kscans

Chapter 420 - The World's Buzz Never Stops

After seeing off the gracefully departing Nia, I thought, Alright, guess it's about time I returned to the virtual world, too—but of course, that didn't happen.

After mindlessly cleaning up the leftover food and dishes, my body, having reached its peak of accumulated fatigue, automatically headed for the bedroom and crashed onto the bed.

The hands of the clock spun round and round, and for the first time in a long while, my Monday ended without a single dive. The next day, with my body and mind recovered, I energetically headed off to university—

"—And that's pretty much how it went. More or less as expected, really."

"Is that so…"

While taking damage from a different source—namely, a lecture that was as incomprehensible as it was fast-paced—the rest of the day unfolded as usual.

After gathering with the members who were free and relocating to the Shijo residence, I found myself making a strange face as I listened to the tactfully worded situation report from my friends.

It was about none other than the commotion that had started three days ago, following the subjugation of the `White Throne`.

"Well, uh… there's a lot I want to say, but… for now, I'm just glad I'm not being treated as an enemy of the world or some great evil that needs to be destroyed."

In the end, it seems the public perception of my relationship with Ashe has been solidified, with everyone concluding that it's probably what it looks like.

The family-only nickname was apparently too decisive. Can't be helped.

"To be blunt, I can't say there aren't voices like that. In fact, to be even more blunt, there are mountains of them—but, well, it's a mountain that's buried by all the other stuff."

We were in the 'workroom' that the Shijo family had prepared for us within their mansion, which had practically become our regular hangout spot instead of Kaede's room. It was fully equipped for things like editing archive videos, our team's—my personal support team's—base of operations.

Probably tired from staring at his PC, Toshiki was spinning his neck around while also spinning in his chair, rattling off a summary of the key points.

A makeshift Doppler effect was in play, and his already low, tired voice was incredibly hard to hear, so I wished he'd stop.

"—For someone who just appeared out of nowhere, you have far too many achievements and accomplishments. Plus, the whole world witnessed the moment the [Sword Queen] herself started showing interest in you."

"In more ways than one, there's nobody who can complain. And the followers of the ranked players aren't so cold as to just sit back and watch the boring jealousy and snide remarks that still pop up. That includes your fans, too!"

"Ha, haha…"

Seriously… the 'fans' of Haru Kasuga, or rather, the Acrobat, are such a fantastical concept. While there's a part of me that feels genuinely happy about it, the bewilderment still comes first.

"Let me know if you ever decide to start an official fan club. I'll get a few plans in order."

"…When you say it with a straight face, I can't tell if you're joking or not, so please stop."

I shot a sidelong glance over my shoulder at Mizuki, who had joined the conversation midway. The usual cool beauty didn't push up her glasses, but instead offered a faint smile and murmured, "A joke."

I've never seen Mizuki do that gesture. It's becoming strangely rare, so I really hope she'll save it for a special occasion and do it right in front of me someday.

By the way, Shoko and Kaede were absent from the team today due to other commitments.

"So to sum up, I don't need to worry about the Ash—Iris situation for now, right? Well, I guess I should worry a little."

"You'll be fine. I mean, whether they're kicking up a fuss or just watching quietly—hell, even you, the person at the center of it all—it's not a problem you can do anything about by worrying. It's not that you can't, it's just pointless to… uh, well…"

"No matter how much attention you pay her, she will be she."

"Yeah, that's it."

As if to say you took the words right out of my mouth, Toshiki nodded at Mizuki's interjection and stated the conclusion in a completely nonchalant, detached manner.

"When that Alicia White starts walking, there's no one in the real world who can get in her way. Well, there might be a few in the virtual world, though."

"What's more, from the looks of it, on this particular matter, she's not just walking, she's sprinting at full speed. No matter how much trash piles up at her feet, she'll just blow it away without it even touching her."

"T-Trash…"

"Troublesome followers who can't read the room are nothing more than trash."

Whoa, this girl is scary. The fact that she says it so casually, with little emotion, gives her words an extra-sharp edge.

"As for that, that's that. Regarding the content of the subjugation battle… well, the public's opinion of you is the same as always."

"Huh… for reference, what is 'the same as always'?"

"Hm? Oh, that would be—He's fast, I can't see him, what is he even doing, stop spamming new moves so casually, what's with that white sword flying around on its own, it's just him in a bullet hell (taking damage), I'm so jealous his partner is cute and strong go bald, how can he have that much firepower with that agility please apologize to all the strength-based warriors, lol he just charged into a horde by himself, how is he still alive after that, ending it with zero hits and no damage is just insane, how many ultimate moves does this guy have, he's a flying armory and a one-man dictionary of special moves, the personification of a tuna, the way his crown pops in and out is getting on my nerves so I wish he'd sto—"

"That's long, that's so long…!"

Seriously, your articulation and lung capacity. Don't just bust out your mysterious physical prowess like that.

"Well, that's the usual stuff. There's still more. Want to hear it all?"

"No, thank you."

He must have prepared some choice comments beforehand. As Toshiki recited the 'voice of the public' like a spell while looking at his phone, I gave him a firm 'no, thank you.' My friend chuckled deep in his throat and started rolling his neck again.

Just how sore are your neck and shoulders? Should I give you a massage…?

"…If there's anything you should be concerned about, Kasuga-kun, I suppose it would be…"

"Oh, yes. What is it?"

"It would be… is there really a need to say it?"

Probably not. There's only one thing I need to be most concerned about right now—namely, my cute and powerful partner.

"What's the situation with Sora?"

"A huge uproar. Since she didn't have pre-existing followers to act as a check, the situation is even more out of control than yours was."

"To put it simply, it's the same as when you made your debut."

"Ah…"

What an incredibly apt comparison.

"So, as long as she has solid backing, there's no need to worry. We don't know the details on that front… but she's fine, right?"

"Yeah, on that, there's no doubt."

Aside from the young lady of the Shijo family, who has a connection through our families, I naturally haven't revealed Sora's background to Toshiki and the others. They'd never guess she's the daughter of my employer.

So… as Toshiki says, if the commotion is on the same level as when I started, then there's no need to worry—at least, as far as public opinion is concerned.

Therefore, what I can do is…

"If she's important to you, make sure you support her properly."

"That, I will do with every fiber of my being."

Just as she stood by me in the days after the Four Pillar War.

The countless eyes of the world are upon her… at the very least, I can be by her side and be her emotional support, so she doesn't have to suffer alone.