Chapter 629 - Re: Summons
"—Oh?"
After sealing away the horror film that had been a screaming fest in more ways than one, we switched to an exhilarating, flashy superhero action movie as a palate cleanser. A little while into the movie…
I used to get excited at every scene of the superheroes' exploits… but now…
As I watched with a strange mix of nostalgia and wonder, thinking about how I do similar things myself in a virtual world, the sudden ring of the doorbell called to me.
I had finally had enough and had escaped the encirclement to take up a position behind the sofa, so I casually left the home theater under the flickering gazes of the three young ladies.
Since I wasn't expecting anyone, there were only two possibilities, so I headed to the entrance without checking the door phone and opened the door…
"Well, hello there."
"Hey there. Hello."
Standing in the hallway was the assistant to the head of Yotsuya, one half of the management team and our dormitory's exclusive chef. Hmm, judging by his sharp suit…
"Are you heading out?"
"For a bit. So, sorry, but the restaurant will be closed tonight."
"Got it. …But you'd just send a message if that was all, right?"
He had come all the way to my room, which must mean he had other business—when I asked him this without saying a word, Kazuharu-san smiled and said, "You catch on quick."
"You've been summoned. Could you make some time at some point—ah, it's not urgent. Whenever it's convenient for you is fine."
…And that was that.
It felt like I'd heard this opening line before. Anyone who didn't know the circumstances would be confused, but I understood perfectly.
"He's been flying around for two months straight, huh… He must be insanely busy."
"Oh, absolutely. It's rarer for him to be in the country."
The person summoning me was none other than Yotsuya Togo, the head of Yotsuya Development.
He is the father of Sora Yotsuya, also known as Sora-san, and a globally renowned public figure whose fame currently rivals that of the [Sword Queen]. He's recognized as the father of VR technology.
Mr. Togo and I were supposed to meet two months ago… at the beginning of July, to be exact, but he was unable to come to the Yotsuya headquarters due to an urgent matter.
Not only could he not come, but he had to leave Japan immediately. I received a direct call from him while waiting in the headquarters' reception area, and I accepted that it couldn't be helped, so we rescheduled for a later date—which means this is finally our chance to meet again.
"In that case, I'm free anytime… ah, should we set it for sometime in the next half-month or so? Maybe the end of next month?"
I've become busier than the average person myself, but compared to him, it's still like heaven and earth. Even setting aside the fact that he's my precious partner's father, I have plenty of reason to be considerate, so I have no complaints about adjusting to his schedule.
In fact, if he just gives me a shout when he has a free moment, I'll come running.
"Ah, no, this time it really is okay whenever. He always stays here for a week before and after the 'Four Pillar War,' and he shouldn't have any appointments from outside for a while."
"Oh, is that so. Well then, the day after… the day after the Four Pillar War, since there's a high chance I'll be dead the day immediately following it. How about the day after that? I'll match his time."
"Yes, that should be fine. I'll let him know."
"Okay, thanks a lot."
We agreed, and another appointment was etched into my early September schedule. 'Second Summons to Yotsuya HQ'—seven words that, by any normal standard, carried an incredible weight.
Now then, I wonder what he could possibly want with me this time—
Just as we finished our conversation, Kazuharu-san was about to say his goodbyes and leave when his eyes flickered to what was behind me, and a grin spread across his face.
"Oh my. Well, well, have I interrupted something?"
"…You knew Sora was here from the start, didn't you?"
I knew without looking, but I glanced over my shoulder to see three cute faces peeking out from the living room. One, two, three. What are you guys doing?
"Hello, it's been a while. You look well."
"…G-Good day, sir. It's been some time."
The youngest of the ladies responded timidly to Kazuharu-san's wave.
…While Kazuharu Chitose is an 'insider' in the sense that he's part of Yotsuya Development, he isn't deeply involved with the Yotsuya family itself.
His relationship with Sora is merely that of an 'acquaintance.'
—And I happen to know this is largely due to the wishes of her overprotective maid. Still, 'Yotsuya,' in both senses of the word, is full of mysteries.
I still don't know why this man, a former chef, is now serving as the assistant to the head of Yotsuya.
"Well, excuse my intrusion. See you again."
"Sure, though you weren't intruding. If you didn't have business, I would have invited you to the home theater. We have a mountain of the maid's handmade afternoon tea sets, you know."
"That's a very tempting offer, but I'll take a rain check for another time."
With that, the assistant left with a cheerful smile and a wave, leaving no trace behind.
Well, if he has work, it can't be helped. I guess I'll just have to keep fighting on, alone against the odds—and just as I thought that, who was it tugging on my sleeve?
"What's up?"
I turned around to find that the three beautiful stooges had disbanded from their huddle by the wall.
Ashe had probably read the room and dragged Nia back to the sofa, leaving only Sora-san standing beside me.
"I'm sorry, I heard a little… um, I overheard."
"Good girl for admitting you were eavesdropping."
My casual teasing earned me a light smack in either protest or embarrassment.
"Yeah, well, I've been summoned by your father. I'll go see him after the Four Pillar War is over."
"…, Yes."
I couldn't read any particular sentiment from her expression. While her love for her family was clear, her feelings towards 'Yotsuya Development,' the company that runs the virtual world, remained a mystery.
That was fine. If the day comes when Sora wants to talk about it, I'll listen. That's all there is to it.
So, for now, I'll just—
"…If he says anything unreasonable, please tell me."
"Of course. I'm counting on you, partner."
As long as we trust each other, have faith in each other, and face things together, it will be fine. As long as we don't let go of each other's hands, there's nothing to be afraid of.
Besides, it's more than just a side note, but…
"Stare…"
"May I join in?"
At the head of the group were the two who had peeked out again, glaring at us for being too close.
I am blessed with more reliable allies than I could ever ask for.