kscans

Chapter 888 - A Difficult Morning

“—”

The moment I lifted my eyelids, my thoughts booted up with the precision and speed of a high-spec PC.

It was a wake-up call so crisp and refreshing it felt unreal. Even without the melodious alarm that usually rang not by my ears, but inside my head, I knew instantly where I was.

It was the same old, unique sensation of waking up in a virtual world.

—Which is to say, after this and that, this was the morning after the first day of the event.

To prepare for the possibility of unscheduled surprise attacks—which I already knew could happen—it’s been my custom from the beginning to adjust my sleep schedule and volunteer for watch duty.

So, after the combat members, who went to bed right after the 11:00 PM VM raid, worked off the four-hour Sleepiness Debuff unique to the Starry Paradise event, I took their place and went to sleep at 3:00 AM.

From there, waking up at 7:00 AM has become my routine here in the [Starry Paradise].

On the very first day, the debuff hit everyone simultaneously at 9:00 PM VM, and we had a rough time fighting off the intense, accumulated drowsiness for a while… but, well, this is Arcadia.

Of course, the system allows for things like adjusting your life rhythm, so now everyone, myself included, has their debuff activation times perfectly regulated.

So, what does this all mean?

Basically, I'm the last one in our group to wake up, so it's only natural that by the time I'm up, the area outside my room is already bustling with activity. It's the usual scene.

And that's fine. In the real world, waking up to a cacophony would definitely be bad for my mental state, but with the supremely refreshing wake-up feeling of the virtual world, it's no problem at all.

Which is why, now.

As I woke, I felt a strange sense of wrongness. I lifted my head and looked—and there, the source of the great problem that made my face twitch spectacularly was the little trespasser resting her cheek by my pillow as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“…………………………………………What are you doing?”

My first words upon waking were a pure question, and the response I got was a faint smile.

“I thought it was the little sister’s duty to wake up her big brother.”

“You know, just appreciating someone’s sleeping face doesn’t count as waking them up.”

The self-proclaimed little sister and illegal trespasser said something amusing, but the situation was anything but. Sure, I don't lock my door so they can wake me in an emergency, but barging in during non-emergencies to stare at my sleeping face is a criminal act.

“…Hey, how long have you been here?”

“Hm… about thirty minutes, maybe?”

“Then wake me up! Wait, no, being woken up while my debuff is clearing would be a pain too…!”

It’s a criminal act. Guilty little sister.

“…Big Brother.”

“Whoa, what are you about to say? I’m getting a bad feeling, so maybe you should just stop talking.”

“It’s not just your sleeping face, but when you’re completely relaxed, your face looks so young. It's cute.”

“Seriously, where are your brakes?!”

It’s like… ever since her big brother declaration, she hasn't calmed down one bit; she's in a state of complete invincibility. Whatever I say is like talking to a brick wall. It’s probably impossible to stop her with words.

Thus, I had to intercept the small hand that was, without learning its lesson, about to unleash its signature patting attack. I mercilessly grabbed her wrist, and though she didn't hide her dissatisfied expression, I couldn't let her have her way.

“Good morning.”

“Mmph… Good morning.”

As I sat up, I tossed her a greeting with a sullen look, and all I got back from my selfish little sister-figure was—as expected—a cheeky tone that didn't hide her displeasure.

◇◆◇◆◇

“Ah, good mornin’ to ya!!!”

“Hey, morning.”

This is a virtual dream world, so there’s no need to get ready after waking up.

Hoisting up the fool who was spouting some sleepy nonsense about—of all things—a good morning skinship session between close siblings, I stepped outside and headed for the plaza, where I was greeted by a voice overflowing with cheerfulness, the very definition of a bright “good morning.”

I returned the greeting to Nono-san, who at a glance looked as carefree as ever today, and the usual members around her followed suit with their own “mornings”… all while I glared at one particular spot.

“Huh? W-What? Why are you glaring at me…?”

“I’m quite sure you’re well aware of the why, are you not?”

I'd already received the absurd fact from none other than Ri-na that she’d ‘gotten permission from Nia-san.’ It was ridiculous for her to even seek Nia's approval, and just as ridiculous for Nia to grant it. My circle seems to consist entirely of people who are, in ways big and small, completely nuts.

“I-It’s fine, isn’t it? Just waking him up… It doesn’t seem like you two are really… you know, conscious of each other like that.”

So you sent her in with complete trust and confidence, huh? Ha, hilarious.

“‘Waking me up’? She was just endlessly appreciating my sleeping face.”

“…Ri-na-chan?”

“I thought a big brother's sleeping face belongs to his little sister.”

“I-In that case, I think it would be better to make it shared property…!!!”

My circle consists entirely of people who are, in ways big and small, completely nuts.

“So popular in the morning! You little—Ah, I’m sorry, I’m really sorry! Stop, don’t wrap me up like that, it’ll create a scene that’s way too intense for the morning…!”

And so, after sentencing the fearless orange one who’d jumped in with a tease to punishment by shadow-thread-wrapping, the banter came to a close for now. I let out a grand sigh to forcibly move things along…

“Let me just confirm… everyone’s still set on going, right? No changes?”

I was referring to the topic that came up yesterday after we returned with our ‘findings’ from the wide-area survey. Of the ‘usual members’—counting Tetsu-san as an exception from the general populace—nearly everyone except for myself and one other person raised their hands or voices.

“Yes, yes! Nonomi-chan is definitely going!”

“Well, I’m free.”

Affirming with their voices were one ball of energy and one little cat.

And then, raising her hand timidly while looking away with an indescribable expression was the indigo girl. And clinging to me—or rather, practically biting me—as if to say ‘I have zero intention of leaving your side’ was the invincible tiny little-sister type.

In other words, all the girls.

…I get it. I do, and… yeah, I get it, but still. Given what ‘that topic’ is about, this is more than just a little heavy for me.

Seriously, do I, a guy, really have to go with them?

Well, it’s not a matter of ‘going with them,’ since I’m the only one who can actually take them there distance-wise. So, fundamentally, if I don’t go, it’s a non-starter. But still.

But still… While one guy remained reluctant even after a new day had dawned, the others were a different story.

“Aah, I’m so excited! Time for a vacation!”

“It is an active field, you know. Don’t let your guard down too much.”

“Looking forward to it.”

“…R-Right. Well, yeah. I am looking… forward to it, I guess…”

Aside from the one who was a noisy party all by herself, it wasn't exactly a roaring celebration, but including Nia, who seemed to be blushing more than anything, the four ladies all looked genuinely excited.

Which is exactly why I only had one ally.

With that thought, I sent a pleading gaze—a cry for mercy, really—to my male companion standing beside me.

“…Tetsu-san, you’re really not coming?”

“I think I’ll pass. You guys have fun.”

“I’m not the kind of outgoing person who can genuinely enjoy this stuff…”

In the end, all that was revealed was the merciless fact of my complete and utter isolation. This time, no matter how grand a sigh I heaved, it was certain the situation wouldn’t just blow over.

“…Are you okay?”

“I am not.”

Little sister, please help your big brother—ah, right, she’s on the side that’s cornering me.

Someone, anyone, please save me.

---

Next time, a vacation from hell. The protagonist will die.