kscans

Chapter 244 - Unraveling the Threads

—Shijo Kaede is an Arcadia otaku.

In and of itself, that's nothing unusual. That 'hobby' has become so commonplace worldwide that it's no exaggeration to say it's an extremely ordinary interest.

However, even among otaku, there are different tastes.

Even if one chooses to be a spectator, watching the virtual world from the outside, one can choose to observe the peaceful landscapes of another world, the thrilling adventures, or the stage of blood-pumping conflict.

Or—one can choose to fix their fervent gaze upon a specific 'someone.'

As for which type Shijo Kaede is, it's the fourth one. She is a typical fan who focuses on a single favorite. And the object of her love and passion was none other than my master.

The second seat of the Eastern Faction Istia, the [Sword Saint] herself.

Then again, that in itself is not particularly unusual. The followers of that 'God of the Blade' number in the hundreds of millions across the globe.

But if there was something a little special about her, it was this:

Her passion as a fan was just a little bit deeper than the average, and—...by some twist of fate, the 'Sword Saint's Disciple' had appeared right before her very eyes.

—Now, for a question.

Question 1: When a 'friend' suddenly transforms into a 'disciple,' a being who is now potentially the closest person to one's ultimate favorite, what happens to the passionate otaku?

"I'msorryI'msorryhowcouldIbesoboldAcrobat-samaasforyourperformance lastnightitwasabsolutelyamazingandwonderfulandbythewaywhatisyourrelationshipwithUi-samaSwordSaint-samaifImaybesoboldastoasknoIhavenointentionofgettinginyourwayatallinIactIearnestlyhopeyoutwohaveaharmoniousmaster-disciplerelationshipwhichmeansthatlastnightyouhadakindofniceatmospheregoingonwithIris-samawhat'sgoingtohappenthereohmygoodnessI'msorryI'msorrylikeanoseyneighboraskingallthesethingshowindecentofme—...!"

Answer: This happens.

"What is this...?"

"She's been smitten by the you from yesterday. She's completely become a fan of both 'master and disciple.'"

While Mizuki and I shot her looks of confusion and exasperation respectively, Kaede remained prostrate on the sofa, completely bugging out. She did take off her slippers, though. Good girl.

"Um... Kaede?"

"YES, WHAT IS IT?!"

"..."

Don't look at me like it's the 'greatest joy imaginable!' just because I called your name... You're a Shijo, after all... Ouch, how did you know, Mizuki-san?

I couldn't tell if Mizuki's jab to my side was a retort to my stupid thoughts or a prompt to 'hurry up and deal with this,' but... either way, I opened my mouth to try and fix the broken young lady.

"First, no '-sama,' okay?"

"Th-That's... such an unreasonable request...!"

"What character are you playing now?"

This is actually kind of funny, so cut it out.

I gestured for Mizuki to help Kaede up, and met the young lady's eyes as she lifted her face—whoa, she's bright red...!

"Oh, for crying out loud...!"

Being on the receiving end of such a direct reaction is embarrassing for me too. I let out an exaggerated sigh to cover it up, averting my gaze slightly... and decided to just get to the point.

"The person in front of you right now isn't your 'favorite.' It's Haru-kun, who became friends with Shijo Kaede-san half a month ago—now then, is Kaede-san, a follower of the [Sword Saint] who embodies purity, integrity, gentleness, and sincerity, the kind of troublesome fan who would ignore a player's real life—Gahk?!"

"I'm not, I'm sorry!"

A headbutt from the young lady, who had misjudged the distance, landed a critical hit to my solar plexus.

If this were the virtual world, my [Crimson Rabbit Brooch] definitely would have activated—as that stupid thought crossed my mind, I was KO'd. Kaede clung to me, her face flushed as she panicked.

"H-Hey... you okay?"

"...ngh..., ..."

I tried to say I was fine, but no sound came out. Not bad, young lady... That was, without a doubt, the hardest hit I've taken all day, including yesterday....

"Kaede, calm down already."

While Mizuki pulled her friend off me—who was on the verge of mounting me—and soothed her, Shoko, with a highly amused look on her face, helped me up.

I get it, so I won't complain, but the favor of helping me up is cancelled out, you hear?

Now, once she had calmed down thanks to her best friend's soothing pats—

"Kaede."

"Y-Yes..."

"If you keep acting like that, I'm calling you 'Shijo-san' from now on."

"...! ..."

I said it with a deliberately cold and curt tone—and perhaps reflecting on her own outburst, she blushed a different shade of crimson than before, her face filled with embarrassment.

"I-I'm sorry... Haru—k-kun."

"Okay, let's keep getting along, Kaede—if it feels weird because it overlaps with my other name, you can all just call me by my first name from now on."

"Got it, Nozomi-kun."

"Okey-dokey."

I offered the suggestion with a wry smile at Kaede's obvious hesitation in saying my name, and Mizuki and Shoko adapted instantly, as expected.

As for the girl in question—

"...I-I'll... practice."

The young lady, who had apparently never called a boy by his first name before, covered her face with both hands and collapsed, as if to say, 'everything is so embarrassing.'