With Arisa’s urging, we still stepped inside the room to find the photograph that she mentioned. But before doing so, the three girls left us alone outside the door. To give Izumi a chance to calm herself down without being drowned by her embarrassment.

Yeah. That’s considerate of them. And in this case, I didn’t mind it. It’s not like they’re doing this at the expense of their own time with me.

When Izumi noticed that they were not around anymore, the girl lifted her head and looked at me with her pitiful eyes. No matter how much she tried to act tough, she couldn’t hold it in this time. Arisa got her good. I’d give her some scolding later.

Anyway, to calm down Izumi, I maintained my reassuring smile while whispering to her that I wouldn’t leave her side. Words alone weren't enough so... I also kissed her. That way, it would distract her from what was making her scared.

I mean, we haven’t encountered a ghost yet, it’s just her nerves getting the best of her because of Juri’s story and Arisa’s mischievous ploy.

Luckily, the kiss was effective. Her body stopped trembling and rather than fear, the racing of her heartbeat was now caused by her elation from our intimate connection.

Instead of letting her be too conscious of our current setting, I made it a task to let her mind be occupied by nothing else but me.

Naturally, I didn’t stop at just one kiss... I needed to take her mind off of what was making her afraid, after all.

While the three girls remained in the room, I temporarily moved us out of the doorway and brought her to the side where the three girls couldn’t see us. And there, within the darkness of the place, I’ve prolonged our moment together.

Eventually, Izumi clung to me tightly with her arms enclosed around my head, keeping our lips locked to each other. At the same time as that, my hands slid down to her back and eventually moved further down to her backside. It made her a bit jumpy but the girl didn’t stop me, allowing me to feel her up. Then I took it another step further by lifting one of her legs and hooked it behind me. Our lower bodies touched and I moved subtly, letting her feel our indirect connection down there.

Was that all?

Unfortunately, yes. We didn’t do more than that. I stopped before we lost ourselves and forgot that we were here with the other three. Besides, Izumi was also mindful of them. She already recovered her mental state and most likely, she didn’t want to act selfishly by having me all to herself.

In any case, the most important thing here was that I was successful. She returned to how she normally acted.

And even though she returned to acting a little tsundere again by refusing to admit that she loved the moment and kisses we shared, Izumi held onto my arms to have her be enclosed within my embrace when we stepped inside the room to join the other three.

Yep. We switched our positions. I became the one hugging her from behind.

Although it didn’t come off as a surprise to the other three, they all reacted to it differently.

First, Shizu narrowed her eyes. She’s not glaring at us in jealousy but if I was correct in reading her mind, she’s definitely thinking of asking me for the same treatment later.

Second, Juri was the same as Shizu. However, she’s more vocal about it. She immediately returned to my side and whispered, “I’m jealous, Ruki. Hold me like that too when we’re alone again.”

And third, Arisa looked at her friend and gave her a thumbs up, taking credit for this result.

Yeah. She’s the one who made this happen, after all.

Izumi could only pout at her friend. She couldn’t deny it. If not for Arisa scaring her, I would still be flanked by Juri and Shizu. We wouldn’t have that moment outside the door. In the end, she clicked her tongue and pinched my arm while inwardly feeling grateful to her best friend.

Well, I sensed that since I was this close to her. And seeing her acting like that, I couldn’t help but dote on the girl more. When the three girls continued searching the room, I sneaked in another kiss on Izumi’s cheek before we joined them.

Mhm. I wouldn’t mind visiting more haunted places if I could get Izumi to act this adorable. But well, that’s a stretch, I guess? I’m confident I could still make her act this way if we ever get some time alone.

Around a minute later, Arisa excitedly exclaimed. The previous mischief in her eyes was already dissolved. It was replaced by her overflowing interest in the mystery of this haunted place.

“I found it! Look. Look!”

Arisa gathered us back in the middle of the room. Following that, she placed the photograph and shone the flashlight on it.

“See? Two women and a child. What do you think, Ruki?”

