kscans

Chapter 839 - Both Sides of a Shifting World

—Arcadia, the world's one and only virtual world.

These days, when people talk about an ‘otherworld’ or a ‘different world,’ they often aren't just referring to a game, but to that fairytale-like world of dreams. Or so I’ve heard.

But in my opinion, there are plenty of extraordinary worlds right here in reality.

Places you'd never see without a special occasion. Spaces you'd never set foot in. I’m sure everyone has a countless number of ‘otherworlds’ they’ll never have a connection to in their entire lives.

For example… right, as a commoner who still hasn’t gotten used to the exceptional player mindset—

“I see. So this is the ‘reincarnation into another world’ that was all the rage a while back…”

“Relax. This is still very much an extension of reality.”

…places like a high-society party venue, which I've only ever seen in pictures and videos.

She wore a subdued, silver dress.

It was relatively plain, with minimal adornments and a muted sparkle, but the [Princess], dressed up in the formal attire of that very ‘otherworld,’ caught my mutterings and smiled.

I wanted to tell her that she was the primary reason the atmosphere felt so otherworldly.

I wanted to tell her, but… honestly, that stupid mumble, barely loud enough for her to hear, was the absolute limit of what I could say. The glittering venue itself felt completely unreal, and everywhere I looked, there were impeccably dressed ladies and gentlemen.

I felt so out of place that it was hard to even breathe, let alone speak.

“I’ve told you so many times, you don’t need to be so nervous.”

“Yeah, but, you know, a high-society party…”

“While that’s technically true, this is a casual evening gathering for light and easy mingling. The guests are all like friends, so it's a place where tension doesn't belong.”

“What’s a ‘soiree’…!”

“…………You’re really cute at times like this.”

The Princess—Ashe—narrowed her eyes slightly, watching her flustered partner with an amused expression. She smoothly took my hand and led me away from the wall as if she knew no fear.

“Everyone won’t bother talking to a child they don’t recognize, so it’s fine. Don’t worry about what’s around you; just enjoy the lavish dinner.”

“…They might not be talking to me, but they’re definitely staring a lot.”

“True. But you must be used to that by now, right?”

“Let me argue that difference of opinion…”

Now that I'd already shuffled into the venue, I knew that complaining any further would just be uncool. But still, I had to say ‘I knew it’.

—Couldn’t I have just shown up for the main event?

◇◆◇◆◇

And so, an hour or so later.

Ashe and I, using a ‘special disguise’ to block recognized gazes—though we couldn't escape the eyes of curiosity and were subjected to a concentrated barrage—finally finished our hellish dinner.

A mysterious, handsome man, looking ridiculously good in a ridiculously authentic butler uniform, tapped me on the shoulder. He guided us out of the party hall to a quiet room.

A break room? A waiting room? It felt like a high-end hotel room without a bed. I sat on the sofa next to the perfectly composed Princess and waited for just under two minutes.

“…Um… Ashe-san?”

“Hm?”

“This time, the person we’re meeting is—”

Growing impatient with the lack of any approaching presence, I opened my mouth to review the important details.

“I CHALLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEGE YOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!”

“Whoooa-aiii?!!?!?!?”

The door to the room was thrown open with a spectacular CRASH!.

And then, with natural, unrestrained, full-powered flair, the person who made such a grand stage entrance saw me yelping in astonishment from the mysterious cry and…

“…It’s been a while, Eme—”

“ASHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!”

I was stunned. And Ashe, who had quietly stood up and opened her mouth.

The one the suit-clad ‘he’ charged at without a moment’s hesitation was the latter.

“..., …………”

Leaving me frozen in a daze, the figure of my neighbor vanished.

Well, not vanished, but rather, was snatched up and whisked away. The [Princess], showing no sign of dodging or resisting, was lifted into the arms of her attacker. Her long black hair danced in the air as she was taken on a sightseeing flight, circling the sofa table two, three times. It was an undeniably bizarre, fantasy-like scene.

And just like that, four, five circles—Okay, okay, okay, stop.

“Oh?”

“No, it’s not ‘Oh?’.”

