That 363: Days of Fuzziness

After the party ended, I took a long-overdue shower and returned to my familiar room... or rather, my usual resting spot.

I wondered what Suzuri and Asuka were up to, so I went to check on them—and they emerged, both wearing expressions like moles crawling out of their holes.

Neither seemed particularly unusual.

"Sorry, Senpai... When I'm focused, time just flies by... Did something happen?"

The sheer, high-level obliviousness of not noticing everyone else battling monsters—quite a remarkable display of natural cluelessness.

So, the days I was suffering as if on the verge of death—apparently, that was just an ordinary part of their daily routine.

I felt a small sense of relief in my shoulders.

"Well, it's not like it matters much..."

This is what it means to protect peace. Probably.

▼

After that, I spent the following days quite leisurely.

The reason was that the two individuals scheduled for a collaboration—"Story Princess" and "Song Princess"—had unfortunately passed away.

Due to the overall atmosphere of self-restraint within the "Kingdom," during the period before everyone had been revived, the daily rankings were dominated by serious discussion videos—leaving us, who had mostly created light-hearted content, nearly powerless to do anything.

I couldn't bring myself to move forward either, so I continued doing nothing more than helping out with Satori's videos on a daily basis.

Our goal has not changed since then.

・Reviving a companion.

The theft of the Soul Restoration Machine, "Soul Replicator."

Both are difficult problems that aren't easily solved.

Amid those days weighed down by vague unease, I unexpectedly found a new path—one day at a certain tea gathering.

▼

"Want to see Reika? Sure, go ahead."

Being so casually given permission, I nearly choked on my tea.

The two companions sharing my table are Nyakky, and Mayi-san—quite an unusual pair.

This tea gathering was arranged by Mayi-san, her way of showing consideration.

She must be trying to help me in her own way, wanting to mend things with Ayane-chan.

...But watching Ayane-chan still not taking off Nya-kky's mask, it seems she still has something on her mind...

"Can you really just casually meet like that?"

"Yeah. Just talking, that’s fine."

Then Mayi-san adds, "Yeah. Just talking, that’s right."

"But I heard she’s always tightly guarded by her escorts."

"It’s fine. Don’t worry—she’s actually pretty tough, despite how she looks."

"...Old-timer?"

"That's right."

I pressed my fingers against my forehead, deep in thought.

It's my usual habit to doubt a good story at first.

"But then why is Hanakai-san...?"

She seemed to imply that meeting with Reika-san wouldn't be simple.

"Huh? Momoka? What's the connection between Niyaky and Momoka?"

There was a sharp edge in her tone.

Ah, right. She was already killed by Hakuba once before...

Perhaps wearing the Nya-ki mask was originally meant to avoid meeting Haku's face.

Impressive, Hakuha-san. Are you planning to keep making enemies of players all over the world at this rate?

……Well, alright then. I understand. When can I possibly meet Reika-san?

Right away

"Amazing"

Then, let's head out right after we've had our tea.

"By the way, about baggage checks...?"

"There aren't any, right?"

"Huh?"

That's way too loose.

This is quite different from what Hakuha-san said.

▼

...It didn't take long before I realized my assumptions were completely off.

I should have noticed right away when I was led not to the majestic Avienia Castle standing at the heart of the 'Kingdom,' but to a bland, tasteless concrete structure with a massive radio tower atop it.

Behind the attractions and the broadleaf trees, cleverly concealed around the staff area, young girls affiliated with the "Speak Up Girls Club" stand holding signs reading, "The Land Issue of Gran Delinia," and "Some Adults to Avienia," among others.

With expressions that seem weary from life, as soon as they catch sight of us,

"Accept adult refugees in Avienia!""Restore democracy!""We oppose Reika's dictatorship!"

they shouted at the top of their lungs.

To be fair, their arguments seemed quite reasonable, but—unfortunately, I couldn't focus on that right now.

"Hey, Nya-kky and Mayi-san"

"Hmm?""What is it?"

"Could it be that you can actually talk to Reika...—"

"Of course, through the video camera."

...Ugh. Gulp...

I'd gone through all that trouble to get the 'Magic Pocket (Weight Limit)' and stuffed it full of stuff like that...

It seems like we can't use the 'MacGuffin' without a direct meeting.

Still, it might offer some clue about what we should do next—our rebellion against Reika-san.

With a deep sigh, I stepped into the building.