kscans

Chapter 942 - Re: The Observers

“—Feels like we’ve finally come as far as we can, doesn’t it?”

It was a realistic space, save for the fact that it had no entrances or exits.

Rows of equipment. Dim lighting. And aside from the lively clamor broadcast from countless monitors, a silent observation room where, without exaggeration, not a single sound was made.

A gap in the world, where only a very select few were permitted to tread.

“There’s still plenty of room to expand horizontally, I suppose, but as far as altitude is concerned… this has to be the current peak, right? For both of them.”

If so, the one to spin words in such a place was, as always, the same voice.

If anything ever changed, it was—

“...Yes, you're right. It’s quite moving.”

—the number of voices. The only difference was whether it was a monologue or a conversation.

“Honestly, I’m surprised. A lot of this has far exceeded my expectations. Sora-chan is one thing, but I never thought he had this much capacity.”

The youthful voice floated, tinged with its usual smile.

“Even as the second ‘Gifted,’ I figured he couldn’t possibly match the ‘Princess’… I underestimated him. It wasn’t a matter of matching her at all.”

“Haha… I suppose it’s no wonder ‘she’ took a liking to him,” the deeper voice replied, also laced with an affectionate chuckle.

“…………—”

Through the screen, across worlds.

Beside his partner, who had, without knowing it, been chosen and had walked her own path to become a fine ‘vessel.’ He watched the face of the young girl soaring freely, a desperate yet refreshingly alive expression on her face.

As he gazed upon his beloved daughter’s face, his own expression was, as always…

As always, it was one of suppressing the sadness he carried, a sorrow named ‘sin.’

“……”

And beside him.

His subordinate, his only co-conspirator, who, also as always, glanced at his profile.

“...—Togo-san.”

And yet, it wasn't the same as always.

With a voice that was somehow light, almost detached, but still holding a smile… yet carrying a weight that proved it was not just a whim, he called Yotsuya Togo’s name.

“I can’t bring myself to like the virtual world, or ‘her,’ but…”

And then, their respective black eyes met.

“I actually quite like Haru Kasuga-kun. You know, he’s— ”

This was more than rare.

“—He’s the very picture of a protagonist who would kick a bad ending aside and just keep running.”

It was a word of comfort, understood only between the two of them.

A word of genuine consideration, even if it might not offer much solace.

Handed such a thing so unexpectedly, Yotsuya Togo stared at Kazuharu Chitose’s face as if to ask what had gotten into him, before—

“...Even before he dived into the virtual world.”

—it was nothing complicated. He, too, was only human, and it was only natural that he could be captivated by such brilliance. With a small sigh born of an understanding that needed no confirmation, he said,

“He already had a track record for that.”

“Yes, precisely.”

His gaze shifted. From his co-conspirator beside him, to his daughter on the screen.

And then, to the young man next to his daughter.

That innocent smile had long since become a familiar sight. Watching it from a distant world, he—

“Ah, that’s right. I have a message from Kasuga-kun for you. He said, ‘I have something to talk about, so please make some time.’ It’s unclear if it's addressed to his father-in-law or his client.”

“………………………Understood. I shall prepare some time, and my resolve, in the near future.”

Though a bitter taste lingered in his mind,

a faint, relaxed smile touched his lips, as if he had caught a cold.