kscans

Chapter 494 - An Unlikely Branch

Sora-san and I's date came to a close after a brisk two hours.

Well, 'brisk' only applies to the duration. The farewell itself was anything but, as she was incredibly clingy and didn't want to let go, but she had plans, so it couldn't be helped.

Sora is currently a high school student. On top of that, she's an incredibly good-natured young lady who diligently helps with housework and other chores, practically competing with Natsume-san. Because of this, the only day she can secure a full day's worth of login time is Saturday.

For her, Sunday is less of a day off and more of a preparation period for the week ahead. According to her maid, she also studies with greater quantity and quality than her peers, which is just… truly admirable. A certain someone should take a page from her book.

She apparently attends a prestigious all-girls' school, which is a world I know nothing about. I'm half curious, half worried. So 'all-girls' schools' actually exist…

—In any case, after a few hours of placating my partner who wouldn't let go and exchanging our 'see you laters,' I found myself at my usual haunt.

There, I was repeating a cycle of trial, error, and explosion.

"Mmm… that's not it."

After my umpteenth respawn—I stopped counting after three digits—I gazed up at the very top of the crimson, spiraling tower.

The mutterings I let out were as meaningless as the 'light death' I just experienced, thoughts I'd spoken aloud countless times before.

I feel like I'm close—but there's still one step missing.

The 'adjustments' I'd been making during the event weren't fruitless, but the stubborn sense of dissonance at the core of my avatar just wouldn't go away.

The tricky part is that it's not exactly a slump.

The trigger was probably the subjugation of the [Great Ice Spirit Guardian, Epel].

Despite having the grand talent of 'Memory,' I'm dealing with a bug where I don't remember how I managed to pull off the absurd feat of defeating it solo.

I have a vague, hazy feeling of 'I think it was like this,' but even so, it's clear I was fighting almost unconsciously.

—And ever since then, my avatar control has felt… off.

To be more precise, there's a disconnect in my sense of avatar control. I don't know how to describe it, but the speed ratio in my actions, which had always been 'body > thought,' no matter how I tried, would suddenly reverse or… twist.

I should be moving before I think, yet my thoughts are racing ahead and my body isn't keeping up? It's hard to put into words, but it feels incredibly strange.

It's not a slump. In fact, even when I'm not using thought acceleration, my mind feels strangely clear, so it's definitely a positive change.

Still, even so—

"Aargh… what is going on?!"

Losing control of myself and not being able to reconcile mind and body is just too frustrating to bear… and so, I'm counting on you again, my rabbit friends.

This dungeon, the [Spiral Crimson Tower], is so perfectly designed for my needs, it's as if it exists just for me.

It's close to town and easily accessible. It's an instanced dungeon, not a field environment, so there are no penalties no matter how many times you get a game over inside. On top of that, the bullet hell starts the moment you take a single step from the starting point, making for a stress-free restart, and you can even earn money at the same time. It's truly a dream 'adjustment ground.'

Honestly, I'm worried they'll quietly patch it somehow.

But well, until that day comes, if it ever does, I plan to enjoy this delicious setup to the fullest—oh, right. There's one more good thing about this place.

Because 'death' is basically instantaneous, the mental toll that would normally come from an infinite loop of game overs is minimized.

Yes, truly a divine dungeon. I'll be sure to make good use of it.

◇◆◇◆◇

Losing track of time while frolicking with killer rabbits has become the norm.

It already feels nostalgic thinking back to when I first conquered it after being cooped up in here for dozens of hours over three days. Compared to back then, my avatar's performance, my skills, and my stamina are all on a different level, so I don't get that tired anymore.

At most, it's like I've just had a light workout at the gym. Not that I've ever been to a gym in real life, so I wouldn't know.

In any case, Alicia seemed to be out on an errand, and Nia was apparently down for the count from yesterday's fatigue, so I didn't hear from either of them. In what was a rare occurrence, I had a quick dinner by myself.

After tackling some self-study that felt more like a desperate struggle, staring down the notebook that defied my understanding like a sorcerer's grimoire, I waited for the right time and logged back into the virtual world—

"……………Um, Master. You see, in my current situation, I really, seriously can't be doing this kind of thing. I'm in a state where I have to embody sincerity, you see."

"I am aware. That is why I shall hold the fact that you resisted sincerity, Haru-kun, firmly in my heart. I will take on the role of the villain, so please do not worry."

"No, um, as a result, or rather, as a matter of fact, with things having become like this, I'm the one who's the villain, you see? I mean, I do think that the master-disciple relationship transcends the delicate boy-girl dynamic to some extent and a certain level of closeness should be permissible, maybe? Could I get a pass with a 'just barely acceptable' ruling? I do think that, but at the same time, it's not the kind of thing I can forgive myself for, so if possible, I would really appreciate it if you could let me go…"

"Haru-kun."

"Yes."

"What does 'just barely acceptable' mean?"

"It means 'pretty much guilty.'"

"In that case, I am the one who is 'pretty much guilty,' am I not?"

"Even if you smile so happily, what's not okay is not okay. I won't be fooled. For the love of god, please let me go—let g… no, th… Her STR is over 600… she's too strong…!!"

It was around 9 PM in real time. A little earlier than usual, I received a 'summons' and made my way to the residence of my master, the Sword Saint, only to end up in this state within five minutes.

I wonder how many times I've been stuffed onto her lap now.

She'd dressed it up with all sorts of elegant words, but in layman's terms, it was a tyrannical 'I'm going to spoil you after so long, so you will sit there.' I brandished my wooden sword and swore to resist with all my might. The result? I lasted about six seconds.

Considering I couldn't even last five seconds a month ago, no matter what I did, I suppose I can see some growth, but that's not the point, really…!

"Wh-What about sword maintenance…"

"Let us do that later. Today, I have many things I wish to talk about."

Her fingers combed through my bangs and stroked my forehead, sending a tingling sensation across my skin.

Just as Ui-san recognizes me as a 'younger boy,' I also correctly recognize her as an 'older woman.' There's no doubt about that.

But the common ground is that we are not, not even one millimeter, conscious of each other as members of the opposite sex—a fact I only recently realized.

Ui-san's perception has been that way for a while, so the realization was mainly on my end.

For a while after we met, I think I was ridiculously conscious of her, but… when I compare those feelings to the ones I have for Nia, Alicia, and Sora, well.

Respect. That's the entirety of the emotion I hold for her.

Thankfully, I feel none of the illicit emotions that Irori once suspected me of, nor any of the fickle feelings that Goldow was wary of.

I couldn't say it if my life depended on it, but I think it's a miracle.

To be on the receiving end of the boundless love of this living embodiment of a gentle and virtuous Japanese beauty, and to have come this far as a disciple without falling for her as a man.

I was spared the terrifying thought of 'what if she had been the fourth…'.

…Well, as for that matter,

"You're not planning on staying like this all day, are you?"

"Oh my, are you displeased?"

"Please stop pretending our previous conversation didn't happen. It's not a question of whether I'm displeased or not, it's a matter of my feelings, my principles, and my credibility—"

"Fufu…"

"It's not 'fufu'…!"

I can't imagine a scenario where I would receive anything other than 'love for a disciple' from this person, so it's truly a needless worry.

It's an impossible, miraculous 'what if,' I suppose.