Chapter Text
Her clothes were dry as a bone, yet her face was all wet. ENA opened her eyes, starting to process the way small tiles would press against her skin. There she was, lying on her front, her arms next to her head.
“えな?/Ena? 怪我をしましたか?/Kega o shimashita ka?” (ENA? Are you hurt?)
ENA could feel her, the little inflatable octopus hopping up her body until she reached her head.
“Octi? My bathroom Easter egg?”
The polygonal prisoner got up off the floor, finally realising how chilly she felt from the air. Her surroundings were unfamiliar, yet still familiar at the same time. It was as if she had seen this environment in her dreams. The interior was covered in bath tiles, almost as if they all sent her and her cute companion to a swimming pool leisure center. She looked towards both sides, finding more tiles.
“あなたはバスルームのドアに不慣れなはずです/Anata wa basuruumu no doa ni funare na wa zu desu” (You must be new to the Bathroom Door)
“Bathroom Door?”
“どの次元にも、困ったときのために必ずバスルームのドアがあります/Dono jigen ni mo, komatta toki no tame ni kanarazu basuruumu no doa ga arimasu” (There’s always a Bathroom Door in every dimension in case of predicaments)
ENA then glanced up to find a crater on the ceiling above her. There was a metal suspended ladder, yet the hole was dark, making it impossible for her to see through it.
“Hmm”
She attempted to jump up, her hands being the first to cling onto the ladder, but due to its dampness, they slipped and magnetised back to her sides.
“Well I’ll be. I’m all wet”
“それは出口じゃないよ、ENA/Sore wa deguchi janai yo、 ENA. それはどこにも導かない/Sore wa doko ni mo michibikanai” (That’s not an exit, ENA. It leads to nowhere)
“Then where’s the exit? How do I get outta hewe?”
“落ち着いて/Ochitsuite. この次元を刑務所のように考えないでください/Kono jigen o keimusho no you ni kangaenaide kudasai” (Calm down. Don’t think of this dimension like a prison)
Octi leapt onto ENA’s padded shoulder sleeve.
“誰もが中年の危機のときにバスルームのドアに行く/Daremo ga chuunen no kiki no toki ni basuruumu no doa ni iku. それは私が生まれた場所です/Sore wa watashi ga umareta basho desu. 私はほとんどここでジーニーのようなものです!/Watashi wa hotondo koko de Jinii no you na mono desu!” (Everyone goes to the Bathroom Door during a midlife crisis. It’s where I was born. I’m practically the Genie here!)
“Y--You? You’re the Genie of the Bathroom Door?”
“その通りです!/Sono toori desu! 私は小さいかもしれませんが、セルフケアや個人の衛生に関しては専門家であり、あなた、ENA、まだ学ぶことがたくさんあります/Watashi wa chiisai kamo shiremasen ga, serufu kea ya kojin no eisei ni kanshite wa senmonka de ari, anata, ENA, mada manabu koto ga takusan arimasu. あなたを案内させてください/Anata o annai sasete kudasai. ただ私の声に従ってください/Tada watashi no koe ni shitagatte kudasai” (That’s right! I may be small, but I’m an expert when it comes to self care and personal hygiene, and YOU, ENA, still have a lot to learn. Allow me to take you on a tour. Just follow my voice)
“A nostalgic head-walk could do me wonders. Time to dive in!”
Oh ENA. You and your cute puns.
With help from Octi, our humble little adventurer stumbled forwards, turned left, then continued on.
After passing through an arch, she found herself in a different room. There was a shallow kiddie pool in the centre, the shape of a square, and planted on each side, left and right, were gripper railings. Stairs led down inside it from front to back.
“ルール1：危険にさらされていない限り走らないこと” (Rule 1: Don’t run unless you’re in danger)
“Affirmative, Octi!”
ENA decided to sensibly take a side. This was a formal uniform, and she couldn’t ruin it.
