kscans

Chapter 501 - The Invitation: The Case of the Partner

Although she hasn't reached the 'clear-cut adult age' by Japanese standards, Nia is an "adult" in the sense that she is socially and financially independent.

As Mitsueda-san, her guardian, said, she's actually quite responsible at her core.

She thinks for herself and is the type to generally make the right decisions, which is why her family, including her best friend, has entrusted her with the final say.

Therefore, while her immediate decision was a little surprising, I had anticipated she would say 'Yes.' Nia-chan isn't the type to show hesitation now when she was so adamant before.

Now then, I had one mission left—the delivery of a verbal 'invitation.' The recipient was, of course, my partner, but this was the tricky part.

Sora, or Sora Yotsuya, is currently a high school student. Unlike a university student who has a certain degree of flexibility with their time, there's no way she could just go on a trip starting on a Monday.

I have no idea what rules govern the unknown world of a rich girls' school, but Sora seems to take her studies seriously.

So, both in terms of personality and circumstance, she wouldn't be able to just say 'I'll go' on the spot.

Additionally, there was the issue of meeting face-to-face in the real world, which Nia hadn't been concerned about. I had a feeling Sora herself would want to avoid it, and more importantly, I was worried she would need permission from Yotsuya… or rather, from her father.

To avoid unnecessary complications, the existence of Yotsuya's daughter is kept secret from the public. I still only have a vague understanding of the situation, so I can't judge how much freedom she has to move around.

We've started talking more about each other recently, so I've gathered that she isn't excessively restricted, but still…

In any case, after considering all these factors, the response I had anticipated was 'No.'

Of course, I expected the answer to be 'I can't go,' not 'I won't go,' so I had prepared various alternative plans and words of comfort before making the call—

"I'll go."

"…………Um, Sora-sa—"

"I said, I'll go."

"No, listen, I don't want to say this, and I'm sure you don't want to hear it, but you don't have to force yourself, okay? Nia and Ashe have had their turn, so I was thinking we could focus on making your wish… or rather, your hope, come true next."

"Don't make me repeat myself—I. Am. Going! Absolutely!"

"Wh-Whoa…"

This was our first time communicating in the real world, and our first time speaking on the phone.

A familiar voice, with a slight tinge of unfamiliarity through the speaker, rang out cheerfully, and the pressure that radiated even through the airwaves made me instinctively recoil.

"But still, I'll say it again, it's for a week starting Monday…?"

"And I'll say it one last time, too. I'm still going. As for school, it's common to take days off for a trip, so it's fine."

"What kind of world do you live in?"

"As for meeting everyone else…"

Sora powerfully ignored my reflexive question about her incomprehensible statement.

"I don't need to greet them as the daughter of the Yotsuya family. If it's Alicia-san and the other rankers, I don't think meeting them will be a problem."

"Is that, so…? I'd think Natsume-san and Togo-san would be worried…"

"Itsuki-san is right in front of me, waving a piece of paper that says 'Have a good trip.' As for my father… if I tell him I'll forgive him for that previous peeping incident, he'll happily send me off."

"Ah…"

The peeping incident… she's talking about how Togo-shi was aware of my interactions with Sora in the virtual world. It seems his beloved daughter's anger has been held over his head as a debt.

And the maid is being a maid as always—

"Huh…? U-Um… I'm sorry, Itsuki-san would like to speak with you for a moment."

"Hmm? Oh, uh, yes. That's fine, but…"

There's no way Natsume Itsuki could have read my slightly rude thoughts from afar, but the timing was so perfect that I was rattled as the presence on the other end of the line changed.

"—It has been a while, Kasuga-san. I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but if I may have a moment."

"H-Hello, good evening…"

"Yes, good evening—Regarding the trip, please feel free to take my young lady with you. As she mentioned, her schooling is not an issue, so please do not concern yourself with it. As for her father, I will talk him into it before Sora even needs to."

"You just boldly said you'd talk your master into it, didn't you."

"Hehe…"

It's not a 'hehe,' it's scary when women do that.

"At any rate, I will handle everything. I will take care of all preparations and arrangements, so I would appreciate it if you could share the detailed schedule with me as well."

"U-Understood… Yes, roger that."

Their speed as a master-servant tag team surpassed even Nia's. Leaving me dumbfounded, the presence on the other end changed again.

"…So, that's how it is. You can count on us."

"Got it… Yeah, I got it. I know I'm being persistent, but just as a final check, because I'm worried: are you sure this is okay?"

"It's okay. In fact, it would be not okay if I were left behind. I was like that for just three nights and four days; a whole week would be impossible."

"Haha, ha…"

"It's not a laughing matter! Really, honestly!"

With the maid's stamp of approval, I knew she wasn't forcing herself. I could now tell that her unusually cheerful tone was simply her being excited.

Given my own complicated position, I was relieved that both Sora and Nia had responded more positively than I'd expected…—

…No, wait.

No, 'relieved' might need to be corrected.

"In any case, I understand. I'll contact you later with the details."

"I'll be waiting. …Well then, um…"

"Yeah. It's getting late, so good night."

"…Yes, good night—Um, Haru?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you free tomorrow?"

"I don't have any particular plans. Want to go somewhere?"

"Yes! Then, if you'd like, maybe in the early afternoon again."

"Okay. I'll look up some interesting places."

"Hehe, I'm looking forward to it."

Lately, it's become a routine for our conversations to drag on like this after we say our goodbyes in the virtual world.

I don't mind it, and it makes me happy, but…

"I'm looking forward to the trip, too."

"…Yeah, me too."

Continuing to face the three of them head-on, all of whom have gone full-throttle in their advances, is, simply put, draining my physical and mental energy at a bottomless rate.

Still, thanks to the timing of their approaches being staggered, I had been able to carve out time for both physical and mental rest, which is how I've managed to survive recently…

But now, with this sudden trip, it's been confirmed that all three will finally be gathered in one place. Honestly, I can't predict what kind of chemical reaction will occur when they all meet again.

Thinking about it calmly and rationally, it's a crazy situation that promises a bloodbath.

I chide myself that this is no time to be relieved, but I can't even predict what will happen, nor do I know how I should prepare for it.

In the end, all I can do is resign myself to the fact that 'what will be, will be.' And prepare myself with the resolve to 'accept whatever happens.'

Ah, it's probably going to be deadly fun, and deadly exhausting… The strained smile that crept onto my face was, no matter what anyone says—

One hundred percent, a positive one.