kscans

Chapter 156 - Special and Talent

"—There is nothing I need to say."

And with that incredibly concise statement, the highly satisfied Sword Saint, cradling her teacup, gave her final assessment.

Sora, who had probably been hoping for a detailed critique from the person she admired, was visibly restless. But Ui-san, as if to gently quiet her, continued to speak.

"Haru-kun—unlike in our match, your movements were nicely relaxed and fluid. You showed me a technique I had never seen before, and I was once again impressed."

"Ah... thank you."

I can tell she's genuinely praising me, so I'm happy, but... that ending. I'm worried about how it looked in her eyes, not to mention Sora's.

Anyone watching would have easily seen me hesitate at the last moment... Depending on the person, I'm aware that I displayed a pathetic side that wouldn't be out of place to be disappointed in.

And because I'm aware, I have no excuse to offer.

It was my fault for chickening out—and no matter how many times I replay it, I know I would have stopped my hand.

"As for Sora-chan—"

"Hah... Yes!"

And so, while I was off having a fruitless internal review session, the Sword Saint's gaze shifted to the person beside me.

Sora, in response, gave an almost touchingly honest reaction. She leaned forward eagerly, looking so happy I could almost see a tail wagging—

"Truly, there is not a single thing I can say."

"Eh..."

And yet, what she was told was a repeat of the no-critique declaration.

...Well, yeah. Sora looks sad, but I kind of get what Ui-san is trying to convey when she says, "There's nothing to say."

Look closely, Sora-san, Ui-san is smiling a really nice smile, isn't she?

"You mean you have no complaints, that it was wonderful—right?"

"............Yes...?"

It's not that her words are insufficient; it's just that Sora herself is so eager for a critique that she's misinterpreting the meaning.

She used the phrase "what I should say" for the two of us because it included me, who she officially took on as a 'student' yesterday.

But the words directed at Sora individually were "there is nothing I can say"—in other words, there's not a single area where she feels qualified to comment.

This is the second-ranked member of the Eastern Faction, the Sword Saint, saying this.

Is there any higher praise?

"I'm sorry, were my words unclear? —It's just as Haru-kun says. It was truly... a wonderful match in every way, Sora-chan."

Putting down her teacup with an embarrassed smile, Ui-san brought both hands to her chest as if deeply moved—

"If you were to call people like myself and Haru-kun commoners, then it is beings like you who should be called true geniuses."

—and then, wait a minute, did she just say something outrageous?

"Ah, eh—... Haeh!?"

Of course Sora would be confused. I mean, I have absolutely no objection to being categorized as a commoner, so that's fine.

Even if Ui-san calls me a commoner from her perspective, I'm prepared to smile and say, "Yes, I'm a commoner, nice to meet you," with complete affirmation.

But for the Sword Saint herself to call herself a commoner is something I can't accept.

At worst, it could sound like an uncharacteristically provocative statement, as if mocking the countless people who cannot reach her level.

—And so, it's not as if she noticed my speechless state.

Perhaps reviewing her own words, Ui-san clapped a hand to her mouth with a gasp and began to fret in a panic.

"I'm sorry, that was a strange way to put it, wasn't it...? Haru-kun, I'm sorry too. I certainly didn't mean it in a derogatory way."

"Ah, it's fine. It's really fine, please calm down."

She looked just as she had earlier when she had frantically tried to follow up about her grandfather. Seeing her flustered like this, a rare sight, made it perfectly clear that Ui-san regretted her choice of words.

"Um... it's not that I truly think of myself or Haru-kun as commoners. I understand that I possess 'talent' in this world, and there's no doubt that Haru-kun is also 'special.'"

Well, I'm not so sure about me—Sora-san, do you seriously have to be so good at reading me? That sideways glance is practically psychic.

"What I meant to say was—that even compared to that, Sora-chan's talent seems to be on another level... I couldn't think of an expression that went beyond 'genius' on the spot, so I ended up lowering myself and Haru-kun to say it."

"Oh, no, no, really, don't worry about me..."

She bowed her head apologetically again, and my lack of resistance to the 'gentle older sister' type started to surface—Get a grip, you're in front of Sora...!!

And, putting me aside, as for Sora-san, who was just called a 'genius'—well, yeah, I guess you would make that kind of face.

She knows she's being praised unconditionally, but the praise is so immense that she doesn't know how to take it—her face is a textbook example of confusion, a feeling I can clearly sense.

I know I'm repeating myself, but these are the words of the person she's had a crush on for years. She can't easily deny it, so she must be at a loss for where to put her words and emotions.

...Well, I guess it's a partner's job to lend a helping hand.

"I've always thought that Sora's senses and what not were pretty extraordinary in a lot of ways."

"Hah—Now you too, Haru...!"

Hey, just wait. I'm not just trying to praise you too.

"It's just, I can't really put it into words very well... From your perspective, Ui-san, what part of it did you feel was an extraordinary 'talent'?"

How's that?

If this gets a clear answer, it might help her accept it a little. If it's a vague impression, she can just write it off as "Oh, it must be the Sword Saint's super-senses."

When I conveyed my intent to help with my gaze, Sora retracted her look of disapproval and sat up straight again—ah, no, I didn't mind the glare, not at all. You don't have to look so regretful.

What I said was, in fact, my honest opinion from one to ten.

"What part... yes, I see."

And so, Ui-san began to think seriously about my question, which included my attempt to help.

She closed her eyes and thought for a while. She picked up the teacup beside her, took a sip of tea, and thought some more—then she looked up and spoke her conclusion.

"Sora-chan—it seems to me that you are not bound by the logic of this virtual world."

............And so, to the Sword Saint's declaration.

""............Huh?""

Sora and I, in perfect unison, tilted our heads in confusion.

---

Protagonist: "What is this person talking about?"

Sora-san: "What is this person talking about?"

Author: "What is this person talking about?"