夏のスペシャル ２０２５年度 夏の怖い話 その６ (Part1)
Summer Special: 2025 Summer Ghost Stories, Part 6
Side: Orelia
I had found myself caught up in the mischief of Lady Luna, as the rumors had foretold.
For my part, however, this was merely a tour of residential buildings. I was simply performing my duties as planned.
Well, I was certainly surprised that time had been frozen and all contact with the outside world severed, but that was the extent of it.
The fact that they had brought over an entire Japanese cityscape moved me; it was a rare opportunity to glimpse a fragment of the homelands of Lord Yuki and Lord Taiki.
Everything was so meticulously arranged, and every house we had visited thus far was fully equipped with modern appliances. It gave me a clear sense of just how affluent Japan must have been.
The scenery of the countryside is not bad, but a town refined by such technology is, to me, quite refreshing.
As for the urban landscape, that is something I would like to see at least once.
Because of this, I held no particular thoughts regarding the supernatural. As for what Ratz-san had seen, my only reaction was that, yes, that would certainly be a frightening sight.
"Hey, Orelia, what would you do if you saw a ghost?"
As I was lost in these thoughts, Yayui suddenly posed the question.
"Well, as Lord Yuki suggested earlier, one should commit the details to memory and consider how to escape the area. Oh, that reminds me. I believe it would be best to keep a record so that we may share it. Lord Yuki, what do you think?"
In our line of work, we are tasked with negotiations and consultations—not only with nobility but with merchants and others who place great importance on dialogue. To prevent disputes over who said what, we make it a practice to record both audio and video. I proposed that we utilize this.
"Ah, right, we have those. We can share in real-time via Call, and if we can record it, we certainly should."
"Hm? 'If we can record it'?"
"Luna might be interfering. I’m worried about whether those information-sharing devices will even function."
"I see."
She would go that far?
"For now, let's give it a try. There’s no harm in keeping a record of the houses, and what happened before was a bit... different."
And so, we decided to give it a go, recording a bit of the Call to verify its functionality.
"Everyone is moving, good. Since this situation is quite unique, keep the recording running even during your private time. Yes, even when you’re in the restroom, as much as possible."
"Even in the restroom?"
I found myself repeating the question to Lord Yuki, as it was such an unusual request.
"Restrooms are breeding grounds for ghost stories, you see," Lord Taiki answered in Lord Yuki's stead.
"Ah, you see, a restroom is an environment where you are essentially alone. It’s an independent—or, to put it negatively, an isolated environment."
"I see... I suppose that is true, but what could possibly happen in such a cramped space?"
Even if an apparition were to appear, the idea of being attacked in such a confined area seemed...
"There are all sorts of things. Monsters appearing from the drains, severed heads clinging to the ceiling, or being dragged into a stall and imprisoned. And don't bother pointing out the physical impossibilities; those rules don't apply here. Besides, you’re in the middle of relieving yourself, which leaves a gap in your mental defenses. And physically, it’s difficult to move immediately."
"I see, that is indeed true."
Considering the cramped quarters and the act itself, it certainly puts one at a disadvantage.
"Well, I’ve warned you, but I’m not saying you have to show me the footage every time. Only show it if you actually encounter an apparition. It would be embarrassing, after all."
That is true. At first, I had wondered if Lord Yuki had some sort of peculiar hobby. Not that it would be a problem, though showing it would indeed be embarrassing.
"So, that’s that. Even when using the restroom, go in pairs. It would be best to have one person standing guard, or at least acting as a respondent, outside the door."
"Indeed. Well, if you aren't too embarrassed, it would be better to keep the door open so you can see each other's faces. Even if it’s just a single door, not being able to see one another is, in a sense, being alone."
Lord Taiki also emphasized the importance of avoiding solitude. It seems that being alone is truly that dangerous.
As I listened to these precautions, we arrived at our next destination.
There, we found...
"A single-story house this time?"
"What is a 'single-story house'?"
"Ah, there are many types of detached houses. Even with the same 2LDK layout, some are two stories, others are just one. This type right here is called a single-story house."
"I see. That makes sense."
Lord Yuki’s explanation cleared it up. So, a building with only one floor is generally called a single-story house.
"Lord Yuki, is one better than the other—the single-story or the two-story?" Yayui asked.
I was curious about that as well. If they are built differently, there must be a reason for it.
"Of course there is. It depends on the person, but the most obvious factor is the stairs. Ah, not the scary kind, but the stairs for moving between floors. For the elderly, climbing up and down puts a strain on their legs and lower back. In a single-story house, that isn't an issue. However, conversely, if a disaster occurs—especially flooding—the entire living space becomes submerged."
"I see~. That is certainly true~."
"Also, since you can't build upwards, land costs for single-story houses tend to be higher, whereas two-story houses require more construction steps to build the second floor, which costs more money. Well, which is better really depends on the location."
I see, that is quite logical. So, even when we speak of a "house," there are many different forms.
"Well, I believe you’ve seen this single-story style in the countryside managed by Suzuhikohime and the others in Weed."
Ah, that’s right. I had seen single-story structures at Suzuhikohime-dono’s place.
"Alright, let's head in."
Saying this, he moved the door not toward us, but slid it to the side, and we entered the entryway.
It was that unique type of door common to Japanese houses. Since it slides horizontally, it doesn't require a large clearance in front or behind the door, allowing for efficient use of space. Perhaps sliding doors are best for making good use of narrow—no, limited—spaces.
Thinking of this, we made our way through the living room—or rather, the hallway leading to the living room.
Along the way, we opened the sliding paper doors to check the private rooms, but this house seemed quite tidy, with very little furniture.
"I wouldn't say it lacks a sense of life, but the person who lived here must not have owned many things."
"Indeed. The hallway, which is prone to getting dirty, and these tatami mats are all clean. It feels quite pleasant, doesn't it?"
"It has the lovely scent of rush grass."
Just as Prof-san said, the scent of the tatami rush reached my nose, and I felt a sense of calm.