Part 301: Dialogue with a Hero

In the end, I ended up being led around by Mr. Tōru for no particular reason, and in the end, I was treated to a burger at the "Cowboy Kitchen" in the Western Area.

Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to meet any of the other "players" working as guardians, but thanks to Toll's exceptionally cheerful personality, I never found myself bored.

I'll skip over the lengthy, rambling conversation I had with her at that time.

There might be something worth mentioning later, but—let's put it simply,

"Really, is it okay for us to just idly linger here like this?"

"Everything's fine, everything's fine!"

"But there might be someone right now who's on the verge of dying!"

"Relax, relax! You don't need to worry about things you can't even see—stop stressing yourself out, you'll go bald!"

"There might be a more fundamental way to resolve this incident."

"Right now, I can't help but think about it—no more, no more!"

"Will I be able to manage things ahead of me?"

"I don't know! But stay upbeat and keep going!"

"If something happens and my mistake hurts my friends..."

"Then let's just go eat some fried chicken!"

That was pretty much the gist of our repeated exchanges.

Talking with her, I felt like I'd just had a little bit of my worries relieved.

It felt like the dark, heavy clouds lingering in my heart had been blown away.

People with her kind of positive attitude are probably the ones who'll last the longest.

If you're serious about running a marathon, you have to understand your own limits clearly.

"...Mr. Tōr, you really do have that heroic vibe about you."

"Souka?"

"Yes. A bit forceful at times, though."

"Like, 'Shut up!! Let's go!! (thump!)'... that kind of thing?"

"That's right. Hehehe. You're quite familiar with Japanese manga, aren't you?"

"Foreigners studying in Japan are, like, a hundred percent into anime and manga."

"A hundred percent... that's a bit of an exaggeration, don't you think?"

"No, I'm serious."

...And so, like that, as the day wore on, the sun began to set.

With a faint sense of reluctance, I said goodbye to Tōru, returned to my usual sleeping pod, and went out for dinner with Zuirī, Asaka, and Miharu. We checked the status of our video channel, discussed tomorrow’s plans, bowed our hands together in gratitude with “Gochisousama,” then headed straight to the shower room. While waiting our turn, I washed the clothes I’d wear tomorrow in the washing machine with a dryer. That night, I treated myself to a warm shower, feeling cozy and relaxed as I took out my laundry and carefully folded it. As I watched the TTRPG replay video by the “Storyteller” girl, I gradually grew drowsy—and suddenly realized, the morning had already arrived.

The appointment with Nanaomi Negu was, if I recall correctly, at eight o'clock in the morning at the attraction called Nakkie's House, located within the Cartoon Area.

▼

On that day, I skipped my usual morning exercises to conserve energy, took a quick cold shower as usual, gave myself a light magical recharge, and then headed toward the Cartoon Area.

When I arrived at Nakkie's House, a small crowd had already gathered, with two women at the center of it.

One of them was Nanzu Nanami.

And the other—she's the one who used to work as a gatekeeper. The dancer.

—By the way, she's also a member of the "Immortal Squad."

The information I heard yesterday from the "Gambling Master" seems to be proving useful already.

The two of them were quite the contrast to my light attire, heavily armed and armored.

They could easily pull off a scene like, "Oh, you're actually a girl... (swoon)."

The dancer, upon spotting us, approaches with a bouncy, springy gait.

"Ah ah! Greetings, 'Nameless' dear!"

Before I can even respond with a "Hello,"

"You're not looking too lively! Greetings, 'Nameless'—dear!"

"Ah yes, greetings..."

"Fu fu fu fu fu fu fu fu fu fu fu fu fu fu"

Still as offbeat as ever, I see.

"Back when you didn’t introduce yourself before. I’m Mai, Souda Mai—‘dancer’ of the left and right."

Just as I was about to introduce myself in return,

"Anyway, this one’s Jiji the cat! 'Nyan!' (puppet voice)"

With a magician’s flair, a kitten doll popped out of his pocket.

"………………"

"Aha-ha-ha-ha! Just kidding!"

Wow. Having to deal with this mood all day? This is hell.

"Um... Is everyone else dressed the same?"

"Not yet. Ran-chan's still not ready."

"Ran... You mean the Seven-裂 Lan, the Guardian?"

"That's right. You know her?"

"Yeah."

"Well, that's only natural! She's the mascot of 'Cowboy Kitchen,' after all!"

Oh, that's right.

Apparently, according to rumors, the food made by the Seven-裂 siblings is absolutely delicious.

Now that you mention it, I actually had the pleasure of eating the yakisoba that Riru-kun made.

Even though I'm more of a takoyaki fan than a monjayaki fan, I was truly impressed by that skill.

After chatting for a moment in place, somewhat delayed,

Sorry for making you wait! Here I am!

And suddenly, RAN appears in a rush.

It had been a long time since we'd seen each other, and—almost simultaneously, we froze in expression.

Tight-fitting shirt, hot pants.

Our outfits—Ran and me—were identical, as if mirrored in the reflection.

At the same time, Mayi burst into laughter.

"Aha-ha-ha-ha! What's this, like twins or something?"

We, on the other hand, made bitter faces.

Tall, you old trickster—so that's how you set this up, you rascal.

Honestly.

What a ridiculous hero, after all.