*they listen, grimacing when Kotori mentions maggots-- of course that'd be terrifying. that sounds terrifying, but...*

You thought after the fact that it was just an illusion, but at that time, you probably felt it was real enough. At the very least, your adrenaline might've kicked in enough to trigger your abilities, but the realization that it might have just been a very convincing illusion...

I do apologize, because that does sound pretty... horrifying to have experienced. But it does give a possible time span.