kscans

Chapter 771 - Three Welcome Backs

Wednesday. Four days had passed since the Triangle Duo was held last Saturday, and a date now squeezed between that and the pressure of the major Green Connect raid looming in three days.

That afternoon, just before evening,

"—Ngh!"

"Oof…"

Having safely returned to the Yotsuya residence after our four-day trip, I had just stepped through the entrance, suitcase full of souvenirs in hand, when I was assaulted head-on by a living bomb.

Slender yet well-proportioned, with sparkling eyes the color of fresh leaves. And a fluffy, caramel-blonde mane that swayed with its owner's momentum…

—The culprit was none other than Miss Liliania Vruber. And, beyond her silent welcome,

Weeelcome baaaack!!!!!

"…Yeah, yeah, I'm back."

The other person remained standing quietly. I read the words from the Nia-chanz terminal that a serenely smiling Iris was waving and returned her greeting.

Did you get to recharge?

Next, she added more words, tilting her head… she had probably already figured out the answer just by looking at me.

In response, I raised both arms in a muscle pose.

"I'm ready for anything, anytime—So, what's the next order?"

At that, Iris let out another satisfied little laugh.

"You'll know when you go to the virtual world. …Welcome back, Haru."

"Yeah, I'm back."

Following Nia-chan, who seemed to have no intention of releasing her hold as if trying to choke me out, she welcomed me back, her happy mood unconcealed.

◇◆◇◆◇

"—Man, this placebo effect is amazing."

Thanks to taking it easy on the third day and this morning to avoid travel fatigue, my real body and mind were fully refreshed and in peak condition.

It probably wasn't just that, but I was certain that was the biggest factor contributing to this.

And so, logging in for the first time in three days, my avatar felt incredibly light.

My physical condition in the real world surely had something to do with it, but more than anything, the awareness that 'my real body is in good shape' was a powerful influence. No doubt about it.

In this world, thoughts and beliefs become strength. So naturally, when you're feeling good in both mind and body, you can easily pull off a performance that's beyond your best. That's Arcadia for you.

"Hyaaah!"

See? My morning (login) routine of jumping up, kicking off the wall, and doing a grand spin had more rotations than usual. The landing was perfect, too. I was in absolutely flawless, peak form.

Of course, the motivation I'd let simmer during the trip was also boiling over. Get ready, virtual world, 'cause I'm about to go on another rampage—

I decided to put a stop to my virtual escapism there.

"…What is this."

My attention was drawn to the corner of my vision.

A single icon was blinking gently, signaling a notification. It was the familiar 'Message Received' icon, but the number displayed next to it was staggering.

Before I left, I'd sent a simple message to my main acquaintances about taking a break… but this number looked like every single one of them had replied.

And—what's this? Am I allowed to flatter myself into thinking I'm popular?

I decided to check the messages later and first sent out another mass message announcing my return. Immediately, new notifications began pouring in one after another.

What is this, it's making me feel all warm and fuzzy… As I was making a strange face by myself, my room door was knocked on, not just a system notification this time.

My login and respawn point is set to my private room in the Azure Sky clan home. Therefore, only fellow clan members can knock on this door. The time was late afternoon, and I'd heard from Sora-san, who I'd parted with just half an hour ago, that she would be logging in at night…

Out of our five-person clan, if I excluded my nocturnal junior (who isn't my junior), it was easy to identify the visitor by process of elimination.

So, as a matter of course, or perhaps unconsciously, I straightened my posture and expression. In response to the very ladylike knock, I opened the door—

"Hey. I have returned, Master."

"Yes. Welcome back, Haru-kun."

Standing there was a single woman, small in stature but with a presence larger than anyone's. Her gray hair swayed gently as Ui-san welcomed me with a calm smile.

Well, I was the one welcoming her, technically, but in the sense of my return to the virtual world… Anyway, that aside.

"…………"

"…………"

"……………………"

"……………………"

The pressure. The silent pressure was—ah, yes, yes, I get it, honestly…

"Hehe."

"It's not 'hehe.' I'm serious, you really need to start weaning yourself off your disciple, even if just a little…"

At my unspoken request, I bent my knees, and a small hand contentedly patted my forehead.

And my disciple's heart, which found this both physically and mentally ticklish, was completely ignored. What is this, some kind of Sword Saint-style mental training? I see.

No, I'm just as much to blame for accepting it… but moving on.

"Uhm… I'm sorry, it looks like I need to make a few rounds. As much as I'd love to chat and share stories from my trip…"

Even now, messages were popping up one after another, but even without checking them, I knew I had several places to go. Checking them would likely add even more destinations.

So, my estimated schedule was pretty packed.

I really wanted to catch up with my master after three days apart… but when I put it that way, Ui-san, whether satisfied with doting on her disciple or not, readily withdrew her hand.

"I understand. Don't worry about it, go on ahead."

"Yes. Well then…"

As always, her smile was soothing, calm, and beautiful, seeping into you.

The Sword Saint's 'welcome back' and 'see you later'… I bet fans of all genders would shed tears of blood for that, I thought idly.

"…………, ……"

At this point, we were past the stage of drawing out every little parting. We'd even become members of the same clan, a group that means 'family,' and so many of our boundaries had shrunk considerably.

So, the reason my feet stopped after just a few steps of turning away… was probably, definitely, absolutely not because of some silly reason like loneliness.

"…? Is something wrong?"

I turned around and looked at her face as she saw me off.

"…………No, not wrong… exactly."

Somehow.

Subtly.

It was something so small you couldn't even call it a sense of wrongness.

"…Ui-san, did something happen?"

The air around her, the color of her voice, the light in her eyes.

I felt that they had changed, just a tiny, tiny bit, from before I left. So, as her disciple, I simply asked her honestly.

In response, my master tilted her head.

"Something… happen?"

"…………"

I see. …I see? What that reaction means is, in short…

"Ah, no, it's nothing. —Alright, I'm heading out!"

"Hehe… Yes. Take care."

It was just my imagination. That must be it.

◇◆◇◆◇

"—…………"

The young man, who always wore a boyish smile, ran off.

She watched her disciple's back until his presence faded from the clan's 'home,' watching him in silence… and let out a single sigh.

Then, she lifted her left hand.

Clenching and unclenching it. Clenching and unclenching it—she stared intently at the palm that had doted on her disciple as she pleased. Then she gently brought it to her own forehead.

The 'heat' was… completely imperceptible.

She couldn't tell. But the words she held in her heart right now were just one.

"… Honestly, honestly."

Because no one was watching, she wore an expression she had never shown anyone before.

A face that seemed troubled, dissatisfied, and somehow even angry. The small Sword Saint, alone in the silence, looked up at the ceiling.

"My disciple, and my student… they're all such troublesome boys."

Because no one was listening, she used a tone she had never let anyone hear before.

The muttered complaint dissolved into the tranquility.