After a grueling week of bone and flesh-slicing effort, the Game Development Club finally managed to complete Tales Saga Chronicle 2, just in time to submit it right before the deadline.
Following that, under Momo’s persuasion and suggestion of wanting to see the users’ reactions, the Game Development Club posted the web version of T.S.C 2 online.
Since it would take at least two hours for players’ impressions to start rolling in, they began waiting while checking pre-reactions.
Thud!!!
For some unknown reason, the game console exploded due to a sniper shot from outside the clubroom.
In the confusion, Midori spotted that the sniper was Kakudate Karin from C&C. Karin’s sniping continued once again.
However, this sniping was short-lived…
“Long-range attack confirmed, direction at 11 o’clock in front of the clubroom! Distance… 1km…!”
“Kuh! Is this revenge from last time?!”
“I’ll fire back!”
“No, Aris! Let’s get out for now! The teacher is here, and above all… if we fight here, our clubroom will—”
Bam!!!
“Uwah?!”
“The enemy sniper is presumed to be suppressed by Miyu’s shot!”
“Awesome, awesome! Miyu, you’re our hero!”
As Aris pointed out the location of the enemy sniper, Miyu quickly pinpointed the enemy’s position and retaliated, perfectly coordinating to nullify C&C’s assault.
“Uh, I don’t think this is a time to celebrate… There’s no reason for a single member from C&C to target us… And besides, the Student Council members are outside too! Could it be because of the mirror?!”
“I felt a bit sorry at the time, but now it just feels unjust…”
“…Everyone, calm down for now. Since Miyu took down the sniper, let’s head outside to a better spot for counteraction.”
Thus, the group, positioned appropriately, headed outside the clubroom and moved toward the unoccupied Old School to avoid damaging their clubroom.
Phew. Did we barely escape…
“What should we do now…?”
“Since we entered the Millennium Price contest, let’s run away until the results come out!”
“That’s a no-go.”
Tatata-TAN!!!
“Midori?!”
There, they faced the ultimate Millennium prize, C&C’s victory emblem, Neru.
For some unknown reason, they were met with Neru dressed in her idol stage costume.
This was actually coerced by Akane and Asuna under the pretext of a favor. Plus, it didn’t help that Neru had a bit of a soft spot for her club members’ requests.
“Ah, I knew it was a good decision. You were the one who directed those kids just now, and attacked our Millennium confiscated items storage. It was you after all.”
“…You know me?”
“Just call me Teacher. You’re the subject of rumors that Akane investigated. Guess you weren’t exaggerating. You really do look just as Mika described.”
Seriously, Mika again? More importantly, how did she describe my looks to elicit that response?
While the teacher was lost in thought, Aris’ melodious voice rang in her ears.
“Ah, I know! The leader of Blooming Buds, Misono Neru! The current top idol… You look so cool in person! I want to become an idol someday too!”
“Uh, whoa? Thanks for the compliment about the outfit, I guess.”
“Even though she’s a little idol, she’s famous for her more fiery personality than other members! The rumor of her fighting with other members to seize the leader position is legendary!”
“Uwaang? What did you just say? Little idol? I’m a third-year, you know?!”
“Th-then, little idol senpai…?”
Gyaaaah!!! This is really pissing me off?!
“Um, so you’re Neru, right? Could you tell me why you attacked the Game Development Club’s room?”
The teacher slowly attempted to mediate, realizing Neru’s explosive temper was easy to detect.
“Huh… Why did I do it? I had some business with that idiot wielding a ridiculously large weapon… Yeah, I’m talking about you!”
As she scanned the surroundings and pointed her finger at Aris, Neru nodded dully as if drained of energy.
“Are you looking for Aris?”
“Yeah. You’re different. You really nailed it on our C&C—”
BAM!!! WHOOSH—
Interrupting her words, Neru swung her hand roughly, causing the connected chain to whip upward. She demonstrated a trick of defending against Miyu’s long-range shot with that chain.
Rattle—!! Clank.
“…Ah, damn. This is the second time this chain has broken.”
Although the chain snapped as a result, it still served its purpose.
“Hey, Teacher. Give the sniper you brought some stand-down orders. I’ll let the second shot slide, but if another shot comes, I’m going all out without question.”
With a menacing smile, Neru’s attitude prompted the Teacher’s swift judgment. It was clear that facing all three of them with her current power was beyond her capabilities, merely from Neru’s recently displayed near-supernatural technique.
“…Miyu, cease fire and hold position.”
[Yes, yes… Understood, Teacher…!]
