Chapter 302 - A Promise from Long Ago
"...You've been making that face every time we meet recently."
"For reference, could you tell me what kind of face it is?"
"Oh, let's see… Um… Troubled, but in a positive way?"
"…………Am I… really that easy to read?"
At our usual meeting spot, a small tavern in the Istia district, I offered a wry smile at the observation from my sharp-eyed partner.
Since I've vaguely told her about what's going on between Nia and me, Sora, who knows the situation, also showed a slightly troubled, ambiguous smile.
…Well, of course she'd be troubled. It's not something to be proud of and flaunt everywhere. I should be more careful about controlling my emotions.
"In that case… here you go. This is your share from the artisan."
"Wow… thank you!"
As partners, our inventories are shared, but it's the gesture that counts in these situations.
I laid out the accessories from my interdimensional storage onto the counter, and her amber eyes, reflecting the brilliance of the first-class items, sparkled.
"They're so beautiful… but…"
She was clearly happy, but once again, Sora wore a troubled expression.
Hm? As I tilted my head in confusion, she put on the bracelets on both arms… then stood up from her seat and gave a little spin for me to see.
"Um, what do you think?"
What do I think? What about?
When a girl in a knee-length skirt does a little twirl, there's only one thing a guy like me can say, right?
"My partner is as cute as ever today, but?"
"…You're still you today, Haru."
She must be completely used to it by now. Though her cheeks were faintly pink, Sora just gave my shoulder a light tap with a composed look on her face.
It's rude of me to say, but we're both guilty of this. Come to think of it, Sora's actually the one who gives me direct compliments more often.
Saying things like I'm wonderful or cool—if she were dealing with anyone other than my jaded self, who knows how many times she would have gotten them by now, this beautiful girl.
"Sorry, sorry. So, what did you mean by 'what do I think'?"
"Geez… Um, the colors. My dress is blue and white, my choker is red… and with my hair this color, don't you think adding green makes it all look mismatched?"
"Hm? Hmm…!"
She must have designed it to match the slightly bulky [An=ru Galta] on my left arm. The [Elmelia Emerald Bracelet] I received was a wide bangle, but of course, Nia is a pro.
She had made my design and Sora's completely different; Sora's thin bracelet-style piece was much more understated.
However—
"The color's not the problem? It's just, I don't know… the dress itself is so perfect that…"
"Ahaha… I guess they do look a little out of place, don't they?"
It's not that they look bad, you know?
But still, Nia's [Dress of El-Clelia] is just so impeccably made that the new additions can't help but feel a little discordant—huh??????
"Hold on, what did you just do?"
"Yes?"
While I was wracking my brain over what to do, the accessories on her arms suddenly vanished, completely hijacking my train of thought.
She didn't open her inventory and put them away. Sora just tapped the bracelets once or twice, and they disappeared with a swoosh, without even the usual effect for a quick-change skill.
"What do you mean, what did I do… I just set them to be hidden."
"Hidden setting???"
"Oh, um… for accessories, high-level artisans can add that kind of feature. It looked like Nia-san had included it, so I tried it out."
"Whoa…"
I marveled at the fashion feature that would surely please the style-conscious, and I mimicked Sora, tapping on my own bracelet.
Mine didn't have it. Why…
"And then… with this, it should be good."
"Yeah, that looks great on you…"
The ring, which was even less obtrusive than the bracelet, went on the middle finger of her left hand. And the hair-tie type magic crystal accessory became a lovely accent for her long, single-ponytail hair.
That must have been Nia's intention as well. With the new sparkle fitting in perfectly, my partner was, once again, as cute as ever today.
And, while she was doing that—
"…Um, why are you suddenly sulking?"
"I'm not sulking… definitely not."
Did you know, Sora-san?
There are many theories, but—basically, boys have a weakness for convenient features that scratch an itch they didn't know they had, regardless of whether they need them or not.
I tried tapping not just the bracelet, but the ring on my left hand as well. Nope, no hidden setting implemented on mine either.
Why…?
◇◆◇◆◇
"This is no time to be depressed about some mysterious difference in treatment."
"…So you were sulking."
"The nuance is different."
As planned, we made our way to the stage for today's adventure. After exchanging a few lighthearted words, we each checked the condition of our avatars.
It's only natural for a place described as 'underground' or a 'cave,' but dungeons are almost always confined spaces.
This place was particularly cramped, so our relaxed voices echoed clearly.
"It feels like it's been a long time, but also short, yet definitely long, but still short…"
"Is that a Zen koan…?"
Sora tilted her head at me as I entered an infinite loop, but it couldn't be helped.
When was the first time we challenged this place? After a ridiculously long and grueling adventure, the two of us blindly stumbled in here and got our asses handed to us.
To this place, which was so painful it was killing me, but so fun it was killing me.
—Come to think of it,
To this place, which was surely the catalyst for Sora and me to start climbing the 'stairs.'
Even though it was only two or three months ago, it feels like we've come so far. I'm not sure what kind of face to make, and I'm probably not the only one whose excitement is all over the place.
"…Alright then, Sora-san."
"Yes?"
"—Are you ready?"
When I turned around, my partner, who had been checking the shining [Cradle] on her right hand, looked at me with a momentarily puzzled expression—before a soft smile bloomed on her face.
"It's been a while since you've said that."
"It's kind of like a ritual, you know?"
It wasn't something I did with any particular intention.
But this time, I wanted to say it consciously. Because—
"Of course. I'm both ready and prepared—let's go!"
—I wanted to ostentatiously show this world that we're not the same as we were back in those nostalgic 'old days.'
This proud partner of mine, standing confidently beside me, taking my hand and leading the way.
Alright then… we're coming for you, so you better be ready—[Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King].
It's time for the rematch I booked on that day!
Now, we're going to go punch it.