A.R.E.

CAUTION: This novel is a ChatGPT translation of my novel "アレ".

#10 アレ | 井の頭公園のエルフの物語 - Novel series by るいざ・しゃーろっと - pixiv

Lately, there's a word that's become popular around me. Yes, "are" ("that") one. You might think it's just a demonstrative pronoun, and you're probably right. In terms of grammar, it's nothing more than a word used to indicate something specific. But in this world, there are words with spiritual power. Words that, once spoken, seem to drift away. The word that stands in for them is "are." The "are" being talked about around here refers to the winning of a certain professional baseball team. That team is the Hanshin Tigers. They are a famous club, known for their passionate fan base, especially in the Kansai region. This team has won the Japan Series only once, back in 1985. They make it to the series, but always seem to miss out on the glory. That's the Hanshin Tigers for you. One day, as the word "are" began to buzz around the streets, I heard from a friend dressed in armor that "are" was about to be decided soon. He was the one who organized a jump into the Dotonbori when the Hanshin Tigers clinched the Central League championship. I remember the frenzy of that time. Many people crowded Dotonbori, jumping in one after another. They celebrated by spraying beer on each other, just like the players. That excitement was about to return. Unable to stay put, having canceled my previous engagements, I found myself heading to Dotonbori.

"Louisa-san, long time no see," said the young man in armor, who was the instigator of this event. Apparently, a TV station was coming to cover this festival. Hearing this, I couldn't help but be surprised. I'm not particularly a Hanshin Tigers fan, but I've heard about various unusual incidents related to their victories. People climbing up the moving crab sign, attempting to throw the Kuidaore Taro doll, and ultimately, the Colonel Sanders statue being thrown in and disappearing into the Dotonbori. Since the Colonel disappeared, the Hanshin Tigers haven't been able to shine as Japan's number one. Often, they couldn't even make it to the A-class. Many believed in this "Curse of Colonel Sanders."

"Ah, I came hearing it's going to be a big celebration," I replied, bowing to the young man in armor. While we were talking, a girl with bat wings approached. She was the one who had organized this event in Dotonbori.

"Hello, thank you all for gathering today!" she greeted.

We turned on the radio. It was the top of the ninth inning, and the Tigers were attacking. They were leading by six runs against Orix, a team from the same Kansai region, which had undergone various changes before becoming what it is today, originally being Hankyu and Kintetsu. Although Hankyu and Hanshin are now under the same umbrella, they once each had their own baseball teams. There was even a novel written about a hypothetical Japan Series showdown between Hanshin and Hankyu. In that story, the final game was so intense that Rokanbo-sensei, also known as Kitakita Morio, chanting mysterious spells almost split the world in two. But today, there's no Rokanbo-sensei in the final game, so nothing strange should happen. At least, that's what I wanted to believe.

"Morishita hit it! A timely hit!" The shout from the radio stirred up Dotonbori. Many people had already gathered, sensing the impending celebration.

"Another run... incredible..." the young man in armor marveled. Now it was a seven-run difference.

"Hopefully, Rokanbo-sensei doesn't show up... Oh, it's changing sides..." Hanshin added another run and switched to defense against Orix.

"Just three more outs! Just three more!" Voices could be heard around us. My heart was racing. At the plate was Yuma Tongu. He caught a pitch from the closer Iwasaki. The ball flew into the stands. Orix had scored a run.

"Still six points ahead! We can win this!" Voices echoed around us. Please, Rokanbo-sensei, don't chant any strange spells. As I thought this, it was already two outs. Just one more to go.

"Alright, if we win, let's jump in!" Everyone lined up on the Ebisu Bridge. The radio volume was at its maximum. And then, the final out.

"Hanshin Tigers, congratulations on the victory!" The first to shout was a girl in a black hoodie with cat ears, adorned with the Hanshin Tigers logo. She too was a fan. And she was the first to leap, diving into the Dotonbori.

Following her, I kicked off the railing with all my might and jumped. My body was swallowed by the waters of the Dotonbori. As expected, the river water was cold. Next to me, I could hear the splash of water repeatedly. Many people had jumped into the Dotonbori. This must be catharsis. We climbed out of the river and started spraying each other with the beer that had been prepared. Yes, this was a celebration of victory.

"We did it, V for victory!" The cold beer soaked into my chilled body. We sprayed each other with beer. To be present at such a historic moment was a joy beyond anything else. But suddenly, my vision began to blur and sway. The usual dizziness. My body wouldn't move... And with that, my consciousness faded away.

And then, in the next moment, I found myself staring at a familiar ceiling. Yes, this was my home. In a rush, I turned on the TV and saw the news of the Hanshin Tigers' victory. So, that event was real. Hurriedly, I decided to return to Dotonbori.

There, the celebration had become even more lively. A DJ booth was set up, and the song "Rokko Oroshi" echoed all around. Caught up in the moment, I started singing along.

"Ah, Louisa-san, welcome back!" called an old friend of mine. I tried to approach my friend, but for some reason, my body wouldn't move... It was that illness again. The ground seemed to sway and shake. All I could do was look down.

Amidst this, I spotted a man dressed in white. Yes, it was Colonel Sanders. What a sight! If this continued, the curse would become reality again!

"Stop, please stop!" I tried to rush to the edge of the bridge to prevent the Colonel from jumping into the Dotonbori. But at that moment, my vision started spinning wildly. Losing my balance, I plunged headfirst into the Dotonbori...

"That's why I'm telling you not to come here..." echoed the voice of that man, Dazai Osamu, in my mind. This should be Dotonbori, not the Tamagawa Aqueduct. "It was a close call. If things had continued, you would have met the same fate as me..." Yes, I was standing by the Tamagawa Aqueduct in Inokashira Park. But I was supposed to be in Dotonbori just moments ago...

"...It was really tough, you know. After that, Karin, Kokone, Rusk, and Haolan rushed over to help!" Karin scolded me. "I'm so glad you're safe... We were really worried!" Kokone hugged me. "We had to help you, or you would have drowned..." Rusk also gave me a stern talking-to. "We've prepared some warm stew for you, so let's eat when we get back," Haolan said, apparently having prepared stew out of concern. Tears welled up in my eyes from everyone's warmth. "If I hadn't used the shrinking distance technique, we wouldn't have been able to help... Ah, please say thank you to everyone!" It seems that Karin and the others were able to come to my aid thanks to the Dragon Goddess's technique. "I'm sorry for worrying you... But it was an accident..." Yes, I was supposed to have fallen into Dotonbori trying to stop Colonel Sanders from jumping... My phone, which had somehow survived the plunge into Dotonbori, rang. It was the young man in armor. "Louisa-san, we were so worried! You suddenly jumped off the bridge while shouting 'stop'..."

I couldn't believe his words. Colonel Sanders was supposed to be there... "Colonel Sanders? There was no such person there." Then what was that Colonel Sanders? Could it have been the temptation of 'death' by Dazai Osamu? The whole situation sent chills down my spine. But now, all I could do was be grateful that I was alive. "Thank you. There are mysteries left, but thanks to you, I had a good time..." I conveyed this over the phone, and the young man was surprised. Colonel Sanders wasn't supposed to be there. Despite the mystery of the suddenly appearing Colonel Sanders, I had to be thankful for being alive. "And I'm sorry for causing you worry..." That was all I could say in apology. The young man seemed to understand. After ending the call, I headed home, thinking about Haolan's stew.

A few days later, I could only tremble in fear as I saw myself on the TV screen, but that's a story for another time.