落とし穴外伝：２０２５年明けスペシャル (Part1)
Pitfall Side Story: 2025 New Year’s Special
2025 New Year’s Special
"Huff, huff, huff..."
For some reason, I’m sprinting through the biting cold of the New Year’s morning, gasping for air.
Yet, I feel a surge of excitement so intense that the freezing temperature doesn't even register.
Why is that?
I feel like I’ve forgotten something.
But I can’t quite put my finger on that sense of dissonance.
Nothing seems wrong, really.
I’m tearing through the familiar streets of town, running to buy that one thing I’ve been wanting.
That should be all there is to it, but something inside me insists that’s not the case.
What is it, really?
While wrestling with that question, unable to find an answer, I step into the shop where the item is sold and spot it.
"Yes! I can afford this with my New Year’s money!"
The moment I say that, the source of the dissonance clicks into place, and my consciousness snaps into sharp focus.
Side: Yuki
"No, no, that’s way too old-fashioned," I mutter, shaking off the dream as I wake up.
"Huh? Is something wrong, Yuki-san?"
Startled by my sudden outburst, Taiki-kun looks over at me.
I offer a wry smile, reach for the cup on the table to moisten my throat, and then...
"I was asleep, wasn't I?"
"Yes."
"I had a strange—no, a nostalgic dream."
"Were you talking in your sleep?"
"It was the first thing I said upon waking, so it was more of a retort to myself."
"What kind of dream was it?"
He seems genuinely interested, perhaps because I made it sound so cryptic.
Well, I suppose I did invite the curiosity.
"It was a dream from way back, from when I was a kid. I was clutching my New Year’s money, about to buy something I really loved... and that’s when I woke up."
"There was a bit of a pause there, wasn't there?"
"I couldn't remember what it was I wanted. Regardless, it was something ancient from the perspective of who I am now, which is why that comment slipped out."
"Ah, sometimes you realize you’re dreaming because of that exact kind of dissonance. Besides..."
He glances at the clock, and when I follow his gaze, I see it’s not yet ten o'clock.
"The shops will be opening soon. And I suppose the wives and children have already headed out."
"Yes. They said since you were sleeping for once, they wouldn't drag you along to the New Year’s sales to hunt for lucky bags."
"That... honestly, that’s a relief."
"Indeed, it really is."
"I hear you."
"That stuff is exhausting, after all."
Taizo-san and Sota-san join our conversation, having appeared from the kitchen with something in hand.
It seems they’ve brought something over.
"Here. Some bitter tea to wake you up."
"Thank you. It’s gotten quite cold. And, well, sorry for falling asleep."
I accept the tea from Taizo-san, apologizing for my lapse.
It’s not a good look to invite guests over right at the start of the year and then pass out on them.
"Don't worry about it. Being a father is hard work, Yuki-kun. The fact that you can sleep like this just shows you trust us, which makes me happy."
Sota-san offers a kind follow-up.
It’s true; keeping up with the kids before the New Year was rough.
I had to play with them just to get them to settle down because they wouldn't go to sleep.
The reason I put them to bed was so I could participate in these New Year’s sales we’re talking about.
"So, was it a good dream? Ah, I suppose that would make it your *hatsuyume*—your first dream of the year?"
"Oh, that’s right, it is the first dream of the year, isn't it?"
"Oh? You had a dream?"
"Well, if you don't mind, would you share it with us?"
They seem intrigued, and since there’s nothing to hide, I decide to tell them exactly what I told Taiki-kun.
"Hmm. Clutching New Year’s money to go shopping, eh? I have memories of that, too."
"I do as well. Though, it seems the traditional lucky omens of the first dream didn't make an appearance."
"Right, 'First Fuji, second hawk, third eggplant,' wasn't it? Though, did my hometown even have a department store within running distance?"
That’s when I realize the inconsistency in the dream.
Did the town back then even have a place rich with those kinds of toys within running distance?
"Well, isn't that just how dreams are?"
"I suppose you're right."
Dreams are inherently lacking in consistency, after all.
"They say it’s just the brain organizing memories."
"Or just things that have stuck in your mind. Well, there are many theories, but if you think of it as being triggered by the New Year’s money, your story makes sense, Yuki-kun."
"Getting New Year’s money and immediately going to buy what you want is a set routine, after all."
"Exactly. I remember going to buy games."
"Taiki-kun and I are from the gaming generation, after all."
Of course, that doesn't apply to everyone, but games are something you can play for a long time.
"In my day, it was sweet treats, I believe."
"For me... it was probably manga?"
What we wanted as children definitely changes depending on the generation.
"Though, these days, I don't have the spirit to go out to the shops in the cold on New Year’s morning."
"And yet, you were going to go out for the sake of your wife and children, weren't you?"
"I’d like to say that’s only natural for a family man. Wait, were Hifie-san and Enoru-san okay with that?"
I remember to ask about Taizo-san and Sota-san’s partners.
For the record, Taiki-kun has already received permission from Airi-san and Soel-san.
Of course, just like me, they spent the final moments of the year together as a couple before joining up with us later.
And now, those two are off with my wives to go shopping at the New Year’s sales.
"Hifie-san is with your wives as well."
"Same here."
I see.
So the women have all gone shopping together.
"So, the men are just taking it easy at home on New Year’s morning this year?"
"That’s fine by me. Just relaxing around the *kotatsu* like this is the best."
"Indeed, these peaceful moments are necessary, too."
"Still, we’ll have to visit the shrine or the church at some point today; it would be a problem for our positions otherwise."
"That’s true. Shall we all go together?"
"Yes, there’s no need to go separately. I don't mind."
"It’ll be better for them if we get it done all at once."
"Yes, that would be for the best."
With our plans for the day decided, we take a breather.
The tea Taizo-san prepared is hot and delicious.
"Come to think of it, I was asleep, but did you three manage to get any rest?"