【店長コラム】創戯旅団 第４３夜 2011年12月31日、2012月1月1日 札幌旅打ち編

【店長コラム】創戯旅団　第４３夜　2011年12月31日、2012月1月1日・店長狂的回胴録旅情編／北海道札幌市中央区（緑ドンVIVA情熱南米編・アイムジャグラーEX・アイムジャグラーAPEX）第三期筆

※2024年12月03日18時38分
※2024年12月05日09時22分【本文訂正／加筆】
※2024年12月12日14時51分【インデックスリンク追加】

第一期の店長狂的パチスロ実戦ブログがコラム形式になり復活です。最後の執筆が2015年12月11日になっていますので、なんと9年ぶりの続編執筆になります。それだけ、私はエレガンスの営業に没頭していたのです。勿論、ずっと仕事に集中していたのかと言われると、適度にスロットも打っていますし、食べ歩きもしています。しかし、1日たりとも仕事をしていない日は無いのです。スロットの旅打ちをしていても仕事の電話受付は私が行い、リモートで付け回しまでしていました。第一期の頃は師匠ともう一人幹部が居ましたので、休みの日は師匠にお店の携帯を預けて完全に休めました。しかし、第二期以降はほぼ私がワンオペで回しきっています。悪友S君がその間に1年間だけ仕事を手伝ってくれています。店舗型のギャルズスタイルも6年半営業していたのですが、悪友S君がギャルズスタイルのフロントをやっていた11ヶ月間以外は、誰も雇っていません。店舗型1店舗と派遣型２店舗の3店舗の営業を全部一人でやり通したのです。それは流石にブログを書くどころの話しでは無くなります。しかし、思い返せば、玲子さんもこのブログを読んだ後にお店に入店しているのですから、本当はその後もブログを書いていた方が良かった可能性はありますよね。それでは、久々のスロット話し、再び開幕です。

