Chapter 1120 - A Single Strike of Sortie
Since I was born, I haven't actively participated in events.
Saving up funds and jumping into the virtual world, Arcadia, was the only—if I were to say so—noteworthy point in my life. Because I lived that way, I even thought of winning the [Zoodiac] invitation slot, which I had applied for on a whim, as the "second" one.
Along with the surprise of having slipped through odds said to be hundreds or thousands of times, what welled up was anxiety and a sense of apology. Why? Because to be honest, it was just a whim.
The [Acrobat]... —[Clown (Hoshikake)] is not someone I dislike.
I've enjoyed the videos of the activities of the Four Pillars many times, and if asked if I'm a fan, I wouldn't particularly go out of my way to deny it.
However, that was the extent of it. Compared to the hardcore fans who would pray to the heavens for the lottery results just to see him once, I was someone who would be hesitant to even call myself a light fan.
I wondered if someone like me should have been blessed with such luck as a result of a mere whim.
I wondered if I could enjoy such a place while harboring such feelings of reservation.
—As it turned out, my worries were groundless.
A natural-born charmer and a master of involving others. The player known as [Haru], whom the world teasingly refers to with affection. And the players who try to be his friends while being influenced by him.
Before I knew it, I found myself absorbed in their 'hospitality'... Ah, so this is what it means to be a person who attracts the envy of others, I thought. They are that way because they are worthy of it, I thought.
It's not that I was looking down on them. It's just that the speed at which my interest turned was a bit slower than others. So, in the end... —I'm just me, I thought, and I was weary.
Touching the brilliance and only looking up, only longing, just another general person among the masses. As expected, this was the second noteworthy point for me, and I, who at the age of twenty-five only have enough such points to count on my fingers, will continue to live while being appropriately stained and dyed, I thought.
The positive of enjoying it, and the negative that runs parallel behind it.
Completely normal. Completely commonplace.
Behind the anxiety, one shouldn't have expectations that aren't like oneself—in the end, I was just vaguely dreaming of whether a turning point in my life wouldn't come flying in, whether I wouldn't be able to become special myself in the midst of special events I unexpectedly encounter...
What I offer to the heavens is irresponsible prayer to a god.
No, it's not even a prayer to a god; it's just a vague worldly desire with an ambiguous shape.
I was fascinated by intense brilliance... by special people whom the world appropriately calls 'protagonists,' and I felt as if I had been kicked, and while harboring a slightly painful feeling, I worked hard at my labor.
That's right, even if I could get close to good fortune, I should just be a waitress, working busily and secretly in the shadows of the stars, dreaming vaguely of a non-existent turning point in my life.
That's right, this is fun in its own way, isn't it.
This is fun in its own way. That much is fitting for someone like me who is nobody—
...Well,
It was bad that I kept thinking about such trivial things endlessly.
"—! Oh...!?"
It was completely my own carelessness, a lack of focus.
The moment a large male player stood up from his seat, just as I turned around with a serving tray in one hand. It was a form where I jumped in with exquisite bad timing.
I was spaced out, and he was a surprise.
I, who have resigned myself to Arcadia as a place for a leisurely otherworldly life, have a level that gradually and steadily rises just by living my daily life, but my body movements are those of an ordinary person.
In contrast, the male player. I could tell from his outfit that he was a strong man who made the battlefield his main place... —unfortunately, 'superhuman' is not a word that describes all players.
Combined with being startled, I was bounced back by the hard chest (armor) I collided with and fell backward. The serving tray flew through the air. Furthermore, the various empty dishes were released, and as a finishing blow, an empty large mug hit my forehead with a clean hit.
With that much information being thrust at me, no one could easily handle it.
Therefore... ah, shame, I thought.
Exposing my unseemliness in such a place, causing trouble, and being laughed at in someone's heart. Although it's my own fault, my life is always full of things like that, damn it, I thought—
Horo-horo, while laughing at my insignificant self in my heart and shedding tears, at that moment.
"...?, ............................................................?"
The impact of the sorrowful fall never attacked my back. And the commotion caused by a slow-witted fool didn't lead to a stir that fanned my shame.
While in a backward-leaning posture, I was being supported by something—by someone.
Noticing that, I unconsciously opened my tightly closed eyelids... and if I opened my eyes.
"—Are you alright?"
Right before my eyes. Smiling was an angel... no, a fairy... no, a princess............ I couldn't even think of a description that would be enough for that terrifyingly pure white beauty.
"Are you injured?"
"Hyuh... eh, heh, no, um............"
It's a virtual world. It's a virtual body (avatar) whose level has risen, for better or worse. Even if I fell, even if I hit my head, I wouldn't be injured (take damage). Or rather, it wasn't a situation for that.
"—......"
"Hi............ eeeee............"
The smile that filled my vision, which was gentle, beautiful, and extremely calm, washed away the contents of my ordinary head, which was full of ordinary worldly desires, with 'absolute' in an instant.
And so, to me, who was frozen while letting out a cry that wasn't even a scream—
"...Fufu."
When "she" layered another smile.
She wore a service outfit that was clearly different from the ones supplied to us. A figure that was smaller and more slender than me, but whose value and specs could be seen at a glance to be unfathomable.
As if to say 'what of it,' as if she were a gallant and reliable man leading me... as if I were made to dance a dance, I was turned and made to stand in an instant.
"Yes, here you go."
"Eh..."
What was handed to me was the serving tray, on which all the dishes I had scattered, including the mug that had directly hit the victim man's forehead, were beautifully placed and organized.
And so, to me, who was in a dream-like state while being dumbfounded—once again.
"Be careful, okay?"
The Japanese-style maid... wearing an outfit that was rare for a heavenly maiden, she threw a supreme smile, which I couldn't help but think was even like that of the [Sword Queen], at none other than me.
"Fa, ah..."
She gently patted my shoulder as if to a casual colleague and walked past with elegant steps.
...In that brief moment.
There were only two things I could think.
—Eh, who?
And,
"............Eh, I'll support her..."
It was the first time in my life. It was the emotion called 'infatuation' (being a fan) that welled up after being fascinated.
Ah, dear.