夏のスペシャル ２０２５年度 夏の怖い話 その２ (Part1)
Summer Special: 2025 Summer Ghost Stories, Part 2
Side: Taiki
I had followed Yuki-san’s suggestion to tour a model of a Japanese-style house.
But once we opened the door, we found ourselves welcomed into a world of horror.
Well, I had suspected something was fishy from the start, but still...
"I didn't think we'd be targeted in broad daylight," Yuki-san remarked with a heavy sigh.
"Indeed. To think the entire town is the stage..."
I could only agree. Because...
"It’s strange. Even if Lady Luna were the one to cast it, I didn't know such a technique existed."
"To think we’d end up on the opposite side of the road..."
"I’ve seen this in games before. It’s what they call a 'loop,' isn't it?"
"It’s quite surreal when it actually happens to you."
"It’s strangely fun, though. Japan is truly amazing."
"“Ryushi, no.”"
A town where the roads loop back on themselves like this shouldn't exist.
It couldn't possibly exist.
As for our situation, since we couldn't contact Sota-san, we concluded that we were definitely in for some trouble, so we decided to turn back for the time being.
We figured that, surely, they wouldn't start anything while it was still bright out.
The plan was to return at night and settle things with just Yuki-san, myself, Taizo-san, and Sota-san.
But even that strategy was snatched away from us.
As I mentioned, every time we tried to leave the edge of town, we were swallowed by mist and spat back out onto the road on the opposite side.
I could feel the intent behind it—a refusal to let us escape.
Being physically prevented from leaving... it’s genuinely terrifying.
I mean, it’s a staple of ghost stories, but still.
"In the end, escape via the north, south, east, or west roads is impossible."
"Yes. It is strange, but that is the case. Though, I suppose that is to be expected of Lady Luna."
Side: Yuki
Prof didn't seem shaken in the slightest, calmly acknowledging the events unfolding.
Not that I need her to praise Luna.
"Does this mean there’s a hint hidden in this map?"
"Probably."
There was no doubt that the map Ryushi had been given held the key.
It was likely intended to force us to visit the candidate houses, but...
"She did say we should visit the hospital last, didn't she?"
"Yes. That is what she said."
Hearing that, Taiki-kun and I exchanged a nod.
"So, the final act is a commotion at the hospital..."
"Or perhaps we’ll find a different route from the hospital."
"That’s possible. It feels like a standard game mechanic where clearing all routes unlocks a secret path."
"The town won't collapse or anything, will it?"
"…………It shouldn't. Our job is to inspect the houses, after all."
"You can't answer that immediately, can you?"
Yeah, that goddess is truly untrustworthy.
Still, I know this is better than a genuine supernatural haunting.
If I were to die from a ghost, this story would be over.
I wonder if she’ll hold back... a little?
Her methods seem to grow more bold and unrestrained every year.
"Um, what shall we do?"
Pulled back to reality by Ryushi’s question, I refocused.
"For now, let's prioritize our work. Luna shouldn't interfere with our actual job."
"Um, aren't we already being interfered with?"
"No, she’s just not letting us leave yet; she hasn't hindered the work itself. Or so she’d claim. We wouldn't even know if we weren't trying to go home."
"Is that how it works?"
"That’s how it works. For now, it’s just that we can't return and we can't make contact. If Luna has already explained things to them, Seraria and the others will be delayed in moving."
"Ah, so she’s laid the groundwork for that, too."
Yayui said that with a look of exasperation.
Yeah, she’s led us into enough traps.
If Seraria and the others can't reach Taiki-kun or me, it’s only natural they’d start moving.
She’s likely set things up in advance just to sit back and enjoy watching us scramble.
"Well, sorry to put you through this, Prof, but think of it as a kind of attraction."
"It is fine. We will protect you, Yuki-sama."
It’s reassuring to have Prof reply without a hint of hesitation.
"So, where shall we go first? Ryushi’s map has marks on it."
"…I don't want to, but that’s likely the fastest way to end this. At worst, I’d like to blow the house to pieces, but..."
"That would defeat the purpose of the tour, wouldn't it? She’s quite methodical about making sure we do this properly."
"Yeah."
Back when we were sent to that abandoned inn with Taizo-san, even though there was the trouble with Hairen, we ended up in a head-on collision with a ghost.
Yes, a head-on fight.
I broke the leg off a chair, used it as a sword, and "chested" the enemy.
We had intended to gather information and escape, but we ended up destroying the place instead.
That’s why she’s framed this as a "house tour"—to prevent us from taking such measures.
Well, if danger truly closes in, Taiki-kun and I won't hold back, and she’s likely considered that, too.
Now, where to start?
"She’s definitely planning something. I don't see any other pattern in the map, so let’s just head to the nearest house."
"That’s all we can do."
They seem somewhat evenly distributed across the cardinal directions, but it’s only enough to be slightly curious.
There are separate descriptions for the houses we’re supposed to inspect, and nothing seems inherently suspicious about them.
Japanese-style houses, the latest 2x4 models—just things like that.
They even provided floor plans as reference materials.
Yeah, it’s incredibly suspicious.
Still, if this is a legitimate job, then treating it as suspicious just because it’s Luna would be rude to Prof and the others.
It wouldn't be good for them to think we’re dismissing their hard work as unnecessary.
And so, without voicing our complaints, we arrived at the nearest house.
"…It’s a normal house."
"A normal house, indeed."
Taiki-kun and I muttered as we looked at the building before us.
"Um, is this what’s considered normal?"
"So, Japanese buildings are like this?"
Yayui and Orelia tilted their heads as they observed the structure.
Since it’s their first time, they wouldn't know what’s normal and what’s strange.
"Well, let’s check the rooms."
There’s no point in standing here.
The lock seemed to be open, so I pushed the door.
*Creeeak.*
The door opened with that sound.
It wasn't particularly stiff. It was just the sound of a door creaking as it opened normally.
The entryway was, well, an entryway that didn't hold any surprises.
There was a shoe cabinet; we took off our shoes and stepped up.
Prof and the others were already accustomed to Japanese customs, so they took off their shoes as well.
Still, there were seven of us adults in total: myself, Taiki-kun, Prof, Orelia, Hobis, Yayui, and Ryushi.