Chapter 116 |
'I'm no longer hiding my true intentions.'
From her tone to her actions.
Yuridia, who always took care in her speech and behavior, pretending to be refined.
But now, not only is she acting friendly, she's not hesitating to use threats.
It's like she's become a completely different person.
'Well, this is her true nature, so it's not really surprising.'
Maybe starting from Chapter 4.
Yuridia, who has become friends with the group, gradually reveals her true self.
Her innate mischievousness.
-That was the common assessment among gamers.
'Hmm, does this mean I've become close to Yuridia?'
To think I've managed to reveal Yuridia's true nature right from the beginning of Chapter 2, which originally wouldn't be shown until after Chapter 4.
Indeed, it's me. I am quite something!
"Hmm~ Ignoring me? Then, I have no choice but to contact the inspectors."
...As much as I comfort myself, the reality is harsh.
Close my foot. It looks like I'm about to be put on a leash.
'If it becomes known that I can use techniques from other families...'
I'd be dragged here and there for investigations.
Students would avoid me, thinking I'm weird.
And when I step outside the academy, I'd be kidnapped and dissected to uncover secrets, leading to a bad ending.
'In fact, this is an event that exists in the game.'
An event that causes trouble from various parties if you use it in front of non-party members.
[Divine Imitation]'s power is a measure to keep in check, a trap set by the developers.
'I thought it would be okay since we were considered in the same party during the Bineus conquest, despite the urgent situation...'
Is it because we're not officially party members?
Yuridia boldly pressured me.
I spoke cautiously.
"Keke, perhaps it would be proper to first discuss what this favor is? I'll listen and then decide."
I asked as politely as possible.
It's probably going to be a request to join her clique.
'This is troublesome.'
Now is the time to gather strength.
It's not yet time to make enemies of the Teron faction.
Well, personally, I also liked him.
As I was pondering how to get out of this situation.
"Please take good care of Luna."
"What?"
"More precisely, 'tell Luna something sweet once a day, as I designate'. That's my request."
I was flabbergasted... no, utterly baffled.
A completely unexpected request had popped up.
Tell Luna sweet things? Why on earth?
"Keke, you seem curious about why I'm asking this?"
Yuridia squinted her eyes and even mimicked my speech.
I didn't realize when I did it, but that's really annoying.
"No, not curious at all."
Instead, I'm curious about what's going through your mind.
"Oh, is that so? Then there's no helping it. I'll have to have tea with the inspectors."
"In truth, I'm dying of curiosity. May I inquire why you've made such a request?"
Only then did Yuridia show a satisfied smile.
"It may seem alright now, but the love front looks precarious. At times like these, Zero's effort is crucial."
...Love front? Why is that coming up all of a sudden?
"It's not just the jokes that are too much, but the lack of physical contact compared to Luna. Such things should be naturally provided by the man, really!"
No, Luna and I are nothing!
How could there be physical contact! I'm not some pervert!
And what Luna does to me isn't physical contact, it's an attack, an attack!!
She literally bites people!
"There was that brief estrangement incident before, right? You must have realized that even a small misunderstanding can lead to disaster in a relationship."
Hello? Anyone home?
"There will likely be more such incidents in the future. But as long as Yuridia is here, there won't be any. I am..."
Yuridia spun around once, crossed her arms, and struck an inexplicable pose.
Snap!
"A master of love!"
She sparkled her eyes, as if to say, trust me.
Hmm, I don't quite understand how we got here or what's supposed to happen next, but one thing is clear.
Yuridia, this girl.
'She's definitely crazy.'
There's a saying that misunderstandings are free, but this is too much.
The misunderstanding that Luna and I are a couple has somehow become accepted as fact.
'Wait, maybe... this isn't such a bad deal?'
It's a tricky situation, but if I use this opportunity, I might be able to keep Yuridia's mouth shut.
The mystery child capable of using other families' techniques (risk of being kidnapped and dissected) vs. rumors of a special relationship with Luna.
It would be mentally taxing, but considering the story progression, the latter might be much better.
"Keke, let's make one thing clear. If I agree to Yuridia's request, that incident will forever remain a secret, right?"
"Hmm, I'm honestly quite curious. About One Flash, Demon Slave, and so on. But..."
Yuridia spun around once again and struck her inexplicable pose.
"Love is more important than anything! I've decided to sacrifice my curiosity!"
Ah, so you've decided to live as a madwoman?
Understood.
"Keke, then I accept the deal. Saying something sweet once a day... I'll give it a try."
"Today's mission is to gently stroke Luna's face. It's the start of physical contact!"
...Physical contact with Luna?
"Wasn't the deal about saying sweet things?"
"That's right."
"Right."
Yuridia, can't you feel how odd what you're saying is?
