kscans

Chapter 302 - A Promise from Long Ago

"...You've been making that face every time we've met recently."

"For reference, what kind of face is it?"

"Let's see… hmm… It's like you're… positively troubled?"

"………………Maybe I'm surprisingly easy to read."

Having made my way to our usual meeting spot—a small tavern in the Istia district—I offered a wry smile at the observation from my perceptive partner.

I've vaguely told her about what's been going on with me and Nia, so Sora, who knows the situation, also offered a somewhat troubled, ambiguous smile.

…Well, of course she's troubled. It's not exactly something I should be wearing on my sleeve for all to see. I'll have to be more careful about controlling my emotions.

"So… for now, here you go. This is your share, from the artisan."

"Wow… thank you!"

As partners, our inventories are shared, but things like this are all about the presentation.

I retrieved the accessories from the interdimensional storage that all players possess and lined them up on the counter. The amber eyes reflecting their first-class sparkle shone brightly.

"They're so beautiful—but…"

Though she was clearly happy, Sora once again had a troubled look on her face.

Hmm?—As I tilted my head in confusion, she equipped the bracelets on both wrists… then stood up from her seat and spun around for me to see.

"Um, what do you think?"

What do I think about what?

The moment her knee-length skirt flutters, there's only one possible response any guy, not just me, can give.

"That my partner is cute today, as always."

"…You're… you're just being you today, Haru."

She must be completely used to it by now. Though a faint blush colored her cheeks, Sora simply gave my shoulder a light pat, her expression composed.

It might be rude of me to say, but we're both guilty of this. If I really think about it, Sora is actually the one who compliments me directly more often.

Things like 'wonderful' or 'cool'—if I weren't so messed up, who knows how many times this beautiful girl would have gotten me by now.

"Sorry, sorry. So, what was the 'what do you think' about?"

"Honestly… Um, it's the colors. My outfit is blue and white, my choker is red… and with my hair color, adding green to the mix just seems a bit mismatched, don't you think?"

"Hm? Hmmm…!"

Nia must have designed them to match the slightly bulky [An=Ru Galta] on my left arm. The [Bracelet of the Jade King] I received was a wide bangle, designed to be a matching pair, but Nia, ever the master, had completely changed the design for Sora and me.

Sora's bracelets were a slender, delicate type that didn't stand out too much.

However—

"The colors don't seem off? It's just that… your outfit is so perfectly complete that…"

"Ahaha… Yeah, they do feel a little out of place, don't they?"

It's not that they look bad, you know?

But just as she said, the sheer quality of Nia's masterpiece, the [Dress of El-Clelia], is so high that the new additions feel a bit jarring—wait, whaaaaat???

"Hold on, what did you just do?"

"Yes?"

As I was pondering what to do, my thoughts were completely derailed as the accessories on both her arms suddenly vanished.

She hadn't opened her inventory to store them. Sora had simply tapped the bracelets once or twice, and they'd disappeared without so much as the usual quick-change skill effect.

"What do you mean, what did I do… I just, um… set them to be hidden."

"Hidden display setting???"

"Oh, um… for accessories, high-level artisans can add that kind of feature, you know? It looked like Nia-san had included it, so I tried it out."

"Whoa…"

I marveled at the fashion-forward feature that would surely please any stylish player and mimicked Sora, tapping on my own bracelet.

Mine didn't have it. Why…

"And then… this should be good."

"Yeah, that looks great…"

The ring, which was even less intrusive than the bracelet, went on the middle finger of her left hand. The hair-tie-type magic crystal accessory became a charming accent for her long, single ponytail.

That, too, must have been Nia's intention. The new sparkles fit perfectly, and my partner was, once again, as cute as ever today.

Meanwhile, while she was doing that—

"…Um, why are you sulking all of a sudden?"

"I'm not sulking… definitely not."

You know, Sora-san.

There are many theories, but—boys, as a rule, have a weakness for convenient features that scratch an itch, whether they need them or not.

I tapped the ring on my left hand as well, not just the bracelet. As expected, my items didn't have a hidden display setting.

Why…?

◇◆◇◆◇

"This isn't the time to be sulking over a weird difference in treatment."

"…So you were sulking."

"The nuance is different."

As planned, we made our way to the stage for today's adventure. After a bit of light banter, we both began checking the condition of our avatars.

It's probably a given since the words basically mean 'underground' or 'cave,' but dungeons are almost always enclosed spaces.

This one, in particular, is quite cramped, so our relaxed voices echoed clearly.

"It feels like it was a long time ago, yet also short, but also long, but still short…"

"Is that a Zen riddle…?"

Sora tilted her head at my looping thoughts, but it couldn't be helped.

When was the first time we challenged this place? After an exhausting grand adventure, we both stumbled in here unknowingly and got our butts handed to us.

To this place that was so painfully difficult, yet so incredibly fun.

—Come to think of it,

To this place, which was likely the catalyst that sent Sora and me climbing up the 'ladder.'

It's only been two or three months, but it feels like we've come so far. I don't even know what kind of face to make, and I'm sure I'm not the only one whose excitement is all over the place.

"…Alright, then, Sora-san."

"Yes?"

"—Are you prepared?"

I turned around to find my partner checking the glowing [Cradle of Sword-Craft] on her right hand. She looked at me with a momentarily puzzled expression—then a small smile bloomed on her face.

"It's been a while since you've said that."

"It's kind of a ritual, isn't it?"

It wasn't something I did consciously, you know.

But this time, I wanted to say it consciously. Because, after all—

"Of course. I'm both prepared and ready—let's go!"

I wanted to show off to this world, as if to boast, that we are not the same as we were in those nostalgic 'old days.'

My proud partner, who confidently stood beside me and took my hand to lead the way.

Alright then… we're coming for you, so you'd better be prepared too—[Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King].

It's time for the rematch we booked that day!