Surviving a Hot Air Balloon-16（熱気球からの生還）

This work is a fiction designated R-18G and contains brutal language, but does not promote criminal acts.

The names of all characters and places in this work are fictitious and have no relation to any real person or place.

All characters are adults.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At that moment, the last key in her hand opened with a clang.

She quickly began to remove the chains wrapped around the door.

She had finally reached her limit. Foam began to bubble out of her mouth.

As the chains fell to the floor with a jingling sound, she pushed the door up and jumped out of the tank with force.

It was a close call.

Mai must have swallowed some water. Her face was red and she coughed violently.

She was breathing heavily for oxygen, but when she steadied, she waved to the audience with a smile.

The audience had been watching in silence, but the hall erupted in loud applause.

Everyone was saying things like, "That's an amazing magic trick."

It was such a spectacular escape trick that had people on the edge of their seats.

The male MC said,

"Everyone, please give a big round of applause for Mai," and the hall erupted in even louder applause.

"It was a great show. Can you tell us how you feel now, Mai?"

"Yes, I was a little nervous at first, but I managed to get through it. I was happy that so many people came to watch, and it was fun. If I get the chance, I'd definitely like to try again."

"Thank you for your hard work, Mai. I look forward to seeing even more great work from you in the future."

"Thank you, everyone. Thank you so much for coming to see my magic show today."

Amidst thunderous cheers and applause once again, Mai left the stage with a smile on her face.

その時、彼女の手の中に有った最後の鍵がかチリと音を立てて開いた。

彼女は急いで扉に巻きつけてあった鎖を外し始めた。

いよいよ限界だった。彼女の口から激しく泡が吹きだして来た。

ジャラジャラと鎖の束が床に落ちると同時に彼女は扉を押し上げて勢いよく水槽から飛び出した。

まさしく間一髪だった。

少し水を飲んでしまったのだろうか。舞は顔を赤らめて激しく咳き込んだ。

酸素を求めて激しく肩で息をしていたが、呼吸が整うと観衆に向かって笑顔で手を振った。

声を殺して見ていた観客達だったが会場内に一斉に大きな拍手が湧いた。

皆口々に「凄いマジックだ。」などと感想を言い合っていた。

それほどまでに実に手に汗を握る見事な脱出マジックであった。

司会者の男性が

「皆様、舞さんに盛大な拍手をお願いします」と言うと会場内に更に大きな拍手が響き渡った。

「素晴らしいショーでしたが、舞さんの今の心境をお聞かせ下さい。」

「はい、初めは少し緊張しましたが何とか乗り切れました。こんなに大勢の人に見て貰えて嬉しかったし、楽しかったです。また機会があれば是非挑戦したいと思います。」

「お疲れさまでした。舞さんの之から益々のご活躍を期待しております。」

「ありがとうございます。皆さん今日は私のマジックショーを見に来て頂き本当にありがとうございます。」

再び割れんばかりの歓声と拍手の中、舞はにこやかに舞台袖へと退場して行った。