Chapter 278

The morning sunlight shone in through the window.

"... Yunyu?"

Tianwangxing responded with a shake of his head, half-opening the sleepy Manako.

I didn't mind, continuing to stroke her cherry-colored hair.

".... A little.

Then why are you stroking me so early in the morning?"

"I missed stroking it last night, so I thought I would start stroking it in the morning."

"... You know.

I'm not Sakura, you know?"

"I certainly understand that."

"The way you stroke them is the same, but..."

"Hehe. Is that so?

If you can understand that, it seems Sakura's memories are still with you."

"Is that why you said that?

When Sakura returns, all the memories will flood into my mind."

"They won't? I have never heard of 'everything'."

"... Ah...

Ahhhhhhhh!!"

Tianwangxing was wearing a blanket. Haha, you did it.

"... Hm?

Aisha, what? Do you realize...?

I noticed..."

A low, trembling voice came from inside the bedding. I answered confidently.

"Yes, somehow.

I will always love Sakura like this."

"Ahhhhhh...!!"

To this day, Meleoron is still struggling with the grilled Fugura using chopsticks.

"Fugura is difficult, isn't it?"

"It's fine, it's perfect for practice."

It is a good thing to have a desire for improvement. It's a pity one cannot eat it at will.

"Did you finish watching the sequel yesterday?"

Tianwangxing asked. He ate very cleanly. There wasn't even a ripple this morning.

"Hm...

I stopped halfway through. It wasn't that funny anymore."

Seam answered with an embarrassed look.

"Oh, thank goodness.

If it were a long story, it would feel redundant, and it would become tedious by the middle."

"I don't think it will be of much help, so I stopped watching it.

In the practice scenes at the beginning, there were some parts that were a little helpful for practice scenes."

Yes, that proves you are making progress. When I saw it before, Meleoron seemed to have noticed. That kind of thing is not meant to be used as a technical reference. It is worth watching and enjoying.

"Yes.

It's impossible to learn just by watching, but I can get ideas for techniques by watching that kind of thing, so if there is any meaning, that is the part."

That also makes sense. But I would rather see real combat. However, when it comes to actual combat preserved in video form... the best is Heaven's Arena. The problem is that it's hard to get if you don't go that far.

Finished eating and took a bath.

"... It's time. The book."

Seam, who had just been soaking in the bathtub, tilted her head to look at Tianwangxing, who suddenly released a Binder after washing the foam off his hair.

"What are you doing in a place like this?"

"Calling Bell.

It's 7:30 now. I can't delay the bath, so I think I have no choice but to contact you while in the bath."

"Come to think of it, isn't it a bit too early?"

"Because I was planning to use a Movement Spell to fly directly to Ai-ai.

I didn't take the travel time into account, so I specified it earlier than when I promised to meet Motarike... but it's still too early, I'm sure."

Saying this, Tianwangxing operated the Binder.

"It's Tianwangxing."

"Oh my god, that's a bit of a bad timing.

For now, I'm going to catch the 8 o'clock time."

"Hm? Are you busy?"

"Woah woah woah woah

The current me is like being born."

"..."

"That?"

I can hear the sound of water; could it be the same for that?"

"I'm coming too."

"Hey, Seam..."

"Oh, my, are you two here?

We get along very well. Are they both natural-born?"

"You..."

More importantly, can you arrive on time before 8:00?"

"Hmm.

I might be a little late. Even so, it should be done within 5 or 10 minutes."

"Fine, I'll call you back at eight."

"I don't need to contact you. 'Communication' is a waste.

Let me know if there's a change in the plan. If not, hold it at 8:00 AM as planned."

"Well, if you like it, that's fine.

Then make sure you can come at eight o'clock."

"I'll try my best."

After a brief silence, Uranus wiped the Binder with a "taku... book". When I suddenly looked at Seam, I laughed happily.

"... What? You laughed."

"Hmm?

After all, I think it would be happy to be able to see him when he was born."

"Goo-goo.

Seriously, please don't do that... you're starting to look more and more like an older sister."

"That's not on my mind.

Don't warm up quickly. Are you in a hurry?"

"Haha. Not anymore."

After taking a bath, leave the clothes.

I returned to my room and put my things into my backpack,

"The luggage is a bit tight after all..."

"I have more books and more clothes to change into.

I left it behind because I thought I might use it soon, so it would be bad if I didn't deal with it..."

"Hey, Uranus.

How about leaving it at the Motarike house?"

Uranus made a rather bitter face at Seam's suggestion.

"... Honestly, I'm not sure if I should get involved in that.

They have their own situation, and if we come and go from the Motarike house often, they might become targets because of it.

If you're worried about these things, it would be inconvenient to leave luggage in a hard-to-reach place."

"Why is that?"

Meleoron tilted her head. She seemed to have her own thoughts.

