Chapter 1103 - 三人くらいで駄弁る夜更かしが最も楽しい諸説あり
Now, after enjoying a peaceful(?) time with my Master.
It was already deep into the night, well past the date change. When I transferred from house to house—that is, from my Master's castle in a parallel space to the clan room────
"You look energetic. That's good."
"I'm truly relieved...!"
"Well, well, sorry for making you worry."
Next to greet me were the usual late-night crew (・・・・・). Junior (not a junior) No. 1 and No. 2, Tetra & Kanata, who were a contrast of quiet and lively.
It wasn't a chance encounter; I had intended to stay until they showed up, so it was an inevitable reunion. As a senior (not a senior), I have to reassure my subordinates, you know.
They're regular grand seniors, though.
────Anyway. After the three of us guys chatted about this and that, sharing what I'd discussed with other acquaintances and friends in a place without girls.
"By the way, Senpai, did you see Yura-san?"
"Eh, no, I haven't. In fact, my return message is being ignored."
When I shook my head while presenting the painful fact to Tetra, who had brought up the name of that Screen guy who lacks any sense of friendship as if he'd just remembered.
"He said something like he wanted you to make time if you're free soon."
He said something like that.
"Translate that into Yura-speak and give me the exact message."
So, when I asked for the "truth" for the time being.
"'If that idiot comes, tell him to show his face soon.'"
There it is. What is up with that guy?
"What is up with that guy? If that's the case, reply to my message. Is he a grandpa or grandma who hates emails?"
"Maybe it's just that he's not free right now?"
"Then tell him, 'Come see me when YOU'RE free,' Tetra. Of course, you can convey it word for word without any embellishment."
"Why? Don't have a mysterious fight through me. It's a pain."
In the first place, it's a mystery why Tetra was in a position to receive a message from him. When I tilted my head again, a graceful laugh—for a boy—came from the side.
"Tetra-kun, you're on good terms with Yura-san, aren't you?"
Said Kanata.
Tetra shrugged lightly but didn't deny it... and here it is, this pattern. Seriously, I can never get a handle on that guy's social circle.
"Well, I don't know if we're on good terms... we just use each other conveniently."
"And now you've said something interesting. Eh, what's that? For example?"
"Forming a pair just to meet the participation requirements for a two-person event and then disbanding immediately on-site."
"Hoh? ...Ae? Eh, really? Then what, Tetra, you've been participating in the starry sky events with that guy all this time? From the first time?"
"Did I not mention it?"
"...Ah. Wasn't it that? It was quite a while ago, but I think we were talking about it here just when Senpai happened to not be logged in..."
Eh, so I was naturally left out of the loop?
Well, it's fine. It's fine, really. But, you know, hearing about that kind of thing later makes me feel somewhat indescribably sad────
"Well, besides that, I ask him to procure materials. Or he asks me to craft items instead of a reward, that kind of thing. Only when the timing matches."
"Item crafting?"
"Like the dagger I gave Senpai. Other than that, medicine-related stuff, various things."
Unexpected... or maybe not.
From Yura's perspective, there's certainly no reason to dislike Tetra; or rather, he'd probably normally dote on a 'junior' who doesn't fire off unnecessary nonsense mixed with teasing like a certain someone.
They both share a love for traveling, so I see...
"Anyway, I've told you. Whether you wait or go, do as you like."
"Got it, roger."
Nodding, I called up the friend list window and checked the roster.
After confirming that the name [Yurayura] was displayed as logged in, I created a new message that simply said "HEY" and sent it without hesitation.
And then... ────
After waiting for about five minutes while chatting again.
"...Alright, okay, I get it."
Since there was no sign of a reply coming, I sent a second arrow expressing my regret over the total ignore: "I'm telling Sora-san."
I know. That delinquent (him) is weak against the Angel (Sora).
So, putting aside the usual business of the easy-to-handle Screen Yura.
"About the starry sky event, what will Kanata do this time? Will you come to 'Zoodiac (Us)'?"
I picked up the topic that had briefly come up about the upcoming event and tossed it to Kanata, who had been listening to Tetra and me fooling around with a smile. His large hazel eyes blinked.
"Ah... u-m... let's see."
"Zoodiac...?"
"Fu... n-no, um... that's not it."
Kanata's behavior of pretending (・・) to be unsure about the invitation was just as I had somewhat expected. In other words, I had asked just in case (・・)... but honestly, I had guessed the answer.
"I'm sorry, I'm really happy for the invitation, but..."
"Understood. I get it, so don't worry about it."
No damage from the refusal.
He doesn't seem particularly shy, but I've already grasped that Kanata isn't good at being in the middle of a large crowd. If that's the case, participating in a group that has now expanded to several hundred people wouldn't be relaxing for him; I have no intention of dragging him along.
...I don't, but that being the case.
If that's how it is (・・・・), there's one point I'm curious about following the previous talk.
"By the way, who did Kanata participate with until last time?"
Formerly... or rather, even now.
I've been told that, excluding clan activities, he is primarily solo like Tetra. In that case, does he also team up with a comrade and disband on-site like Tetra────
When I asked without any particular thought.
"Ah.................. e-h.................. u-m.............................."
""...Hmm?""
Tetra and I couldn't help but tilt our heads in unison at his reaction. Seeing how completely troubled he looked, it was clear as day that he didn't want to say.
""............""
Then, a momentary eye contact.
────Should we poke (・・・) him?
────Better not.
────Aren't you curious?
────I am, but.
────Then,
────You'll be sued for lack of delicacy.
────Let's not.
We've been together for almost a year; this much communication between guys is easy. Thus, just as we decided to overlook the interesting event that had suddenly cropped up...
"............U-um, I'm sorry! I, I have somewhere to go...!"
Perhaps he made his move after accurately reading that. I watched Junior No. 2, who had hurried away in an unusual state, along with Junior No. 1────
"........................Could it be youth...?"
"What are you saying, you who are right in the middle of it?"
After chatting with Tetra for a while longer, my first day back in the virtual world ended without incident.
Finished with a skip over an important matter completely unrelated to the main plot.