第一期のスロットブログは2014年7月から2015年12月にかけて執筆しています。今回綴る旅路はそのスロットブログ執筆からさらに遡り、2011年12月31日大晦日と2012年1月1日元旦のお話しです。悪友S君との連れ打ち正月旅は、それこそ私が29歳の時から始まった正月定番のイベントで、ほぼ毎年行っていたのです。そして今回紹介する旅は最後の正月旅になった感慨深い思い出の実戦です。以降は翌年を除き、私は毎年エレガンスの営業に集中していたのです。今後、何回かは正月旅が復活する事もありそうですが、今のところは休止中です。この年はエレガンスに入った直後で大晦日と元旦だけエレガンスもお正月休みでした。私は2011年12月30日の夜12時近くに仕事を終えて、早朝4時に悪友S君とお店の事務所前に集まる予定を組んでありました。その直前に事務所の水道の蛇口を壊してしまい焦ったのを覚えています。一瞬旅に行けなくなるのか？と焦りましたが、自力で修理出来たので無事にスタートです。車で羽田空港まで向かい、空港内の駐車場に車を置いて早朝の千歳空港行きのスカイマークに乗りました。スカイマークは小さなジェット旅客機が特徴の格安航空なので、飛行機が止まっている時に地上で作業している整備士さんの顔まで認識出来てしまうんですよ。そんな少し古めのジェット機が羽田の海を離陸するのです。成田空港の様に少しずつ高く上がっていくのでは無く羽田空港の離陸はぐるぐると旋回しながら急上昇するので怖いのです。無事に雲の上に到達するまでの恐怖と言ったら富士急ハイランドのフジヤマレベルです。私はいつまで経っても羽田の離陸だけは慣れません。そんな恐怖感煽る旅立ちでしたが無事に千歳に着き、JRで札幌駅へと向かいます。この時点では、まだ勝負するパチンコ屋さんすら決めていません。街をぶらつきながら打つお店を決める毎度お馴染みの行きあたりばったりな作戦です。こんな勝負で勝率が上がる事は無いのですが、そこは勝ち負けなんぞ大して気にしていない2人ですから、あまり下調べすらせずに勢いで勝負に挑んでしまうのです。すすきの近辺まで朝っぱらから徒歩でぶらついて、少し綺麗めのパチンコ屋をチョイスします。もう開店の時間を過ぎていたので、適当に空いている台の中から台選びをします。新台は座られているので旧台の中から楽しく打てそうな台をチョイス。私が選んだのは、ユニバーサルの別ブランド、エレコから前年2010年12月に発売され出玉性能と上部両側に付いているビリーランプの二択を当てた時のポポポ～ンという告知音に脳をやられた人が続出したヒット作、緑ドンVIVA！情熱南米編。設定6の機械割が119%あるんですよね。しかし、大都市の繁華街すすきののパチンコ屋の大晦日営業ですからね。ガッチガチに低設定オンリーの大回収営業でしょう。ましてや私のチョイスしたVIVAドンなんぞはバラエティーコーナーにあったので、ほぼ低設定濃厚です。楽しすぎる台だからつい座ってしまったのですよ。今、考えて見れば設定1の機械割が97.5%の台をチョイスして勝とうとしてる無謀な勝負です。ほら！脳がやられてる人間の行動ですよ！すすきのでエロい遊びをする気ゼロな選択です。あちちな夜遊びをしたいなら、新台での勝負1択な筈です。その点では、悪友S君は新台のストリートファイターⅣをちゃっかり確保しているのだから、手堅い判断でしょう。まあ、でも楽しければ全て通し。と勝負を始めて見ても、やはり前半からアマゾンゲームへの突入が無い。打感が設定1なんだよなあと思いながら勝負は進みます。15時を過ぎたあたりで早々と負けが濃厚な当たりの重さです。VIVAドンでほぼ美味しい思いなどはしていないので、負け過ぎて負けの流れだけは知っています。アマゾンゲーム突入が少なく、しかもアマゾンゲームの駆け抜けが前半に多い展開で勝った記憶など無いのです。夜を前にして早々と負け確定ですね。あの頃の台は、如何せん一撃逆転の夢を見れない台が多かった記憶があります。勝てる時は前半から良い流れを持ってくる事が多かったのですよね。機械割は悪くない台も多いのですが、その分低設定が辛過ぎて夢が無いんですよ。設定1が暴れる台が多くならないと打ち手は美味しい思いを出来なくなります。難しい時期に繁華街での旅打ちに挑んでしまったなと思う大晦日ですよ。と早々と敗北宣言をしてしまう最悪な展開です。しかも、仕事を始めたばかりで軍資金も少なかったので大負けする前に撤退しないとならないのです。しかし、ここからが長かった。悪友S君のストリートファイターⅣは絶好調だったので、待ちの展開になります。早々とVIVAドンを諦めた私は次に打つ機種にジャグラーシリーズをチョイスします。北海道と言えばジャグラーシリーズが大人気のイメージが強いですからね。ここは手堅く一番の人気機種アイムジャグラーEXをチョイスします。もうね。延々と夜の10時まで出たりノマれたりとひたすら揉んでました。それでも台移動が功を奏し負け額を増やす事はありませんでしたが、ただそれだけ（笑）そして、私たちの楽しく怪しい夜はこれからです。とはなりません。時は大晦日です。有名風俗店は早々と店仕舞いをしているので、営業しているお店が微妙に怪しくて入る気にはなれません。私が知っている大盛りイクラ丼のお店も大晦日はお休みでした。私たちは町ぶらを暫し楽しんだ後に、小さな地場の単店居酒屋で少し遅めの夕食です。夕食と言うよりかは完全に夜食ですね。普通に美味しかったですよ。店の名前すら覚えてませんが、雰囲気は良かったですね。カウンターしか無い小さな居酒屋で午前0時を迎え年が変わりました。どこからとも無く除夜の鐘が聞こえてきます。外は雪が降っていて白銀の世界です。この深い寂しい夜が明けたらお正月ですが、繁華街の感じすら無い静けさの中、初詣に行く元気までは無い私たちはビジネスホテルに遅いチェックイン。楽天トラベルで予約はしていましたが、お正月の繁華街料金になっていて高かったですよ。大晦日は1日中、スロットを打ち倒していましたので疲れて寝てしまいました。楽しい大晦日の夜更かしが無かったのは少し残念ですね。逆にこの時間帯に喋りまくっていた年や夜中から遊び呆けていた年もあったので、大人しい年越しになりましたよ。次回、北海道に来る時は夏に来た方が楽しいかもですね。

