kscans

Chapter 279 - Encounter, Encounter, and Encounter

Although the list of things I needed to think about hadn't shrunk at all, adventuring in the virtual world proved to be an unparalleled palate cleanser for me.

Even if I was treading through a gloomy cave, even if I was facing off against a ridiculously huge bug—fun is the ultimate power, fun is justice.

And with a literal incarnation of cuteness by my side, the healing effect was immeasurable.

"Huh?"

Having received that premium healing effect and regained some semblance of composure, I was now—at the 'promised' time of eleven o'clock, holding my smartphone and letting out a rather menacing tone.

…Well, I didn't just let it out; it was intentional. A protest, of sorts. I put all my feelings of 'give me a break' into it.

"I'm sorry, but it was at the other party's strong request. Her safety… or rather, her identity is guaranteed, so you can rest easy."

"Yeah, I'm sure it is if she's connected to Yotsuya, but still. Huh? Wait a second, are you serious? You're going to pile even more stress on me at this point?"

"Haha."

What are you laughing at? There wasn't a single funny part in any of that, Deputy Representative!

"I'll concede and say it's fine that you won't be present. But what's the big idea telling two strangers to have a night tea party one-on-one?"

"That's not my call either; it's what the other party wants."

"Seriously, this is getting scary… who is this 'other party' anyway?"

As I felt a growing fear toward this person who was so insistent on their interest in me, Chitose-san's reply remained the same old story about 'confidentiality' this and 'duty' that.

I already know the word 'surprise' is lurking behind all that, so give it a rest.

"Besides, it's already past the time. If she doesn't show, I'm exhausted, so I'm going to—what's that music?!"

Just as I was about to seriously plead to be allowed to sleep for the night, an unfamiliar melody echoed through the cavernous room, scaring the daylights out of me.

"Ah, seems she's here. Well then, I'll leave you two to it."

"What is this, a doorbell?… Hey, wait a—he hung up…!"

What is with them? What is wrong with Yotsuya Development?

First the Representative, then the Deputy Representative, and even the maid (?). Is this just a gathering of free spirits…?

Whatever, I'm done with this! A night tea party or whatever it is, I'll do it! Bring it on, tonight's final event…!

The doorbell melody rang out again. Listening to the needlessly elegant classical tune, I peered into the intercom monitor and—

"—… ……………………?"

Faced with a high-end device covered in an excessive number of buttons, I froze, completely helpless.

Help wanted: Instructions on how to operate a high-end private wired communication device with a monitor—what do you want from me? My family's house only had a regular doorbell!

◇◆◇◆◇

In a hallway that felt more like a luxury hotel than an apartment building, with its carpeted floors.

Standing before the door, 'she' felt a kind of nervousness she had never experienced before. Her expression was faint, but she fidgeted as she waited for a response from the intercom.

"…, ………!"

She tried to take a deep breath, but even that failed miserably. Her breath escaped in broken gasps, only making her feel more suffocated.

She was the one who had rushed him, saying, 'I want to see you soon.'

She was the one who had been selfish, saying, 'I'd prefer it if it were just the two of us.'

Caught between an anticipation as great as her anxiety and nervousness, the emotions that had been coldly frozen until just a few days ago were now in an unbelievable uproar.

There were just too many 'firsts.' She was acting decisively, yet she was constantly confused, a complete contradiction.

Despite not even going out, she had, for the first time in her life, taken the initiative to try and dress up—a state of runaway and straying.

And because of that, despite rushing him herself, she was late.

If the 'her' from a few days ago saw this repeated display of ineptitude… would she be exasperated, would she lament, or would she—

"—…!"

As she was drowning in words that couldn't even be called thoughts, at that moment.

For some reason, with no response from the intercom—her ears caught the small sound of a lock turning inside the door.

Wait, just a moment.

That's not the right order.

First, I hear his 'voice,' and after I've steeled my resolve—

"—Ah… uh, hello, good evening…?"

"————"

I wanted to see his 'face.'

From the quietly opened door, the room's occupant peeked out along with his voice—and for some reason, her face reflexively ducked down, hidden from view by her long, black hair.

"…, ………!"

"…Um, I have the right room, don't I?"

She tried to return the greeting, and failed again. His voice was thick with confusion, and understandably so. At this rate, she wasn't just late; she was a complete weirdo.

—And that's when it happened. Her 'former self,' which still lingered strongly, slapped the fumbling girl with a sharp, 'Get a grip.'

…No, it was more than a slap.

With a momentum and force that could rival a slash from a certain 'Queen,' it kicked [Alicia White, the Sword Queen], who had been reduced to an unbecoming 'naive young girl.'

Raise your head, look forward.

I am, yes—[Iris], hailed as the strongest in Arcadia.

Absolute powerhouse, invincible queen, silver sword princess, the strongest princess, archangel of the virtual world, the greatest bug of the century—now is the time to believe in myself, praised with all these and many other incomprehensible words.

To face this unknown feeling, for the very first time.

"!…—He, llo."

…However, much to her surprise.

The fact that her body moved before her mouth would have to be a challenge for the future.

◇◆◇◆◇

—I opened the door, and a girl came charging at me.

I know you're probably thinking, 'What are you talking about?', but I don't know what happened either.

After giving up on the ridiculously multi-functional high-end intercom and deciding it would be rude to keep her waiting, I peeked my head out the door. Less than ten seconds later, I was surprised to see a slender young woman standing there, as I had automatically assumed it would be an adult.

She was a girl with long, beautiful black hair swaying down her back, wearing a stylish one-piece dress that could be mistaken for a gown.

I couldn't see her face as she quickly looked down, but the aura she gave off hinted at a great beauty—and that's as far as my calm thoughts went.

She must have been nervous too, as she only fumbled over her words for a few seconds.

Then she suddenly donned a powerful presence I recognized from somewhere and—

"————…Ouch."

—thusly, she is now pinning me to the floor with a magnificent takedown from her charge.

I was rushed, given unreasonable demands, she was late, and to top it all off, a first-meeting-body-press-Part-2. Honestly, for a moment, I was about to snap, but when I saw the face of the woman—the girl—on top of me, all the fight went out of me.

…Well, it's because she looked more surprised than I did. It was obvious, without her even having to say it, that she hadn't meant to do that.

I mean, I don't get it. I get that she's surprised, but why she took an action that surprised even herself is a complete mystery.

Anyway—taking this unexpected curveball, her 'face' came into view, and it felt… off.

Off? No, this is… déjà vu, maybe?

"—… …………"

I stared in surprise and confusion, while the girl stared back with a 'blank expression' that also felt familiar. Our gazes were aimed at each other, but they weren't quite meeting.

Facing each other, a one-way street—the one to find their words first, along with the 'answer,' was,

"————…………Iris… is that you?"

—me, as I dazedly questioned the completely unexpected visitor.

And so—on the screen, in the virtual world, and now in the real world.

'She,' with whom I was having our third encounter… gave a clumsy, yet familiar smile, and,

"…I'm sorry, I just had to come see you—Haru."

The [Sword Queen], [Iris], Alicia White.

Looking different from her virtual avatar only in 'color,' yet still shining with an otherworldly beauty—she called my name with that same voice, sounding happy.

"…Can I say something?"

"Yes."

"Please get off me."

"…I'm sorry."

In more ways than one—this has become an unforgettable meeting, Princess.