“濡れていると表面が滑りやすい場合があります/Nurete iru to hyoumen ga suberiyasui baai ga arimasu” (The surface may be slippery when wet)
ENA now approached three stout tiled pillars, stepping through the gap as patiently as possible.
The natural lighting was now hard to reach, dimming the next section a bit. Pillars were here and there, even submerged in the rectangular pool on her left.
“I can’t swim”
“それでは歩道を進んでください/Sore de wa hodou o susunde kudasai” (Take the sidewalk then)
Which she did, passing by the gripper railings, too afraid to glance at the deep dark colour of the water. There were two sides to partake once she reached the end. First, she tried her left, passing through another arch.
ENA and Octi were on high ground, facing a wall. To her right were stairs which led her downwards. She then had to move to her right and take more stairs down until she reached the bottom. On the front wall looked to be a maze map drawn with a black permanent marker.
“Where are we, Octi?”
“言ったでしょ、ENA/Itta desho、 ENA. 浴室のドア/Yokushitsu no doa. 私があなたのコンパスだと言うときは信じて/Watashi ga anata no konpasu da to iu toki wa shinjite” (I told you, ENA. The Bathroom Door. Trust me when I say that I’m your compass)
After a nervous gulp, ENA passed through another arch hallway on her right, feeling an air conditioner blow against her legs. With a choice between left and right, Octi directed her through the left hallway. ENA was a little sceptical thanks to the darkness looming at the end, but Octi assured her that this was the right way.
Through another arch and the girls were bathed in darkness, the walls illuminated by the light behind them. There was some slight light on ENA’s left, so she glided through the hallway until she reached it. It was hard to identify what was there because two pillars were wider in length. Upon steering clear from them, ENA found another room with natural light so she marched forwards into it, only to stop once a window’s daylight touched her body. Stairs led down into the walkway which was flooded into its own shallow pool. Arches light and dark were on each side and a pillar was in the centre.
“How-- deep is it?”
“大丈夫だと思うよ、ENA/Daijoubu da to omou yo, ENA” (I’m sure it’s fine, ENA)
“Well I’ll be. It’s admittedly been a dripping hot day”
ENA reluctantly dipped her first foot on the next step, submerging it in the water already. This continued until the surface reached her ankles.
“Hey, not so bad! I’m dancing in the rain!”
Her calm cardio was sluggish this time thanks to the weight of the water, yet she still persevered forwards until she reached the steps which took her up and out of the water. Her shoes were soggy as a result, forming a small polite puddle. At least she kept her skirts dry. That was on the bright side-- which was to her right.
Water below her, ENA took the walkway on the right, passing by bright arched windows. They were so bright, she couldn’t identify what was out there. The strange surreal fabric in her shoes felt squishy every time she took her next step, and they would be like that for a while. To her right were more stairs leading into the water which she had to descend into for there was no other path. With a choice between left and right, ENA then had to take the right stairs down.
The next path was awfully dark, so it was a surprise when she felt the same cold liquid drench her feet again, causing her fingers to curl.
“Ooh hoo hoo!”
This time, the surface was a little higher, covering most of her lower thighs. Her pace was sluggish again, wading through the water like grass. She still followed the light peaking behind the wall until she reached some stairs to her left, next taking them up. Right then up some more until she reached the surface. Left then up some more until she reached a hallway. On the far end past all the windows was a plastic garden chair which she curiously approached.
“待って!/Matte! ルール2: 疲れを感じたら、休息を取る” (Wait! Rule 2: If you ever feel fatigued, catch a breather)
ENA kept staring at the single chair in front of her.
“Hmm, it’s still dry. Perhaps a quick interlude wouldn’t hurt. Ahhh~”
She proceeded to gracefully turn around and sit down, brushing her skirt that was somehow still dry. She and Octi stared forwards at the hallway they had just crossed.
“Though I’m unfamiliar with this dimension’s premise, I still obtain nostalgia in my heart. Where have I seen this place?”
