夏のスペシャル ２０２５年度 夏の怖い話 その４
Side: Taiki
The heat radiating from the asphalt is brutal, rising in shimmering waves that distort the road in the distance.
"Whew, what was the temperature today again?"
"It has exceeded thirty degrees."
It isn't Yuki-san who answers my question, but Prol, who responds with crisp, professional efficiency. She’s a capable one, that’s for sure. Despite her youthful appearance, she radiates an aura of absolute competence.
"Thanks."
"Not at all. I am deeply sorry for involving you in this, simply to assist Yuki-sama."
"Ah, don't worry about it. It’s like a summer tradition, isn't it? An event. Ranks won't have any complaints about this."
So that’s what she was worried about. Well, naturally. He is the King of Ranks, after all. If someone of his stature were to get caught up in a supernatural anomaly—especially one orchestrated by Luna-san for her own amusement—it would usually require a massive diplomatic response. That said, since no time has actually passed, the "fact" that he went missing is a bit of a technicality. Still, it’s thanks to that quirk that we were able to enjoy a leisurely lunch break earlier, so there are perks.
Setting that aside, I turn to the matter at hand.
"Yuki-san. Is that... you know, *that*?"
"Likely. I was wondering if there would be something in the mailbox... but this is pretty blatant."
Yuki-san holds up a stamp and a sheet of paper.
"That’s, uh, one of those stamp rallies, isn't it?"
"Looks like it. The kind you see at tourist spots."
"Is that so?" Orelia joins our conversation.
"Yes. You collect different stamps at various locations to prove you’ve been there. Usually, if you collect them all, you get some kind of commemorative prize."
"I see! In that case, the prize is..."
"Might be a hint for our escape."
"Sounds like the standard procedure. Though, it would be easier if there were some instructions."
The sheet only says to collect the stamps. No mention of a "wonderful prize" or anything of the sort.
"They probably don't want to be that straightforward. If they specified where to go for the prize after collecting all the stamps, we’d just..."
"Ignore everything and head straight there, yeah."
I see. They’re reading our thought process and adjusting accordingly.
"Well, it’s possible someone will be waiting at that location and won't give it to us unless we have all the stamps."
"In that case, we’ll just have to talk our way through it."
"It seems Luna-sama has taken thorough countermeasures against you and Yuki-sama."
"As Prol says. She wants us to clear this anomaly by following the intended route."
"Does that mean we are going to participate in this stamp rally?"
"Looks like it. Fortunately, there are ten sheets here, accounting for loss or damage. Let’s each take one."
"...The fact that they accounted for us losing them is a bit ominous, isn't it?" I mutter, taking the paper.
"...You don't think they're going to target them, do you?"
"We should be careful."
"What do you mean?"
"Hovis, it’s simple. If they want to stop us from clearing the rally, all they have to do is make sure we lose our sheets."
"Wait, you mean something might happen that makes us lose the paper?"
Yaya realizes what Yuki-san is implying, and even Hovis frowns. Right, it’s sabotage from the other side.
"Well, I doubt they’ll be that blatant, but we should protect them to avoid water damage or tearing."
"Ah, I see. They would indeed become useless if they got wet."
"But is there anything convenient for that?"
"If we double up some files and overlap them upside down, the risk of water damage should be low."
That makes sense. Unless we’re submerged, they should stay dry. Still...
"Do we even have any files?"
"If we find some, they’re top priority. Actually, are there any shops around? This place is supposed to be a replica of a town, after all."
"Shops? We walked down the main street, but I didn't see anything like that."
It really feels like a residential district; you’d have to walk quite a way to find a commercial area.
"Well, we'll keep an eye out. For now, let’s get the stamp and head to the destination. We’ll leave two fresh sheets at the house as backups."
If we have spares, we can recover. I don't think the paper will become unusable that easily, but I press the stamp while pondering. It’s not a particularly eye-catching design; it just says "Good Job" in a generic font. Yeah, they’re definitely mocking us. But if Luna-san were to get serious, anything could happen, so maybe it’s better that she’s underestimating us.
While I’m lost in thought, we arrive at our destination in no time.
"That was really close."
"Less than five minutes on foot. Actually, it didn't even take two."
"Is this the model house?"
As Orelia says, we are standing in front of the house we’re about to inspect. To put it bluntly...
"It’s bigger than the last one."
"That one was quite grand, too."
"Hmm. I wonder if a wealthy person lived here?"
Everyone is right; it’s a mansion that would belong to the affluent or the wealthy.
"Yeah, property on a main street like this is convenient and expensive. Being able to build a house this large here means they had the financial power to match."
"It’s a world away from our own situation, isn't it?"
We never had the kind of money to build a massive house on a main street. Not that we were poor, but I’m deeply grateful for how I was raised. Providing for others is truly a monumental task.
"Well, standing around won't get us anywhere. Let’s see where the stamp is... it was by the mailbox last time."
I need to stay focused. I open the mailbox first, but there’s nothing inside.
"Nothing."
"Tch. I guess it wasn't going to be as simple as just checking the mailbox."
I have no choice but to head to the front door and open it.
*Creeeeeak...*
It shouldn't be a sound that bothers me, but knowing this is linked to a supernatural anomaly makes it sound ominous. Even though it’s daytime, the interior is dark. Well, that’s to be expected. It’s an empty house. No lights, no open windows—of course it’s dim. And then...
"It really feels lived-in."
"Yes."
The entryway is spacious and tidy, but it carries the scent of daily life. It isn't staged like a model home; it feels like someone actually breathed here. The shoe rack is full, revealing the residents' tastes. Mostly leather shoes, very few sneakers. Someone who worked in a suit, likely. And there are women’s heels, too—a family home.
"Um, are we allowed to go in? It feels so much like someone else's home..."
Yaya hesitates to step inside, sensing the presence of the former residents. It’s a normal reaction.
"It’s fine. There’s no one here. The 'copy' theory seems to be true."
Oh, I hadn't even checked with my presence detection. ...Yeah, there’s definitely no one. No magical signatures, either. But it’s probably more than just that.
"Let’s head inside. Oh, take off your shoes. ...I should have brought slippers."
"Indeed."
We’re all wearing socks, but having footwear makes a house feel more secure. Besides, while this place is clean, we don't know what the back rooms are like, and other houses might not be as well-kept. I’d rather not have my socks turn black with dust.
"Watch your step."
Following Yuki-san’s lead, we begin our tour of the house.
I haven't decided on the punchline yet!
Come on, let’s enjoy this massive summer anomaly!