Chapter Text
15/4
Friday
Rainy
So, as it turns out, sleeping on the job was a bad idea. Not because I got caught and reprimanded for it or anything like that; I can say with pretty much absolute certainty that no one else even went into the security office yesterday: no, it was a bad idea because it meant that when my shift was over and I got back home I went to sleep a while later than I usually would. This would be no problem, and maybe even a good thing, if I were not woken up again by the blaring of police sirens not even two hours later.
Realistically, I should just go back to sleep; I still have work later and as much as I would like to sleep through work again, it's not something I want to make a habit of. Unfortunately, I just don't feel tired. I know I will in a couple hours when sleeping becomes entirely unreasonable, but as of right now, returning to my slumber would be completely futile. The soothing sound of police sirens doesn't exactly put the mind at ease for a good morning's rest, I guess.
Eh, whatever, I'll be fine. I get up to the windows and pull open my curtains to look out for which way those police cars are headed; maybe something horrible happened at Junes and I won't have to go to work - that'd be nice.
...Or, at least, I'd like to see where they went. It's too foggy for me to see anything outside that isn't directly in front of my window. Inaba always gets pretty foggy, but it feels like its been particularly bad lately - although, maybe it's just that the fog's on my mind since it's reportedly been a problem for the recent murder investigation.
Oh shit, yeah, that murder was on a foggy day like this, and if there's police cars around that might mean- no, that's ridiculous. What're the chances that theres two murders this close to each other in Inaba of all places? Probably pretty high, actually. The police haven't caught that announcer's murderer yet, whoever did her in might've looked at the weather forecast and decided it's a lovely day for another light spot of homicide.
No point worrying about it, I suppose; Junes'll be open murder or no murder. I step away from the window and go to switch on my TV, maybe the local news has already caught what the police were headed to. It wouldn't surprise me. As I reach over to the power switch I'm suddenly assaulted by a memory of yesterday's shift: those kids really went inside that TV, huh? Like, they really did that didn't they? That happened. Huh. From what I could see, there was pretty much no one else in the electronics department when they went in, and it was the same when they went out. The few people who were there either weren't shopping for TVs or, if they were, narrowly missed the end of the... shenanigans. Unless someone else decides to look at the security footage, I'm the only person in the entire world who saw and knows about these kids going into some sort of magic TV dimension... Well, the only person apart from the kids themselves, obviously.
Unless it was a dream, or a prank, or a complicated magic trick, or my mind-numbingly boring job finally making me go insane, or some edited movie footage. Lots of possibilities that aren't literally physically entering TVs, really. I suppose I'll find out when I get to work. I very much doubt they won't go to Junes today, they'll be in school - probably around now-ish - having a whole "what was that yesterday? Was that a dream?? What was with the weird stuff in the TV dimension???" conversation, and they'll go back to the electronics department straight after school to confirm or deny whatever suspicions they have.
Anyway, there's nothing on the local news as of current, and it's looking like the rain isn't gonna let up today. I'll worry properly about everything that I should be worrying about when I go to work and make it my employer's problem. In the meantime, since I've been woken up by some tragedy happening somewhere, I now have the time in the day to get some shopping done - so, the question is now: where should I- who am I kidding I'm going to Junes.
It's always weird shopping at Junes as a proper customer. Sure, I bought some things like a normal person yesterday, but that was like 10 minutes before my shift - it hardly counts. I'm probably more aware of the security cameras than everyone else in the store, but ironically I'm the only person who doesn't really have to worry about them; I mean, yeah, there should be someone else who keeps an eye on the cameras for when I don't have work, but if there is I'm yet to see any evidence of their existence. Everything in the security office is always the exact same when I come back to it as when I was last there, so either no one else goes there or the people that do are really good at covering their tracks.
I keep overhearing people mention a "Saki" again. I assume they mean Saki Konishi - that part-timer girl - since I don't think I know any other Sakis in Inaba, but I can't see why she'd be gossiped about in Junes. Did she do something? Did something happen to her? I'd like to know more, but eavesdropping on customers becomes far more difficult when I'm not working; I'll add it to the ever-growing list of things to worry about on my shift.