“靴を脱ぎますか?/Kutsu o nugimasu ka? 私たちはすぐにさらに多くの水を通って進むことになります/Watashitachi wa sugu ni sara ni ooku no mizu o kayotte susumu koto ni narimasu. さらに論理的に考えると、浴室のドアでは靴を履くことはできません/Sara ni ronriteki ni kangaeru to, yokushitsu no doa de wa kutsu o haku koto wa dekimasen. それをルール3と呼びましょう” (Would you like to take your shoes off? We’ll be venturing through more water soon. Besides, logically, the Bathroom Door doesn’t allow shoes to be worn. Let’s call that rule 3)
It took ENA a while to realise that she had been shaking her feet to loosen the drips and drops, pointing her toes like a ballerina. Now, she remembered the heaviness inside the fabric, and it wouldn’t be long until she obtained a rash. She had to get them off ASAP.
Every time she unzipped her shoe and boot, a waterfall would pour out through the seams until they were both empty, yet it still left a wide puddle in front of her. At least they were off now, and once they were, she instantly felt coolness on her feet. Her feet themselves lacked toes, her yellow foot round and smooth and her blue foot triangular like a prism and pointy.
“That should do the trick. Without my heavy weights attached, I can maneuver around peacefully now”
ENA eagerly shot out of her seat, posing innocently.
“I found my breath, Octi. Let’s continue with the tour!”
As the light above buzzed in her ear, she took some short steps up on her right. As she continued forwards through the widely spaced area, she passed by a ceiling ladder inside a left alcove.
“彼女を信じるな、エナ/Kanojo o shinjiru na, ena” (Don’t trust her, ENA)
“Her?”
Octi couldn't respond. Passing through another arch took the girls back to the first shallow pool ENA had come across from the start. All they had to do was follow the breadcrumbs until they reached the air conditioner again. Its cool wind blew against the innocent one’s naked legs, drying her again.
“Mmm hmm! Refreshing!”
ENA had turned to the dark side previously. Now for the bright side, the right hallway leading to a bright arch.
Once facing a wall, she took some stairs up on her left, then some more stairs on her next left.
ENA now walked through another walkway, a deep square pool on her right seen through arches. There was even the end of a yellow tube slide, helping her with her memory.
“I remember now”
“何を覚えているの?/Nani o oboete iru no?” (Remember what?)
On the other end was another room with another plastic garden chair, facing a black picture on the wall. ENA just had to take another seat for closer inspection.
“Ahhh~”
She leaned forwards, resting her chin against both hands innocently as she attempted to identify what exactly the black markings were, almost chipping off.
“ENA、何が見えますか?/ENA, nani ga miemasu ka?” (What do you see, ENA?)
“Hmm”
ENA squinted her eyes.
“I can identify two squirrels in front of a wooden log fence”
“もしかしたら、この思い出を誰か特別な人と共有したのかもしれません/Moshikashitara, kono omoide o dareka tokubetsu na hito to kyouyuu shita no kamo shiremasen” (Perhaps you shared this memory with a special one)
“Hmm~ Special one~ Better chop along!”
After standing back up, ENA went through an archway on her right. While venturing through the hallway, she passed through another arch, taking her to some stair which led her down. The hallway continued, even contorting into another arch until she reached the light.
Gripper railings surrounded the pool in front of her whilst multiple doorways tried her patience.
“I thought you said you knew the way”
“もちろんです、ENA/Mochiron desu, ENA. まずはすべてをしっかりと受け止めてほしい/Mazu wa subete o shikkari to uketomete hoshii” (Of course I do, ENA. I just want you to soak it all in first)
A left, forwards, then another left and through a dark archway she went, taking stairs up. A swift right, forwards, left and down the stairs into another section. ENA stood on her own poolside slab island, staring at the flooded room. Further ahead was another dark archway.
“How deep is the volume, Octi? I’d look a disgrace if I wet myself-- NOT LIKE THAT!”
