kscans

Chapter 912 - 10/31

—A week had flown by since the rankers were sorted into teams and the whirlwind conquest began.

The time was late October. In this modern era, 'late autumn' was but a name; the occasional spring-like warmth would make an appearance, causing one to tilt their head and wonder, Is winter actually coming? It was the midst of a crazy climate.

"'Kay then, we should be wrapping up in about two hours~'"

"Right, got it."

But the surging waves of hot and cold were no match for me. Was it the work of Arcadia's mysterious health-maintaining technology, or perhaps the durability of this part-timer warrior's body it sustained?

Today, as always, my only asset was my energy, and I was hard at work with preparations in my room.

It was Sunday, just before four in the afternoon. Two hours from now would be six o'clock… The 'guests' would likely arrive just as the sun had fully set.

Have the four seasons just vanished? I couldn't help but wonder. And yet, the length of the days didn't feel all that different—though whether that was fact or just my imagination was a toss-up.

"Hmm… Well, for an amateur, this is pretty darn good."

Phone in one hand after ending the call, I gazed upon my creation and offered my critique.

Though I regularly bake sweets as a hobby, I could count on one hand the number of times I'd gotten serious about making this. I had my worries, but… again.

For an amateur's work, it was more than sufficient. I felt my effort would be appreciated.

With that settled, I carefully placed the product of my time and effort in the refrigerator to rest—

"Alright, let's do this."

Time for round two. My time limit was a little over two hours.

I had already finished the prep work, so all that was left was the cooking and finishing touches. But given the sheer quantity, I knew I'd have to push myself to finish in time.

They were kind enough to let me take half of Sunday—a precious chunk of dungeon-crawling time—off. If I didn't deliver perfection, I wouldn't be able to face my party members.

Right then, first up… I suppose I'll take on the pot of gar… garbutsui…—

I mean, the rolled cabbage.

◇◆◇◆◇

"—Heeey! I'm here!"

"You're always so full of energy."

"Energy is all I've got!!!"

"Says the person who's like a whole collection of talents rolled into one."

A doorbell, followed by a scene at the entrance. Just as the minute hand ticked past six-thirty, the first of my guests to arrive was, as expected, a beautiful young woman with flaxen hair.

It had been a few months since we first met. By now, she was a close friend. It was the esteemed Mitsueda-san, the 'Painter, Idol Voice Actress, and Illustrator Archiver.'

And following behind her—

"'Sup!"

"Yo, welcome."

—was a ridiculously handsome, tall guy with stylish black hair that had brown mesh highlights. The well-worn rider's jacket suited him perfectly. His name was Kurakake Hayato.

He was none other than my new friend… or rather, comrade-in-arms.

In other words, Hayagake-shi. Mitsueda-san's cousin.

"Man, seriously. It smells amazing. So you're really a pro-level cook, Haru-kun?"

"That's an exaggeration, and I'd rather you not judge based on smell from the doorway."

This was the second time we'd met in real life.

Mitsueda-san had introduced us during the cooldown period after the Green Connect raid. Since then, we'd kept in touch and deepened our friendship.

Unlike in the virtual world, where he gave off a slight vibe of having communication difficulties, the real-world Hayagake-shi—or 'Hayassan'—was a pretty high-energy guy.

He's a bit forward, but our shared status as comrades made becoming friends in real life instantaneous. He's already invited me on a tandem motorcycle trip, and when I told him I adamantly preferred public transportation, he just laughed it off.

As someone who's heard all about his various heroic exploits (read: stupid stories) from his cousin, I can tell you it's no laughing matter.

—Anyway, putting the dear speed demon aside for a moment.

"What's wrong, you're all hunched over. —Come on in, you two."

"'Scuse me!"

"Same for me!"

Behind Mitsueda-san, and even further behind Hayassan, was today's guest of honor, who was trying to erase her presence for some reason, looking uncharacteristically timid… or maybe just nervous.

Ah, yes. Excuse me.

It was the girl with indigo hair, Liliania Vroubely.

Mitsueda-san has been to my room a few times, but she visits the Yotsuya dormitory quite often. Hayassan, on the other hand, was a first-timer to both my room and the dorm, yet he strode in with a fearless confidence.

Compared to those two, the last person to enter should have been far more accustomed to my room. Yet Nia hesitated nervously at the entrance, stopping beside me.

Yeah, I get it.

I knew what was expected. We would all say it together later, but she wanted to hear it first. It was easy to read her, and I'd been planning on it from the start.

And so, since we'd been left alone without any need to force the timing…

"—Happy birthday."

There was no reason at all to hesitate with the celebratory words.

For today, October thirty-first, was a momentous occasion: Nia's twentieth birthday.

As she reached an age that many Japanese people strongly associate with 'adulthood,' she heard my simple greeting—one which I'd tried my best to fill with sincere congratulations.

"…!"

As if to hide the broad grin spreading across her face…

…she delivered an extremely low-power body blow before scurrying into the room.

---

And so, Nia-chan's birthday is on 10/31. Etch it into your hearts, my fellow comrades of the Milmarinus, Fairy of Blue Jade fan club.