Strange Game - Anime Mashup

Hoshino Ai couldn't help but recall the scene in the lobby, where Lin Ye had methodically removed the weird staff member's clothes and stockings to investigate her. The thought had been shocking, but when she considered the situation more carefully, she found herself understanding.

This hotel was a maze of horrors, and even though Lin Ye seemed composed, he had to be under immense pressure.

The ability to stop time was powerful, but it wasn't a catch-all solution to their predicament. To survive, they had to complete the game and leave the hotel.

Blushing, Hoshino Ai felt her heart flutter awkwardly. Her hands fidgeted with the hem of her clothes, and her bright eyes darted around shyly.

"This… Lin Ye-kun, isn't this… a little too fast?"

She finally voiced her thoughts.

The hotel's perilous nature wasn't suited for such things, especially for someone like her—a pure-hearted idol longing for an innocent love. What she wanted was to experience a tender relationship: holding hands, going on dates, sharing laughter, and only then… taking that final step.

Lin Ye, sensing her awkwardness, raised an eyebrow.

"Too fast?"

When he saw her blush deepen, he immediately realized what she was thinking.

With a faint smile, he replied, "I think it's too slow. You should hurry and take a shower first. I'll go after you. Even though the rule doesn't specify a strict shower time, I think it's safer to finish before 10 p.m."

His tone turned serious as he added, "The rules often revolve around specific time points. After 10 p.m., something is likely to change."

Understanding dawned on Hoshino Ai, and her embarrassment spiked. She had completely misunderstood!

"Oh, I see. I'll go right away."

Turning toward the bathroom, she paused as Lin Ye called out teasingly, "Hoshino, were you imagining something just now? Thinking about me, perhaps?"

Her fair face turned beet red.

"No! I wasn't having any nonsense thoughts!"

She bolted into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Inside, she clenched her fists and stomped lightly, trying to shake off her flustered emotions.

Hoshino Ai fiddled with the switches in the bathroom. Warm water began flowing as the heater activated. She took a deep breath, her body slowly relaxing as she removed her clothes, placing them neatly on the sink.

This entire night had been overwhelming.

When the warm water drenched her dark purple hair, she let out a soft sigh of relief.

"Call…"

Showering had always been her way to unwind after exhausting practices and performances. But this time, there was no room for leisure—just a quick rinse before returning to the ominous room.

And yet, something felt off.

A creeping sensation crawled over her skin, as though someone was watching her.

She glanced instinctively to her side.

Her heart stopped.

The frosted glass wall, meant to obscure the bathroom, had turned completely transparent.

Through the clear pane, she locked eyes with Lin Ye, who sat on the bed, resting. He didn't look away.

"Ahhh!"

Hoshino Ai yelped, covering her body with her arms. Her face burned hotter than the water streaming over her.

"W-Why is this happening?! Why is the glass see-through?!"

Lin Ye, seeing her reaction, nodded calmly and withdrew his gaze.

"That's nice," he muttered to himself.

The unexpected view of a beautiful idol in such a vulnerable state wasn't something he'd planned, but he wasn't one to shy away from the perks of an otherwise grim situation.

Still, when he realized Hoshino Ai had noticed, he decided not to push his luck.

A soft click signaled the glass reverting to its foggy state.

Inside the bathroom, Hoshino Ai leaned against the wall, still reeling from embarrassment.

"What do I do now? I've been seen naked! Wuwuwu…"

Her thoughts were interrupted by the clock striking 22:00.

The main lights flickered violently before shutting off entirely. Only a few dim mood lights remained, casting eerie shadows across the room.

The bathroom lights stayed on, but then the running water suddenly stopped.

Confused, Hoshino Ai stared at the faucet.

"Crackle… crackle…"

The pipes rattled violently, and water burst forth again—but this time, it wasn't clear.

Thick, black-and-red liquid spurted from the showerhead, splattering across the tiles.

Her eyes widened in terror.

"Blood! It's blood!"

Staggering backward, Hoshino Ai slipped and fell to the ground.

"What's going on?!"

Lin Ye leaped to his feet and rushed to the bathroom.

Seeing the thick, gory liquid flowing from the shower, he quickly stepped inside.

Hoshino Ai, trembling on the floor, looked up at him with tearful eyes.

Without hesitation, Lin Ye reached out, pulling her out of the bathroom and away from the spreading mess.

He carefully shut off the water, ensuring neither of them was stained by the strange substance.

"22:00."

Lin Ye muttered under his breath.