Junes is quieter around this time. Most people are at work by now, and if they're not at work they're doing their shopping later. That's not to say the place is empty or anything like that; there's still a good amount of customers. It's just that there are a few more empty tables at the food court, and places in the store where customers would usually be pretty sparse like the electronics department are entirely empty.
But I don't need to think about either of those places just yet, all I need to think about at the moment is what I'm going to make for dinner tonight - and maybe what I'll eat for a snack while I'm working later. And, honestly, I think if I were to hang around the electronics department after what I saw there yesterday I'd quickly end up betraying my goal of worrying about everything once I get to work.
In other news, I'm, predictably, now facing the consequences of getting only two hours of sleep. For some reason I thought I'd just be able to cope. When I get home I'll have a nap (it's probably not too late in the day for it, and it'll save me the neck pain from sleeping in my chair in the security office), and if those kids come back to open more TV-portals or whatever the hell they did, being well-rested will probably help with... something, maybe!
Ahhhh, good morning, Inaba! Or good afternoon, or good- what time is it? ...Oh, thank God. Good afternoon Inaba! I'm glad I got to get some sleep without missing half of my shift in some way. I've definitely slept for longer than I'd have really liked to, but I'll still make it to work on time.
I get up out of my bed for the second time today and begin my "morning" routine again before quickly remembering that I've already done all of this earlier, so I really have no reason to go through it again. I change into my work outfit, apply deodorant, wash my face, eat a mint or two, and now I'm fully prepared for a Great Day doing basically nothing at Junes!
...Now, I say that, but there's a very high chance that Narukami, Satonaka, and the other one are gonna be going back there today, so I need to remember to bring my notebook and pens because those kids are... well, every time I've seen them together so far I've felt the need to write something down.
Okay, I think I've got everything now. I step outside to set off on my walk to work and- Ah shit, I forgot to get that umbrella yesterday, didn't I? I really don't know how I didn't notice when I went out earlier; it's not like it wasn't raining then. I'll make a note to pick one up once I get back to Junes, but until I do I'll just put up with wet hair for another day.
Nothing's different about today that makes it stand out from any other day, but, as I'm walking, deep inside my chest I feel some sort of... is impending dread right? The sense that something horrible is going to happen? That. Maybe it's that my hair feels messier than normal after sleeping on it twice, or that clouds are particularly grey today. Maybe it's these half-nightshifts making me feel weird, or... Or, possibly, it might be that a woman was murdered not even 20 minutes away from my house two days ago and today I was woken up by blaring police sirens... Yeah, I think the clouds are really getting to me.
A group of Yaso kids walk past me. I assume they're also on their way to Junes, but just a little bit faster in an attempt to get out of the rain sooner. I only catch a little bit of their conversation; something about how they "feel so bad" and they're... "sorry for her familly"... I feel sort of bad for eavesdropping now. The group turns a corner after a little while, so I guess my initial assumption was incorrect. Or they just don't know the fastest way to Junes, but I really doubt that.
Soon enough, I'm at work. I push my fringe from the place the rain decided to put it back to where it should be and start heading to the Security Office. For some reason, today, I can't seem to muster up the courage to start singing the Junes Jingle. It's different from yesterday: yesterday I was just a bit pissed off at the rain, today it just... I don't know, really, I just don't feel like it. I hope this keeps up, though, I hate that stupid jingle.
Just as I get into the elevator I hear the quick, light footsteps of someone rushing to get on the elevator before the door closes. I'm about to press the button to keep the door open for them, but clearly this exact scenario is something they're quite used to the timing of because- Oh, that's the manager's kid. That makes sense; I've seen him run to elevators when he's in a hurry, like when he's forgotten when his break ends, or when he's done working and is a bit too excited to get home; right now, though, he's got no work to be late for, so why's he running for the elevator? Better question: why do I care?
Even better question: what's he carrying around a golf club and a coil of rope for? What can someone even do with that combination of items? For a moment I think about asking him, but for some reason I get the sense that he doesn't want to talk right now. I'm not exactly in a rush, so on a hunch that I know where this kid is going I press the button to send the elevator to the floor the electronics department is on. I mean, he'd have to be, right? If I were him, I'd want to do some sort of... I don't know, reality check? Considering he's not done or said anything which could change the destination of the elevator, I think my hunch was correct.
