V4: Chapter 35: A Shock! Shirayuri Village, Full of Rules... or So It Seems?

Chapter 35: A Shock! Shirayuri Village, Full of Rules... or So It Seems?

After finishing a lavish breakfast, we were being driven around in a sleek, black luxury car.

When breakfast is a buffet, it's easy to get confused about how much to eat. It would be tough to eat too much before getting in the car.

"The beach was fun, but... I think there's something essential to summer." (Shizuku)

"Summer festivals?" (Amane)

"We had shaved ice and watermelon at the beach huts... maybe BBQ?" (Chinatsu)

"Fireworks are also a possibility." (Chloe)

Certainly, the things they just mentioned are certainly representative summer traditions. But even so... there's something that defines Japanese summer for me.

"Yes, that's certainly an option, but... when you think of summer, you think of horror, right?" (Shizuku)

"Huh?! You mean... something scary?!" (Amane)

"It doesn't bother me, but..." (Chloe)

Chloe looked out the window, puzzled. Her question was certainly valid. The sun was shining brightly in the sky; it was a little too early... or rather, too late for a test of courage.

"It's 9 AM now. Isn't that something you do at night?" (Chloe)

"Hehe, leave it to me. After all, the place we're going this time is... here!" (Shizuku)

The destination indicated on the map app was a seemingly unremarkable village nestled in the mountains.

The village, called Shirayuri Village, was a typical rural village with beautiful nature. But if that were all, it wouldn't be chosen as a travel destination. The reason is…

"It's a village of old customs, after all... with strange rumors lingering there for ages!"

"I thought it was unusual to have a village on a tourist route, but… so that's what it was."

A village of old customs.

It's a general term for villages where old customs and legends remain deeply rooted in daily life. Shirayuri Village, where we're going now, is no exception, and it seems there are such legends… or so it seems.

★

Summer in the Japanese countryside… that scene of listening to wind chimes on a veranda is something you rarely experience living in urban areas of Tokyo. A village of old customs, where you can enjoy both together, was perfect for our purpose this time.

"I hear that a lot of tourists go missing there, I don't know whether it's true or not though?" (Shizuku)

"Eeek! Don't scare me!" (Amane)

Well, 90% of ghost stories on social media are lies anyway. They're probably just exaggerating stories like getting lost in the mountains for fun.

Decades ago, the appearance of an External Enemy replaced the fear of unseen supernatural beings with a more immediate "external threat."

While not entirely gone, stories of supernatural beings in ghost stories have almost completely disappeared.

Now, threats like, "If you stay up late, the External Enemy will come and eat you," are even used in parenting. Well, some of them do look like supernatural beings...

"Hey...." (Shizuku)

"What is it, Shizuku-nee-san? Bell is just the same as always!" (Amane)

"Why are you transformed?" (Shizuku)

"Huh? I'm not scared at all!" (Amane)

Amane had transformed into a Magical Girl Tinkerbell without anyone noticing.

It was a classic case of giving herself away, but is that really okay...? She even skillfully switched personalities; I never thought she was so afraid of scary things.

★

After driving up the mountain road for a while, we finally arrived at our destination, Shirayuri Village.

Even though it's an old village, I was relieved to see that there were roads. The surrounding area is rich in nature, and there are houses offering homestays, so there seems to be a fair amount of coming and going for a village of this size. It was indeed lush and green, and the air was clean. But...

"I'm... carsick." (Chinatsu)

"Really? Are you okay?" (Shizuku)

"Really, I'm... mostly okay. But I'll feel better in a little while... I think." (Chinatsu)

She was leaning back in her chair with a groggy face, and she didn't seem to have much energy left. As a Magical Girl, her vestibular system should be strong by now... but, as far as I can remember, I've never seen her fight as Squire. The mountain road must have been tough on her, given her somewhat reclusive nature.

"I'll go find a shop where we can use the restroom, okay?" (Shizuku)

"Yes, I'm fine... but thank you." (Chinatsu)

I left Chinatsu-chan with the driver and stepped out of the car. Walking along the paved path beside the pleasant river that runs through the middle of the village... it seemed the village was noisy. The voices seemed to be coming from the largest building in the area, but I couldn't quite make out what they were saying.

"—what have you done!"

"You don't understand anything!"

Two men's voices seemed to be arguing about something... and their voices were growing more intense. A large man burst out of the building, opening the front door, glanced at me, and his brow furrowed even further.

"You are... are you outsider? What business do young people like you have in this rural area...?"

"I heard the nature was beautiful, so me and my friends came sightseeing... the river is really beautiful."

"Hmm, is that so... make sure you all get back before it gets dark."

The young man, who gave off an exclusive impression, strode off somewhere.

Get back before dark... that was the plan all along, but with such emphasis, I couldn't help but feel there was something more to it. But for now, I needed to find a place where I could use the restroom...

"Wait, Sadamu... oh, are you guests? It's wonderful you've come all the way here, welcome!"

"Ah, thank you. My companion doesn't seem to be feeling well... is there anywhere we can use the restroom?"