“時には障害物コースが様々な種類で現れるため、目標を達成するにはリスクを取る必要があります/Toki ni wa shougai butsu koosu ga samazama na shurui de arawareru tame, mokuhyou o tassei suru ni wa risuku o toru hitsuyou ga arimasu. 心配しないで/Shinpai shinaide. 今のところ私たちは浅瀬のセクターにいます/Ima no tokoro watashitachi wa Asase no sekutaa ni imasu” (Sometimes, you need to take risks in order to achieve your goal, as obstacle courses can come in different varieties. Don’t worry. We’re in the shallow end sector for now)
“Shallow end?”
The island had steps all around, almost as if it were an iceberg. ENA stepped in lower until the surface reached her chest. Her feet could just about keep her on her tip toes, her heels floating up like balloons. All that water, it felt so cold, every single drop. As usual, it was hard to wade through, but she strided her way through the arched tunnel.
There was more natural lighting in the next section, and stairs leading up ahead. Once she eventually reached them, she stood on every single one, now out of the water, yet her clothes had seen better days.
“Aww! My unifowm’s wuined! I’m gonna die!”
“楽しいことを考えるようにして、ENA/Tanoshii koto o kangaeru you ni, ENA” (Try to think of happy thoughts, ENA)
ENA continued forwards until she found an alcove on her left, containing stairs which took her up into a dimly lit section. She steered right, finding two large tiled pillars standing vertically. Behind them was another doorway with light. Behind HER though was another arch which she took instead.
Down a few steps, right, forwards, down a couple more steps until she found herself almost neck deep in water. Following Octi who used her helium to float on the surface, ENA used her hands in an attempt to butterfly stroke forwards, her toes still touching the floor.
They waded through a dark arch, taking them into a wider room. Square ceiling lights buzzed on the right, leading to a stair island like a catwalk.
ENA fought her way through the water until her feet could take her up the stairs.
After picking up Octi, the girls passed through a tall doorway, took some stairs up (while ENA carefully held onto the rail), turned right, forwards, left, down some stairs and forwards into another bright arch.
She could’ve sworn they were there before, yet couldn’t recognise it, the rectangular pool protected by silver rails.
“This is making my head spin”
After turning right, ENA continued forwards and into a doorway on the right. She then turned right and took some slanted stairs down, taking her into a semi hall with stout pillars on her right.
All of a sudden, she heard the sound of metal scraping against the tiles. She just about saw a ladder emerging up into a vertical rectangular hole. She would’ve rushed closer to it if it weren’t for the rule involving running.
“That was-- an escape route, right?”
“それは何ですか/Sore wa nan desu ka. そこに入り込むな、逃げ場がないことで気が狂ってしまうぞ/Soko ni hairikomu na, nigeba ga nai koto de ki ga kurutte shimau zo. とはいえ、誰かがあなたの逃走を否定するなんて不安にさせられるのではありませんか?/To wa ie, dareka ga anata no tousou o hitei suru nante fuan ni saserareru node wa arimasen ka? 彼女はあなたがここにいることを知っていてあなたのことが好きではないか、あるいはあなたはこのレベルをクリアするまで他のレベルに進む準備ができていない可能性があります/Kanojo wa anata ga koko ni iru koto o shitte ite anata no koto ga suki de wa nai ka, arui wa anata wa kono reberu o kuria suru made hoka no reberu ni susumu junbi ga dekite inai kanousei ga arimasu. 後者だと仮定します/Kousha da to katei shimasu” (I’ve checked, and it only leads to an endless void. Don’t crawl in there or you’ll become insane from the lack of escape. That being said, isn’t it unnerving that someone would deny your escape? Either she knows that you’re here and doesn’t like you, or you’re probably not ready to reach the other levels until you’ve completed this one. I’ll just assume it’s the latter)
“Whoever do you mean by she, Octi?”
“それは -重要ではありません/Sore wa--juuyou de wa arimasen. 続ける準備はできましたか?/Tsuzukeru junbi wa dekimashita ka?” (It’s-- it’s not important. Ready to continue?)
