夏のスペシャル ２０２５年度 夏の怖い話 その５ (Part2)
This is a home for people of a certain standing; it’s hardly what one would call typical.
“In that case, shouldn’t we be looking at the back alleys next, rather than the main thoroughfares?”
“You’re right. Real estate prices on the main streets are just too high.”
“Indeed. Because of the sheer volume of people passing through, prices on the main streets skyrocket. It’s a sum that the average person could hardly afford.”
It’s a bit late to be realizing this, but I’ve been reminded once again that property on a town’s main street is priced accordingly. I never gave such things much thought back in my village, but looking at Weed and other towns, I’ve come to understand that a location’s value is directly tied to the number of people who pass by. The general hospital in Weed where I work is connected to a main street that’s easily accessible by bus, which makes it incredibly convenient.
“Well then, let’s head toward the south side next.”
With that, we left the mansion on the main street and set our sights on the next location. But once we stepped outside, it was hot. No, it was scorching. It felt like being roasted alive. As I walked along, lost in such thoughts, Yuki-sama came up beside me.
“So, what did you see in the refrigerator?”
“Eh?”
I was taken aback by the sudden question, wondering what he meant, but then I immediately recalled the severed head in the jar from earlier. But that was…
“It’s fine if you think it was just your imagination. You let out quite a scream, didn’t you? It must have been something truly shocking. That’s how these psychic phenomena work—they make you feel like you’re losing your mind.”
“Ah, so that’s what a ‘shock-type’ psychic phenomenon is.”
It certainly had shocked me to my core.
“So, what exactly did you see?”
At his question, I noticed Taiki-sama, Proff, and the others all turning their attention toward me.
“It’s alright. We won’t think you’re crazy. That’s a hallmark of these phenomena—they isolate you by manifesting only to specific people. So, tell us honestly.”
“…Understood.”
And so, I told them what I had seen. But isn’t a psychic phenomenon that corners you mentally like this just a bit too troublesome? It’s not the sort of thing you can easily consult anyone about.
“I see. A severed head in a jar, inside a refrigerator.”
“A common pattern, I suppose.”
“““Common?!”””
We all retorted in unison at the nonchalant words of Yuki-sama and Taiki-sama.
“Having something supernatural in a refrigerator is a classic pattern. There have actually been cases like that.”
“““Cases?!”””
“Yes, yes. Well, the reasons vary. Back on Earth, disposing of a human corpse is a truly difficult task. So, there have been actual instances where people kept them in refrigerators to prevent decay for the sake of a cover-up, or simply for a collection.”
“…To put it mildly, I doubt their sanity.”
Yes, I agree with Proff. Living alongside a corpse—and I don’t mean one that’s been turned into an undead, right?
“That’s why I said they were out of their minds.”
“Ordinary people can’t fathom the way such people think.”
“Now, sorry to make you recall it, but do you remember any distinguishing features of that severed head in the jar?”
“Dis-distinguishing features?”
“Yes. As I said before, if it’s in a refrigerator, there must be an incident behind it. Was it a man or a woman? How old were they? If we can determine that, we might be able to find a newspaper in the next house and track the case.”
“So it’s a hint that leads to our way home.”
“Ah, I see.”
How elaborate. No, I suppose that’s exactly why it’s enjoyable. It takes time… ah, so that’s why time is stopped. …They’re doing something incredibly extravagant for no reason.
Putting that aside, the features of the head…
“Um, I believe it was a woman. The reason is the facial features. Well, some men have them too, but… her hair was long—no, I think it was shoulder-length, semi-long. It was billowing out, spread wide in the water.”
That couldn’t have been short hair.
“I see. Let’s look for articles about a woman like that in the newspapers. So, Ryushi was the one who spotted the ghost-like entity this time. There’s a possibility you’ll be targeted for focus, so stay calm. Proff, Orelia, Orbis, Yayui—the same might happen to you, but don’t panic and start running. Panic is the most dangerous thing.”
“““Yes.”””
Yeah, I had panicked and jumped back at the time. Fortunately, I didn’t bump into anyone or anything, but in a cramped space, hitting something could be dangerous.
“Alright, let’s head to the next place.”
And so, we steeled our resolve and headed toward the next house. A severed head in a jar. Was this merely a coincidence, or is there a connection?