Chapter 339 – What do you think?

<Author’s Notes>

My apologies, I’ve been unable to update for a while……

I think that the next chapter can be updated without making you wait as long as the wait for this chapter (I hope to be able to update it by next week, around April 28th)

That feeling I had before, being that she somewhat resembles me.

Perhaps, that’s what it had been feeling.

[………………..]

Similar but different huh.

[By the way, Mimori-kun, may I ask you a question too?]

[……Yeah.]

[I’ll dare ask this now———- but do you think you can win this battle?]

[As far as I’m concerned, I’ve already laid out a road map for victory.]

[Ohh, how reliable~~ Reliable guys are always great nya~~ Fufufu…… Even so, you sure look like a different person now than when you were in the previous world, aren’t you? I mean, I can tell, ya know? That was the result of monster-like acting skills, right? But if that’s the case, wouldn’t it be possible that even now, you’re still acting your way to deluding us————]

[Asagi-san.]

But just as she was about to press further———— Kashima interrupted.

[Hmm?]

[I- I think…… I think Mimori-kun can be trusted!]

[What’s with you, all of a sudden? Errr…… Saying he can be trusted, you in love with Mimori-kun or what?]

[A- As for whether I love him or not…… I think you’re being too emotional to judge that.]

[Hohou…… Well, aren’t you chirping some more clever stuff there, Poppo-chan?]

[T- Think about it, Asagi-san…… It was just as we talked on the way here. Things aren’t going well at all……]

[…………………….]

[It seems that Goddess-sama was trying to do various things…… but those “various things” are failing a lot because of Mimori-kun and the members of the Fly King Squadron. The Goddess’ speculations are completely…… not going well at all…… In other words, that’s why————]

[Mimori-kun is better than Goddess-chin———— That’s what Poppo-chan wanna say, right? Alright. Alright already. I’ve alreaaaaaady heard a lot about Fly King-san’s activities on the way here. Hahhh…… Annoying.]

Asagi put her hands on the back of her head.

And then, closing one of her eyes, she looked at me with the other.

[Mimori-kun…… Did you plant Poppo-chan in our group? You’re having her as your messenger?]

[…………………..]

[First, you told Poppo-chan that you had destroyed many of Goddess-chin’s plans…… In order to make it persuasive, did you mix information that only the person who crushed the other’s plan would know? And making me hear about all this from Poppo-chan, you’re trying to make me think that “the Fly King might be the winning horse”. This would give me a stronger impression that the Fly King is superior to the Goddess…… In short, you anticipated my future possible actions and were trying to prevent me from defection———– That’s about it, yes?]

[Well, that’s pretty much about it.]

[But well, I think it’s great that you actually got results, you know? If you wanna persuade someone, persuade them with results, not with aspirations. Aspirations without results are no different from lies after all.]

[However————]

I spoke.

[The “preparations” you just mentioned were only possible because Kashima believed in me.

Hearing my words, Kashima muttered my name a little happily.

Seeing her reacting like that……

[Oh, please, I’m already in tears here, Mimori-kun. Good grief, Kobato-chan…… Aren’t you being led by the nose there? Are you that close with Prez that people also take advantage of you? Well, I guess that’s just like you, Poppo-chan.]

[T- That’s fine……]

[Hmm?]

[Being used by someone…… means I have value being used———– That I’m valuable, right? That means Mimori-kun…… thinks I’m someone of value———- Ouch!? Wai———, ……Eh? Asagi…… -san?]

Just now……

Asagi kicked Kashima’s foot———– her Achilles’ heel with her toe.

[————Arehh? Ahaha, sorry, Kobato-chan. I don’t mean anything bad at all.]

……What was that?

Asagi just now……

For a moment——— ……Just for a little bit……

Without any hidden meaning behind it…… It seemed like she was surprised by her own actions.

[Also, Kobato-chan? Can’t you listen to hear what people have to say until the end? You ain’t in some debate program back in the Heisei era. It’s not like I was trying to say that Mimori-kun is untrustworthy, okay? Even if he’s trying to delude us into something, I’ll gladly become someone’s pawn if it increases the chances of a Mission Clear———- and by saying that, you should already know already, right? What I said just now aren’t lies at all, right, Princess Knight-san?]

An ambiguous expression appears on Seras’ face in response to Asagi’s call.

As I thought, she really had seen through Seras’ ability to judge whether someone is lying or not huh.

I’m not wearing my mask now after all, so she can follow my gaze.

If that many signals had been exchanged, Asagi would have noticed.

That’s why……

[Asagi…… You originally planned to have your lie seen through, right?]

