Chapter 416 - Another Neighbor
Madoka-san had said "a few" boxes, but honestly, it was far more than what one might imagine from that phrase.
We moved from the lobby to the building's underground parking garage, where a medium-sized truck was parked. "I recently got my medium-sized truck license!" Mitsueda-san said with a cheerful smile, and under her gentle pressure, I peered into the cargo bed to find a mountain of boxes.
Apparently, she plans to get a large-truck license in the future. She claimed it was for her hobbies, but I had to wonder how many girls in the world get special licenses just for fun.
"—So? What sequence of events led to this lightning-fast move?"
And so, after clearing the mountain of cardboard from the truck using the expertise I'd gained from several moving jobs, I posed the question. I was carrying the last two stacked boxes, and Nia was trotting along beside me.
'Yesterday, after I accepted the invitation, the Princess stepped out for a bit, right?'
"Yeah, she disappeared a few times."
'Well, during that time, she contacted that Chitose-san person? I think that was her name. Then when she came back, she gave me a contact number and told me to give it to the person I needed to get approval from about moving.'
"I see."
'So, I gave it to my Da... my father and Hiyo-chan while explaining the situation.'
"The situation... how'd you explain it?"
'Something like... I got a scout offer related to the virtual world, so for convenience and other reasons, I'm moving.'
"Yeah, that sounds plausible."
'And then, those two who love me so much dropped everything they were doing and called the 'contact number.' Oh, but of course, I told them I got it from a trustworthy source, you know? I was too chicken to drop the [Sword Queen]'s name, though.'
"Yeah, I get it."
'But it turns out the person who answered the phone was the [Sword Queen] herself.'
"What is she doing?"
I knew she kept disappearing from the venue, but seriously...
"How did Ashe prove who she was over the phone?"
'Uh... well...'
Though they were told the contact came from a 'trustworthy source' by their daughter/best friend, I could easily imagine they'd have their doubts when the person on the other end of an unknown number claimed to be the most famous person in the world.
The answer to my question was displayed on the screen of the device Nia held up.
It was the app screen of the world's most dominant social media platform. Displayed there was the latest post from a certain someone, and it read as follows:
—'I am the real Alicia White.'
"Seriously, what is she doing?"
'I gotta admit, I laughed a little too.'
Fans all over the world were probably worried about the 'Princess's' sudden bizarre behavior. The numbers next to the icons for replies and whatnot were updating at a speed that threatened to crash the app.
Seeing that post in real-time while on the phone with her, I suppose they had no choice but to believe it.
'So yeah, the trust issue was solved in one go. And when the Alicia White says, I will take full responsibility for her care, well, that clears up any safety concerns, right?'
"I guess... but is it really?"
In a way, she's probably one of the most secure individuals on the planet, but considering the sheer amount of attention and gossip directed at her, I'd argue she's also a top-tier security risk in the opposite sense.
Well, in reality, it just meant Ashe and Yotsuya Development were taking responsibility... so maybe it was fine. I was the one actually entering into the contract, and that was just a formality anyway.
Just like with our current situation, there were no plans to announce it to the public, so Nia's standing in either the real world or the virtual one wouldn't be affected.
...As for the uproar my connection to her has already caused, well, that's a lost cause.
"So... ah, get the door, would you?"
Noticing we'd arrived at our destination, I cut the conversation short. Waiting for Nia, who scurried past me to open the door, I stepped into an apartment with the exact same layout as mine and Ashe's.
In terms of location, she was, of course, my next-door neighbor.
The walls weren't so thin that you could hear every little noise or even sense someone's presence, so why did both of them insist on being packed in so close?
"This can go in the dressing room too?"
'Yep, please.'
Most of the luggage she'd brought consisted of clothes.
I was half convinced that explained why most of the boxes were so light, and half wondering if she'd actually use all of it. Maybe this was normal for most women.
