kscans

Chapter 622 - My Fave is Standing Next to My Fave

When you have a clear goal and a plan, time tends to fly by in the blink of an eye.

This wasn't just limited to the training of my new junior; I myself was in the midst of learning and growing, both in reality and in the virtual world. My tasks were always piling up.

While helping Kanata, I also honed my own skills and kept an eye on my surroundings, causing the hands of the clock to spin at an incredible speed. Before I knew it, a day had passed, then a week, and then—

"I... did... iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit...!"

"That was a long moment of感動... well, congrats."

Ten days since the training began, for a total of over fifty hours. In the end, Kanata never once complained and completed the 'Sword Saint-style Tag' to the very end.

His outstretched left hand firmly grasped my right, the hand of the defender, signaling the victory of the attacker, Kanata.

—Since my opponent wasn't the [Sword Saint] herself, it's not a direct comparison, but I have, for all intents and purposes, been given a license to teach this 'tag' game.

I know, what the heck is a license to teach a training method, but that's what Ui-san herself told me, so I have no choice. In terms of battle sense and intuition, I'm far behind her and Irori, but apparently, when it comes to 'reading people,' I'm a cut above them both.

In other words, when it comes to an opponent I've faced time and time again, I'm better at 'tag' than both of them. Since he caught me in ten days, it's a result comparable to my own week or so against Ui-san, and Irori's as well.

And of course, Kanata, having survived the infinite hell of tag, was—

"J-Just... a second, please. My emotions are...!"

"You can celebrate as much as you want, you know. Want to shout for joy?"

"That's too embarrassing...!"

—also showing dramatic improvement in the stamina department, which had been a point of concern, in just ten days. He might not have reached the 'double' I had grandly proclaimed, but it was safe to say that a true grit had taken root in him, both physically and mentally.

At first, he would collapse in exhaustion after just an hour of 'tag,' but now, even after five hours straight, he was like this. He was breathing heavily, partly due to his excitement, but at least he was no longer collapsing and unable to move.

Building stamina in a virtual world is ultimately dependent on the skill of avatar control, which involves both intuition and thought. Unlike in the real world, if a person's talent and training method align, it's not impossible to achieve significant growth in a short period.

In other words, as expected of the [Sword Saint].

Honestly, I think 'tag' is a great invention that will go down in Arcadia's history. It should be widely promoted as a mandatory training exercise for all players—

"Alright, congratulations again, from the bottom of my heart, but... you can't just celebrate. We have less than a week until the main event, so this is where it really begins."

Also, Kanata-kun, you can let go of my right hand now.

"Yes...! But—right now, I feel like I can do anything...! I won't get discouraged, so please continue to be strict with me!"

"You haven't been discouraged one bit, which is actually kind of worrying... but well, your enthusiasm is truly wonderful. And I get that feeling of being able to do anything."

It was a personal experience from my own past, and in conclusion, that feeling was correct. That training method dramatically improves stamina and, by extension, the precision of avatar control. The Kanata of today should have fundamentally changed to the level of a different vessel compared to the Kanata of ten days ago.

Things he couldn't do before, he can do now. I could even declare that this change was not just one or two things.

Also, Kanata-kun, please release my right hand now. Do you love your senpai that much?

"Alright, then, let's move on to the next step. About tomorrow's training..."

"Yes!"

Well, it didn't really bother me, so I'd leave it be. More importantly, time was precious. To ensure he could face tomorrow in top condition, it would be best to quickly tell him the next training regimen and get him to bed as soon as possible.

So, the next step was—

"Kanata, you're not shy around people or anything, are you?"

"...Yes?"

—to call in the most helpful assistant imaginable for a light warrior's training.

◇◆◇◆◇

And so, the next night, in the same old training room.

"Right. So, this here is my partner and helper, Sora-san."

"...Um, you look very surprised, but what exactly was the 'so' about? —Ah, um, my name is Sora. It's a pleasure to meet you."

I had summoned none other than my adorable partner.

Normally, after nine in the evening would be bedtime for a girl with a regular schedule, but I had asked her for the unreasonable favor of lending me her strength for a limited time.

Sora had readily agreed with a simple 'yes,' but the problem was her maid. She had listed off a series of plausible reasons why taking a young woman out late at night was not a good idea, and before I knew it, it had been designated as a 'debt,' so I was scared of what would come later.

But that's beside the point... Kanata-kun? What's wrong?

I thought I heard you weren't the shy type, but why have you turned to stone?

"Hey. You okay?"

"...............J-Just, a, moment, please. Excuse me, while I, take a deep breath."

"Seriously...?"

"...?"

He held up one hand as if to say 'hold on, calm down,' and placed the other on his chest, taking deep breaths in and out to cool down.

What is this?

No, wait a minute. Kanata is a guy. Could this be a case of his heart being pierced by the sudden appearance of an angel before him?

Arcadia is said to have a higher female population than other games, but the ratio is still skewed towards males. This is even more true for hardcore combat jobs.

Furthermore, players like Sora, who are genuinely beautiful in personality, voice, and atmosphere, are undeniably rare, and it's only natural that they would attract many eyes and hearts.

Wait, he is a guy, right? His appearance is androgynous, similar to Tetra, and honestly, he has a cute face, but he uses 'ore' as a pronoun, so it's safe to assume he's a guy, right?

—And so, while I was pondering various things, half-serious and half-joking, Kanata recovered from his freeze. Then, for some reason, 'he,' whom I presumed to be male, took a step or two back and,

with a look of grim determination on his cute face, said to us dumbfounded onlookers,

"May I, take one, picture...!"

""............""

I and Sora-san exchanged glances.

"Um... a picture of Sora?"

"No...! Of the two of you, together...!"

When I asked, the denial and correction were instantaneous.

I had told Sora about Kanata's personality beforehand. That he was motivated, had grit, was friendly, and yet polite—a good kid.

She probably never imagined he would start off their meeting with a mysterious burst of tension and a strange request for a photo. My partner shot me a look full of confusion, but I was ninety-nine percent sure I was making the exact same face.

Well, that's why, since I had the prior information that he wasn't a bad kid...

"U-Um... I-I'm okay with it, but..."

Though deeply confused, Sora-san nodded, figuring a single photo (screenshot) wouldn't hurt. In that case, I couldn't think of any reason to refuse either.

If some random player on the street suddenly asked, "Can I get a pic?" that would be one thing, but with a junior I'd already warmed up to, I figured it would be fine and nodded—

"Thank you so much...!"

—and so we were photographed by a mysteriously and deeply moved Kanata, and our introduction, filled with a strange atmosphere, ended just as strangely as it began.

"I am so, so, so, so, so sorry, my name is Kanata, I didn't even return your greeting, asking for a picture, what was I even do—Hhh!"

"I-It's okay, really! Please don't worry about it!"

Seriously, what was that?