Chaldea, Medical Room.
After finishing organizing data on the computer, Roman rubbed his eyes. "Phew~ That was exhausting. Compiling and memorizing all the health data of Chaldea's staff is really draining."
The medical division currently had a small staff. Although Marisbury had begun recruiting globally, Roman still bore a heavy workload. As a doctor, understanding each patient's physical condition was the most critical task.
Over the past few days at Chaldea, besides conducting basic check-ups for the staff, Roman had spent nearly all his time on this. The little free time he had was used to study foreign languages.
Chaldea was a global organization. Eventually, the Medical Division would likely include doctors from around the world. Though Roman was already fluent in English, French, and Japanese, he wanted to learn as many languages as possible, just in case.
"Phew~ But for now, I can take a break, right?"
Though he could push himself, Roman's human energy wasn't limitless. If time was running short, he wouldn't slack off like this. But there were still at least eight years until that day.
With so much free time, there was no need to overexert himself.
Thinking this, Roman switched his computer screen to a video site. It was his only form of entertainment—watching stress-relieving videos like hydraulic presses or shredding machines was incredibly helpful for easing accumulated tension.
But this time, when he opened the page, it wasn't the usual recommended videos. Instead, it was the profile page of an internet idol.
"Magical☆Merry, ready to hear anyone's troubles and provide unique comfort and assistance. The world's top and cutest healing idol, officially debuting today. Please show your support…"
After reading the promotional lines one by one, Roman propped his chin with both hands, staring silently at the familiar virtual image.
If his guess was correct, this idol named Magical☆Merry was surely… her, right? No need to guess. The name wasn't even changed.
(This has to be Merry's doing, doesn't it?)
Only Merry would pull something like this. Roman couldn't think of anyone else mischievous enough to create such a thing—maybe Merlin in this world, but even he wouldn't disguise himself as a woman, would he?
"Who'd click on something like this…"
Roman moved the cursor to the red X in the top right corner.
At that exact moment—
"Roman, you in there? I'm here to visit."
"Doctor Roman, sorry to disturb."
Naoki and Gray's voices came from outside, accompanied by the sound of the door opening.
"Waaah!"
The sudden voices startled Roman. His hand, about to close the webpage, jolted in surprise and clicked the Subscribe button instead.
The next second—
"Welcome to Magical☆Merry's Loving Consultation Channel. I'm your fairy Merry, here to keep you company~"
A voice like that played from Roman's computer.
With an embarrassed expression, Roman looked at Naoki and Gray standing at the door, his face paling instantly. "Uh… Natsukawa, let me explain. This just popped up on my computer, and I accidentally clicked it. I had no intention of watching it!"
"…"
After a brief silence, Naoki rubbed his forehead. "She actually went and made it… Merry, isn't that a bit too fast?"
Carefully calculated, it had only been about an hour since Naoki discussed this in the dream world. In that short time, Merry had already created this. Her drive was truly commendable.
And she even latched onto Roman like she had a tracker?
Was this some kind of world-line convergence?
"Roman, hold on. I'm going to call Merry."
Without waiting for Roman's response, Naoki stepped out of the medical room. Roman hurriedly closed the webpage and looked at Gray with an apologetic expression. "Gray, your brother's not mad, is he?"
"He doesn't seem to be. If he was mad, he'd be a bit scarier than this." Gray smiled. "But I didn't expect Doctor Roman to be into this kind of thing… It's a bit surprising."
"No! I'm not interested in idols or anything like that!"
It felt like a serious misunderstanding—Roman was certain of it.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Outside the medical room.
After calling Merry's phone, Naoki immediately asked, "Merry, you moved fast. You actually became an internet idol?"
[Eh? Natsukawa-kun?]
The voice from the other end wasn't Merry's—it was Merlin's.
[Ah… did you see it? The project I made with your person?]
"Merlin? You… got involved too? Isn't this Merry's phone number?"
[Hahaha, since I'm the one performing now, when I'm acting as Magical☆Merry, calls meant for Merry come to me. Sorry, sorry. Want to have a long chat with her?]
"Wait, wait… You're the one performing?"
[Yup. About an hour ago, your person suddenly came to me and asked if I wanted to make an internet idol with her. I thought it sounded fun, so I agreed. She designed the character, and I'm the one running the performance—oh, sorry, I've got to hang up. A customer wants to consult~ (female voice) Hello~ This is Magical☆Merry~ How can I help you?]
Hearing Merlin's voice, mimicking Merry almost perfectly, Naoki leaned against the wall with a blank expression.
These two troublemakers… they're really having a blast, aren't they?
(But as for danger… it doesn't seem like there's any. I'll just let Merry know when I get back.)
After hanging up, Naoki turned and re-entered the medical room—
"Okay, let's give it a try—Miss Merry, my waist has been hurting lately from staying up too much. Any advice?"
[Hmmm~ Why not ask someone to massage your waist? I recommend Her Majesty the Queen with animal ears and dark skin~ It'll definitely work wonders.]
"Uh—!"
Without even looking at the screen, just hearing the voice, Naoki could sense the malicious intent behind it.
Instead of relieving Roman's stress, this was only adding to his mental suffering.
(Looks like you're in for a rough time from now on, Doctor Roman.)