翌日は朝一に起きる元気は無く、ゆっくり寝てからの重役出勤。出勤？もちろんパチンコ屋にですよ。帰りの飛行機の便が夕方7時位なので、出過ぎて帰れない展開は許されません。いや、出過ぎたら帰るのやめようかな。昨日遊んだお店の近くにある小さなパチンコ屋を勝負地に選択。そして、選んだ台はアイムジャグラーAPEX。帰る気満々の無難な選択です。まだお店に入ったばかりですし、師匠にお土産を買う時間も作っておかないといけないですからね。5号機ジャグラーの中で最大のヒットになったのが昨日打ったアイムジャグラーEXなのですが、今日打つのはその後継機です。普通は何が違うの！？って感じの感想と悪口になりそうですが、このAPEX打感が大きく違いました。それもそうか！？これはあくまで私の打感での話しである事を先に言っておきます。問題発言しますよ。５号機初代アイムジャグラーEXは注射により初期段階は裏になってませんでしたか！？そして、このAPEXは最初からノーマルだと思います。私の中での打感は、そのイメージなんですね。いくつかの根拠もあるのですが、今度ジャグラー回でも設けて語りましょう。まあ、それくらいに普通過ぎるアイムジャグラーAPEXを少しだけ擦り、少しだけ負けて撤退です。2日間で４万やられた北海道戦になりました。負け額だけで見ると善戦はしていますね。しこたまやられてはいなかったのですから、まあ遊べた方でしょう。その間、悪友S君はストリートファイターⅣでの大勝ちのお陰で、勝ち確の中でのんびりと2日目は楽しんでいた様です。何を打っていたんだか把握すらしてないですよ（笑）その後、少しお高めの海産物のお土産屋で鮭と蟹を買い。悪友S君も蟹とウニ瓶を買ってたかな。物品系の土産屋では悪友S君は、旅行に来る前から狙っていた鮭を咥えた熊の置物をゲット。私はと言いますと、夜の帝王パンツとまりもっこりのパンツをゲット（笑）頭悪いですね。さらに千歳空港で白い恋人を買い帰路に着きます。帰りの飛行機が夜の関東の海沿いを少しずつ着陸に向け高度を下げる様が旅行終わりの物悲しさを増幅させるのです。羽田空港の到着便ロビーでは私たちだけでは無く、そんな帰るのは寂しいという複雑な顔をした旅行者を沢山見ました。そんな中、また空港の駐車場から車で厚木に戻ったのです。2人ともやり切った感と疲れで、帰りの車の中では・・・。ん！？すげぇ、話してましたね。私は反省点の多い立ち回りを語っていた記憶があります。何だかんだで、今回の旅も楽しい思い出になりましたよ。この旅以降も悪友S君とは連れ打ちを地元や関東近県で行ってますが、お正月のタイミングでパチスロ兼食い道楽な人間を駄目にする正月旅は開催出来ていないのです。もう2人とも充分に大人になりお正月から遊び呆ける事も出来なくなっているのです。それはつまらん事てすな。第三期のこのタイミングで、こんな自堕落な発想を是としているという事は、まだこの先も正月自堕落旅はありますね。夏休み恒例自堕落旅の復活も可能性が高いですね。ずっと、夏は沖縄行ってやるんだ！ビーチで呑気にジュースでも飲んでる写真を撮って送りまくるから！なんて言いながら、私だけ働きまくりましたね。第三期は人並みの休みを取り、自堕落旅三昧な休日で読者様の笑いでも取りたいものです。

