Chapter 156 - Special and Talent
"—There is nothing I need to say."
That, in a nutshell, was the verdict from the Sword Saint, who was holding her teacup in utter contentment.
Sora had probably been hoping for a detailed critique from the person she admired so much. She was visibly fidgeting, but Ui-san calmly continued, as if to soothe her.
"Haru-kun—unlike in our sparring session, your movements were excellent, with just the right amount of tension removed. You showed me some techniques I had not seen before, and I was once again impressed."
"Ah… I'm honored."
I was happy to be praised so sincerely, but… that ending. I was worried not only about what Sora thought, but also how it had looked to Ui-san.
From the sidelines, my hesitation must have been painfully obvious. I was aware that I had displayed a shameful side that, depending on the person, could have been disappointing.
And because I was aware, there were no excuses I could make.
It was my fault for being a coward. No matter how many times I replayed that moment, I knew I would have stopped my hand every time.
"As for Sora-chan—"
"T-t… Yes!"
Ignoring the coward who was lost in his own useless internal review session, the Sword Saint's gaze shifted to the girl beside me.
Sora, in turn, reacted with an almost touchingly honest eagerness. I could practically see a phantom tail wagging with excitement as she leaned forward.
"Truly, there is nothing I can say."
"Eh…"
And so, she declared once again that she had no critique to offer.
…Well, yeah. Sora looks crestfallen, but I can kind of guess what Ui-san means by saying “there's nothing to say.”
Look closely, Sora-san. Ui-san is smiling so warmly, isn't she?
"You mean there were no flaws, that it was simply wonderful—right?"
“………………Yes…?”
It wasn't that Ui-san was being vague, but that Sora herself, so eager for a critique, was misinterpreting her meaning.
The reason she had said "nothing I need to say" to the two of us was because it included me, whom she had just taken on as a 'student' the day before.
But the words she directed at Sora individually were "nothing I can say"—in other words, there wasn't a single area where she, of all people, felt she could offer advice.
This was coming from the second-ranked Sword Saint of the Eastern Faction.
Could there possibly be any higher praise?
"I apologize, was my wording unclear? —It is as Haru-kun says. Truly… it was a wonderful match in every single way, Sora-chan."
She set down her teacup, smiled shyly, and placed her hands on her chest as if deeply moved.
"If people like myself and Haru-kun are to be called ordinary, then someone like you must be what they call a true genius."
And then—wait a minute, did this person just say something completely outrageous?
"Ah, eh—... Heh!?"
Of course Sora-san is confused. Look, I have zero objections to being categorized as ordinary. That's perfectly fine with me.
Even if Ui-san calls me ordinary from her lofty perspective, I could smile and say, “Yes, I am ordinary, a pleasure to meet you,” with immediate and total agreement.
But for the Sword Saint herself to call herself ordinary was something I couldn't accept.
At worst, it could come across as an uncharacteristic taunt towards the unspecified masses of people who could never reach her level.
—It wasn't as if she noticed my speechlessness.
As if re-reading her own words, Ui-san gasped, covered her mouth, and began to panic.
"I am so sorry, I expressed myself strangely, did I not…? Haru-kun, I apologize to you as well. I did not mean it in any slighting way."
"Ah, it's okay. It's really okay, please calm down."
She was acting the same way she had when she hastily tried to cover for her grandfather earlier. Seeing her flustered like this, a rare sight, made it clear just how much she regretted her poor choice of words.
"Um… it is not that I truly think of myself or Haru-kun as ordinary. I understand that I possess 'talent' within this world, and there is no doubt that Haru-kun is also 'special'."
Well, I'm not really—Sora-san, are you reading my mind again? That sharp look you're giving me is practically psychic.
"What I meant to say was—even compared to that, Sora-chan's talent seems to be in a league of its own. I could not think of an expression that goes beyond 'genius' on the spot, so I lowered myself and Haru-kun in my phrasing."
"Ah, no, no, really, don't worry about me…"
She bowed her head apologetically again, and my lack of resistance to the "gentle older sister" type started to surface. Control yourself, you're in front of Sora…!
And, setting me aside, the 'genius' herself, Sora—well, yeah, of course she'd make that face.
She understood she was being praised unconditionally, but the praise was so immense that she didn't know how to take it. Her face was a textbook example of bewilderment.
As I've said many times, these were the words of the person she's had a crush on for years. She couldn't just deny them, so she must have been at a complete loss for where to put her words and feelings.
…Well, giving her a helping hand is what a partner's for.
"I've always thought that Sora's sense for things was extraordinary in various ways," I said.
"Tch—honestly, Haru, you too…!"
Just wait. I'm not just trying to flatter you.
"It's just that I can't really put it into words very well. Ui-san, in what way did you feel her 'talent' was so outstanding?"
How's that for a follow-up?
If she gave a clear answer, it might help Sora accept the praise. If she gave a vague one, it could be brushed off as, “Ah, the Sword Saint’s super-senses, I guess.”
I conveyed my intent with a glance, and Sora retracted her accusatory look and sat properly again. Ah, I don't mind the glare, I really don't. You don't have to look so regretful.
What I had just said was, from start to finish, my genuine feelings.
"In what way… let me see," Ui-san said, seriously considering my follow-up question.
She closed her eyes and thought for a while. She picked up the teacup beside her, took a sip, and pondered for a moment longer. Then, she looked up and delivered her conclusion.
"Sora-chan—it seems she is not bound by the logic of this virtual world."
…And at the Sword Saint's declaration.
““…………………………Huh??””
Sora and I tilted our heads in perfect unison.
Protagonist: "What is this person talking about?"
Sora-san: "What is this person talking about?"
Author: "What is this person talking about?"