To ENA’s left was a curved walkway and another pool with silver rails. Although wet, she decided to take the walkway, keeping her hand gripped to the safety bar. Octi meanwhile just playfully bounced off her shoulder and splashed into the dark pool. ENA would eye her, following the rail forwards then right while Octi just sailed across the surface. The Picasso girl then had to let go of the railing, passing by pillars in a straight line. Natural light above her, the mood octopus swam to her left, passing by an arched alcove with more pillars. Once they reached the end, only ENA was met with a wall and some stairs leading down into the water. The pool meanwhile had a thin crack.
“ここで待っていて、ENA/Koko de matteite、 ENA. 別の方向を確認してあげます/Betsu no houkou o kakunin agemasu” (You wait here, ENA. I’m gonna check for another direction for you)
ENA patiently watched as her little inflatable friend swam through the gap in the wall. Octi proceeded to squish her way forwards, passing by square alcoves and horizontal cuboid pillars. After hopping up some stairs, she was met with more cuboid pillars, these ones vertical, creating a couple of hallways, thin ones.
“異常なし!/Ijou nashi!” (All clear!)
Octi could hear some faint splashing from the previous section. Dragging her way through the gap was ENA, her mentee. She continued with determination until she reached the stairs.
“Eheh! I did it!”
After picking up Octi, ENA maneuvered through one of the thin gaps. The walls were quite close together, almost claustrophobic. What if they suddenly squished her, popped Octi? She had to hurry, titter along on her tip toes until she finally reached the end.
A nicely spaced hallway was dimly lit with rounded wall lights, many boxes showing her the way on her left. The next part of the right wall had become curved at the bottom, showing a too small gap. ENA continued until she and Octi found some stairs leading up on the same right. Up, a turn to the left and up some more.
Forwards for a little bit, left, forwards some more then down some steps into more water. Once again, the surface was almost up to her pointy chin as she stroked forwards to a mini arch. With Octi now on her head like a noodle cup, ENA turned right, strode forwards more then took some steps back onto dry land.
“Quack?” (Excusemoi?)
The very moment ENA went through another arch, she heard a quack from her right. Steering her head that way caused her eyes to glance onto a yellow CGI rubber duck sitting in a vertical rectangle hole in the wall.
“おお!/Oo! あそこにいる飛べない鳥が見えますか?/Asoko ni iru tobenai tori ga miemasu ka? あれはダッキーです/Are wa dakkii desu. 彼は見捨てられた/Kare wa misuterareta. 彼と知り合いになりたいですか?/Kare to shiriai ni naritai desu ka?” (Oh! See that flightless bird over there? That’s Ducky. He’s abandoned. Would you like to get to know him?)
“Hmm, communication”
“彼は友好的です/Kare wa yuukouteki desu. 約束します/Yakusoku shimasu” (He’s friendly. I promise)
“I have an interest in ducks”
That was the motivation ENA needed to move forwards, passing by a moat and safety rails until she reached Ducky, stopping by the start of some steps.
“I’m unsure of the time, date and year, good sir, but I still--”
“Quack! Quack? Quack--? Quack. Quack quack. Quack quack quack quack quack quack” (Wait! ENA? Is that--? Oh. Wrong ENA. Your blue side is too dark and opaque)
“あなたのENAはまだ戻っていませんか?/Anata no ENA wa mada modotteimasen ka?” (Is your ENA not back yet?)
“Quack quack quack quack quack. Quack quack, quack quack quack. Quack quack quack quack” (I don’t think she’ll ever come back. The Bathroom, it’s too risky. You’ll see dead people)
“Bathroom you say? That sounds scawy”
“Quack quack quack quack quack quack quack quack quack. Quack quack quack quack quack quack. Quack quack, quack quack quack quack quack, quack quack quack quack” (It wouldn’t have to be if the Genie wasn’t in charge. We had to flee before she could find us. Unfortunately, we took a different route each, and I haven’t seen ENA since)
A droplet fell from the ceiling and landed on Ducky’s weird rubbery eye. It then trickled down.
