落とし穴番外：怖くない妖怪 (Part1)
**Pitfall Side Story: The Non-Scary Yokai**
**Side: Labyris**
"A pleasure to meet you, Labyris-sama. I am known as Suzuhikohime. I am a Tsukumogami of a bell."
"Uh, right. Nice to meet you..."
I’m not entirely sure what’s going on, but Aslin and the others had gone to see Yuki, claiming they wanted to summon a yokai. A short while later, they returned with this beautiful, Japanese-style girl in tow. She’s talking about bells and such, but it’s all going over my head.
"Hey, Yuki."
I beckon Yuki over, since he’d tagged along, to get a grasp on the situation.
"What exactly is happening here? Aslin and the others said they were going to summon a yokai, so why is this smart, cute girl standing here? Aren't yokai supposed to be... you know, terrifying monsters or ghosts that incite fear?"
That’s right—I’d heard that "yokai" was a catch-all term for things you don't understand, and since ghosts are my natural enemy, I’d made sure to stay out of this whole affair. I’d even warned Aslin and the others not to bring one back even if they found one, yet here we are.
Well, she doesn't look ominous like a monster or a ghost, so I suppose it’s fine for now.
"Well, yokai have their own sense of good and evil. Some harm people, while others bring happiness. And some are completely harmless. Look, even among ghosts, you have someone like Noriko."
"Ah, Noriko. I suppose I’ve gotten used to her."
A ghost who draws manga. She loves the BL genre, so her work is strictly for adults. Well, she’s the only artist in Weed who draws "normal" manga. That said, there aren't any publishers here, so she barely manages to put out things that look like doujinshi. Even so, she’s been getting attention lately because she was featured in the *Monthly Weed* magazine that Mikos started publishing. Though, because of that, she’s become a "ghost with no ideas," constantly complaining about having no material.
But never mind Noriko.
"She’s a beautiful yokai—it feels rude to even compare her to Noriko. Oh, was it a Tsukumogami?"
"Yes. Tsukumogami, also written as 'Ninety-Nine Gods.' It is said that spirits dwell in tools that have been cherished for a long time. I am a Tsukumogami of a bell. This is just a simple bell."
As she says this, Suzuhikohime rings the bell she wears as a hair ornament. *Chime.* Even though she calls it a simple bell, the sound has a refreshing, soothing quality to it—as expected, I suppose.
"You say it's a simple bell, but judging by that sound, I don't think it's just any ordinary bell. What is that tone?"
"Oh my, as expected of Yuki-sama’s wife. Can you feel the *shinki*?"
"Shinki?"
"It is written as 'God's Spirit' and is called *shinki*. Well, you might call it divinity, if you prefer."
"Ah, now that you mention it, it feels similar to Lilishe-sama or Hifie."
This refreshing sensation is indeed something I feel when I’m in the presence of those goddesses. Though, Luna seems to suppress hers intentionally.
"Those goddesses, yes. I see, it is understandable that you have experienced this if you are in their company. Or rather, come to think of it, this is an environment where goddesses are a daily presence. Is this place Takamagahara?"
"Er, I don't know what 'Takamagahara' means, but can I assume you came here to greet us?"
"My apologies. From today, I shall be living here in Weed. Primarily near Aslin-sama and the children of Yuki-sama."
"Babysitting?"
"Yes. You may consider that my role. To be more specific, I suppose it is to protect them from evil spirits. I was originally the bell that served as the basis for the *kagura-suzu*, so my abilities in that regard are quite high. That said, while Amaterasu-Omikami was kind enough to summon me here, I had nothing to do, so I was granted this position."
"Ah, I see. Though, it all started because Aslin and Firia wanted to summon someone. I’m sorry about that. And you two, reflect on this."
" "We're sorry." "
I scold the two standing behind Suzuhikohime, and they hang their heads in apology. I understand they did it for the sake of the Autumn Festival, but putting that aside, I have to scold them for this kidnapping-like stunt. Summoning people for their own convenience...
"Well, well, the person herself seems satisfied with being called by Luna."
"Yes. I had been enshrined deep within the shrine as a divine treasure, after all. Tools are meant to be used. While I am truly grateful to have been cherished, it is sad to be unable to fulfill one's original purpose."
"Oh, and by the way, don't ask where Suzuhikohime came from. Got it? Absolutely do not ask. You won't be able to go back to Japan."
"......Understood."
There was an unusual, desperate seriousness in Yuki's voice.
"The moment Taizo-san found out Suzuhikohime had been summoned, he turned pale, shook, and collapsed right in front of Hifie, and has been bedridden ever since."
"Even that Taizo..."
"Luna said it was fine because she left a fake behind that was identical, but Taizo-san couldn't handle it."
It seems she was brought from somewhere truly dangerous. Fine, I won't ask, and I won't know anything. Suzuhikohime is just a helper who will look after the children.
"Well then, nice to meet you. You probably already know my name, but I am Labyris."
"Yes. A pleasure to meet you, Labyris-sama."
"And that’s fine, but why is Aslin holding a Japanese umbrella while we're indoors?"
I thought it was a yokai, but now that the initial greeting with Suzuhikohime is over and my heart is at ease, I finally notice the umbrella Aslin is holding. When I ask, Aslin immediately beams.
"Oh, this is also a yokai."
"That is correct."
"An umbrella yokai?"
"Yes. He is also a type of Tsukumogami."
"Labyris-kaka-sama, this guy is funny."
Oh? That’s rare and strange. To think there’s a yokai that even Shuten finds funny.
"Heh. So, what kind of yokai is he?"
As I say this and peer at the umbrella...
"Yo! I'm the Karakasa-obake, Karaji!"
Suddenly, a single eye appeared on the umbrella, a mouth formed, and it spoke. It had the voice of a middle-aged man you’d find at a tavern after work.
"......Wh-wh-what..."
I was so shocked I couldn't even move my mouth properly.