kscans

Chapter 787 - A Family Announcement

And so, Friday arrived.

Beset by one event after another, day and night, time flew by as it always seemed to. The day before the big event finally came—

"Huh???"

"Eh???"

"The hell???"

"Hmmmm???"

"Well..."

The time was sunset, the place was the Eastern Round Table. Though the voices were each unique, the meaning they carried was one and the same: utter shock from a complete surprise.

Those dumbfounded cries came from about half of the nine rankers of the Eastern Faction, Istia, who had gathered minus one absent silver-haired member. The exceptions were Gen-san of the [Twin Fists], whose eyes had gone wide in a rare display of silent astonishment... and the tiny person standing next to me.

Specifically, the blue one.

Like the rest of us, she was on the receiving end of the news, yet she alone looked like she was in on the secret. With a perfectly composed expression, as if this was nothing to be surprised about, was Ri-na, the [Right Wing].

...And the ones who had just casually dropped the bombshell that created this whole situation were the remaining two.

"—Heeey, getting such a classic reaction is kinda making me blush!"

One of them, the red one, Mi-na of the [Left Wing], was as energetic as ever. But her grin was a little different from the one I knew, colored with a mischievous glee.

And then there was the other one, standing beside her.

"—...Well, it's not like this changes anything. There's no need to be weird about it, and I have no intention of making you. It would be helpful if you all just treated us the same as you always have."

And there was the blonde samurai, coolly and calmly spouting such nonsense.

Yeah, no way.

Like hell that's possible.

—After having a bombshell like, 'Hey everyone, we've decided to start dating,' dropped on us, who could possibly just brush it off?

What's with that cool expression, you handsome bastard? Are you invincible on all fronts? Give me a break.

"...Uh... well, what can I say? So... huh? Irori, hey, are you serious?"

Goldow's voice, finally breaking the silence as the acting moderator, perfectly captured the room's consensus. At the very least, I definitely wasn't the only one floored.

And it was also undeniable that everyone's shared surprise was... directed more toward one of them in particular. Namely, the one who was just asked the question.

The invincible samurai, still standing there with a composed face, showing no sign of embarrassment whatsoever.

"Sorry to surprise you, but it's true. It's not a joke, nor are we playing around."

His reply was instantaneous and without hesitation.

The way he nonchalantly pushed away Mi-na, who was trying to glomp onto him at every opportunity, was unmistakably his usual self... which was precisely how we could tell he wasn't joking.

It seemed he was, in fact, serious.

"""""".............................."""""""

A moment of silence fell once more. The shock and confusion had yet to fade, and our minds were slowly, slowly catching up to a reality that felt all too unreal...

"...Um, well... Mi-na-chan?"

In place of our father-figure Goldow, who had gone completely silent, the next to speak was Lady Hinayo. She too was blinking in clear confusion—

"—Congratulations. ...Is that the right thing to say?"

"Hee... ehehe! Thank youuuu!!!"

The moment she offered her congratulations and a smile to the junior she was so close to, whom she doted on like a younger sister, Mi-na shot past Irori and leaped straight into her arms.

With that, the atmosphere in the room finally broke.

I have no idea what Goldow was thinking; perhaps he was so shocked he'd entered a state of pure, blank nothingness. Setting him aside for a moment... there was one more. Gen-san had his eyes closed as usual, but a clumsy smile played on his lips, perhaps to express his congratulations. Setting him aside as well.

Ui-san joined in on doting on Mi-na, who was now clinging to Hinayo like a puppy getting showered with affection, doubling the hands petting her. As for Irori, who was watching them...

"Irori-senpai."

"What is it?"

"For real?"

"Don't make me repeat myself to every single person."

"I think the reason it doesn't feel real is because you're not embarrassed in the slightest, Irori-senpai."

"There's no reason to be embarrassed."

"Seriously...? For real, what's up with your mental fortitude?"

Tetra approached him and started a conversation.

It wasn't a particularly rare pairing. Junior number one generally didn't interact with anyone unless necessary, but he was on relatively good terms with everyone.

"".........""

So, then.

The announcement, the sharing of information. It was sudden and without warning, so of course we were surprised... but fine. I'll accept their spirit, or whatever you want to call it.

No, it was more a sign of trust and affection than sincerity. I understood their intent—that they didn't want to keep secrets from us, and had no intention of doing so.

"".........""

It's just that my heart hasn't quite caught up yet. But that would have been the case no matter when they told us; it would have always been 'sudden news.' Being shocked was a necessary part of the process.

To be honest, I'd had a vague inkling about the 'arrow' pointing from Mi-na, ever since that whole thing during our trip a while back.

So I was fine with her side of things. As for Irori, whom I hadn't suspected in the slightest, I'd just have to take my time and let it sink in.

I heard that due to Mi-na's idol career and other circumstances, it was more of a 'down the line' kind of thing, and that they'd have a unique relationship for a while, but...

Well, it's a happy occasion. There's no reason to hold back on the congratulations.

""......................................................""

That's why, yes. I was thinking of following Tetra over to Irori's side, but.

"—...Ri-na?"

"Hm."

I wonder what's up with this little one (blue). She's been stuck to my side ever since she showed up at the Round Table in response to the summons.

"What's wrong?"

I know something is up with her. The person she's closest to in the world just had a major life event, so of course her heart must be in some turmoil.

She's the only one here besides the couple who was in on it. She may be acting composed, as if she isn't surprised in the slightest, but that doesn't mean that's how she feels on the inside.

"Mmm..."

She is, after all, acting strangely right now.

...Given the situation, a certain 'what if' comes to mind. But I'm hesitant to voice it, unsure if it's my place to ask.

She's always clinging to me as part of a duo, so I think we're pretty close, but... wait, what's with that hand?

Hey, that tickles. Stop poking my side.

"Ri—"

"I knew the whole time. I thought they should just get together already. So it's not a big deal."

Her voice was a whisper.

It's not that she's usually loud, but for Ri-na, who always speaks in a calm, steady monotone, this intentionally hushed tone was unusual.

"I-Is that so?"

Realizing her words were meant for me alone, I lowered my voice as well, observing the twin (not a twin) who was left behind in the commotion, a step away from the cheerful crowd.

We're pretty close, but I can't proudly say our bond is 'deep.' So naturally, I have no way of reading what's behind that perpetually calm, deadpan expression.

"I'm not lonely or anything like that, really."

"I see. If you say so, then I'll take your word for it."

So all I can do is listen to my tiny senior's words and nod. Whether she's being honest or putting on a brave face, if she tells me to believe her, then I will.

That should be fine. So please, release my side already.

"—It's just, a little."

"Oof... Um, could you please stop tickling me in sync with your words?"

"Before they got together, it was annoying thinking they should just hurry up and do it."

"Ignoring me???"

In the end, I had no idea what role was expected of me. As I stood next to a Ri-na who was, for once, stringing words together on her own,

"But now that they're together, it's still annoying. So, it's a little—unsettling, you know?"

"I-I see..."

I was subjected to endless tickling on my side.

What is even happening right now?

---

This was a necessary moment.