"... No, if we rely on them, it seems the other party will interfere with us.

This makes it difficult to keep the identities of Meleoron or Seam Hidden. I still...

I know they are criminals, so even if they know who I am, I can make them shut up, but it's better to be careful."

Meleoron nodded at Uranus's words. Well, that's how it is.

Seam looked sad,

"But I have to do something about my luggage..."

"Yes."

By the time I did that, it was already 8:00.

We checked Shigure Momiji and gathered at the entrance of the Inn.

"Alright, let's go.

──On 'Companion/Companion'. Ah."

We flew in the early morning sun.

Landing.

Suddenly I jumped into view, and my eyes locked onto a foreign object in the upper part of the city.

Ain, ain, a mysterious sound echoed from the heart-shaped feature structure.

So, love is like this... I remember hearing about a town that had that kind of thing, but when I saw it with my own eyes... what on earth is that?

Looking at the three of them, Seam and Meleoron were both stunned, looking up at the same thing. Uranus was half-eyed.

"Not yet, Bell.

I don't want to wait in a place like this."

Hmm. At least there should be that mysterious sound. I'm curious. Can't I hear it once I enter the city? I don't like it, I always listen. Or is it a matter of habit?

After waiting for a while, I heard the sound of flight drowning out the mysterious sound of Ain.

Someone landed with Stone.

"Yacht!

Please wait a moment, have you been waiting?"

Bell was dressed fashionably, and for some reason, he stood up and did a spin. From his hat to his shoes, his spirit didn't compare to when we went out together yesterday. It takes time...

"You're late. You're 15 minutes late."

"Aria. Sorry everyone, right?

But Uranus, the cliché for a date like this is, 'I wasn't waiting. I just got here.'"

"..."

No one is paying attention to that, 15 minutes is nothing. If I kept hearing Ein at a constant rhythm, it might have stayed in my ears.

Bell put his hands on his waist, thinking this reaction was just a gust of Wind blowing by,

"Even so...

You came all the way to the Love City, but what about your outfit?"

Bell seemed to be complaining. No, is this normal? There's no reason to dress up in a special way. If it doesn't exist, it doesn't exist.

I was wearing my usual sportswear. Meleoron was also in a jumpsuit, with a deep hood. Shimu was also wearing a jumpsuit today. I'm not wearing a headscarf.

Simply put, it's about Uranus... same as usual, but cute clothes. Although I am a man. Not applicable.

"... I feel like Aisha's eyes are full of Malice."

"Hm? I didn't intend that."

"I absolutely cannot imagine you wearing masculine clothes."

Bell laughed. Uranus puffed out her cheeks sullenly. Making that face again...

"Alright, let's go now.

I want to stay in this city for as long as possible."

"Oh my, long time no see?

For those who like it, this is a place where you will never feel bored."

"I really hate it."

This isn't just a struggle, it looks like this is going to be a big trouble...

Enter the city. It's just an ordinary Stone town. This is by no means a new sight.... Except for the game characters.

Lots of couples. 10 pairs or more can be seen. Holding hands, arms crossed, talking face to face. Ah... this is depressing.

When I looked at it, Uranus's mood also tilted.

Meleoron and Shimu were leaking their emotions. Bell laughed for some reason.

"Ah!"

I was looking for "Glasses Glasses" in front of the girl. Hmm, I can see your bra...

I picked up the glasses that had fallen by her side and handed them over.

"It's dangerous, don't run in such a hurry."

"Ah. Thank you!

Then this is for me."

I'm exhausted. The running game character girl. Yes? What about the event?

"Ah.

Aisha, that must have been picked up by a man."

"What?"

Bell put his hands on his waist with a serious face,

"Just because it's the Love City event?

Although meeting the opposite sex is the main thing, what do you do when you encounter the same sex?"

Yes. Say it in advance.

I mean, I was rejected as "not a man" because of such a boring thing... it hurts. Touhou...

"Hey, don't get down.

Go find someone you like next time."

I couldn't help but want to say yes. Is there such a thing!

Just as I was wandering in place, the girl from just now ran over again,

"Ah!"

I'm making "Glasses Glasses" with moss. It doesn't matter if you can already see the bra...

"Hey, Uranus.

Why don't you pick up your glasses?"

Uranus responded to Bell's teasing voice with a sub-zero gaze.

"Even if you clear it, that character won't give you any benefits."

"Do you know?"

"I don't know...

This is an event near the entrance. I tried it a few times, washed it clean, and I wear contact lenses, so I don't need to wear glasses, just give me those round glasses."

Ah... yes. Those spinning glasses? I don't want them.

"It's fine, give it a try.

It will be a considerable amount of money, right?"

"Regardless of success or failure, I can only do it once a day, and I don't remember the clear pattern anymore..."

Around thirty thousand? Even if you sell that

Hmm? Is it just for sale? And the quantity is very small.

