Chapter 298 - Untangling Things, One by One
"I AM SO SORRY!"
"Well, I mean, yeah…"
—Exactly one hour after that.
The stage had shifted from our real-world date with its shocking finale to a virtual atelier.
As soon as I stepped into the room, Nia performed a full-blown, forehead-to-the-floor bow of apology that took the wind out of my sails, but I was still at a loss for words, averting my eyes and scratching my cheek.
After that, Nia had come to her senses after her impulsive act and tried to run away.
Then I, refusing to let things end with such a rom-com cliché, had run to catch her.
And finally, she had requested an 'overtime session' in the virtual world, saying there were things she wanted to talk about, including a verbal apology—which brings us to now…
"Well, about that… It was an 'attempted' incident, and it's your first offense, so there's room for leniency…"
"If only I were two centimeters taller…!"
"Hey, you! Are you really sorry?!"
"I'm sorry, I'm reflecting, it was a joke…!"
So yeah, that's what happened.
I nearly had my first kiss stolen by a surprise attack, but fortunately, Nia's aim and height were just a bit off, and the point of impact was slightly off-target.
—Though honestly, what difference does that make?
Even if it was just an attempt, the shock was just as real… and as proof, here I am, unable to even look the 'culprit' of this rampage in the face.
"…For now, just lift your head. You can stay like that if you want, but do it somewhere I can't see you so you don't trigger my guilt."
"That’s subtly harsh…! I said I'm sorry…!"
"Wha—?! Hey, stop it! Don't cling to me! This is way past the point of being a joke, seriously, stop it, get off, stay!"
She's genuinely sorry, I'm sure, but now that's making me… well, you know.
She’s probably terrified that I hate her now, and that's why she's being so desperate—and realizing that just makes this whole situation completely, utterly hopeless.
And what's more, I'm just as desperate myself.
I used my superior stats to push Nia away and unceremoniously toss her onto the sofa to secure a safe distance, but… the way she clutched a cushion looking so forlorn, the way she peeked up at me with an anxious upward glance, everything was a top-tier source of damage.
Seriously, who is this girl…? I'm getting dizzy in more ways than one.
""…""
And now that we've calmed down, we're met with this silence.
I get why she wanted an 'overtime session' instead of ending things on such a chaotic note, but maybe it would have been better to take a little break—
"…Hey."
"Yeah?"
Her muffled voice came from behind the cushion. I glanced over to see Nia fiddling with her short, indigo hair, staring intently at me.
"My hair."
"Yeah."
"Do you like it longer?"
"Yeah???"
I tilted my head at the out-of-the-blue topic. Her face… well, it had been red from the start, but she opened and closed her mouth as if hesitating—
"…You were looking at it a lot today."
"Wh-n-gh!"
And with that, she struck a perfect critical hit.
How did she kno—no, that's not what I mean…!
"N-No, you're wrong! I don't know what you're wrong about, but I wasn't looking at you in a weird way, okay? It's just that it was an obvious difference between your real self and your avatar, so my eyes just kept drifting there, it wasn't like that at all!"
"You're talking super fast… —How about this?"
"Wha—…"
She probably used one of those cosmetic magic items I've used before.
Her familiar indigo color remained, but her usual shortcut instantly transformed into—soft, long hair, much like her real-world self.
"…Do you like this better, after all?"
"Seriously, give me a break, I'm begging you."
I admit it.
Yeah, fine, you're so cute it's killing me.
But that has nothing to do with your hairstyle…!
"…They both look good on you. I really don't have a preference for hairstyles, I'm telling you."
"Eh… But you reacted so strongly…"
"Would you mind realizing what you're doing…!"
Why do you think I'm on my knees, hunched over? My breathing's getting shallow, and when you come at me with such blatant affection asking 'which do you prefer?', most guys would, come on…!
"It’s not like I don't realize… I'm just desperate. I thought you weren't conscious of me at all, so that makes it even worse."
"You really think that?"
I mean, I'm pretty sure I've gotten flustered around her before—I thought, tilting my head. Nia, buried in her new long hair and a cushion, glared back at me with a dissatisfied look.
"It's about the ratio. I'm definitely the one who likes you more… from the very beginning, always."
"Tch… The… beginning? When did you even—"
"Like I said, from the very beginning."
She looked straight at my stunned face and said it.
"—It was love at first sight for me."
"—…That’s, uh… what?"
No way.
Wait, that’s… no way.
"B-But why…"
"'Why' is a weird question. I like what I like!"
"But… in a virtual world full of handsome guys, why someone like me?"
"You know I can see through to people's real faces, right? To be precise, I can just tell if a face is artificial or not."
"Ah… so that's another effect of your 'magic eyes.'"
"The part about it being the power of my Anima was a lie, though."
"What?!"
Wait, I don't get it, I don't get it.
I don't even know where to start with my questions…!
"Ugh, you're so annoying…! Your self-esteem is just too damn low! You're genuinely handsome, just look in a mirror, get a clue, what is wrong with you?!"
"…"
How many times had I been rendered speechless now?
But I couldn't help it. I'd almost never been praised so directly for my appearance, in comparison to someone else.
…Wait, is this the same thing?
Was it that, with this too, I had just decided it wasn't true and refused to listen—
"At the very least, by real-world standards, you're handsome! Got it?!"
"Is that… so…"
"It is! —Enough for a beautiful girl like me to fall for you at first sight!"
"…Well, I'm glad to see you're fully aware of your own charms, at least."
I have to reflect on myself—I just declared that. I have to swallow this too, instead of laughing it off as a compliment or a joke—as I thought this and replied, half-dazed,
"'You're' aware… So, that, um, you mean…"
I realized I'd let my guard down and created a new spark of embarrassment. I gently averted my eyes from the stammering Nia.
It’s true I decided to face her and not run away, but…!
Everything has its limits, and I passed my capacity ages ago!
An Indigo Spring.