Chapter 257 - Under the Night Sky
—In the virtual world of Arcadia, there are no constellations.
This isn't simply because no one has defined their shapes or names... but because every last star in the sky moves about of its own free will.
They don't follow regular orbits; they draw closer, move apart, and sometimes even vanish. It's factually impossible to observe them accurately.
Thus, the concept of constellations does not exist in this world.
"——————............"
The only unchanging celestial body to adorn the night sky is the great, great silver moon.
Day and night, without waxing or waning, the giant perfect circle watches over the countless players from above.
Come to think of it, I might have never taken the time to slowly gaze up at its form in the night sky.
Leaving the city in the Garden of Divine Creation, she had wandered aimlessly to this unfamiliar place. The girl, sitting on a round rock placed in the center of a small spring, quietly gazed at the night sky in the darkness.
It had been just over an hour since she parted with her partner, who had gone to see his master. There was no reason, no particular thought in her mind... it was just a whim.
Perhaps she was still carrying the warmth from the banquet, where she'd been unexpectedly welcomed and befriended by people—an event she'd enjoyed far more than she anticipated.
She wasn't in the mood to return to the real world just yet... but accepting an invitation to an after-party without her partner wasn't an option, either.
So, after seeing him off with a face that said, I'm logging out right away, she had wandered off alone to a place like this.
"............Maybe I should have gone with him."
She murmured without changing her expression, then rested her head on her arms, which were wrapped around her knees, and closed her eyes.
—The quiet babbling of the spring was pleasant to her ears.
"............—"
When her eyes stopped reflecting the night sky, only one thing surfaced behind her eyelids. She had already given up trying to stop herself from calling his name without a sound.
It's become second nature—she had no choice but to admit it.
Those eyes that looked straight at her, and only her.
That voice that called her name, sometimes innocently, sometimes gently.
That hand that would catch her clinging fingertips, acting as if it were nothing.
Having him by her side had become, simply, second nature.
An awareness of him as a member of the opposite sex—...to be honest, she couldn't ignore that, either.
But more than that, more than anything... just, to be by his side.
She wouldn't ask for anything more, so she wanted to be there, and wanted him to be there—two months ago, she couldn't have imagined she would ever feel this way about a man.
Setting aside complicated feelings like "like" or "love."
She just wanted to be with him, always.
In just two months in a game. Some might laugh at her for becoming so dependent in such a trivial amount of time—
But whether she should be proud or exasperated... whatever anyone said, she could probably just smile back with her head held high.
My partner—is the kind of person who can move the world in just two months, she would say.
Mingling with the sound of the babbling spring, a bell chimed loudly.
It was a call from someone, directed only at her, one that could not be heard in the spring, the night sky, the stars, or even the moon.
With her eyes still closed, the girl's lips curved into a faint smile—permission was granted, and the path was connected.
And then—
"————All alone this late at night, little lady?"
The sound and light of teleportation.
What appeared beside her was a familiar presence—what reached her ears was none other than that voice.
Feeling embarrassed to let him see her smiling, she buried her face in her arms as if to sulk.
"Someone left me behind."
"I did invite you, though."
"I'm not go-ing. Even I can tell whether I'd be intruding or not."
"Hmm... But I think Ui-san would have been happy if you came."
"You really are just... Haru."
"Wait a sec? I don't think I did anything wrong this time."
"Jeez... It's fine. I was just being considerate, as a fan."
"Hah, I see...? By the way, it's pretty cool here. Aren't you cold?"
"I'm fine. The outfit Nia-san gave me seems to have a temperature regulation effect."
"Classic Nia-chan quality..."
The conversation died down, and she felt his presence as he sat down right next to her.
That distance wasn't his choice, but a reflection of her own desire—a distance where, if she reached out, her fingertips would immediately touch him.
Always—
Always, always, always, always—every single time, this person,
"Well... —Good evening, Sora. Been a minute."
with the smile she wants, when she wants it—
"...Good evening, Haru. Been a minute, yes."
is right there beside her, as if it's the most natural thing in the world.
He's so unfair, she thought, bumping his shoulder in a silent complaint... He simply took it without a word, naturally staying close by her side.
...Aware that another one of those feelings she couldn't ignore was piling up.
The sighing girl buried her face deeper into her arms—as if to hide her burning cheeks.
Things have gotten difficult right after the new year started, but I hope all my readers are safe. I hope my story can distract someone, somewhere, even just for a little while.