Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work

The Blue Mascot.

A bizarre being who turned my ride ticket into a membership card. They even treated me as a missing person and put out a wanted notice after I escaped through the gate.

The more I remember, the more that cute Blue Dragon exterior feels unsettling…

Strangely friendly.

Just seeing them now brings a sense of calm.

I walked up right to the gate and waved my hand at the flustered Blue Mascot.

Perhaps realizing once again that we couldn’t cross into each other’s zones, the Blue Mascot looked a little downcast, but soon enthusiastically waved back.

Some visitors nearby smiled as they watched the two mascots waving at each other across the gate.

G o o d C h i l d

C a m e T o S e e Y o u

And then I realized something odd.

‘I can… hear them more clearly.’

It’s like… Beyond the short phrases unique to mascots, I can also hear a deep, grand voice like the one I once heard before.

But unlike that time, there’s no crushing pressure that makes me cough up blood.

It just transmits a pure will, as if imbued within the words.

Maybe because we’re both mascots?

Right now, the Blue Mascot’s short words seem to carry both: ‘You finally came to see me’ and ‘I’m really happy and thankful that you came to meet me like this’.

So mascots can communicate this richly with each other, huh.

‘If that’s the case… the visitors around us probably don’t understand these meanings.’

It means we can communicate more directly.

!

I’m basically asking: Why did you invite me here, saying we’d have fun at the theme park, only for me to end up having to work even in this place?

Hearing that, the Blue Mascot fidgets anxiously and answers,

W e C a n P l a y

…!

L e t ’ s M a k e

O u r O w n Z o n e

…What?

Then the Blue Mascot shows me some kind of vision.

‘…!’

Creating a shared zone between the Yellow Zone and the Blue Zone.

‘Ah!’

That’s it! My third facility can be made from this!

That way, we can spend time together.

Then I’ll be able to cross into the Blue Zone! And the Blue Dragon can come to the Yellow Zone too!

Guests will have twice as many rules to follow, but it’ll be twice as fun!

And since our rules won’t be in conflict, it’s definitely possible.

We can cheerfully enjoy each other’s theme parks together, spending eternity in this marvelous Cheerful Theme Park, happy and cheerful and happy and cheerful and happy and cheerful and happy and cheerful and happy and cheerful and happy and cheerful and happy and cheerful and happy and cheerful and happy and cheerf—

‘…!’

I bit my tongue.

…Barely, I managed to pull myself out of that vision…

‘I almost… just went along with it.’

It feels like the Blue Mascot’s will is contaminating me. Not good.

Even without malice, it’s dangerous.

‘Trying to do more right now would be suicide.’

I waved my hand, speaking to calm the Blue Mascot.

Like, what if I just quit being a mascot and cross over into the Blue Zone as a guest instead?

But the Blue Mascot sadly hangs their head.

N o

……

T h e r e H a s T o B e

M a s c o t

There must always be a mascot in an active theme park zone.

So I can’t just quit being a mascot on a whim.

‘I knew it.’

I figured it’d be something like this.

Still, if I forced my way out, the consequence would be…

G o o d C h i l d

D i s a p p e a r

‘……!!’

This Yellow Mascot would remain as is.

But the me that’s not a mascot… would separate from the mascot and disappear.

If I’d already become deeply fused with the mascot’s identity, all of my self and power would be sucked into the mascot, leaving not even ‘discarded scraps’ behind…

‘No!’

It’s only the fourth day. I… I haven’t been assimilated with the mascot to that extent yet!

I haven’t lost myself to the point that quitting as mascot would make my very existence disappear!

I know who I am. I’m fine.

The me who isn’t the mascot can leave!

‘……Huu.’

With trembling hands, I barely managed to grab onto the gate and lean against it.

A swirling mix of wanting to tear off this mascot costume right now because of the creepiness, a resistance to the question of whether I actually could take it off, and the comfort and security provided by its softness and coziness.

I

P r o t e c t

G o o d C h i l d

The blue mascot speaks, fidgeting anxiously.

It wasn’t the Blue Dragon’s intention for me to become the resort’s mascot, but even about that, it’s as if they’re saying they could offer full help and advice.

They seem to be giving their wholehearted support.

And then, from somewhere, other blue mascots start running to the gate all at once.

They each have an envelope in their hands.

They gently toss the envelopes over the gate, and I catch one successfully.

Visitors nearby clap as if they’re watching something entertaining.

Inside the envelope, which I opened a little—

‘Cheerful Coins…!’

Inside were a hundred blue and red coins.

It seemed like the blue mascot was settling accounts for the accommodation event they held on their own. But, wait…

I t ’ s O k a y

The blue mascot looks a bit triumphant.

I H e l p

G o o d C h i l d

Good grief.

But it seems that a mascot who has run their own area successfully for a long time becomes rich. It doesn’t look like they’re overexerting themself, so I’ll just accept these for now.

I can invest these in the resort. No, no! I might need them for something else!

‘…Get it together.’

I tucked the envelope into the pocket at my mascot belly and pulled myself together.

‘I need to hurry.’

As soon as I open the third facility, I need to get my ticket stamped, quit being a mascot, and escape.

‘I can’t take it anymore.’

Hurry up and recruit additional staff, then hold the mascot ceremony.

The plan hasn’t changed. Just do it as is.

And my instincts as a mascot were telling me I should return to the resort soon.

If I leave my post too long during operating hours, that’s neglect.

I should quickly ask the Blue Dragon what I need and go.