That 258: The Taste of Sweet Hope

If a trial had come for Tenko Tsuzuri, it arrived immediately afterward.

Four of the "Princesses" simultaneously came to the bath they were in, bombarding her with questions.

With six people cramming into a hot tub meant for only two or three, it was naturally packed to the brim. The boy, caught in the flow, ended up submerged up to his shoulders, squeezed tightly between the "Story Maiden" and the "Song Maiden."

He couldn't help but think, somewhat embarrassingly, of a slug mating.

It was, to put it mildly, exactly the kind of scene a newly awakened middle school boy might dream about.

"So, about that 'senpai' of yours..."

Tenkyou Tsuzuri, her head feeling like a boiled octopus, still desperately tried to keep a composed expression as she replied.

"Who are you?"

"Someone who was, quite honestly, just an ordinary high school girl."

"What's your personality like?"

"I like games and manga—someone who'd probably be reading quietly in a classroom corner. But I'm not without humor. Once you start talking to me, you'd realize I have all sorts of interesting thoughts..."

The more I talk, the more everything from the past few days spills out, and I can't seem to stop.

Only then did I finally realize—I apparently liked her quite a bit.

—You abandoned your comrades yesterday… You had the power to save them, yet you did nothing. Are you truly aware of what you've done?

I remember saying exactly that to her on the day of my duel with Yorihiko Ginko.

I knew it myself, of course. It was just a small act of misplaced anger.

I always felt guilty for being unable to stand at the forefront, for my own weakness. That's why...

"Moreover... someone who would risk their life for their comrades."

"Hmm."

The "Storyteller" looked at the android with an expression as if scanning the structure of matter,

"Any experience with killing?"

"I... don't know."

Then Asuka interjected,

"Just once. But I was told it was only for self-defense."

"I see."

The "Story Maiden" nodded thoughtfully,

"Nothing about him seems like he's lying—judging by what I've heard, he does seem fairly decent. … What's his level?"

"Was it around 85, I think?"

"85? … That's absolutely incredible. He might even be on par with Hana or Rika. Anyone else who's reached that level...?"

The "Song Maiden" interjected.

"The forger guy was also above 80, right? Anyone above 70, like Tōru from 'Guardian'... There were a few others too..."

"Yeah, that's right, that's right."

To Tenkyō Tsumuri, this was information worth being surprised by.

She hadn't spent her time playing 'Apocalypse' like others. She'd worked alongside companions and earned a considerable amount of experience points, she believed.

Even if "she" and the "Reincarnated" are exceptional, to think there still exists a "player" who can rival them...

"Well, in terms of level, you're definitely strong too—aren't you? 'Liberator'?"

Apparently, it had been revealed through the [Skill Inspection] without her noticing.

Of course, the same went for her—Tenshi Tsuzuri was checking the jobs and levels of the four "Princesses."

"Song Princess," Chida Mizuki.

Level 52. Job: "Minstrel."

"Storyteller," Enmoto Kazuha.

Level 39. Job: "Miracle Worker."

"Laughter Princess," Negu Nanami.

Level 53. Job: "Playboy."

"Commentary Princess," Tora-yama Toraiko (Temporary).

Level 79. Job: "Gambler."

——Following the "Dancer" who was at the entrance, the first-time high-tier jobs keep coming.

Whether a "minstrel," a "playboy," or a "gambler," each seems like a perfect job for this kingdom of pleasure.

I don't have much strength of my own. I've come this far entirely carried on the back of the "warrior" person.

The Storyteller nodded, "Well, I suppose that makes sense."

By the way, does that "her" of yours enjoy table-top RPGs?

"TRPG... is it?"

"Yeah, just about ready to get tired of our little in-house session, so I'm looking for someone new to join."

"I can't say for sure about that... but now that you mention it, I recall hearing those kinds of terms when we saw that 'zombie' before..."

"Roll a 1d8 for sanity check," or something like that.

I think that was an RPG dice-rolling term, right?

"Hmm. So you do have at least a basic understanding of it, then?"

"Probably..."

Thinking to himself, "Could it be that I'm just making things up to suit my own convenience?"

But the TRPG session invitation was undeniably a collaboration that worked well for him. In that case, they were merely characters appearing in the video. Depending on how they handled themselves, they could naturally boost their visibility without alienating viewers.

Looking at her, Kumano Asuka winks with sparkling eyes, giving a signal: "Push me more!"

"Then, when 'she' wakes up, I'll contact you again."

"Got it, count on me!"

Suddenly, the 'singer' beside him on the other side squeezes the boy tightly between her arms,

"Ahh, ah, ah, that's unfair. I'm interested too, you know!"

"You're reading the air too much. You're just not cut out for things like this... It's actually a rare talent to be able to get serious about something like Gam."

"But that's not fair..."

Tenkyou Tsumuri, completely detached from the conversation sandwiched between them, suddenly remembered the day her close friend Ryūhei had ended up in a brutal brawl with his older brother—only to end up so shaken he'd lost control of his bowels.

"Besides... using these guys is like a futures trade."

"Futures...?"

"Debut video slicing through a U.S. nuclear missile—now that's got some buzz. These kids are bound to become popular instantly."

True, when you think about it.

If that's the case,

・It'll make a massive impact.

・Equipment consists only of a smartphone and a low-spec notebook PC.

—those are exactly the conditions we discussed earlier with Asuka-san.

"We'll need a bit of time from the session until the video is ready, since I'm having an artist draw the character illustrations. If we're going to do this, let's get the filming done as soon as possible."

So spoke the "Storyteller."

"Ah, ah, ah, ah... If there's a chance, I'd like to join in on a duet... Even if I'm not good at singing, there's already a musical-style project moving forward..."

So spoke the "Singer."

"...Well, I've got a plan too. Hehehe. 'Trying out an expedition to another world'... I'm gonna charge into that 'infinite spring' gate... hehehehe. Just in time, too—needed some strong troops."

And the "Laughing Princess."

"---I don't really have anything specific in mind, but if it means making some money, maybe I'll play some party-style game."

And, "Commentary Princess."

Takamiya Tsumuri's heart fluttered faintly at the unexpected invitation.

—If things go this way, reviving Yuki might not be so difficult...?

To someone who had once truly tasted despair, this was a sweet hope so intoxicating it made the head spin.

Or perhaps... this was exactly what the queen she'd never even met—Shizukawa Reika—had in mind all along.