kscans

Chapter 427 - A True Girls' Party

"My path to the dark side has only just begun. The darkness of the ebony beast runs deeper… I lost because I underestimated the power of the beast."

"That cat seemed like an event boss, so there was no way we could win."

Parfait and Natsu had lost to the black cat Bishamonten and were now resting at the Maid Guild cafe in Azuma.

Natsu had fought the black cat, but while her equipment was good, she had almost no skills. She was quickly defeated by an attack that reduced her HP by half in a single blow. Afterward, Parfait, who couldn't attack, was also defeated.

They both resurrected in Azuma, but there were no particular penalties for being defeated. They could have gone out to play right away, but since it was her friend’s first day in this virtual reality, Parfait decided to treat her to something delicious and brought her here.

"What are you going to eat, Natsu-chan?"

"In that case, I shall have the dark Ouroboros. And for a drink, the forbidden fruit."

"A chocolate donut and apple juice, got it. Excuse me, one chocolate donut and one strawberry parfait, please. And two apple juices."

For a moment, the nearby customers glanced at the two of them after that exchange, but they quickly went back to their own business as if nothing had happened.

"As expected of my friend. You understand what I wish to say instantly."

"We’re childhood friends, after all."

"Even among childhood friends, someone like Abel would make a disgusted face."

"Abel-chan is a realist, or rather, he seems to be having a tough time with his acting work."

"I can understand how he feels. His entire family, except for his mother, Cecil-dono, are almost all actors. And they’re all said to be famous, so he must be under a lot of pressure. I wish he could relax a little. In fact, he should just fall to the dark side…!"

Abel’s grandfather, Veru, his father, Ash, and his aunt, Ren, were all famous actors.

Abel had also chosen the path of an actor. He was still playing minor roles, but with his handsome looks inherited from his father, he was quite popular. Sometimes people at school would ask her to get his autograph for them. She always refused.

"Your father, Natsu-chan, Mist-san, is said to be a master physician. Won’t it be tough for you, aiming to be a doctor, being compared to him?"

"I do not concern myself with such things. If I did, I could not master the path of the dark side…!"

"I’d like to learn from that mentality… but are you sure about that outfit? Isn’t it a bit too bold?"

"If I do not go on the offensive now, when will I?"

"Maybe after you become an adult?"

Basically, no skin was exposed. However, it was an outfit that clearly showed the lines of her body. The vampire-like cape did hide it, but Parfait wondered if it was appropriate for a high school student. It was better than being made to wear a horse mask, though.

"Welcome, young lady."

"I’m with acquaintances, so no need to show me the way."

"Understood."

Parfait heard such an exchange from behind her, but she turned around since it was a familiar voice.

"Diite-oneechan."

"Hello, Parfait-kun. Natsu-kun, we just met a little while ago. Do you have a moment?"

Diite said as she approached Parfait and her friend.

With a constant smile, she sat down in an empty chair and ordered a coffee.

"For the ‘god who is not God’ to visit in person, what could this mean? Could it be that the ‘organization’…!"

"No, no, that’s not it. My presence here is merely a personal ‘phenomenon.’ Now, Natsu-kun, be consumed by the sea of electrons…!"

As Diite said this, she stretched her right hand upwards. Then she casually made a peace sign, bent her elbow, and placed it sideways so her fingers were above and below her right eye. Then her right eye glowed red.

It was an emote that became usable after obtaining the title "Corroding Soul." It was extremely popular among some players. And Natsu, too, was getting excited.

"Diite-oneechan has fallen to the dark side…! But the timing for using that seems a little off…?"

"Hm? Is that no good? I studied quite a bit. How about, ‘Fall into the space between virtual and reality’?"

Natsu nodded happily, but all Parfait could do was give a wry smile. She wanted to ask what the world’s best AI was studying. Not that she disliked this playful side of her.

However, it was indeed rare, or rather, a first for Diite to come all the way here. There was a church in Azuma, and if you went there, you could meet Diite, but she always asked you to come to her. She never came to you.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t leave the church. They had gone for walks together outside before. But she had never come to see them without being called. Parfait grew a little worried that there might have been some kind of trouble.

"Diite-oneechan, did something happen, by any chance?"

"To put it simply, I received a doctor’s stop order."

"Don’t tell me it’s from playing too many games…?"

The phrase "doctor’s stop" was used when a doctor halted someone’s activities. Like when a doctor stopped a martial arts match due to a fighter’s injury.

Parfait worried that she was in a dangerous state from playing too much.

"To be more specific, Mist-kun has raised an objection to Natsu-kun’s attire. It looks like a family meeting is about to start before the birthday party."

"I see, so my father also saw the picture I sent to my mother. This world is too small for me…!"

"Well, a doctor is stopping you, but still…"

It was a bit of an anticlimax, but Parfait breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn't a dangerous situation. However, she did think the outfit was questionable, so she wanted to support Mist completely.

"It seems my father intends to stand in my way. He is truly a great wall I must overcome…"

"The dark side aside, Mist-kun is probably just worried about that outfit. It’s a piece from the Black Rose brand’s Rosalie series, so I also think it’s a bit early for your age."

Rosalie was Lunaria’s exclusive designer and the president of the apparel brand "Black Rose." Parfait had heard that she also designed some of the equipment in the virtual reality, and that the Black Rose brand was highly renowned.

Her father, Hayato’s, name had also become a brand, and his items fetched a high price in this virtual reality. She didn’t know the detailed reason, but apparently he was a legendary player.

Parfait had mixed feelings about it. Part of her wanted to know what he did, and part of her didn’t.

"Please tell my father that if I am to be embarrassed by this, I cannot master the dark side!"

