Upon receiving the message from Yukino, Shana and Shizuka logged into their GGO base of operations.
Simultaneously, Shana noticed a message incoming from Rosalia. Wondering what it could be, he opened it to check the contents.
"Alright, shall we go pick up Yukino? Ah, wait, I have to call her 'Sensei,' don't I?"
"About that... I just checked a message from Rosalia. Apparently, having already been contacted by Sensei, Rosalia has gone ahead to meet her. As expected, she works fast."
Almost immediately after, Sinon appeared—accompanied, for some reason, by Pitohui.
"Hi! Oh, Pito. Long time no see."
"It's been ages, everyone! Work has been crazy lately, so I haven't been able to come on at all, even with the tournament coming up. But, as luck would have it, my schedule was light today! Then I just had a feeling Shana would be in GGO, so I decided to log in!"
"That thing you have... it's way beyond the level of a 'feeling' or 'hunch' anymore..." Shana sighed, looking exasperated.
"So, are you guys up to something today?"
"No, actually... Pito, you remember that long, black-haired girl, Yukino? She was at that reunion we went to a while back."
"Ah, yeah, I remember her."
"Well, she found out I'm here. I didn't have much choice, so I decided to have her help out with a few things on this end. Right now, Rosalia is off picking her up, so we're just waiting. By the way, do me a favor and call her 'Sensei.'"
"Got it. Sensei it is!"
"Ah, so Rosalia-san went to fetch Sensei."
"Yeah. So, Sinon, you can just relax for a while."
"Understood."
Just then, a call came in from Rosalia. Shana answered immediately.
"Yo. Did you manage to meet up with Sensei?"
"Never mind that! Look down! Look outside!"
"Down?"
At her words, not just Shana, but the others as well peered out the window. A crowd had formed below, suggesting some kind of incident was underway.
"Let's go down and take a look."
"Yeah."
The four of them exited the building and peered into the center of the commotion.
There, a man they vaguely recognized was being forced to sit on the ground in seiza—the traditional kneeling position. Standing over him, delivering a scathing lecture, was a woman with bleached tea-colored hair and deeply tanned, wheat-colored skin—the very picture of a gyaru.
"Shana! You came."
"Hey, Rosalia. Why is that guy kneeling? And where is Yuki—er, I mean, Sensei?"
"That is Sensei."
Rosalia pointed directly at the gal who was currently in the middle of a passionate sermon.
"Hah? That is... Sensei?"
"No way."
"Her voice is a bit lower, and she looks like a total gyaru..."
"My memory is a little fuzzy, but isn't that the exact opposite of her usual image...?"
"Even I would have absolutely ruled her out if she hadn't approached me first."
"So, what exactly is the situation here?"
"Well..."
Rosalia began to explain how things had ended up this way.
"Now then, where could Yukino-san... no, Sensei be...? There appears to be only one female player around, but surely that can't be her... That woman is the polar opposite of Sensei in every conceivable way..."
Rosalia thought this as she scanned the area, but she couldn't find anyone who fit the description. Several minutes had already passed since the agreed meeting time.
"Hmm, maybe she got the location wrong... The only one here is still just that gyaru..."
Even as she thought this, the gyaru in question was being hit on by one passing man after another.
"That girl looks like she's waiting for someone too, but... ugh. Why is she the only one getting approached? I'm a woman too, yet no one talks to me... No, it's fine. I don't care. Not at all!"
It was hardly surprising. Currently, Rosalia was suppressing her presence as she always did, standing as if she had melted into the background scenery. Whether due to Argo's teachings or her own diligent efforts, Rosalia's skills as a scout had reached a level of mastery.
However, Rosalia should have realized something. Yukino was not the type of person to be late for an appointment. Furthermore, the gyaru she had dismissed based on appearance had arrived exactly five minutes before the scheduled time, as if clockwork.
If Argo had been here, she likely would have spoken to the gyaru without hesitation. But Rosalia, lacking that specific breadth of experience, could not escape the curse of her preconceived notions.
"You there. I have a question for you."
The gyaru suddenly called out to Rosalia. It seemed the wave of solicitations from men had finally died down.
"Yes? Did you need something from me?" Rosalia answered in her polite, 'public-facing' mode.
The gyaru leaned in and whispered into Rosalia's ear.
"Are you perhaps... Rosalia-san?"
"Eh? Ah, yes. Wait, don't tell me... are you Sensei?"
"Yes, I am. I've been accosted continuously since the moment I arrived, so I haven't even checked my own appearance yet. However, considering that you, Rosalia-san, didn't even attempt to speak to me until now... I assume my current appearance is quite different from my usual self?"
