落とし穴外伝：夢から覚めて夏は続く
Dungeon Pit Side Story: Waking from the Dream, Summer Continues
Side: Taiki
*Meeeen-meeeen-jiwa-jiwa-jiwa-jiwa-wa-wa-wa…*
The voice of summer reaches my ears.
Ah, rather than finding it noisy, it feels more like the very essence of summer drifting toward me. The intense sunlight pours down upon the world outside.
"Hey, I brought it."
As I gaze out at the summer garden from the veranda, Yuki and Sota arrive carrying sliced watermelon. The portions are quite generous, and since they are each balancing a large platter in one hand, I scramble to my feet to help them.
"That must have been heavy, right?"
"Ah, I suppose so. It would be heavy for a normal person, wouldn't it?"
"That is certainly true. Though, having one's level increase is quite convenient."
"No, please don't use watermelon as a benchmark for your level-ups."
I’d expect something more like running with incredible speed or shattering boulders with a single punch. Using watermelon to gauge such things feels far too trivial.
"Well, we were back-line personnel, after all. We didn't have many opportunities for that sort of thing."
"Indeed. We were on the side that planned the operations."
"That’s right. We weren't in positions that required fighting on the front lines."
*Man,* I think to myself, *Sota is one thing, but Taizo and Yuki are more than capable of tearing through the front lines.* Still, I keep that to myself, offering a wry smile as I pick up a slice of watermelon and sprinkle it with salt.
"Mmm. Delicious. And eating it on the veranda like this makes it even better."
"It’s the quintessential rural landscape. You don't find verandas like this in the city."
"Even if you did, it would just be looking out over an inorganic garden."
"Ah, that’s true. The city does have that vibe."
After sharing a few such nostalgic memories...
"So, was the commotion last night something you pulled the strings on, Yuki?"
That’s right—the story of Emperor Eupia and Great Imperial Hope Show meeting the ghosts of their acquaintances last night. While meeting a ghost connected to oneself during a summer festival is a classic trope, that’s only because we’re Japanese. I find it hard to believe that ghosts from a different culture would know about the Obon festival and return for it. I’d heard that Suzuhikohime had helped out, so it was hard not to suspect some intentional meddling.
As for Yuki, the man I’d questioned:
"Pulling the strings is both correct and incorrect. You see that doll Eupia received? That actually drifted into Weed."
"The doll from his hometown village that Emperor Eupia received from a friend?"
"Exactly. When we were visiting the Zuraburu Great Empire, we were conducting field research, looking into various things. Naturally, that included their culture. We bought a lot of items as part of that. It must have been mixed in with those."
"The doll?"
"Not the doll specifically, but it was bundled in with a collection of children's playthings."
"Ah, I see."
It’s a convincing explanation. Given their position, Yuki and his group often step into other countries. It’s standard practice for them to purchase various items to avoid cultural friction, to build rapport, and to check for technologies different from those in Weed or their allied nations. It must be nice to have such abundant funding and the understanding of those around you. Back home, there are no shortage of people who would object to that. Well, if someone says, "You're using tax money, so spend it on something more meaningful," they aren't wrong about the priority list.
"So that’s how you got the doll. Wait, but that alone doesn't explain why you'd bring it to this summer festival, does it?"
There’s no reason to bring mere research materials to this rural village.
"Well, it’s a strange tale. After checking those toys to make sure they weren't dangerous, I usually hand them over to Ratz and the wives. To use as references for their next projects, or to archive them as data. Then, we dispose of what we don't need, but we always check if anyone wants them first. That’s when Suzuhikohime showed up."
*'This doll. It is filled with deep sentiment. It seems to have been cherished for a very long time. Would you be willing to entrust it to me?'*
"That’s how it happened."
"I see. So that’s why it ended up in this village."
"Exactly. This village worships dolls, right? She said she would enshrine it with the others. Since the people here have such a strong desire to protect others, she said it would make for a fine guardian."
"And while it was being enshrined, the people connected to it—Emperor Eupia and the others—happened to show up?"
"Right. It’s mysterious, isn't it? Oh, and Show’s hair ornament was a similar case."
