夏のスペシャル ２０２５年度 夏の怖い話 その１
Summer Special: 2025 Summer Ghost Stories, Part 1
Welcome to the World of Summer
Pitfall Side Story: 2025 Summer Ghost Stories, Part 1
Side: Yuki
"Hot. Or rather, has it gotten hotter?"
"Yes. This heat... it truly feels like summer has arrived."
Prol responds to my mutterings immediately.
I create a parasol with one hand and gaze up at the sun blazing in the heavens.
The sunlight and heat pour down relentlessly. Just being outside is enough to make sweat bead on my skin.
"Prol, Orelia, Hovis, Yayui—don't forget to hydrate. We can't have anyone suffering from heatstroke."
"Yes!"
My attendants respond in unison.
Still, they have a tendency to push themselves too hard. I have to keep a close watch on them.
As for why we are walking outside in this sweltering heat...
"It should be right about here. The Japanese house samples that Luna-sama prepared."
Orelia says this while checking a map.
Right. We came here for the sake of future development—or rather, since we were discussing how to handle architecture in Weed, we decided to gather some samples.
We aren't just looking at Japanese styles; we plan to consider designs from the Rogali Continent, the If Continent, the Haiden region, the Zuraburu region, and even the isolated islands of the Holy territory. However, Japanese architecture is simply too "over-technology" for this world, so we decided to prepare those separately first, have us look at them, and then carefully select what we can use as a reference.
That said, when I say "us," the wives from this world—like Seraria—wouldn't really understand the nuances, so it falls primarily to me.
Of course, it’s not just me...
"Um, why am I the only one here? I feel like Taizo-san or Souta-san should be here too, right?"
Yes, Taiki-kun, the Hero King, is here with me. He asks the question, looking dissatisfied.
"Taizo-san’s era is too far removed. The standards for standard housing are different."
"Ah, that’s true, I suppose."
Taizo-san is from the 1930s; the form of houses from then is almost entirely different from those post-2020. Two-by-four construction and the like are methods born in the last forty years.
And...
"Souta-san is on external standby duty."
"Huh? External standby duty?"
Taiki-kun tilts his head, looking confused.
"Souta-san is, for all intents and purposes, an active spirit medium who works with water."
After all, his descendant, Kagura, is a shrine maiden. He is a talent capable of becoming a vessel for the useless goddess Hairen.
"Oh, I see. Wait, hold on. You mean there’s something special about the houses prepared!?"
I want to deny Taiki-kun’s implication, but...
"I’ll share one piece of detailed information. It was Luna who brought these sample houses."
"Haaah!? What do you mean she 'brought' them!?"
Taiki-kun raises his voice in surprise at my words.
I was just as surprised myself.
"I don't think she brought the houses themselves, as that would cause a scene. She probably copied ones she liked from the actual locations and brought them here. However..."
"Isn't it suspicious that there are 'normal' houses at all!?"
Yeah, just as Taiki-kun says.
This sweltering heat combined with houses is a classic recipe for a summer horror story.
No, the houses themselves are a terrifying experience. After all, Luna is the one who curated them.
"Yuki-sama. What Taiki-sama is saying...?"
Prol tilts her head.
Ah, right. Prol, Orelia, Hovis, and Yayui don't know about Luna’s summer pranks.
Well, they know about spirits like Havia, Chaeya, and Hope, or Noriko, Lieutenant Nakamoto, Suzuhikohime, and Touji, but they have never been caught up in one of these incidents themselves.
They don't know how troublesome those can be.
I suddenly realized.
"Damn. Should I have left Prol and the others behind?"
"Actually, wouldn't it be safer for them to go home right now?"
Just as Taiki-kun says.
I had them accompany me as my attendants, but considering the danger of getting caught in a supernatural phenomenon, it would be better if they returned...
Just as I think this, my arms are suddenly grabbed. I look over to see Orelia and Hovis holding onto me.
"Yuki-sama. We appreciate your concern, but..."
"That won't do~. We are here to serve as your guards, after all~."
They say that to me.
Well, that is true, but physical strength is almost useless against supernatural entities.
"Besides, if it’s something Luna-sama is doing, even if it’s scary, there won’t be any real harm, right?"
"That’s right. I think Yayui is right, don't you?"
"Ah, that much is certain."
I answer honestly when asked by Yayui and Prol, who are standing in front of me.
She wouldn't do anything that would cause harm to women.
I suspect we are a different story, though.
"Ah, well, that’s... true."
Taiki-kun also replies vaguely, perhaps realizing that the danger isn't aimed at the women, but only at us.
"Then, let’s head out. It’s fine. If Yuki-sama or Taiki-sama ever find yourselves in danger, we will protect you."
"That’s right."
Prol and Yayui tell us to leave it to them, but it’s hard to take that seriously when they look like young girls...
"Well, keep it within reason."
"Indeed."
A man being protected by children or women—that’s a problem in itself.
As we talk, we arrive at our destination, a place where familiar-looking houses are lined up in a row.
Or rather...
"This is just a normal Japanese landscape. Concrete roads and everything—it’s a perfect reproduction, isn't it?"
Just as Taiki-kun says, it’s a level of Japanese residential street reproduction that defies belief.
I thought it might just be a few houses, but there are forty of them here, complete with concrete roads and sidewalks. There are even streetlights and what looks like a park. It’s practically a small town.
And with this much effort put into it...
"Ah, Yuki-sama. I’ve been waiting for you."
For some reason, it isn't Luna, but Rushi who is there, waving and running toward us.
"Why is Rushi here?"
"Luna-sama told me to come here and look at the Japanese houses with you, Yuki-sama. She said there might be things here that could be used for medical purposes. There even seems to be a hospital."
"H-hospital?"
At those words, both Taiki-kun and I stiffen.
I have a very, very bad feeling about this.
"What’s wrong? I’ve been told the candidates for us to look at first, but would you like to take a break before we start?"
At that suggestion, Taiki-kun and I choose to take a break without hesitation, sitting at a table in a park equipped with a vending machine.
Incidentally, the women—Prol and the others—are at a separate table.
They said they had something to discuss.
"..."
As the cold canned juice sweats, wetting the table, we remain silent.
The sound of cicadas rings out, and in the midst of it, Taiki-kun finally speaks.
"...Is this town the stage for something?"
"...I want to deny it. Surely it can't be that far. Look, just because one of these houses is a 'haunted property' doesn't mean..."
"Yuki-san. You aren't even convincing yourself."
"Guh."
Stung by his remark, I fall silent.
He’s right.
Luna prepared a stage of this scale, and only a few houses are problematic? That’s almost impossible.
This isn't a case of finding the "winning" house; the entire stage is a trap.
"For now, why don't we look at the map Rushi-san gave us and think?"
"...You're right. We’ve already stepped into it. Let’s focus on finishing the job first. Also, can we contact Souta-san?"
"Ah, right. That’s why he was on standby."
"Yeah. Let’s ask for reinforcements quickly."
I decide to try and contact Souta-san, who is our best hope, but...
"It’s no good. It won't connect."
"Are you serious? That guy."
I frantically try to call him, but...
"The number you have dialed is currently powered off and cannot be reached."
That ridiculous response comes back.
"Calls don't need power! Fix your settings, you idiot!"
As I shout that, Prol and the others come running over, and thus, our summer begins.
And so, the town-wide horror begins.
The heroines this time are Prol, Orelia, Hovis, Yayui, and Rushi.
Perhaps this is also a way to welcome the newcomers.