“Actually, I remember partaking in a game night with her for our 20th ENA Day. Mayhaps once I leave the Bathroom Door, I could venture out and scavenge for her. Do you know her whereabouts?”
“Quack quack, quack quack, quack quack quack, quack quack quack quack quack quack. Quack quack quack quack quack quack quack quack” (Actually, our home, Frutiger Town, might be located on Level 3. One of the tube slides might be able to transport you there)
“あそこに彼女がいるかもしれません!/Asoko ni kanojo ga iru kamoshiremasen! 私たちに任せて、ダッキー!/Watashitachi ni makasete、 dakkii!” (That’s where she could be! You can count on us, Ducky!)
With that, ENA lowered herself down the steps until the surface of the water reached her chest. By now, she was use to the cold temperature.
“Quack quack. Quack quack quack” (Be careful. It’s a right maze)
After turning left, ENA strode forwards as the ceiling started to slope down, ending with a light that rippled in the reflection. Below it was a doorway which she swam inside, not exactly swam but you know.
There was no light sources powered by bulbs, and the walls felt so narrow, making it hard for her to breathe. The only thing she could see was the way out, desperately clinging onto it.
The more ENA strode, the less claustrophobic her surroundings were. By now, she was in a wide open space and in the centre was a large long flight of spiralling stairs.
“レベル1はほぼ完了です、ENA. ペガサスのように飛び続けるだけでいい!/Pegasasu no you ni tobitsuzukeru dake de ii!” (We’re almost complete with Level 1, ENA. We just need to keep soaring like Pegasi!)
“Hope I don’t get aiw sick”
With one route to go, ENA kept approaching the stairs until she reached the first step. The surface started to shrink as she kept going until she was out of the water. All that striding though left her feeling out of the wind. Hopefully, she wouldn’t stumble over the supportive railing. There was something about submerging in water that left her with memories. The tiles, the lights, the temperature. Everything was starting to fuel inside her brain.
After ducking under stalagmites and stepping over small gaps, ENA reached the top. She never let go of the next two railings as she steered over a tiled plank into the next section.
Through an arch, down some steps and the girls were now on a platform. With more railings keeping them safe, many arches overlooked a red swirly tube slide and a hazardous drop into the next pool.
“I spy a wormhole!”
“ダッキーの説明と同じ色かもしれませんが、彼はフルティガータウンへの滑り台はレベル3にあるとも述べました. とはいえ、もう一度子供になれるのに、なぜ階段で滑るリスクを冒したいのですか?/To wa ie, mou ichido kodomo ni nareru no ni, naze kaidan de suberu risuku o okashitai no desu ka? さあ、ENA!/Saa, ENA! 楽しみましょう!/Tanoshimimashou!” (It may be the same colour as Ducky’s description, but he also stated that the slide to Frutiger Town is on Level 3. That being said, why would you want to risk slipping down the stairs when you could be a kid again? Come on, ENA! Let’s have some fun!)
Octi suddenly clung onto ENA’s yellow wrist then dragged her fleshy arm away from her torso.
“Hey! Octi! That’s very impolite!”
ENA was dragged through a tall doorway on her left and there was the entrance, the glory hole. A circular window now behind her, she stared down through the entrance while Octi gave her arm back.
“これはムーニーがやりそうなことではないですか?/Kore wa Muunii ga yarisou na koto de wa nai desu ka?” (Isn’t this the sort of thing Moony would do?)
“Last I remember, water would jet down”
“少なくとも今は十分すべすべしています/Sukunakutomo ima wa juubun sube sube shiteimasu. さあ、エナ/Saa, ena. 少し楽しく生きろ/Sukoshi tanoshiku ikiro” (At least you’re slippery enough now. Come now, ENA. Live a little)
After Octo hopped on ENA’s shoulder, the walking Girl Before a Mirror started to climb onto the entrance slab.