Incidentally, the walk-in closet in my room was spectacularly empty. I hadn't even managed to fill the ridiculously large dresser in my bedroom, so it was no surprise.
And with that, I stacked the last two boxes in a corner of the dressing room—
"Alright, that's the last of it."
"Thank you, Haru-san. You've been a great help."
'Thanks a bunch!'
I received words of thanks and appreciation from Mitsueda-san and Nia, who had been working on various things inside the room. Mission complete.
It wouldn't be right for a guy like me to help with the unpacking, so there was probably nothing else I could do to help with the move. If they had trouble with the state-of-the-art luxury appliances all over the apartment, they could call for help as needed.
Though whether I could actually be of any help when they called was another story. I say this with no pride, but I'm confident I've only mastered about twenty percent of my own room's potential.
"Alright, I'll get out of your hair for now. You can't unpack with me here."
'Aww.'
"Don't 'aww' me. I'd rather not get reported because of some kind of accident."
That sort of gag is only acceptable in rom-com manga and novels, and only for protagonists who are already known for being hopeless in that particular department.
Furthermore, considering the potential mental damage if something were to happen while surrounded by two girls, I sincerely wanted to make my exit for the day.
"Well, let me know if you need anything. I'm physically close, so I can come help right away."
'Tch. Okay.'
"Mitsueda-san, it was nice meeting you."
"You too. Perhaps we'll see each other again."
I quickly said my goodbyes, getting ready to make a swift retreat before they could stop me. As I waved back at the two girls, I stepped out of the dressing room—
"Ah, wait... Nia."
—but before I left completely, I poked my head back through the doorway. Nia craned her neck and blinked, waiting for me to continue.
Her innocent demeanor, like a small animal or perhaps a cat or dog watching its owner's every move, made me suppress a small laugh.
"Wanna have dinner together? As a housewarming celebration, of sorts."
"...!...!"
"Okay, okay, your head's gonna fall off. I'll message you later, then."
With my message delivered, I finally left the room and headed for the exit.
This time, I let a small smile escape as I remembered Nia's frantically nodding head—
—all while a small part of my mind lingered on Mitsueda-san's quiet expression as she'd stared at me in that final moment.
"............"
I stole a glance at the profile of my best friend, who continued to stare blankly at the entrance of the dressing room where he had disappeared... though it was less stealing a glance and more staring right at her. Not that she would even notice me in her line of sight right now.
With a wry smile, Hiyori let the tension drain from her body.
How long had it been since she'd spoken to a man who wasn't a family member in person? The constant state of alert and tension had left her more exhausted than necessary.
Yes, more than necessary.
In short, to the eyes of the creator Mitsueda Hiyori, who lived among a variety of professional constraints, [Crown the Acrobat] had earned the evaluation of being someone she didn't need to be wary of.
Besides, what was with him? He was like a picture-perfect, good-natured young man.
By normal standards, he was quite handsome, considerate, and had a good sense of humor. She didn't quite understand what her friend had said about his self-esteem issues, but she could easily see why he would be popular.
His tone of voice and general demeanor were quite different from the [Haru] she had seen in videos... but some people might see that as a plus.
At the very least, Hiyori didn't dislike that kind of duality. She found it interesting.
—So, a first impression of 'Excellent' would be more than appropriate.
That being the case, next up was...
"Nia-chan, can you manage on your own for a bit? I need to take care of some work messages and a few other things."
"...!"
"Okay, I'll be right back."
It's okay. Sorry to make you do this. Take your time. —Accepting all the lively 'words' conveyed by a single expression, she gave her precious, adorable friend a pat on the head and left the room.
Out of the dressing room and to the entryway.
She put on her shoes, went out the front door—and headed for the door next to theirs.
"Alright... Time to get to it, me."
And so, Mitsueda Hiyori took a deep breath to steel herself.
There was no hesitation in the finger she raised to press the doorbell of his room.
That chick is her guardian.