Operation Meeting 251

Under the blazing sun, we found a bench and table in the shade and settled down there, finding peace in the cool refuge.

Even with all the modifications, it's still Disneyland, after all.

Feels like we've arrived at an amusement park. Excitement is building up, isn't it?

We take a break, drinking the bottled water that Asuka prepared for us.

Since becoming a "liberated slave," I've gotten to the point where I can go without eating or drinking just fine.

With a faint smile, Asuka.

She recklessly pulled her jacket up just a little.

Look at this belly—completely transformed by LeanBody! Bwaaah, bwaaah♪ I could show this to my old self, the one who used to weigh herself every day, just to prove a point.

Even if there are only women here, that's still a bit inappropriate, don't you think?

See, even Satori-san’s ears turned completely red.

There are still people who are inexperienced, after all.

"…Well then, let’s get to the main topic."

Asuna snapped her fingers, changing the subject.

"First, I’ll share our progress on this side."

"Please do."

"First, we've managed to contact Kyoroku-san. Naturally, they're eager to help restore your memories. …However, apparently Haku-ka-san isn't here right now."

"Not here?"

"Yes. Apparently, after uploading a video yesterday evening, Haku-ka-san quietly went off to search for you at Kagahara. She won't be back until tonight."

No way. We must have missed each other completely.

I felt a bit relieved, or rather... it was a complicated feeling.

It was as if the timing of the execution had been delayed by just a tiny bit.

"That said, this might be considered a minor issue... compared to our mission."

"Indeed."

"We must revive Ko Suke-kun at all costs. And also Ayaka-chan."

At that moment, Satori-san immediately added,

"And also, Yuki-chan... we must save Yuuki Yuki from the Goden family as well."

"Yeah. Since we're at it, let's bring everyone back to life. Takana-kun, Kansaka-kun, Takada-kun too...! Let's get that list of the deceased from the Masataka family and revive everyone, everyone...!"

Asami seems to be speaking as if she's saying, "Don't worry—everyone killed can be restored like in Dragon Ball."

"Can you really bring the dead back so easily, all at once like that?"

"Yeah. The item Rika has—'Soul Replicator'—is seriously amazing. I've never seen it myself, though."

"Hmm..."

She seems to have complete faith in that 'Soul Replicator' of hers, but...

I can't help but find that kind of convenient story hard to believe. I just have a feeling there's something hidden behind it all.

It might just be my naturally pessimistic nature, but I can't imagine humanity escaping so easily from the grasp of "death"—after countless attempts to resolve it, never even finding a single clue.

"I'd really like to talk to Reika-san and convince her to make that Soul Replicator available to everyone..."

"Ah, that's probably impossible."

"Impossible?"

"I'm not exactly an expert on the situation, but... if it were possible, I think Rikako Hanei would have already done it. Rikako's stronger than you, and she's not as lazy as you are."

Ah...

That's right, I guess.

"So in the end, I guess the only thing we can do right now is... go straight ahead."

"Going straight ahead..."

"Yes. So..."

Asahina smiled warmly,

"Let's do it. Let's post a video."

Huh...?

Seriously, that's our only option?

There's no other way.

▼

The total population of citizens in the "Unreal Kingdom" is reportedly astonishing—over one hundred thousand.

While it doesn't feel that way in "Avienia," where there are age and gender restrictions for entry, "Grandelinia" seems quite crowded.

"So we have to make a video that'll entertain those hundred thousand people, huh?"

"Yes. By the way, Senpai, are you good at singing?"

"No, not at all."

"How about you, Tsumuri?"

The maid-clad girl hesitated slightly before saying,

"...I do like karaoke enough to go alone, but honestly, whether I can truly captivate a large audience? That's a bit difficult, maybe."

Hmm. So she's a solo karaoke fan—unexpected.

"Ah, I see~"

As she spoke, Asahina crossed out the "utaitemita" (singing video) note on her notepad.

Then she continued,

"Alright, how about a gaming livestream?"

"I'm pretty good at games, but... I'm terrible at talking while doing it. Huh, turns out multitasking isn't so easy after all. Joking around while controlling a character... it makes my head spin pretty quickly."

"Oh? That tone of voice—wait, senpai, have you actually tried this before?"

I look away, whistling a high-pitched "pew-pew-pew."

Asahina immediately writes a "△" in the "game livestream" section.

"Then, I guess this is turning into the classic 'tried it myself' type of video after all~"

"Wouldn't it be cool to make videos of flashy magic and skills?"

To my surprise, Satori was fully into it.

"Unfortunately, most high-tier Vivian players are usually 'players,' so stuff like that tends to get boring~"

...Wait, seriously, are we really going to keep exploring our potential like this?

"Hey, Asahina-san."

"?"

"Creating decent, entertaining videos is fine, but we don't have infinite time, you know."

Bringing the dead back to life is, in my opinion, one of the few ways to settle past mistakes—but we mustn't neglect the future by focusing solely on the past.

After all, we 'players' still have the power to save countless people who are suffering right now.

I understand, ♪ ……but, you know, I'm kind of enjoying this a little. ……after all, what we're doing now is something that might've happened at a university club if the world were peaceful. It feels like real youth… something like that…」

As Asuka smiled, a faint shadow flickered in her expression.

……Well, if it's fun and helps others at the same time, that's certainly a wonderful thing, I suppose.

▼

After that, the "strategy meeting" continued for several hours.

"Anyway, I think our debut video should really make a splash—something impactful, you know!"

"Can't we just do a regular introduction-style video?"

"Those usually end up feeling unfocused because the character's direction isn't clear. Plus, you always end up looking back and thinking, 'Wow, that was embarrassing!'—it's practically a given."

"Oh? A given, huh."

And then, the early videos where they wore cat costumes all over ended up haunting them like a curse—ah, terrifying, terrifying...

Actually, Shinji, you seem like the experienced one.

Just in your head?

"But you know, Senpai, you kind of have that vibe that otaku-types would naturally like—unexpectedly fun, a gloomy girl type, you know? Like, 'I'm the only one who's into that guy in class,' but actually, everyone else is thinking the same thing. Kind of like a hidden idol type..."

"Huh."

Wait, did she just insult me straight to my face? Am I imagining things?

"That's why I'm sure it'll work out fine, as long as you don't pick the wrong joke or gag."

"Mmm."

Honestly, isn't she acting like she's producing me specifically, of all people?

I mean, if I'm going to do anything, it'd be behind the scenes, not in the spotlight.