kscans

Chapter 290 - A Sweet Mark

Even as the assertive Princess continued to press her advantage, I held my ground and managed to ask a few more questions.

Iris, who despite her reserved nature didn't seem to be naturally poor with words, gave careful explanations. Thanks to that, I could say I'd more or less understood—if not entirely accepted—the points I'd listed.

The reason progress had stalled since the 'Red' one was defeated two years ago.

Whether it was even possible to defeat the remaining four within the next two years, given the circumstances.

The basis for Iris's question about Yotsuya being in a hurry… yeah, I think I got the gist of it all.

"It's like… you were never actually down in the dumps at all."

"…I don't show such an unsightly face to the 'outside.' You just appeared out of nowhere and exposed it all on your own."

Well, when she puts it that way, I don't really have a rebuttal.

It was pure coincidence that the state I found Iris in that day struck a critical blow to my own identity.

To those who looked up to her as an idol, she was a queen who conducted herself in a way that raised no questions. It was obvious that she possessed a 'strength'—both physically and mentally—far beyond that of an ordinary person.

—…Three years is a long time, huh?

Perhaps it was only because she was Alicia White that she could get by with just feeling a little down.

"Well, as a 'colleague,' you're as reliable as they come."

If the [Sword Queen], her motivation now restored, declares that two years is more than enough, then I suppose I'll have to get fired up myself.

Even if our opponents are the Colored Monsters, which are said to have grown stronger since the 'Red' one's defeat.

"The finer details can be discussed in the virtual world with the others. For now, I think this is a good enough policy for us."

"Yep—'Challenge the game with everything we've got, no matter what'… That's a given, even if you don't say it. A simple, grand objective is more than welcome."

"…………A given. Yes, you're right."

In a way, it's a long-term time attack. There's no shortage of fuel for my motivation.

"Haru."

"Yeah?"

My name was called, and when I looked up, a pair of black eyes were staring intently at me.

Perhaps because the brilliant silver-blue and garnet glow were so seared into my memory, this girl's eye color still felt unfamiliar—… well, not a girl, she was actually older than me. Even if only by a year.

Her features were so perfect that if you were asked her age based on her appearance, you could only answer 'a young girl.' Honestly, based on looks alone, she could have passed for someone younger.

"My… 'given' from now on is thanks to you."

To have such immense feelings constantly thrown at me so directly by a girl like her—I'll admit, it makes me happy, and to be even more honest, there's a certain sense of superiority, too.

But excessive gratitude is, as always, poison to me.

"In the end, I was just the catalyst, wasn't I? I still don't know the first thing about your circumstances, and I don't know who's to thank or anything."

Still, even without knowing the details.

If the 'strongest' is on the verge of tears over a 'game,' anyone can pretty much guess the background. I just happened to be the one who could read the situation.

To be more precise, I was lucky enough to be an acrobat, a performer with a trick that could make the Princess smile.

"Even though it was tough, you kept at it because you loved it, right? If anyone's to thank, it's your own damn grit."

If she had given up and left the virtual world at some point, there would have been no one for me to perform for in the first place.

"…………………………Haru."

"Yo."

"I really do love you."

"Guh…!"

You've got to be kidding me. How did it lead to this…? All I said was the obvious.

"I don't think there are many women who wouldn't be happy to be affirmed so directly."

"Could you please stop reading my mind so easily?"

This mind-reading ability of hers might be on par with my partner's. The [Sword Queen] is truly fearsome…!

"And earlier… I was happy you stood up for me."

"Earlier…? Oh, that wasn't really me standing up for you or anything."

She was probably talking about when we were with Chitose-san.

A grown man suddenly used a low voice on a younger girl, so I just complained from the side, saying, 'That's not very adult of you.'

"After you complained that 'it's startling,' I realized I had been startled, too. It's impossible not to be happy when you realize someone was being considerate of you."

"No, really, it wasn't…"

"I noticed you spoke up after seeing my reaction—just as I said yesterday, you really do see 'me' more than I do."

"…………"

This is a worrying development.

I can somehow predict the words that will follow,

"Thank you, Haru—I love you."

—and that prediction turns out to be not just wishful thinking, but completely accurate.

"…………Not in a weird way, but… aren't you, uh, embarrassed? I'm honestly about to die over here…"

"I have a sense of shame, you know."

I know that. The problem is the complete lack of that shame or hesitation in the act of 'conveying her feelings'—

"…My family, the Whites…"

"Yeah?"

"To put it simply, we're a clan of extreme 'hobbyists.' We do what we love, give our all to what we love, and obtain what we love. We're all people who live as we please."

