Chapter 562 - Reactions: Nia
On the same day the strategy video was uploaded, just as the date changed.
A message arrived right as I finished up my business at the university—"I have a few things I need to say to you verbally, so get over here." In response to the summons, which left no room for argument, I had hurried over to a certain familiar place.
A high-class room befitting a female artisan, filled with a tasteful mix of large and small interior decorations, interspersed with mysterious tools whose purpose I still couldn't fathom.
I'd lost count of how many times I'd visited, which is why I'd grown quite used to it, even comfortable in this Atelier. I was headed for my designated seat, the fluffy sofa... or not.
"—You know why I called you here, don't you?"
"..............................W-Well, vaguely..."
Naturally, I was made to sit in seiza on the floor, receiving a lecture from a straight-faced girl.
Well, not so much receiving as about to receive. I had no idea what fate awaited me, but one thing was certain—
"Hmph...? So it's vaguely, is it?"
"No! Uh... I-I am fully aware... probably."
—Nia-chan is at her most terrifying not when she's pouting or sulking, but when her voice is quiet and she starts with a deadpan expression like this.
Incidentally, my personal, and presumably furious, artisan and tailor was sitting on my lap as I knelt, as if it were her birthright.
She definitely heard the "probably" I muttered as an insurance policy, and the sight of her slender fingers digging into the cushion she held was nothing short of terrifying.
This might just be the end for me.
"I have something to say to you. Things like, 'I saw the video,' or 'You were so cool,' or 'It was so amazing I was just blown away,' or 'The word 'incredible' doesn't even begin to cover it'—I have a lot to say, but before all of that, I have something I need to say to you."
"Y-Yes... I'm sure you do...."
"But before that, I'll give you one chance."
"A chance?"
In the virtual world, your legs don't fall asleep no matter how long you kneel, but if your body remains under strain, you do start to feel a corresponding fatigue.
It's not pronounced enough to be called phantom sensory fatigue, but it's another one of those tricks the brain plays.
What I'm trying to say is, it's actually pretty tough to keep supporting Nia-chan on my lap. If my status were normal it would be one thing, but for my current Lv. 1 self, my avatar's toughness is hopelessly low.
Of course, it doesn't happen after just a few minutes... but frankly, it took her nearly ten minutes to even start talking.
That should tell you just how sulky and pissed off she is.
While tricking my brain into thinking this was nothing compared to my 'game of tag' with the Sword Saint, I sharpened my senses, determined not to miss this opportunity to break the stalemate, and listened to her words—
"Tell me what I'm angry about."
"... .................."
There it is.
According to Miyoko-san, the manager of the ice cream shop, this is a classic girl move. A hellish technique where they seek empathy from the man while forcing the words from his mouth to solidify their dominant position.
"..................W-Well, that is..."
"Uh-huh, uh-huh. That is?"
And when the man is truly at fault, it also serves as a disciplinary technique to shatter his pride and instill a sense of self-reproach, thereby controlling the next encounter.
Girls are scary.
In any case, I know the answer, so I have to give it. Despite the shame, despite the hesitation, I've been in the weaker position since the day I resolved to be sincere, so there's no point in resisting now...!!
"Uh, it's that... I mean... in the video, I was flirting with Arche—"
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT AT ALLLLLLL!!!!"
"Eek...!?"
Nia-chan, with a dead-serious face, started pummeling me with the cushion. Each time the poor fabric and cotton let out a muffled whump, the impact traveled through my pathetically weak Lv. 1 avatar, increasing the strain.
Also, whose shriek was that just now? What a dainty voice you have there, sir. I could die of embarrassment.
"Wait, huh? Not that...? Ehhh...?"
"Who caaaares? Flirt, get frisky, do whatever you want. I'm going to be just as relentless with my own stuff, you know!"
"Frisky...? Um, even if you make a desperate declaration like that, could you maybe show a little mercy and consider my mental state—"
"Hmm?"
"—...I understand I am in no position to ask for such a thing, yes, I'm sorry."
Yeah, it's impossible.
I can't win against Nia in this state. Just give up, me.
"Honestly. You really know how to get on Nia-chan's nerves, don't you? What, are you doing it on purpose? Do you actually like it when I get mad at you? Has it become a habit?"
"Could you not say such outrageous things???"
I absolutely do not have such a habit.
Since this touched upon my dignity as a man, I gave a firm "NO." In response, her expression gradually shifted to a pout—meaning her anger was moving in a direction I could still manage.
"..................The clothes."
She muttered, then pinched my leg to convey her pent-up dissatisfaction.
"I went to all the trouble of adding a surprise feature I thought you'd like, and you had two big stages to show it off, but you showed absolutely no signs of using it."
And so, the breakdown of her anger... well, it was about what I expected.
"Ah... aaaaaaaaaah..."
Now that she'd said it, I could see why Nia was sulking. It made a certain kind of sense.
"Kagura-san's weapons and Master's sword got all the glory, but the 'clothes' I worked so hard to make were just... 'clothes' and nothing more..."
Right. This girl was, after all, someone whose pride as an artisan was so high that she would be genuinely moved by the gap between looks and function. She takes her work with the utmost seriousness.
"...You had a chance to use it, you know. You should have. Idiot."
Which is why she ends up sulking in this cute way.
"W-Well, for the professional stuff... and accessories, I always rely on you completely."
"Hmph."
This kind of thing isn't about logic. I was aware I was off the mark, and indeed, such an excuse did nothing to brighten Nia's expression.
"...Look, please don't take this as an excuse, but listen."
"..................Fine. I'm listening."
—So, I chose my words again.
"You know, it's about this hair ornament, and the `[Agaphanthus Amulet]` from before. To me, the things I get from you are basically my 'last resort'... like, they really feel like good luck charms, and that feeling is strong for me."
"................"
"I treasure them too much, I guess. By saving them as a final option, it helps me keep my composure... I mean, my fighting style is basically always on the edge, you know?"
"..."
"In terms of giving me peace of mind, they contribute immensely without even being used... Uh, this is for real. Not an excuse, I'm being serious."
As I lined up my words, I peeked at her expression... and I could tell it was probably okay now. But as an apology for making her feel negative, I added just a little more.
"Both Stasia and this new one, Sakura. You know, they're crisis-aversion types, right? So, well, you know... —I won't say who, but when I'm trying to look cool for someone..."
I mean, I get told it all the time.
—Show me your cool side.
"................"
"I kind of have to maneuver in a way that I don't need to use them, if that makes sense..."
I won't say who, though.
—Well, with my pretty-girl face and voice, there wasn't much I could do to look cool anyway... but thankfully, it seems she didn't take it as a spur-of-the-moment excuse.
"..................One date."
"...Roger. Which world?"
"The real one. We need to go out once in a while."
"Incognito style?"
"Incognito style. I've been wanting to go museum-hopping for a while."
"Okay... that's a very artist-lady-like choice..."
And so, a few minutes later, with the young lady's mood fully restored—
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait! I told you that's a no-go!!"
"Why not? It's fine! Just give in already, you're the super-popular, trending Acrobat-chan, aren't you!? It's not just me, the whole world wants it!!!"
"To hell with a world like that!"
It was a foregone conclusion that we'd end up in our usual noisy, endless squabble. With the issue resolved for now, I could relax and say this loud and clear.
I'll tolerate the Dress-Up Doll Play, at worst—but.
Skirts...
I'm not wearing one...
...I told you, didn't I?!
After this, he was subjected to an intense session of Dress-Up Doll Play. However, he successfully held his ground on the no-skirt policy.