Chapter 279 - Encounter, Encounter, and Encounter
Although the number of things I had to think about hadn't decreased one bit, the adventure in the virtual world had been an unparalleled breath of fresh air for me.
Even if the path was a dim cave, even if the opponent was a ridiculously huge bug—fun is the ultimate power, fun is justice.
And with the personification of cute right next to me, the healing effect was immeasurable.
"Huh?"
Having received that premium healing effect and regained some measure of calm, I—at the 'promised' time of eleven o'clock, was now letting out a menacing tone, smartphone in hand.
...Well, I didn't just let it out, I did it on purpose. As a protest, or something, I put all my feelings of 'give me a break' into it.
'I'm sorry, but it's at the other party's strong request. Their safety... or rather, their identity is guaranteed, so you can rest assured.'
"Yeah, I'd expect as much from someone connected to Yotsuya, but. Huh? Wait a minute, are you serious? You're really going to put even more stress on me at this point???"
'Haha.'
What are you laughing at? There was nothing funny about that, Deputy Representative...!
"I'll concede a hundred points and say it's fine that you won't be present. But what's the big idea telling me to hold a one-on-one nighttime tea party with someone I've never met?"
'That's not my decision either, it's what the other party wants.'
"Hey, I'm seriously scared here... Who the hell is this other party anyway?"
While I was feeling terrified of this person who was being pushed on me as being so interested, Chitose-san's reply was, as always, something about a 'confidentiality agreement.'
I already know the word 'surprise' is behind all that, so give it a rest.
"Besides, it's already past the time. If they don't show up, I'm exhausted, so I'm going to—what's that music?!"
The moment I was seriously trying to plead for some sleep, an unfamiliar melody echoed through the cavernous room, scaring the daylights out of me.
'Ah, looks like they're here. Well then, I'll leave the two of you to it.'
"What is this, a chime...? Hey, wait a—he hung up...!!"
What is it with them? What is it with Yotsuya Development???
From the Representative to the Deputy Representative to the maid(?), are they just a bunch of free spirits...?
Fine, I don't care anymore! A nighttime tea party or whatever, I'll do it! Bring it on, today's final event...!
And then, the chime melody rang out again. Listening to the needlessly elegant classical tune, I peered into the intercom monitor and—
"—... ...?"
—faced with the high-class device covered in buttons, I froze, helpless.
Help Wanted: Instructions for operating a high-class private wired communication device with a monitor—give me a break, my family home just had a normal doorbell!
◇◆◇◆◇
In a hallway that felt more like a luxury hotel than an apartment, with carpeted floors.
Standing before the door, 'she' felt a kind of nervousness she had never experienced before, her expression faint as she fidgeted, waiting for a response from the intercom.
"..., ...tch."
She tried to take a deep breath, but even that failed miserably. Only broken sighs escaped, making her feel even more suffocated.
She was the one who had urged 'I want to see him soon,'
She was the one who had selfishly said, 'I'd prefer it if it were just the two of us,'
Caught between an expectation and an equally large anxiety and nervousness, the emotions that had been coldly frozen until just a few days ago were now in a riotous uproar.
There were just too many 'firsts,' and despite her actions being decisive, she was in a constant state of confusion.
A runaway, meandering state of mind, like deciding to dress up for the first time in her life on her own initiative, even though she wasn't even going out.
And because of that, despite being the one to rush things, she ended up being late.
If the 'her' from a few days ago could see her now, repeatedly making a fool of herself... would she be amazed, would she lament, or would she—
"—...tch."
Just as she was drowning in words that couldn't even form thoughts.
For some reason, with no response from the intercom—her ears caught the small sound of a lock turning from within the door.
Wait, just a moment.
That's out of order.
First I'll hear his 'voice,' and after I've steeled my resolve—
"—Uh... H-Hello, good evening...?"
"—"
I had wanted to see his 'face.'
From the quietly opened door, the room's owner peeked out along with his voice—and for some reason, her long black hair fell and hid her expression as she reflexively looked down.
"..., ...tch."
"...Um, I have the right room, don't I?"
She tried to return the greeting, and failed again. His voice was thick with confusion, and rightfully so. At this rate, she wasn't just late, she was a completely suspicious person.
—It was at that moment. The 'her from before,' which still lingered strongly, slapped the her who was dithering around, telling her to 'get a grip.'
...No, it was more than a slap.
With a momentum and power that rivaled the flash of a certain 'Queen,' it kicked [Alicia White, the Sword Queen], who had been reduced to a mere 'naive young girl' unbecoming of her.
Raise your head, look forward.
I am—yes, I am [Iris], known as the strongest in Arcadia.
Absolute powerhouse, invincible queen, silver sword princess, strongest princess, archangel of the virtual world, bug of the century—now is the time to believe in myself, praised with all these and many other incomprehensible words.
To face this unknown feeling, for the first time in my life.
"Tch... —Nice, to mee—"
...However, much to her surprise.
The fact that her body moved before her mouth would have to be a point for future improvement.
◇◆◇◆◇
—I opened my front door, and a girl came charging at me.
I know you probably have no idea what I'm talking about, but I also have no idea what just happened.
After giving up on the mysteriously multi-functional luxury intercom and deciding it would be rude to keep her waiting, I'd peeked out the door for less than ten seconds. I had automatically assumed it would be an adult, so my first surprise was seeing a slender woman standing there.
A girl with long, beautiful black hair flowing down her back, wearing a stylish one-piece dress that could be mistaken for a gown.
I couldn't see her face as she quickly looked down, but I got the sense of a great beauty from her aura—and that was as far as my calm thoughts went.
She must have been nervous too, as she only fumbled for words for a few seconds.
Then suddenly, she was cloaked in a massive presence I recognized from somewhere—
"—...Ow."
—and like this, she's now using me as a cushion after a spectacular takedown via tackle.
I was rushed, given unreasonable demands, kept waiting, and to top it all off, a first-meeting body press, Part 2. Honestly, for a moment, I was about to snap, but seeing the face of the woman—the girl—on top of me, all the fight went out of me.
...I mean, she looks more surprised than I am. It's so obvious she didn't mean to do it that I don't even need to ask.
Well, not that I understand. I get that she's surprised, but as for why she took an action that surprised even herself, that's a hundred mysteries to me.
Anyway—having been hit with that unexpected curveball, her 'face' came into view, and it felt... off.
Off? No, this is... déjà vu?
"—..., ..."
I stared in surprise and confusion, and the girl stared back with an 'expressionless' look that also felt familiar. Our gazes met, but didn't seem to connect.
A one-way street, facing each other—along with the 'answer,' the one who found their words first was,
"—...Iris... is that you?"
—me, who dazedly asked the name of the visitor I had never in a million years expected.
And so—on the screen, in the virtual world, and now in the real world.
'She,' in our third encounter, flashed a smile I also recognized, one of profound clumsiness, and,
"...I'm sorry, I just had to come see you—Haru."
—The Sword Queen, Iris, Alicia White.
In a form that differed from her virtual avatar only in 'color,' her inhuman beauty shone just as brightly—and with an unchanged voice, she happily called my name.
"...Can I say one thing?"
"Yes."
"Could you please get off me now?"
"...I'm sorry."
In so many ways—this has turned into an unforgettable meeting, Princess.