Chapter 232 - View: Real Side + α
—On a certain online message board.
'I don't understand anything anymore.'
'They've finally started using slow-motion effects, which almost never happens in the original footage...'
'I'll ask again and again, is this for real? Is it really confirmed that the Acrobat = the Sword Saint's disciple?'
'Pretty much. His movements are a perfect match for Shukuchi.'
'No way he's an imposter. He seemed to get along well with Irori-kun.'
'Actually, that just makes their incredible synergy even more understandable.'
'That duo is so shippable!!!'
'Ui-chan, you got a disciple...! I'm so happy for you...!!'
'Chan????? I told you to add -sama, you peasant.'
'Oh look, the extremist followers are here.'
'Look at the screen, you guys. This is without a doubt a legendary episode in the history of Arcadia.'
'Even with the slow-mo editing, I still can't make sense of it...'
'Stop running on air like it's normal, stop leaving afterimages.'
'Hey, did you see that? He just closed his eyes. I don't think the Acrobat-san can actually see properly when he's moving like that...?'
'Then how can he stop his attack and switch to dodging? Does he have foresight or something?'
'This is a grandpa, turning sixty this year. I'm rooting for him as I see my own grandson in him, so please forgive me.'
'That's forgivable.'
'From a grandfather's perspective, I guess it's okay.'
'Ugh... for the sake of the Sword Saint-sama, who adores her grandfather, I have no choice but to forgive you...'
'It's fine to bring up Sword Saint-sama, but can we face reality?'
'Is this even reality?'
'Could it be that we got so excited for the Four Pillar War that we had a seizure and died...?'
'So you're saying I'm dead? And all of you are, too?'
'Everything is so otherworldly that even the spectators are starting to bug out, lol.'
'Just seeing Iris-sama's smile is enough to satisfy me for life.'
'This.'
'So much this.'
'That awkward smile, I've permanently saved it to my memory while writhing on the floor.'
'If only we could hear a bit more of their conversation...'
'System-chan seems stubbornly determined not to pick it up with the mics.'
'Are they talking about something private...? Wait, did they know each other before?'
'They were introducing themselves. It's probably their first time meeting.'
'A conversation on their first meeting that System-chan decides not to broadcast...?'
'Hey, has the Acrobat really only been playing for about two months? I'm ready to quit being a light warrior.'
'I know exactly how you feel, but is he even a light warrior anymore...?'
'In the sense of a warrior in light equipment, doesn't he not fit that description at all anymore?'
'At least the light warriors I know don't swing around greatswords and giant axes.'
'Whoa.'
'Yikes.'
'Well, they certainly don't make the waterway explode by missing with a katana swing...'
'Yeah, hmm... this guy is definitely the Sword Saint's disciple.'
◇◆◇◆◇
—At a certain gathering of university students.
"Kaede, remember to breathe."
"...Hh... I-I am breathing..."
"Good. Now, try to blink, too."
"I don't want to...!"
"Your eyes are bright red. Just do it."
"Toshiki, any luck?"
"Well, no response to my messages, obviously. As for calling him... if this is for real, interrupting him would be a seppuku-level offense, so no way."
"Ah... yeah, you're right. Let's not."
"...This is probably real, isn't it?"
"...It must be, huh."
"...Hey."
"...Yeah."
The young man and woman sitting side-by-side looked at each other and nodded.
""—Tomorrow, we capture him, no matter what.""
And next to them, the two girls sitting together,
"—Kaede, you've stopped breathing again. You need to breathe."
"—I can't...!!!"
One caring and the other being cared for, both had their eyes glued to the 'screen.'
◇◆◇◆◇
—At a certain gathering of a grandfather and his granddaughter.
"You know, Yui."
"...What is it, Grandfather?"
"I don't think I've ever seen you make a face like that before."
His grandfather's face wore the same expression of deep affection he had seen countless times before—
"...It seems I won't be able to help it for a while."
The 'granddaughter,' looking embarrassed, blushed ever so slightly.
"Please don't look at me so much."
As if she had no time to hide her face—she just kept happily, intently, chasing the heroic figure of her 'disciple' on the screen.
◇◆◇◆◇
—At a certain gathering of two best friends.
"...Nia-cha?"
"............................................................................"
"Hmm..."
She called out, but her friend, frozen stiff in her lap, in her arms, didn't so much as twitch.
"Looks like he got to her."
Seeing her staring, unblinking and transfixed, she came to that conclusion...
Stroking her head as if soothing a younger sister, she too returned her attention—to the momentous event unfolding on the screen.
◇◆◇◆◇
—At a certain family gathering.
"—..."
On either side of the young girl silently watching 'his figure' were two adults, both frozen with similar expressions of astonishment.
"...I don't have much knowledge of this, but I can tell that what he's doing is incredible."
One's face was painted with bewilderment at a spectacle that far surpassed her imagination of her 'Knight-sama.'
"Y-You're right... Yes, that's an accurate assessment."
The other couldn't hide his amazement at the all-too-abnormal growth rate of the 'young man he knew.'
"...Is your Knight-sama always like that?"
As the woman, whose hand had been held tightly for a long time now, posed the question to the girl who appeared to be just watching silently,
"...—He's always like that."
Never averting her gaze, the girl murmured her reply, her voice full of emotion.
"He's my partner—who always shows me a smile more joyful than anyone else's."
◇◆◇◆◇
"—He's really going at it..."
In a peculiar field where a starry sky was reflected both above and below—several hours had passed since the Four Pillar War began.
'She,' with time on her hands, continued to wait at her base... Listening to the distant echo of a 'sword,' she lounged on a sofa she had brought herself and let out a murmur.
"—You know, you could go and watch if you want."
In response to her unconscious muttering, a voice spoke up from right beside her. It was the other player who had come to the field with her, just the two of them, similarly bored.
The man with hair a similar red to hers—no, an even deeper crimson, tied back—was probably just making a genuine suggestion without any ulterior motive, but...
"I'll pass. I wouldn't be able to watch calmly, anyway."
"Hah, breaking character on a national broadcast would be too embarrassing, huh?"
"Shut it."
She shot back a complaint, but unfortunately, he—her 'boss'—was right. If she were to go 'cheer' for him, it was obvious she wouldn't be able to control her emotions.
She had no way of knowing who her familiar-sounding 'sword' was currently clashing with, but—
"...Do your best."
If that's you up there.
Simply wishing for the wielder's success—the weaver, looking up at the starry sky, silently mouthed her unheard encouragement.
Alright, let's sprint to the finish.