"That's terrible! Please, by all means, use ours! Oh, I apologize for not introducing myself sooner. I am Michiyama Kasuga, the chief of this village."

In stark contrast to the man we'd just met, we were fortunate enough to be invited in by the friendly-looking village chief. Chinatsu, looking somewhat better than before, and Amane, appearing more relaxed than before, entered the house still as Tinkerbell.

The house was of a typical design, larger than the others as befitting the village chief's home, but... there wasn't anything particularly strange or overly luxurious on display. Amidst this, he exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Tinkerbell.

"A Magical Girl..."

"Is something the matter?"

"No... no, I have a granddaughter about that age myself."

We were led into a tatami room that seemed to be a reception room. The beautiful river visible from the veranda window was a trademark of this village, and the spring upstream was said to be so pure that people would go out of their way to draw water from it.

"Let me serve you some tea now."

"Oh, no, we're sorry for the bother..."

"I'm just doing it because I want to, so please don't worry about it."

"If that's the case, I'll gratefully accept!"

The village chief disappeared down the corridor. He was surprisingly kind, even to us tourists. I wonder if Magical Girls are rare here? He didn't seem to dislike us, as I didn't see any ill will.

"Seeing you in being formal and polite feels... strange. It makes my back itch." (Chloe)

"Isn't that harsh much?!" (Shizuku)

"Your appearance is completely different from how you usually are, at school, and outside." (Chloe)

I'm the kind of person who can play a few different characters to raise my own profile. As we were chatting about such trivial things, feeling bored, I saw a girl in a pretty floral kimono walking down the corridor.

Perhaps his granddaughter was visiting her family for summer vacation.　

"Ara~...?"

"What's wrong, Lux?"

"That child just now..."

"Sorry to keep you waiting."　

The village chief brought tea and sweets; the selection was the kind you'd expect to find when visiting your grandfather's house.

"Your grandchild is so cute."

"Isn't he? His name is Harunobu."

"Harunobo... Eh, Harunobu?!"

No matter how you look at it, it was a boy's name. It's possible he has a unique way of naming children, but there's also a possibility he has two grandchildren...

"In our village, we dress boys of marriageable age in girls' clothes. For Shirayu... for Shirayuri-sama."

A custom reminiscent of an old-fashioned village has arrived...! Could there really be a village with such a custom in modern times?

But rather than horror, it felt more like a setting you'd find in some kind of erotic game.

This is a lewd custom...

"How long has Shirayuri-sama been here?"

"I've heard it's been about 100 years... but that's enough about Shirayuri-sama. Please have some sweets if you like."

"Wow, Bell love sweet! ♡"

The conversation was cut off a little unnaturally, probably because it wasn't something to tell an outsider.

This area is also very typical of a village with such customs. Also, I wish Amane-chan would come back soon. Where did all that charisma from her first appearance go?

★

The conversation was lively, and we were told about recommended tourist spots and local specialties... and then Chinatsu-chan returned from the restroom. Her complexion was the same as usual; it seemed the hangover medicine had worked. I was relieved, but then... a piercing scream was heard from outside.

"What in the world...?" (Shizuku)

"Just look out the window... what is this?" (Chloe)

The sky had become cloudy without me noticing, and the beautiful... no, the beautiful river flowing beneath it was now stained bright red. A blood-red red.

"It's Shirayuri-sama... Shirayuri-sama is angry...!"

The young man I'd met when I entered the house rushed in from the entrance, looking flustered. He must have run all the way here, breathing heavily, and raised his voice... saying:

"Hah, it's a creepy village, isn't it... that's why I told you, don't go near a village like this...!"

"Sadamune... you, we have a guest!"

The atmosphere was truly volatile, and the unnatural red color continued to stain the river. It was no longer a place to leisurely enjoy tea... we'd probably just be a nuisance staying here. The overcast sky was starting to feel strangely eerie.

Thinking about that... no, come to think of it, I glanced at Chinatsu-chan, wondering if she knew anything. She nodded slightly, cleared her throat, and began to speak haltingly.

"Yes, the river turned red because of the village chief's son. He wanted to get rid of us from the village quickly, so he stained the river, which he heard was our target, with red paint to scare us. He was worried about our safety, you see."

The young man froze, his face horrified.

I felt like I'd been hit with a huge spoiler.

Isn't this the kind of thing you're supposed to uncover little by little by questioning the villagers and gathering evidence?

And what exactly did she mean by "worrying about our safety"...

"The rumors about missing tourists seem to be true. It's the village chief's doing. He's offering sacrifices to a monster calling itself Shirayuri-sama. That means..."

Now the village chief freezes in shock. Judging by his reaction, he must have not expected it.

And the story is getting increasingly suspicious. That rough-looking, scary guy was actually on our side, playing the villain to help us escape this village...? In horror games, you only realize that after they're gone.

"And this is probably an External Enemy. That means—" (Chinatsu)

This is Squire's opinion, based on reading the village chief's memories, so it must be correct. In short, what we've learned is that this is likely to develop into a somewhat troublesome situation, and...

"—It's a Magical Girl's job." (Shizuku)

...and that mysteries and horror are a terrible match for us.