Yep: the elevator dings and the kid runs off to exactly where I expected. This, however, is nowhere near where I need to be, so I vaguely saunter in a direction until I conclude it's no longer awkward for me to get back into the elevator and finally actually get to my job.
Hello, security office! I already feel like I'm ready to go home and my shift literally just started... Well, technically it started like six minutes ago, but who's really counting?
As much as I'd reaaally like to do my job properly today, I'm dying to know what Manager's Kid's doing with that golf club, so hopefully nothing bad happens anywhere outside the electronics department!
**click**
O... kay. In the time it's taken me to get to my office, Manager's Kid has managed to tie some of the rope around his waist, with the rest of the coil being held up slightly in a way that I can't imagine is convenient or comfortable, probably to make sure he doesn't trip on it. In the hand that isn't holding the rope he's still got that golf club, which he's holding in a way that makes me believe he's never played golf in his life; I mean, I haven't either, but, still. He's standing directly in front of a display TV: The same one they fell into yesterday... Or at least I think it's the same one, anyway. It'd make sense if it was.
Suddenly, Manager's Kid's face lights up and he holds up the golf club and rope a little bit higher- Oh, Satonaka and Narukami are here! I did think it was weird that Manager's Kid was by himself, he must've been waiting for them.
"You guys came...!"
He sounds genuinely quite surprised. So he was waiting for them, but he wasn't expecting them; I'd really like to know what sort of conversation led up to this.
"We came to stop you, idiot! C'mon... You really shouldn't do this. It's too dangerous."
"I know... But we were able to come back once, right? If we go in from the same location, maybe we'll meet that bear again."
"'Maybe' isn't good enough!"
I don't quite understand how dangerous it is on the other side of the TV-screen-portal-thing, but I would assume from both the conversation currently unfolding, and yesterday's discussion regarding its possible involvement in that Yamano lady's death, that it's somewhere in the range of 'very' and 'a lot'.
...Hold on a moment- Bear?! What the fuck!?!? There's a bear in the TV?! Theres a bear in the TV and he wants to meet it??? I- Huh? I quickly reach over to grab my notebook; this needs adding to the List. Now, as well as "Faceless Misuzu Hiiragi poster(s)", "weird room", and "creepy noose", I've got "approachable bear". Honestly, if I didn't have this notebook I'd be sure that I'm dreaming all of this.
"Look, I can't just act like everyone else and pretend this has nothing to do with me."
"That's true, but..."
Manager's Kid cuts Satonaka off and turns to Narukami. Meanwhile, I'm getting the feeling that this is a conversation I probably shouldn't be listening in to. Even with the insanity of all of it, it seems serious.
"What about you? Could you just walk away?"
"I can't leave it alone."
"Yeah... I thought not. I'm glad to know you're that kinda guy."
Narukami is definitely an interesting guy. He's known these people for what, two days? Maybe three? And now he's - supposedly - risking his life going into some sort of TV dimension with them. It's definitely respectable, but still. I personally wouldn't do that.
"Don't worry, I'm not going in without a plan. Chie, I'm leaving you in charge of this."
"Huh? What's that? A rope...?"
"We'll go in with this tied to me, so I want you to hold on to this and wait here."
Yeah, I'd figured the rope was for something like that. But then what's the golf club for? Self defense? Surely a baseball bat would be better for that, especially with kids their age: golf clubs are surprisingly heavy. Maybe whatever creatures are in there only get harmed by metal, or something like that? No, what the hell am I thinking?! There's not any creatures in the TV, that's insane! Apart from that Bear, I guess, but I they were talking about that like it was friendly- No! Stop! Stop trying to logic this! This whole thing is insane!
"Wh-What? Then, this is a lifeline? C'mon, wait a sec..."
"Here, Yu... This is for you."
As Satonaka's concerns are, again, ignored, Manager's Kid passes Narukami the golf club and three bottles of some medicine that I can't make out the label of from here. I really didn't expect to be adding "Unspecified Medicine" to my TV Dimension List of Required Equipment, but to be fair, I really didn't expect there to be a TV dimension in the first place.
