Chapter 244 - Unraveling the Threads
—Shijo Kaede is an Arcadia otaku.
In itself, that's nothing unusual. The 'hobby' has become so commonplace worldwide that it's no exaggeration to say it's an everyday thing.
However, even among otaku, there are different tastes.
Even if one simply observes the virtual world as a spectator rather than a player, do they watch the peaceful scenery of another world, the thrilling adventures, or the stage of blood-pumping conflict?
Or—do they fix their fervent gaze upon a specific 'someone'?
As for which type Shijo Kaede is, it's the fourth one. She is a typical fan who focuses on a single favorite. And the target of that love and passion was none other than my master.
The second seat of the Eastern Faction, Istia—the [Sword Saint] herself.
But again, that's nothing special. The followers of that 'God of the Blade' number in the hundreds of millions across the globe.
However, if there was something slightly special about her...
It was that her passion as a fan was just a little bit deeper than average, and—by some twist of fate, the 'Sword Saint's Disciple' had appeared right before her very eyes.
—Now, for a question.
Question one: When a 'friend' suddenly transforms into a 'disciple,' the person with the highest probability of being closest to one's ultimate favorite, what happens to the passionate otaku?
"I'msosorryI'msosorryforme,anunworthypersontobesopresumptuousAcrobat-samaasforyourperformance lastnightitwasabsolutelyamazingandwonderfulandbythewaywhatisyourrelationshipwithUi-samaSwordSaint-samaifImaybesoboldastoasknoIhavenointentionofgettinginyourwayatallinIearnestlyhopeyoutwohaveacordialmaster-disciplerelationshipwhichmakesmewonderwhathappenswithLadyIriswhoyouseemedtohaveaquiteniceatmospherwithattheendlastnightohI'msosorryI'msosorrybeingnosyandaskingallthesethingslikesomegossipmongerhowuncouthofme—...!"
Answer: This happens.
"What is this...?"
"She was done in by you yesterday. She's completely become a fan of both 'master and disciple.'"
While Mizuki and I shot her looks of exasperation and confusion respectively, Kaede was prostrated on the sofa, completely bugging out. She did properly take off her slippers, though. Good girl.
"Uh... Kaede?"
"YES, WHAT IS IT!"
"........................"
Don't look at me with a face that screams 'Supreme Joy!' just because I called your name... Wait, Shijo... that was a terrible pun—ow, how did you know, Mizuki-san?
I couldn't tell if the poke to my side was a jab at my stupid thought or a prompt to 'deal with this already,' but... I was nudged by Mizuki to try and fix the broken young lady, so I opened my mouth.
"For starters, no more '-sama,' okay?"
"Th-that's... such cruelty...!"
"What character are you even playing?"
This is getting kind of funny, so please stop.
I motioned for Mizuki to help Kaede up, and once the young lady had lifted her face, I met her gaze—whoa, she's beet red...!!
"Ah, geez, honestly...!"
Getting such a direct reaction makes even me feel embarrassed. I let out an exaggerated sigh to cover it up, averting my gaze slightly... and decided to just get to the point.
"The person in front of you right now isn't your 'favorite.' It's Haru-kun, who became Shijo Kaede-san's friend half a month ago. Now then, is Kaede-san, a follower of the [Sword Saint] who embodies purity, integrity, gentleness, and sincerity, the kind of troublesome fan who ignores a player's real life—goffah!?"
"That's not true, I'm sorry!!"
A headbutt from the young lady, who misjudged the distance, landed a critical hit right in my solar plexus.
If this were the virtual world, my [Crimson Rabbit Hairpin] would have definitely activated—as that foolish thought crossed my mind, Kaede clung to my KO'd form, flustered and red-faced.
"H-Hey... Are you okay?"
"Ugh............"
I tried to say I was fine, but no voice came out. Not bad, miss... That was, without a doubt, the biggest hit I've taken yesterday or today...
"Kaede, please calm down already."
While Mizuki pulled her friend off me as she was about to climb on top of me and soothed her, I was helped up by a very amused-looking Shoko.
I get how you feel, so I won't complain, but consider the favor of helping me up canceled out, okay?
Now, waiting until she had calmed down thanks to her best friend's comforting pats—
"Kaede."
"Y-Yes..."
"If you keep acting like that, I'm going back to calling you 'Shijo-san.'"
"Ugh..., ............"
I said it with deliberate coldness and curtness—and perhaps reflecting on her own outburst, her face flushed a different shade of red as she looked down in embarrassment.
"I-I'm sorry... Haru—I mean, -kun."
"Okay, let's get along from now on, Kaede. If it makes you too self-conscious because of my other name, everyone can just call me by my first name from now on."
"Got it, Nozomi-kun."
"Okay-dokey."
I gave a wry smile at Kaede, who had clearly hesitated to say my name, and made the suggestion. Mizuki and Shoko adapted instantly, as expected.
As for the person in question, Kaede—
"............I-I'll, practice."
The young lady, who had apparently never called a boy by his first name before, covered her face with both hands and collapsed, as if to say 'everything is just so embarrassing'.