kscans

Chapter 952 - A Tale of How Happiness and Hardship Look Alike

In Arcadia, the difficulty of having a 'secret conversation' is generally extremely low.

It's the reverse pattern of the so-called 'Voice Transmission Assist' system, a feature that helps with vocal communication even in the midst of high-speed battles or deafening noise.

When you're having a very personal and private conversation that you wouldn't want others to hear, an effect kicks in that makes your voice inaudible unless someone is right next to you.

For example, during the climax of the Tenth Four Pillar War where Iris and I first met—

Well, the true climax of the entire event was a while after the two of us were eliminated, but anyway, ninety percent of our conversation during that battle was cut out because of that system.

It was apparently a rare case for such full-throated shouts to be muted… but basically, the system's blessing is kind enough to do us a favor.

For that reason, in the virtual world, while you might have to worry about 'prying eyes,' you generally don't have to worry about 'eavesdroppers' in most situations. Combined with the trust that ladies and gentlemen (Arcadians) wouldn't stoop to such ill-mannered behavior, it's a very kind world indeed.

—And for that very reason.

"Well… it'd be weird for me to agree that Mi-na is cute and all that, so let me just speak as a guy in a similar position, sharing my empathy…"

"Yeah… at this point, anything's fine. Honestly, this is less about seeking advice and more about wanting to vent to someone. If you're willing to make this a mutual venting session, I'd feel a lot better knowing I'm not the only one baring my soul. Please, go right ahead."

"Well, I figured as much, which is why I suggested it. …Anyway, what was I saying?"

"…………"

"————'Cute' is exhausting, isn't it?"

"————Every day, I feel like a piece of me is being shaved away."

This kind of insane conversation was perfectly safe; only the two of us could hear it.

"It's like… that 'cute' is a whole different thing from normal cute, you know? They should be different words with the same sound. Regular 'cute' can't even touch that 'cute'."

"…I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, but I agree from the bottom of my heart."

"Right, well anyway, everything about her just hits you right in the heart, doesn't it? It hits you, and you're like, oh no, this is bad, I can't, what do I do, can I be forgiven if I get on my knees and beg? That's how it feels, right?"

"…While I have some issues with your personalized choice of words, I'm mostly in agreement."

"See? So, yeah, I get it."

"…………"

"When a girl you want to cherish is cute, it's so damn hard it could kill you."

Honestly, I was already pretty close to my limit. Having this kind of frank talk with Irori of all people was so embarrassing I should have been writhing on the floor by now—

"………………You're right. It is hard."

But that same Irori had fired off the biggest, most over-the-top, ultimate salvo right at the start with, 'My girlfriend is so cute, help me (paraphrased).' If I backed down now, I'd be no man.

…So.

"The reasons why you and I 'can't make a move' are different, though."

I, too, slammed on the brakes, snapped them off, and got ready to hurl them into the distance.

"But the various mental burdens that arise from it… well, since we're both guys, I figure we can relate to each other's feelings. I think. Who knows."

And so, my dear friend, watching the brakes we'd thrown soar into the yonder, said.

"………………Haru."

"What is it?"

"I don't think of you as a playboy. On that premise, and with no intention of provocation or contempt, I want you to hear this as my genuine impression…"

"Man, you're really talkative today. Sure, I'm listening. What's up?"

"For the past month, I've often thought—you, who has been enduring this threefold, are a monster."

With a pathetic… yet, once again, most endearing and relaxed, strained smile I'd ever seen, he looked off into the distance and added those words.

Okay. That's enough for the opening jabs. So then—

Come what may.

"Hah. You want to talk about how, even with a generous estimate, I'm not enduring it at all?"

"…What? You, surely you haven't…"

"Whoa, hold on, that's not what I meant. I haven't laid a hand on them. I'm just saying, as you well know, I'm constantly being pushed around and toyed with. If you put it in terms of wins and losses, I'm on a massive losing streak."

"Ah, so that's what… but still, that can't be helped. Following your lead, I won't comment on your girls, but objectively speaking, all three are extraordinary in their own ways."

"You're telling me. I'm working on changing my mindset, but… on an instinctive level, I still don't feel like I'm a match for them. And there are three of them, you know? I'm getting killed every single day."

"…This might be rude to both you and them, but I sympathize. The reason I can't help but shudder is probably because my imagination is running a simulation with those three in her place."

"A triple Mi-na… that's a disaster in its own right—ah, sorry."

"No need to mince words when it's the truth. I think so too—as for me, I'm often impressed by how you can deal with the 'Princess' on equal footing."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"No matter what, any man would naturally be nervous. With beauty like that."

"Oh, ooh… So even you feel that way…"

"What in the world do you think I am?"

"A cool, handsome, blonde samurai."

"…At this very moment, I doubt I have a single shred of coolness left in me."

"Hey, you're not going to be humble about the handsome part?"

"I can't mince words when it's the truth, can I?"

"My opinion of you just dropped a bit, you bastard."

"…Says the colossal heartthrob who's been chosen by three beautiful princesses the world envies, led by a 'beauty that could topple nations' without any exaggeration. The men of the world will get you before they do, you know."

"Leave me alone. I told you I'm working on changing my mindset."

"Well, it's true that by the standards of the virtual world, you're on the plainer side."

"Come to think of it, do you guys have any contact in the real world?"

"Hey. Don't try to counterattack so suddenly, you acrobat."

"You do, don't you? Back at the trip in June, you hinted you'd exchanged real-life contact info, right?"

"………………"

"On that front, I was completely exposed during that very trip, you know?"

"…………………………We don't… meet up that often, but…"

"But?"

"…………When she 'absolutely insisted' and threw a tantrum, just once recently."

"After the confession?"

"…Yes."

"Hoh hoh…—And?"

"………………………………………………………………"

"Looking up at the heavens won't bring you salvation, you know."

"……………………Between the virtual world, and the real world…"

"Yep."

"There's probably an issue of consciousness, but…"

"Mhm."

"It's just, how do I put it, still………… different, you know."

"………………Their breathing, the warmth you can feel even without touching, or rather, the heat, or even more, their presence or aura—that kind of thing."

"…………………………………………"

"And of course, they feel much more like 'real girls' than they do here, in the virtual world."

"……………………………………………………"

"Everything about it is a special attack designed to kill men, and death is the only outcome. But they're so delicate and fragile that you hesitate to push them away. And the moment you accept them, even for an instant, there's no turning back."

"…………………………………………………………"

"I get it, my friend."

"…………………………………………………………………………Haru."

"Yeah?"

"…How much time do you have?"

"Hah—If worst comes to worst, I'll stick with you 'til morning."

"—…Sorry. I'm in your debt."

"I told you not to be, you damn samurai."

"Just accept my gratitude, will you?"

"Shut up and spit out your love-struck stories already. I'll take you on, bring it."

"…………You know, I've started to realize something recently."

"Huh?"

"When you get embarrassed, your speech gets sloppy and rude."

"I didn't ask you to spit out your analysis of me!!!"

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—Now then. As for how many hours that hellish conversation between two guys went on, neither Irori nor I were paying attention to the time, so the exact duration is unknown….

Well, for now.

Let it be known that when I logged out, I was greeted not by the darkness of night, but by the morning sun.