kscans

Chapter 860 - This Thread of Fate Also Unbroken

—However, now that I've finally joined them, I need to keep pace. I can't just charge into the Key Tree solo, nor do I feel like it. So, I head off to kill some time….

"Ah… well, I don't think it's the romantic kind, you know? She's a hard person to grasp in many ways, but she's not the kind of crazy person who would make a move on a guy who's already being pursued by three other girls."

"Right? That's what I thought. I can believe that much, at least…"

That's the kind of treatment I gave my 'senpai', who would surely hang me if she knew I was thinking that.

Not inside the Key Tree, but up above, outside. As I got closer, the trunk was like a wall so vast you couldn't even sense its curvature. We sat side by side on a ridiculously sized 'branch' high above the clouds, just the two of us.

Needless to say, I was in my transfer body as requested.

"I only went on one long expedition with her, but she was a good person, Sayaka-san. Well, it's true that she can misunderstand men—no, I mean, yeah, she does tend to act in a way that leads them on, but… that's probably just her being natural."

"Is it just me, or does that sound even crazier than if she were calculating?"

"No, maybe it's not natural either. It's more like, she's a saintess who kicks aside the subtleties of human relationships and troublesome worldly affairs to walk her own path, perhaps."

"My perception of her is just getting worse and worse…"

As we exchanged words that had become completely familiar, we both manipulated our threads, one white and one black. And so, while our conversation continued, the white cat Natsume-senpai, who was monitoring my thread work, said,

"Hmph. You haven't gotten rusty, I see."

"I was blessed with a wonderful 'gift,' after all."

Her words of praise were a single, precious offering. Although her tone was curt and she snorted as if she wasn't amused, the fact that she acknowledged it was, by her standards, a sign of affection.

And so, I offered a word to her, who had been dangling her feet the entire time.

"You've made quite a bit of progress yourself. As expected of a genius."

"Shut up. Don't stare at a maiden's legs."

"Hey, what's with that tone? I wasn't staring."

She tied the threads, and her legs swayed lazily without moving.

It seems she used it when rushing to the front lines during the 'Green Connect' conquest, but compared to half a month ago, when the best she could do was move her body with a sudden, forceful, full-speed 'jerk,' this was a huge improvement.

Delicate, subtle movements over rough, full-power ones. It's true for everything, but in terms of technique, the latter is usually considered more difficult.

Therefore, if you look closely, you can see the manipulation of her fingertips, which are barely moving, realizing movements that seem perfectly natural with her own thoughts. Her marionette control is nothing short of magnificent.

In terms of precision, she has probably already surpassed me. From the bottom of my heart, she's truly amazing.

"It's still not usable in a real fight. It's meaningless if I can't do it in parallel with my existing techniques."

"I wouldn't even have the idea to try to manipulate my body and threads at the same time."

And this stoicism… or rather, this uncompromising desire for improvement, is also very much like her. Natsume-senpai is, as always, a 'senpai' worthy of respect—

"…But, setting that aside for a moment."

Probably, or rather, almost certainly on the way. It's been half a month since the last conquest battle, which ended in an incomplete combustion. Today is the first time we've met again.

We had originally talked about setting aside time for this kind of senior-junior exchange, or rather, 'teaching each other,' so she was the one who invited me, sensing my return and free time.

"Setting it aside?"

I somehow sensed that there was something else she wanted to talk about. So, I smoothly went along with her切り出し—bringing up—of another topic that I had anticipated.

…The fact that she made a displeased face at that makes me think I'd be forgiven for retorting, 'Just how high is the hurdle to be a 'cute junior'?'

But well, putting that aside.

"Ah, um, well… How's Sapphire?"

"Hm? He's doing great. Here, see."

Communicating with the 'dragon' dwelling within me doesn't require words; it's instantaneous. And so, a star shadow overflowed from my own shadow, spreading its jet-black wings against the sunset sky—

"Pwah…!?"

The nuzzling was also instantaneous. Sapphire, who had taken a liking to her during the conquest and our interactions, floated in the air without flapping his wings and rubbed his beak against the little cat.

"Hey, st-stop, knock it off…!"

In response, the seventh-ranked member of the Southern Faction, while letting out a chiding voice, had an expression that was nothing but sweet affection. It's a huge difference from the one she directs at her not-so-cute junior, but since Sapphire is invincibly cool and ultra-cute, it's a known fact, so let's take that into consideration.

Please, feel free to display your infinitely heartwarming scene.

"So, what's up with Sapphy?"

"Is it really appropriate to be so unresponsive when your pet dragon is poking a girl…"

Please, feel free to display your infinitely heartwarming scene.

"…Well, I mean, what is it? So—you, right. You're basically acting with Nia 'over there,' weren't you?"

Over there.

On its own, that would be puzzling, but considering that she started by asking about Sapphire, it's easy to guess where the conversation is heading.

It's almost certainly about the [Starry Paradise]—the third world event, which is coming up in the first half of October, right around the corner. In other words,

"That's right. It's not just the two of us, we're part of a regular group, though."

"Yeah. I know. So, um… in that case, or rather, ah… well, what is it? It's not like I'm trying to be a pest or anything, but—"

"Natsume-senpai."

"Wh-what?"

"This is funny, can I record it?"

"I'll smack you."

She's not a pest, just a cat who can't be honest with herself.

Well, anyway.

"Want to join us? I'm sure Nia would be happy too."

If that's the case, then there's no question. It's not something I should say after the fact, but honestly, if she hadn't brought it up, either I or Nia would have invited her.

We've already had more than just 'one meeting,' and she's well within the 'close friend' category. If it's convenient for her too, there's no need to carefully time the invitation—and so,

"……………………Y-yes, I will. If I'm not intruding."

"I told you, it's not just the two of us. Please, make yourself at home… Make yourself at home, right. Why don't you come and be the idol for the horde of guys there?"

"Wait a minute, I'd rather not do that…"

The scheduled date is nine days from now, next Saturday.

An event with virtually no reason (merit) not to participate. A one-hour trip to another world that will span three full nights. On the list of companions to enjoy the event with, another name was added.