kscans

Chapter 690 - Opening

The stage of the Triangle Duo, where I had descended in a virtual body, my consciousness sent from afar. The vast, domed space was shaped not like a baseball field, but a rectangular soccer pitch.

The surrounding spectator seats were large enough to easily swallow tens of thousands of people, and on the massive screens installed on the four walls above them, magnified images of the performers were displayed.

These were, of course, projections from an augmented reality (AR) field created with extraordinary technology. Furthermore, our voices were picked up without the need for microphones and delivered to the audience with crystal-clear quality, which meant they surely heard our earlier playful banter.

So embarrassing. But it was precisely because I felt such immense tension and shame under the public gaze that—

"…Nono-san is amazing."

Her energetic voice, a perfect embodiment of vigor, echoed throughout the vast space, leaving me in awe.

Unafraid of the thousands of people or the atmosphere of the venue, she hopped around in the middle of us newly logged-in participants, a microphone in hand—whether for necessity or just for show.

She was none other than my friend and Nia's mentor, Nono-san, also known as Nonomi, the Vibrant Beauty.

With a cheerful voice, she playfully worked the crowd, skillfully drawing them into her high-energy vibe, all while explaining the proceedings in a clear, lively manner.

Her attire wasn't her usual casual wear, but a stunning kimono—likely one of her own creations—that exuded an aura befitting a Western Faction ranker. Combined with her masterful stage presence, it was no wonder she had been so completely accepted by the audience.

…Ah, we made eye contact. Her winks are on a whole other level.

"—Well, duh, she's our senpai, you know?"

My quiet thought was overheard. As the opening ceremony progressed, one of the little ones who had been freely mingling with our friends returned.

The red one (Ri-na) popped her head out and gave me a smug look, as if to say, “Of course she is,” but I understood what she meant.

She was, after all, Mikan Nonomiya—a former idol.

Apparently, they weren't from the same agency, but they had known each other for a long time within the same industry. In a surprise origin story, it was she who had invited the twins (who aren’t twins) to start playing Arcadia in the first place.

And their first meeting with Nia was connected through that path as well.

The world is big, yet small. I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of admiration at how everything was connected.

"Hey, hey, you’re so stiff, mister. Take a cue from Nono-chan and relax, will ya?"

"The person I'm supposed to be taking cues from is a little too exceptional."

Though a small measure of understanding and composure had settled in my heart, it was too little to completely blow everything away. My weak resolve was seen through by Mi-na, who approached me with a suspicious hand gesture and started massaging my bicep, her超技術 accurately recreating the muscle tension in my virtual avatar.

I managed a lighthearted retort, but all I could do was desperately take deep breaths internally.

"The opening will be over soon, then we’ll be in the waiting room. Just hang in there a little longer."

"I appreciate the concern…"

A few seconds later, the blue one (Ri-na) appeared on my other side. She had been dragged around by her partner, wearing her usual downcast expression, but she too seemed unfazed by the tension.

Being in the public eye was their profession, after all. It was impressive for their age.

Of course, the age I knew for them was from their public profiles as idols in the real world—Mina Saikado and Rina Amahane—which listed them as “seventeen.” If that was true, they were just a year younger than me.

Incidentally, in the real world, they’ve grown up quite a bit and are a little taller, though still petite. Their avatars are stuck at their forms from three years ago, which is why seeing them dote on the actually younger Sora is so… jarring.

"Ah, this is that look."

"The one where he’s thinking about random stuff to escape reality."

"Normally, he wouldn’t just let two cute girls cling to him under the public eye like this."

"He’s seriously nervous."

"Well, can’t be helped. By the way, mister, that suit doesn't look good on you at all."

"The fact that he’s not used to wearing it might actually be in demand, though."

"I see, so that's what you were going for. How cunning of you, mister, so cunning."

"I wasn't going for anything! Now let go of me already…!"

Normally, I would have used my status or “shadow” to toss them aside, but right now, all I could manage was to weakly push their arms away and beg them to give me some space.

I could tell they were trying to help me get back on track by acting as they usually did, but for now, I just needed a moment to calm down.

And so, all I could do was endure. My only hope was that the final event of the opening ceremony would come quickly, sooner, now—

"—Alright, now that we've gotten all the boring script stuff out of the way! Let's get to what you've all been waiting for, the random pair selection!"

…And just like that, either my prayers were answered or time had simply flown by while I was overwhelmed. Nono-san, who was hyping up the crowd with an energy that made me worry about her voice, shot a hand high into the air—and in the void above us appeared,

"…They really can do whatever they want with this tech."

"It's amazing, isn't it?"