(Whoa. That analytical ability... it's definitely Yukino-san...)
convinced, Rosalia took Yukino by the hand and led her toward a building with a reflective window so she could see herself.
Upon seeing her reflection for the first time, Yukino froze.
"Th... Th... This is..."
"Well, it's common for avatars here to look very different from reality," Rosalia offered a follow-up, assuming Yukino was simply shocked.
Contrary to her expectation, Yukino pumped her fist in a victory pose.
"YES! Even if it is within a game, this chest is a YES!"
Caught off guard, Rosalia looked at Yukino's chest. Indeed, she was equipped with a magnificent bust, easily in the same class as Haruno.
"Umm, you really are Sensei, right? This isn't a prank where the boss is inside the avatar teasing me, right?"
In that instant, an aura of rage radiated from Yukino. Terrified by the intensity, Rosalia took a step back.
"Are you implying that I am inadequate for a chest of this caliber?"
"N-No! If anything, I think it's not enough!"
"I see. In other words, you are saying a chest of merely this size is insufficient for my greatness. Yakubusoku, is it?"
"Eh? Ah! Y-Yes!"
(Whoa, that usage of 'insufficient for the actor'... it really is Yukino-san...)
Deciding to stick to the plan, Rosalia began leading Yukino toward the base.
"Well then, Sensei, let's go."
"Mm. Very well. Let us depart, Rosalia!"
(She's totally roleplaying...)
Thinking she should say something to fill the silence, Rosalia asked casually, "By the way, did you name yourself 'Nyanko-Sensei' as planned?"
"Regarding that. I felt it was a trifle too long, so I settled on 'Nyangoro.' How is it? Sounds like a connoisseur's choice, doesn't it? Shigeru."
Rosalia had no idea what "Shigeru" meant or why Nyangoro looked so proud, but she offered a polite, forced smile.
"Y-Yes, as expected of you, Sensei."
(Who is Shigeru...?! That's way too maniacal!)
Despite her internal confusion, Rosalia's social skills allowed her to navigate the conversation with Nyangoro safely.
"By the way, how many names are written in the Book of Friends held by Shana?"
(I saw this in the prep notes... In this context, she's probably asking about the number of friends or acquaintances here.)
"P-Probably not that many."
"I see, I see. And what of the movements of those troublesome Ayakashi?"
(That means the Laughing Coffin guys.)
"We haven't identified anyone specific yet, but for now, there hasn't been any movement that looks like them."
"Umu. Eventually, I shall display the power of this noble Ayakashi—myself."
"Ah, yes."
(I-It's exhausting... Please, let nothing happen until I can dump her on him.)
However, the god of fate was not on Rosalia's side.
Rosalia pointed toward the base building as they neared their destination, but at the tip of her finger, she spotted a familiar enemy.
(Geh, XeXeed... This is bad. This is real bad. It's probably impossible, but please let us slip by unnoticed...)
It was asking for the impossible.
If Rosalia had at least put a hood on Nyangoro, things might have been different. But the current Nyangoro was boldly exposing her face—and for some reason, aggressively emphasizing her chest.
Even so, if her face resembled the real Yukino, perhaps the trauma of his bitter experience in ALO would have resurfaced in XeXeed's mind, preventing him from calling out. But Nyangoro's current appearance was a perfect match for XeXeed's preferences.
"Hey there, young lady. Got a minute?"
(That idiot! He actually talked to heeeeeeer!)
Sure enough, XeXeed called out to Nyangoro. He either didn't see Rosalia or simply chose not to look at her.
(He doesn't seem to notice me. What do I do? Should I announce my presence?)
If he realized Rosalia was there, he would know Nyangoro was connected to Shana, and there was a high probability he would back off quietly.
But ignoring Rosalia's worry, Nyangoro showed absolutely no reaction to XeXeed and walked right past him.
(As expected of Yukino-san! She won't give the time of day to a frivolous idiot like this!)
Rosalia felt a wave of relief. But XeXeed didn't give up. He circled in front of Nyangoro repeatedly, calling out each time.
"H-Hey, wait a sec! You there, the gyaru-style lady!"
Nyangoro walked right past him.
"I said wait! You there, beautiful lady!"
Nyangoro walked right past him.
"Please, I'm begging you! You there, the lady with the great style and huge tits!"
"Did you have business with me?"
(Noooooooo! We were so close...)
Rosalia screamed internally as Nyangoro stopped and turned around the moment she heard those words.
"Whether I am a gyaru or a beauty is trivial, but when one mentions 'huge tits,' I have no choice but to respond."
(Please! Just let that part slide toooooo!)
"You're funny, miss. Can I ask your name?"
"I am Nyangoro."
