Chapter 429 - Paving the Way
The next morning.
".......................................... This is sudden, isn't it?"
"I'm well aware."
It was just past seven in the morning, a time that might be considered a bit rude for an unannounced visit, though I knew he was generally an early riser.
When I visited his room on a different floor, Director Yotsuya's assistant still welcomed me warmly... but for him, faced with a kid who had just started spouting absolute nonsense without any warning, the usually unflappable Chitose-san wore a troubled look that leaned toward bewilderment.
"Hmm... I don't mind, and I don't think it'll be a problem for Yotsuya Development, but... this really is out of the blue. Did something happen?"
"Well, it's just..."
This wasn't the kind of problem I could just confide in anyone about. Chitose-san was affiliated with Yotsuya Development, but as for whether he was close enough to my partner to be called 'family'... that was a line I still hadn't quite figured out.
"No, you're right. You don't need to go into detail—so, is it okay if I just give her your contact information? I mean, it is a woman you're trying to reach, after all."
"No problem. I'll leave it in your hands, then."
"Alright, consider it done."
And with that, things went surprisingly smoothly, much to my relief.
Then again, it was too early to be relieved; nothing had even started yet... but at any rate, the first step was complete.
So then—
"Well, I'm off."
"Yep. Good luck with your studies, college student."
Until the time comes for my next move, I suppose I'll dedicate myself to my academic pursuits. Lately, my lectures have honestly started to sound like nothing more than spell incantations.
◇◆◇◆◇
".......................................... Hey, Toshiki-kun."
"Hm? What's up?"
"That super-long incantation the professor was just chanting... does everyone actually understand it? You're not all just pretending and putting on a cool face, are you?"
"Well, for the most part... But seriously, how are you so ridiculously good at taking notes when you don't understand a thing? That's gotta be some kind of special ability."
Seriously? Dammit... I'm really falling behind here...!
"Hee hee, should we really set up a study session soon?"
"I think I might have to take you up on that, seriously..."
Shoko's cheerful voice came from the other side, but for me, this was escalating to a point where it was no laughing matter. My 'normal college life' was already on the verge of collapse—not that it wasn't already hopelessly far from 'normal' in some ways.
"If we're serious, let's schedule it. I'm free whenever... though, it'd probably be better after the event is over, right?"
"Yeah. My schedule's pretty packed."
I already knew where I was heading right after this, after all—which is why,
"Alright, I'm heading out. Oh, and... you guys need anything?"
I asked if they needed anything with a mysteriously vague hand gesture of my own. The childhood friend duo exchanged a brief glance before saying, "Not really," and, "Nope!" saying the same thing in their own ways.
It was hard to tell if they were in sync or not; their relationship was a mystery in its own right.
—And so, as the two of them watched their friend—who was acting as usual but also seemed different from usual—hurry away,
"Did something good happen to him?"
"Don't you think he seemed a little more... refreshed?"
They both sensed a slightly more relaxed air about him than before and tilted their heads, wondering, What was that about?
◇◆◇◆◇
"Oh."
"Mm."
After finishing my half-day of lectures and heading back to my room, I bumped into Ashe. We both stopped in our tracks and stared at each other for three seconds.
Before she could speak first, as she usually did—
"Perfect timing."
This time, I was the one with clear business to discuss. So when I preempted her without hesitation, the black-clad princess—so unlike her virtual self—blinked in surprise.
Now, I knew this would be sudden for her, but I had to tell her.
I had to tell her what I was planning to do. What might change because of it—and a whole lot more. It would be a pain to explain everything without creating any misunderstandings, though.
"Can I have a minute of your time?"
"...? Yes, that's fine."
This was another thing I had to do.
◇◆◇◆◇
"—And so, congratulations on the official move."
Whatareyoudoinghereyou'resurprisingmestopit
After my 'talk' with Ashe, my next target was Miss Liliania Vrúberi, who had just finished moving in for real, Arcadia rig and all.
I had only rung the doorbell like a normal person, so why was she so scared? Had I been coming on a little too strong with everything?
I can't help it. The conversation with that impossibly understanding princess ended in a flash, so I'm a bit disoriented and my energy's all over the place.
In any case, I had a feeling this conversation wouldn't end as easily... though really, that invulnerable Ashe-sama is just in a league of her own.
Well, right.
I need to calm down. I don't intend to mess this up, and it's not the kind of conversation to have lightly.
"Sorry to drop in like this, but I'd like a moment of your time."
"...?"
Pretending my initial awkward energy never happened, I put on a serious face. Nia just tilted her head, as if to say, What's with the sudden visit?
