That tunnel was kinda creepy, right? I didn’t know HAMA had something like that.

I know this is a “Halloween horror tour,” but I didn’t expect a walking tour to be this scary.

The final spot is… The Haunted House on the Hill! You think it’s actually haunted like everyone says it is?!

Welcome…to the manor of Halloween ghosts.

You’re here for the tour, right? You can take anything you need from the counter!

Aaahhh! W-What’s Nishizono Renga doing here?!

I didn’t know we’d get to meet him!

We have…masks and…capes for you… Please keep them on…until the end…of the tour.

Halloween always brings out super scary ghosts. They might take you away if they figure out you’re a human.

…Huh? Did someone just laugh?

I didn’t hear anything…

I-If you get too scared, you can always come back. Don’t push yourselves too hard.

Have…fun…

Step into the mansion, now. The Halloween Horror Tour starts here. ♪

Master, let us prepare.

Okay! Gotcha.

Your idea to make the staff wear the same costumes as the guests was really good, Kinari-kun.

This way, the guests don’t have to prepare their own costumes, and the staff can sneak into the crowd…

To align with the “dark Halloween” concept, I wanted to supply the guests with not only a horror experience, but a costume experience as well. I am happy that you like it, Master.

(I was a little worried about this tour plan at first, but…)

(We got lucky enough to get the perfect venue for it… I guess I can never say for sure how things will turn out.)

…Oh, is this the next room?

Let’s go in.

…Alright, let’s give them a good scare.

Yes, Master. I will do my best to increase the guests’ satisfaction levels.

Woah! Dad, look! The plates are flying!

It’s like a poltergeist is controlling them…! They’re not holograms either. Tourist attractions have been getting really impressive lately.

Huh? Woah! My wine glass keeps refilling on its own!

……

Kuguri-san’s in charge of this room, right? How’s he doing that…?

I was also curious, so I asked, but he did not tell me. Kuguri always keeps his secrets.

Is it all happening for real without any tricks…? Nah, there’s no way. No way.

I will also fulfill my task, Master.

Oh, okay! Sounds good. You should show them your signature move!

Welcome to the haunted house, ladies and gentlemen. I will begin by removing my arm…

Ooh! They’re doing dismemberment tricks too! This is starting to feel like a whole magic show!

Kuguri-san, good work today! The last day went by in the blink of an eye.

It looks like all of the guests have gone home. I’m exhausted. I need to rest for at least a month after this.

Ah… All of Mr. Lamb’s ghost friends seemed to have passed on.

…I see. I suppose having the chance to play with the guests alongside us left them satisfied.

Hehe, I think so too. They looked like they were having lots of fun.

Anyway, Brother Dearest will be picking me up soon, so I should head out. Kuguri-san⁠—

!

(A piano… And it’s playing his music.)

(His final capriccio. Unrestrained like Satie was, but far too raucous to perform alone.)

…Goodness me. You’re a clingy one, aren’t you? You have some nerve to detain me.

I’ll stay for a bit longer. After all, there’s a poor lamb who’s throwing a tantrum about not wanting to leave yet.

Okay… I think you’ll be fine, but stay safe.

You were playing by yourself in here? All of your friends have already left.

Meow?

Hah… You may be good at begging, but I won’t let you listen to my playing that easily.

But… I’ll give you some special treatment, my little crybaby.

…Hm?

(Someone is humming. This vocal tone… After comparing it with my data, I assume it is Kuguri.)

……

♪

Mraoow…

Satisfied now?

Myaow! Myah! Meeoow. ♪

…Kuguri.

Hello there, plüss.

Mew.

…Noir has left. Did I interrupt you?

No worries. We’ve settled everything.

I see.

…I heard you humming earlier. What was that?

…What kind of song do you think it was?

…What kind? Are you asking for my thoughts on it?

I am.

The melody was in a minor key, and it was disorganized, yet light. I sensed that the composer felt very strongly while writing it.

And what did he feel?

…It is very difficult for me to express. The closest word in my database would be…

Longing.

Longing… You’re quite the sensitive little poet, plüss.

Instead of saying “loneliness” or “sadness,” you chose to say “longing.”

…I do not believe I felt loneliness or sadness.

Interesting.

……

Kuguri, is there anyone you would like to meet again? Even as a ghost?

(…Hah. He’s being especially nostalgic today.)

If I could, I would like to meet my developer again.

…He was your creator, right?

Yes.

They said in the movie that Halloween is the day ghosts come to visit us.

I wonder when my developer… When my father will come to visit me. I wonder if I will be able to talk to him again.

You’re like a child who still believes in fairy tales.

My age is set to be 18.

…Children still have the privilege to dream. You should do as you wish, plüss.