“ルール4. 滑り台に乗るときは、座ったまま、脚をまっすぐにし、腕を胸の前で組んでください?/Suberidai ni noru toki wa, suwatta mama, ashi o massugu ni shi, ude o mune no mae de kunde kudasai?” (Rule 4. When riding the slides, please remain sitting, your legs straight and your arms across your chest?)
“I’m good at that!”
Apparently, ENA had become too slippery. Even without water, she still slid down fluently, rounding the many bends as her eyes watered with fear. Once she reached the bottom, droplets blinded her and she splashed into the crisp clear pool. It was thankfully not too deep, so she wasn’t fully submerged and didn’t get water up her nose. Octi meanwhile flew off her shoulder and landed in the water.
“わあ!/Waa! 本当に勇敢だったね、エナ!/Hontou ni yuukan datta ne, ena! おそらく、もっと大きな挑戦に備えさせるべきでしょう/Osoraku, motto ookina chousen ni sonae saseru beki deshou” (Wow! You were really brave, ENA! Perhaps I should set you up for a bigger challenge)
“A bigger-- *cough* challenge?”
“心配しないで/Shinpai shinaide. その時になったら考えましょう/Sono toki ni nattara kangaemashou. 私についてきて、ついて来て!/Watashi ni tsuite kite、 tsuite kite!” (Don’t worry. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Follow me and keep up!)
As droplets continued to drip from her hair, ENA followed Octi over to two metal pool ladders. The octopus hopped back onto her head while she climbed up one of them, her skirt now officially dripping.
ENA then entered through an arch, her legs once again shaking from the cold. She then turned to the left to find the next section, a walkway with railings and another long pool. There was nowhere else to go on dry land, so she had to enter water again. With circular wall lights leading her on, ENA strode forwards with the surface up to her chest again. By now, her blouse uncomfortably stuck to her skin. It was a long walk and the passage kept getting shorter with width, but she still made it through an arch at the end.
Now, the girls were inside a dimly lit maze of short and stout pillars. Where were their handles? Where were their spouts? Whoever got all steamed up here, ENA heard them shout:
“Quaaaaack!”
“Ducky?”
“ダッキー?/Duckie?” (Ducky?)
“Quack quack!”
“I can’t understand a word he’s saying”
“Quack quick quack quack quack!”
Forwards was the sensible way to go-- per usual at least. ENA would continue to stride across the water until she finally found Ducky. The way his unblinking beady eyes just stared at her, it left her uncomfortable. Ducky watched as ENA leaned against one of the pillars in fatigue.
“Quack quack! Quack quack?” (There you are! Are you lost?)
“Actually, I’m feeling rather fatigued. Who knew that aquatic leisure could drain wind?”
“Quack quack quack quack quack. Quack quack quack quack” (Let me help you out of this maze. I know the way out)
It was a little hard for ENA to climb onto Ducky’s back, and the rubber burn didn’t help. At least she could carefully hold onto the back of his head for safety measures. Besides, this wasn’t a waterslide. Ducky just gently sailed across the water surface, bobbing a few times and passing by pillars. Exit signs would also be stuck to some sides, giving ENA a glimpse of hope. Now that she was elevated, the ceiling felt closer to her. She could also just about see some wet marks.
Eventually, Ducky and the girls made it back into the light. In front of them were some stairs that would take them up to dry land, all but Ducky for he had no legs.
“Quack quack quack quack quack quack. Quack quack quack quack quack quack quack quack” (This is as far as I can go. I wish you all the best during your search party for ENA)
“A family reunion is on the way”
ENA slid off Ducky, nearly swallowing water as she plopped back in. With Octi on her shoulder, she pushed herself forwards until she took the stairs up.
“Quack quack?” (Can you see it?)
The ladies were staring across a hallway with shining vertical rounded windows on both sides. Each one led forwards towards a tall gap.
After continuing forwards, the duo found themselves in an open, dimly lit area on a balcony. On the floor were large craters guarded by railings. Two of the holes even had a pillar sticking in.
