kscans

Chapter 432 - Since That Day

Getting a leak from my 'accomplice,' I lay in wait in the clan room. It didn't take long for my partner, who had also registered this place as her base, to appear.

Pretending to be my usual self, I had casually thrown myself onto a sofa. My eyes met the girl's as she logged in amidst a shower of blue light—and I took it all in.

"Hey. Good evening… or is it a little early for that?"

"…It's a bit late for 'good afternoon,' isn't it?"

Her expression, which was plain as day if I just looked. My own foolishness, for pretending not to see the changes that should have been plain as day. All of it.

Right now, none of that mattered.

"…………Um… this is sudden, but my skills…"

"Ah, about that."

She must have gotten a system notification the moment she logged in. Seeing her look of pure surprise, I offered a knowing smile to reassure her.

It was almost certainly about the disappearance of [Telepathy]. That skill seemed to have a special status; it had the unsettling feature of vanishing if the hidden 'Affection' stat dropped below a certain value, so it was no wonder she was shaken.

But she didn't need to worry.

I understood exactly why that skill had disappeared.

"I'll explain that in a bit… but first, there's something I'd like you to help me with. Do you have a moment?"

Just like always, just like before, I invited her in a casual tone. No matter what she was feeling, no matter what she was holding in her heart right now—

"Yes, of course."

I knew Sora would just smile beautifully and nod.

◇◆◇◆◇

"…………………………So, um… where are we?"

"Who knows…?"

"What do you mean, 'who knows'…!?"

We had moved to a vast, nameless plain somewhere in the [Garden of Divine Creation]. I had been looking for a quiet place and had just flown at top speed, so naturally, there were no enemies in sight. Only the gentle sound of the wind echoed around us.

As for other players… well, the chances of running into someone should be pretty low.

I had just grabbed Sora, who had been bottling up all sorts of feelings, and blasted off with a full-power [Rocket]. Even with a population in the seven digits, considering the ridiculous size of the main field, the player density outside of towns was negligible.

Worst case, if someone showed up, I'd just politely ask them to leave—telling them we were in the middle of an important conversation.

"This is the 'something I'd like you to help me with.' It wasn't about going somewhere specific."

"Oh… I see. Well, that's fine, but…"

"Thanks—alright, here."

As Sora tilted her head, still looking puzzled but accepting my explanation, I thanked her… and pulled two crude lumps of iron from my inventory.

"…? Um, what are those?"

"Brings back memories, doesn't it?"

One I held in my right hand, and the hilt of the other I offered to her—it was a weapon we had relied on until just three months ago.

Its name was the [Iron Straight Sword], price: exactly one thousand Luna.

My partner tilted her head, clearly not understanding my intentions. But I'm sorry to say, I didn't really have any intentions.

This was really just something I wanted to do, and I wanted her to join me.

"No skills, except the passive ones you can't turn off. No magic. Just this one sword each, and no special effects from armor or other equipment."

"Um, wait, Haru?"

"This is the continuation."

Yes, it was only a few months ago, but now it feels so nostalgic—

"The continuation of 'that day.' I wanted to see my student's growth for myself."

"…………"

Back then, when we only had eyes for each other.

Back then, when I was acting cool and giving Sora pointers on sword fighting.

Back then, when we were both just lost in the moment, having fun.

"………………—S-so,"

"Yeah."

I can tell she's confused.

I can tell she's troubled.

I can tell what she's thinking.

"…you're serious…"

"Yeah."

And beyond that complicated smile, I know what she's holding inside, too.

I don't know for sure, but I feel like I understand everything.

"I'm coming at you for real, so don't you dare get upset when you lose, okay?"

"Now you're talking. I wouldn't have it any other way."

We were close enough to touch, close enough to reach out for each other.

It was by no means a proper distance for a sword fight—and yet, facing each other, without a moment's hesitation, we simultaneously,

""Haaah—!!""

swung the iron swords we each gripped and, with absolutely no mercy, brought them crashing down upon one another.

Sparks flew, iron screamed, and a 'power' incomparable to that of those days erupted between us—and a triumphant 'word' echoed across the lonely plain.