Chapter 725 - Delivery
『—Heeey, it's that gap time you've all been waiting for! Let's get this party started, it's NonoHaru Radio!!』
『Hey, why are you in this transformed body again with—』
『So, how're you doing, Acrobat-san! You really went wild in both the first and second rounds, Crown-san!! Are you in a good mood, Haru-chan-san!! Hey!!!』
『What, huh… wha-what, you're scaring me, sorry, this is scary.』
『Alrighty, for now, let's hear your thoughts on the most recent match, the D-Block second round! What did you think after witnessing a battle of grand magic in the proper sense of the term?!』
『Uh… well, that was also incomprehensible in its own way, like they had both feet planted firmly in lawlessne—』
『I see!!!』
『I wasn't finished. What did you see?』
『In the end, it was the Eastern Wings who showed their commanding prestige, but as a junior ranker from the same faction, does your senpais' victory make you happy!』
『…To be honest, what with my sympathy as a fellow water mage, my respect for a forerunner, and all that, I was kinda rooting for Record-shi, but—』
『I see!!!!!』
『If you're gonna ask, at least listen to the answer. Are you just trying to get a strikeout? Can we please have a conversation?』
『Putting that aside, what was that all about in the fight against Screen, Acrobat-san! The venue and the internet are in an uproar about some new, unknown grand magic, Acrobat-san!! There are a ton of other things I want to grill you about too, Acrobat-san!!!』
『The decibels are killing me…』
『And with that, we'll toss all these burning questions over to the highlights corner later and kick off our fan mail corner!!! Yaaaay!!!!!』
『…Ah, right. You weren't looking for an answer in the first place, were you?』
◇◆◇◆◇
And so, at 3:30 PM real-world time.
「Ughhhn…」
Having reached my second break, I crawled out of the Arcadia unit and promptly crashed onto my bed.
After the second match, I had to survive the gap time that was the NonoHaru Radio, where I was thoroughly devoured by that loud, colorful style, but my duties still weren't over.
With the second round of each block finished without a hitch, we entered the third program: the interval before the semi-finals. As before, the Istia members gathered for the faction-specific recreation segment, and we were the opening act…
And yeah, I was the one who had to do all the talking, the whole time.
Well, I guess it couldn't be helped. The other matches involving the Eastern faction weren't exactly in the realm of the incomprehensible. Even if there were questions, one or two explanations would suffice.
Which is why it fell to me.
My second match was a given, but my first match was pretty out there too, so it was the expected outcome. This was for that, that was for this, and that other thing was for… As my senpais, acting as proxies for the entire audience, endlessly hurled questions at me, my allotted time was up before I knew it.
I was tired. So incredibly tired. I was already exhausted from dancing on Screen's stage, which shatters common sense even by fantasy standards, and then this was just one finishing blow after another.
Again, I understand that it's my "duty" and I've come to terms with it, so I have no intention of complaining about this immense fatigue now… but just one thing.
—No, just one person.
There is one person I've resolved to complain to later. I'll never forgive that silver-haired bastard who feigned ignorance in the corner of the room and dumped all the match commentary on me.
「————————…… Hhaaaaaaaah…」
In the end, I wonder how it all turned out.
The "brawl" to stick to my guns was, in form at least, won by me. But that was just a result arrived at through the mood and flow of a stage called a 'match'.
People don't change that easily; if they did, life would be simple. And it's not like I made some arrogant, idiotic declaration for them to 'have a change of heart' or anything.
I just complained at them to look my way.
They turned down my invitation to play, so I just provoked them to hell and back, yelling, "Shut up and play with me, you bastard," and dragged them onto the stage… Looking back, that's some real bratty behavior on my part. And on top of that, I have no confidence whether it even resonated with them, which truly makes me deserving of the title of clown.
I don't regret it, but honestly, I am reflecting on it.
Why is it that when I get excited in that virtual world, I can't seem to control my own emotions or my mouth? Thinking back, it's so painfully cringey I have to laugh.
So, while I plan on complaining about what comes next…
「A man who doesn't apologize for his rudeness is no man at all…」
I have to consider the possibility that I was genuinely disliked for what happened. I need to make a move to get some time with them soon to see them in person—
As I was sinking into my far-too-late solo reflection, someone called for me.
A stylish melody serving as a doorbell. The sound of a visitor I'd grown quite used to.
The number of people who visit my room in the Yotsuya dormitory is limited to a small few, and one of my neighbors is still logged into the venue… which leaves three possibilities.
The option to ignore it didn't even cross my mind. I lifted my body, which was on the verge of phantom fatigue becoming real, from the bed and staggered towards the front door.
And when I opened it, wondering who it could be, I was met with flaxen hair.
「…Ah, hey. Can I help you with some—」
「This is what you can help with!」
I wonder just how many times today fate has decreed that I be interrupted.
While my sluggish, cooling-down mind chewed on that sad thought, the illustrator/idol voice actress/Archiver (and 20-year-old university student), Mitsueda-san, who was showering me with a dazzling, flower-like smile and a sweet, melting voice, threw something… or rather, someone.
「…………………………Huh? Wha—」
「Well then, enjoy your time.」
After a three-second appearance, Mitsueda-san departed as swiftly as she came, leaving me behind with one other person.
「……………………………………………………Eh?」
This fluffy, delicate life form had flown into my chest at a considerable speed. I instinctively caught it and looked down… and what I saw was…
「—… ……???」
「Seriously, you don't get the situation either?」
The moment I received a mirror image of my own confusion from Nia, AKA Liliania Vrewberi, a sharp retort flew from my mouth, pushing past my fatigue. It was, well, only natural.
Here's a delivery.
And with that, let's slowly begin writing Chapter Five, Section Three.