Chapter 243 - Secure That Youth
"—So yeah, that's the gist of it for now. What you 'pulled off' was so huge that your face hasn't become a big topic."
"Though you are getting popular in some circles. I guess the hairstyle and all those effects you had swirling around you worked? It looked just plausible enough that most people don't seem to suspect it's your real appearance."
"The fact that you're above average-looking also helped. It was written off as just a plain face by their standards."
"Totally. Man, it's crazy how much a pair of dorky glasses can change your impression."
"Also, Nozomi. I've been meaning to tell you, but your usual hairstyle doesn't really suit you."
"For real. Your big sis here will give you a cool new look, so it's time for a makeover!"
"Could you stop casually weaving in insults?"
They must have sensed I wasn't in the mood to touch any form of social media today, let alone search my own name. My friends had gathered information from all over the internet and were now sharing it with me, carefully sugarcoating everything.
I wasn't happy about them trashing my masterpiece of a disguise, but while I offered a token retort, there was no way I could genuinely complain right now.
'One hundred percent for you'—Toshiki hadn't been lying. This whole kidnapping escapade was something they had done without a second thought, purely for me, a friend they had only just made.
"Man, that scared the hell out of me... We couldn't get in touch, so we figured you might be knocked out, but we staked out the place 'just in case,' and there you were, jogging along with a carefree look on your face."
"I kind of had a feeling, but you're a bit of an airhead, aren't you, Haru-kun?"
...Apparently. They had been waiting for me until the afternoon just to intercept me in case I carelessly showed up at the university—even though they had no idea if I would even come.
"In the end, you haven't been identified, right? And there doesn't seem to be any major search for you... so you should be fine for now—what are you doing???"
Just as I was talking seriously, Shoko cut me off with an "uh-huh, whatever" expression and started messing with my bangs.
"Mizuki, explain it to this clueless boy."
In place of Shoko, who ignored me and continued to play with my hair, Mizuki nodded and began to speak, sipping the tea that Fuka-san—Kaede's older sister—had brought for us a few minutes ago.
You look incredibly poised right now. Just as expected of a rich girl's best friend(?).
"If it were already too late, we wouldn't be meddling like this. It's precisely because things can still be managed that we're going to help you stay hidden, no matter what."
It wasn't that I was taking this lightly. But it was also true that I hadn't accurately gauged the sheer scale of the 'situation.'
...Or rather—
"I can sort of tell just by looking at you—you haven't fully grasped the reality of it yourself yet. You're still confused... aren't you?"
"............"
Pierced by her intelligent eyes from behind her glasses, I had no choice but to raise my hands in surrender—well, I couldn't raise one of them. Just how long does Kaede-san plan on holding onto me?
"It can't be helped."
"You said you didn't know much about [Arcadia], and you were serious, weren't you? So it's no wonder your brain can't keep up when you're suddenly a ranker and part of the Four Pillars."
"An overnight superstar, you know? There's no way you can come up with the best solution right away."
Siiiiigh... Right, um. Can I say something?
"Are you guys... just too nice...?"
I couldn't help but be moved by my friends, who, instead of blaming me for my ignorance and incompetence, were all rushing to support me.
I already thought they were good people, but to think they'd go this far for a new friend...
As I trembled slightly, genuinely touched, I heard a small "oops" and Shoko ripped out a few of my hairs. What are you doing to another person's scalp???
"Well, it's not really about being 'nice'...
"Might be a little early to like us so much, you know?"
"We have our own perfectly valid 'ulterior motives.'"
This time, too, they all replied in kind—but my sensibilities are those of a normal person, just like them. I know what they're thinking.
"...Because the friend we just happened to meet suddenly became famous before our very eyes."
When I shot him a deliberately half-lidded gaze, Toshiki quickly averted his eyes.
"And he just so happens to be an Arcadia player, which is right up our alley."
Shoko, who must have been experimenting with different arrangements, started whistling, pretending to be focused on my hair.
"Something like that—it'd be a waste not to get as involved as possible... right?"
"I won't and can't deny it. No matter how many reasons we list, in the end, we're treating you like an event. You can be angry if you want."
Those brutally honest words came from Mizuki, who never lost her dignified composure... and in response, all I could do was feel my energy drain away at the sight of my 'friends' and their honest reactions.
"Haha..."
Haah... —Right, impossible. I like these guys.
"...Like I'd be angry. If I were in your shoes, I'd make damn sure to use such an interesting person as fuel for my own youth."
In other words, the act of treating me like an event is canceled out by the get-out-of-jail-free card known as youth. What remains is only my affection for the friends who reached out to me without hesitation.
As I jokingly declared them not guilty, their visibly relieved expressions made my fondness for them skyrocket.
Perhaps it was the conviction that I had clearly gained 'allies' on the real-world side, but I felt the thread of tension that had been pulled taut since I left my room this morning begin to loosen, just a little.
—...Alright then, shall we try to resolve this matter as well?
"Uh... Kaede-san? Seeing as we've all come to a general understanding and reconciliation, it should be okay to release me now, you know? I'm not going to try and escape at this point."
I turned my eyes to my left. To the resident of this mansion, who had been gripping my arm and had remained perfectly still and silent since we sat down on the sofa.
Her soft, light-brown hair hid her expression, but I figured she must have some kind of plan of her own—............a plan, huh...?
"...Kaede?"
Miss Shijo remained utterly still. I called her name a few more times while shaking the arm she was holding to get a reaction, but...
"Haru-kun."
"............Yeah?"
As I slowly began to realize that the situation was a little bit off-kilter, Mizuki—with a rare, undisguised tone of voice filled with heartfelt exasperation—informed me of her condition.
"That girl—she's been in contact with her 'favorite' for too long. She passed out."
In that moment, the image I had of her as a 'gentle, pure, and proper young lady' crumbled to dust.
"—..................Huh???"
And so, Shijo Kaede was categorized as the group's number one 'most interesting person'.