kscans

Chapter 429 - Paving the Way

—The next morning.

"…………………………………………………………This is rather sudden, isn't it?"

"I am keenly aware of that."

I knew he was generally an early riser, but showing up unannounced just after seven in the morning was probably a bit rude.

Even so, when I visited his room on a different floor, Assistant Director Yotsuya welcomed me graciously… but faced with a kid who had appeared without any warning to spout utter nonsense, even Chitose-san looked more perplexed than anything else.

"Hmm… I don't mind, and I doubt it's a problem for Yotsuya Development… but really, this is very sudden. Did something happen?"

"Well, it's…"

This wasn't the kind of problem I could just share with anyone. Chitose-san was connected to Yotsuya Development, but whether he was close enough to my partner to be called 'family'… that was a line I hadn't quite figured out yet.

"No, you're right. You don't need to explain in detail—in that case, is it all right if I give her your contact information? She is a woman, after all."

"That's fine. I'll leave it in your hands, then."

"Yes, I'll take care of it."

And with that, things proceeded surprisingly smoothly, much to my relief.

Well, it's too early to be relieved; nothing has even started yet… but at any rate, the first step is complete.

Now then—

"I'll be going."

"Alright. Good luck with your studies, university student."

Until the time comes for my next plan, I suppose I should focus on my schoolwork. Lately, my lectures have seriously sounded like nothing but spell incantations.

◇◆◇◆◇

"…………………………………………………………Hey, Toshiki-kun."

"Hm? What's up?"

"That super long incantation the professor was chanting just now, does everyone actually understand it? They're not just pretending to while looking all cool, are they?"

"Well, for the most part, yeah… But you, on the other hand, how are you so damn good at taking notes when you don't understand a thing? That's gotta be a special ability."

Seriously? Dammit… I'm really falling behind…!

"Hee hee, should we really hold that study session soon?"

Shoko's cheerful voice came from my other side, but this was getting to a level where I couldn't just laugh it off. My 'normal university life' was already on the verge of collapse—well, in a way, it had already deviated so far from 'normal' that it was beyond saving.

"If you're serious, let's make a schedule. I'm free whenever… but it'd probably be better after the event is over, right?"

"Yeah. My schedule's pretty packed."

I already know where I'm going right after this—so,

"Alright, I'm heading out. Oh, and… do you guys need anything?"

With a vague gesture that even I didn't understand, I asked if they needed anything. The childhood friends exchanged a quick glance before answering, "Nope, nothing," and "Nothin' for me," their timing just off.

Whether they were in sync or not, those two had a mysterious relationship of their own.

—And so, after watching their friend, who was acting normal but seemed somehow different, rush off,

"Did something good happen to him?"

"I feel like his level of freshness went up a tiny bit, don't you?"

The two of them, sensing a slightly more relaxed air about him than before, tilted their heads in unison, wondering what that was all about.

◇◆◇◆◇

"Oh."

"Mm."

After finishing my half-day of lectures and heading back to my room, I bumped into Ashe. We both stopped and stared at each other for a solid three seconds.

As usual, she was about to speak first—but before she could,

"This is perfect."

This time, I had clear 'business' with her. So I seized the initiative without hesitation, causing the black-clad princess—so different from her virtual-world self—to blink in surprise.

Now, I know this would be sudden for her, but I had to tell her.

What I was planning to do. And what might change because of it—it would probably be a pain to explain everything without any misunderstandings, but.

"Can you spare a moment?"

"…? Yes, that's fine."

This, too, was something I had to do.

◇◆◇◆◇

"—And with that, congratulations on the official move-in."

'whatareyoudoinghereyourescarringmeyouknowstopit'

After my 'talk' with Ashe, my next target was Liliania Vrubele, who had just finished moving in her Arcadia rig and officially settled in.

I had only rung the doorbell like a normal person, so why was she so scared? Had I come on a little too strong?

Well, I can't help it. My discussion with the princess who was boundlessly understanding had ended in a flash, leaving me a bit bewildered and thrown off balance. My composure was shot.

Anyway, I have a feeling this one won't be as simple… no, really, that invincible Ashe-sama is just in a league of her own.

Right, okay.

I need to calm down. I have no intention of messing this up, but this isn't the kind of conversation to have on a whim.

"Sorry to drop in on you, but I need a little bit of your time."

"…?"

Pretending my initial hyperactive entrance never happened, I spoke with a serious expression. Nia tilted her head, as if to say, 'What is with you all of a sudden?'

Of course she would.

But I'm sorry. I've already made up my mind, and I have no intention of changing what I have to do.

