That 384: Changing Clothes

Not long after, five figures pushed through the crowd of onlookers.

Suzuri, Asuka, Miharu.

And two others—Tōru, the "Guardian," and Soga-san.

"Senpai! Are you hurt!?!"

"Ah... I'm fine. At least I'm not the one acting like a giant robot like that person over there."

"Legs are just for show. It doesn't matter at all, does it?"

Asuka spoke coldly, dismissively.

Then, she hastily shoved into my hands a bag filled with snack bread and a change of clothes, as if she'd prepared it in a rush.

"Whoa. So many snack sticks... Thanks a lot."

"You're welcome. But seriously, change of clothes first! Senpai looks like he's been raped a million times."

"A million...?"

Smiling awkwardly as I took the bag, I glanced down at Riru-kun lying right beside me.

He was still unconscious, but since he was receiving a healing spell from his companions, he wouldn't die.

With the healing power of a "player," even a severed leg should reattach, restoring the body to perfection.

Having confirmed as much, I quietly hid in the shadows and quickly changed clothes.

Wearing the nostalgic red track suit, the official uniform of Gakagakou High School.

▼

"Wow, wow! You really don't look right without that outfit, do you!"

Smiling warmly as always, Tōru Vladimirov. There was no trace of resentment in her expression, as if she didn't mind being bested by a friend.

"That was quite a show earlier! Great job, Otusukare."

"Huh..."

Inside, I thought to myself that if I had to fight this person right now, I'd definitely lose.

Still, it didn't really feel like that kind of situation.

It seemed the task assigned by some superior—(a time-wasting chore)—had been fully handled by Riru alone.

"But back then, I honestly almost stepped in myself."

"Back then...?"

"The time I crushed a certain girl—(a little girl)."

"Oh... I see."

I was watching.

"Besides, that guy said he'd already used his Undercover Skill Assessment, yet he still insisted, 'There are books here, and I don't need duplicates with my allies.' If he'd just used it, he could've figured out whether that girl was a player or not, at least."

"Even if that were true, there's still Ayatsuki Mii-chan here."

"Either way, she's still a little girl. That's a sin."

"I suppose... that might be true, but..."

In any case, at that moment, the only thing he could do was take hostages—no matter how much he had to deceive himself. There was simply no other way to secure a chance of victory.

With a deep sigh, I reach into the pocket of the unconscious Riru-kun.

The "guidebook" is found right away.

"This... I promised. I'm taking it."

"Alright."

Tōru-san accepts it without the slightest hesitation. The reason being,

With this, Satoru will at least start picking up on social cues.

So I've heard.

She didn't seem to think it was a good idea for Rikaru-kun to rely entirely on this book.

That demo item seems to be exclusive to Satoru, so it wouldn't matter if you had it or not.

Is that so?

"Yeah. Denacca, that overprotective brother wouldn't have let his sister die, would he?"

Now that you mention it...

Just as she said, this "guidebook" seems to only contain rough information about the dangers that might come to Riru-kun in the near future, along with basic countermeasures.

Flipping through the pages lightly, I realize it includes illustrations and strategies for the "hostile life forms" he's fought so far.

"Daitai, the future is something you carve out with your own hands. You won't let yourself be dictated by what's written in a book like this, will you?"

That's right.

Suddenly, when I opened the latest page, there it was,

※Note that taking hostile actions against "Nameless JK" will completely abandon the romantic route. If you wish to enjoy date events with her, be sure to cooperate with "Nameless JK."

a sentence like that.

Just that is enough to fill me with bitter feelings.

Who I go on a date with—how could something like this book possibly decide that?

"When Rinrō-kun wakes up, please tell him, 'If you're feeling better, I'll treat you to a meal again.'"

"Got it. I understand."

"The menu is... well, how about a full-course feast?"

"Alright. If we get a rhino's horn from Ueno Zoo, I'll invite Matsu."

"...Yeah, I guess we should just stick to regular grilling."

"Right."

He then briefly checked the contents of the "guidebook" as is.

Judging from the path that Ritoru-kun has walked so far, it seems he's managed to get this far without really fighting much as a "player."

While winning without battle is a fundamental principle of military strategy, it might be why someone of his skill level is only around level 49.

In any case, I had to shut down any possibility of information about me being leaked—no matter what.

What still worries me is how you managed to obtain this...

"?"

And there, they notice a new sentence appearing on the latest page of the guidebook.

The message written in large letters, bold and clear, reads:

Blood ties must be cherished.

a sentence like this.

As I tilted my head slightly and stared at it intently, another passage appeared, as if offering further commentary.

※Hint for whoever seizes this book.

This is the character principle of a character named Shichireiru.

He will always prioritize protecting his relatives in his actions.

This isn't a logical choice—it's simply the kind of character he is.

If you want to ally with him, use his relatives as leverage.

Attributes...

Characters.

—Does it ever feel to you, Miss Anonymous, as though everything that has happened in this world is just like a single story unfolding?

Hmm. Alice, is it?

Indeed, I suppose I'll have to speak with her sooner or later... that much seems inevitable.