"Nyangoro? Ahahahaha! That sounds like a cat's name. You should have picked a prettier name instead of something weird like that."
(Ah, this idiot just stepped on a landmine... As expected of XeXeed...)
"What did you say...?"
"Ah, no, sorry. I didn't mean to treat you like a cat or anything."
(Another landmine! Incoming!)
"...You. What is your name?"
"I'm XeXeed! I might not look it, but I'm a top play—"
"XeXeed, you say?"
"Oh? Do you know me? Well, I'm famous, so it's only natural."
"...The XeXeed who was sent flying by m—no, by Yukino in ALO the other day?"
"Ugh... T-That was... well, I can't raise a hand against a woman, right? I did that on purpose! Yeah, I took the attack without resisting on purpose!"
In reality, his legs had turned to jelly and he couldn't move, but since the video had been uploaded to a certain site, XeXeed assumed she must have seen it there. He lied without thinking. He couldn't possibly imagine that the very opponent who beat him was standing right in front of him, so it was perhaps unavoidable.
"...Seiza."
"Eh?"
"I said, sit in seiza."
"W-Why?"
"Enough."
Suddenly, Nyangoro delivered a swift kick to the back of XeXeed's knees. Disrupting his balance, she forcibly dropped him into a kneeling position. Yukino might lack stamina, but her athletic ability was high; such a maneuver was well within her capabilities.
"Whoa... Why am I kneeling...?"
"You scrawny weakling! Not satisfied with merely insulting a cat, you have the audacity to lie without shame!"
"S-Scrawny?"
"Silence, bean sprout! Honestly, someone like you..."
And so, Nyangoro began a furious sermon against XeXeed. Spectators began to gather, and seeing this, Rosalia panicked and contacted Shana.
That brought them to the current situation.
"Looking closely, that certainly is XeXeed. So that's what happened..."
"Yes. I thought standing out too much here would be bad, so I contacted you in a hurry."
"Dammit. Of all things, it had to be cat-related... XeXeed, that idiot, he really knows how to step on the worst possible landmines."
"Anyway, I'm leaving the rest to you."
"Got it. Well, I'll figure something out."
As Shana stepped forward, the surrounding onlookers began to shout.
"Oh, it's Shana!"
"Shana's appearing here? Don't tell me that gyaru is another one of Shana's women?"
"Is it time for the third showdown between Shana and XeXeed!?"
Hearing their voices, XeXeed seemed to realize Shana was there. He put on a bravado front and called out.
"W-What is it, Shana? I'm in the middle of picking up this girl, don't interrupt!"
"You... No matter how you look at it, you're getting lectured, aren't you?"
"N-No! This is a new style of pickup! Produced by Me! Made in Me!"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just shut up for a second."
"Kh..."
Shana then addressed Nyangoro.
"Sensei, I have come to collect you."
"Mm? Are you Shana?"
"Yes. Sensei... for a noble existence such as yourself, is there any need to concern yourself with such a low-level being?"
"Mmm... Indeed, that is true. I shall praise you for that insight."
"Ha! I am honored. Now then, Sensei, right this way."
"Umu."
Taking Shana's hand, Nyangoro was led directly into the base building.
It happened so instantly that XeXeed was left dumbfounded. The crowd, too, was taken aback, unable to react. But the moment Shana and the others disappeared from view, the crowd erupted in cheers.
"What was that? It didn't even turn into a fight! That's our Shana for you!"
"XeXeed is skilled, sure, but his opponent is just out of his league..."
"Dammit! So that girl really was Shana's woman too!"
"Anyway, another overwhelming victory for Shana, as always. Alright, break it up, break it up."
"Good work, everyone!"
In the blink of an eye, the crowd dispersed, leaving only a single hooded player and the stunned XeXeed behind.
After a while, XeXeed seemed to finally come to his senses. He shouted toward the building Shana used as a base.
"Dammit! I'm not frustrated at all, you hear me!"
Acting as if he were wiping away tears, XeXeed ran off to nowhere in particular.
The one remaining player lifted their hood, looking up at the building.
"Haa... Shana-sama is wonderful, as always... But I was too focused on filming; I couldn't talk to him again today..."
The player stopped the camera she was holding, logged out, and uploaded the video to a website.
The uploader's name was Musketeer X.
Musketeer X. She is a fanatical admirer of Shana. She has tried to speak to him several times, but due to bad timing and missed connections, she remains an unfortunate woman who will not be able to talk to him for quite some time.
It is a fact that Musketeer X's name appears on the roster of Valhalla several years later.
Incidentally, in the future, Hachiman has three secretaries: Komeko, Minami, and one other person... (or so the setting goes).
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