Right after the second shot suggested by Neru was fired, Miyu, having received the teacher’s call, halted her shooting.
After confirming Neru easily dodged the next shot, Miyu fell into deep despair. The teacher noticed it and ended up prolonging things as she tried to comfort Miyu.
“Alright. I think we’re in a situation where we can talk now. So where did we leave off?”
With a grin that radiated delight, Neru hung one of her guns over her shoulder. With another in hand, she made a gesture toward Aris while leaning at a quirky angle.
“Right, I was supposed to ask you who dealt us that blow.”
“Ah! Aris, I know this pattern! ‘You’re the first to treat me this way.’ Thus, it’s a confession! The little idol has fallen for Aris!”
Everyone’s attention focused on Aris’s bright smile.
“Fuhuhahaha!!!”
“Puhuhut… Ahah! President, did you hear?! A monumental event!! Our president’s first love! Spring has finally come for the president… Kyaaaah!!”
Almost simultaneously, Momo and Asuna burst into laughter, and shortly after, they found themselves exposed to Neru’s indiscriminate fire.
“Don’t laugh, you bastards!!”
“Wahh!! It hurts, it hurts!!”
“Ahahaha… President, I’ll make sure to tell Mika about this—”
“Wh-hat??? Have you lost it?! Just don’t do any of this lightly!!”
Despite their playful banter, Neru gritted her teeth, emptying two magazines at Asuna. Afterward, she let out a sigh.
As Asuna lay sprawled on the ground, still chuckling, Neru was about to explode again but managed to restrain herself with superhuman patience and turned her head away.
However, noticing where the teacher’s gaze was directed, Neru silently changed her magazine.
“Hey, Teacher. Not going to look away?”
“…I don’t know what this is about, but it’s a misunderstanding.”
Neru’s wrath turned to the Teacher, having confirmed Asuna’s underwear was exposed.
No, it was supposed to be directed.
“No, Teacher is too weak! If that’s the case, let Aris take my place…!”
“Huh?”
“Today, my role is… the translucent tank…”
“Translucent, what…?”
Looking at Aris in disbelief, Neru let out a smirk.
“Geez. You’re an interesting one. I’ve heard that the Teacher isn’t as sturdy as we are. Still, with that kind of eerie atmosphere, getting stuck in the infirmary for a day or two doesn’t sound too bad, I think… but whatever.”
“No, I’m saying it’s a misunderstanding.”
Neru’s four pairs of icy eyes turned to the Teacher, who truly felt aggrieved since nothing was visible from the Teacher’s angle.
“…In any case, I didn’t come here for revenge because of that hit. Just decline any unnecessary misunderstandings.”
“Then why…”
“There were some shady parts, sure. But ultimately, it was a legitimate request, and you guys achieved your goals against us. That’s where the story ends. I’m not someone who bears grudges enough to resent over such trifles. Just a bit curious now.”
“Curious…? So my We disappeared into the next world just because of your curiosity?! You better take responsibility…!”
After hearing Neru’s explanation, Momo, unable to contain her frustration, directly collided with her senior, who was like the sky.
For a gamer, a fly station was a crucial issue.
To everyone’s surprise, instead of getting angry, Neru seemed amused by Momo’s attitude and chuckled.
“Nah, if you need it, I’ll buy you a new one.”
“R-really?!”
“Yeah. I’ve got plenty of money. There will be even more coming in.”
Given that she was the current top idol and also the leader of C&C, it was obvious that if she was low on money, it would be quite absurd.
“Great! Our senior Neru, do as you please with the curiosity and all! Aja!”
“…Sis, I’m embarrassed just watching.”
Turning her attention away from the bickering twins, Neru picked up her interrupted train of thought again.
“Next person to interrupt me better be ready. You there.”
“Yes, yes.”
“…What’s up? Where did that bravado from earlier go? It’s nothing serious; let’s just have a match. If you win against me, I’ll let you go. This is easier to understand than a lot of investigating or analysis, you know? What’s it gonna be?”
“…Understood.”
“Oh, showing a willing spirit.”
“So, it’s like a duel event? I understand.”
“Duel… what?”
As Neru tilted her head in confusion, Aris readied her weapon—the railgun, which was larger than her body.
“Last time it was cramped, and the mirror made it hard to go all out, but now…! Here I go! Magic charge 100%…!”
“This is…?!”
Along with Neru’s exclamation, light shone brightly.
“Light—!!!”
BANG!!!
With that blow, a part of the Old School’s outer wall was completely demolished.