"I thought it might be better than going in empty-handed."
OK so it is for self defense. I don't suppose it could be for anything else, really; I think if there was a golf course in there they would have mentioned it yesterday.
"Alright... Let's go. There's no use wasting any more time. Chie, whatever you do, don't let go of the rope!"
And with that, the two boys give eachother a nod, and, as Satonaka protests behind them, they climb into the screen of the display TV. I... I had just been sort of accepting the fact that that's what they were planning to do, but I forgot they were actually doing that. Narukami goes in first, stepping into it as if it's second nature to him, impeded by neither by the screen nor the absolute absurdity of the situation he's in. The other one follows beside him, grabbing the top of the television as he pulls himself into it like he's climbing through an open window, except instead of an open window it's a decidedly closed TV.
The rope that was tied to the kid's waist does actually follow him through, and the remaining rope on this side of the TV screen maintains that rippley-glowy effect which I still can't believe is actually a thing that I'm witnessing: that TV isn't even plugged in! Even if it was, how the hell would it do that!? And could it, even, if it was plugged in? Why am I trying to apply logic to the TV portal again?
Satonaka is stood there, staring at the TV and the rope leading into it. Honestly, I feel bad for her; she seemed really worried about those two and they kinda just ignored her.
In fact, I feel like everyone's been really serious today, even the people without any knowledge of a magical deadly TV dimension. First off, there were the police sirens this morning, that's probably notable, especially with the murder a couple days ago. The Yaso kids I walked by on my way to work, talking about feeling so sorry for someone's family and such, and now that I think about it the customers here in Junes when I came here earlier didn't sound very happy either, not even the people who usually are. What were they talking about again? It was... It was Saki Konishi, I think, I remember hearing her name a couple times. People were talking about her yesterday, weirdly enough. And now there's Narukami and his friends, and the manager's kid talking about... "pretending this has nothing to do with me", and- and there were the police sirens this morning and-
Oh. Oh no.
I- Oh no- Surely not- No, I'm just leaping to the worst possible conclusion, I- That's a bad habit of mine, I need to sort that out, really. They're just- He was just- He was saying those things because... Because they were the only people who know about the TV world, and- And he couldn't just walk away because no one else would- But if she- Like the Yamano lady... Why would they go back? If it's so dangerous- Satonaka was so worried, why else would they go back?
I can feel my hands trembling against the desk that I'm only now realising I've been grasping onto. No. No, me, calm down. Nothing's happened. Apart from these teenagers going in and out of televisions, nothing's happened. And even if anything had happened, it's not like I really knew her, anyway- What? No! That's awful! She had- She has family, and friends, and even if I'm not one of them, I still- I... No, calm down, nothing's happened, I don't know if anything's happened.
My mind goes back to the other day; Wednesday, I think. Satonaka, Narukami and... Hanamura. His name's Hanamura. Of course his name's Hanamura he's the manager's kid, the manager is also Hanamura. Why- why am I just remembering this now? Hanamura and his friends were talking in the food court, I was keeping an eye on them because I hadn't seen Narukami before. They were welcoming him to Inaba, or something like that. She- Konishi went over to talk to them, Hanamura was displaying his most blantant and obvious crush on her and she- She called him Hana-chan; that's why I remembered. Hanamura tried to tell her something, not anything important, probably, he never got to say it. She didn't hear him and then walked off back to work. That's the last I saw of her. Good god, that's the last I'll ever see of her. I- I hope that wasn't the last he saw, I really hope not.
No, calm down, nothing's happened. I'm just anxious because of the murder and the weird TV shit; she's not been murdered, what would the chances be? Probably pretty high, actually- No. Nothing's happened. It's fine. Deep breaths. Calm down.
My eyes dart towards some movement on the security feed. It's Satonaka; she's still there, firmly holding onto the rope leading into the TV. I've sort of lost track of how long exactly she's been here, but it's not been that long, definitely under an hour. Either something catches her attention or she just has a sudden change of mindset (I can't exactly tell from up here) and she changes her stance to tug on the lifeline. Yes, brilliant idea, get them the hell out of there! She tugs on the rope once, twice, thrice- and it snaps. The rope splits cleanly where it lead into the screen, and falls to the floor. Oh shit.