Which was a fair reaction, of course.
But I'm sorry. I've already made up my mind, and I have no intention of straying from what must be done.
"There's something I need to talk to you about—a really, truly important matter."
The same words I'd used with Ashe. I think my expression and tone were nearly identical, too... but as expected, the reaction here was different.
Okaystopzipyourlipspleasestaystay!
Looking startled by my sudden serious tone, Nia frantically waved her phone, which was displaying words she had typed at high speed, to stop me. Was she even trying to let me read it? I mean, I could, but still.
Just a sec
Okay
This is scary
Suddenly getting all serious and talking about important stuff is scary
Uh
By the way
Just by the way like maybe is this
A
con
fess
"I'm really sorry, but it's not that kind of thing. Please, calm down."
I managed to decipher the words that flashed by like a dynamic vision test while somehow placating the frantic Nia. As I said, I was truly sorry from the bottom of my heart, but I needed her to calm down.
I was about to make a declaration of my resolve, one that was completely serious and no laughing matter.
...Then, just one more thing.
"Yeah."
If you're here to say that yesterday is off, I will cry, just so you know.
"I wouldn't pull a scumbag move like that, one that would deserve a public thrashing."
That would be an atrocity worthy of every last Milmarinus follower in the world telling me to 'go to hell.' Not that they might not be saying that already.
"................"
When I gave her a firm 'NO' to the possibility of her ending up in tears, a hint of relief mixed into Nia's still-bewildered expression—
Then, okay, I'll listen.
She gave a small nod and gestured toward the inside of her room as if to say, "Come in."
Should I have called Nia out for letting me into her room without a second thought, or should I have smacked myself for thinking, Well, I've already barged into her atelier so many times... as if it were nothing new?
Probably both. Well, for today, at least—
"Pardon the intrusion."
Given the nature of my business, I'll consider this a special exception, bolstered by the seriousness of the topic.
◇◆◇◆◇
—And so, two hours later.
".........................................."
"Haha, you look exhausted."
It wasn't that the conversation went poorly, but it had taken far more time than I'd expected to pour out everything on my mind.
That princess, Alicia White, is definitely not normal.
That's right, isn't it? This is how long it should normally take, right? She's on another level of being a good listener; her specs are just too high in every direction, seriously.
In any case, Nia eventually understood... or rather, she said she'd 'been planning on that from the start.' So I'd been shadowboxing alone here, too.
It was so pathetic it was almost funny. Truly.
And so, having spent the entire day chasing after the tasks I'd set for myself, I was now in a car, half-collapsed from both physical and mental exhaustion.
Chitose-san, who was checking on me from the driver's seat via the rearview mirror, offered some words of comfort with a half-smile.
Normally, I might have engaged in some lighthearted banter, but this time he had not only acted as a go-between but had also gone out of his way to drive me, so I decided to behave myself.
Besides, it was probably best to conserve my energy for what was to come.
"By the way, Kasuga-kun."
Though his tone remained light, the teasing edge was gone, and I looked up to meet his gaze. The driver in the mirror was no longer looking at me, but I didn't miss the seriousness in his otherwise gentle expression.
"Like I said this morning, you don't have to tell me the details—but what you're trying to do, it's about Sora-chan, isn't it?"
"...I guess that much was obvious."
"Of course. Otherwise, you wouldn't have suddenly asked to contact 'her.' It's not like you were planning to ask her out or anything."
"Definitely not. Seriously."
I was already way past my limit on that front.
"So, I thought I'd give you a piece of advice."
"......I'll gratefully accept it."
His voice was always calm, serious, cheerful, and sincere, all at once... all in all, the assistant director was a hard man to read.
But the tone he used when he was genuinely concerned for my well-being was always the same.
"If you're going to talk to her seriously about Sora-chan—you absolutely cannot think of her as just a 'maid'."
And that was why his advice...
"Think of her as a sister or a mother who dotes on Sora-chan even more than that father does... be extremely polite, show her the utmost respect, and proceed with caution."
...struck me so deeply, piercing my heart without me needing to dwell on it—
"................Well, in a way..."
But for me, right now.
"That's exactly what I was hoping for."
"......I see. So that's how it is."
Talking to someone like that was precisely what I needed to do.
—That being said.
"......................Just in case, if there are any, uh, landmines I should absolutely, definitely watch out for, I'd, uh, appreciate it if you could tell me..."
"—Pfft, haha...! I actually quite like that about you."
It wasn't like I wasn't scared at all.
Once you decide, charge straight ahead. A return to the origin.