kscans

Chapter 281 - Seeing Through, and Being Seen Through

Time passed, and as the clock ticked toward midnight, I found myself facing the invincible princess in my second 'unwinnable battle.'

No, it wasn't so much that I couldn't win, but rather—

"Um, I'm sorry. I kind of have a fiancée…"

"I know. A fake engagement with the Yotsuya heiress."

—or,

"Separately from that, I also have someone who might become something more soon…"

"If it's only one, then it seems I have far fewer rivals than I imagined."

—or,

"No, um, wait, just wait a minute… I've already used up a year's worth of brainpower in just one day, can't you all cut me some slack…!"

"I'll try to be considerate, but I can't hold back. I haven't been able to think of anything but you since that day—I can't even help myself anymore."

—and so on.

Not just in the virtual world, but Alicia White, also known as Iris, was an invincible girl in reality as well… How was I supposed to achieve victory against an 'unbeatable opponent'?

Besides, there was no way I could just accept being told 'it's love' out of the blue.

Unlike the other person who might become something more, this time it was a complete and utter bolt from the blue, so my shock was immeasurable.

I mean, of course it was. How on earth was I supposed to think that a true celestial being, hailed as a 'princess' from all over the world, would fall for me after just one sword fight?

Could such a fantasy-like super development where a 'fighting heroine falls for the guy who defeats her in an instant' actually happen in reality—

"…………"

"…!"

She smiled without a word, and my breath caught in my throat for the umpteenth time.

If I may shamelessly defend myself, I'd like to plead my innocence on this matter. Does a human being who can remain unscathed after being smiled at head-on by this fairy-like girl even exist? I'll offer a cash prize, so please come forward if you do.

"The Acrobat (you) smiling in the virtual world was inscrutable—but the you in the real world is easy to read, isn't he."

"Oh, is that so…? You talk as if you can read my mind…"

My consciously provocative tone was an attempt to emulate the 'me' from the virtual world she spoke of.

I tried to force myself back into my own pace by recalling my attitude when I fought Iris—

"Yes, that's right—I didn't fall in love with you because you beat me, you know."

…or so I thought.

If she can really see right through me, then there's nothing I can do…

"I've lost before, you know. In Istia, the 'duo' is like my natural enemy… and speaking of people close to you, I've never been able to beat the [Sword Saint] either."

"Huh? My master—Ui-san said the opposite…"

Something like 'I was just a step short,' if I recall correctly…

"It's true that I won the match. But she wasn't going all out."

"…That's probably a misunderstanding, don't you think? From what I know of her, I can't imagine her holding back in a match."

I said 'probably,' but in my heart, I'm 'certain.' In a contest of martial prowess, it's impossible for that Sword Saint to hold back.

She's the kind of person who would obliterate her own disciple in a playful bout, let alone during training, once she's drawn her 'blade.' Against a powerful opponent like Iris, I'd think she'd be thrilled to give it her all—

"Of course, she wasn't holding back in a technical sense. But—she didn't use any skills, her [Anima], or her [Terror Armament]."

"Well, that's…"

…Let's set aside the piece of information I had no way of knowing that just dropped.

"I know, that's the Sword Saint's style. Her sword is what it is because of that… I have no intention of complaining to someone who doesn't desire strength in the first place."

"…Well, as her disciple, I appreciate your understanding."

—So that's it. For a moment, I was wary that there might be some kind of conflict between Ui-san and Iris, but if I struggle to read her still-mostly-expressionless face…

"I genuinely respect and even admire her—I believe her sword is the pinnacle of what a human (avatar) can achieve in that world."

It's probably not quite 'fan,' but in reality, she was one of those who deeply acknowledged the [Sword Saint]. I couldn't see any lies or flattery on her face as she spoke of her admiration, and as her disciple, it made me proud.

"—But, that's why, her sword is 'supreme,' not the 'strongest.'"

…However, the fact that she didn't end it there is typical of the [Sword Queen].

"She doesn't hold back herself, but that's where it ends. She never tries to reach for 'what's beyond.'"

"…………"

That is probably something Iris and I share, and something that only Ui-san is different in—namely, whether to accept what is given by the system as 'one's own power' or not.

As her disciple, I have no intention of questioning my master's way of being… but I understand what she's trying to say.

