kscans

Chapter 243 - Secure That Youth

"—So yeah, that's the situation for now. What you 'pulled off' was so huge that your face hasn't become a big topic of conversation."

"Though you are getting popular in some circles. The hairstyle and all those effects you had on probably helped. It was just plausible enough that the suspicion of it being your real appearance hasn't really taken off."

"The fact that you're above average was also a big help. It ended up being judged as a plain face by their standards."

"Seriously. Man, it's amazing how much of a different impression you get from just a pair of dorky glasses."

"Also, Nozomi. I've been meaning to tell you, but your usual hairstyle doesn't really suit you."

"Seriously. Your big sis will give you a cool new look, so it's time for a makeover."

"Can you stop casually throwing in insults?"

They must have sensed that after yesterday, I wanted to avoid any and all forms of media, let alone searching for myself. My friends gathered information from all over the internet and shared it with me, carefully sugar-coating everything.

I wasn't happy about my master-level disguise getting trashed in the process, but I couldn't bring myself to complain right now, even if I offered a small retort.

This is one hundred percent for your own good—Toshiki's words were true. This little kidnapping drama of theirs was, without a doubt, entirely for my sake, a friend they had only just met...

"Man, you scared the hell out of me... We couldn't get in touch, so we thought you were down for the count. We staked out the place 'just in case,' and then you come running up with that carefree look on your face."

"I kind of had a feeling, but Haru-kun, you're a bit of an airhead, aren't you?"

...And so, they had apparently been waiting for me since noon, just in case I carelessly showed up at the university, ready to intercept me—

"In the end, you haven't been identified, right? It doesn't seem like there's any major search going on... so you should be fine for now, right—what are you doing??"

Just as I was talking seriously, Shoko cut me off with an "uh-huh, sure" expression and started messing with my bangs.

"Mizuki, explain it to this clueless boy."

In place of Shoko, who was now completely absorbed in playing with my hair as if she couldn't hear me, Mizuki—who had been sipping the tea Fuka-san, Kaede's older sister, brought for us a few minutes ago—nodded and began to speak.

You look incredibly elegant, you know that? Just what I'd expect from a rich girl's best friend(?).

"If it were already too late, we wouldn't be meddling like this. It's because we can still do something that we're lending you our strength to ensure you're absolutely not found out."

It's not that I'm taking this lightly. But it's also true that I haven't been able to accurately gauge the sheer scale of the 'situation.'

...Or rather—

"I can tell just by looking at you—you still haven't grasped the reality of it, and you're confused... aren't you?"

"..."

Her intelligent eyes pierced through me from behind her glasses, and all I could do was raise my hands in surrender—well, one of them wouldn't go up. I wonder how long Kaede-san plans on holding me captive?

"It can't be helped."

"You said you didn't know much about [Arcadia], and you were serious, right? To suddenly get thrown into the world of rankers and the Four Pillar War, it's no wonder your head can't keep up."

"An overnight superstar, you know. There's no way you could find the perfect solution right away."

Sigh... Okay, yeah. Can I say one thing?

"Are you guys... too nice?"

They didn't blame me for my ignorance or incompetence. Instead, they all chimed in with words of support. I couldn't help but be moved.

I'd always thought they were good people, but I never imagined they'd go this far for a new friend...

As I trembled slightly, a wave of emotion welling up inside me, I heard an "Ah," and Shoko ripped out a few strands of my hair. What are you doing to another person's scalp???

"Well, it's not so much that we're 'nice,' but..."

"It might be too soon to raise our likability score, you know?"

"We have our own clear 'ulterior motives,' you know."

This time, they all replied in turn, but—my sensibilities are those of a normal person too. I know what they're thinking.

"...A friend you just happened to meet suddenly becomes a celebrity overnight."

When I gave them a deliberately pointed, half-lidded glare, Toshiki quickly averted his gaze.

"And on top of that, an Arcadia player, which is right up your alley."

Shoko, who was probably trying to figure out a new hairstyle for me, started whistling, pretending to be absorbed in my hair.

"Something like that—it would be a waste not to get involved as much as possible... is that about right?"

"I won't deny it, and I can't. No matter how many reasons we list, in the end, we're treating you like an event. You can be angry if you want."

Those brutally honest words came from Mizuki, who never wavered from her dignified demeanor... and in response, all I could do was let out a sigh of resignation at my friends' refreshingly straightforward reactions.

"Haha..."

Haah...—Alright, I give up. I like these guys.

"...Like I'd be angry. If I were in your shoes, I'd totally use such an interesting person as fodder for my youth."

In other words, the act of treating me like an event is canceled out by the get-out-of-jail-free card known as youth. What remains is only the goodwill I feel toward the friends who offered their help without a moment's hesitation.

When I jokingly delivered the not-guilty verdict, their relieved expressions were so obvious that my affection for them skyrocketed.

Perhaps it was the conviction that I had clearly found 'allies' in the real world, but I felt the thread of tension that had been pulled taut since I left my room this morning finally begin to loosen, just a little.

—...Alright, now then, shall we try to resolve the situation over here?

"Um... Kaede-san? Seeing as we've reached a mutual understanding and reconciliation, I think it's safe to release me now. I'm not going to try to escape at this point."

I turned my eyes to my left. To the resident of this mansion who had been gripping my arm, stock-still and silent, ever since we sat down on the sofa.

Her face was hidden by her soft, light brown hair, but I figured she must have her own motives—...motives... huh...?

"...Kaede?"

Still no movement from the young lady of the Shijo household. I called her name a few more times, shaking the arm she was holding to get a reaction, but...

"Haru-kun."

"...Yeah?"

As I slowly began to grasp that the situation was a little more... unexpected than I thought, Mizuki's voice—unusually unconcealed in its emotion—informed me of her condition with heartfelt exasperation.

"That girl—she's been in contact with her favorite for too long. She's passed out."

In that moment, my image of her as a 'gentle and pure-hearted young lady' came crashing down.

"—————————...Huh???"

And Shijo Kaede was officially categorized as the group's number one 'interesting person.'