さて、この年の翌年も年末年始に一人で埼玉へ旅打ちに行っていたので、次のスロット回はそのお話しをしましょう。他にも悪友S君との初めての正月遠征の話しなんかも併せて、今年の年末年始のタイミングで語るのが面白いかもしれません。お正月の初打ち気分を皆さんで味わえますからね。他にも、エレガンスに入る直前に栃木県桐生市に普通車の合宿教習を受けに行った時の話しも面白いかもです。教習所の卒業日に合わせて悪友S君に迎えに来て貰い、そのまま桐生市で旅打ちをした話しなんかもしてみたいところです。という事で次回のスロット話しは年末年始特別スロット回にしましょう。さて次のコラムはお馴染み野球回をお送りしようと思います。それでは皆さん、また明後日に。ご機嫌よう。

【English Version】

 

[The Manager’s Column] Sogi Ryodan Night 43

Dec 31, 2011 – Jan 1, 2012: The Manager’s Madman Slot Travelogue – Nostalgic Journey Edition

Location: Sapporo, Chuo-ku, Hokkaido (Midori Don VIVA!, I’m Juggler EX, I’m Juggler APEX)

(The Third Phase Writing)

Original Timestamps:

• Dec 03, 2024, 18:38

• Dec 05, 2024, 09:22 (Revision/Additions)

• Dec 12, 2024, 14:51 (Index Link Added)

■ The Long-Awaited Resurrection After 9 Years

The first-phase "Store Manager’s Madman Pachi-Slot Battle Blog" has returned, resurrected now in this column format. My last entry was dated December 11, 2015, which means it has been an incredible nine years since the last time I sat down to write a sequel. That long silence is a testament to just how much I have been utterly, completely immersed in the daily operations of Elegance.

Of course, if you were to ask if I spent every single second focusing solely on work during that time—well, I have hit the slots at an appropriate frequency, and I’ve certainly enjoyed my share of eating tours. However, I want to be clear: there has not been a single day—not one—where I haven't been "on the clock" in some capacity. Even while I was on the road for "tabi-uchi" (slot-hunting trips), I was the one personally handling the shop’s phone inquiries, and I was even performing remote "tsukemashi" (dispatch management and staff rotation).

Back in the first phase, I had a mentor (Shisho) and another executive by my side. On my days off, I could hand over the shop’s mobile phone to my mentor and truly, completely relax. But from the second phase onward, the situation changed drastically. I have been running the entire show almost entirely solo as a "one-man army."

There was a one-year period where my old friend S-kun helped me with the business, but aside from the 11 months he spent as the front desk manager for our physical location, Gals Style (which operated for six and a half years), I haven't hired a single soul. I carried the weight of one physical store and two dispatch agencies—three businesses in total—entirely by myself. Under those circumstances, naturally, I was in no position to be writing a blog.

However, when I stop to think about it, Reiko-san actually joined our shop after reading that old blog. So, in hindsight, it might have been better for the business if I had kept writing all along. Regardless, the time has come. The gears have begun to turn once more. My pachi-slot chronicles are once again open for business.

■ The Final New Year’s Journey: A Sentimental Departure

The original first-phase slot blog was written between July 2014 and December 2015. But the journey I am about to recount today goes back even further, long before those blog entries: to New Year’s Eve 2011 and New Year’s Day 2012.

These New Year’s Eve "joint-battles" (tsure-uchi) with my bad-influence friend S-kun were a staple event for us. It was a tradition that started when I was 29 years old, and we did it almost every single year. The trip I am describing now was a deeply sentimental one, as it turned out to be our very last New Year’s journey. From the following year onward (with the exception of one), I dedicated every ounce of my energy to the year-end and New Year operations of Elegance.

While I imagine there may be a revival of these New Year’s trips a few more times in the future, for now, they remain on hiatus. In this particular year, I had just joined Elegance, and the shop was closed only for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. I finished my shift near midnight on December 30, 2011, and had already coordinated with S-kun to meet in front of the shop’s office at 4:00 AM the next morning.