"………………I see where this is going, so you can stop there."

"So, it's the same with love."

I asked you to stop, so I wish you'd stopped…!!

"It's pointless if I don't get you to notice me. That's why I won't hesitate to tell you how I feel. If I drag my feet for no reason, and in that time…"

The eyes staring straight at me narrowed as she smiled.

Still awkwardly, but cheerfully, the 'girl' smiled bewitchingly at me—

"—I would absolutely hate for someone else to take you."

She declared it as an absolute, asserting her unshakeable will.

And the impact point of that immensely powerful warhead was—

"Haru."

"YES, WHAT IS IT?"

"You're blushing."

"That's your fault…!"

—needless to say, a scorched earth beyond recognition.

◇◆◇◆◇

"See you tomorrow."

"Doing this every day seems a bit much. Could you show some consideration for my HP?"

"If it's a bother, I want you to tell me so."

"If I said 'yes' to that, I'd just be a total monster…"

On her way out, our back-and-forth left me with little more than a wry smile. I was the overwhelming underdog.

"Aside from our 'mission,' I don't think we'll be able to meet much in the virtual world. I'd like to make up for that by approaching you in the real world. Is that not okay?"

"It's not okay, but I can't say it's not okay…!"

No, you're right, I can't say it.

I brought this on myself by giving her hope, and she's not pressuring me to date her right now, so the option to 'refuse' doesn't exist.

As it stands, Iris is in the 'acquaintance/friend who shows me affection' category. No matter how visible her feelings are, I can't just brush off simply getting along with her… I can't.

This Princess has given me absolutely no reason to dislike her so far.

If I were to treat her coldly just because of my own extremely personal 'problem' with romance, I couldn't complain even if I were stabbed to death by her fans all over the world.

Even without that, the sad fact is that just by being the object of her affection, I'm guaranteed to be a hate magnet. I'll just have to look away from that reality.

Even if I were to say something like, 'I have no intention of ever getting into a relationship, so please give up,' her offensive so far makes me see a future where she'd say 'I understand' but wouldn't leave my side…

What is going to happen to me? I have another matter to deal with in three days—

"…See you… tomorrow?"

"—……………………"

Ah…

Ah… ———————— No, Iris-san, you can't do that.

You can't look at a guy with that troubled, 'pleading,' and slightly anxious expression, tilting your head like that.

Even if I'm shutting out romantic feelings, that doesn't mean I don't find women attractive!! Cute is cute, dammit, ahhhh!!

"A-Alright… But let me be clear, having you in my room every time is, uh, a lot to handle in various ways, so could we just have dinner together usually…?"

"So, if it's not every time, it's okay?"

"…………………………………………Sometimes. Really, just sometimes, then."

"…Alright. Sometimes, then."

"Yes…"

This is tough… The kind of tough that's also happy, which makes no sense. The guilt towards various parties is piling up, a double punch that's coming for my stomach.

"And… one last thing, if you don't mind."

"Wha—what is it?"

Her tone changed slightly. I rubbed my cheek and put on a serious face… but wait, what's with that gesture? Fidgeting with your hair like that is so out of character that my brain is about to break from the gap. Could you please stop???

"—Arshe."

"What?"

I heard her, but I couldn't grasp the meaning and tilted my head.

"Arshe—it's my nickname. People close to me call me that."

"O-Oh…"

"It's a name that works in both the real world, as Alicia, and the virtual world, as Iris."

"I, see…"

"…………"

"…………"

—No, how could I not understand?

I know what she wants, I know, but…!

"I-I'm not saying we're not close, but don't you think it's a bit too soon…?"

"You're the person I want to become closer to than anyone else. There's no such thing as too soon or too late."

I tried to resist, but I was cut down in a single stroke. The cannonballs of her words, a mix of conscious and unconscious directness, are just too powerful…!

"…No?"

Yep, that's a guilty verdict. That was a finishing move, and you knew exactly how powerful it was!!

"…I get it, so just… please give me a break for today. My HP is empty."

Sensing she might keep talking as long as I responded, I stepped past her, opened the door, and prompted her to 'go home.'

"Come on, back to your room five seconds away—see you tomorrow, Arshe."

That last part is a special bonus.

"Hk…—Yes. See you tomorrow, Haru."

Leaving behind a rare, natural smile, the Princess (Arshe) departed happily. After waving back, I slowly closed the door and—

"—Gaaah…!!"

—alone and critically injured, I slammed my head against the inside of the door, letting out all my pent-up emotions in a single breath before collapsing to my knees.

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If the protagonist wasn't so messed up, how many times would he have been won over in this chapter alone?