kscans

Chapter 27 - Prologue

Chapter Two: Prologue

I think everyone has experienced that feeling of being so nervous you think you might throw up.

Maybe it was during an exam, a job interview, or right after making a terrible mistake. The reasons and timing vary from person to person, but I doubt anyone has gone through life without it.

I want to run home right now. I want to lock myself in my room and escape reality with games and manga. I want to go to sleep and wake up to find everything has been solved.

That's exactly how I feel at this moment.

But the very reason I'm being cornered to the point of nausea is that I can't escape. If I could just turn tail and run, I wouldn't be on the verge of puking in the first place.

No, calm down, Yagawa Kyouta. How can I, the one who has slain countless monsters in dungeons and even defeated an Orc Champion, lose my nerve over something like this!

Compared to a life-or-death battle, this is nothing!

...Sorry, nope. This is rough.

After about three minutes of pointlessly killing time by checking the contents of the paper bag in my hand and looking around...

I'm probably about to be reported as a suspicious person. I guess... I have no choice but to brace myself.

"Suu... fuuu... Okay!"

One deep breath. It's fine. My legs are moving, and my heartbeat has settled down.

All that's left is to act.

"Let's run."

A retreat. No, this is a forward advance to the rear.

Who decided I couldn't escape? The road always continues, no matter where you are.

Don't be bound by fixed ideas. People are always free to—to choose their own path!

'Oh, Kyou-chan-kun. Are you leaving?'

"Hyuh..."

I let out a strange gasp and, fighting back a cough, looked around.

The familiar voice wasn't coming from right next to my ear as usual, but from in front of me.

"S-since when were you..."

'About three minutes ago.'

I directed my gaze forward, to the intercom with a camera attached.

'How sad. I went to all the trouble of preparing to welcome you, and this is what I get. I never thought you were such a chicken. Is it any wonder you only have the two of us as friends, Kyou-chan-kun?'

"...Two?"

'Hahaha. If you're not my friend, I might just have to report you to the police~'

"I'm sorry. We're probably friends, Aira-san."

I flashed my best possible smile at the camera.

I mean, Aira-san is kind of shady, after all. And she's older, so it's hard to call her a 'friend'...

You know, college students just feel so much like 'adults,' right? Especially since they drink and all.

'Hmph. I recorded that, you know...!'

"Oh god, that's creepy."

'Now, enter, my friend.'

As she spoke, the lattice gate in front of me swung open. Whoa, it's automatic...

The surrounding area was a quiet residential neighborhood. The mansion before me was an elegant, two-story house.

Passing through the gate, I walked along a stone-paved path for about ten meters, flanked by green lawns, until I reached the front door.

Just as I stood before it, the door was flung open from the inside with great force.

"Welcome, Kyou-chan-kun! I welcome you! With great fanfare!"

"BUOOOOOOOOOH!!"

Aira-san, wearing a sash that read 'To Hell With Sober Days,' set off a party popper. She was dressed in a black tracksuit, top and bottom—a surprisingly casual outfit.

And next to her, Erina-san, dressed in a vermilion and yellow kimono, was blowing a conch shell.

Oh, wait. She's just holding it to her lips and making the sound with her mouth. Either way, it's weird.

"...Uh, thanks."

I had come to Aira-san's house.

The thing is, I still hadn't properly thanked them for the whole Orc incident.

Originally, my parents were going to thank Erina-san directly, but apparently she's been living with Aira-san and her grandmother for the past week.

What's more, my parents' schedules didn't line up with the grandmother's, who's a university professor. They decided it was better not to wait too long, so here I was, gift-wrapped sweets in hand.

That's right. To a house where a member of the opposite sex... lives!!

It'll be fine as long as I don't say anything weird... Thank them, give them the gift, and leave right away... No problem. Not a single problem.

If anyone else saw me right now, they'd probably think, 'Why are you so nervous just visiting a friend's house?'

But they'd be wrong! Three thousand times sweeter than chocolate cake!

My hosts are none other than my friend Erina-san and my friend-question-mark Aira-san. While their words may be a bit unfortunate, their looks are top-tier. And their figures, too.

Like I can stay long in a place with two girls like that! I'm going home!

Before my heart stops from the stress!

"Welcome, Kyou-chan-kun. No sense standing around in the entryway. Follow me."

"Let's have a game party with snacks in the living room!"

"Ah, speaking of snacks, here..."

Okay, I managed to hand over the gift naturally.

Congratulating myself to stabilize my nerves, I offered the paper bag to Erina-san.

"Hm? What's this?"