Just before we were set to leave, I managed to break a water faucet in the office. I remember the sheer panic in that moment. Is this trip going to be cancelled before it even starts? I was worried for a moment, but I managed to repair it with my own hands, and we were able to make a successful start.

We drove to Haneda Airport, left the car in one of the parking lots, and boarded an early morning Skymark flight bound for Chitose. Skymark is a low-cost carrier characterized by its small jet aircraft, and because of their size, you can practically recognize the faces of the mechanics working on the ground while the plane is stationary.

Then, those slightly aged jets take off toward the sea from Haneda. Unlike Narita Airport, where you gradually gain altitude, Haneda’s takeoff involves a sharp, spiraling climb that is genuinely terrifying. The level of fear until you safely reach the clouds is comparable to the Fujiyama coaster at Fuji-Q Highland. No matter how many times I do it, I can never get used to a Haneda takeoff.

Despite that heart-pounding start to the journey, we arrived safely at Chitose and boarded the JR train bound for Sapporo Station. At this point, we hadn't even decided which pachi-slot parlor we were going to wage war in. As usual, we were going with our "hit-or-miss" plan of wandering the streets and deciding on a shop on a whim.

There’s no way your win rate is going to improve with that kind of "strategy," but since we were two guys who didn't care much about winning or losing anyway, we didn't bother with research and just charged into battle on pure momentum. We walked through the morning air toward the Susukino area and chose a parlor that looked relatively clean.
 

■ Day 1: The Battle of Susukino and the Brain-Rotting "Popopon!"

We walked through the crisp morning air until we reached the Susukino area. Since the parlors had already opened their doors, we made our move. We didn't have the luxury of picking the newest, most popular machines—those were already occupied by the locals—so we had to choose from the older "legacy" models that still promised a fun time.

I made my choice: Midori Don VIVA!情熱南米編 (Grest Passion South America Edition), released by Eleco (a brand under the Universal umbrella) in December of the previous year, 2010. This machine was a massive hit, famously known for its "Billy Lamp" notification. When you guessed the 50/50 chance correctly, the lamp at the top would flash, accompanied by a distinct "Po-po-po-n!" sound effect. It was so addictive that people joked it "rotted the brains" of everyone who heard it.

The Setting 6 of this machine boasted a theoretical payout (machinery output ratio) of 119%. However, let’s be realistic: we were in the middle of the neon-lit Susukino district on New Year’s Eve. Parlor operations on such a day are almost exclusively "Collection Mode"—meaning every single machine is likely set to the lowest level (Setting 1) to soak up money from holiday travelers. Furthermore, the VIVA Don I chose was tucked away in the "Variety Corner" (a section for older, less-prioritized machines), making it virtually certain that I was sitting at a Setting 1.

I knew this, yet I sat down anyway. Why? Because the machine was simply too fun. Looking back, choosing a machine with a Setting 1 payout of 97.5% and expecting to win is the height of recklessness. This is exactly what I mean by "brain-rotted" behavior! I had zero intention of making enough profit to go out for an "erotic" night of play in Susukino. If I had truly wanted to win enough for a wild night, my only logical choice would have been to fight for a seat at a brand-new machine. In that regard, my bad-influence friend S-kun was much more pragmatic; he had successfully secured a seat at the newly released Street Fighter IV.

I started my battle, but as the hours ticked by, the "Amazon Game" (the machine's ART mode) showed no signs of life. The "feel" of the machine screamed Setting 1. By 3:00 PM, my defeat was looking certain due to the sheer heaviness of the bonus triggers. I have lost enough on VIVA Don to know exactly how a losing streak feels: very few ART entries, and even when you do get in, you "drift through" the early stages without any big multipliers. I have no memory of ever winning from a start like that.

