NOVEL NEXT Chapter 298: [Spooky Baby]
《Iroha-chan, look! Look at this! Isn't it amazing!?》
《Oh~ it really is.》
Time goes back a bit.
After leaving the apartment, we got into Papa-san’s car and came to a nearby residential area.
There seem to be many houses with their lights on around here.
Also, many houses have elaborate Halloween decorations in their yards.
《Wow~. It really sets the mood… wait, huh!? Kyaaahhhhh!?》
The moment I saw it, I couldn't help but scream.
Right next to the path we were walking on, in a house’s yard.
There lay a half-decomposed corpse.Suddenly, the dense smell of blood wafted… huh? It's not coming?
《"Hyah!?" C-Calm down, Iroha. That’s just a prop!》
《Huh? A fake?… Wow, it really is!?》
It was so realistic that I mistook it for the real thing.
The Halloween decorations here are way too convincing!
《Phew, that's a relief! Seriously, I was really scared!》
《Haha. It's your first Halloween here, Iroha. By the way, in times like this, you say "spooky".》
《"Spooky", got it.》
Seriously, give me a break.
I’m usually fine with anything unrelated to ghosts… or rather, VTubers, but I really can’t handle corpses.
Especially since I’ve seen my own corpse.
I’d like to know if there’s anyone who wouldn’t be traumatized by that.
《Phew. But, good thing it was fake. I mean, wow!? S-Sorry, Ogu! When did I cling to you!?》
《Uh, oh, um!? Don’t worry about it!》
Unconsciously, I had clung tightly to Angu Ogu.
Now that I think about it, she did let out a strange noise because of me. I tried to quickly pull away…
《I-It’s fine. I mean, if you’re scared, you can stay like that.》
《Uh, well.》
《Oh, no!? If you don’t want to, that’s fine too!?》
《Then, um… I’ll take you up on your offer─》
《Ahhhh! Iroha-chan and Ogu-chan are flirting!》
We both jumped and quickly separated.
When I glanced sideways, Angu Ogu's face was bright red. I’m sure mine was too.
《It’s not what it looks like, Daughter-chan!? That wasn’t like that at all!》
《Yeah! We’re not like that!?》
《I want to be friends too!》
Daughter-chan grabbed both of our hands.
…Sorry. Our minds were in the gutter.
《Well, how about we walk together then?》
《Yeah!》
With Daughter-chan in the middle, the three of us walked hand in hand.
More precisely, it felt like Daughter-chan was pulling me and Angu Ogu along.
《Iroha-chan, Ogu-chan, hurry up or the candies will be gone!》
《《Haha…》》
Angu Ogu and I looked at each other and laughed.
Papa-san watched us with a mix of amusement and affection.
And the Secret Service, quietly trailing us, were also watching.
What a layered setup.
And, Secret Service.
I can read your lips. I can see you laughing and saying, "Aww, cute!"
《Phew. But, I wanted to watch my favorite stream live.》
《Still saying that? Give it up. Or are you going to leave Daughter-chan and go back?》
《Ugh!? N-No, I can't do that bu～》
It's better to watch the archive later without guilt than to watch live while feeling bad.
Experience has taught me that this way, I can enjoy the stream more.
《But still～》
《Well, just enjoy Halloween as much as you can. Come on.》
《Iroha-chan, Ogu-chan! We’re here!》
We arrived at the front door of a house.
Pumpkin lamps and other decorations were set up, all ready to welcome us.
《Alright, since I’m the “big sister,” Iroha-chan and Ogu-chan can go first!》
《《Huh!?》》
《Come on, hurry up!》
Daughter-chan let go of our hands. In that instant, a battle broke out between me and Angu Ogu.
We glared at each other, trying to outmaneuver the other.
《Ogu, you go first!》
《No! You go first, Iroha!》
Angu Ogu slipped around to my back.
When she touched my exposed skin, I involuntarily let out a "Hyah!"
《Hey, don’t touch weird places! Also… mmph~ I said you go first, Ogu!》
《I’m the older one here, so I’ll let you go first! Besides, childhood embarrassing moments are cute! But, adult embarrassing moments stay forever! So you go first!》
We pushed against each other… but in the end, I was the one who stepped forward.
Damn it. The moment it became a physical struggle, my defeat was sealed.
《Alright, just accept it.》
《Ugh. Fine.》
Suppressing my embarrassment, I rang the doorbell.
The door opened with a creak…
《Trick or Treat! Give me candy, or I’ll play a trick on you!》
I shouted with my hands up, feeling my face burning.
Peeking with one eye open, I saw the person who came out.
《Oh my, what a cute little monster we have here》
An American lady looked at me with a sweet smile.
So embarrassing~~~~!?
《Here you go, sweetie. Happy Halloween. Take as much as you want》
《Uh, th-thank you. Ha, haha…》
I actually got some candy. Even though I’m already an adult.
I felt like I had lost something precious.
《Hahaha! Iroha, you were… so cute!》
《You jerk!》
《Alright, next is Ogu-chan’s turn!》
《…Ah》
I turned a mocking gaze toward Angu Ogu.
You laughed at me, so get ready. I’ll watch closely!