Episode 303 Nya-kyi Cat

"House of Nya-kyi" is one of the popular attractions at Disney Land, where guests can greet Nya-kyi Cat, a beloved character.

Upon entering the small booth, which typically requires a wait of at least an hour under normal circumstances, you'll suddenly recognize a familiar tune playing in the background.

More specifically, it's the iconic music from Mario's first level, World 1-1.

And overlapping with that are exaggerated sound effects like "zashuu!", "dogan!", "zugyaaan!", and "Waaaaa!"

"...Connyaro, Connyaro... I did it—!"

voices like that.

Peering inside, a girl was sitting on a large chair intended for Nya-kky, facing away from me.

"100 wins in a row!...The CPU's getting too easy now. It's a breeze."

While quietly pointing a video camera at her as she murmured something like that,

"Hey, Nakkii! Good morning!"

Kotatsu Nanami spoke with a mischievous tone.

The girl instantly flinched as if struck by lightning, hastily pulling the mask from the ground over her face.

"W-what?! W-who are you?!"

"Didn't I contact you yesterday? You're the explorers, right?"

"Eh?...Ah, right. That's what Reika said..."

"Exactly. You're guiding us to the 'Door to the Other World,' so let's go. Hehehe."

"O-oh... o-okay..."

Nyakkī-san seemed really startled by the unexpected visitors, looking a bit off-kilter.

Just making eye contact with me sent another jolt through him, making him twitch and shudder violently.

"Eh? Eh? Eh? Um... ah, is it alright if these four of us handle the escort?"

"Yep. Thanks."

"...Got it."

Then, seeming to subtly avoid me, Nyakkī darted toward the employee-only door in the far corner of the room.

I turned to Mayumi standing nearby and asked,

"…Is that guy always like that?"

"Hmm. He wasn't like that before. Maybe it started recently. He began wearing a mask."

"Seriously, why would he do that?"

"Who knows? Maybe it's just a hobby. He's probably just at that age."

That age.

At that age, you wouldn't… go doing stuff like that, would you?

Well, to be honest, I myself once wore an eye patch for no reason at all during middle school.

Nanami, our photographer and de facto leader, walks ahead of us.

Following her are Mayi, me, and Ran-chan, in that order.

Beyond a hidden door that goes unnoticed by others lies a staff lounge that seems to have become Nyakkī-san's personal living space.

There, neatly lined up, were bottled drinks and snacks distributed every morning, along with manga and video games for passing the time.

"Wow, Nyakkī actually reads shoujo manga too? Heeheehee."

When Nanami teased her, Nyakkī coughed awkwardly, waving her hand.

"I'd really appreciate it if you wouldn't go poking around everywhere..."

"Hehehe. Exposing Nyakkī's private life! What's her true identity!? That kind of story could easily make a full video."

"……………………"

Nyakkī didn't respond, instead manipulating the surveillance monitor recently added, switching through cameras that monitored the underground.

What appeared on the screen was—

"Whoa... this... this is..."

"Zombie," "Zombie," "Zombie."

A swarm of "zombies" filling the corridor.

"Alright, just so you know, the underground's looking like this right now. Prepare yourselves."

"Ehehehe. If we have to clear all these out as we go... that's gonna be tough, huh?"

Nanami's smile seemed a bit strained.

"Alright, I'll handle the weak ones—uh, no, let me do it."

"Got it. Count on you, 'Immortal Squad'."

"...Hmph."

"Anyway, what about the crucial elevator?"

"It's right nearby. Activate it with the third Thunder-type device."

"I'm counting on you. We can't afford to expend ourselves here yet..."

"I understand. I'll handle all the ones along the way."

▼

From there, five of them slowly moved forward.

The cargo elevator was located in a spacious area just to the left after exiting the room, filled with numerous loading platforms.

Arriving before the elevator, which was several times larger than the ones we usually used,

『U………Ooooo………………Ooooo………』

The usual groaning sound was coming from below.

"Could it be that we get hit all at once the moment we arrive underground?"

"Yeah, I'll handle everything—just watch out for any that I can't take down."

"You're such a lifesaver♪"

"…………. I'll do it for Rika's sake."

Then, with a soft *chiiin* sound, the elevator doors slid open.

We all put on masks and goggles, excluding Nyakkii, and entered inside.

It seemed there were only two buttons for our destination: 'Surface' and 'Underground'.

Without hesitation, Nyakkii pressed the button for 'Underground'.

The steel doors closed, and — within the confines of the elevator — the usual, slightly awkward silence flowed among the five of us.

So I decided to ask Nyakky, who seemed a bit intriguing.

"Hey, Nyakky Cat-san."

"What is it, Neecha... uh, miss?"

Miss? I'm clearly older than him.

"Was the game you were playing earlier Super Smash Bros.?"

"Eh... uh, yeah."

"If it's not too much trouble, would you mind having a match with me sometime?"

"Huh... well... um, if the chance comes... I'd be fine with that."

"Great, then it's settled."

"But just so you know, I only play under brawl rules."

"That's fine with me."

I actually prefer playing with multiple people.

"There's a girl around your age at my place."

"………………"

"I'm planning to give her a handheld game console soon. I was just looking for someone to play against."

"……Just keep it down a bit. We're almost there."

"Ah, sorry…"

Before I knew it, the groans of the "zombies" had grown considerably louder.

They were probably drawn to the sound of the elevator moving.

We each retreated to the far end of the door, preparing ourselves.

Right in front of the door was Nya-kkyi Cat.

"Hit them with the Ultimate Move the moment the door fully opens."

Then came the chime signaling our arrival underground.

私たちは全員、息を呑んで、扉がゆっくりと開いていくところを目の当たりにしていました。

それも無理はありません。

扉の隙間から、我先にと室内に飛び込もうとする”ゾンビ”たちの指と、……ぎらついた目が覗き見えていたのです。

『ヴァアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアッ！』

思わず、ナナミさんが叫びました。

「何してんだっ。扉ごとでいいから、さっさと始末しなよ」

"Idiot. That'll make getting back a real problem, won't it?"

Still, we were lucky—thanks to how intensely the "zombies" had rushed toward the door, their movements were severely hindered.

So caught up in their hunger for prey, they were jammed tightly together right in front of the door, unable to get any closer to us.

"Then let's do it. —《Explosion: Hundred Fracture... uh, Nya-Ky Pancho》!"

At the same time, Nyakki's right arm began to glow golden.

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu... raaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

From there—something like an energy wave was unleashed.

At the same time,

dododododododododo!

...a sound like a drill boring through something echoed in the ears.

Explosion: Hundred Fracture Nyakki Punch.

Despite its name, the technique's wicked power instantly reduced the advancing horde of "zombies" aimed at us into mere chunks of minced meat.

"Alright! Let's get this over with quickly!"

Nyakki seemed to be shouting as if releasing some pent-up anger he couldn't direct anywhere else.