Always check the lock before closing the door and maybe keep Maki away from emergency equipment.

*****
Please! Save my dad! I don't want him to die in there!
*****

It all began when Taki, in his usual whirlwind of energy, dashed into the storage room to grab some snacks. Unbeknownst to him, K, Fuma, Nicholas, and EJ were already inside, rummaging through boxes for some old equipment.

In his haste, Taki swung the door shut behind him as he left, not realizing the ancient lock was as temperamental as a cat on a hot tin roof.

Click.

K looked up from a box of tangled cables. "Did you hear that?"

Nicholas jiggled the doorknob. "Uh, guys? I think we're locked in."

EJ groaned. "There's no way this could get worse."

As if on cue, the overhead light flickered twice before plunging the room into darkness.

Nicholas sighed. "...Why did you have to say that?"

Outside, Taki sauntered down the hall, munching on his chips, blissfully unaware of the chaos he'd just initiated.

Inside the closet:

Fuma's voice was calm but firm. "Let's not panic. Someone will realize we're missing."

Nicholas, ever the optimist, added, "Yeah, and until then, we can bond, right?"

EJ wasn't convinced. "Bond? In a cramped, dark closet? Fantastic."

K, trying to lighten the mood, suggested, "Why don't we play a game? Like 'Two Truths and a Lie'?"

Nicholas perked up. "I'll start! I once ate a whole pizza by myself, I can juggle, and I have a pet turtle named Sheldon."

EJ smirked in the darkness. "The lie is the juggling."

Nicholas gasped. "How did you know?"

"Because I've seen you try to catch a ball. It's tragic."

Meanwhile, Taki had rejoined the rest of the group in the lounge.

Yuma raised an eyebrow. "Weren't K, Fuma, Nicholas, and EJ with you?"

Taki paused mid-chew. "Oh yeah, they were in the storage room. I left them there."

Harua smirked. "You mean you locked them in there."

Taki's eyes widened in horror. "I WHAT?"

Jo, ever the sensible one, stood up. "I'll call maintenance."

Taki grabbed Jo's arm, tears welling up. "Please! Save my dad! I don't want him to die in there!"

Harua and Yuma exchanged amused glances.

Yuma tosses a pillow from the couch and yells at the door,

"K, knock twice if you've eaten Nicholas in desperation!"

Inside, Nicholas screams, "I SWEAR I TASTE TERRIBLE."

Harua leans beside the locked door, sipping juice like a commentator,

"Honestly, this feels like karma. Remember when K hid my laundry basket?"

Taki tugs on Yuma's sleeve.

"What if they're already fighting in there? Or worse... bonding without me!"

Yuma pats his head dramatically.

"Then it's too late for us now. They've become a closet cult."

Yuma teased more, "Relax, Taki. It's not like they're in a horror movie."

Harua added, "Though, knowing them, they're probably creating their own."

Back in the storage room, the four were trying to make the best of a bad situation.

Nicholas suggested, "Why don't we tell stories to pass the time?"

EJ scoffed. "What is this, summer camp?"

Fuma chuckled. "Got a better idea?"

Before EJ could respond, there was a loud crash.

K sighed. "Who knocked over the mop bucket?"

A sheepish Nicholas replied, "That would be me."

EJ groaned. "Great. Now we're in a dark, cramped, and wet closet."

Fuma, trying to stay positive, said, "At least it's not on fire."

Nicholas added, "And we have each other. Group hug?"

EJ's voice was firm. "Don't even think about it."

As time passes, they seem to lose their mind even more

Nicholas is now sitting cross-legged, arms folded.

"If we die in here, I just want you all to know... I stole Fuma's last cookie yesterday."

Fuma raises an eyebrow.

"I already knew."

EJ mutters, "If I don't make it out, tell Harua he owes me a new charger."

K is the only one trying to maintain order, though his eye is twitching.

"Everyone calm down. We've been here for 30 minutes."

Nicholas: "That's thirty minutes longer than I wanted to be in a box with EJ's perfume scent choking me."

EJ flips his hair. "You're welcome."

Suddenly, the doorknob rattles violently.

"STAND BACK!" comes Maki's voice.

K screams, "NO! Don't—"

CRASH.

A broom falls. A stack of binders topples. The door does not open.

Fuma: "Okay, that's it. When we get out, we're getting Maki professional help."

Just as tensions were rising, the door burst open, revealing Jo with a triumphant look and Maki holding... a fire extinguisher?

K squinted. "Maki, why do you have that?"

Maki grinned. "I thought you might need rescuing. Dramatic effect and all."

Fuma stepped out, stretching. "Next time, let's leave the rescuing to the professionals."

Taki launched himself at K, sobbing. "Dad! You're alive!"

K patted his head, bemused. "Yes, Taki. I'm fine."

Harua and Yuma were doubled over in laughter.

Yuma managed to gasp out, "Best. Day. Ever."

As they all settled back into the lounge, Nicholas turned to EJ. "So, still think bonding in a closet is a bad idea?"

EJ smirked. "Let's not make it a habit."

Fuma added, "And maybe we should fix that lock."

K nodded. "Agreed."

Taki, still sniffling, looked up. "Can we get ice cream now?"

Everyone laughed.

Maki, ever the wildcard, stood up. "I'll get the fire extinguisher!"

Jo facepalmed. "Please don't."