Chapter 782 - Two Cats
The next day, at noon. After spending the morning studying to make up for the time I couldn't yesterday—which had slipped into the dead of night while dealing with a certain troublesome indigo-haired girl.
“How is Natsume doing?”
Just like at dinner last night, we were gathered around the table for lunch.
Perhaps because a major event was imminent, Ashe, the “Princess,” who had already finished her preparations and had time to spare, was naturally seated with us. Putting down her chopsticks, she directed a question at me about a fellow faction member.
I knew from how Nacchan-senpai always calls her “Princess” that they were on good terms. I could tell from her tone that she was genuinely concerned.
And knowing this caring Princess, she probably didn't just let her retainers adore and support her; she likely doted on her cute junior more than enough. That's why they adore and support her in return, creating a precious and heartwarming cycle of bonds. A truly wonderful thing—
What kind of perspective is that? I thought, as I found myself feeling serene for some unknown reason.
“Hm, couldn't be better. Her adaptation speed is so fast it's almost scary.”
I had no intention of competing with the voracious eater who was, as always, wolfing down her food at lightning speed. I leisurely savored the ginger pork set meal specially prepared by the Yotsuya dormitory chef and gave my reply based on yesterday's events.
“I don’t know if she’ll manage to acquire the Rider skill, but even if she doesn’t, she’ll probably become skilled enough to ride Sapphire on her own.”
“I see. As expected of Natsume.”
“You look proud.”
“Of course. She’s a junior I’m proud of.”
Is that so. We were still in the middle of our meal, but I already felt like I’d had my fill.
“—Alright, on to the next step. Today and tomorrow, as planned…”
And with that, her garnet eyes, which had been offering a faint smile, shifted to the person next to her—the other one sitting across from me, next to Ashe.
“……, …………”
To the person in question, who was silently munching on the pickles from her set meal, persistently trying to erase her presence.
“The three of you, please deepen your bonds.”
The three-man cell that would be the de facto cornerstone of the strategy against [Green Connect]. The final member, joining Nacchan-senpai and me, now replied, by no means reluctantly or unwillingly.
[Yes.]
But still, she didn't seem particularly enthusiastic either.
She let out a sigh as the especially small letters—her voice—appeared on her device.
◇◆◇◆◇
“—So, this here is [Thread-Weaver] Nacchan-senpai.”
“Nice to meet you.”
And so, right after lunch, first thing in the afternoon.
“And this here is Nia-chan, also known as [Milmarinus].”
“Nice to… meet you~”
Nia, who had surprised me several times with how well-connected she was, even among the top players, apparently hadn't met Nacchan-senpai before. This was their first time meeting.
The indigo girl was waiting in her home, the atelier, for the kitten I’d brought along… but was it just my imagination, or did they seem to be cautiously eyeing each other, perhaps because they were both cat-like characters?
Is it just me, or do they look like they're mysteriously wary of each other?
“ “………………” ”
See, this silence. It wasn't exactly an awkward or tense atmosphere, but it was like their vibes just wouldn't harmonize or mesh…
“Sorry, time-out for a second.”
And then, the kitten-senpai made the first move.
However, there was one problem. The target of her action wasn't the girl she was supposed to be warming up to, but the beautiful girl (not a girl) standing blankly beside her.
She grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and forcibly ejected me from Nia-chan's workshop. When I was dragged outside and naturally gave her a quizzical look, asking, “What are you doing?” Nacchan-senpai mumbled something with an indescribable expression before—
“You see,”
“Yes?”
“I’m, uh, that kind of person.”
“Yes?”
“Despite how I look, or, how should I put it…”
“What is it?”
After a long, mumbling, indecisive display.
“I’m…………………………………………………… not shy with strangers, but…”
“I see. So you're shy with strangers.”
The moment I showed my “understanding” at her forlorn whisper, she glared at me unreasonably, still holding me by the collar. Poor me.
“That’s wrong…! It’s not like I’m like this with everyone! It’s just… when it’s someone famous, or someone renowned—anyone would be like this, right!?”
“I get it, I get it. I totally agree, I understand from the bottom of my heart, so please stop, you’re shaking me back and forth, please stop, my head’s going to fall off, stop…!”
It was unusual… no, not really. I understood she was flustered for some reason, but if that was the case, I wish she’d told me before we came here.
I've come to deeply, deeply understand that Nia is a “famous player,” a “renowned artisan,” and an “amazing person.” Influenced by our initial meeting and our current relationship, I haven't for a moment underestimated the name she carries: [Milmarinus].
To Nacchan-senpai, Nia is an accomplished senior as well. I get how she feels.
“Okay, I get it. You get nervous, so you want me to act as a go-between. Perfectly understood, order accepted, so please calm down. Here, let go of my collar.”
“S-sorry. I’m counting on you…”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Nacchan-senpai is an honest and good kid. She has a tendency to be a little too honest with her feelings and words, but she’s a genuinely good kid who can honestly say both “sorry” and “please.”
Even when she’s being unreasonable, my affection for her only grows.
With that, our strategy meeting came to a close. I knocked on the door again, a repeat of just moments before, and figuring there was no need to wait for a reply, I cheerfully re-entered—
“Here. Come here a second.”
“Eh…?”
The moment I did. Just as I was about to step inside, my wrist was grabbed from the front, and I was forcibly escorted to the workshop in the back of Nia-chan’s room.
When I was brought in and naturally gave her a suspicious look, asking, “What are you doing?” Nia looked at me with the rude expression of someone looking at a criminal and…
“Did you hit on her?”
“I did not. I would not. There's no way I would—hya!”
“Owwch!?”
I instantly unequipped my Trans-Body arm and leg gear, [El-Orte, the Ice-Woven Phosphorescent Gauntlets] and [Lupe-Orta, the Ice-Woven Phosphorescent Greaves], via Recall and, without mercy, delivered a STR: 0 quality flick to the forehead of my personal artisan who had uttered such nonsense.
Its speed alone was first-class, so it made a crisp sound, but there was no need to worry. An artisan build might be frail compared to a warrior’s, but her avatar was still plenty superhuman compared to a real body.
Nia yelped and recoiled slightly, then glared at me, but I saw no need to apologize. In fact, I wanted her to apologize for suspecting me of “something like that.”
As if I had room to look at anyone else at this point.
“Stop with the foolishness and tell me what you need. What's wrong, Nia-chan? Why were you two frozen in silence when you're such a communication monster? Hey, no clinging!”
The partitioned workshop was technically a blind spot from the room where Nacchan-senpai was waiting. But that didn't mean I could spoil her while in the same space as someone else. No.
So, I made a serious evasion. She showed me a clearly pouting face, but I had to draw the line with a will of steel. Yes, I really, really had to.
After all, the three of us would be teaming up from now on.
If Senpai were to look at us with disdain, thinking, Do I have to hang around with this lovey-dovey couple (who aren't a couple)?, it would be the end for me mentally.
“Hmph…! What’s wrong with a little bit, hmph…!”
“Don't pout. C'mon, talk. Why were you two staring at each other in silence?”
“Mmph…! —…Why? Well, it's, you know.”
And so, my urgent task was a swift mediation. Following my one-on-one with Nacchan-senpai, this sequential mystery counseling session with Nia yielded… well, a predictable result.
“I-it’s normal, you know? Meeting someone famous for the first time… anyone would get nervous, right?”
“Okay, you two are compatible. Go ahead and clash head-on without fear.”
Prediction: No worries for the squad’s future.
And with that, I quickly finished my farcical mission and decided to move on to the next step.
This is usually what happens when you introduce two cats for the first time.