Bell shrugged and said:

"What a waste."

"If you don't mind that sort of thing, then this is a good town to earn money safely.

For those who have resistance, there is no place like this."

"Don't feel any resistance.

The other party is a game character, just playing at being a couple is fine, right?

Anyway, you've already embarrassed yourself in front of everyone, haven't you?"

"Use..."

Hey, Bell, you are a married woman, how do you have no resistance at all? Are you crying, Motarike?

"Then what about the seam? Why don't you try this event?"

"I'm not good at it either.

I really don't understand, but what kind of event is this?"

"Oh, it's just a conversation event. Just talk, and you're done.

Have you ever played a romance game?"

"... Yes, no."

"Then I don't understand.

If you choose the correct answer to the question, the event will proceed, and if you answer correctly to the end, it will be cleared. It's basically a quiz game. That is the main content of this event."

Bell smiled bitterly,

"Can you compare love to a quiz?"

"Because this is a game."

Done. Perhaps if it weren't for the public's attention, there wouldn't be such great resistance? Uranus too.

"Okay, let's go now.

If you don't want to Collect the designated pocket, you don't want to stay here."

Uranus goes for a walk. We talk about it too.

"Ah, be careful of the corner of that building.

A game character Collision."

Leave the building Uranus pointed to and look at the corner.

Oh, there is a girl... I have bread in my mouth and am on standby. I saw something I don't like.

"Is she also an event?"

"Yes."

"Hey, Uranus. You know me well. Why don't you?"

At Bell's protest, Uranus frowned,

"Decided because it's a designated pocket event.

That, with so many choices, it's hard to understand, a mess. It's 10 times easier than the previous Glasses Glasses."

"You say that, you can't Collect the card, you know?"

"... I've done it before, my impression is that this kind of thing is appropriate.

Regardless of success or failure, once a day, it's a system that gradually makes friends from the worst first impression, requiring a lot of selective actions. Because sometimes

"Is there no general rule?"

"If you can solve it with a reasonable answer, you shouldn't have any difficulty.

In the end, it's a brute-force choice.

What's so sad about having to conquer all endings?"

... Did you do it, conquer the endings. It's discipline.

"By the way, what card is it?"

"... A-Rank 'Happiness Passbook'.

You can tell me what he has in the Trade Shop, but when I asked him for strategy tips, he said: 'He's a tsundere, so be careful when switching between tsundere and dere.' It didn't give me any tips."

"Hahaha."

Certainly. After hearing that, what should I pay attention to?

After walking for a while, a game character started talking to me, even though I didn't say anything.

"Girls, want some tea?"

"Hey!"

"Sorry, that woman! I would love to be your model for my painting! Your reward will be huge!"

"Please cooperate with the Questionnaire."

"Hey hey, brother. Do you know my mother?"

"Sorry, suddenly. Can I pray for your happiness? The time is—"

"Ora ora, make way! Hey, sister, you are the best. What about me and Bubu-ra?"

"If you don't mind, would you like to go out with me!?"

... Wow.

Is this just walking? It's stressful just to ignore it. I was so irritated that I swung my fist backward. Somehow, it hit the Wall of the building and turned into a card, but I don't know.

"Ahahaha.

There are many people, so you will be attracted by various characters."

"……It wasn't this noisy when I was investigating alone.

It's really difficult."

"Aisha……

I understand how you feel, but reaching out suddenly isn't good, right?"

"Excuse me.

I felt like I could touch it, so I happened to touch it."

Why pay attention to the seams? No, yes. The air of this slightly sugary city is toxic to me now……

Even that Meleoron sometimes lets out a sad "Ha……".

"Hmm.

I am currently looking for a haircut model."

The handsome young man was clearly talking to me.

"I don't want to change my hairstyle."

I refused directly. I couldn't hear him say things like "Ah, really? But if you change your mind……". It didn't change.

"Ah, I said there's no way, so there's no way.

Even though this is a Specified Pocket event."

……You want me to cut your hair for you? You're determined to hate it, aren't you?

"By the way, what card is it?"

"What's wrong, Uranus?"

"You, do you only remember the events in the Specified Pocket?

I can't do that event, it's only for women……

It's the B-Rank 'Connection Pad'. By the way, if you're not careful, he will mess up your hair while sexually harassing you."

More and more sorry!

"Isn't there any decent event here?"

"Not bad, but I don't know if I can get a generous reward for clearing that kind of thing based on my experience."

"Let me see.

I don't remember getting anything very good for the type that can talk normally and clearly."

I see…… This is a city full of love. Is that part of the low-difficulty category?

For someone like me with zero romantic experience, the Obstacle is too high, here……

"Please stop!"

A girl's high-pitched voice. Ah, don't come one after another……

A girl was surrounded by three muscular men at the corner of a building. My arm was grabbed.