"Come on, do it as a favor. It's for advancing your relationship. That much is doable, isn't it?"
Yuridia winked and struck another inexplicable pose.
I sighed involuntarily.
'This is becoming a headache. Well, it's better than being dissected.'
That's when someone appeared behind Yuridia.
It was Luna, her right hand clutching a sharply edged sword.
"What are you doing here?"
This could be a scene straight out of a horror movie. The sight is a bit much for the faint-hearted like me.
From the looks of it, Luna hadn't realized Yuridia was here until now.
"My, Luna! Have you finished training?"
"...?"
"Oh my, look at you sweat! Just a moment!"
Yuridia rummaged through her belongings and pulled out a bottle of water and a pack of snacks.
"Have some quickly! It's important to hydrate after exercise, but you must also replenish your nutrients!"
Luna looked at me.
Her expression seemed to ask, 'What's this thing doing?'
Luna, you can't just refer to someone as 'this thing.'
Next time, call her a crazy woman. That's a more fitting description.
I shrugged as if I didn't understand, and Luna accepted the items.
"Well, since you've given them... I'll enjoy them. Thanks."
"Ye, yes! It's my honor, Luna!"
"Honor, my foot... Can we share?"
"Of, of course! Certainly!"
As Luna sat down beside me, Yuridia's eyes began to blaze.
She seemed determined not to miss a single moment of our harmonious scene.
"Eat. Your sister has brought some provisions."
"Keke, may I have some water then?"
"Sure. Here."
Yuridia's eyes sparkled. It's obvious.
She's expecting some kind of indirect kiss.
'No chance!'
I tilted my head back far and lifted the water bottle high.
Gushing like a small waterfall!
The bottle was at least 30cm away from my mouth.
Yuridia's shoulders slumped.
Clearly, she had been hoping for something. Indirect kisses, really?
'Well, it's not like I'm one to fuss over indirect kisses...'
But those who think of such things as a form of physical contact are the weird ones.
Isn't it normal to share drinks?
If people squeal over that, I wonder how they handle sharing a hot pot.
Sharing spoons and saliva at a stew restaurant.
To them, it might as well be pornographic.
'Anyway... there are too many perverts these days.'
What's so big about indirect physical contact?
Turning normal behavior into something abnormal.
I could never accept that!
But I didn't want to give Yuridia any excuse, so I kept the bottle as far from me as possible.
"What's that? Does it taste better that way?"
"Keke, perhaps it's the taste of crushing bloated expectations."
"...What? What's with that perverted expression? Forget it, have some snacks. They're good."
Crunch, crunch.
As we shared the snacks, Yuridia started waving her arms behind Luna.
Signaling me to carry out the mission she had given earlier.
'The act of stroking the face.'
Sigh... I'm at a loss.
I slightly turned my body and looked at Luna with a meaningful gaze.
Then, Luna looked back at me.
Swoosh.
I moved my right hand close to Luna's face. And then.
Tap.
I removed a crumb of snack stuck on Luna's lips.
It wasn't exactly stroking, but it should barely pass.
"Keke, what are you walking around with on your face? You're not a child."
"..."
Why the silence? Could it be she's smitten by my sweet gesture?
That would be rather troublesome.
Flap, flap.
Yuridia, who had been watching us, started dancing an inexplicable dance behind Luna.
Yeah, got it. You're saying it's a breach of contract to end it with just that?
'Well, what can I do?'
This is as far as I go.
Just as I was about to make a certain gesture behind Luna's back, she raised her hand and lightly tapped my forehead.
Chop!
"Keke, why hit me like that?"
"Because it's ridiculous."
With that, Luna reached out and removed a crumb of snack from the corner of my mouth.
I see. I was the same, wasn't I?
Certainly, it was enough to leave Luna speechless.
Was my lacking heart somewhat filled?
Just then, as I was watching Yuridia about to have a fit in the background.
Swoosh.
Luna took the crumb from my mouth, put it in her own, and smiled broadly.
"I know you like me, but don't fall too hard, okay? You might not be able to get out."
Licking her finger with a bright smile.
Honestly speaking.
Ah, this.
'...Might be a bit dangerous?'
I've always dismissed 'indirect physical contact.'
But experiencing it firsthand stirred something.
I began to understand why people rave about indirect physical contact.
Puff!
Thud.
Blood gushed from Yuridia's nose, and she collapsed to the side.
"What, what! Hey! Are you okay?"
Luna immediately rushed to lay Yuridia flat.
Then, Yuridia gave a thumbs up.
"I could die now... and have no regrets."
"What? No! Wake up!"
Her arm slumped as she lost consciousness, a blissful smile spread across her face.
"Ze, Zero... What do we do? She seems to be alive, but."
"...Just leave her."
The crazy woman.
It's best to just leave her alone.
--TL Notes--
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