"As thanks for saving my parents the other day... Um, they couldn't come today, so..."

My parents had said it would be better for just me, their 'friend,' to go, rather than adults visiting a house with only two young women.

Give me a break. At least my mom could have come with m—no, having a parent with me would be awkward in a different way.

"Oh my! You didn't have to worry about that."

"No, I can't just let it go."

After all, she had nothing to do with it, yet she'd sacrificed an arm to help them. A box of sweets was nowhere near enough.

But the 'debt' was so great I didn't even know how to begin to repay it. My parents were also planning to go thank her properly later, but they were at a loss as to how to express their gratitude.

"Now, now, Erina-kun. It's good manners to accept such things graciously."

"She's right, senpai! Tell your mom and dad I said hi, Kyou-chan!"

"I will."

"Now, enough talk, let's go to the living room!"

Why is Aira-san so hyper?

She's as excited as a grade-schooler before Christmas. She got behind me and started pushing my back insistently.

Hey, her hands are small, but the feeling of her palms is ticklish...!

"W-wait. I should probably get going..."

"Hmm? Do you have plans?"

"What's wrong, Kyou-chan? Was there a ninja attack!?"

"No, that's not it."

"Well then, wouldn't it be rude to leave now?"

"W-well..."

"Yeah, Kyou-chaaaan. Let's hang out."

"Why do you two look so evil!?"

The unfortunate beauty and the unfortunate pretty girl were both smiling like villains.

But it would indeed be rude to leave now. I came here to thank them, after all.

Is there no escape...!

"Alright, I understand..."

"Party of one, right this way!"

"We won't let you go home tonight☆"

"Actually, please let me go home before night..."

I took off my shoes and was ushered into the living room, still being pushed from behind.

On a side note, the slippers are incredibly fluffy. I could tell from the outside, but walking down the hallway confirmed it: this house is huge.

Could it be that Aira-san and her family... are from a wealthy family...?

"Welcome again, Kyou-chan-kun. Make yourself at home. Grandma isn't here today, so we can be as loud as we want!"

"Uh, huh."

I passed through the door Erina-san opened, still being pushed by Aira-san. Seriously, how long is she going to keep pushing?

The living room I was led into was connected to the kitchen, but even considering that, it was quite spacious. Maybe as big as a classroom?

The furniture and paintings had a refined feel, and even to my amateur eyes, they looked expensive.

However, the beautifully polished table was cluttered with a pile of snacks and juice, and a game console was already set up in front of the LCD TV. Around it were enough of those 'ruin-a-person' cushions for everyone.

...It's like... they're taking full advantage of 'Grandma' not being here today to really let loose.

"Hey now, Kyou-chan-kun. It's not polite to stare so intently at a lady's house, you know?"

"Ah, sorry."

"Aha, you were looking to see if I'd left my underwear lying around, weren't you!?"

"No."

"You pervert!"

"I'm being framed."

I don't know what to do. I feel like an idiot for being so nervous just a moment ago.

"And what would you do if I told you I'm wearing a black thong right now?"

"...Huh!?"

Instinctively, my eyes darted to Aira-san's tracksuited figure.

Despite being a beautiful college student, her attire for welcoming a guest was quite sloppy. But then again, beautiful people look good in anything. On top of that, she has an amazing figure.

My gaze unintentionally drifted to her assertive chest and the area around her crotch below her narrow waist.

"Hahaha! Of course I'm kidding. Your face is as red as a tomato, Kyou-chan-kun!"

"Y-you..."

Apparently, I'd been teased. I'm ashamed to admit my heart was pounding like crazy.

"That's right, Kyou-chan! Senpai isn't wearing a black thong today! She's wearing normal pink ones!!"

"Erina-kun. Hold on a second, Erina-kun."

Aira-san's face is as red as a tomato.

Her ears, red all the way to the tips of her elven points, she grabbed Erina-san's shoulder and shook her head weakly.

But still, I see... pink...

"Um... shall we play a game?"

"...Yeah."

"What's wrong, senpai? You're the one who started talking about panties."

Erina-san tilted her head, looking genuinely puzzled.

I've recently realized something about her. She seems like a sociable, popular type, but she's actually a cheerful social klutz, isn't she?

That aside, thank you very much!

"Very well. Tonight, I shall become a demon! I'll plunge you both into the abyss!"

"Bring it on, senpai! I'll make it so you can never go to the bathroom alone again!!"

"Please don't get too heated, you two."

Though the atmosphere had gotten a little weird, after that, things went on as usual, more or less.

Unlike our usual interactions, I could see their faces directly, but as we played games, my tension started to fade.

