about the students there, and I have no idea what kind of person you are (this was a lie). But I have heard that both the Shinomiya and Shijo families are very powerful family enterprises. Well, I'll open that fridge over there. A fridge that hasn't been opened for over two years is probably pretty terrifying inside, not really suitable for a girl like you to open."
Despite having finished the original 'Kaguya-sama' series, Gao Hai's expression didn't change as he told his bare-faced lie. He moved past Maki, intending to check the refrigerator in the furthest part of the kitchen.
"Ha! What, you think I'm strong only because I have my family to rely on? Hmph, you clueless oaf. I am a true all-rounder, capable of handling any situation. The skills I've mastered are beyond your imagination. Mathematics, combat, kendo, home economics, arts, foreign languages, and so on. My real-world knowledge is not something a shut-in otaku like you can compare to. Now, step aside. It's just a fridge. You think I'll be scared or disgusted by some rotten vegetables and meat? You're underestimating me. Stand aside, I'll investigate. This will be a good chance to show you the Shijo family's way of doing things!"
Speaking at a rapid pace, Maki Shijo extended a small hand to block Gao Hai. She gave him a somewhat scornful look, snorted, and then took the initiative to walk toward the fridge.
In terms of her tone and attitude, one had to admit she was rather unendearing. Someone who didn't know her would probably think she was genuinely looking down on Gao Hai. In reality, after hearing his words, she had become worried that in a strange place like this, the fridge might actually contain something awful. She intended to investigate first so Gao Hai wouldn't be in danger, which was why she deliberately spoke that way. However, before the bold words were even out of her mouth, her calves had already begun to tremble slightly as she approached the fridge, and her fingers hesitated as they reached for the handle.
Could it be... that something will actually jump out when I open the fridge?
Maki Shijo wasn't particularly brave. She was already starting to shrink back but forced herself to hold on, unwilling to show her weak side to an outsider.
So that's what a tsundere is like.
Gao Hai, having observed Maki's subtle movements, simply stroked his chin and nodded slightly, mentally reflecting on the different ways a tsundere personality manifests in the third dimension versus the second.
When reading the manga, you can feel the 'tsundere-ness' at a glance, but when facing a real person, unless you carefully observe all the micro-expressions, I would have actually thought she was looking down on me just now. Hmm, so I guess tsundere girls are only cute when you already understand them?
If I were to ask her about her love life right now, could I guide her into saying her famous line, "I'm a master of love"? Ah, I suddenly really want to hear her say that. It feels like it would be a unique kind of fun.
Although Gao Hai's mind was wandering as usual, he had already quickly closed the distance and was standing beside Maki.
"Looks like the fridge still has power. Be careful, who knows what the situation is inside."
Saying this, Gao Hai stood next to Maki and reached out to grab the refrigerator door first.
"Ha! As long as nothing jumps out to attack me, there's nothing to be afraid of. I've seen far more of the world than you have."
Feeling a bit like she was being underestimated, Maki Shijo showed an unhappy expression. As she spoke, she also grabbed the door of the small refrigerator and then pulled it open with force.
A frozen man's face was face-to-face with Maki in the next instant.
"..."
In that split second, Gao Hai could feel the girl beside him tense up instantly, her entire body becoming almost completely rigid.
And as the refrigerator door was pulled fully open, the figure of a man, curled up inside and completely frozen solid, was revealed before the two of them.
Even though he had been dead for a long time, his frozen, hideous face, filled with terror and despair, seemed to still convey the sheer horror the man felt in his final moments while hiding here.
Gao Hai looked down into the refrigerator. Unfortunately, he couldn't find any common puzzle-game clues like a [note next to the body] or [writing scratched before death]. One could only say that games are just games; finding clues in reality wasn't so easy.
"He's only wearing a thin tank top and shorts. Maybe he encountered something while sleeping or resting and, caught off guard, chose to hide in the fridge?"
Feeling the grim cold emanating from the refrigerator, Gao Hai tried to analyze the deceased's final moments and actions, but he couldn't come up with any valuable clues for the time being.
"Hah... Th-this sort of thing, isn't it obvious at a glance... Hmph... it's nothing special. Wait, is there something wrong with you? How can you analyze a dead body so calmly? Are you really a novelist?"
As for Maki, who had been badly frightened, she was just now recovering. She first forced out a few words to protect her pride, then immediately reacted, frowning as she looked at Gao Hai.
"Well, it's probably because I've become desensitized from looking at a lot of nasty stuff for research before, like that 'Worlds Most Disturbing' series..."
Gao Hai was thinking of a suitable explanation, but he was cut off after just a few words by the sound of footsteps behind him.
Kaguya Shinomiya had, at some point, silently entered the kitchen. Only when she was close to the two of them did she deliberately make a sound with her steps to let them know she was there.
She didn't speak. Her gaze merely swept over the half-open refrigerator door behind Gao Hai and Maki, and the curled-up corpse completely frozen inside. She then made a hushing gesture to them and showed them her phone.
"[Something's happening outside. Don't make a sound. Come here.]"
After showing the brief message to them, Kaguya's gaze lingered for a moment on the slight wetness at the corner of Maki's eyes, which she hadn't yet wiped away from her fright, before she turned and led the way out.
The wall clock had now been taken down by Kaguya and was in her hands. Gao Hai and Maki followed without hesitation, all three trying their best to stay quiet and move silently.
Knock knock knock—
They passed through the living room and into the hallway.
Before he even reached the main door, Gao Hai heard a soft but distinct knocking sound, accompanied by a voice.
"[Gao Hai, little Gao, you're in there, right?]"
"[Why aren't you saying anything? It's me, Sun Dajun!]"
"[Everyone's out here. We're discussing what to do now. Why are you hiding in there? And those two girls with you, what are you all doing? Hey, hey, don't just stay silent, say something!]"
It was the voice of the fat executive he had heard just a short while ago.
The voice, sounding utterly normal and full of confusion, continued along with the knocking. He could also faintly hear what sounded like the young Black man and the blonde woman speaking. The voices of all three were coming from outside the door.
Together with the steady knocking, the sounds seeped into the ears of the three people inside the room.
Knock knock knock—
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