kscans

Chapter 725 - Delivery

『—And we're back in the gap time! Let's do this, NonoHaru Radio!!』

『Hey, why am I in my transfer body again with—』

『Well now, how are you doing, Mr. Acrobat! You really went wild in both the first and second rounds, Mr. Clown!! How are you feeling, Haru-chan-san!! Hey!!!』

『What, huh... what, what, you're scary, sorry, you're scary.』

『Alright, let's hear your thoughts on the most recent match, the D Block second match! What did you think after witnessing a grand magic battle in the proper sense of the word!!』

『Ehh... well, that was also incomprehensible and had both feet dipped in lawlessn—』

『I see!!!』

『I wasn't finished. What did you see?』

『In the end, the "Twin Wings" showed their usual prestige, but as a junior ranker from the same faction, are you happy about your senpais' victory!』

『......To be honest, with my sympathy as a fellow water mage and respect for a veteran, and so on, I was rooting for Record-shi—』

『I see!!!!!』

『If you're going to ask, then listen. Are you just trying to strike me out? Can we have a conversation please?』

『Putting that aside, what was that in the [Screen] match, Mr. Acrobat! The venue and the internet are in an uproar about a new grand magic with an unknown effect, Mr. Acrobat!! There are tons of other things I want to point out, Mr. Acrobat!!!』

『The decibels are rough...』

『And with that, we'll toss all these overflowing questions to the highlights corner later, and start the mail corner!!! Yaaaay!!!!!』

『............Ah, okay. You weren't looking for an answer from the start.』

◇◆◇◆◇

—And so, at 3:30 PM real time.

"Ughn..."

Having reached the second break time, I crawled out of the [Arcadia] machine and immediately collapsed onto my bed.

After the second match, even after surviving the gap time that was mercilessly subjected to the [Colorful Beauty]'s pace, dubbed 'NonoHaru Radio,' my duties were still not over.

Once the second round of each block had concluded without a hitch, the third program, the interval before the semi-finals, began again. And as the first in line for the faction-specific recreation, the Istia members gathered, but...

Well, you know, I was the one made to talk the entire time.

I mean, it can't be helped. The other matches involving the Eastern faction weren't so deep in the realm of incomprehensible that they couldn't be explained with a one or two answers to any questions.

And that's why, it was me.

My second match, of course, but my first match was also quite something, so it was a given. 'This was that, that was this, and that was that...'—I was so busy desperately responding to my senpais, who were acting as the voice of the audience and endlessly throwing critiques at me, that my allotted time ran out.

I was tired, so tired I could die. On top of the exhaustion from dancing on the silver screen stage that shattered even fantasy standards of common sense, this was just one blow after another.

Again, I understand that it's a 'duty' and I've come to terms with it, so I don't intend to complain about this immense fatigue now... but there is just one thing.

—No, one person.

There is one person I've resolved to complain to later. I will absolutely not forgive her. That silver bastard who sat in the corner of the room, acting as if it had nothing to do with her, and pushed all the match commentary onto me.

"——————————————————... Haaaaaaaaaaaaah..."

In the end, I wonder how it really went.

The 'fight' to stick to my guns was, in form at least, won by me. However, that was just a result reached through momentum and circumstance, borrowing the stage of a 'match.'

People don't change that easily; if they did, life would be simple. And besides, I never had the arrogant intention of telling her to 'change her ways' or anything like that.

I just complained, telling her to look this way.

My invitation to play was kicked away, so I just taunted her with 'shut up and play, you bastard' and dragged her onto the stage... Looking back, it was quite the bratty move. On top of that, I'm not confident if it resonated with her, which makes the 'clown' label unavoidable.

I don't regret it, but to be honest, I am reflecting on it.

Why on earth can't I control my own emotions and mouth when I get excited in the virtual world? Looking back, it's so painfully cringey that I can't help but laugh.

So, I'll complain about what happened earlier, but that's a separate issue...

"A man who doesn't apologize for his rudeness is no man..."

Considering the possibility that I was genuinely disliked this time, I'll have to make a move to get some time with her soon to meet face-to-face—... and,

As I was sinking into such a belated, solitary reflection, someone called me.

That stylish melody that served as a doorbell. A sound I had grown accustomed to, a visitor.

The number of people who visit my room in the Yotsuya dormitory is limited to a few, and one of my neighbors is still logged into the venue... so that leaves three options.

The option of ignoring it didn't even cross my mind. I lifted my body, which was on the verge of its virtual fatigue becoming real, from the bed and staggered towards the front door.

And so, wondering who it could be, I opened the door to find... flaxen hair.

"...Ah, hey. Can I help you with—"

"This is my business!"

Just how many times today am I fated to be cut off?

As I savored the sadness with a mind dulled by its cooldown period, the Archiver (a twenty-year-old female university student) who is also a painter and an idol voice actress, scattering a dazzling smile like a blooming flower and a sweet, melting voice, threw something...—or rather, someone, and,

"........................Huh? Wha—"

"Well then, enjoy your time!"

I was left behind by Mitsueda-san, who departed as swiftly as she had appeared after her three-second cameo, along with one other person.

"....................................Huh?"

The delicate, fluffy life form that had flown into my chest at a considerable speed. I reflexively caught it and looked down... and sure enough,

"—...............???"

"Don't tell me you don't get the situation either."

The moment I received a mirror image of my confusion from Nia, a.k.a. Lilianier Blueberry-jou, a sharp retort flew from my mouth despite my fatigue. It was, well, only natural.