Chapter 778 - Gold and Silver
"—Alright, enough of the pointless chatter."
Now then. Was that their true feeling, or just a terribly uncharacteristic attempt to hide their embarrassment? The conversation had felt like a step toward friendship. Yura-shi once again looked up at the sky.
Among the stars that moved as they pleased, they watched the one "star-shadow" that flew with particular freedom.
"Just call it already. We've wasted enough time."
"Yeah, yeah."
Same as always, or maybe they'd just reverted to their usual self. Their curt words made me question my earlier thought. Was that really a step toward friendship?
In my mind, I called out to my "servant" through the path that connected us even across distances.
In that instant,
"—Whoa, ah…!?"
Sapphire, responding with glee to its master's call, shifted from its leisurely, silent circling overhead into a steep dive. It brought Sora-san, who had been waiting for me in the sky while we had our needlessly necessary chat, down with a small cry.
By now, my riding along with her was almost unnecessary.
With the implementation of [Stardust Beasts], the [Rider] skill had started to appear among players who acquired tamable mounts. My partner had recently etched that very skill into her status, so as long as she wasn't riding at top speed, there were no issues.
Meanwhile, the actual master of the beast showed no signs of acquiring the skill. Why not?
"…Hmph, I see."
My quiet sorrow aside, the [Screen] smirked upon seeing the massive dragon, which, betraying its powerful appearance, landed silently and obediently.
"You two seem to have a connection with 'dragons,' huh."
"Well, I wouldn't know about that."
They were probably referring to the incident with [Novem]. The self-proclaimed traveler, who seemed to know something that I and the rest of the player base didn't, offered a shallow, knowing smile. But again, since I had no idea what they were talking about, I just tilted my head in response.
More importantly, what I wanted them to focus on right now was…
"Um…"
…my partner, frozen atop Sapphire, who was happily rubbing its beak against my face. She'd cried out but had expertly absorbed the landing's impact and was now stiffening up before a stranger.
Then, before I could even say anything, the silver eyes shifted from the "dragon" and met the amber ones that had been watching with reserved curiosity.
"You're Sora. The [Acrobat]'s partner."
"Y-Yes! Um, it's nice to meet you…! I look forward to working with you!"
And, as expected, Sora-san was a bit intimidated by the [Screen]'s scary face, which was gruff, sullen, and could be seen as somewhat hostile to everyone.
It was almost endearing how, as if she thought she'd be eaten headfirst for any misstep, she immediately performed a level-100 deep bow the moment she was addressed.
"…"
"What is it?"
Then, for some reason, their gaze shifted again, and those silver eyes, tinged with an indescribable color, looked at me as if seeing something strange.
"Are you really her partner?"
"Sorry I'm such a rude guy, unworthy of this polite and beautiful girl, okay???"
I wonder if I can flatter myself into thinking that this light jab was also a sign of our deepening friendship.
When I retorted sullenly to their joke, which was aimed at me this time instead of Sora, they just snorted and dismissed it without a care.
Hey, you started it. Take some responsibility.
"It's okay, Sora. This person may seem like this, but they're known as 'Yura the softie' in public. Their tough act will peel away in no time and you'll see their sweet side, so you don't have to be scared."
"Huh? Don't be ridiculous, I am not known as that 'in public.' You show me a little kindness and this is what I get? I'll kill you, you little brat."
"Yep, that's a demerit for the foul mouth! Please try to become a 'polite teacher' worthy of a 'polite and beautiful girl'!!!"
"I'll grind you to dust."
"Changing the words doesn't change the sentiment—Hah!!!"
While engaging in this farce, I sent a rock cannonball—which had come flying from above without an incantation—soaring into the distance with a somersault kick.
"See? As you can tell, their mouth is a little dirty, but they're not a scary person."
"O-Oh… huh?"
"How did you watch that and conclude 'not a scary person'? Idiot."
With that amusing introduction out of the way, my job was done.
"—I'm counting on you, Teacher Yurayura. Ah, I'm not kidding, I'm serious. I'm really, really counting on you. This isn't a joke, Lord [Screen]."
"Tch."
"Did you just click your tongue at me?"
"I get it, so just go already. Don't worry, I won't lay a hand on her."
"Hey, stop. That's not what I'm worried about."
And besides, are you a guy or a girl? I swallowed that question, since it concerned their real-life privacy.
"Sora."
I looked at her. Our amber eyes met… and unlike the tough girl she was in the real world, I could see a hint of the shyness I knew so well from her in this virtual world.
"I-I'll be okay…!"
But it seemed she trusted my reassurance more than she feared the scary older brother or sister before her. She clenched both fists, showing her admirable determination with a single nod.
"Let's both do our best!"
"Okay, that's the spirit."
The name [Screen] Yurayura was, of course, not on the list of selected members for the [Green Connect] raid, due to their ability being 'dangerous' in a broad sense.
But that didn't mean they had no role to play. This was it. They were to be the training partner for none other than my partner, the one the world calls the [Maiden of the Scales], Sora-san.
I recalled our recent battle.
I recalled the endless barrage of bullets, which, though fewer in number than my partner's thousand swords, was no less of a threat. I recalled the overwhelming battle sense that had chased me down, me, who had been granted the title of the virtual world's fastest after trampling over all restrictions.
That's why I had no doubt.
"…! Once again, I look forward to working with you!"
"…"
"Yura-shi, a reply, please."
"Tch."
"A reply, not a tongue click!"
"I know, you're so annoying…!"
Their personality was difficult, but… I could see a future where that would soon melt away under Sora-san's extreme angelic attributes, so it was truly fine.
"Cut the overly stiff formalities. As long as you do that, I'll look after you."
"O-Okay…!"
"Good. …And, one more thing."
Scratching their head awkwardly, they seemed to hesitate over whether to say something or not. In the end, they opened their mouth and murmured to this esteemed person—
"'Yura' is fine. …For both of you."
—that as the person to whom I was entrusting my precious partner, there was nothing lacking, nothing to worry about.
The classic trope of the awkward delinquent and the innocent beauty, a timeless favorite. But rest assured, the main route is locked in, so no worries there. By the way, the 'are they a boy or a girl' question remains.