Chapter 113 - Meanwhile, the Indigo Girl
I'm stockpiling chapters, for reasons I won't mention. Hence, this one is a bit short, please forgive me…
"………………"
It's been about two hours since I sent 'him' off, after my own fair share of antics.
I'd holed up in my personal atelier, assigned to me in the [Safe Area] branch, and was just silently killing time.
Of course, I'm not loud and boisterous when I'm all by myself, and there's nothing strange about being silent in my own room—but that's only when I'm alone.
"Nia-chan, you're so noisy even when you're quiet."
"Ugh…"
Lifting and lowering the teacup on the table.
Pattering my feet for no reason.
Opening my window every thirty seconds to check for messages or whatever—I was fully aware of my current restlessness, and my friend's brutally honest criticism made me freeze.
"I-I can't help it… It's been a while, and he hasn't sent a single message…"
"The Istia selection matches are super fast-paced, right? He probably doesn't have time. And if he doesn't have time, that means he's winning, right?"
Her voice was as sweet and melting as ever, enough to charm even another girl like me.
Being lectured in such a tone completely shut down my rebuttal. I sulked, hiding my face by pressing the cup to my lips.
"I have to say, I'm really surprised. I never thought you'd fall head over heels in love like this, Nia-chan."
"Th-that's not, I'm not that serious yet…!"
"So you admit you are into him, then?"
"Fuguu…!!"
I couldn't say anything back to her teasing words.
And if I couldn't say anything back, that means it's true—I know that, but still…!
"I can't believe the looks-obsessed Nia-chan fell in love at first sight. I wonder just how handsome this boy is."
"Who are you calling looks-obsessed?! I've never acted like that, not even once!!"
Besides, he's not exactly the 'handsome boy' type!!
"So what did you like about him?"
"That, is—! ……………………H-his face."
"Mhph."
"Don't 'mhph' me! You're so mean, Hiyo-chan!!"
I can't help it! I don't know what it is, but he was just ridiculously my type!!
I slammed my face onto the desk to hide my impossibly hot cheeks, and Hiyo-chan—my fellow artisan and best friend, [Bush Warbler]—started patting my head with a very amused look on her face.
"…You bully."
"Whatever do you mean?"
She knows I can't resist when she does that.
Her fluffy, long wavy hair was a similar shade to Sora-chan's beautiful gold.
Her beautiful sapphire-blue eyes and the well-proportioned face that was standard for Arcadia players—even though it was completely different from her real face, the gentle expression she wore was familiar… and it still made me feel strangely at ease.
By the way, she gets pouty if you tease her about padding her chest a little. What gives, you have a bigger bust than me in real life!!
"So? If you're that into him, it can't be just his looks, right?"
"What, hold on. How did we naturally get into a conversation about this?"
"Well, you did call me over when I was busy just because you were restless, so I think I'm entitled to a little snack to go with my tea."
"Treating my first love like a snack…!!"
What's so infuriating is that she knows I'm not entirely against the idea of telling someone about it…
"……………………h-h…"
"H-h?"
"His voice, too………… I kinda… like it…"
"What's his voice like?"
"It's not high-pitched, but it's not raspy either… And the way he talks, even when he's being blunt, there's something subtly gentle about it…………"
Oh god, I can't do this. My cheeks are so hot they're going to explode.
"A-and the way he laughs is just!!"
"I love how you end up telling me everything so honestly, Nia-chan."
I can't help it! This is all a first for me, you know!!
In the end, I spilled everything myself, giving her a mountain of things to hold over me before noon.
My best friend, who has always acted like an older sister to me, just kept laughing cheerfully the whole time.
Cute (is cute)