落とし穴７３堀：夏の夜の納涼 解決編 (Part1)
The 73rd Pitfall: Summer Night's Cool Breeze - Resolution Arc
Summer Night's Cool Breeze - Resolution Arc
Side: Yuki
Drip… drip… drip…
The chirping of cicadas gradually brought me back to consciousness.
"A natural alarm clock," I mused.
"Faa… time to get up," I mumbled, rising from my futon.
It was just past 10 AM. Normally, this would be a major lateness, but today, like yesterday, was a free day. A summer vacation, so to speak. Though, I had been busy until dawn yesterday, so it was understandable.
"Well, that's that. Hey! Wake up, Taiki-kun!" I called out to Taiki-kun, who was still sound asleep in his futon next to me.
"Fai?" Taiki-kun seemed to still be half-asleep.
Today, the three of us men were sharing the same room. It truly felt like a summer vacation for mischievous boys. Of course, the third person was Taizo-san.
"Anyway, I'm getting up. Are you going to stay in bed, or get up with me?"
"Ah… it's already 10? …I'll get up," Taiki-kun mumbled, slowly crawling out of his futon, still groggy.
"...Huh? Where's Taizo-san?"
"He wasn't here when I woke up. He's probably eating or analyzing yesterday's findings," I replied.
"Ugh. He's energetic. What time did he go to bed yesterday?"
"I think we got back a little after 5, so maybe around 6?"
"Even we only got four hours of sleep. He's really a researcher, or rather, a scholar."
"I guess that's how they are. Those types usually don't stop until they're satisfied. Or until they collapse from exhaustion."
"Why is he so driven?"
"Still, nothing happened, did it?"
"Well, that's probably about right. It's not like that place is a haunted spot, after all."
The reason we ended up going to bed around 6 AM was due to last night's ghost investigation. After that, we monitored the doll room at 2 AM and the witching hour, while we waited outside the room. Nothing particularly happened, and we ended up having a summer chat with Taiki-kun before withdrawing. After returning, we quickly tidied up and went straight to sleep. And now, here we are. Taizo-san was with us when we went to sleep, so if he's not here, he definitely woke up before us.
"Anyway. It's a bit late, but shall we have breakfast?"
"...Yes, let's."
We weren't as aggressive as Taizo-san, so we opted for breakfast.
"Oh, good morning. You're up," Seraria greeted us in the hallway. She had a towel wrapped around her neck, suggesting she had just finished some exercises.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
"And? Did you find anything?" she asked.
"Unfortunately, nothing at all."
"That's why some are saying it might be real. Well, we'll investigate further, but..."
"I see. Well, real or not, if it gets in my way, I'll just cut it down. But Deryu and Labyris are scared, so please resolve it quickly for them."
"I know. By the way, have you seen Taizo-san?"
"Taizo? No, I haven't. He was doing his drills outside, and I don't think he went out."
"Is that so? Then he's probably analyzing something."
"Probably."
As Taiki-kun and I were talking, Seraria smiled at us.
"Well, it's good that you men get along, but if you neglect your wives too much, it'll be rough later on, you know?" she seemed to convey, pleading with her eyes, "Play with us already."
"Ah, I thought we did our best to make the ghost stories enjoyable for them..."
"It's about spending time together, not just providing entertainment. It's about nurturing and confirming your love."
"Ah, yes. That's what you mean. Understood."
"Good. Well, I'm going to take a bath now," Seraria said and left.
"That's scary," Taiki-kun muttered.
"Women have always been strong. Anyway, let's have breakfast."
"Roger."
To fulfill Seraria's request, we had to quickly resolve yesterday's problem. That meant, first, a hearty meal. As the saying goes, "A hungry man is an angry man."
"Oh, you're up," Taizo-san said as we entered the kitchen.
"Ah, good morning."
To our surprise, Taizo-san and Hifi were already setting out rice and miso soup.
"We're about to have a late breakfast. Would you like to join us?"
"Ah, yes."
"Thank you."
"Hifi-san, could you prepare some for them as well?"
"Yes."
With that, Hifi quickly finished preparing our meals.
Ah, this must be what a Japanese married couple is like. It felt incredibly awkward. Like we were intruding on their private breakfast and feeling out of place.
"I was about to call you in a little while, so this is perfect timing," Taizo-san said.
"Speaking of which, you weren't here when I woke up, Taizo-san..."
"Ah, I'm not exactly someone who wakes with the morning sun. You see, I have a habit of waking up after about an hour of sleep, even if I go to bed late. I got back a little after 5, remember?"
"So you barely slept at all! Are you alright?"
"Well, it happens often. I'm not overdoing it, so don't worry."
While we were talking, our meals were ready.
"Well then, let's eat. Itadakimasu."
"Itadakimasu."
"Please, enjoy."
Taizo-san and Hifi's breakfast was the classic combo of white rice, miso soup, pickles, and grilled salmon. Taizo-san had been eating local food until he joined us, so he had shed tears of joy initially. It truly shows how great the food of one's homeland is, and how it supports people. Natto wasn't served because Hifi dislikes it, though he seemed to eat it personally.
"Gochisousama deshita."
"Gochisousama deshita."
"Yes, it was a pleasure."
After devouring our breakfast, we had some tea and relaxed.
"Taizo-san, since you woke up so early, what about yesterday's incident?"
"Hm? Ah, I've been reviewing the recordings a bit."
"From the looks of it, no particular results?"
"That's right. Well, I didn't expect to find anything easily."
Of course. If we could solve the mystery of ghosts, it would have already been solved on Earth. There are countless geniuses far greater than us.
"Well then, after we finish our tea, we'll start investigating."
"Yes, let's do that."
"That would be best. However, it's a shame we don't have much time. In any era, something is always lacking."
"That's how the world is. That's why it's rewarding, isn't it?"
"Indeed."
And so, we all began our investigation from yesterday. Well, "investigation" meant re-examining the scene in daylight and watching the video recordings. The video observation was like a sleep-inducing program for me in my sleepy state, so I left it to Taiki-kun and headed to the scene for re-examination.
"Faa… sleepy."
"...Mm. Sleepy."
For our escort today, we brought Ria and Cleena, leaving Jessica and Samantha with Taizo-san. We reasoned that ghosts appearing in broad daylight were rare, and even if a panic occurred, it would be less likely to result in self-destruction in the light.
"Taizo-san, how are the video feeds?"
"No particular changes. I've determined there are no issues. Proceed as planned."
"Understood. You two, be careful of your footing as we enter the abandoned house."
"Roger!"
"You two, please be alert."
"Indeed. There might be something unknown there."
"I know!"
"Mm. If there is, bring it on."
Perhaps because it was daytime, both of them seemed relaxed. Still, it was just a matter of searching the rooms again. Without asking for their permission, I reached out and opened the door to the room.