kscans

Chapter 562 - Reactions: Nia

On the same day the video in question was uploaded, just as the date changed.

I received a message just as my university classes for the day ended—"I have... a few things... I want to tell you... verbally. So get over here." In response to this summons, which left no room for refusal, I made my way to a certain familiar place.

A stylish room belonging to a craftswoman, a mix of tasteful furniture both large and small, and various mysterious tools whose purpose I still couldn't fathom.

It was an atelier I'd visited so many times I'd lost count, and thus a place I'd grown quite comfortable in. My designated seat was usually the fluffy sofa... but not today.

"—You know why I called you here, don't you?"

"...More or less, yeah..."

Forced to sit on the floor in seiza, I found myself being lectured by a girl with a deadpan expression.

Or rather, I was about to be. I had no idea what fate awaited me, but one thing was certain—

"Hrmmmph...? You sort of know, do you?"

"No, um... I-I am fully, aware of the situation... I think."

—that Nia-chan is scariest not when she's pouting or sulking, but when her opening move is a deadpan expression and a quiet voice like this.

My personal artisan and seamstress, who seemed to be on the verge of exploding with rage, was sitting on my lap as if it were her birthright.

The "I think" I had mumbled as a safety net was clearly heard, and the sight of her slender fingers digging into the cushion she held was nothing short of terrifying.

This might just be the end for me.

"I have some things I want to say to you. Things like 'I saw the video,' 'you were so cool,' 'it was amazing, or rather, just plain surprising,' 'the word 'amazing' can't even begin to describe it'—there are lots of things, but above all else, there is something I must say to you."

"Y-yes... I'm sure there is..."

"But, before that, I'll give you one chance."

"A chance?"

An avatar in a virtual world won't get numb legs from sitting in seiza for hours, but if they're under continuous physical strain, they'll start to feel a corresponding fatigue.

It's not as pronounced as phantom fatigue, but it's another one of those tricks of the brain.

What I'm getting at is that supporting Nia-chan on my lap was getting to be quite tiring. If my stats were normal, it might have been fine, but for my Level 1 self, my avatar's toughness was hopelessly low.

Of course, this wouldn't happen after just a few minutes, but... to be honest, it had been nearly ten minutes before she'd even started talking.

Her level of sulking, her level of anger, was off the charts.

While tricking my brain into thinking this was nothing compared to my 'game of tag' with the Sword Saint, I sharpened my senses, determined not to miss this opportunity to turn the situation around, and listened to her words—

"Tell me what I'm angry about."

"..., ..."

And there it was.

According to Miyoko-san, the manager of the ice cream shop, it was a classic girl move. A hellish technique to seek empathy from a man while forcing him to say it himself, thereby solidifying her superior position.

"...Well, that would be..."

"Uh-huh, uh-huh. That would be?"

And in cases where the man is truly at fault, it's also a disciplinary technique to precisely break his pride and instill a sense of self-punishment, thereby controlling the next time.

Girls are scary.

In any case, since I knew the answer, I had to give it. Despite the shame, despite the hesitation, ever since I had resolved to be sincere, my weak position was nothing new...!!

"Um, it's that... I mean, you know... in the video, with Ashe, I was getti—"

"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT AT ALLLLLLL!!!!!"

"Eek...!?"

Nia-chan unleashed a furious barrage of cushion-strikes. Every time the pathetic cloth and cotton made a thwump-thwump sound, the impact traveled through to my utterly powerless Level 1 avatar, increasing the strain.

Also, who on earth did that shriek just now belong to? What a lovely voice, how mortifying.

"Wait, huh, that's not it...? Wha... ?"

"Who caaaares? Flirt all you want, for all I care. I'll be just as relentless with my own moves, you know!"

"'Relentless'... Um, even if you declare that so desperately, I'd appreciate a little consideration for my mental state, a little mercy—"

"Hmm?"

"—...I understand I'm not in a position to ask for that, yes, I'm sorry."

It's no use.

I can't beat Nia in this state. I need to accept it.

"Seriously, you. You really know how to make Nia-chan mad, don't you? What? Are you doing it on purpose? Do you actually like it when I'm mad at you? Has it become a habit?"

"Could you please not say such outrageous things???"

I absolutely, positively do not have such a habit.

Since it was a matter concerning my pride as a man, I firmly declared "NO." As she gradually shifted to a pouting face—that is, a form of anger that was still manageable—she mumbled,

"...The clothes."

Then, Nia pinched my leg as if to convey her pent-up frustration.

"I went to all the trouble of adding a surprise function you'd like, and yet...? There were two big moments, and yet...? You didn't show any sign of using it, and yet...?"

And so, the breakdown of her anger... well, it seemed that was the case.

"Ah... ahhh, ahhh, ahhh..."

Now that she'd said it, it all made sense. I could understand why Nia was so upset.

"Kagura-san's weapon and your master's sword got all the glory, and the 'clothes' I worked so hard on were just, well, 'clothes'..."

Right. She was, after all, the type of person to have such high pride as an artisan, to pour her heart and soul into her work... so much so that she couldn't help but fall for that gap.

"...You had a chance to use it, you know. You should have. Idiot."

She was the type to sulk so adorably.

"W-well, your main work... the accessories, I always rely on them completely."

"Hmph."

This was something that reason couldn't solve. I was aware I was saying the wrong thing, and indeed, such an excuse did nothing to brighten Nia's expression.

"...Look, I need you to hear me out, and not as an excuse."

"...Fine. I'll listen."

—So, I chose my words again.

"You know, it's like this. This hairpin, and the [Agaphanthus Amulet] from before... the things I get from you, in my mind, they're basically my 'last resort'... like, a real 'good luck charm.' That's the strong impression they have on me."

"..."

"I end up treating them too preciously, or maybe, by saving them as a final option, it helps me keep my composure... You know my fighting style is basically always on the edge."

"..."

"In terms of providing a sense of security, they contribute a great deal even without being used... um, I'm being serious. This isn't an excuse, it's the truth."

As I lined up my words, I peeked at her expression... I could tell she was probably fine now. But as an apology for making her feel negative, I'd go just a little further.

"The [Stasia] and this [Sakura Hanaori] too. You know, they're both crisis-avoidance types, right? So, well, you know... when I want to look cool for—I won't say who."

You know, since I get told it all the time.

—Show me how cool you are..

"..."

"I need to try and get by without using them, you could say..."

I won't say who, though.

—Well, with a beautiful girl's face and voice, there wasn't much I could do to look cool anyway... Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, my words weren't taken as a spur-of-the-moment excuse.

"...One date."

"...Got it. Which world?"

"In the real world. We need to go out once in a while."

"In disguise?"

"In disguise. I'd like to go museum-hopping for the first time in a while."

"Okay... That's a very artist-lady-like choice..."

And so, a few minutes later. With the young lady's mood successfully restored—

"Wait, wait, wait! I said that's not happening!"

"Why not, it's fine! Just give in already, you're the super popular, trending Acrobat-chan, aren't you!? It's not just me, the whole world wants it!"

"A world like that can go to hell!"

As usual, our chaotic, endless squabbling began, just as expected. Now that things were more or less resolved, I'd like to say this loud and clear.

I will, at worst, tolerate the dress-up doll games—but.

I'm not wearing,

a skirt,

I've told you before!!

---

After this, he was mercilessly used as a dress-up doll. However, he stuck to his no-skirts policy.