Chapter 711 - Time for Two
I slip out of the dream and return to reality.
After repeating this process countless times over the past six months, I'm more than used to it. I no longer suffer from any ill effects, like complaining about the gap in physical performance between the virtual world and the real one.
Therefore…
"—Oof…"
The reason I collapsed onto my bed the moment I stepped out of the mechanical ark, letting out a groan like a dying man, was simply due to pure mental exhaustion.
It was a little past 12:30 PM. The thirty-minute slots for each faction had started at noon, and as the top batter, I'd finished my part. Now, along with my comrades from the East, I was temporarily released for a break. We were free until the main program resumed at two o'clock.
The only thing I really needed to get done was lunch. The Blonde Samurai was dragging me to get noodles… unfortunately, there was no soba, so it was a three-way choice between ramen, udon, or somen.
"Ugggh…"
Letting out a groan like the death cry of some mysterious creature that echoed through my bedroom, I peeled my body off the bed, which seemed to be generating a gravitational pull far stronger than gravity itself, and got to my feet.
Either way, this place was dangerous. I highly doubted I'd just doze off in my current mental state, but considering the potential hell that could break loose if I did, it was better to keep my distance.
As I left my room…
"—Well now, what're we gonna do? To compete with Istia's hilarious comedy routine, we're outnumbered and out-acted. I don't think there's much we can do."
"You can't lose in spirit, Jin-san! Let's get fired up! C'mon, Maru, Tora-san, what're you so calm for? Get hyped! Let's go, let's go!"
"So loud…"
"Alright, alright, you're too close."
A quick search immediately brought up the live broadcast. As I hit play, the lively, boisterous chatter of the entertainers began to stream from my smartphone.
It was currently the Northern Faction's turn. Just as I'd expected from their lineup, the familiar, boisterous voice of the martial arts instructor made me crack a smile… while simultaneously making my stomach ache for a split second as I remembered I'd been doing that just a little while ago.
In any case, it was time for some nourishment. I slid my phone into my pocket—and in that instant.
The ringtone cut through the audio of 'Northalia Radio,' and I felt a faint vibration in my hand… only for it to stop after just two seconds.
Wondering what that was about, I checked the screen.
"Oh…?"
The name displayed was rather unexpected.
I waited ten, then twenty seconds, but my phone showed no signs of ringing again. However, considering who it was, the option of neglecting to call back and check was nonexistent.
So, with a bit of trepidation, I redialed—
"—Yes, hello."
"Ah, hello. Did you need something?"
"N-no, wai—honestly…!"
A calm, mature woman's voice answered on the second ring. And behind her brief words, I could hear the cute, flustered voice of a young girl.
Wondering what on earth was going on, the former—Natsume Itsuki, the maid who had called me—seemed to be effortlessly handling her rampaging master nearby.
"I apologize for bothering you when you must be tired from your duties. I feel terrible for interrupting your precious break, but could I have a moment of your time?"
"Huh…? Oh, no, it's totally fine. All I was going to do was grab a bite to eat."
And so, the words were spun so placidly.
I still couldn't guess what she wanted, but judging from her demeanor, I sensed it wasn't anything I needed to refuse, so I readily agreed.
"Thank you. In that case—"
At that, Itsuki-san replied with a satisfied thank you, and then…
"Please, you two, take your time."
"Huh? Ah, wai—… ……………………"
Unless I was mistaken, one presence vanished from the other end of the line. I also had a feeling that the person I was talking to had just changed.
Ten seconds of silence later.
"—…Um, Haru…?"
"Yep, it's Haru."
As my partner's voice hit my ear from the speaker, I replied, feeling my cheeks unavoidably relax. I'm something else, I thought, but it couldn't be helped.
I was hardly the only one who had been utterly charmed by that angel.
"What's up, Sora? Another one of Itsuki-san's pranks?"
"Ah, haha… well, something like that… Oh, um, I'm sorry! You must be busy. You have to be back at the venue by two, and you don't have much time…"
"Don't worry about it. I was just going to be lazing around after a quick lunch anyway."
Her words were similar to what the maid had said, but the kindness, consideration, and overall gentle atmosphere in her voice were completely different.
Compared to the tyrannical Itsuki-san, who had likely made her move and then coolly vanished without a second thought, the immediate dose of pure tranquility she provided was enough to melt my cheeks in an instant—
Of course, with that maid, there was an extremely high probability she had calculated things that far and was just doing as she pleased, so it was safe to assume it was intentional. A terrifying maid, indeed.
But, setting that aside.
"So, what's really up?"
"Wh-what… Ugh… um…"
On the other end of the line. Putting aside Itsuki-san's usual pranks, when I asked for the reason she had so unhesitatingly made her move… as expected, the girl faltered, her words trailing off.
And that's precisely why I couldn't restrain my own mischievous impulse.
"Oh, what's this, a quiz? If that's the case, I wouldn't mind taking a guess…"
"N-no, that's not… It's nothing! It's nothing, so please stop—"
"Knowing you, Sora-san, you must've just gotten lonely, right? Hmm? Your partner's out there making a scene on some crazy big stage, so you started thinking things like, 'Wow, he feels so far away,' and got all antsy, and Itsuki-san saw right through you—"
"I told you to stop…!"
With the confidence that I was forgiven, I brazenly exposed her heart.
"Your first interception worked, but you couldn't stop my second attempt, huh? Actually, the fact you managed to block that maid even once is amazing. Good job, you did great, Sora-san."
"Are you… teasing me? You're teasing me, aren't you!? That's it, I'm done! I don't care about you anymore, Haru! Please have a nice rest and do your best this afternoon…!"
And just like that.
Even while she was fuming, she didn't forget her concern for me. This truly angelic partner of mine was hitting me with a level of cuteness that was almost incomprehensible.
"Sora-san."
"What is it? I'm hanging up now—"
"Actually, do you have time?"
"Huh?"
"Log in in about ten minutes. I'll be on the sofa in the clan home, our usual spot."
"Wha-??? Huh, wh-what—"
"I'd appreciate it if you could kill some time with me. See ya."
Not that I was trying to imitate the maid, but I too decided to act tyrannically for the sake of my angel and ended the call unilaterally. Well, to be fair, this was less for Sora's sake and more…
"Alright… looks like it's cup ramen for me."
For my own sake, as I was the one who had started to feel that she was 'far away.'
Valentine's Day is in two days, though.