[…………This is why I like you, Fly King-san. As expected, one shouldn’t just enjoy the Mission Clears, but also the playthrough itself. Now, now, let’s continue, shall we?]

[You daringly took advantage of Seras’ ability to tell truths from lies to prove that your words were true.]

[Yep. Fufufu…… It really is interesting, exchanges with Mimori-kun like this. It just feels so worthwhile, so much so that I don’t mind being exploited. Ahh, but I do feel jealous of that though. That ability to judge when someone’s lying, I mean. I wish I had that kind of ability too.]

[………………….]

[Well, look, if I were to sum it up in a few words, I can’t help but think that continuing to probe each other at this stage is just a waste of time and energy. If we don’t settle our doubts here, no matter how much time you skip forward, we won’t be able to go to the next chapter. If I’m the cause of concern here, putting unnecessary overhead on Mimori-kun’s CPU will only lower its performance. I mean, look, I seem like the not trustable type, yes? Well, that can’t be helped. My nature being like that of my preferred Trickster-type characters, I’m gonna reflect on it, yep.]

That’s why she arrived here, intent on proving her innocence…… were words that were left unspoken.

[Zine-chin too, are you fine with this?]

Asagi asked.

The Mad Emperor and Munin had been silently watching the process until now.

[As for me…… Even after listening to the exchange just now, my evaluation and perception of both of you will not change much. If I were to speak about what changed though, it’s actually more about the fact that you’ve been acquainted with Touka for a long time. From your earlier exchange, the possibility of Asagi being a spy sent by Vysis can also be denied…… That’s how I see it. Also, rest assured. Even if such a thing happens, I still plan to return you to your original world with the Forbidden Curse of Repatriation as promised. ]

“Why, thank you”, Asagi said, before turning towards me.

[And so, starting meover from the beginning…… What happened to Sogou Ayaka-chan? Anything I missed? That was quite crazy, wasn’t it? Her mental state, I mean.]

I could see Kashima’s nervousness and anxiety gaining momentum again.

[She got persuaded and we managed to stop her.]

[……Heh? While she’s in that state, you convinced Ayaka-paisen———— Well, isn’t that quite amazing? Even though Poppo-chan, who should have high Bond Points with her, couldn’t do it.]

[At her current state, I can’t really say that I was able to completely make her an ally. It’s more like, for the time being, she’s no longer in a hostile state. Besides, Sogou…… She certainly is too strong, but she’s quite weak against her classmates.]

[Even with the Classmate Debuff under effect, that would have still been tough for us. Hmm…… Ayaka listens not to Poppo, but to Mimori-kun…… huh? ………………Hmm, well, whatever. Mimori-kun might have been able to persuade her normally. Even this Teasing Master Asagi-san got deceived with your skills after all. However you do it doesn’t matter————- So, where’s Ayaka-chan now?]

At those words, Kashima gulped.

From what was spread to the public, it was decided that she would be treated as missing.

But perhaps……

Asagi had doubts about that story that I was able to convince Sogou.

Lying carelessly might be risky.

If her doubts pointlessly increase, Asagi’s thoughts may lead her to thinking about Takao Hijiri.

[Sogou is sleeping in the back———- Wait a moment.]

I pulled back the cloth curtain on the partition and entered the barracks space in the back.

The Takao Sisters weren’t in sight.

They seemed to have hidden themselves in the direction of the carriage.

I went to the carriage through the cover on the left side, and when I got in, I found the Takao Sisters, where I exchanged eye contact with Hijiri.

Thereupon, I picked up the sleeping Sogou.

I returned to the barracks and laid her on the cot provided here.

I then invited Kashima and Asagi inside.

[Ah———- Ayaka-chan……!]

Kashima was the first to rush over to Sogou.

[Ever since she lost consciousness after being persuaded, she had been in that state. I think it’s because she’s completely exhausted…… but it’s also possible that she was like this from the mental shock.]

Hearing my description of Sogou’s current state, Asagi stood beside me while watching over Kashima.

[It’s that Sleeping Beauty pattern huh. Nursing someone when they’re like that is rough. I wonder if she’d wake up from a love-filled kiss from Poppo-chan?]

[A- Asagi-san, what are you——— Doing such a thing is…… I don’t think that would wake her up! That won’t wake anyone up!]

[Oh my, that’s quite the blush you got there…… Even though I was just kidding~~ You’re seriously getting all yuri there. Nyahaha.]

[Asagi-san……! Like I said, d- don’t say strange things……]

Disregarding the two joking around, I spoke.

