kscans

Chapter 629 - Re: Summons

"—Oh?"

After sealing away the horror film that had caused a different kind of pandemonium, we moved on to watching a thrilling, flashy superhero action movie as a palate cleanser. A little while into it…

I used to get excited with every scene of the superheroes' exploits… but now,

I found myself watching with a strange mix of nostalgia and wonder, thinking about how I do similar things in the virtual world. Just then, the sudden chime of the doorbell called to me.

Having already escaped the encirclement and taken up a position behind the sofa—telling myself I'd had enough—I smoothly left the home theater under the watchful gazes of the three young ladies.

Since I wasn't expecting anyone, there were only two possibilities. I headed for the entrance without even checking the intercom and opened the door…

"Well, hello there."

"Hey there. Hello."

Standing in the hallway was the aide to President Yotsuya himself, one half of our dormitory's management and our exclusive chef. Hmm, judging by his sharp suit…

"Are you heading out?"

"Just for a bit. So, sorry, but the restaurant will be closed tonight."

"Got it. …But if that was all, you would've just sent a message, right?"

The fact that he came all the way to my room meant he had some other business—when I asked him as much without saying it, Nagomi-san smiled. "You know me well," he said.

"You've been summoned. Could you make some time for a meeting—ah, it's not urgent. Whenever it's convenient for you is fine, of course."

…And that was that.

It felt like déjà vu; I'd heard that line before. Anyone else would be confused, but I understood perfectly.

"So he's been flying around for two months straight… He's really unbelievably busy, huh?"

"Oh, absolutely. It's rarer for him to be in the country."

The one calling for me was none other than the president of Yotsuya Development, Yotsuya Togo.

He is Sora Yotsuya's—Sora-san's—father, a global celebrity whose fame currently rivals that of the Sword Queen. He is known as the father of VR technology.

Mr. Togo and I were scheduled to meet two months ago… at the beginning of July, to be precise, but he had to cancel on the day of due to an urgent matter.

Not only could he not come, but he was leaving Japan immediately. He called me personally, and I, waiting in the Yotsuya HQ reception, understood it couldn't be helped and agreed to reschedule—which brings us to now, finally getting another chance.

"In that case, I'm free anytime… Ah, should we set it for sometime after the next two weeks? Like, the end of next month?"

I've become busier than the average person myself, but compared to him, it's still night and day. Even setting aside the fact that he's my precious partner's father, there's no shortage of reasons to be considerate, so I have no complaints about adjusting to his schedule.

In fact, if he just gives me a shout when he has a free moment, I'll come running.

"Ah, no, this time, any day is really fine. He always stays here for a week before and after the Four Pillar War, and he shouldn't have any outside appointments for a while."

"Oh, is that so? Well then, the day after… the next day after the Four Pillar War? I'll probably be dead the day after. I can match his time."

"Yes, I think that will be fine. I'll let the president know."

"Okay, thank you."

We came to an agreement, and another appointment was carved into my early September schedule. 'Re-summoned to Yotsuya HQ'—seven words of a pretty insane scale by any normal standard.

Now then, I wonder what this is all about—

Just as we wrapped things up, Nagomi-san was about to say his goodbyes and leave when his eyes shifted behind me, and a grin spread across his face.

"Oh my. Have I interrupted something?"

"…You knew Sora was here from the start, didn't you?"

I didn't even need to look to know, but I glanced over my shoulder and saw three cute faces peeking out from the living room. What are you three doing?

"Hello, it's been a while. You look well."

"I-It's been a pleasure to see you again."

The youngest of the ladies gave a faltering response to Nagomi-san's wave.

…Nagomi Kazuharu is part of Yotsuya Development, so in that sense, he's an 'insider,' but he doesn't seem to be deeply involved with the Yotsuya family itself.

His relationship with Sora is apparently just that of an 'acquaintance.'

—A fact I know is mostly due to the wishes of an overprotective maid. Still, 'Yotsuya,' in both senses of the word, is full of mysteries.

I still don't know why a former chef is serving as the aide to the president of Yotsuya Development.

"Well, I've taken up enough of your time. See you later."

"Right. Not that you were a bother. If you didn't have plans, I would have invited you to the home theater. We have a mountain of the maid's handmade afternoon tea sets, you know."

"A very tempting offer, but I'll take a rain check."

With that, the president's aide left as cleanly as he arrived, leaving behind a cheerful smile and a wave.

Well, work is work. I guess I'll just have to keep fighting my lone battle here—and just as I thought that, who's this tugging on my sleeve?

"What's up?"

I turned around to find the three beautiful stooges had disbanded.

Alicia had probably read the room and dragged Nia back to the sofa. Only Sora-san had come over to me.

"I'm sorry, I heard a little… um, I overheard."

"I'm impressed you can admit to eavesdropping."

She gave me a light slap in response to my casual teasing—was it a protest or embarrassment?

"It's just a summons from your father. I'll go after the Four Pillar War is over."

"…Yes."

I couldn't read any particular thoughts from her expression. Her feelings for her family aside, her emotions toward 'Yotsuya Development,' the company that runs the virtual world, remain a mystery.

That's fine. If the day comes when Sora wants to talk about it, I'll listen.

So for now, I just—

"…If he asks you to do anything unreasonable, please tell me."

"Of course. I'm counting on you, partner."

All I need to do is trust her, be at ease, and face things with her. As long as we don't let go of each other's hands, there's nothing to fear, no matter what happens.

Besides, and this is far from a minor point…

'Stare…'

"May I join you?"

Peeking out again, the other two shot a deadpan look at our closeness.

I'm blessed with more than enough reliable allies.