Chapter 494 - An Unlikely Branch
My date with Sora-san wrapped up in about two hours.
Well, I say it wrapped up quickly, but when it came time to part, she was incredibly reluctant to let me go. It was anything but a clean break, but it was all part of the plan, so it couldn't be helped.
Sora is a high school student. On top of that, she's an exceptionally good-natured young lady who enthusiastically helps with housework and other chores, practically competing with Natsume-san for the privilege. Because of this, Saturday is basically the only day she can secure a full day of login time.
For her, Sunday is less of a holiday and more of a preparation period for the coming week. Her maid mentioned that she studies harder and more effectively than most of her peers, which is just… truly admirable. Someone I know could certainly learn a thing or two from her.
I heard she attends a high-class all-girls' school, and since it's a world I know nothing about, I'm half-curious and half-worried. So, 'girls' schools' are a real thing…
—And with that, several hours must have passed since I managed to calm down my partner, who was clinging to me and refusing to leave, and exchanged our 'see you laters.'
I casually dropped by my usual haunt, where I found myself deep in a cycle of trial, error, and explosive death.
"Mmm… this isn't it, is it?"
I stopped counting after the three-digit mark, respawning for the umpteenth time.
As I gazed up at the distant zenith of the spiraling, crimson tower, the muttered complaint that escaped my lips felt just as meaningless as the countless 'minor deaths' I'd experienced. It was a thought I'd had over and over.
I feel like I'm close—but there's still one last piece missing.
The 'adjustments' I'd been working on during the event weren't entirely fruitless, but I just couldn't shake the stubborn sense of unease rooted in my avatar.
The tricky part is that it's not exactly a debuff.
It most likely started with the raid against [Epel, Great Ice Spirit Guardian].
Despite possessing the grand gift of 'Memory,' I'm dealing with a bug of a situation where I can't even remember how I managed to pull off something as absurd as a solo takedown.
I have a vague, hazy feeling of 'I think this is how it went,' but even so, I'm sure I was fighting almost completely unconsciously.
—And ever since then, my avatar's controls have felt… blurry.
To be more precise, there's a disconnect in my sense of control. I don't know how to describe it, but the speed ratio in my actions, which had always been firmly 'body > thought,' no matter how I tried, now seems to reverse or… twist at odd moments.
It's like my thoughts are racing ahead, but my body can't keep up, even though I should be moving before I can even think. It's hard to put into words, but it feels incredibly strange.
It's not a slump. In fact, even when my thought acceleration isn't active, my mind feels unusually clear, so it's definitely working in my favor.
Still, even so—
"Aargh… what is going on?!"
The feeling of not being in full control, of my mind and body being out of sync, is just too frustrating to bear… which is why I'm here, once again relying on my rabbit friends.
This dungeon, the [Spiral Crimson Tower], is so perfectly suited for my needs, it's as if it was made just for me.
It's close to the city and easy to access. Since it's an instance dungeon and not an open field, there are no penalties no matter how many times I get a game over inside. On top of that, the moment you take a single step from the starting point, the bullet hell begins, allowing for stress-free restarts. And to top it all off, I can even earn some money on the side. It's the perfect 'adjustment training ground.'
Honestly, I'm a little worried they'll discreetly patch it or something eventually.
But well, until that day comes—if it ever does—I plan to enjoy this sweet deal to the fullest. Oh, right. There's one more good thing about this place.
Since 'death' is almost instantaneous, the potential mental toll from an endless string of game overs is kept to an absolute minimum.
Yep, a god-tier dungeon indeed. I'll be sure to make good use of it.
◇◆◇◆◇
It had become a regular occurrence for me to lose track of time playing with the murderous rabbits until dusk.
I already feel nostalgic for the time I holed up here for three days and dozens of hours to achieve the first clear. But compared to back then, my avatar's performance, my skills, and my stamina are all on a completely different level, so I don't really get tired anymore.
At most, it feels like I've just worked up a light sweat at the gym. Not that I've ever been to a gym in real life, so what do I know.
In any case, with Alicia apparently out on an errand and Nia seemingly down for the count from yesterday's fatigue, I didn't hear from either of them. After a quick—and for once, solitary—dinner, I spent some time wrestling with my incomprehensible notes in a futile attempt at self-study before logging back into the virtual world, where I found myself—
"……………………You see, Master, the thing is, I'm in a situation right now where this sort of thing is really, really not okay. I need to be the very picture of sincerity, you understand?"
"I am aware. That is why I shall hold the memory of you resisting that sincerity close to my heart. I will be the villain here, so you needn't worry."
"No, you don't get it, the fact that we're in this situation in the first place makes me the villain, doesn't it? I mean, I personally think that the master-disciple relationship transcends some of the subtle stuff between men and women, and a certain degree of closeness should be permissible, or maybe not, but maybe, just maybe, it could be judged as barely acceptable, but even then, it's not the kind of thing I can forgive myself for, so if at all possible, could you please let me go…"
"Haru-kun."
"Yes?"
"What is the meaning of 'giri-seuto'?"
"It means 'pretty much guilty.'"
"In that case, I suppose I am 'pretty much guilty,' then," she said with a smile.
"Smiling so happily doesn't make it okay. I won't be fooled. For the love of god, please let me g—let… go… th… She's…! Over 600 STR is no joke…!"
It was around 9 p.m. in real time. I'd received a 'summons' a little earlier than usual, and within five minutes of arriving at the Sword Saint's residence, this was my predicament.
I've lost count of how many times I've been forced onto her lap.
She'd decorated her request with all sorts of elegant words, but the direct translation was, 'It's been a while, so I'm going to pamper you. Sit.' I brandished my wooden sword and swore to resist this tyranny with all my might. The result: I lasted about six seconds.
Considering I couldn't even last five seconds a month ago, I suppose I've grown, but that's not the point, damn it…!
"Wh-what about sword maintenance…"
"We can do that later. I have many things I wish to talk about today."
Her fingers combed through my bangs and caressed my forehead, sending a gentle, tingling sensation across my skin.
Just as Ui-san recognizes me as a 'younger man,' I, too, correctly recognize her as an 'older woman.' There's no doubt about that.
But the common ground we share is the fact that neither of us sees the other as a member of the opposite sex in the slightest. I only realized this very recently.
Ui-san's perception has been clear from the start, so the realization was mainly on my end.
For a while after we first met, I think I was ridiculously conscious of her… but compared to the feelings I have for Nia, Alicia, and Sora, well.
Respect. That's the entirety of my feelings for her.
Thankfully, I feel none of the improper sentiments Irori once suspected me of, nor any of the frivolous feelings Goldow was wary of.
I'd never say this out loud, but I think it's a miracle.
A miracle that this woman—the very embodiment of a gentle and sincere Japanese beauty—could shower me, her disciple, with such boundless affection, and I still haven't fallen for her as a man.
I've been spared the terrifying thought of 'what if there were four.'
…Well, as for that particular matter…
"You're not planning on keeping me here like this all day, are you?"
"Oh? Are you dissatisfied?"
"Please stop pretending our last exchange didn't happen. This isn't about being dissatisfied or not, it's a matter of my feelings, my principles, and my credibility—"
"Fufu…"
"It's not 'fufu'…!"
I can't imagine a scenario where she would ever harbor any feelings for me other than 'affection for a disciple,' so it's a truly needless worry.
It would have to be an impossible, miraculous 'what if.'
That's right
I wonder.