It’s already old and faded that it’s quite difficult to discern what was really being photographed. Nonetheless, one careful look and it’s truly like a portrait of three people.

They’re possibly a family. A mother and two daughters with a considerable age gap. Still, we couldn’t easily conclude that they’re the ones making appearances in this place. It’s quite fun to try and unearth a mystery. However, a supernatural mystery was more often left solved.

I mean, even now, there’s no real proof of their existence and even if there are spirit mediums who boast about having their sixth sense, it’s still something hard to believe.

“Indeed, it matched the story,” I said before looking at the other three girls to see if they were also going to comment.

Shizu was intrigued but not convinced though so she’s not saying anything. As for Juri, she’s more interested in the story of the photo than the mystery itself.

As someone who dabbled in photography, her skilled eye and experience in the subject could help.

She grabbed the photo and started inspecting it, turning it over to see the back. There could be a note there, after all. But after finding nothing, she focused on the printed photo.

“Hmm... This is a digital photo and while a digital camera isn’t something new, the way the image has yet to fade completely means this was left behind at least a year or two ago. You see, digitally-printed photos are easier to fade especially if left abandoned in a dusty place like this. If this is developed through a film, while it also wouldn’t be clear, the colors would only turn a bit yellowish and not fade even after five years unless moisture ruined it. The sighting started ten years ago and it’s been five years since they closed this place down” After saying that, Juri handed back the photo to Arisa who already had an idea of what Juri was trying to say.

“I see. Then, your verdict?”

Naturally, I still need to bring up that question which Juri responded with a shake of her head.

“I’d say it’s inconclusive. I may be wrong with my evaluation. The photo may be related to the mystery. Perhaps brought over by someone related to them. But one thing is weird though. The sighting had never been reported in this room and floor. It was always upstairs or inside the traditional bath hall. Look around you... isn’t this a storage room?”

“You’re right...” Arisa was disappointed to hear that but she more or less accepted that explanation. She stared at the photo again, possibly trying to burn the images in her head.

Following that, her still-enthusiastic eyes landed on me. If I have to guess, she wanted to continue our exploration or to continue investigating the mystery even if there was none.

It’s still fun for her, after all. Moreover, it’s not every day that we’ll encounter a place like this. Even more so, while we’re together.

“Shall we continue exploring? Let’s check those places out.” She said, suggesting that we go over the places Juri listed. Upstairs and in the bath. As it’s a traditional bath, it’s the one where it’s like an indoor hot spring but the water was being heated artificially. More importantly, it’s probably dried up since it’s not being used.

“Mhm. Let’s go... But before that...”

Naturally, turning her down isn’t in my vocabulary. However, not counting Izumi who’s probably going to be scared again if we purposely went to those places, there’s also Shizu who requires a rest. Even if the girl finds comfort by my side that’s enough. Hence, my eyes landed on the two.

Understanding my intention even without me saying it yet, Shizu smilingly shook her head before closing in on me again. She exhaustedly let her head rest on my shoulder and even if I was practically still hugging Izumi, the girl’s arm slipped in between us, hugging me as well from the side.

“Escort us out, numbskull. And I need some kisses too. I can’t just hand you over to Arisa.” she said. “You can explore with her after, we’ll wait for you there.”

Izumi then looked up at me, expressing the same thing wordlessly. Obviously, she also wanted more kisses before handing me over to Arisa.

“Don’t worry, Ruki. I’ll accompany them. You and Arisa-chan can continue exploring.

As for Juri, she quietly moved over to my other side, whispered those words and took the first dibs on getting that kiss from me.

Because of that, in front of the dumbfounded Arisa, the three girls ganged up on me. They all showered me with kisses. Not just on my lips. My ears and neck were also not spared.

A few minutes later, after we found a place for Shizu and Izumi to sit down, Arisa cutely stuck her tongue out to the three while dragging me back with her into the manor.

Even though the atmosphere in the place should be a little creepy, the sounds of their joyful laughter filled the surroundings, disturbing the ominous birds taking shelter in the nearby trees.