Satonaka falls to her knees; I feel like doing the same, honestly.
"See...? I knew this wasn't gonna work... Now what...?"
I can't see her face with how the camera's angled, but she sounds so distressed. I can't blame her, really, if anything I'm impressed she's not more panicked. I guess... what would panicking do, even?
As Satonaka falls silent, it dawns on me again: this is fucking insane, it's still absolutely insane. You can't go into a TV screen, it's a solid piece of glass! Or plastic or- Whatever! My point still stands! And even if you could, a TV isn't big enough to just- go into! The new flat-screen TVs are so thin you'd just end up on the other side and- And there's a world in there?! A different dimension inside of a TV screen?!?! And there's a bear in there?!?!?!?!?
And... And all this is possibly somehow connected to the murder? And the only people who know are this random group of teenagers... and me. The only things stopping me from thinking this is all some sort of dream are my notebook and my knowledge of the fact that I don't have a creative enough mind to think any of this up.
I put my head down on my desk with a lot more force than I was intending to. Ow, I don't know why I just did that. I guess it felt appropriate for how I'm presently feeling. I take a little moment to rest my neck and close my eyes; looking up at those screens for so long can't be good for me.
Okay that's break over, back to insanity. Is Satonaka still there?
She is, and she hasn't moved an inch. That makes sense, I only looked away for maybe a minute or two, but still... It can't be comfortable sitting like that, and the floor's dirty, and customers- who am I kidding? Theres no sale today, no one's gonna be walking past her, she'll just be all by herself until the store closes and I actually have to do my job and get her to leave - if her friends don't come back out of there before then there'd be no way she just goes back home without them.
No, they'll get back. I mean, they got back before, and that was without any rope or golf clubs. Whatever place the TV screen portals leads to, there's a way back. They'll be fine.
...I hope Konishi's okay.
It's been aroundabout two hours, almost, and I'm yet to properly look at anywhere except the electronics department. Satonaka's still sat there at the foot of the TV; earlier she did get up and pace around for a little bit, but eventually she threw her head into her hands and slumped back down again. Poor kid.
It's almost my break. I'd really love to stop thinking about this TV Portal Dimension stuff for a bit, but I don't want to leave Satonaka by herself- I mean, it's not like she knows I'm here, I'm not keeping her company or anything it's just... I don't know, it would feel mean...
...But they're not coming out of there, are they? At least not any time soon they're not. I'll only be twenty minutes, anyway; maybe I'll go check on her in person while I'm there. I get up out of my chair for the first time in hours and take a little minute to stretch before- Before I hear a familiar crashing coming from my headset, right as I was about to set it down! There goes my break, I guess. I whip my head back around to the monitors to see Narukami and Hanamura sitting messily in front of the TV, almost as if they'd been thrown out of it... Which they probably were and I just missed it.
"Ah...! Y-You guys came baaack...!"
"Huh? Chie? Whoa, what's with that face?"
Before the two boys can even stand up Satonaka's wailing at them. She sounds really upset, and I really can't blame her; I got into a bit of a state myself and I'm just watching, I can't imagine how she feels about it all. Hanamura seems entirely oblivious. Maybe time passes differently in there? And he doesn't think it's been as long as it has- No. Stop it.
Satonaka finally rises to her feet. I can't see her face too well from here, but just looking at how fast she got up it doesn't seem like she's too happy- I was right, she threw the rope at him. Hanamura falls to the ground again from the sheer force of Satonaka's rage attatched to the coil of rope, juuust about not falling right back into the TV. I mean, onto the TV.
"The nerve of you guys! You are such morons! I can't believe this! You guys suck!"
Narukami and Hanamura stand there sheepishly while Satonaka chews them out. Well, Narukami stands there: Hanamura's still on the ground.
"The rope got cut off... I had no idea what to do... I was so worried... I mean scared stiff, dammit! I hate you both!"
...Aww. And with that declaration she runs off at a speed that I'd be telling her off for if I were a real security guard, then pressing the button to call the elevator about 20 times before it finally shows up, which I also would be telling her off for if I were a real security guard.
