Chapter 1027 - Meanwhile: Lovers (Future Tense)
People often ask me—what do you do, and where do you do it?
My answer is always the same. Namely, 'I'm not in any special place, nor am I doing anything special'... It's just that the virtual world is so vast that we pass each other by without noticing.
In short, I tell them, we're surprisingly just around. It's an undeniable fact I've stated time and again, not just in response to personal questions, but also in media interviews.
And those words hold true...—
"We seem to be splitting up more and more lately."
"You're right... I wonder if the time has finally come for us sisters to part ways."
"...What's with that face? I can't tell if you're smiling or pouting. Make up your mind."
And yet, in reality, the two of them were making full use of their skills to avoid all eyes.
They stuck mainly to the side streets off the main thoroughfares. It wasn't a crowded area, but as they walked through the city where a fair number of players roamed, they remained utterly unnoticed.
"Well, the reason for both of them being 'a guy' is a little too brutally realistic for my taste, you know?"
"...Don't steer the conversation in a 'brutal' direction."
The secret future lovers walked, never too close, never too far.
Though they were confident no one could see them, they maintained a certain level of restraint in the public space. And yet, in another sense, they were enjoying a downtown date with zero restraint at all.
An invisible veil enveloped Irori and Mi-na.
Using countless specks of diamond dust that shimmered like a heat haze, the authority that governs manifestation worked its little bit of mischief... and gave birth to a nearly perfect optical camouflage.
It was a fantasy of a brute-force technique, one part physics and nine parts magic. Paired with a stealth coat that concealed their presence, not even someone with the highest level of detection skills could perceive them as more than a faint blur.
Under normal circumstances, of course.
If some opponent with every trick up their sleeve went all out, they could easily be found... but well, no one among the ladies and gentlemen of Arcadia would do such a thing in the middle of a city.
And that's precisely why.
"Well, Ri-na-chan has her 'brother,' but... that's what makes me worry. Is she going to be okay? Being so attached to him as a 'little sister,' will she ever be able to have a proper romance?"
"...................."
"See, even the romance-impaired guy is so deep in thought he's forgotten his own problems. If that's how it is for Irorin, you can only imagine what I'm going through."
"...Let me ask again. You really don't have any romantic feelings for Ri-na?"
"Oh, no way, absolutely not. There's a hundred percent chance it'll never happen, but if her brother, having completely lost his mind, were to make a move on her, she'd give him a dead-serious, no-hesitation slap across the face. 'Act like a brother,' she'd say."
"You strange sisters..."
Relying on the blessing of Arcadia that prevents eavesdropping, they kept their voices to a minimum as their secret rendezvous proceeded through the city, drawing not a shred of attention.
Like friends.
Like lovers.
"I wonder what the mismatched trio is up to."
"Who knows. With Tiger around, they're probably just checking out some dungeon."
"You think so? Tiger is surprisingly romantic. He might be taking the non-combatant (Ri-na-chan) into consideration and touring some scenic spots. He's not like this one, that's for sure."
"...............What, you got a problem?"
"Oh, no no, not at all. Not at all. I mean, tonight is a very precious day off where I can stay up late, but to think I'd make such a blatant request... no, not at all—"
"Enough, you're annoying...! If you have a request, just say it from the start!"
Their presence, which had been walking, vanished.
—No, if there had been anyone who could perceive them, it would have seemed as though they vanished in a split-second, high-speed maneuver.
"Whoa, huh?! Hey!! What are you doing?!"
"Quiet. I'm taking you on the walk you wanted."
"This looks less like a walk and more like a kidnapping!!!"
"Don't say things people will misunderstand!"
The destination of the two who disappeared into the distance at tremendous speed, without being seen by anyone...
...was known only to them.