In other words, what she wants to say is—

"I gave up on it a long time ago… but there was a time I thought about it. If only she would get serious, if only she would become someone who could compete with me."

—that. I can understand why she would think that.

It's easy to imagine that if something were to trigger that person's greed for 'strength,' she would become the 'strongest' Sword Saint.

"…I'm aware I'm saying whatever I please. You can be angry if you want."

She must have noticed that I was trying to defend my 'master,' however slightly. Despite baring her true feelings without falsehood, she now timidly gauges my reaction, which is rather…

Her being timid (while expressionless) is another thing… is she skillful or clumsy? I almost let out a weary laugh.

"Why would I be angry?"

At the very least, if I got angry over something like this, my master herself would scold me.

"Ui-san would definitely smile gently and then say this—'But, that is my sword.'"

…………No, I didn't need to imitate her tone. Calm down, me. If I don't get a grip soon, I'll be at her mercy forever—oh, she laughed, I'm dead.

Seeing Iris let out a small chuckle, I chugged my barley tea in desperation. She, still smiling, murmured, "That's not it."

"I wasn't teasing you—because that's probably the reason I fell in love with you."

"—Ngh, guh…"

Even if I wasn't being teased, the damage I took wasn't reduced, but rather increased. Even if she says 'that,' I have no idea what 'that' is…

"Even though you don't look at yourself… no, maybe that's why. You see people well. More than yourself—perhaps even more than the person themselves."

"Um, I'm pretty much just selfish and do whatever I want in the virtual world…"

"Because I was the one seen through, I know."

Interrupting my words—or rather, as if to correct me.

"You're the type of person who wants to entertain others more than enjoying yourself."

"No, that's not—"

"That's not it—you're a person who wants to entertain others for your own sake."

"————"

"—Haru."

A 'heat' on my cheek made me realize I had lost my train of thought.

"You who brushed aside my 'wounds' with a 'who cares' and melted everything away… I'm prepared for you to hate me for saying this, but…"

"…Yeah."

Despite saying she was prepared, Iris's expression was calm.

"No matter what that way of being means to you—I was saved by it. …I was rewarded by it."

"…………"

"It has nothing to do with winning or losing. You who just crashed into me head-on, throwing nothing but your own emotions at me like a child—and just shouted at me to 'smile.'"

…As I listened intently, I noticed a faint tremor in her flat tone.

When I looked up,

"It wasn't the [Acrobat] who defeated the [Sword Queen]—I fell in love with Haru, who made 'me' smile."

She says the 'smile' in her eyes is because of me.

It was a cruel 'retaliation.' So brilliantly—it was, without a doubt, my greatest weak point.

"…It seems you believe my feelings, so I'll ask something important."

Unable to reply, I could only look back into her eyes. Iris's expression visibly softened as she spoke. It seems she really will be considerate, even if she won't hold back.

—Don't let yourself get pushed around forever, you Japanese man.

"…Anything you wish, Princess."

"Setting aside the fiancée, do you have a girlfriend right now?"

"I don't."

"Setting aside important people, is there someone you've set your heart on?"

"…There isn't."

"Are you, by any chance, not interested in girls?"

"I am, to a normal extent."

"In that case—could it be that you hate 'romance'?"

"Give me a break…"

—Damn it, I can't win.

How much has this girl seen through me in such a short time?

"I see. In that case… asking you to go out with me would be a bad move, wouldn't it."

If only she had, I could have refused her head-on—but thinking that is probably pointless. Because she, from what I've heard from her own lips…

"Then—I have no choice but to make you fall in 'love' with me."

—thanks to someone… is a girl who was rewarded for not giving up.

She will surely embody 'not giving up' from now on, without ever being clouded again. And the target of that passion is none other than that someone.

—The world's princess, Alicia White, is in 'love' with the likes of me.

It's so surreal that I don't even know what's what anymore…

"So… be prepared, Haru."

"………………'Not holding back,' you said. To what extent, exactly?"

If there's no escape for me now, then I must at least 'prepare' myself to face her, just as she said. For what is about to begin, from the strongest princess of the virtual world—

"Let's see—be careful not to get pushed down when your guard is down."

"…………………………"

—is literally, word for word… an assault from a maiden in love, a furious onslaught by Iris who proudly declares she couldn't care less about a man's circumstances.