kscans

Chapter 365 - Dinner on the Eve

"Oh, are you alone today?"

"The other one's pretty busy."

Living a life where a chef appears when you ring a bell at dinnertime—even a real-life fantasy like that, you start to get used to it after a month.

When he tells me, 'I'm getting paid for this too,' it feels wasteful to be overly reserved.

Because of that, I feel like I've gotten quite friendly with Chitose-san over the past month or so. We even occasionally sit down and have a meal together, the three of us.

"You're in a similar boat, I'd imagine—what'll it be?"

"The usual."

Namely, the chef's recommended course.

No matter what I order, it always exceeds my expectations, so I've come to the conclusion that I can't go wrong leaving it all up to him.

I've told him what I don't like, and at this point, my trust in him is at one hundred percent. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that both Alicia and I have had our stomachs completely won over.

...Though, she seems to be from the White family, so she's probably used to eating good food.

"Sorry for the wait—I was thinking of joining you, if you don't mind?"

"I'd be happy to have you."

I welcomed the chef-slash-waiter, who had brought three large plates and a serving dish without making the slightest sound, and so began a rare dinner for two men.

Tonight's menu: bonito carpaccio and beef tagliata. And to add a splendid splash of color to the table of red meat and fish, a vegetable terrine.

This man can make anything, but I get the feeling he has a fondness for Italian food. When I ask for the chef's choice, it comes up quite often.

"How do you have a terrine ready in less than twenty minutes?"

"Oh, that's just something I made in my spare time. I just cut a slice."

"You really do love to cook..."

This is my first time having a proper one, but... oh, it's delicious.

Perhaps because we talk every day, the sense of reservation and tension that comes with dealing with a stranger has faded considerably.

From my perspective, Chitose-san has already settled into the position of a friendly older brother. And he's a great cook, which is wonderful.

"Hmm, this makes me want some wine."

"Go ahead and have some."

"You think so? Then I'll help myself."

Isn't this technically his job?—Such a comment would be tactless. Let's keep it casual. I prefer an atmosphere where I don't have to be on my guard either.

...Oh, why did he bring two glasses?

"You know my age, right?"

"Of course I do. That's why this is non-alcoholic. It's like a dry grape juice."

A high-end one that looks just like the real thing, though—the friendly older brother uncorked the bottle with a mischievous grin.

Regarding the adults at the Yotsuya residence, so far, they all seem to be free spirits who haven't forgotten their inner child.

"A little something to get you fired up before the battle—how are you feeling?"

"Fired up with non-alcoholic wine...—Well, from what I've seen in the reference videos, I can't say it'll be a walk in the park."

When I honestly shared my thoughts... Chitose-san simply smiled gently and tilted his own glass.

I followed his lead and picked up the expensive-looking wine glass filled with a deep red liquid.

As for the contents, which I was even more afraid to ask the price of than the glass, they had a complex flavor that was hard for someone like me, who has never had alcohol, to describe.

"If you're talking about the footage left in the archives, that's from a year ago. The strength of the players, including the Rankers, has undoubtedly improved since then."

I know that, of course. But even with that understanding—

"Even if everyone has gotten twice as strong, isn't it still a tough fight?"

The objective comparison of our combat strength is unshakable.

The memory of throwing my all at it when I was still completely inexperienced. The thing in the 'footage' that completely overwrote that memory was a true monster.

"Well, that may be true."

Furthermore, the archive footage is an incomplete record of a defeat—meaning, there's still more to it than that.

As an outside observer, he would understand that better than I do. He nodded without disagreeing... but his expression remained relaxed, exuding a sense of confidence.

"If you think of it as a game, the difficulty of those 'Colored Monsters' is, without a doubt, unreasonable. I don't think a straightforward approach will work."

"...Is it okay for you to say that, in more ways than one?"

Even if it's just a title, that's a line someone involved in the development and management shouldn't be saying.

"Probably not. But it's fine—that's why that world allows for the exceptional."

"............"

I don't really understand what he's saying, but I'm already starting to want to cover my ears. Maybe I'll just let him talk and focus on the food...

My inner thoughts, which I didn't bother to hide, must have shown on my face. Chitose-san laughed, amused. "It's not a difficult concept."

"It's simple. Even a year ago, there was 'exceptional' combat strength. The 'Red Circle' was defeated two years ago. There's no reason why the 'White Throne' can't be beaten."

"Well, there's the compatibility with the chosen members, and the mysterious power-up after the 'Red Circle' was defeated..."

"Yes, I'm sure there are various factors."

He nodded, but his expression and tone did not affirm my pessimism.

It wasn't the optimism of a non-participant—there was a mysterious reliability in the depths of his black eyes.

"I'm not a gamer, but... after watching Arcadia's players for three years, I have come to one conviction, a truth about all of you."

"Oh? Let's hear it."

While I had put down my knife and fork some time ago, he continued to eat the meal, which he himself seemed to be satisfied with.

The non-gamer, assistant representative of Yotsuya, and chef, spoke with an air of complete ease.

"More than technical skill, more than the quality of your equipment, more than anything else—it's motivation. That is the single greatest factor directly linked to the 'combat strength' of you players."

"Ah..."

As for that declaration, my take on it is...

"As someone who has watched over the players more than anyone, I can guarantee it. Thanks to someone, they are more fired up than ever before... no, it's like when the world first began. They are driven by an unceasing motivation that has them excited day and night—"

I can't say it'll be a walk in the park, and I'm full of pessimism and anxiety.

But for some reason—

"Compared to a year ago, twice as strong doesn't even begin to cover it."

—as for me, strangely enough, I don't feel like we're going to lose.

"...I'll do my best to meet our client's expectations."

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it, Lord Acrobat."

Of course, naturally, there was no way I could disagree with his words.

We've trained, we've powered up, we've gathered our equipment... the preparation period flew by, and the day of the decisive battle is tomorrow.

As for me, I can't ignore the heat of the motivation churning in my gut—

I probably won't sleep well tonight, I thought, and let out a wry smile, feeling like a child before a field trip.