"I'm not sure. Let's go together."

"Let go! We'll scream!!"

"Hehehe."

"Scream if you want, no one will help you."

"No one in this city will go against us Danda!!"

I turned my gaze to Uranus.

"That's correct.

Can't you help me?"

"……

Watch it."

Uranus answered expressionlessly. Marquis, is there a follow-up?

"Hehehe."

"Please stop!"

"I'm not sure. Let's go together."

"Let go! We'll scream!!"

"Hehehe."

"Scream if you want, no one will help you."

"No one in this city will go against us Danda!!"

…………

"What do you think?"

"……Is this an endless repetition?"

"Yes. Until someone interrupts.

Want to help?"

What kind of content is this……

"By the way, the reason we do this is because we can understand when we are actually doing an event.

The clear reward is the Specified Pocket card 'Little Demon's Wink'. You can guess the difficulty of clearing it from the fact that it's an A-Rank card."

"……That is to say, you cleared it?"

"Let's see..."

"Hey Uran, are you sure about what you're doing?"

Bell arrived. I understand very well why Uran didn't want to come to this city. Of course, once I get the cards, I don't want to go near them again.

Just wandering around, there was an event over there, not sure if it was the Dandan Troupe or something; we stood behind a building not far from it and chatted.

"Because I don't want to do this...

You aren't doing even one, are you?"

"I want to see what you guys have done."

"Wanting to see the scenery from a high place, that is a very good state of mind.

Where did the person who said they would help formulate a strategy go?"

"No, no.

Even if you want to lecture, if you don't do anything, you can't do anything. That's the story, right?"

"... Brilliantly."

"Are there quite a few designated Pocket Cards here?"

Sim asked. Thinking about it, there has been a period of events like pom-poms lately. I wonder if there are many.

"There are five in this small town alone.

... Oh right, 'Hormone Biscuit' is also here."

Oh, oh...

I see... well, it's that kind of place. I should have asked Mr. Genthru how to get it, but I don't remember clearly. Hmm... isn't that S-Rank? Yabe, I don't think I can get it by myself.

"Hmm, how do I get it?"

When I asked, Uran smiled as bitterly as possible.

"That mysterious heart-shaped thing is at the top of the castle.

However, unless the player completes 3 types of romance events in this city, the event will not occur."

Yes, it disappeared!

I can't.... Or rather, Mr. Genthru! Didn't I say I was going to clear 3 types of events!?

Ah right... even if it's Mr. Genthru, I'm afraid not everything is done by himself; of course, there are omissions. I forgot where I was.

"That's it...

I also tried once. Intending to go on a date with the prince.

After that, I was treated like a hooligan and thrown into prison for a day."

Terrible... what is that?

"Why did you actually do something wrong?

In my time, I was a princess, but no matter how many times I failed, I was just constantly asked to come again."

"Uh... Book."

Both of us were working very hard... and Mr. Bell, who for some reason took out a Binder.

"Are you guys also going to take out your Binders? Everyone."

Sim and Meleoron recited "Book" in confusion.

I and Uran also took out the "Book" Binder, but I had an idea.

"... Did you guys notice?"

"Yes. A while ago."

"It's another player. They are all moving Together."

"There are five people."

"Yes. You are approaching me."

"Hey...

You guys are truly amazing.

I know Uran is a genius.

Aisha, isn't it amazing that you can understand so much using 'Zetsu'?"

Uh... thinking about it, that's how it is. It's normal to know using 'En', but knowing using 'Zetsu' is a kind of master or wild intuition...

"When someone approaches me, I usually keep my Binder out.

Emitting a Binder within a 20-meter radius might be seen by some opponents as a declaration of war."

Well, yes. If I chant "Book" within such a close range, it might be seen as a preparatory movement for using an attack Spell.

"Did Mr. Bell take out his Binder to escape?"

"That is correct.

If something happens, you can escape using a Movement Spell. If you take out a Binder to deal with a close opponent, open the page, take out a card, and then chant, you won't be able to escape."

I see, very smart. As expected of a former bandit leader, always ensuring an immediate escape. It's not as accurate as ours, but he seems skilled at detecting signs.

Uran opened the Binder and checked the last page of the Empty Pocket.

"Everyone, in case something happens, just escape using your own Movement Spell; I won't decide where to go.

... Well, that won't happen."

"Why do you think so?"

I asked Uran, who was thinking about something. However, this is somewhat predictable.

"Probably because they know each other."

I can often recognize the aura of people I know. Uran can probably do the same thing using the power of his eyes.

We remained motionless, quietly waiting for the other side to approach.

Uranus did not change his expression,

"The other side has already noticed us.

... Entering 20 meters. 5 players.

Basho. Senritsu. Vese. Dazorne. --Neon

As he spoke, Uranus looked at me and Mr. Bell thoughtfully.

"... The Nostrade Family."