kscans

Chapter 872 - Making the Rounds

—And so.

"So, that’s apparently what’s going on…"

"Wha…???"

The first stop on my courtesy calls was the only one logged into Arcadia, the girl with indigo eyes.

It had been about five minutes since I’d knocked on the door of her atelier. Nia had been tilting her head in confusion upon seeing me arrive with an unusual companion, but it goes without saying that the ‘explanation of the situation’ that followed made her expression change with a level of surprise that dwarfed her initial reaction.

And now, as Ri-na—who was stuck to my side with no intention of letting go—delivered her explanation and plea with a semblance of sincerity in her usually listless expression…

"……………Wha???"

Well, yeah, that’s the normal reaction. Nia just blinked her eyes in bewilderment.

"H-Hoooold on a second, okay? Right now, I’m… confused…"

"Don’t worry. I’m in the middle of a massive confusion myself."

Meanwhile, the pipsqueak next to me.

I would think the situation calls for at least a little bit of tension, but the girl who had suddenly declared herself my ‘little sister’ stood with impressive composure.

As expected of a top idol, I guess (???).

"Umm… so. I get the gist of it, but… wait, Ri-na-chan, are you serious?"

"I’m serious. Onii-san is my ideal ‘onii-chan.’"

"…………………………"

And then, our dedicated artisan looked up at the heavens. May I follow suit—

"I… can’t say I don’t… get it…"

"You can’t say you don’t get it???"

Apparently, our hearts were not in complete unison. Leaning back deep in her chair and staring at the ceiling, Nia let slip a comment that completely floored me.

Which way is this headed now? I have no idea what’s going on.

"The way he’s both a ‘big brother’ and a ‘little brother’ is super unfair, yeah…"

What are you talking about?

"I also like how he completely changes depending on who he’s with. His expressions are always changing, it’s cute."

Hey, what are you talking about?

"Yeah, I know… From my perspective, he’s got a strong little brother vibe, though."

"To me, he’s ‘onii-chan’—sometimes he treats me like a senior, too, and seeing him struggle with it is great. The way he tries to cover it up, thinking no one notices, is cute and I like it."

Is this a conversation you’re supposed to have in front of the person himself???

And so, Nia brought her head back down and looked at Ri-na once more.

"You really, really like him, huh… Um, just to confirm. The romantic feelings…"

Facing her, Ri-na didn’t shy away or hide, meeting the aquamarine gaze head-on.

"None. What I want isn’t a ‘lover who’s like a brother,’ but a kind, cool, dependable, earnest, and cute ‘brother as family.’"

She met her gaze, declaring it with a mysterious forcefulness.

"Absolutely none."

She declared it again, all while casually hugging my arm.

Hey, let go of me.

"……………………………………………………Ahhh… umm…………"

And in the end.

"First of all, there’s this thing…"

Nia-chan’s verdict was—

"When someone says it was ‘love at first sight’… well, I have a weak spot for that, you see…………"

…reluctant, but affirmative.

Approval, number one.

◇◆◇◆◇

"So, that’s apparently what’s going on…"

"I see—there are two things I’d like to confirm."

Next up on the courtesy calls, number two: the queen who was also a princess, who had logged back in a short while later.

It had been about five minutes since I’d knocked on the door of the Southern Faction’s special meeting hall. Ashe had remained composed upon seeing me arrive with an unusual companion, and it goes without saying that she listened quietly with a perfectly natural, expressionless face throughout the subsequent ‘explanation of the situation.’

And now, as Ri-na—who was stuck to my side with no intention of letting go—delivered her explanation and plea with a semblance of sincerity in her usually listless expression…

"First, what is the probability that your feelings will develop into romantic ones? Second, if we were to accept your wish, what kind of behavior would you expect from Haru?"

Yeah, that sounded about right. Ashe was facing this strange incident with calm composure.

"The first one is zero. It absolutely will not happen."

"What is your basis for declaring it with such certainty?"

"Because what I want is a ‘brother as family.’ For it to develop into romance would be a misinterpretation."

"…That seems a bit weak in terms of credibility."

And just as expected, she was tougher than Nia-chan. Well, not tougher in a hostile way, but… speaking of which, I guess this is it.

This is the first time I’ve seen these two—Ashe and the Mi-na/Ri-na duo—interact.

"You’re right. —Come here."

"Huh?"

As I was lost in thought, Ri-na grabbed my arm and dragged me along. Our destination was the princess, who had been listening magnanimously from her throne.

And upon reaching Ashe’s presence, the pipsqueak, for whatever reason…

"W-whoa, hey!?"

"…………What are you doing?"

…she pulled me into a full-force, unrestrained, no-holds-barred hug.

Naturally, I yelped in fluster, while Ashe narrowed her eyes and asked what she was doing. Just a few dozen centimeters away, the pressure from her glittering garnet eyes was terrifying.

"Presenting evidence."

But this one, one half of the famed Eastern Wings, remained unfazed and unyielding.

"Lend me your hand."

"…?"

Still clinging to me with one arm, she used her other to guide Ashe’s hand—

""……………………………………""

"Uh? What are you guys doing?"

—and placed it flat against her own thin chest.

Well, not really her chest, but right in the middle. Around her solar plexus…

"This is my current proof. My heart… doesn’t race for Onii-san."

At Ri-na’s words, I belatedly understood.

I see, her heartbeat.

An avatar’s heartbeat in Arcadia is a pure manifestation of their ‘emotional value,’ uninfluenced by physical condition. It certainly couldn’t be faked.

"While we’re at it, this one too."

Then, Ashe’s guided hand landed on my chest.

"Onii-san’s heart doesn’t race for me, either."

"Well, that’s because…"

She’s more like a little sister, or a pipsqueak… I mean, I do think she’s cute, you know? But it’s more the kind of feeling you’d have for a small, mascot-like animal than a girl…

"Onii-san only sees me as a small, mascot-like animal anyway."

Crap, she read my mind perfectly. These people-savvy idols are scary.

"And as for me, I’m not some love-struck maiden with her head in the clouds who would fall for a guy who’s already being pursued by such an incredible lineup, this late in the game. …So, regarding the first point, you can rest assured."

"………………"

And Ashe’s reaction was—

"…I understand. I will trust you for now."

—a calm one… or so I thought, but perhaps I was being a bit naive.

"—Then, the second point. Regarding the behavior you expect from Haru… I imagine it’s something like, ‘Nothing in particular. I’m the only one who will change my behavior. I’d be happy if Onii-san just continues to be his usual, moderately flustered self who goes with the flow and ultimately accepts things’… correct?"

"……………As I thought, Princess, you’re… scary. I find you a little hard to deal with."

That was likely a move to show that she could see right through her. A perfectly executed checkmate against a target of caution who had approached so boldly and without warning.

And so, whether it was an act or not, as Ashe calmly gazed with an impassive expression at Ri-na, who had hidden behind me as if slightly intimidated… —Ashe’s verdict was delivered.

"I understand. He is the man I fell in love with, after all. I suppose it can’t be helped if a little sister or two appears."

"What are you even talking about???"

I had no idea what she was saying, but it was, at any rate, an affirmative.

Approval, number two.

---

Next chapter: The final boss, the original little sister (O-Sora-san).