kscans

Chapter 246 - Interlude

"—Yes, I see. Tomorrow, then... No, not at all. Thank you for taking my call on such short notice."

In a small office, a man ended the call.

He let out a deep sigh and started to lean back in his chair—before remembering the other presence in the room and straightening his posture.

This was someone with whom he would have some dealings from now on, someone with whom he needed to share various things and build trust by setting aside formalities... yet, as he received the gaze of a girl a full size smaller than himself, he found himself consumed by a level of nervousness he'd never experienced in his entire life.

"—...How did it go?"

It was their first time meeting today, so she was just as unaccustomed to this as he was. However, the tension on the beautiful face of 'her' as she sat on the guest sofa was minuscule compared to his.

Players who regularly fight literal monsters in that other world—and warriors who are their equals or even superiors—tend to have an extraordinary mental toughness.

Those who routinely throw themselves into adventures over there often possess a level of courage and adaptability that exceeds normal standards.

This was even truer for the top-tier players, including the Title Holders—and for 'her,' who would likely become their true 'representative,' he couldn't help but think that she would hardly feel nervous in front of most people.

"It wouldn't be right to be too forceful... so we've taken a more amicable approach. It will be 'tomorrow,' at the earliest."

If that was the case, then the slight tension in her red eyes was not directed at him. That emotion was surely directed at 'that young man' who undoubtedly occupied her thoughts right now.

Just one day... but she had been told of the inescapable need for 'patience.'

Her eyes, narrowed with impatience, and her lips, pursed slightly, unable to hide her dissatisfaction—all were manifestations of her feelings for that one 'young man.'

"I see."

Thinking that he could see through to her inner thoughts, her feigned indifference, as if to say 'I don't mind,' seemed almost cute... but it was still too soon to risk such a lighthearted comment.

"As planned, once all the procedures are finished... well, I'll contact you as soon as all the preparations are in order. Until then, please wait patiently."

"...I understand. Thank you."

The empty coffee cup clinked against the desk as 'she' nodded and stood up.

"Thank you for the coffee. And again—I look forward to working with you."

"...The pleasure is all mine. I can't thank you enough for your offer of cooperation."

He had to admit, it took a considerable amount of courage to shake the small hand offered to him... but a grown man couldn't show such a pathetic side to a younger woman.

As he returned the handshake with his trademark poker face—'she' offered him a smile that was still just a little clumsy.

"I'm much younger than you. You don't need to use formal language either, Chitose."

She was following the agreement they had made beforehand to dispense with formalities. In response, the man called Chitose,

"...Understood. I look forward to working with you too, Princess."

From his facial muscles, which threatened to stiffen with tension if he wasn't careful, he managed to squeeze out the words—and he and the black-haired girl he called 'Princess' exchanged mutually awkward smiles.