Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 187.2
Ah.
I looked around the room.
As you’d expect from a cheap motel behind a train station, it was a, um, rundown place…
– Has my body really been leaning against this filthy wall? Gracious!
“It’s not dirty. I cleaned it thoroughly before the summoning ritual… It’s just old, that’s all.”
It only looked dirtier because of the floral pattern!
But it wasn’t enough to convince the talk show host.
– ‘Just old’? No, this is an insult to the very concept of housing. My friend is staying in a place worse than a trailer where even third-rate actors wouldn’t stay!
– Whatever happened to the humble haven you used to have, Mr. Roe Deer?
“That’s… um. My work changed, so I can’t stay there anymore.”– What a terrible company!
Well…
In truth, Director Ho suggested I get an officetel for the sake of stability in my spy activities and clear proof of identity.
He even said the company would cover the cost.
But I refused.
How should I put it… I just didn’t want to create something here that I’d end up calling ‘home’.
The company-provided dorm felt less personal since it was clearly provided by the company, but if I made a place that was truly mine, I felt like my guard might drop.
“It’s actually not so bad here. I’ll make sure your spot is well taken care of.”
– My heavens…
– Friend, I supported your independent and autonomous choices, even cheered you on to resignation. But to think you had to stay in a place like this.
The plushie spoke in a mournful voice.
– Please remember that Braun’s Talk Show is always wide open for you, even now, Friend. Though, these days, you might need to go through a light interview first…
“Mr. Roe Deer, is this stuffed toy currently tempting you with a talk show-style Darkness?”
“No, well, that’s always the case…”
……
……?!
I turned to look at the lizard.
The guy with that white lizard head, who was sitting on the bed, was looking at me nonchalantly.
Nonchalantly?!
“You can you hear this?!”
“Yes.”
I nearly fainted on the spot.
Wait a minute. Does that mean he’s been hearing our conversations this whole time? Even when I entrusted Braun to Section Chief Lee Jaheon and went into the ghost story… no, even more than that!
“U-Usually, with this item’s characteristics, only I should be able to hear him. How on earth are you able to hear him…?”
“? The other party is expressing intent to communicate.”
I stared at him, mouth agape.
“…Ordinary humans shouldn’t be able to hear him.”
“Yes.”
“To other people, it would look suspicious.”
“That is correct.”
The lizard just stared blankly at me, as if asking what I expected him to do.
“There is no one else in this space.”
“……”
I gave up on everything.
Come to think of it, Section Chief Lee Jaheon recognized me even when I was turned into a child, or when I wore the Security Team suit, or even when I put on the mascot costume.
‘Is he specialized in mental identification or communication…?’
It’s probably better to just chalk it up to the abilities of a reptilian alien.
That’s just easier…
“Mr. Roe Deer.”
“Yes.”
“Would you like some advice?”
“…Pardon?”
“Burn the doll immediately.”
– Oh.
Aaaack.
“The summoning ritual was carried out in accordance with safety procedures, but the summoned entity appears to have the potential to break free of the ritual’s restraints at any given time.”
– This rude brute still doesn’t know moderation.
Ah, please.
– If you’re present somewhere you weren’t invited, you should at least observe the unspoken rule of keeping your mouth shut. To prattle on so ignorantly! Unbelievable, but out of respect for my friend, I’ll say a few words.
– I am an existence that respects my friend’s privacy and is ready to help with anything for my friend. Because…
– I’m a Good Friend!
“When you placed your trust in those restraints, Mr. Roe Deer, you went missing for a month. Do not forget that.”
– Oh, that was simply an expression of my affectionate heart, worrying over my friend’s well-being. Thanks to that, Mr. Roe Deer, you were able to spend a month in the safest, happiest, most secure workplace for both body and mind… At least, until you dared to set your dirty feet in the great studio.
“Threats are being made.”
“W-Wait a second.”
In any case, since we’re under contract, as long as I exist in this ghost story world, there’s no way out, so there’s no need for things to get ugly…!
“I told you I was determined to resign, and in the end you were persuaded and let me go, right?”
– Of course!
“What logic did you use to persuade him?”
That was…
“…I said I’d show him something more interesting.”
– Ah, that’s right. I was truly curious about the outcome of that promise…
– Of course, even if it turns out not to be interesting, this Good Friend will always protect you. Enjoying my friend’s suffering is not what a Good Friend does!
“……”
What a peculiar way of speaking.
Come to think of it, this plushie-version of Braun is using language that feels much friendlier and more supportive, much more like he’s on my side than when we spoke in the theme park.
Just like in the past.
‘Now that he’s been summoned into the Good Friend plush, is he bound by that rule again…?’
But unlike before, I could now be sure.
The other party is treating the Good Friend’s restraint as a form of amusement.
Even though the restraint no longer served a purpose, he’s acting this way out of a sort of nostalgia and willingness to play along… or something along those lines.
If things get boring, he might just break through the restraint and drag me back to work as a staff member at his talk show.
‘…Thanks to Chief Lizard, I’ve become more vigilant.’
If I’m not careful, I could get swept up in the mood and become too attached to this Good Friend.
Right. I shouldn’t take everything this ‘Good Friend’ says at face value.
I have to prevent a repeat of what happened last time.
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