Chapter 521 - Near Miss
"Huh? Wilnel-chan isn't here yet?"
"Yes, we received a message. She mentioned something about Foundation business, so she'll be late."
"Attending Foundation business... that sounds tough."
Parfait sat down in a chair at the Base after hearing about Wilnel's situation from Chris.
Since their tests had just ended, Wilnel was usually the first one waiting at the Base, eager to hear Parfait's scores. But today, she wasn't there. Although Parfait found it strange, she understood that Wilnel couldn't prioritize their group over Foundation matters.
"So, my friend. How were your test results? Naturally, I was at the top!"
"I already knew you were at the top, Natchan. The top fifty rankings are posted publicly, after all. Honestly, seeing everyone here in the top ranks makes me feel a bit uneasy. Abel-kun is my only true friend left...!"
"My friend, do not say such sad things. Even if you forgot to write your name and got a zero, I would still be your friend!"
"I'm not sure if I should be happy or slightly insulted by that consolation. Also, does anyone actually forget to write their name?"
To Parfait, who had never seen such a person in reality, it was nothing more than an urban legend. She was certain she would never do it herself. If she ever got a zero for a reason like that, she had no idea what Wilnel would do to her. She could at least imagine that nothing pleasant would follow.
"So, Parfait-san, how did you do? Wilnel-san specifically asked us to get the details from you."
"Even Ginny-chan is asking for my score so casually. Well, I don't mind."
With that, Parfait revealed her test results.
While her math score was a bit low, she had marks above average in her other subjects. Her rank was higher than before. She was gaining momentum and was just on the verge of breaking into the top fifty.
"What's this? For all your complaining about us, you got quite a good score. You've cleared the Wilnel Line, haven't you?"
"Well, yeah, because that's mandatory. Though I sometimes wonder why I have to keep jumping over hurdles that keep getting higher."
She complained, but deep down, she wanted to meet the expectations of Wilnel and the others who had organized study sessions for her. It just felt a bit draining to think that this would continue until high school ended. She was also afraid that at this rate, she might eventually be forced to aim for the top spot.
"Wilnel-chan isn't here, but if she's coming later, should we go hunting somewhere? I've been studying too much and want to cut loose a bit."
"My friend, those are not words a high school girl should say, but I agree! Kukuku, the darkness today shall shine even deeper!"
"You're in quite a good mood. Did something good happen, Natsu-san?"
"My friend Ginny, let me tell you... nothing at all!"
"Natsu is apparently going on a trip to Central on Earth during the upcoming holidays. Of course, Ruth-dono will be going as well. That is likely why she is so excited."
"...How do you know that!?"
"I am aiming to be a maid, after all."
This was news to Parfait as well. She could understand if it was Rick, but she had no idea where Chris-chan got her information. She also didn't quite understand how that related to aiming to be a maid.
Regardless of how the information was obtained, it turned out Natsu was going to Central for business related to Colony Hospital, where her father, Mist, worked. Mist and Ruth were going to present a medical research paper. According to Natsu, her mother, Noat, had initially thrown a tantrum about not wanting to go, but they settled it by promising her all-you-can-eat donuts at a shop in Central.
"I still find it a mystery why my father ended up with my mother...! It is more mysterious than the mysteries of the abyss...!"
Parfait speculated that he probably just couldn't leave her alone, but since adults had their own complicated reasons, she didn't feel like digging into it.
In the first place, Parfait didn't fully understand why her own parents were together. In fact, the more she heard, the more she felt that her mother, Esha, was a rather dangerous person. Even if it was just in the game, the idea of suddenly demanding a Parfait from the person who hired her seemed like the behavior of someone slightly unstable by common sense standards. Since she wasn't like that in reality, Parfait sometimes wondered if the world of AFO was the problem.
Just as she thought that, the alarm for a chat message rang in Parfait's ear.
It was from Wilnel. She immediately brought up the chat screen and responded, and Wilnel's face appeared on the screen.
"Oh? Wilnel-chan, you're logged in? I heard you had business to take care of."
"Yes, since the business was within AFO, I've just finished handling it. I'm heading to the Base now, so could you please wait there?"
"Got it. I'll stay here and chat with everyone then."
Since everyone had seen the screen, there was no need to explain. Instead of going hunting, they began chatting idly at the Base.
"I glossed over it earlier, but I wonder if there's such a thing as Foundation business inside AFO?"
At Parfait's question, everyone tilted their heads. If the Foundations were involved, it usually took place at their home Colonies or on Earth. Doing business inside AFO felt slightly off.
While they were all pondering, Wilnel arrived.
"Everyone, sorry to keep you waiting."
"Good work. Handling Foundation business in AFO sounds like a lot of trouble."
"I was just present there, so I didn't personally have any difficulties."
"Oh, really?"
"Actually, the ones who had it rough were Parfait-sama's father and mother..."
"...Eh? Why?"
"To put it simply, some Foundation members wanted to meet Hayato-sama and Esha-sama, so they were meeting inside AFO until just a moment ago."
"My dad and mom were logged in!?"
"That was the other party's request... since the two of them kindly agreed, we were together until just now. You have a rather complicated expression on your face, don't you?"
"Well, yeah. It's not that I hate it, but the situation of being in the same game space as my parents is a bit... you know. Don't you feel like it's something you shouldn't see? Even though I didn't actually see them."
"My mother once crashed an event to sing and dance, and even nitpicked my performance, you know?"
"If you're going to say that, my father and mother became enemies and even reduced my allowance!"
Natsu's mother, Noat, had a history of crashing an event organized by Fight Club along with Parsha and the others during the Spirit Festival event.
As for Ginny's parents, they had recently appeared in the Lunatic Demons event as the most trusted retainers summoned by Demon King Mikan. For some reason, household matters were brought up, and as a result, Ginny's allowance was cut.
"Natchan's mom is, well, like an entertainer, right? And Ginny-chan's parents are treated like AFO staff. My mom is a waitress at a cafe. I don't know what her equipment was today, but if she was wearing a Maid Outfit or something, it would be so awkward. You know, because of her age."
"My mother is older than Esha-dono and always wears a Maid Outfit, yet it is not awkward at all."
"Chris-chan, your mom is a professional. If my mom did it, it would look like cosplay, and I wouldn't want to see it."
"Cosplay is a wonderful thing! I will not back down on this!"
"I'm sure it is for you, Ginny-chan, but that's not what we're talking about right now."
"Esha-san was indeed wearing a Maid Outfit."
"...Wilnel-chan, I didn't need that information..."
"It suited her very well, you know?"
"Yeah, that's not the point..."
Parfait's feeling of slight embarrassment wasn't understood by anyone, but she continued to argue passionately, trying to make them understand her unbearable feelings. Incidentally, dinner that evening was a bit awkward.