[I don’t know what kind of mental state Sogou will be in when she wakes up. Even you might be shocked seeing what she’d be like when she wakes up, Kashima. That’s why…… You mind if she’s left here for the time being? If I think she’s alright, of course, I’ll let you meet her.]

[U- Unnn…… If that’s what Mimori-kun says……]

A few moments of silence passed.

Thereupon, with her back still turned towards us, Kashima apologized.

[……I’m sorry, Mimori-kun. If only I could have persuaded her back then…… Sogou-san wouldn’t have……]

[It’s not Kashima’s fault.]

Upon my words, Kashima lowered her head.

[Even when my persuasion didn’t work, Mimori-kun was still thinking about what to do…… but…… that’s why…… that’s why I felt so powerless……]

[That’s right. As expected, Poppo-chan is just so powerless…… Sending likes and prayers.]

[Just as Asagi mentioned earlier, Kashima acted as the messenger between us. I think that’s already enough.]

[Well, I see that I’m also being added as an ingredient to Mimori-kun’s ikemen soup huh. …..Arehh? Mimori-kun…… That cloth over there on the ground……]

[That’s Kirihara.]

[I- Is he dead……]

[If you’re curious, you can take a look.]

At my words, Asagi peeled off the cloth……

[Pfft.]

———and burst out laughing.

[Hahahahaha!]

[…………………]

[Kirihara-kyun seemed to be chilling out here, isn’t he? Whoa, this is amazing. He’s like a bug stuck in resin. Hahahahaha!]

Asagi———- looks amused.

In any case, I summarized and explained about <Freeze>.

[Hou, that’s very convenient. However…… I see. With an ability like this, even Prez would compromise and accept…… huh. This would be the best skill for dealing with people she wouldn’t want to kill, but wants to incapacitate. Fumu fumu. Putting Kiri-chan in some sort of suspended state, this would avoid confrontation with Ayaka. Putting aside whether Kiri-chan would still be alive after being frozen or not, this makes the situation better. Speaking of which————]

[……Is there anything else?]

[There are two S-Rank Heroes with equal strengths here now…… but there’s still one other S-Rank, right? You know, I’m talking about Takao Onee-tama. You kneow what happened to her? I think Zine-chin mentioned something about trying to scout her? Even if we disregard the other Heroes, if we can draw that person into this side, it will definitely be a Power Up…… Conversely, if those sisters got brainwashed by Goddess-chin like she did to Ayaka, they would be really troublesome. You decided on any future plans for that?]

The Mad Emperor, who had been listening to the conversation from a distance, approached.

He had already met those sisters.

The plan is for the two of them to hide their existence while wearing Fly Knight outfits.

The exchange we had earlier just before I asked them to hide……

What Hijiri said was that she was leaving the decision of whether or not to reveal themselves to her.

If they don’t come out, it seems that they have chosen to hide their presence.

As we had discussed, the Mad Emperor began to explain.

[The Takao Sisters————-]

But no matter how I look at it……

Hiding the existence of the sisters to Asagi———– is hard to do.

To be honest, just as how Asagi described it before, doing that would just eat up the CPU resources in my brain.

Moreover, when it comes to Asagi, a lot of resources would be needed for that.

……Well, it can’t be helped.

To move forward while keeping their identity hidden, I should establish a solid plan for the future————-

[Wow.]

——–when I suddenly heard Asagi’s voice……

[……Eh? Why are you———–]

And Kashima’s voice followed suit.

[…………………..]

Behind me.

[It’s been a while, Asagi-san.]

[……Ara~~ You’re here, Hijiri Onee-tama~~]

Appearing behind the cover that hid the carriage were————

The Takao Sisters.

[Imouto-chan is here too~~]

Ikusaba Asagi greeted them with an aloof smile.

Not bothering to turn around, I asked.

[……You think it’s alright, Hijiri?]

[I’ve been listening to the exchange between the two of you…… and I decided that if Asagi-san had such a sharp mind, it would be difficult for us to move forward. Constantly worrying about whether Asagi-san would be suspicious is a waste of time and effort. She also knows some of our Unique Skills, so the situation where we can use them may be limited. Besides———— As expected, even Mimori-kun seems to have difficulty doing things when it comes with her.]

The sisters could hear all my exchanges with Asagi.

Hijiri herself can also judge when someone’s lying or not.

On top of that, from my conversation with Asagi———–

[I decided that the advantages of revealing our existence outweighed the disadvantages.]

By daring to show up, it seemed to imply that Asagi would also be under Takao Hijiri’s watch.

Or perhaps……

They were thinking that by revealing the Takao sisters’ presence here, this side would be seen as the winning horse.

