kscans

Chapter 662 - What's in the Cup is Grape-Colored

“—So you see, if you wanna be popular with girls, ‘effort’ is absolutely necessary. This probably applies the other way around too; I think it’s an ironclad rule of romance.”

“Y-Yes…”

“Sure, I’m sure there are plenty of ‘exceptions,’ right? But I’d bet the overwhelming majority of cases where someone gets another person to like them are because they’re consciously making an effort.”

“I see…?”

“Take Haru-san, for example. He pays an incredible amount of attention to other people. He watches, listens, and thinks, really carefully, and then he does what he can to fulfill the ‘other person’s ideals within his own capabilities.’ Of course he’s going to be liked, not just by girls, but by guys too.”

“Th-That is… amazing, yeah…”

“It is. It’s amazing—honestly, I think it’s on the level of being a weirdo, but he’s undeniably ‘charming.’ He’s the exception to the exception, the type who’s popular without even trying. I believe you should assume that people like that have gone through struggles that non-exceptions can’t even comprehend. You should be directing awe and respect at him, not jealousy.”

“A-Awe…”

“I mean, it doesn’t make sense, right? Hitting all the right notes with someone from the moment you meet them. Just how much heart does he put into observing people? It’s insane, isn’t it?”

“Well, yeah. I guess so…”

“I’ve gotten sidetracked, but Haru-san doesn’t matter here. Rickey-san, if you want to be popular, you need to put in the effort. There’s a world of difference between ‘someone who just wants to be popular’ and ‘someone who is seriously trying to be popular.’ It’s like the moon and a turtle, or the virtual world and the real world.”

“I don't really get that last one, but…”

“Your demeanor, your consideration, your choice of words. Start being mindful of those things little by little, and first aim to become a trustworthy base model. We can talk after that.”

“A trustworthy base model.”

“Right now, if I were to list your ‘attributes,’ I’d probably say things like ‘energetic,’ ‘loud,’ and ‘unpopular.’”

“Hold on a second. Aren't you saying some pretty terrible things about me?”

“I don’t think those things are inherently negative. In the end, attributes can be positive or negative depending on who has them.”

“Rinne-chan? Are you listening?”

“So, let’s build a ‘base model’ that makes those additional attributes shine. Not just by yourself, okay? You have to create that self between you and the person you want to show it to.”

“R-Rinne-chan?”

“It’s because you build it together that an ‘attachment’ is born, don’t you think? ‘Like’ and ‘love’… I think that’s what they are—”

…………………………And so, about ten minutes must have passed.

Stunned and bewildered. At the side of the scene where the poor victim, Rickey, was cowering in the face of Rinne’s ‘lecture on popularity’—a passionate monologue that was truly a no-holds-barred dissertation—

“...Didn’t some of that ricochet over to me?”

While Jin-san watched the scene with amusement, Hagi-kun-san stood up and walked off somewhere, and Tonic oddly took a seat next to Rickey to earnestly listen to the lecture, I turned to Maru II beside me with a wry smile—and.

“………………”

My partner, who had been looking at Rinne with a grim… or rather, a suspicious ‘don’t tell me’ expression, snatched the cup that was sitting on the table in front of her, as she chattered on with even more unrestrained vigor than usual.

Then, next to me, who tilted my head in a silent ‘what are you doing,’ he examined the little bit of liquid left inside………… and a few seconds later, let out an enormous sigh.

“Ah… honestly, this is so embarrassing, but—she’s drunk, this idiot.”

“Say what???”

Again, I thought, what are you talking about, but thinking back on it, her behavior did seem like that from the start.

Plus, it was hard to tell with the night darkness and lamplight combo, but her cheeks… no, her entire skin seemed to be flushed red.

And as I accepted that, a question arose.

“I thought you couldn’t get drunk in the virtual world?”

I’d asked the General Commander about it before when he was chugging what looked like beer at a feast, and the common knowledge in Arcadia was that ‘players cannot get drunk.’

Alcohol itself exists, but something about the makeup of ‘our’ avatars automatically removes the feeling of intoxication… or, to put it bluntly, that’s the setting.

“That’s true, but there are exceptions… or rather, you can’t get drunk because it’s a virtual world, but you can get drunk because it’s a virtual world. That kind of thing.”

“…? —Ah.”

He said something that sounded like a riddle, and I was about to tilt my head again, but I quickly understood.

“You mean, through the power of suggestion?”

“Exactly. It’s not just that, but you could call it a constitutional thing… well, it’s a rare case that happens when this and that individual difference come into play.”

“Huh…”

In this virtual world, thoughts and emotions affect the body far more strongly than in the real world. To the point where you can even move your limbs with a single thought.

So, it must be something similar to that—anyway,

“Uh, is she okay?”

“As you can see.”

“Is that a YES or a NO…?”

Well, I could tell from his expression and gaze rather than his words.

Meaning, ‘NO’—letting out another sigh, Maru II stood up, saying, “So, if you’ll excuse me…” and I saw him off with nothing but a wry smile.

“—…and, so, in the first place, all the guys in our Northern Faction are totally uncute and lacking in moe… Hey, what, what are you doing Maru, stop pulling—”

“Alright, alright, shut up, you idiot Rinne. Log out and sober up already. How many times do I have to tell you not to drink something if you can’t tell if it’s juice or alcohol… I’m so sorry, everyone. Well then.”

“Yeah, yeah. See you later.”

Controlling his grumbling partner’s hand, he half-forcibly logged Rinne out. Then, Maru II disappeared as well, presumably to accompany or take care of her.

I gave a little wave to see them off. While Jin-san smiled fondly, saying, “They get along as always,” I happened to glance over and meet Rickey’s eyes.

“……………………Can you just say I was drunk too?”

“Haha… Shall we try our greetings again?”

Feeling a sense of pathos for the apologetically shrinking man, I returned his look with a relaxed, wry smile, knowing he probably wasn’t a bad person after all.