前のエピソード――Episode 4 The story rewinds to before boarding the ship③

"Returning to the present, after listening to the rule explanation and leaving the chaotic venue behind, Hiroto checked his belongings.

'My belongings are... a wristband that won't come off and a metal card... that's it.'

He touched the silver wristband, but nothing happened. It didn't feel heavy either. The metal-like card had a smooth texture, but that was all. It looked like an IC card.

Upon closer inspection, 'HIROTO SAEKI' was written on the back. It seemed to be a card assigned to an individual.

After confirming that, Hiroto decided to explore the ship.

'Let's start by looking around this floor.'

He muttered without telling anyone and proceeded, looking around. Finally, he reached a place with an open space.

Looking down from the railing, he was on the third floor now. The central area of the first floor looked like a commercial district. There was a large store in the center, and along the road leading to it, there were stalls lined up.

'I'll check it out later.'

Deciding to continue exploring the third floor as planned, he walked along the narrow passage.

Then, he found doors with numbers and names written on them.

'001 KOUTARO TCHIBANA' '002 HIKARI SENNJU'

'These are room numbers and names...?'

On the next door, there were familiar characters. '003 HIROTO SAEKI.' He tried the doorknob, but it didn't budge. Looking at the door again, he noticed a machine attached for touching a card.

'They really won't tell me anything.'

He muttered softly, took the IC card from his pocket, and held it against the door.

*Click.*

With a faint sound as a signal, Hiroto pushed the door and entered.

Inside, there were only the essentials for living.

First, the bed. It was a bed shaped like the ones in the school infirmary, but without cushions, just hard. It was sleepable, but enduring it for 30 days seemed impossible.

Next, a desk. Hiroto didn't understand why there was a desk, but it was as sturdy as a child's study desk. The quality was the opposite of the bed.

Making a mental comment, he checked the top of the desk.

There was only one paper with 'Read when you enter the room ☆ Up' written on it and an eraser-topped pencil.

'Let's read it first.'

When he looked at the paper, it said:

『部屋に入ったら必ず読もう（上）

(Read when you enter the room ☆ Up)

　ベッドのクッションは部屋☆の中にありません。

(- There are no bed cushions in the room☆)

　洗面台の水は飲んで、☆いいよ

(- You can drink the water from the sink, ☆it's okay)

　机の上にある鉛☆筆は、部屋からそーっと持ち出して使うのは

(- Do not take the pencil with an eraser☆ on the desk out of the room☆)

　ぜったいにやめよう

(- You absolutely shouldn't use it)

　☆夜は外に出ても出なくてもよい☆

(- ☆You are free to go outside or stay inside at night☆')』

Hiroto placed only that paper on the desk and left his room.

Thank you for reading. If you found it even a bit interesting, receiving ☆ or ♡ would encourage me! Please also provide advice on writing. I'll be waiting!"