kscans

Chapter 219 - Eyes on the Speeding Form

"Agh… this is bad."

The instant we finished cleaning up the Northern and Southern containment squads, Irori and I snapped our heads in the same direction. The words that escaped the blonde samurai's lips were laced with bitterness.

"…Ugh, what is this?"

It was a 'pressure' that was neither a roar nor an impact—a sensation that resonated deep in my gut like the continuous beat of a great taiko drum. I felt my cheeks twitch involuntarily as it traveled from afar and struck my avatar.

"It means we're out of time. Head to the base immediately. I'll catch up."

His words weren't much of an explanation, but judging by Irori's tone, which cut off any further questions… Okay, I get it. We don't even have time for an explanation, huh?

"Got it. I'll go on ahead."

"Haru."

Hold on, I thought we were out of time?

Just as I summoned the crimson blades that would serve as my footholds and took a step, a voice called out to my back. I glanced over my shoulder—…ah, right, right.

I'm not against that sort of thing either.

I met his proffered fist with a casual bump of my own, a silent "You'd better catch up quick," before turning on my heel and launching myself into the air.

"Dammit, he's getting through—"

"Got time to look away, do ya?!"

"Don't take your eyes off us!"

"This way's closed!"

"Ninth! Go on, get through!"

"Tch! Thanks a ton!"

I was used to paving my own way as I ran. As I soared through the air, using thrown blades and Switch Jumps, my allies were quick to intercept the aggro that was about to turn on me as I passed overhead.

Shouting my thanks to the voices of encouragement—a bit too polite of me, I know—I shifted into an overdrive that felt like kicking my own avatar forward, and in an instant, I shot over the chaotic battlefield…

I pushed my legs as hard as I could, rushing toward the base where the constant, body-shaking vibrations originated.

◇◆◇◆◇

"Man, Haru-kun is really moving…"

"He's darting around so much he's like a tuna that can't stop swimming."

—At a certain university student gathering.

During long streams like this, it was common practice to take a break and lower the energy during the calmer moments of the Four Pillar War broadcast.

Out of habit, it had become natural for them to chat idly with their viewing partners during these times—but…

Perhaps a little tired from the explosive excitement they'd all shared, Shoko and Toshiki were staring blankly at the screen. Meanwhile, another pair…

"…Hey, um, Mizuki-chan."

"…I don't know. It could just be a resemblance."

"If you think about it, the name is also…"

"…It could just be a resemblance."

Shijo Kaede and Kajisawa Mizuki were huddled together with a closeness unique to childhood friends, their eyes fixed on the white-and-blue shadow on the screen that was still soaring through the air using some incomprehensible method.

His way of speaking… or rather, his energy level was so different that it took them hours of hearing it over and over to finally have that "Huh?" moment and notice his 'voice.'

Once they became conscious of how similar it sounded to that of their new 'friend'… the player name, which was exactly the same, only added to their mounting suspicion.

—Sorry, I really, seriously can't make it tonight.

The image of 'him' who had declined their gathering tonight just half a day ago flashed through their minds.

The connection was impossible to ignore—and yet.

"I mean, that's… that's gotta be a stretch, right…?"

"Yeah, well. It's a bit much…"

There's no way the world is that small, they thought.

Just being a player in Arcadia already made someone 'special' by normal standards… For a friend they had just met to not only be a player but also a top player, a Ranker with a title from the heavens?

That was just too much—

""That's taking otaku wishful thinking too far…""

As they exchanged bewildered glances, they still couldn't bring themselves to trust their intuition.

And as they watched on in confusion, the one who had captured not only their attention, but the attention of the entire world—The Acrobat.

As if flying, at a speed that blurred his form… he freely soared through the air, crushing the path to the base where the 'big shots' were waiting.

The message Kaede had sent to 'him' still remained unread.