落とし穴１５１堀：夏の怪談リバイバル 舞台裏 (Part1)
Pitfall 151: Summer Ghost Story Revival - Behind the Scenes
Side: Milly
"Come on, spit it out. Who are you, and why are you here?"
"Guaaaahhh..."
"No, it’s no use. They clearly don't understand our language."
"True. Well, we managed to get an axe out of it, so that’s a profit in itself."
Even within the Yugen Inn, which had been transformed into an otherworldly realm, Yuki and the others were chatting as calmly as ever. Though, as expected...
"I was quite surprised at first, but..."
"They returned to normal in the blink of an eye."
*Nod, nod.*
Everyone agreed with Deryu and Seraria.
As expected of my Yuki. He’s a man who can remain composed and handle any situation. Once again, I found myself falling for his coolness, his boldness, and his ability to consistently deliver results. I’d love to show Yumi, but the axe-wielding man is a bit too grotesque for her.
Well, that aside...
"Nugaaaaah!! You guys never react the way a normal person would! In this situation, you’re supposed to run away! Like in a survival horror game! Why are you treating this like a standard investigation?! Don't you realize you'll die if you fight?!"
Luna was fuming as she watched the monitor.
This otherworldly transformation was, of course, made possible by Luna’s cooperation. No one else could have warped the inn without Yuki and the others noticing. When I asked her, she had been more than happy to help, but...
"Um, Luna-sama. I think it’s a bit much to expect Master to follow the rules of a game..."
"...Rurua is right. I don't think Yuki would act like a game character in a situation like this. If anything, it’s painfully obvious that Luna lent a hand."
"...Hmm. Kaya is right. Luna, you relied on the game too much. It’s too blatant."
As Cleena said, Luna seemed to have based this on her favorite horror games, but she went so overboard with the "game-like" tropes that Yuki and the others were already predicting the developments.
"Tch, should I have gone with something like a cursed videotape or a vengeful spirit instead?"
"No, no, that wouldn't work. That’s a 100% mortality rate scenario."
It’s true that I wouldn't allow anything that would actually kill Yuki, but hearing Noriko the ghost criticize the idea felt a bit ironic.
"And why are those three so calm? Usually, people would be in a state of total panic and terror in a situation like that!"
"Noriko, are you really saying that after spending all this time trying to scare them yourself?"
"Exactly. You and your friends were the ones scaring Big Brother at the haunted house, Noriko-oneechan."
"That’s right. You were scaring us at school, too."
"No, no, they weren't even scared back then! Yuki and the others..."
While they were bickering, Yuki and his group had already rolled the axe-man up in a mat, confiscated his weapon, and left the room.
Yep. That’s Yuki for you.
Neutralize the enemy and secure their equipment. It’s business as usual.
While I felt relieved by his typical behavior, a question suddenly crossed my mind.
"Luna. Sorry to interrupt your frustration, but how are Yuki and the others supposed to escape? I think it’s a bit mean to keep them trapped for too long, don't you?"
"That’s true. The gentlemen are here on vacation, so it would be a shame to waste so much of their time in that space," Ratz agreed.
Honestly, if my vacation were ruined like this, I’d be furious.
"Ah, don't worry about that. Time doesn't pass as long as they’re in that space. The same goes for this room we’re monitoring from."
As expected of a Goddess. She can do things like that. I suppose that settles it.
Just as I was thinking that, an unexpected voice piped up.
"Wow! As expected of Luna-sama. You can even do that! Amazing!!"
Well, I suppose that wasn't unexpected at all.
The one praising Luna so honestly was the Goddess Hiren. Come to think of it, she had been quiet ever since Kagura and Mikos had restrained her.
"Well, yeah. Anyway, Hiren, do you want to set up a trap too?"
"Eh? Is that okay?"
"Wait, Luna-sama!"
Ah, she really threw the ball to Hiren.
...But, it might actually be a good move. Hiren has a way of taking actions that are completely unpredictable—sometimes exceeding Yuki’s expectations, and sometimes falling well below them.
However, Kagura and Mikos couldn't possibly accept that. It was obvious Hiren would cause trouble, and usually, her guardians, Souta and Enor, would be the ones to clean up the mess. But here, the guardians were Kagura and Mikos. It was a matter of responsibility. Naturally, they were panicking. If things went south, they’d be looking at a divorce from Yuki.
...Yeah, that’s a death sentence. I’d have committed suicide if I were in their shoes.
I decided to throw them a lifeline.
"Kagura, Mikos, calm down. Luna and Hiren aren't trying to kill Yuki. Right?"
"Well, obviously, the goal is just to scare them."
"Yeah, there's no way we'd kill them. They’re the husbands of my dear Kagura and Mikos, after all."
It seemed they really just wanted to scare them. I thought the two of them would be relieved now that they knew it was just a prank, but...
"B-but, if Yuki gets angry..."
"M-Mikos-chan, what if he tells us to get a divorce..."
"Ah, yes, yes, don't worry about that. Yuki wouldn't get angry over something like this. And if he ever did, we’d all back you up. Right?"
When I said that, everyone nodded.
"Indeed. Yuki would never say such a thing. There is no need to worry."
"Exactly. Besides, it’s already obvious that Luna is behind this. Even if Hiren joins in, there’s no way Yuki would hold Kagura and Mikos responsible."
Deryu and Seraria chimed in to reassure them.
"...Um, thank you everyone. But that’s not the only thing I’m worried about. Hiren-sama, if you go to scare them, what exactly do you plan to do?"
"Kagura is right. Hiren-sama, you’ll get hurt if you go to a place like that!"
"That’s right. Please value your own safety. What will you do if you get lost in there?"
I get it. I totally get it. Hiren would definitely do something clumsy, get hurt, or get lost inside that inn. Everyone seemed to share that sentiment, looking at Hiren with warm, pitying eyes.
"Hey!? I’m not a child! I won't get lost!!"
"..."
There wasn't a single person in the room who believed her. It really shows how important building a reputation is. Seeing that no one trusted her, Hiren...
"Luna-sama! Send me over there! I’ll go to the scene and show you how to scare Yuki and the others!"
"Okay!"
Luna, delighted by the request from the fuming Hiren, agreed with a beaming smile.
"Wait—"
Kagura and Mikos panicked, but it was too late.
Hiren was already gone, leaving them reaching out into empty air.