“I use to have a fear of cheese with holes. Eugh! Grated and mixed with food was fine. At least Moony helped me get over it”
ENA had to follow the catwalk to her right, eventually steering to the left at a curve until she made her way down some stairs. Upon closer inspection on the ground(?) floor, she noticed two plastic chairs and a diving board suspended far over one of the craters. ENA decided to rest on one of the chairs so her legs would stop aching. This one faced the tiled cuboid that rose high and tall. There was a pool ladder at the top back, only it was too short to reach the floor.
“Octi? What did Ducky mean by Bathroom?”
“えっと―それを聞いたことがないのですか?/Etto-sore o kiita koto ga nai no desu ka? バスルームは寂しい扉の領域のどこかにあると言われています/Basuruumu wa sabishii tobira no ryouiki no doko ka ni aru to iwareteimasu” (Umm-- you haven’t heard of it? The Bathroom is said to be located somewhere in the realm of the Lonely Door)
“The Lonely Door, you say? That’s my home”
“私は一度バスルームに行きましたが、ENAやダッキーのように、長くは滞在できませんでした/Watashi wa ichido basuruumu ni ikimashita ga, ENA ya dakkii no you ni, nagaku wa taizai dekimasen deshita. 彼女が交渉を試みるのか、それとも戦争のために洗脳しようとするのか心配でした/Kanojo ga koushou o kokoromiru no ka, soretomo sensou no tame ni sennou shiyou to suru no ka shinpai deshita” (I traversed to the Bathroom once, but like ENA and Ducky, I couldn’t stay for long. I was worried if she’d attempt a negotiation or brainwash for war)
“She? You mean the Genie of the Lonely Door?”
“ところで、足の具合はもう良くなりましたか?/Tokoro de, ashi no guai wa mou yoku narimashita ka?” (Say, are your legs feeling better now?)
Although still cold from the air, ENA managed to stand back up, her legs shaking slightly. Once ready, she maneuvered through a square doorway by the base of the stairs.
This led her and Octi into a hallway similar to an apartment stair box. With small square lights leading her on, ENA took some stairs down, turned right, took more stairs down with more light, turned right again, took even more stairs down, turned left then froze on her island. The lighting had become dim again, a tight hallway leading into a dark void.
“そこにある、ENA/Soko ni aru、 ENA. 私たちは次のレベルに進もうとしています/Watashitachi wa tsugi no reberu ni susumou to shiteimasu” (There it is, ENA. We’re about to move onto the next level)
After taking her last stairs down, ENA continued forwards until she was close to the darkness. In front of her feet now was a tiled tightrope, and peering down the gap were multiple pool lights. She squirmed before glancing forwards again. On the other end of the stick was a diving board. Very carefully, ENA tip-toed across the pit like a ballerina. With so much training, she didn’t need to look down or watch her footing. This carried on until she reached the base of the diving board, a board that was dark green and long, stretching so far.
“Do I have to jump down? I hate doing that!”
“それが唯一の方法です、ENA/Sore ga yuiitsu no houhou desu, ENA. 私があなたの後に落ちるようにして、それ以外だと衝突で私を傷つけるかもしれません/Watashi ga anata no ato ni ochiru you ni, sore igai da to shoutotsu de watashi o kizutsukeru kamoshiremasen. 私は死ぬはずがない/Watashi wa shinu wa zuganai” (It’s the only way, ENA. Just make sure I fall after you or you could pop me on impact. I’m not suppose to die)
ENA continued to creep along the diving board until she reached the end. With her weight of exe files, it caused the board to bend down a bit. Even without experience, ENA had technically remembered analysing diving somewhere, but she couldn’t remember where.
This was what they did, right? A diver would occasionally turn around until their back faced the end. Next, they would bounce until they obtained enough levitation to jump into the water. ENA’s first bounce however was underestimated, taking her up higher than she planned. In an instant, she started to plummet down into the pit. Without enough time to think, she threw Octi even higher as she continued to fall past multiple pool lights. Her vision shook and started to black out, all while she cutely spinned, smiling.