"Is that so. You have a birthday party, but I will tell him beforehand. I want to respect your wishes, Natsu-kun."

"I heard my father also used the vampire transformation, a magic overflowing with the dark side. As expected of my father. Please tell him I shall follow in his path."

"I don’t think being a vampire and that outfit have much to do with each other, but I understand. However, in that case, Ruth-kun’s military uniform has gone to waste. I brought it all this way."

Diite said this and placed a set of equipment on the table.

As far as Parfait could see, it was indeed a military uniform. Not a military-style leotard like Natsu was wearing, but a proper military uniform. However, the pants were more like half pants that covered the knees.

"Ruth-san is…"

"He’s something of a disciple to Mist-kun and Damian-kun. It seems he’s called a genius surgeon now. Well, all their disciples are excellent and are highly valued at the Hospital—"

"I will wear that outfit."

"Natsu-chan?"

Natsu stopped her defiant smile and was now speaking with a normal one.

"It is not good to be selfish. I am in my father’s care. He pays for this game for me. It is only natural that I listen to what he says."

"Natsu-chan, do you have a fever?"

"Don’t be silly, Parfait-chan, I’m perfectly healthy."

As she said this, Natsu showed a radiant smile. It was, by all accounts, light side Natsu.

Parfait had seen Natsu become like this a few times before. It was usually when she had a cold and was delirious. Only then did the dark side recede.

Light side Natsu became incredibly popular at school. People even told her to catch a cold every day.

That Natsu was now staring intently at the equipment on the table.

"By the way, is that Ruth-san’s equipment?"

"That’s right. Ruth-kun also plays this game, but he’s reached an age where he feels uncomfortable wearing this kind of outfit. So I asked him for it. I thought it would be just right for you, Natsu-kun, since you seem to have a thing for military uniforms. This one doesn’t show the lines of your body, and the only skin exposed is below the knees. Mist-kun said it would be fine, so I brought it."

"I understand. I will wear that outfit."

"Is that so? Then, could you send a picture of you wearing it to Mist-kun? He seems worried."

"Yes, right away."

Natsu took the equipment and immediately switched her outfit. It wasn’t exactly age appropriate, but the sexiness was gone, and her appearance now emphasized a more youthful look.

Then, the three of them, including Parfait and Diite, took a picture and sent it immediately.

"Mist-kun should send a message of approval soon. It seems our order has arrived, so let’s enjoy a girls’ party."

"This is a girls’ party?"

"Ren-kun used to say that if three girls get together, it’s a girls’ party. I miss those days. We had many girls’ parties with Ren-kun and the others. We would listen to Ren-kun’s made-up love stories and have things like bucket pudding eating contests."

"Ren-kyoukan, she’s so beautiful, but she makes up love stories…? But bucket pudding?"

Even though she should have been busy with her acting career, Ren came to the cafe almost every week to talk about love. Or rather, to ask about it. When Parfait said she had no such stories, Ren would say things like, "Girls will die if they don’t fall in love!" As a child, Parfait took it seriously and was terrified.

She later found out that Ren had never had a boyfriend. It was surprising, given that she was rumored to be with various actors, but it was none of them.

"By the way, Natsu-kun."

"Yes, Diite-oneechan."

"Do you like that military uniform that much?"

"Of course. There is no better equipment than this. This is now my exclusive equipment. I will not give it to anyone."

"I see, then I should thank Ruth-kun. Oh, by the way, about your birthday party, Natsu-kun. It seems Ruth-kun will be a little late, but he can make it. He said to look forward to your present."

"Gufuu."

"Natsu-kun? Are you alright?"

Natsu clutched her chest with both hands. Then she writhed a little.

"…No, there is no need for concern. My heart just stopped for a moment, that is all."

"Is that not a major incident for a human? I think you’re fine since you haven’t been forcibly logged out, but…"

By this point, Parfait had figured it out. Natsu had feelings for Ruth.

Natsu, who usually complained that one of her eyes or her right hand ached, who wrapped herself in bandages without any injuries, and who researched cool poses, was experiencing her youth. And with love, no less. Just knowing that sent Parfait’s excitement through the roof.

"Natsu-chan!"

"Parfait-chan? Why the serious face?"

"How long have you been in love with Ruth-san?"

"Gufuu… I do not understand the meaning. Is love the ‘Broken Crown’ in the place called the Eternal Corridor? Or is it the ‘Fallen Star’?"

"Now, now, it’s okay. There’s only one thing I can say to you. I’ll support you with all my might!"

Parfait said this and gave a thumbs up.

"It’s not like that. It’s completely different. But I will say that you are the best friend. Etch that into your soul."

"Okay. Then for the plan, I’ll wear a paper bag and attack Ruth-san, and you can rescue him. I think that will make him fall in love with you."

"You are the best friend, but are you perhaps an idiot?"

Amidst their conversation, Diite clapped her hands together.

"I see. Putting it all together, Natsu-kun likes Ruth-kun. I’ve watched you for sixteen years and never noticed…"

"It’s not like that. It’s completely different. I need you both to calm down a little. Please recite pi."

"…I have calmed down after about ten thousand digits. Fufufu, so this is a true girls’ party. It’s not just listening to Ren-kun’s fantasies or eating sweets… Very well, I, the world’s greatest AI, shall bring Natsu-kun and Ruth-kun together. First, I will call Ruth-kun into the virtual reality, cover my face, and attack him. Natsu-kun can then rescue him."

"You are the world’s greatest AI, but are you perhaps a klutz?"

The girls’ party of three continued on, with them debating this and that.

But despite the time spent, none of their plans were adopted.