Chapter 1114 - Starting the Duty Once Again
—And so, a total of about an hour later.
"It's because you keep doing things like that that your fans increase, you know?"
"We did this bit earlier..."
After being mobbed by both men and women alike. Thinking I'd fulfilled my minimum 'duty,' I exhaled and stepped out of the lively circle, only to be met by the voice of a friend who seemed to be enjoying it.
Basically, no matter what I do, Nono-san is the type of person who immerses herself in the 'pleasure of being an entertainment viewer' rather than 'exasperation as an insider.' The type who openly encourages an idiot doing something idiotic with a "Do it more" attitude, without any hidden agenda, is a rare type among my acquaintances and friends.
Even if they always support me, they usually start with exasperation, thinking "This guy is an idiot"—and so, aside from the orange-colored one who was chuckling in her usual normal operation.
"Where did everyone go?"
When I asked about the whereabouts of the non-general forces who were nowhere to be seen, the [Saishiki Kenbi (Colorful Beauty)] lady, who could be seen as having waited for me alone, pulled back her grinning face and said,
"Tetsu-kun is at a meeting for the chefs. Natsume-chan is on patrol while laying down a defense network—or rather, defense 'strings.' Nia-chan and Ri-chan are—"
She told me their respective destinations in order,
"At your house (place), waiting for someone to come home."
What kind of teasing expression was that? While looking at me with a mysterious smug face and a sidelong glance, she bowed while pointing with both hands toward my dedicated residence (log house) in the distance. What's with that.
No, the matter we plan to immerse ourselves in during this event has already been shared, and the scene that will likely be constructed in the process would look like 'that' from the outside...
Well, I understand that.
"...Um, as I told you, it's like that. It's pretty much business (work), okay?"
"I knoooow that! Please don't worry about the outside and just seriously and earnestly flirt—I mean, do what you have to do, the three of you! Yes!!!"
"It's not 'Yes!!!'"
And, I had predicted that this person would enjoy making a fuss and egging us on... and well, because I had predicted it, I had also prepared myself, so I'll put that aside.
"Serious talk..."
"Ah, yes. Serious talk is okay."
She might be seen as, or rather, she probably did wait for me. The Zoodiac strategist and consultant is someone I can rely on when I need to.
Because she's that kind of person, I can't hate her. In that case—
"I'm sorry, but once we start working, I probably won't be able to perceive even a millimeter of what's happening outside. Ri-na's 'magic' will completely shut out sound and presence."
"Hoh— can that girl do even that much?"
"Apparently she can. She did say something about 'needing consent,' though."
"Magic is mysterious, isn't it... well, maybe it's just that the Star attribute is special."
"True. And, so, that's it. Even if something terrible happens outside, we won't be able to notice it, and basically, we don't intend to come out except for meals or during the 'Night Raid'..."
"Okay, okay. I won't call you unless it's reaaaaally a major incident that's impossible to handle without calling Haru-san, and if one does happen, I'll call you without hesitation."
"I'm sorry. Seriously, everything related to management and such will be dumped entirely on you..."
"It's oooookay! Everyone is excellent, and Nonomi-chan will do her best too!"
I told her everything, and she finished with a serious thin-armed muscle pose from the former idol.
How grateful I am. Knowing that those slender, capable arms are reliably helpful, I cast aside my apologies and pulled in trust and gratitude—
"I'm counting on you, Strategist-dono. If anything happens, go cry to the [Thread-Weaver (Ito-maki)]-sama."
"Understood, Leader-dono!"
We exchanged smiles, and I headed toward my home where someone was waiting.
◇◆◇◆
...And so, I arrived back at my house (place).
"What are you doing?"
"Wh-what is this..."
"Warm-up exercises...?"
What greeted me when I opened the door were the two girls, the indigo one and the blue one, together on someone else's bed, engaged in a straw-mat roll-up game (???).
I have no idea what led to 'that.' When I threw a blunt retort at the ones who had become beautiful girl sushi rolls by each rolling up a blanket from both ends, the three of them—including the ones themselves—tilted their heads as if their own actions were incomprehensible.
I get it. That kind of thing happens, right?
...No, does it? No, it doesn't. What are you guys doing—
"Is the fan service over?"
The other half of the cause, who tried to salvage me as I was about to sink into the swamp of confusion with a straight face, asked. Ri-na, who had skillfully and nimbly slipped out of the roll with her slender body.
She had a face as if nothing had happened. What a terrifying idol.
She was in a different league from Nia-chan, who had pulled her head back in embarrassment and changed her job from a sushi roll to a bagworm because she had been witnessed doing something strange that even she tilted her head at.
You come out quickly too, you're so cute.
"It's over. For now... so."
"Yeah. Anytime is fine."
Anyway, it was fine to leave Nia alone for a moment.
"Well then, shall we start?"
Now, work begins. It's an attempt to reproduce and record the other day's conquest scene using my 'memory' and Ri-na's 'magic'... well, for a while, we won't be able to reach the actual recording due to trial and error.
Therefore, even if they groan "ah" or "oo" and roll around on the bed as much as they want, I don't mind at all in the beginning.
Rather, I'd like to record that instead—well, as a joke. Anyway, when I made eye contact with Ri-na to start immediately,
"Lap."
"...Well, it can't be helped."
When I gave permission for the requested special seat, her small body settled in without a moment's hesitation. I told no one in particular as an excuse that this was the only time I wouldn't complain that 'it can't be helped.'
"Then, ah... regarding 'sound.'"
"It's an 'illusion,' so the targets to show and the targets to hear are free and flexible."
"So no worries about leakage. As for the recording and filming..."
"My 'illusion' can even deceive the system, so no problem."
"Really, the more I understand it, the more outrageous that magic is..."
"Vui (Victory)."
While reconfirming, I obediently stroked the head that was bumping against my chest with the back of its head as if telling me to praise it. One should think of her as a cat or something rather than a girl; that's the standard for interacting with my useless little sister.
Now then, well then. When the owner of the outrageous magic, who was purring like a cat herself, seemed satisfied—
"Alright, I'm counting on you."
After steadying my breathing to awaken my 'memory,' I gave the command.
"Mm... —[Anhelmia (Dreamy Heavenly Authority)]."
I set about what I had to do.
Unfortunately, the owner's scent doesn't stick to the bed in the virtual world, Nia-chan.