Understanding that this was just how it was, I forced myself to regain my composure and grabbed the back of the suit without hesitation… A pair of garnet eyes turned to me.

Then, for about five seconds, we were at a standstill. The courage I had scraped together was meager and unreliable, and I was being completely overwhelmed head-on by the ‘aura of someone who has surpassed humanity,’ just like someone else I knew…

“…………—Heh.”

I couldn’t come up with any words to say, and after simply meeting those red eyes, a smile broke out on that terrifyingly perfect face, also just like someone else I knew.

And then, the white-haired, red-eyed ‘he’ spoke, still holding his ‘sister’.

‘Hey Ashe. What do you think of this face? Is there even a hint of jealousy? Or is he just stopping a crazy person's rampage?’

‘…I wonder. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Haru get jealous.’

‘My, my. He’s as difficult as they say.’

‘That’s part of his charm. I think he’s just inexperienced with romance.’

‘Oh my! You’re the far cuter one for saying something like that.’

A storm of a foreign language… or rather, English, unfolded.

And so I, listening to the sounds I didn't encounter often, thought for a moment before—

‘Um… If you’d like, I can step out for a moment?’

By subtly showing that I could understand everything, ‘he’ looked surprised, if a bit theatrically, and brought a hand to his mouth as if to say, ‘Oh, my.’

“He’s a genius, you know. Isn’t he wonderful?”

Still being carried like a sack of rice, the princess of the world laughed joyfully.

◇◆◇◆◇

“—I’m soooooooooooooooooo tired…”

“Hehe… You did well.”

And so, two hours later.

After various ‘greetings’ and ‘exchanges,’ I managed to cultivate a tentative friendship with Ashe’s relative… Ms. Emery White. Having brought that achievement back with me.

In other words, the moment I had completely left the otherworld and arrived back at our home, the Yotsuya dormitory. I collapsed onto the sofa in the entrance hall, and a comforting warmth descended on the back of my head.

Well, you know.

I have a mountain of things I want to say and complain about, but for now—

“What kind of ‘sister’ is that…?”

“I told you, didn't I? The Whites are a family of hobbyists.”

Emery White. A cross-dressing model who is said to be wildly and explosively popular overseas, unrivaled in her field.

At heart, she is a woman. But she directs a truly inhuman and eccentric amount of passion toward her ‘hobby,’ not only dressing but also behaving completely as a ‘man.’

I mean, her voice. What was with that perfectly androgynous voice? When I first met her, I was completely convinced she was an ‘older brother’ without a single doubt…

“I’m sorry for pushing you. She’s a busy person, so if we missed this rare chance—”

“It’s fine. I’m glad I could meet her, glad I could say hello.”

Right, that part was true, so I waved my hand dismissively while still lying on the sofa, telling her not to apologize. Of course, I was terrified by the sudden invitation to ‘meet my family,’ but considering our respective positions, it was a path I couldn't avoid… in fact, it was something I needed to deal with promptly.

Besides, it was during my cooldown period anyway. I had the time, so it worked out perfectly.

“…Thank you. —Truthfully, I’d like you to meet my father and mother too, but…”

“!”

“Those two are just so incredibly busy. Even I, their daughter, haven’t seen them in nearly four years, so it might be… a long time before you get to meet them.”

“You just said that to scare me, didn’t you…”

And so, we exchanged a bit of harsh banter.

We both let out weary laughs and sighs as I sat up, stood… and walked alongside the princess in her dress, who embodied another world even after returning to reality.

“Starting tomorrow?”

“No, starting today. I’ve been held back for so long, my motivation is about to explode.”

“…Hehe, I look forward to that. I’ll be expecting good news of your conquest.”

“You mean you’re expecting some funny incident, with that look on your face.”

What we were talking about was the fact that the seal on my avatar was finally being lifted today. The price for using [Lightning Gale] was truly severe, and coupled with the public excitement reaching an all-time high as usual, I’d had to endure some pretty tough days.

…So, you know.

About half a month since the battle to conquer [Green Connect, Jehatreglie].

And—about half a month since the day the virtual world underwent its ‘great transition’.

“Alright, time to get serious…!”

It’s time for me to reboot.