"How should I put this... it really is mysterious. It’s amazing it lasted all this time."
"It seems to have had a bit of magical power; perhaps that’s the reason? Besides, Japanese dolls are surprisingly durable if you take care of them."
"That’s only if they *are* taken care of, right? Show’s case aside, this was a doll left behind in a village destroyed ages ago. It was tattered—it wouldn't have been strange if it had been thrown away. That’s incredible."
"There was a similar story on Earth, wasn't there? About a doll that traveled the world to return to a girl."
"Ah, I remember that story."
A doll’s journey that can be told as a beautiful tale. Whether it was the last gift left by parents or a memento that was finally delivered, there are many variations, but it’s undeniably a heartwarming story.
"The world is full of all sorts of things, isn't it?"
Sota, who had been eating watermelon beside me, murmurs during a lull in the conversation.
"Indeed. For every tragedy, there is happiness like this. It makes one realize that the world is truly connected."
Taizo replies to that sentiment with a nod.
*Meeeen-min-min-min…*
The sound of cicadas resonates in the summer sky. While listening to it, I ask:
"By the way, did you tell Emperor Eupia and the others about how the doll ended up here?"
"Aslin and the others told them last night. After that, they were crying—a rare sight. I couldn't very well go and watch that, though."
"That Emperor, of all people?"
Emperor Eupia is a respectable man, even in my eyes. He has the resolve befitting someone in a position of power, and he never lets personal feelings interfere with his official duties. I never thought he’d cry over something like this. Well, come to think of it, he dotes on Aslin and the others, so maybe it’s not entirely impossible...
"People are complicated. Bad people can become good, and good people can become bad. It’s no surprise that someone who doesn't cry might shed a tear. Look, they’re right there."
Following Yuki’s gaze, I see Emperor Eupia and Great Imperial Hope Show. Aslin and the others have gathered around them.
"Are you taking them to catch bugs?"
"Indeed. At least for this summer break. If we don't play, there was no point in coming back."
"Sister Show is using the hair ornament, too."
"One must use their tools, after all. Though, it might not suit me very well."
I can hear them chatting. It seems they plan to fully enjoy their day off, along with their mementos.
"We used to have things like that, didn't we?"
"We did, we did. Showing off our favorite toys. Though, in reality, they were just in the way when we were trying to play."
"Well, to the person themselves, it was a treasure."
Suddenly, Seraria walks over.
"So, you’re all just lounging around eating watermelon today, are you?"
"Well, yeah."
" " "Greetings." " "
Since we are being hosted by Yuki, we all offer our greetings again when his wife, Seraria, appears. Of course, we greeted her yesterday, but these things are always worth repeating. Seraria picks up a slice of watermelon and sits down next to Yuki.
"So, I understand what you mean by a 'summer festival,' but does that sort of thing always happen?"
By "that sort of thing," she surely means what happened to Emperor Eupia and the others. If I recall, this whole situation started because Seraria wanted to know about the summer vacations Yuki remembered. If that kind of incident occurs, it’s only natural to think that’s just a standard event.
When pointed out, Yuki replies:
"Of course not. A normal summer vacation... is usually... just a normal... summer vacation..."
"Why are you so unconfident at the end there?"
"Well, when I really think about it, there was that time I wandered into a strange zombie-like village and destroyed the school... or the time I blew up a remote island looking for pirate treasure... and those happened two nights in a row... or the time I experienced a four-year summer vacation loop..."
" " "..." " "
*Wait a minute.* I feel like I’m hearing a horror story of epic proportions.
"A-ahahaha. That’s right. Summer is all about scary stories, isn't it?"
"Ah, s-so that’s it. Naturally."
"I-I see. That’s a common occurrence."
"I-I see. Well, let’s just go with that."
Since Yuki’s sanity seems to have plummeted, we all silently continue eating our watermelon.
"Being made to help the daughter of a damn Enma with an entire region, finding myself in space, blowing up the old school building..."
Seriously, Yuki. What exactly *was* your summer vacation?
Even when such nightmares end, summer continues. There is still homework left, and the long summer vacation stretches on. Once Obon passes, the end will draw near, but it is still summer nonetheless.
Come now, let’s play.