落とし穴番外：楽しくやるのがゲームである (Part1)
**Pitfall Side Story: Games Are Meant to be Enjoyed**
**Games Are Meant to be Enjoyed**
**Side: Yuki**
*Jii-wa, jii-wa, jiwawaawa...*
Accompanied by the deafening chorus of those noisy cicadas...
The sun beat down with a stifling, suffocating heat.
"…Phew, summer’s here again, huh."
"…It certainly has arrived."
Taiki and I muttered this as we slammed the windows shut, having opened them only briefly for ventilation. Even if it was for fresh air, we couldn’t endure the room turning into a furnace.
"Ah, air conditioning is the greatest invention of the century."
"Agreed."
Both of us were off today, spending our time lounging around at home. We spend our usual days out and about, working ourselves to the bone. What’s wrong with being lazy like this on our day off?
"So, Taiki, is it really okay for you to be here? It’s your precious day off, isn't it?"
"Well, that’s exactly *why* I’m here, isn't it? Come on, the new work that came out this winter finally got a new map update! There’s no way I’d skip playing this with you."
"Fair point."
That’s right. There was only one reason we’d go out of our way to gather on our day off: for the sake of gaming. We were here to play the new data for *Pokémon*, which the entire world had been waiting for.
"Though, I’ve actually already cleared this map and the event."
"Well, this game only really starts after you clear it, anyway."
"Battles are the ultimate bliss. So, how about a match?"
"Alright. Let’s do it. …Though, I’ve been so busy lately, my main team is still my old roster."
"Same here. Being a working adult is tough, isn't it?"
"Tell me about it."
Since becoming working adults, the money we have at our disposal has increased overwhelmingly, but the free time we have has decreased just as drastically. Back in our student days, we had plenty of time, but no money. If asked which is better, I’d still prefer being a working adult with financial freedom. Besides, being an adult means no one looks at you askance for playing games at night. Students, on the other hand, are always restricted by something or other. Well, I suppose that’s unavoidable when you’re living off your parents.
"What’s wrong?"
"No, just thinking about how, back when I was a student, I couldn't do anything because I lacked the funds."
"Ah, yeah. That’s true. We didn't have the capital."
It seems Taiki was in the same boat as me.
"If I had both time and money, I’d just hole up inside."
"Indeed. I’d be a shut-in, playing games for a while. If I still had time after that, I’d want to go on a free-spirited journey until the next new game or manga comes out."
"That… well, that’s a thought."
To encounter worlds yet unseen. That’s a desire everyone has. But in reality, you can’t just see them because you want to. As I said before, there are obstacles: time, money, and the ties of family and acquaintances. To travel the world freely is, in other words, to abandon everything you currently have. Well, if you wanted to travel together, bringing someone along might be an option, but the motive itself is "I want to go." Most people would feel guilty dragging someone else into that. After all, it would mean neglecting one's family.
"Well, even if we say that, the moment a new game or manga drops, we’d probably come running back immediately."
"True. In that case, maybe it’s less 'adventuring across the world' and more 'treasure hunting'? That’s more pinpoint."
"Ah, that might be better. A treasure hunter, huh."
"And that would involve searching for ruins and such, too."
Like some kind of ruin hunter. Well, it’s a romantic notion, isn't it?
"Anyway, before that, this comes first."
"Yes. Let’s start the battle immediately. My formation is ready."
"Mine too..."
Just as I started to say that, the *fusuma* door to the room slid open with a bang.
"I’ll join that match, too!"
Comet, the *Pokémon* addict, declared this while striking a sharp pose.
"Comet. You were off today, too?"
"Yeah. I don't slack off on work, though... If I did, Hifie’s lightning would physically strike me."
"Ah, Hifie-san finally learned how to call down lightning, did she?"
"Well, science is wonderful, isn't it? As long as you understand the principles, anyone can use it. On top of that, it can be applied to magic... Oops, that’s not the point right now."
"Right, the match. Sure, why not? Though I haven't trained my team much."
I accepted easily, as there’s no reason to refuse a game with gaming friends, but...
"Then, let’s start the match. Hifie."
"Y-yes."
"“Eh?”"
Wait, an unexpected person had entered from behind Comet.
None other than the machine-illiterate goddess, Hifie.
One must never let her touch anything resembling a computer. If you tell her to minimize a window, she closes it entirely. If you tell her to turn off the power, she yanks the cord out of the wall... and so on. Taizo-san’s haggard face when he suffered that tragedy is something neither Taiki nor I will ever forget for the rest of our lives. Well, it just goes to show that saving your progress frequently is important. During the "power-cord-pulling" incident, she somehow performed a miracle that erased everything from the OS to the data...
I think you understand by now, but that applies to games, too. Comet’s *Pokémon* data has been exposed to countless crises. No, when she deleted a shiny and released it from the box, I honestly thought Comet might just end it all right there. In short, to us gamers, she is a terrifying existence—nothing short of a plague god. I shot a look at Comet, wondering what on earth possessed her to bring *her* along.
"...Yuki-san. Could it be that Comet is aiming for our data loss?"
"...Surely not. She knows what would happen if she committed such a foolish act against our partners—the crystallization of our blood, sweat, and tears."
If such an outrage were to occur, I think I would have to turn Comet into a real corpse, one that would never be able to return to life. It is a crisis of such magnitude that I would not hesitate to do so.
"Hey, wait, please. You don't need to be so murderous. I’m not aiming for data loss. Actually, Taizo-san suggested that Hifie should try to learn the joys of gaming a little. So, she took on the challenge."
"“Haaah?”"
I couldn't understand what Comet was saying at all. Hifie... playing games?
"Comet. That’s on the level of a marine organism evolving to adapt to land."
"I can't believe such a lie..."
"Yeah, I understand why you’d think that. But it’s the honest-to-god truth."
No way. Such a dramatic evolution in just a few months? Taiki and I stared at Hifie, looking completely unconvinced.
"Wait a minute! That’s a bit much! And why are you both looking at me with such completely suspicious eyes?!"
Even Hifie seemed to realize she was being mocked and was getting angry, but...
"No, knowing everything that’s happened up until now, do you even realize what you’re saying?"
"Ngh!?"
It’s the same level as a drunkard insisting they aren't drunk. That was our level of recognition regarding Hifie handling machines.
"Yuki-san. For now, let’s see the evidence. After all, she went out of her way to come here."
"Well, that’s true. Rejecting Hifie’s presence here won't accomplish anything. Comet is here, too. She probably really... played a game."
I thought this as I looked at the Mantendo Switch Hifie was holding in her hands. If it were the old her, she wouldn't even have been able to hold it safely. It would have been broken already.