"There's something I need to talk to you about—something seriously important."

Those were the same words I had used with Ashe a moment ago. My expression and tone were probably almost identical… but as expected, the reaction here was different.

'okaystoptalkingzipitpleasestaystay!'

Startled by my sudden serious tone, Nia frantically waved her phone at me, a string of words typed out at high speed, trying to stop me. Was she even trying to let me read it? I managed to, though.

'let'sjustwaitaminute'

'okay'

'thisisscary'

'yousuddenlymakingaseriousfaceandtalkinaboutimportantstuffisscary'

'um'

'bytheway'

'justbyanychance'

'i'

'i'

'isthisaconfe'`

"I'm truly sorry, but it's not that. Please calm down."

As I deciphered the words being flashed at me like a test of my kinetic vision, I did my best to soothe the frantic Nia. I genuinely felt sorry, just as I'd said, but I also really needed her to calm down.

I was about to make a pretty serious, no-joking-around 'declaration of intent,' after all.

'…Then, just one more question, by the way.'

"Yeah?"

'If you're here to say that yesterday is off, I'm going to cry.'

"I would never do something so monstrous that I'd deserve to be beaten to a pulp for it."

That would be an atrocity worthy of every 'Milmarinus, the Blue Jade Fairy' follower in the world screaming 'Go to hell' at me. Not that they might not be doing that already.

"………………"

When I firmly told her she had no reason to end up crying, a hint of relief mixed into Nia's still-confused expression—

'Then, okay, I'll listen.'

She gave a small nod and gestured inside her room, as if to say, "Come in."

Should I call Nia out for so readily letting me into her room, or should I smack some sense into myself for thinking, 'Well, I've crashed her atelier so many times already…'? The line was getting blurry.

Probably both. Well, for today at least—

"Pardon the intrusion."

Given the nature of my business, I'll consider this a special exception, bolstered by the seriousness of the topic.

◇◆◇◆◇

—And so, two hours later.

"……………………………………………………"

"Haha, you look exhausted."

It's not that the conversation went badly, but it took much longer than I expected to pour out everything I was feeling.

That Alicia White princess is really something else.

I'm right, aren't I? This is how long it's supposed to take, right? She's on a whole other level than just being a 'good listener.' Seriously, her specs are too maxed out in every direction.

Anyway, in the end, Nia understood… or rather, she told me she'd 'intended for this to happen from the start.' So it was just me shadowboxing by myself here, too.

It's so pathetic it's actually kind of funny.

And so, having spent the entire day chasing after self-imposed tasks, I was now physically and mentally exhausted, half-slumped in a car.

Chitose-san, checking on me through the rearview mirror from the driver's seat, was now teasing me with a half-smile.

Normally, I'd engage in some playful banter, but this time he had not only acted as a go-between but had also gone out of his way to drive me, so I decided to behave.

Besides, it was probably better for me to conserve my energy for what was to come.

"By the way, Haru-kun."

His tone was still light, but the teasing edge was gone. I returned his gaze. The driver in the mirror was no longer looking at me, but I didn't miss the seriousness in his gentle expression.

"As I said this morning, you don't need to give me the details—but I take it whatever you're planning has to do with Sora-chan, correct?"

"…I guess that much is obvious."

"Of course. Otherwise, you wouldn't have suddenly asked to get in touch with 'her.' It's not as if you were planning to ask her out."

"Definitely not. Seriously."

Don't even joke about that. I'm already way past my capacity as it is.

"So, I thought I'd give you a piece of advice."

"…………I will gratefully accept it."

He was always calm, serious, cheerful, earnest, and joking all at once… a man who was, in short, rather hard to pin down.

But when he was genuinely concerned for my well-being, his voice was always the same.

"If you're planning to have a serious talk about Sora-chan—you must not, under any circumstances, think of her as a 'maid'."

And so, that warning sank deep,

"Think of her as a sister or a mother who dotes on her younger sister or daughter even more than that father does… and approach her with the utmost respect, care, and caution."

sunk deep into my heart without me having to force it—

"………………Well, you could say…"

But for the me of right now,

"that's exactly what I'm hoping for."

"…………I see. So that's how it is."

Because having a conversation with someone like that was precisely what I needed to do.

—However, that being said.

"…………………………Just in case, if there are any landmines I absolutely need to watch out for, I, uh, would be very grateful if you could tell me…"

"—Pfft, haha…! I quite like that about you, you know."

It's not like I wasn't terrified, after all.

---

Once decided, he moves straight ahead, a return to the origin.