"I... I think that mighta kinda sorta been our fault. Maybe we did go a little too far..."
Oh yeah, Hanamura? Oh, you don't say? Because jumping into a television wasn't "too far" already?!? ...No, I'm glad they're all alright. I don't know what I'd say if they went missing: The kids went into a TV with some rope and a golf club and then didn't come back? Who'd believe me? Satonaka would, but- Oh God Satonaka, if they went missing... I'm not gonna follow that train of thought. They're fine.
"Let's apologise to her tomorrow. I'm completely wiped out... I'm gonna go home, soak in the shower for a while, and get some sleep."
God I wish that were me right now...
...Actually, yeah, looking closer, both of them look exhausted. It was similar yesterday, but today they look so much worse, I mean, almost supernaturally tired. I guess if they've been bashing things with golf clubs in there it makes sense they'd be more tired, or maybe... No, not again! Stop! Thinking! About! The! Weird TV world!
"I think... I'm gonna sleep well tonight."
I'm glad Hanamura, because I sure won't.
He says his goodbyes, Narukami gives him a nod, and they both go their seperate ways. And by seperate ways I mean to the same elevator. Completely silently.
...And they're gone. Huh. I have to keep living a normal life after seeing all this crazy shit. They have to keep living a normal life after experiencing all this crazy shit. Wow.
The store's nearly closing, I'm going to the bathroom.
**click**
It's been a few hours. I've taken some time to eat, drink, and get some exercise. There's something about walking around an empty Junes in the dark, near-enough to midnight that's oddly relaxing. You'd think it'd be scary, or at least a bit spooky, but I happen to know for a fact that - unless someone's just popped out of a TV or something - I am literally the only person in the entire building right now... That was a joke, but that's probably something that could actually happen. Maybe it is a bit spooky.
It's about time to get back to the office, anyway. I make my way over and open up the door to a sudden blast of heat: I've been wandering around for so long that I'd gotten used to the nice, comfortable, cool temperature of the store, and I had temporarily become ignorant of the horrible oven in which I work.
But alas, I do technically still have to do my job... Or at least look like I'm doing my job. I pick up my notebook, sit down, and open it up to the next blank page. I suppose this is a Magic TV Portal Nonsense Diary now instead of a regular Bored Worker Notebook.
Okay, so there's a Bear in the TV, and the bear is nice? Or at least a kind of positive force? From what Hanamura said, it sounded like maybe the bear helped them get out? or- Is "out" the right term here? Who cares! It's ridiculous anyway!
I've already noted the bear, anyhow. Now what else was there... Maybe if I can piece together how this TV-screen dimensional door works it'll actually have a reasonable explaination and I'll be able to sleep at night. I mean, what we now know as basic science was seen as the work of Gods a good while back, it's not impossible that it's just a bit weird! No magic or anything sinister involved!
Oh, right, the rope didn't work! That must mean that... Uhm... I don't know what that means. I don't think it really means anything important. This whole day I've been telling myself to stop Logic-ing the TV-Portals, and now as soon as I actually want to, I can't come up with anything! Why is this happening to me?!
I doodle out a crude depiction of Satonaka with the rope leading into the TV (including all the glowy ripples to the best of my ability) to get it out of my mind and deal with it later.
What else? There was the fact tha- Excuse me?!
I see a flash of light, alongside a weird staticky-crackling noise. This happened on wednesday, too: when the broken monitor showed that creepy video- And sure enough, I turn to the "broken" monitor, and something's appeared on the screen.
I... I have no idea what that's supposed to be. There's definitely a shape in there, but... I lean in closer, but I still can't really make it out; the bright, yellow-y static from the screen hurts my un-adjusted eyes, amplifying the headache I already had from the stresses of todays absurdities.
I lean in further, practically climbing on the desk. I think... I think it's a sillhouette of a girl? It seems sort of familiar, but I've no idea where from...
With my notebook and pen conviniently in hand already, I sketch what little of the figure I can see, and just before I finish drawing the monitor shuts itself off again; the pale-yellow light on the screen vanishes with the sound of the static, and once again I can hear myself breathe. I'm... Breathing pretty heavily, actually. Huh.
Please can my shift be over?