Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work

Chapter 25.1

“……!!”

In a corner of the locker room within the theme park’s creepypasta, a small plush doll moved its limbs and spoke.

At first glance, it would be a life-threatening situation.

Except that I created this situation.

– Friend?

The plush doll convulsed atop the now-vanished hexagram.

“Ah—”

It was then that I realized.

That I had succeeded in inviting the ‘Good Friend’ into the doll!

The problem was that the one invited was someone I knew, no, a known monster.

‘Mr. Host…!’

The monster with a TV head who was conducting the <Tuesday Quiz Show> in the creepypasta.

– I hope you join the crew of my new talk show as well, Mr. Roe Deer!

I swallowed hard, recalling the last scene of escaping from that crazy creepypasta.

“…Nice to meet you, Mr. Host. Have you been well?”

– Haha, nice to meet you too! I remember you shining in the quiz show, Mr. Roe Deer. Have you been well? I…

– I.

Silence.

– Well… I don’t really remember. Mm… right. I’ve been well. I’ve been conducting the talk show, yes.

The voice coming from the plush doll faded somewhat, then regained strength and friendliness.

– The important thing is that we have met again!

“…Yes.”

It felt as though the overwhelming supernatural pressure and fear were being pressed down softly before erupting.

‘…Because it’s a good friend?’

It seems that the plush doll and the ritual are playing some sort of controlling role.

Still, I have to be careful.

“Um, Mr. Host. I have a question.”

– Feel free to speak, friend. Oh, by the way, that kind of title between friends is a bit awkward!

– Just call me Braun, Mr. Roe Deer! Let’s drop the stiff formalities!

“…Right. Yes. Braun.”

Yeah. Even a TV-headed monster living in a creepypasta has a name…

Anyway, the main point was urgent now. I spoke as politely as possible.

“Actually, I’m trying to leave the theme park now, but I can’t find the way out.”

– Goodness! Theme parks are famous for their complicated structures and confusing paths. Don’t worry. I’m very good at finding my way!

“…I’m not lost, but the mascots are blocking the exit gate.”

The plush doll was silent for a moment, as if speechless.

– Huh, hmm. It’s a unique situation, isn’t it?

A pretty human-like reaction.

I briefly summarized the structure of this theme park and what had happened.

Including the teams and zones divided by color, and the out-of-control mascots.

The plush doll lying on the floor folded its arms.

– Hmm. These mascots are really diva-like! Such conspicuously rambunctious beings exist in the broadcasting industry too.

– But one that hasn’t appeared is bothering me.

A mascot that hasn’t appeared?

I reflexively thought.

“…Are you talking about the yellow mascot?”

The last mascot, only mentioned in attractions, with no trace.

– Exactly! The yellow flower, isn’t it? Do you know where he is?

“……!”

Right.

‘Since I found the blue mascot’s zone, the yellow mascot’s zone must be somewhere…!’

If I find that place and go to that gate…

– He must already be dead, though.

……

“Pardon?”

The yellow mascot?

“Isn’t there a space like a botanical garden or greenhouse garden? Because it’s a flower…”

– Oh, Mr. Roe Deer, you probably already know.

The kind voice whispered,

– Didn’t you say it clearly yourself? You said the yellow team also woke up on the outskirts of the blue zone.

“……!”

– If there was a yellow zone, the yellow team would have woken up there. Wasn’t that the promise?

“…That’s right.”

The rule is that you wake up in the zone of the color you get. But the yellow team didn’t.

Because… maybe there really is no yellow zone?

I mulled it over.

And after a moment, I opened my mouth.

“…I realized what I need to do.”

I need to check.

– Oh, what is it? Together…

The plush doll struggled as if trying to get up, but couldn’t balance and fell flat.

– Ahem, Mr. Roe Deer, could you help me get up?

I cautiously approached and gently lifted the ‘Good Friend’ keychain with one hand.

It felt a warmth like body heat.

– It’s hard to maintain your balance. It might take a little time to adjust… but don’t worry. I’m a very capable being!

How dignified.

After pondering, I put the plush doll into the front pocket of my suit.

The plush doll exaggeratedly raised one hand.

– Alright, let’s go! …But, where are we going?

It’s a place that can guide the way.

A place that’s definitely in a large public facility, one of those essential spots.

“It’s the information booth.”

* * *

Of course, there were exploration records noting that the ‘Cheerful Theme Park’ also had information booths. Most typical amusement parks are fully equipped with them.

‘The problem is that they weren’t functioning properly…’

They did inform us of the locations of some nearby attractions.

But when the requests were a bit complicated or required physical items, this happened.

The information mascot raised a ‘Members Only’ sign.

‘It means that having just an admission ticket isn’t enough.’

Although they treated us as customers, it was meant to create a spooky atmosphere by implying that this place wasn’t originally meant for us…

‘Fortunately, I have a membership band on my wrist.’

In fact, as soon as the admission ticket was changed to a membership, I recalled several exploration records related to ‘Members Only’.

Special souvenir shops, restaurants, and separate attraction entrances that allow entry without waiting in line.

But there was a clear reason why I tried to avoid them as much as possible.

‘Because I have to interact with the mascots.’

Because if I interacted with the crazy mascot who closed the gate without any information, I could trigger some horrific outcome…

‘Just thinking about it makes me dizzy.’

But now that I had a monster friend who would act as a crisis alarm, I decided to give it a try.