"That concludes our final lesson of the first semester. Try not to go too overboard during the break, everyone."
It was a Monday in late July.
Our homeroom teacher dismissed us after the closing ceremony, marking the official start of summer vacation. Technically, it didn't begin until tomorrow, but since I didn't have any remedial classes and my workload was light, the difference was academic. It had already started for me.
I scanned the slightly cramped classroom. My classmates were already huddling in their respective social circles, frantically hammering out plans for the summer.
"Hey, best pal... what are your plans for the break?"
"...The Dungeon?"
"Hah. That’s exactly what I expected, and it’s exactly why you’re boring."
I had given that answer after a moment’s thought, but Shiki only responded with a heavy, exasperated sigh.
My reasoning was simple. I intended to spend the break diving deep into the Dungeons to find a way back home or, at the very least, some clue regarding Reima’s soul. Was that really such a bad idea?
"I get what you're thinking, but take a break for once," Shiki said. "There’s no point in staying wound this tight forever."
"I mean—a new Mythology Dungeon just appeared, right? I was curious about it."
"The one out at sea, right? Man, why are both of my best friends such 'Dungeon Idiots'? Seriously."
"............I’ll exercise my right to remain silent."
The 'Reima' of this world was apparently a serious Dungeon Idiot. I’d considered denying it, but since my actual behavior wasn't any better, I decided to take the coward’s way out.
"Haaaaah. Seriously, man..."
"What is it, Shiki? What do you want me to do instead?"
"I don't know, maybe just relax and hang out for a change? I’ve made plenty of cash from Dungeon grinding and my shift at the yakitori stand. I want to actually spend some of it, so let me have some fun, okay?"
"............If you put it that way, I guess."
"By the way, since I figured you’d try to back out, we already scheduled the first half of your vacation."
Wait, why?
I didn't say the words out loud, but I shot my 'best friend' a mental glare while he gave me a smug thumbs-up.
Summer vacation at Meikutsu High School was a fairly long stretch, lasting from the end of July until mid-September. If they had already booked half of that time, it meant I’d be spending a massive chunk of the break just messing around. How was it already decided?
"Don't give me that dead-eyed look," Shiki said. "Besides, you’ve been overworking yourself. Give it a rest already."
"Have I?"
"You have. We just finished the inter-school matches, didn't we? Besides, that Mythology Dungeon you’re so interested in is currently being scouted by Yamato-san. You won't get a permit for a while anyway. Just come play."
"Well, if that's the case..."
"Nice, I got your word. Did you hear that, Ayane?"
Why Ayane's name?
A question mark practically manifested over my head at the sudden mention of my childhood friend. Suddenly, a flash of white hair entered my field of vision. When I looked up, I found my 'Childhood Friend-sama' wearing a beaming, radiant smile.
"Yep! The recording is perfect, too."
"Hey, since when were you there?"
"Right around when Shiki started talking."
"...I seriously didn't notice you."
Her accuracy was on par with the stealth-specialized Lycoris. I wondered deep down what the childhood friend of this world was even training for. I let out a defeated sigh and gave my consent.
"Fine, I get it. So, where are we going?"
"The summer festival, the mountains, the sea, an amusement park, and your house."
"Apologize to my house for being put in that lineup. That's a heavy burden for a building."
"It's practically a theme park, isn't it?"
"...I mean, I guess it’s mostly just my hobby stuff."
In the first place, I didn't even know how many people were coming. Given the number of people I knew now, wasn't my place going to be a bit small? The retort was on the tip of my tongue, but seeing my childhood friend and best friend happily coordinating their plans, the words died in my throat.
"Then I have one request," I said. "I want to go to the summer festival. I haven't been to one in a while."
"We were already planning on that, so you're good. Anything else?"
"Nothing in particular. As long as I'm hanging out with everyone, it's fine."
"That’s just like you... well, I guess that works. Ayane, you're okay with that too?"
"Yep, perfect! Leave the planning to me—"
"But no tests of courage. Seriously."
"...Woof."
Why did she just bark like a dog? And was that an agreement?
Ayane made a troubled face and gave a reluctant... reply? I felt a cold prickle of intuition and tried to catch her eye, but she quickly looked away.
"Hey, Reima... this is embarrassing."
"Wait, Ayane. Why did you just hide that pamphlet with the cartoon ghost on it?"
"I wonder why? Isn't it just embarrassing?"
"I'm definitely going to stop you, so hand it over!"
"Heheh. I wonder if you can catch me?"
The moment she said it, Ayane bolted. She expertly wove through the crowd and leaped straight out the window. My head throbbed at her reckless behavior, but I knew if I didn't snatch that pamphlet now, I’d have nowhere to run later. I immediately channeled my magic and gave chase.
"Wait, Ayane! I’m serious, I can’t handle horror!"
"I know! That’s why I picked the extra scary one!"
"Seriously, wait! You—!"
I had hated horror ever since my time in my original world. After coming to this one and encountering actual ghosts—experiencing 'horror' far beyond any fiction—my tolerance hadn't gone up. It had plummeted. My very soul was now incapable of dealing with anything remotely spooky.
"I am not letting you get away!"
If the current me, with a horror tolerance significantly lower than the original Reima’s, actually participated in a test of courage... I would definitely scream my lungs out. I threw myself into this game of tag with the desperation of a man fighting for his life.