As evening approached, my defeat was finalized. Back then, many machines didn't offer the kind of "one-hit reversal" dreams that players crave. While the overall payout ratios weren't terrible, the low settings were brutally punishing and lacked any "dream factor." If Setting 1 doesn't occasionally "go wild," the players have no chance to taste success. It was a miserable New Year’s Eve to be challenging a city parlor during such a difficult era for the industry.

■ The Long Wait and the Juggler Stalemate

Since I had only recently started my job at Elegance, my bankroll was limited. I had to retreat before I suffered a catastrophic loss. However, S-kun’s Street Fighter IV was in top form, which meant I had to wait for him.

I decided to spend the remaining time on the Juggler series. When people think of pachi-slot in Hokkaido, the Juggler series has a very strong image of being incredibly popular. I played it safe and chose the most popular model: I’m Juggler EX.

What followed was an agonizingly long stalemate. From that point until 10:00 PM at night, I was stuck in a repetitive cycle of winning a few coins, then having them "swallowed" back by the machine—a process we call "momi-momi" (massaging the bankroll). Thanks to moving between different machines, I managed to avoid increasing my total loss, but that was about all I achieved. (Laughs)

■ A Silent New Year’s Eve in the Silver World

Finally, our night in Sapporo began... or so you might think. But remember, it was New Year’s Eve. Most of the reputable adult entertainment establishments (sex work shops) close early on this day, and the few that remained open felt too "shady" or suspicious for us to even consider entering. Even the famous restaurant I knew, famous for its massive servings of salmon roe (Ikura-don), was closed for the holiday.

After wandering the streets for a while and enjoying the snowy scenery, we settled on a small, local, independent izakaya for a late-night meal. It was more of a "midnight snack" than a dinner. The place only had a counter and a few seats, but the atmosphere was wonderful, and the food was genuinely delicious. I don’t even remember the name of the place now, but the vibe was perfect.

It was at that counter that we reached midnight and the year turned. From somewhere in the distance, we could hear the Joya no Kane (the 108 temple bells of New Year's). Outside, the snow was falling, turning everything into a silver world. Once this deep, lonely night broke, it would be New Year’s Day. However, the streets were devoid of that typical "entertainment district" energy; it was a profound, quiet stillness. We didn't have the energy left to go for a "Hatsumode" (first shrine visit of the year), so we checked into our business hotel. I had booked it through Rakuten Travel, but because it was New Year's, the "holiday surge pricing" was in full effect and it was quite expensive.

We had been hitting the slots all day since early morning, so we were exhausted and fell asleep almost instantly. We didn't have that "wild New Year’s Eve party" experience, which was a little disappointing in hindsight. Then again, there were years where we spent the whole night talking or playing until dawn, so this turned out to be a very quiet, adult way to cross into the new year. I thought to myself, Next time I come to Hokkaido, maybe I should come in the summer.

■ Day 2: New Year’s Day and the Controversial "APEX" Theory

The next morning, New Year’s Day, we didn't have the energy to wake up at the crack of dawn. We took our time, sleeping in before making what I call a "Director’s Attendance" (heavyweight entrance)—meaning we strolled into the parlor well after opening.

Attendance? Yes, of course, to the pachinko parlor. However, since our return flight was scheduled for around 7:00 PM that evening, we couldn't afford a scenario where we won so much that we couldn't leave. Well, actually... if I had started winning uncontrollably, I might have just cancelled the flight! (Laughs). For our field of battle, we chose a small, local parlor near the one we played at the day before.

The machine I selected was I’m Juggler APEX. It was a safe, conservative choice for a man who intended to head home on time. I had only just started my position at Elegance, and I needed to make sure I had enough time to buy souvenirs for my Mentor (Shisho).

Now, I’m Juggler EX, which I played the previous day, was the biggest hit of the 5-era Juggler series. The machine I was facing today, APEX, was its successor. To the average person, the reaction would be, "What’s the difference?" followed by some complaints. But in my experience, the "feel" (uchi-kan) of APEX was fundamentally different.