And then, perhaps because my guard was down, I found myself asking something.

"By the way, why are you at your grandmother's house, Erina-san?"

I regretted it a little as soon as I asked.

For two people who were so fixated on the concept of 'family,' was this question a landmine?

As cold sweat trickled down my back, Erina-san answered without seeming to mind.

"Mmm. My dad's in international trade, and he had to go to England all of a sudden. Mom went with him. They wanted me to go too, but I insisted on staying."

"I-is that so?"

Good. It's still normal... or is it?

Would they really leave their daughter in Japan and go to England right after 'that' happened?

"...Um, you told your parents about your arm, right? About the Orc Champion."

"Nope. It's already healed!"

Erina-san said with a smile, flashing a V-sign.

No, you should have told them. Your daughter's arm getting torn off is big news.

"If I told them now that it's healed, it would just make them worry, right? So I figured, why bother?"

"Seriously..."

As I stared at her, dumbfounded, Aira-san cackled.

"Well, they probably don't know she's with me, either! They dislike me quite a bit, after all. And I doubt Grandma told them my whereabouts."

"Huh?"

"Mom and Dad don't hate you, senpai. They just don't know how to act around you."

"Is that so? Well, it matters little to me either way."

...I feel like I'm listening to a very loaded conversation.

"There, an opening, you two!"

"Geh!"

"Not so fast! Ninpo, Substitution Jutsu!"

"You're using me as a shield!?"

With sweat beading on my brow, I tried to change the subject using the on-screen action. I reacted with an exaggeratedly loud voice, trying to break the atmosphere.

The two of them seemed to be acting normal, so I think I managed to gloss it over. ...I hope.

"By the way, Kyou-chan-kun. In this house right now, we have my elderly grandmother, myself—a lovely young maiden—and Erina-kun. That being the case..."

"Hey, don't talk to me while you're cornering me on the screen! Erina-san, Erina-san, help!"

"Sorry, I'm out of lives."

"Damn it, I have to face this sad monster one-on-one!"

"I'd like to question you for about an hour regarding my new nickname, but I'll let it slide. This big-sister Aira is generous, you see!"

"I don't think generous people trap others in an infinite aerial combo. Please tell me how to escape."

Damn it, no matter how much I mash the controller, I can't break free. I'm being endlessly juggled in the air.

"Wouldn't you be willing to lend a hand in protecting such a home?"

"...Huh?"

At that moment, a flash of insight struck my gray matter.

High-speed thinking, assisted by my [Sage's Nucleus], deciphered the intent behind her words.

Could this be... she's asking me to stay the night?

No way, was she serious when she said 'we won't let you go home tonight' earlier!?

Wh-what do I do? I didn't prepare to stay over. And this is my first time staying at a friend's house, let alone one with only girls?

No way, no way, no way! I'm so nervous I won't be able to sleep!

And, and what about me? Can my self-control handle it? It can... probably. I'm not that much of an animal.

But I'll definitely become more conscious of them in the future! Because they're both so beautiful!

Don't underestimate how easily a high school boy can fall for someone. It only takes one little thing for us to be completely smitten!

No, wait, could this be... a sign that she's interested in me!? No way, where did I even raise a flag!?

All this in a mere two seconds. With my face burning, I somehow managed to answer.

"W-with pleasure!"

Wait, what did I just agree to!?

"Oh, really? Even though I haven't gotten to the main point yet, which is 'would you be willing to sell me a golem like Byakuren?'"

" "

—KO!

On the screen, my character, who had been trapped in an aerial combo, was finally defeated.

And as Aira-san looked at me with a mischievous smile, my own thoughts froze solid.

...Yeah.

"I hope you rot in hell someday...!"

"Hahaha! I plan on living a long life, so who knows when I'll be going to heaven or hell!"

"What's wrong, Kyou-chan? Your face is all red."

"It's nothing...!"

I put down the controller and covered my face, completely drained.

I lost. In so many ways. Her combat ability is supposedly crap, but I don't think I can ever win against this unfortunate college student.

I snuck a glance at Aira-san, who was clutching her stomach, roaring with laughter.

...Even her face when she's laughing like an idiot is beautiful. That's just unfair.

"Senpai! Let's play this game next! I won't lose in a race!"

"Ha-ha-ha-ha! Very well. Allow me to teach you the meaning of true strength!"

"Not a chance! I'll cover you in cow dung!!"

"My thoughts exactly, Erina-kun. Is your bovine stockpile sufficient...!"

This ruins everything, damn it.

...Wait, what about her asking me to sell her a golem like Byakuren?