Such speculations can certainly be possible.

[Hmmm…… As expected, having not met for a while, it seems like Hijirin had also become quite the beauty.]

[At this stage, further probing is useless———— I agree with that opinion of yours, Asagi-san. However, this is a judgment situation that was established because of Seras-san’s ability to judge when people are lying.]

Seras’ ability huh.

Seems like she won’t reveal that she also had that kind of ability.

……Perhaps, her revealing their existence here doesn’t mean she completely trusts Asagi.

[Kashima-san too, it’s been a while.]

[Heyya, Kashima.]

[……Hijiri-san…… Itsuki-san……]

Hijiri’s voice softened slightly.

[It seems like you also had it rough. Good work. For the time being, I’m glad that you’re safe.]

After glancing at Asagi, Itsuki spoke.

[Kashima…… Isn’t it great? For the time being, that situation with Prez, it was dealt with safely.]

[U- Unnn…… I was…… really worried but…… Hehe……]

Kashima was slightly in tears.

[However, Itsuki-san…… Sogou-san…… is safe…… I’ve safely met her again…… Itsuki-san and Hijiri-san too……]

Thereupon, as if to cover up Kashima’s words……

[I knew it.]

The one who said that was Asagi.

[In other words———— The one who actually persuaded Ayaka-san is Hijirin.]

[That’s right. Formally speaking, that was indeed the case.]

[Unnn, unnn…… His acting is so good that I almost fell for it again…… but there’s just no way Mimori-kun can stop her while she’s like that. He shouldn’t have the time to bond with Ayaka-san since he came here. Him covering for her in the bus back then is just so weak of a reason. Moreover, the atmosphere around Mimori-kun had been like that of a different person. In that case…… If it’s not on the level of Hijirin, who protected Ayaka-san back when teachers were being placed in each group and made a suggestion to Goddess-chin, I couldn’t be convinced. Ah, but speaking of…… I guess he isn’t necessarily lying———— Mimori-kun only said that Ayaka-san was persuaded…… not that “he persuaded her”. Haahhh…… Not letting yourself get caught even from that, you’re so good at this, Mimori-kun. That was informative.]

“So……”, Hijiri spoke.

[You are——— on our side, right, Asagi-san?]

[Unnn, I swear to the Gods.]

Thereupon, Asagi stretched out her body, seemingly to make a break in the conversation.

[Well, let’s stop the talk for now. If we still have a few more stuff to talk about, let’s fill them in later. As you know, we don’t have that much fighting power. Compared to Ayaka and Takao, we’re just sh*tty one-trick Heroes~~ We basically do whatever we want, but if you ask us for cooperation, of course we’ll lend you our strength.]

Saying this, Asagi turned towards the exit.

[Ahh…… Mimori-kun, your existence got exposed to the members of my group because of Poppo-chan, so you mind showing up a bit later? Thinking of the stuff that happened in the past, I understand that there are some faces that you don’t like to see, but I think it’s better to show your face in anticipation of the future. As for Takao’s presence here…… Well, I think it’s better to just keep it between me and Poppo-chan for the time being.]

[Alright.]

With her back turned towards us, Asagi waved her hands and started walking outside.

[Princes Knight-chan and Big Boobed Silver-haired Sister-san too, if we have the chance, let’s deepen our friendship again. Ahh…… If only I could use my phone, I would have liked a selfie session with you two……]

There was silence for three seconds.

Immediately after……

[Eh? The one who isn’t the Princess Knight, could that be referring to me?]

Munin reacted so.

Well, how should I say this……

Asagi’s choice of words…… Would it be better if she’s occasionally reprimanded for them?

Thereupon, Asagi suddenly stopped and spoke.

[Those are huge, Mimori-kun.]

[………………..]

[The fact that you scratched and clawed your way out and trampled down more and more of the Goddess’ expectations until now…… The fact that Kirihara-kun and Ayaka were forced into this settlement…… That’s right, it can be said that the response to the changing battlefield is also splendid. Well…… Most of all, that I wasn’t able to see through your identity until Poppo revealed it…… Those are huge.]

Asagi turned around once, looking back at me.

Then, she brought her right hand near her cheek and put up three fingers.

[It’s because of these “results” that I now recognize this camp as the winning horse once again.]

Asagi turns towards the outside again and walks away.

[For this race…… I really want to keep my hold on to this camp. I’ll be expecting much from you———– Fly King-sama.]

With these words, Asagi walked out of the barracks, disappearing under the bright sunlight outside.

▽

After Asagi left the barracks, Hijiri came up to me and secretly asked.

[What do you think?]

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