Chapter 147 - Example Reaction of a Person Meeting Their Idol
By the time I'd stopped by Kagura-san's workshop and contacted one other person I needed to, my time was nearly up. I hastily logged out, ate lunch, met up with Sora again, and resumed our tour—three hours ago in real-world time.
"The flow of time feels bugged..."
"Ahaha..."
It feels like we just met up at 1:00 PM—around 7:30 PM in-game—but somehow, more than four hours have already passed. Seriously?
We finished gathering the materials for the [Meteor Serpent] series, so after that, I was just retracing the path I'd taken in the past, giving her some commentary along the way... but man, time really flies when you're just chatting.
Just a moment ago, we were in the middle of a spring, locked in a life-or-death battle (which was basically twenty minutes of me being a one-sided punching bag) with a [Moonlight Turtle]—a massive tortoise over three meters long, bearing a silver-blue shell with demonic physical defense and magic-reflecting capabilities.
When I looked up, the sun hadn't set, but it was already starting to dip fairly low.
I don't know... adventuring with Sora just feels right. It's like I lose all track of time... To think that this has become my new normal. I've become quite the spoiled brat.
"You're still good on time for today, right?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I saved up some time yesterday, so I've secured plenty for today."
Sora typically only logs in for about six hours a day at most. By that standard, she's already running over, but she told me beforehand that she could extend her session for a fair bit today.
So there's no problem continuing our adventure, but—
"In that case... Sora-san."
"Yes?"
In the shallows, she was submerged up to her thighs right next to me. She had been staring intently into the spring, which was so transparent you could clearly see the pebbles and gravel at the bottom. When I called out to her, she looked up with a start, having been completely absorbed in observing a school of mysterious small fish.
If you catch those fish, by the way, every single one has a unique name and flavor text—but I digress.
"This is sudden, but there's someone I want you to meet. I contacted them to get their permission... or rather, I intended to, but when I mentioned you, they got incredibly excited and said, 'Please, you have to bring her!' So?"
"Th-That's very sudden, isn't it...?"
Well, yeah, I guess anyone would be bewildered if I sprung this on them without any warning.
It's a surprise, after all, so that's the reaction I was hoping for.
"What kind of person are they?"
"Hmm... let's see."
A natural question for such a sudden proposal.
As Sora tilted her head, I paused for a moment, wondering how to answer, before—
"Someone like a god, maybe?"
Borrowing the words of a certain Sword Saint Fanboy, I declared with a bit of theatrical flair. My partner's large eyes blinked a few times.
"..................Pardon?"
And just as I expected, she let out a bewildered cry.
And that was about ten minutes ago.
"--------------------.................."
"Is she going to be okay...?"
"She'll be fine. This is just a perfectly normal fan reaction."
Here, at the dojo of the Sword Saint (Ui-san) which I had visited just yesterday, Sora had completely ceased all activity in the presence of the person she apparently idolized. She had become a statue of a beautiful girl.
I hadn't heard the details when she casually mentioned it, but seeing her like this... well, it seems the feelings she harbors are far greater than I'd imagined.
She must have known about this place from somewhere, because the moment she stepped into the bamboo forest of our final destination, she seemed to have a premonition and entered her first freeze.
When the outer wall of the dojo came into view, she entered a slightly longer second freeze.
And then, after passing through the magnificent gate—was it part of her daily routine? Upon seeing Ui-san holding a broom, looking like a repeat of yesterday, she'd been in her third freeze for over a minute now.
I wouldn't mind just watching this play out, but Sora herself must be at the height of confusion, and Ui-san is looking worried, so I'll step in to help.
"Sora... Sora? Hey, Sora-san, you there?"
Calling her name, tapping her shoulder, waving my hand in front of her face—no reaction to anything.
Wait...? This is more serious than I thought—
"............—Ah, u-um..."
Just as I was starting to wonder what to do about this more-intense-than-expected reaction, Sora rebooted. With stiff, robotic movements that sounded like they should be making mechanical whirring noises, she barely managed to turn her head and meet Ui-san's gaze.
"U-um... I, I—... I, um...!"
...Ah yeah, it seems she's harboring some seriously immense feelings.
Watching Sora glitch out in a way I'd never seen before, I felt a pang of regret that I hadn't explained things beforehand instead of insisting on a surprise. Meanwhile—
"It's all right."
Seeing the girl frozen in a state of obvious tension and confusion, the Sword Saint closed the distance with a soft smile.
When they stand side-by-side, Sora is still slightly taller—and yet, I wonder why. I don't get the impression that Ui-san is particularly short.
It's probably... her aura. It's just too powerfully that of an older, more mature woman.
—And just look. The way she gently takes Sora's hand and smiles calmly is a scene you could frame and title 'Sisters'. Wait a minute, the sheer preciousness is overwhelming.
Eh? What is this space, heaven?
If I begged on my hands and knees, do you think she'd let me take a screenshot???
"Breathe out slowly... Yes. A deep breath in, and out... That's it."
Her appearance as she calms the girl with a soft voice, still holding her hand, is like the embodiment of gentleness, the personification of warmth... Thank you for this endless feast for the eyes—
While I was lost in my own stupid thoughts, Ui-san's soothing presence gradually helped Sora regain her composure.
After a few more deep breaths, the excessive tension that had rendered her speechless seemed to have safely dissipated.
"—... [Sword Saint], Ui-san."
Her voice still trembled, but she managed to form the words clearly. Ui-san smiled, relieved, and gave a small nod.
"Yes, my name is Ui—Haru-kun has told me all about you. I've been looking forward to meeting you."
"Th-...! Um, my name is Sora...! I—... I...!"
"—Huh? H-Hey, Sora-san...!?"
Confusion, tension—and now tears.
She could speak now, but tears started to stream from her eyes. Seeing my partner like this, I couldn't just stand by and watch anymore.
I rushed over and instinctively placed a hand on her back—wait, huh, what? Are you sure you want to come this way???
Ui-san must have read Sora's actions in an instant with her incredible perception, for she smoothly let go of the girl's hand... and Sora stumbled forward, collapsing into my chest—
...Uh, excuse me, what?
..................What?
"Haru..."
"Wh-Ah... um, Sora-san? This is, you know..."
"Oh my..."
Aaaah, the Sword Saint is watching...! And she's looking on with such a warm, gentle smile...!!
"I... I... I think I can die happy now..."
"Please don't die?"
What do you mean, now? Are you going to respawn on a daily basis?
Once again, I was faced with a partner glitching out in ways I'd never seen, and a fool who could do nothing but panic.
As for the Sword Saint watching over us—
"Fufu..."
She let out a laugh that seemed more genuinely amused than any I'd heard from her yesterday or today.