A new danger had arrived.

~~~

The sound of the dripping black and red liquid echoed in the bathroom after Lin Ye had turned off the shower. The eerie substance finally stopped after a few more drops fell onto the floor.

Lin Ye carefully scanned the room. He stepped forward cautiously, took two clean towels from the rack, and returned to the bathroom door.

This time, his attention was entirely on Hoshino Ai.

The girl sat on the cold tiles, trembling. One hand supported her body while the other tried to cover herself, but her panic only made her vulnerability more apparent. Her slender figure and snow-white skin, now marred by streaks of black and red, gave her an unsettling, surreal appearance.

Lin Ye's expression remained calm, though his tone was sharp and practical.

"Hoshino, do you feel anything unusual?"

She shook her head quickly. "No… nothing."

He handed her a towel, but her hands trembled, too weak to hold it. Her legs wouldn't support her weight either.

Lin Ye frowned, quickly taking in the situation.

"Let me help clean this off first," he said gently.

Hoshino Ai hesitated but eventually nodded, unable to manage it herself.

Lin Ye began wiping the strange liquid from her skin, using deliberate movements to avoid contact with it himself. The pristine white towel was soon stained with dark streaks of black and red.

As his hands moved, Hoshino Ai's heart raced. The intimate contact—though entirely necessary—was overwhelming. The shame of the moment soon eclipsed her earlier fear, and her pale cheeks flushed deeply.

Once he finished, Lin Ye discarded the soiled towel into the bathroom and wrapped a fresh bath towel around her, covering her delicate frame and giving her a sense of security.

"I'll help you to the bed," he offered.

Carrying her gently, he placed her on the bed. Hoshino Ai, having regained some strength, clutched the blanket tightly and crawled under it. Only her bright, wide eyes peeked out from beneath the covers, darting nervously toward Lin Ye before quickly looking away.

Her thoughts spiraled. Compared to the earlier embarrassing moment with the glass, this was far worse. He had seen, touched, and cleaned every inch of her exposed body.

"Are you feeling better now?" Lin Ye asked, standing a respectful distance away.

"Yes…" she whispered, her voice soft and uncertain.

But the lingering terror of what had just happened began to claw at her mind.

"Lin Ye-kun… what was that? Why did that blood suddenly spray from the shower?"

Lin Ye's expression darkened. "It's 22:00. The hotel is changing again."

Hoshino Ai's breath caught in her throat. "Then… does that mean… I'm going to die?"

Her voice trembled as she clung to the blanket, pulling it tighter around her.

"That liquid—was it poisonous? Am I going to mutate into something… horrible?"

Her mind raced with scenes from horror movies she had watched, where strange substances caused grotesque transformations.

Seeing Lin Ye's calm demeanor only made her panic more.

"You avoided touching it on purpose, didn't you? You already know! You're just not telling me!" Her misty eyes locked onto his, pleading for answers.

"Calm down. You're not going to die."

But she shook her head furiously. "I don't believe you! I just started my idol career… I haven't become the top star yet! I haven't eaten all the delicious food I want! I haven't even… fallen in love yet…"

Her voice broke as tears welled up. "I don't want to die like this!"

Her composure shattered entirely, her sobs muffled by the blanket as she trembled.

Lin Ye's gaze softened as he knelt beside the bed.

"Trust me, you're fine."

She sniffled, looking up at him with tear-streaked cheeks.

"If I mutate… please, just… make it quick. I don't want to suffer," she pleaded.

For a moment, Lin Ye was stunned by her resignation. He had expected her to scream, to accuse, to demand proof of his reassurance—but instead, she was preparing for the worst with heartbreaking acceptance.

He sighed, his tone firm but kind. "I've told you—nothing will happen to you. If this liquid could kill us outright, the game's rules would be far too simple."

Hoshino Ai blinked, her tears stopping momentarily.

"But…"

Her face turned bright red as a sudden thought struck her. Mustering all her courage, she blurted out:

"If I'm really going to die… Lin Ye-kun… please… sleep with me!"

The room fell silent.

Lin Ye froze, caught completely off guard by the seriousness in her expression.

Hoshino Ai's face was flushed, but her gaze didn't waver. "I'm serious. I don't want to die without ever experiencing love… or intimacy. Please, before it's too late."

Lin Ye's logical mind kicked in, recalling a psychological phenomenon he had read about—how people facing death often felt a heightened desire for connection or reproduction.

He took a deep breath and shook his head.

"You're not going to die," he said firmly.

"But—"

"That liquid isn't blood. It's just water."

Her jaw dropped. "Water?! How is that water?!"

Lin Ye explained, "The hotel is messing with our perception. It's an illusion, nothing more. I didn't smell blood or anything unusual, which is why I was careful to avoid overreacting. It's meant to scare us."

Hoshino Ai stared at him for a long moment before finally nodding, her breathing slowing.

"You're sure?"

"Positive."

Her shoulders relaxed slightly as relief began to creep in. "I don't want to die…"

Lin Ye gave her a reassuring smile. "You won't. Rest now. We'll figure out our next move in the morning."

As she curled up under the blanket, warmth finally returning to her body, Hoshino Ai replayed her earlier outburst in her mind.

Her face turned crimson as waves of embarrassment washed over her.

"I can't believe I said that… I'm too ashamed to live…"

She buried her face in the pillow, hoping Lin Ye wouldn't bring it up again.

In another room, the same sinister clock struck 22:00, signaling yet another horror unfolding elsewhere in the hotel.