Chapter 690 - Opening
The Triangle Duo's stage, where I had descended in a virtual body with my consciousness transferred, was a vast, covered dome. Its shape was not the fan-like layout of a baseball stadium, but the rectangular type used for soccer.
The surrounding spectator seats were large enough to easily swallow tens of thousands of people, and above them, giant screens on four sides projected magnified images of the performers.
All of this, of course, was a projection from an Augmented Reality (AR) field created with extraordinary technology. Furthermore, our 'voices' were picked up without the need for microphones and delivered to the audience with crystal-clear quality, which meant our earlier banter was probably heard by everyone.
It was super embarrassing. But it's precisely because I feel such immense tension and shame under the public gaze that—
"...Nononi-san is amazing."
I could only marvel at the vibrant, energetic voice echoing throughout the vast space.
Unafraid and undaunted by the tens of thousands in the crowd or the atmosphere of the venue, she bounced around in the midst of us who had just logged in, microphone in hand—whether it was a necessary tool or just a prop for ambiance, I couldn't tell.
She was none other than my friend and Nia's mentor, Nononi, the [Colorful Beauty].
With a cheerful voice, she happily guided the proceedings, mixing in explanations while skillfully drawing the audience into her own high spirits. She was a whirlwind of energetic chatter.
She wasn't in her usual casual clothes but was dressed up in a magnificent kimono, likely one of her own creations. She exuded an aura befitting a Western Faction ranker... and combined with her masterful stage presence, it was completely understandable why she was so well-received by the crowd.
...Oh, we made eye contact. Her wink was incredibly well-executed.
"—Well, duh, she's our senpai, you know?"
Catching my hushed whisper, which wasn't picked up by the stage equipment, one of the little ones who had been running around messing with her friends during the opening ceremony returned.
The red one (Ri-na) popped her head out and gave me a smug look, as if to say, 'Of course she is,' but I understood what she meant.
As expected of Nononiya Mikan—the former idol.
Apparently, they weren't from the same agency or anything, but they had known each other for a long time within the same industry. And the reason the twins (who aren't twins) started playing Arcadia in the first place was, surprisingly, because she had invited them.
And from there, the path connected to her fateful meeting with Nia...
They say the world is both wide and small. I was just struck with a strange sense of admiration for how everything is connected.
"Hey, hey, you're so stiff, mister. You should take a cue from Nononi-chan and relax, okay?"
"The person I'm supposed to take a cue from is a bit too unique, don't you think?"
Though a bit of understanding and ease had settled in my heart, that small force was far too weak and insignificant to blow away all my nerves. As if seeing through my lingering weakness, Mi-na came over and started rubbing my bicep with a suspicious-looking technique, all while my muscles were tensed up by the super-technology that even replicated physical tension in an avatar.
I could only manage to reply with a lighthearted retort while desperately taking deep breaths internally.
"The opening will be over soon. Just hang in there a little longer."
"I appreciate the concern..."
A few seconds later, the blue one (Ri-na) appeared on my other side. She was being dragged around by her partner with her usual downcast expression, but she, too, seemed completely unfazed by the tension.
Both of them were professionals when it came to 'being watched,' and it was impressive for their age.
Well, the age I knew for them was from their real-world idol personas—Saikado Mina and Amahane Rina—whose official profiles listed them as 'seventeen,' which would make them just a year younger than me if true.
Incidentally, they've grown up quite a bit in the real world and are a little taller, though still petite. Their avatars are frozen in their forms from three years ago, which is why seeing them dote on the actually younger Sora creates such a strange, "Huh...?" moment—
"Ah, this is that face."
"The face he makes when he's thinking about random stuff to escape reality."
"Normally, he wouldn't just let two cute girls cling to him in front of a huge crowd."
"He's seriously nervous."
"Well, can't be helped. By the way, mister, that suit doesn't look good on you at all."
"The 'not-used-to-it' vibe might actually be in demand, though."
"I see, so that's what you were going for. How cunning. As expected of you, mister."
"I wasn't going for either of those looks, so just get off me already...!"
Normally, I'd use my Status or my 'shadows' to toss them aside, but right now, all I could do was weakly wave my arms and beg them to give me some space.
I could tell they were trying to help me get back to my usual self by acting normal, but for now, I just needed a moment to calm down. This was bad.
And so, all I could do was endure. All I could hope for was for the final event of the opening ceremony to come quickly, faster, right now—
"—Alright, now that we've gotten through all the boring stuff from the script! Let's get right to it, everyone's favorite part, it's time for the random pair selection!!!"
...And just like that, either my prayers were answered, or time had simply flown by while I was overwhelmed. Nononi, who was hyping up the crowd with an energy that made me worry about her voice, shot one hand high into the air, and in the empty space above us appeared—
"...They really can do whatever they want with this tech."
