Good Friend.
The preparations for the summoning ritual were already complete.
No more of that tearful act from before, like using a substitute for a substitute at the theme park resort, making do with what little I had.
This time, I had prepared everything exactly as I had when I first performed the Good Friend summoning ritual.
A necktie, a Silver Serpent Coin, and… most importantly, a plushie from the theme park gift shop.
I picked up the stuffed toy.
This plush, fuzzy toy was, surprisingly… keyring-sized, and a pink bunny!
How did I end up with a bunny instead of a yellow-horned cat, even though I got it from the gift shop in the yellow zone?
Simple.
‘With a mascot’s authority, I set up a special sales booth.’ [DIY Plushie]
That’s right, a custom-made Good Friend.
Thus, I succeeded in acquiring an original Good Friend that looked nearly identical to the ‘Good Friend Keyring’ I had gotten from the Real Merch Box, except it didn’t have any of the keyring hardware attached.
Now, I just have to avoid thinking about what the raw materials for this stuffed toy are…
It’s all fine.
But, but…
“……”
“……”
I can feel one pointed stare.
“Um… If I just follow the instructions written here… I can proceed with the summoning ritual.”
“Yes.”
The lizard’s unblinking eyes were unnerving……
But Section Chief Lee Jaheon didn’t look away or seem inclined to compromise, so in the end, I conducted the ritual as he checked the manual.
‘It didn’t specifically say the ritual had to be done alone, but…’
Somehow, rather than tense, I just kept sighing as I went through the motions.
This time, I drew the lines to the right size and placed Good Friend’s small body in the center, then added the Silver Serpent Coin and performed the ritual exactly as before.
‘The necktie is also… same product as before.’
Salt in my mouth.
Burn the necktie with a lighter.
Ssshhh.
…I’m reminded of the first time I tried this.
Before I was desperately looking for an escape route after being suddenly trapped in a ghost story. Back when I was less scared and less resigned than I am now.
And, I recalled the being that answered that ritual.
Flicker, flicker.
The necktie burns and the flames flicker. In that flickering light, the shadow of the stuffed toy sways as if it’s moving.
And then…
The doll’s mouth opens.
– AAAAAAGH!
……
Huh?
– Stop! STOP! I got here firs Forgivemedearpassenger TherearetoomanyIsee O you who knows honor Teacher, sir?Aconsultationlikethisis Rockpaperscissors YoucalledformesoI Worthlessbeings BEGONE! Sangun-nim is descen aaaAAAAAAGH!
The tiny doll jerks and writhes as if countless things are crammed inside it. But soon…
– Oh.
It stops.
– Ooooo the great Master of the Stage has arrived!
It is a chorus.
Like someone already holding all the authority, rousing the audience’s applause.
– He’s here! He’s here! He has returned! He has come to see you! He has come to see you—— that person!
The doll raises both hands high.
And then…
He speaks in a cheerful voice, child-like in his enthusiasm.
– Wow! My friend called me again!
“……!”
In the next moment.
Everything disappeared.
The hexagram drawn with moisture, the necktie I had been holding, the coin, even the salt in my mouth.
As if it had all been that way from the start.
All that remained was the doll, left alone on the motel floor.
This fuzzy stuffed toy.
“…Braun?”
But there was no response.
I almost panicked for a moment, but quickly realized what was happening.
‘The Good Friend originally only moves and talkes inside ghost stories!’
And this is reality. Unless the plushie is reinforced with the Bloodbathtub, certain conditions are required. So…
‘Prepare for conversation!’
I quickly set Braun on the bedframe, turned off the lights, and left only the bedside lamp on under the bed.
The lamp’s light shone on the plushie, casting its shadow on the wall.
My hands trembled slightly the whole time.
Whether it was from anticipation, or from what I’d just witnessed, I couldn’t say.
‘…What exactly just happened?’
It was as if countless somethings had been summoned into the Good Friend stuffed toy, but everything passed so quickly, I couldn’t analyze anything.
Reflexively, I looked at Chief Lizard, who nodded.
“It was conducted safely.”
“……”
Alright…
Anyway, finally finished with preparations to converse with Good Friend in reality, I leaned against the bed and looked at Good Friend’s giant shadow cast on the wall…
And then.
– Friend!
“…!”
A lively, familiar voice echoed through the room.
The voice coming from the bunny plush.
“…Braun.”
– We’ve finally met again! How moving this is. Ah, what a perfect scene this would be for a talk show opening!
– Mr. Roe Deer, I heard you’ve been through a lot. But there’s no need to worry anymore. Your most faithful advisor, your best guide, your one and only friend in the world has returned to your side!
That tone, overflowing with showmanship.
Strangely, just hearing his voice brings a quiet sense of… nostalgia and a lump in my throat.
– At times like this, a hug and cheers would be ideal! The audience should be… hmm. Not moving, I see.
– Mr. Roe Deer, for some reason my body feels as heavy as waterlogged cotton… but with my friend’s support, I think I could manage. Come, would you stand in front of the camera with me?
“Haha… No, it’s fine.”
Even hearing such spine-chilling words from him was almost nostalgic now.
Leaning against the bed, I looked at the plushie’s shadow on the wall with relative ease.
“Let’s talk a bit more first. How are you feeling?”
– I couldn’t be better! As long as I can talk to you, Friend , even if my limbs feel heavy, it’s a comfort I can bear. I’ll get used to it again, little by little!
– Then, once more, to the place where each joyful day with this Braun begins anew……
There was the sound of clothes brushing, as if he was looking around at his surroundings.
His voice faltered.
– …Oh my heavens. Friend , where on earth have you been staying?