kscans

Chapter 113 - Meanwhile, the Indigo Girl

I won't say what, but I'm building up a backlog. Which is why this is short, please forgive me...

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"..."

After a whole lot of antics on my part, it's been about two hours since I sent 'him' off.

I'd holed up in my personal atelier, assigned to me in the [Safe Area] branch, and was just silently killing time.

It's not like I'm boisterous when I'm all alone, so being silent in my own room is perfectly normal—but that's only when I'm truly alone.

"Nia-cha, even when you're quiet, you're still incredibly noisy."

"Ugh..."

Picking up and putting down the teacup on my desk.

Meaninglessly tapping my feet.

Opening my window every thirty seconds to check for messages or whatever—I'm well aware of my current restlessness, and my friend's blunt criticism makes me freeze.

"I-I can't help it... It's been a while, and he hasn't sent a single message..."

"The Istia selection matches are super fast-paced, right? He probably doesn't have the leeway. And if he doesn't have leeway, that means he's winning, right?"

Her voice was as sweet and melting as ever, enough to charm even another girl like me.

Her gentle reasoning left me with no room for rebuttal. I sulkily pressed the cup to my lips to hide my face.

"I have to say, I'm really surprised. I never thought Nia-cha would fall head over heels in love like this."

"N-No, that's not... I'm not that serious about it yet...!"

"But you're admitting you're at least a little serious, right?"

"Fuguu...!"

I can't say anything back to her teasing words.

And if I can't say anything back, that means it's true—I know it is, but still...!

"You're so picky about looks, Nia-cha, yet it was love at first sight. I wonder just how handsome this boy is."

"Who are you calling picky about looks?! I've never once acted like that!!"

And besides, he's not exactly the 'handsome boy' type!!

"Then what did you like about him?"

"That's—! ...K-his face."

"Mmhmm."

"Don't 'mmhmm' me! You're so mean, Hiyo-chan!!"

I can't help it! I don't know why, but he was just ridiculously my type!!

I buried my unbearably hot cheeks into the desk. Hiyo-chan—my fellow artisan and best friend, [Bush Warbler]—patted my head, looking incredibly amused.

"...You cheater."

"Whatever do you mean?"

She knows I can't resist when she does that.

Her long, fluffy, wavy hair, a shade very similar to Sora-chan's beautiful gold.

Her beautiful sapphire-blue eyes, set in the default pretty face of an Arcadia player—even though it's completely different from her real face, the gentle expression she wears is familiar... and as always, it puts me strangely at ease.

By the way, she sulks if I tease her about padding her chest a little. What's the big deal? You have bigger ones than me in real life anyway!!

"So? If you're that smitten, it can't be just his face, right?"

"What, wait. How did we naturally end up talking about this?"

"Well, you did summon me here when I was busy just because you couldn't sit still, so I think I'm entitled to at least a little treat to go with my tea."

"Treating my first crush like a snack...!!"

What's so annoying is that she knows I'm not entirely against the idea of telling someone about it...

"...V-v..."

"V?"

"His voice, too... I kind of... like it..."

"What's his voice like?"

"It's not high, but it's not raspy either... and the way he talks, even when he's being blunt, there's something subtly gentle about it..."

Oh no, I can't do this. My cheeks are so hot they're going to explode.

"A-and the way he laughs is—!!"

"I love how you end up telling me everything anyway, Nia-cha."

I can't help it! This is all new to me, you know!!

In the end, I was the one who spilled everything, giving my best friend a mountain of blackmail material before noon.

My friend, who has always acted like an older sister to me, just giggled happily the entire time.