"It's amazing, isn't it?"
"Feels like it's centuries ahead of its time."
It wasn't something we should be saying, but I couldn't help but comment on the giant bingo machine floating in the air, looking as if it were really there.
To think that this was just a virtual image projected into the real world was completely incomprehensible.
"Okay, everyone, on the count of three—who's it gonna be!!!"
This being the third time the event was held, this part was likely a tradition. Led by Nononi, tens of thousands of people joined in an incredibly enthusiastic 'who's it gonna be' chant. The machine began to spin, not with a clatter, but with the light, pleasant chime of a bell.
And a few seconds later, the ball that shot out from the machine's opening—no, a dazzling 'star'—burst in mid-air and gathered in the announcer's raised left hand.
"The very first person for our third event is...—[Peerless]!!!"
The moment she read the glowing 'nameplate' with dramatic flair, the crowd erupted in cheers for what felt like the dozenth time. I understood the feeling and the excitement, but being at the center of that pressure was honestly overwhelming.
How were all my friends and acquaintances able to keep such cool expressions? I'd been fooling myself into thinking I was getting used to this, but it seems our mental fortitude is different on a fundamental level—
"..."
As I thought this, I looked around again. In a spot a little ways off, where the Northern Faction rankers were gathered, I spotted a friend of mine standing with his arms crossed, his face pale and unmoving.
Wait a minute, I think I really like you right now.
Seeing him being cared for by his disciple and junior on either side, I figured that was what was going on. He always acted like he didn't care about big stages or being in front of people, especially during the Four Pillar War... but what a surprise. The suspicion that he was on my side when it came to real-world stages had suddenly emerged.
I feel so saved. Let's be friends, Tiger Lucky.
"Our second person is...—[Castle Lord]!!!"
"Ugh, wow..."
"What a brutal combination right off the bat."
While I was quietly finding a kindred spirit and gaining a small measure of peace, the pairings had progressed to determine the first team.
The grumbling comments from my left and right were something I completely agreed with.
The third-rankers from the East and South. An undeniable top-tier combination, and frankly, a prime example of a pairing that was so synergistic—or rather, too synergistic—that you had to say, 'they shouldn't be allowed to team up.'
A genius who perfects defense to turn it into offense, and a sleeping princess armed with the ultimate defense.
In other words, the result was an invincible fortress wielding an unbelievably powerful spear—or rather, a 'sword.' I couldn't even begin to imagine how one would break through their guard—
"Alright, alright, let's keep the hype going! The third person is!—[Wolf Pack]!!!"
And now, a third top-ranker in a row.
In the distance, Gin-san, the second-in-command of the Northern Faction, was scratching his cheek. He had publicly stated that he'd only ever fought in a handful of PvP battles, but since those 'handful of experiences' were the Triangle Duo, he was naturally participating here.
As for their number one... yeah, I knew they wouldn't come.
"Our fourth person is...—ah... j-just... [Heavy Tank]!!!"
"Hey now."
"Seriously..."
"Is the lottery machine bugged or something???"
We weren't the only three to complain about a second-ranker pair following a third-ranker pair. The chosen participants themselves were making 'are you serious' faces and muttering, but unfortunately, complaining to a random script wasn't going to change anything.
"I-Is this okay...? Well, I'm sure it's fine! Okay, the fifth person!!!"
Isn't the MC getting a little desperate? Is this really—
"—! And here he is!—[Acrobat]!!!"
—...okay, it was not, in that moment.
It wasn't a matter of my popularity compared to the previous four. It was simply the reaction to the problem child who had been stirring up the world recently.
The roar was so loud it felt like all other sound had vanished, and I honestly thought I was going to pass out.
I have my complaints about them clinging to me this whole time, but for this one moment, I'm grateful. If they hadn't been supporting me, I probably would have fallen on my butt.
"The trickster everyone's been waiting for!!! And the partner for our rising star is...!"
And stop, you don't need to add the blatant hype lines, just proceed calmly—
"Oh, and it's an older sister from the same faction—[Scorching Heat Gaze]!!!"
"Well now, Hina-chan."
"...This is also... brutal."
And so, as a surprised voice and a grumble escaped from either side of me,
I was dimly thinking, 'So same-faction pairs are allowed, huh?' as a presence approached, the sound of heels clicking on the floor. When I turned, there she was, of course.
"Heehee... A pleasure to be working with you, Haru-kun."
The older sister from my faction, dressed not in her usual brilliant gardenia-colored attire but in a formal dress, radiating her usual charming, mature smile and allure.
"Now then... will it be third time's the charm, or will what happens twice happen thrice? I wonder which it will be."
"...D-Don't tell me you're still holding a grudge?"
As I shook hands with the woman who teased me with such composure, another wave of cheers washed over us...—And with that, my Triangle Duo had begun.