"This feels like it’s more than a few hundred years ahead of its time."

Coming from us, that was a bit rich, but I couldn't help but make the comment upon seeing the giant bingo machine floating in the air, looking as real as anything.

To think that this was just a projection in the real world was completely baffling.

"Alright everyone, on the count of three—who will be first!!!"

And then, as was apparently tradition by the third time this event was held,

A chorus of tens of thousands joined Nono-san's lead in a super-enthusiastic “who will it be” chant. The lottery machine began to spin, not with a clatter, but with a light, pleasant chime like ringing bells.

A few seconds later, a ball—no, a dazzling star—shot out of the machine's mouth, burst in mid-air, and gathered in her raised left hand.

"Our first contestant in this third event is…—Peerless!!!"

The moment she read out the glowing nameplate with dramatic flair, the crowd erupted in cheers for what felt like the umpteenth time. I could understand their excitement, but being in the middle of it all was honestly overwhelming.

How were all my friends and acquaintances able to keep such cool expressions? I had thought I was getting used to this, but their mental fortitude was clearly on a different level—

"…"

As I thought this, I looked around again. In the distance… where the Northern Faction rankers were gathered, I saw a friend of mine, standing stock-still with his arms crossed, his face pale.

Wait a minute, I think I really like you right now.

The way his two disciples and juniors were fussing over him seemed to confirm it. He always acted like he didn’t care about big stages or crowds, especially during the Four Pillar War… but what a surprise. The suspicion that he was on my side when it came to real-life stages had suddenly surfaced.

I feel a little saved. Let’s be friends, Tiger.

"Our second contestant is…—Castle Lord!!!"

"Whoa…"

"That’s a nasty combination right off the bat."

While I was busy finding a kindred spirit and gaining a small measure of peace, the pairings had determined their first team.

Words of complaint escaped from my left and right, and I couldn't agree more.

The number three rankers from the East and South. A combination of high-ranking players, and frankly, a pair that shouldn't be allowed to team up—a prime example of perfect, or rather, overpowered synergy.

A genius who perfects defense to turn it into offense, and a sleeping princess with the ultimate defense.

In other words, the birth of an invincible fortress armed with an extraordinary spear—no, a katana. I couldn't even begin to imagine how one would break through their guard—

"Alright, alright, let's keep the energy up! Our third contestant is!—Wolf Pack!!!"

And now, a third high-ranking player in a row.

In the distance, Gin-san, the number two ranker and leader of the Northern Faction, scratched his cheek. He’s publicly stated that he’s only fought in a handful of PvP battles, but since that “handful” was the Triangle Duo, he was, of course, participating.

As for their number one… well, I knew they wouldn’t come.

"And our fourth contestant is…—Ah… n-number… Heavy Tank!!!"

"Hey now."

"Seriously…"

"Is the lottery machine bugged or something???"

I wasn't the only one to point out that a pair of number twos was following a pair of number threes. Even the chosen participants themselves were looking at each other as if to say, “Are you kidding me?” but unfortunately, complaints against a random script are futile.

"I-Is this okay…? Well, I guess it is! Alright, our fifth contestant is!!!"

Isn't the MC getting a little desperate? Is this really—

"—! And here he is—Acrobat!!!"

—…It was not okay. In that moment.

It probably wasn't a matter of my popularity compared to the previous four. It was simply the reaction to the troublemaker who had been stirring up the world recently.

The roar was so loud it felt like the sound had been erased from the world. I honestly thought I was going to pass out.

I have some complaints about them being stuck to me this whole time, but in this moment, I'm grateful. If they hadn't been supporting me, I probably would have collapsed.

"The trickster everyone’s been waiting for!!! And our rising star’s partner will be…!"

And please stop, you don’t have to add blatant煽り文句, just proceed with the—

"Oh, and it’s a fellow faction member—an older sister—Scorching Gaze!!!"

"Well hello, Hina-chan."

"…This is also nasty."

And so, amidst a stunned voice and a complaint from my left and right,

As my numb brain blankly registered that same-faction pairs were also possible, a presence approached with the light tapping of shoes. When I turned around, it was, of course,

"Hehe… It's a pleasure to work with you, Haru-kun."

The older sister from my faction, clad in a formal dress different from her usual brilliant gardenia color, exuding her usual charm and the alluring smile of an older woman.

"Now then… will it be third time’s the charm, or will what happens twice, happen thrice? I wonder which it will be."

"…Perhaps you’re still holding a bit of a grudge?"

As I shook hands with the woman who was teasing me with complete composure, another wave of cheers washed over us—and here, my Triangle Duo had officially begun.