I’m going to make a controversial statement here. This is strictly based on my own physical intuition from thousands of hours at the reels. I believe the original 5-era I’m Juggler EX was, in its early stages, an "Ura-mono" (a rigged machine) created via "Injection" (Chusha). In contrast, I believe this APEX model was a true "Normal" machine from the very beginning.

The way the bonuses clumped together, the "waves" of the machine... the images in my mind are distinct. I have several reasons for this theory, but I’ll set aside a dedicated "Juggler Episode" to discuss that in depth in the future. Regardless, I gave that "too-normal" I’m Juggler APEX a bit of a rub, lost a small amount of money, and made my retreat.

Across the two days in Hokkaido, I was defeated to the tune of 40,000 yen. Looking at the amount lost, I’d say I fought a good fight. I didn't get slaughtered, so you could say I was able to "play" sufficiently. During all this, S-kun was enjoying his second day in a relaxed mood, thanks to his massive win on Street Fighter IV the day before. To be honest, I don't even know what he was playing on New Year’s Day! (Laughs).

■ The Bizarre Souvenirs and the Melancholy Return

After the battle, we headed to a somewhat high-end seafood souvenir shop. I bought some salmon and crab for my Mentor. S-kun also bought crab and some bottled sea urchin (uni).

In the section for physical goods, S-kun finally scored the item he had been targeting since before the trip: a wooden carving of a bear clutching a salmon in its mouth. As for me? I ended up buying "King of the Night" underwear and a pair of "Mari-mokkori" boxers (a famous Hokkaido mascot known for his... prominent bulge). Looking back, I realize how incredibly stupid that was. (Laughs).

We picked up some "Shiroi Koibito" cookies at Chitose Airport and began our journey home. As the plane gradually lowered its altitude over the coastline of the Kanto region at night, the sight of the city lights intensified that unique, hollow sadness that comes at the end of a vacation. In the arrivals lobby of Haneda Airport, we saw many other travelers with the same complex expressions—faces that said, "I’m not ready for the reality of going home."

From the airport parking lot, we got back in the car and headed toward Atsugi. The two of us were filled with a sense of accomplishment mixed with exhaustion, and in the car... well, actually, we were talking our heads off! I remember vividly that I spent the whole drive analyzing my tactical mistakes and reflecting on how I could have played better.

■ Looking Toward the Third Phase

Even so, this trip became another wonderful memory. Since this journey, S-kun and I have continued to go for "joint-battles" in our local area and neighboring prefectures, but we haven't been able to hold one of these "man-ruining" New Year’s trips—a mix of pachi-slot and gluttony. We’ve both become "proper adults" now, and we can’t just spend the New Year’s holidays fooling around anymore. It’s a bit boring, isn’t it?

However, the fact that I am validating these self-indulgent ideas at this timing in the "Third Phase" means that there will surely be more "Self-Indulgent Journeys" in the future. There’s a high possibility that my traditional "Summer Vacation Self-Indulgent Trip" will also make a comeback. For the longest time, I kept saying, "I’m going to Okinawa this summer! I’m going to take pictures of myself lazily drinking juice on the beach and send them to everyone!"—and yet, I was the only one who worked like a dog.

In this Third Phase, I want to take a normal amount of time off and give my readers a good laugh by sharing my stories of self-indulgent holiday trips.

The year following this trip, I went on a solo "tabi-uchi" to Saitama during the New Year’s holidays, so I’ll talk about that in the next slot-themed episode. I’ll also share stories about my very first New Year’s expedition with S-kun; it might be fun to talk about those during the year-end season so we can all share that "first-hit-of-the-year" feeling.

Oh, and I might also talk about the time right before I joined Elegance, when I went to Kiryu City in Gunma Prefecture for a residential driving course to get my license. S-kun came to pick me up on the day of my graduation, and we went straight for a "tabi-uchi" in Kiryu.

So, I’ve decided: the next slot talk will be a Year-End/New Year Special Episode. As for the very next column, I’ll deliver our familiar baseball segment.

Well then, everyone, I’ll see you the day after tomorrow. Good day to you!