kscans

Chapter 257 - Under the Night Sky

—In the virtual world of Arcadia, there are no 'constellations.'

This isn't simply because no one has defined their shapes or names… but because every single star in the sky moves about freely and whimsically.

They don't follow regular orbits; they draw closer, move apart, and sometimes even disappear. It is factually impossible to observe them accurately.

Thus, in this world, the concept of constellations does not exist.

"――――――…………"

Only one thing paints the night sky with an unchanging figure: a great, silver moon.

A perfect, enormous circle that watches over the countless players from above, day and night, without waxing or waning.

Come to think of it, she might have never taken the time to slowly gaze up at its form in the night sky.

Leaving the city of the [Garden of Divine Creation], she had wandered to an unfamiliar place. Sitting on a round rock placed in the center of a small spring, the girl quietly gazed at the sky in the darkness of the night.

More than an hour had passed since she had parted with her partner, who had gone to see his master. There was no particular reason, no specific thought in her mind… it was just a feeling.

Perhaps she had carried the warmth with her from the banquet, where she had been unexpectedly welcomed and had enjoyed herself far more than she had anticipated.

She didn't feel like returning to the real world just yet… but the option of accepting an invitation to an after-party without her partner was also out of the question.

So, after seeing him off with a face that said, 'I'll be logging out soon,' she had ended up wandering to a place like this on her own.

"…………Maybe I should have gone with him."

She murmured without changing her expression, then rested her head on her arms, which were wrapped around her knees, and closed her eyes.

—The quiet babbling of the spring was pleasant to her ears.

"…………—"

When her eyes stopped reflecting the night sky, only one thing appeared on the back of her eyelids. She had already given up trying to stop herself from calling his name without a sound.

It's become a matter of course, she had no choice but to admit.

Those eyes that looked straight at her, and only her.

That voice that called her name, sometimes innocently, sometimes gently.

That hand that would catch her clinging fingertips, as if it were nothing.

Having him by her side was now, simply, a matter of course.

An awareness of him as a member of the opposite sex—…honestly, she couldn't ignore that either.

But more than that, more than anything… just, to be by his side.

She wouldn't ask for anything else, she just wanted to be by his side, wanted him to be there—two months ago, she would never have imagined she would come to feel this way about a boy.

Setting aside troublesome emotions like 'like' or 'love.'

He was simply someone she wanted to be with, always.

In a game, for just two months. Some might laugh at her for becoming so dependent in such a short amount of time—

—but whether she should be proud or exasperated… whatever anyone said, she would probably be able to smile back at them with her head held high.

My partner, she would say, is the kind of person who can move the world in just two months.

The clear sound of a bell rang out, mingling with the sound of the babbling water.

It was a call meant only for her, a call that could not be heard in the spring, the night sky, the stars, or the moon. A call from 'someone.'

The girl, with her eyes still closed, let her cheeks relax slightly—'permission' was granted, and the 'path' was connected.

And so—

"—All alone this late at night, little lady?"

The sound and light of teleportation.

The presence that appeared beside her was a familiar one—the voice that reached her ears was none other than that voice.

Feeling embarrassed at the thought of him seeing her smiling lips, she buried her face in her arms, pretending to be sulking.

"Someone left me behind."

"I did invite you, though."

"I wasn't going. Even I can tell whether I'd be intruding or not."

"Hmm… Even so, I think Ui-san would have been happy if you had come along."

"You really are something else, Haru."

"Wait a minute? This time, I don't think I did anything wrong."

"Hmph… it's fine. I was just being considerate as a fan."

"Ah, I see…? By the way, it's pretty cool here, are you not cold?"

"I'm fine. The outfit Nia-san gave me seems to have a temperature regulation effect."

"Nia-chan's quality is on another level…"

The conversation trailed off, and a presence settled down right beside her.

The 'distance' he chose was not his own, but one that respected her wishes—which meant, it was a distance where her fingertips could reach him if she just extended her hand.

Always—

Always, always, always, always—always, this person,

"Well…—Good evening, Sora. It's been a little while."

—when she needs him, with the smile she wants to see—

"…Good evening, Haru. It has been a little while."

—is by her side, as if it's the most natural thing in the world.

What an unfair person, she thought, and bumped her shoulder against his in a silent complaint… He took it without a word, simply staying by her side naturally.

…She was aware that another one of those emotions she couldn't ignore was piling up.

Letting out a sigh, the girl buried her face deeper—as if to hide her blushing cheeks.