I enter the mansion and sit on a chair by the entrance.
There are chairs around a table, but they’re being used for the first time now.
The guy sits in front of me, and I take tea out of the Storage Space.
He looks surprised like he’s wondering where I got it, but after taking a sip, he exhales and asks something.
“So, what is this place?”
What is it? Somewhere in the dungeon.
“Ah, I worded that poorly. I know it’s the dungeon, but what floor?”
Dunno.
“Ah?”
I said I dunno. Someone else who came here called it The Abyss, but I don’t know what floor it is.
“…I see. Then how did you get here?”
Hm, I was attacked, fell into the darkness, and ended up here. What about you?
“Same. I fell into the darkness saving my friends.”
…I see, sounds rough.
“Ah, I thought I was done for. There was something with wings where I fell, a huge wolf… That’s right! Them! Hey, my friends…? …?”
Hn? What is it? Your words aren’t getting out.
“That’s weird. When I tried to say their names, my voice wouldn’t come out.”
Ah? What are you on about? You’re speaking normally. Are you just masking the fact that you don’t remember their names?
“Of course not! I actually can’t call them out!!”
“Kyuih!!”
Ou, sorry. We’re being noisy, we’ll keep it down. So, what’s your name?
Hinata angrily reacts to the guy’s loud voice.
It wants to read manga in peace and doesn’t like noise nearby. Go read in your room then. It’s not like you need to lay down on the carpet in the entrance.
Leaving that aside, I realize I haven’t heard his name yet. And I haven’t said mine. Normally that would come first, but we went right into talking.
It’s a little awkward, but I’ll ask him.
“Ah? Ah, I haven’t said my name. I’m…!?”
What?
“I really can’t say names! What is this? Are you doing this!?”
What are you on about? Just introduce yourself. My name is…!? …! …!! Really!? I can’t say it!?
“I told you? What happened? A status condition attack!?”
Wow, what is this? … … … I can’t call their names.
Fuuma approaches.
What, you want candy? No?
What, you can’t call out names either?
Try saying mine.
“Hihin.”
You can.
“You understand horse!? That’s amazing!”
It’s passion, passion. I can understand the heart. Wait, I have my ID.
I try to take My Number Card from the Storage Space, but for some reason, can’t. I frown and try to get my driver’s license, but can’t do that either. And the same goes for my insurance card.
What is going on?
Sorry, nothing’s coming out. Is this really someone’s attack?
“You said there was someone here before. How was it then? Could you say your names to each other?”
Hn? I know. The name was written in a notebook.
“Then can we just write them?”
Ooh! You’re smart. Write it here then.
I hand him a pen and paper. If this doesn’t work, I think we’re out of ways to know each other’s names.
He takes the paper and ballpoint pen, and stares at the pen. He looks at it from different angles, and says something shocking.
“How do I use this?”
Ah? It’s a ball point pen. Just press it on the paper.
I take another pen, click it, and draw a circle. The man is surprised that people use something like this nowadays.
Wait, nowadays? What do you use to write?
“Hn? A pencil or a fountain pen.”
That’s not normal. I haven’t used pencils since grade school. And I’ve never touched a fountain pen.
Whatever, to each his own. Just write already, or we’re getting nowhere.
“Ah… Kuh, I can’t. I can’t write.”
Ahh, he sighs as he rolls the pen.
I try to write my name, but I can’t write the first line.
It’s no good, what’s going on?
Wai… Try to write yours.
I call Fuuma, who grabs the pen with its mouth and skillfully writes. It’s like an earthworm crawled on the paper, and barely legible.
See, that’s its name.
“I can’t read it! Don’t lump me with you! I can’t read what a horse writes!”
The guy bangs the table.
Seeing him desperate makes me happy somehow. But enough jokes, let’s get on with it.
Names don’t matter now. I’ll call you Nanashi, and you call me what you want.
“Okay. I’ll call you John Doe.”
You…!? Can’t you come up with something better!? Just because Nanashi means anonymous!? Think a little more!
“You said it could be anything, so you’re John Doe. I’m Nanashi, you’re John Doe. Who cares, they’re nicknames.”
…Kuh! Okay, I guess it doesn’t matter. Getting back on track, your friends. I looked around when I found you, but found nothing that could be a person.
“I see, then there’s a good chance they’re alive. Great. Now it’s up to me to go back.”
Go back…
“Yes. Please John Doe, tell me how to get back up! They might be in danger if I don’t hurry.”
I told you, I fell like you. I’m also looking for a way back. I don’t know where to go either.
“I see. Dammit! I should’ve been more careful!”
Ah, that’s not all the bad news.
Nanashi slowly raises his head when I say that. It’s like he’s shocked that there’s more.
It really pains me, but I have to tell him.
Hum, I can’t get out of this forest.
Nanashi’s face is painted with despair.
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