Chapter 1099 - Making Amends to the World
—Then, after a while.
I calmed my master down, repeatedly appealed that I was safe, and in a peaceful atmosphere with light conversation... we reached the main topic, or whatever it was.
"So, it's like that (..........). I was briefly consulting with Ashe... what do you think?"
"Oh, isn't that fine?"
"That's right... Given the actors involved, I don't think there will be any complaints."
"Well, it can't be helped, right?"
"There will be voices of disappointment, but there should be more voices saying it's fresh and interesting."
The members who heard the 'proposal for the overall summary of this conquest' that I brought up were all affirmative. Combined with the premise that it was something already discussed with Ashe, and the fact that there was truly no other way...
"Okay. Then, we'll officially proceed in that direction...?"
"Yeah, it should be fine. By now, the word should have reached Helena from Iris... well, we'll handle the fine details on our end."
"Thanks."
For now, at least. With this, a tentative conclusion has been reached regarding the handling of the pending matter (............) I'd been carrying since the conquest, and I feel like another weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
No, it's all still ahead of us, though.
And even at this very moment, it doesn't change the fact that I'm keeping the world, which has been long, long waiting for a report—or rather, conquest footage (content)—waiting.
So...—
"That's why... sorry, but please help me out."
"Mm."
While firing myself up again, I thought, I have to re-record (..........) some good footage.
A recent constant. I turned my face toward the self-proclaimed younger sister, who was curled up on my lap as if she owned the place, and threw the word 'request' at her; the response was a purely honest voice.
...The fact that Sora-san, on the contrary, didn't seem to mind to a level that made me anxious.
Plus, the fact that I must have caused her a great deal of worry and stress through this incident.
Plus, the fact that she just now made me feel better with her accurate impressions.
Whether she realizes she's only being spared the same treatment as my partner for several reasons or not. Ri-na, who is now more like a fawning dog or cat than a 'younger sister,' causes confusion and wry smiles to spring up infinitely in my heart as usual. I can't help but think she's too attached.
In addition, I have some thoughts—or rather, anxiety—about going into debt to her again... but well, it can't be helped. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
After all, for this [Green Connect] second act conquest—
All (......) the (......) recorded (......) footage (......) has (......) cleanly (......) and (......) completely (......) vanished (......).
In short, that's what it means.
"In a way, the timing was good. If it weren't for this, I wouldn't have had any free time for a while."
"...If we have three days, can we manage?"
"I'll make it happen. But because of that, I'll be taking up all your time. Sorry."
Now that the end of January conquest has passed and the beginning of February is imminent. In other words, during the four-day, three-night event held at the beginning of every other month, I absolutely must borrow her strength.
Her partner Mi-na also said it lightly, but I feel extremely sorry for taking up a large chunk of the precious time of a top idol who must be chased by a frantic schedule ahead of her retirement live in March.
But, it really can't be helped.
"Just what I wanted."
"............That response makes me anxious in many ways. Well, I'm counting on you."
Regarding this matter, it's a bitter final resort—namely, there's no choice but to take back the "footage" even by force through a layered technique using my 'Memory (gift)' and Ri-na's 'Illusion (magic).'
Since Kendy-dono's form has vanished from my 'Memory,' a perfect reproduction is still impossible. Furthermore, since it will be a perfect reproduction of my 'Perspective (memory),' a fixed first-person view for the entire duration is unavoidable.
However... although my friend's form and voice have vanished, the (......) events (......) that (......) occurred (......) have (......) not (......) vanished (......).
The 'words' we heard during the conquest remain. I haven't forgotten the path we were guided along either. It's just that the memory of Kendy-dono bringing those about has vanished.
I can already imagine the hardships of tidying up the moth-eaten reproduction footage, but it should be doable.
Furthermore, furthermore, as a huge bonus—
"Sora too (......). Sorry for dragging you in, but I'm counting on you."
"No, um, forget dragging me in, I'm a party to this...!"
When the completed footage is distributed on the [Hoshikake (Clown)]'s personal channel, [Clown Archive], I'm planning a live (......) broadcast (......) with (......) real-time (......) commentary (......) and (......) impressions (......) by me and Sora.
It's quite a bold move, but it's a decision made by taking into account Sora-san's wish that 'I'm sorry for making only Haru and Ashe go through such a hard time.'
I have some anxieties about various things... but certainly, if we're worrying about things like real-life identity leaks, the line where we should have been cautious about such things passed long ago.
"It's okay. Probably. If it's through a screen, I don't think I'll be that nervous...!"
"I'll be relying on you. Let's do our best together."
"Yes. Um, even if you rely on me... I don't know if I can live up to it...!"
She herself seems surprisingly fired up, or rather, she doesn't look reluctant, so if I worry too much on my end, she'll probably get mad and call me 'overprotective' again.
She said she's already gotten permission from the maid, so it's a settled matter.
—I haven't heard anything at all from Tetsugo-shi regarding permission, but most likely, probably, surely, it'll be fine.
Apparently he's overseas right now, and a message saying 'I'm sorry I couldn't come to visit' arrived during my hospitalization, but since contact reaches him, if something is out, a 'father stop' rather than a doctor stop will fly my way.
Not to Sora, but to me.
In the form of 'My daughter won't listen to me, do something.' No doubt about it.
—Well then, that's about it.
"So, we have another place to show our faces next."
When I saw the right time and said, "Thank you for gathering..." along with my thanks, I received casual and relaxed greetings from each of them.
Then, I stood up with Sora after exchanging a glance... and as we were leaving.
"—... ............"
She ended with a parting greeting, but I wonder if there were words she wanted to continue.
Whether she held them back herself, or whether they just wouldn't come out... I couldn't read that much from just a slight glimpse at the edge of my vision.
"...—Ah, Ui-san."
Just before teleporting. I raised my face, turned my gaze.
She looked calm, but how was she really? To my master, who was quietly nestling in everyone's conversation as usual, I spoke while pretending to have just remembered.
"I'll be coming by later. Please take care of the sword maintenance (................)."
"..................Yes. Of course."
And then, as expected of her.
The [Sword Saint], who ranks high in the 'cannot read her inner thoughts if she's serious' ranking, used a natural voice that could likely perfectly deceive everyone except a very few.
With a natural reaction,
She smiled softly at me.