"So that's how it is, Zexeed-san, you're amazing!" "No no, not that much."
"No no, you really are! Top of the heap among tens of thousands!"
"Hearing you two say that… kinda boosts my ego."
From the moment they entered the diner, Yukko and Haruka had been relentlessly hyping Zexeed up, constantly praising him. It was purely calculated to extract as many benefits from him as possible, but a strange reversal was at play here.
To Shana, Zexeed was indeed nothing more than a roadside pebble, but to the vast majority of players, someone who made it to the finals in BoB was an object of admiration.
In fact, even in this diner, Yukko and Haruka could feel envious gazes directed their way.
Most were aimed at Zexeed, of course, but occasionally the same kind of looks spilled over to them too. And since a minority—but undeniably present—portion of those gazes came from other female players, the two misunderstood that being with Zexeed made them objects of envy as well, inwardly smirking that choosing him had been the right call.
Meanwhile, across the street in the opposite shop, Shana and the others were in full bloom with conversation. As befitted a luxury establishment, it was on the top floor in a fully private room, completely shutting out outside eyes.
"So we decided to start with Sinonon's sniping."
"Classic move—crush the head first. Especially since this time the enemy was all newbies."
"Right? Right? Even if she missed, Pit or Kay could've finished him for sure."
At Pitohui's words, Sinon puffed out her cheeks in protest.
"There's no way I'd miss a sitting duck like that."
"Sinonon, I know, it was just an example, an example!"
"Yes yes, Sinon-san's sniping has really leveled up lately."
"Y-you think so…?"
Saying that, Sinon glanced at Shana. Shana nodded in response.
"My M82 is insane, so this result was obvious." "Shana!"
Shizuka bonked Shana's head with a "bad!" and followed up by mimicking him toward Sinon.
"Sorry, Sinonon. Shana's, y'know, not straightforward… Translating that: 'I trusted you with my M82, so obviously I rate your skill sky-high.'"
Sinon looked momentarily downcast at Shana's words, but upon grasping the meaning, she instantly recovered, flashing Shizuka a smile—then glaring at Shana with half-lidded eyes.
"Maybe praise someone straight once in a while?"
"I-I have praised people plenty!"
"Shana gets all twisted when put on the spot like that."
"I've known him a while too—I kinda get it." "Hey, don't stick labels on me! I'm always super honest and straightforward!"
At Shana's claim, Benkei gave an exasperated look.
"Bro, insisting on stuff you don't even believe yourself is kinda iffy. That exact habit of getting embarrassed and deflecting is what's spawning the flood of harem applicants around you right now."
"H-hey, even you, Kay…?"
"Sigh, big sis really has it rough."
"Yeah, total natural—natural-born gigolo, ugh."
Shizuka said that while glancing at Sinon. Sinon was looking down for some reason, but noticing Shizuka's gaze, she suddenly plastered on a smile and agreed.
"Can't… fathom why a guy like this is so popular, seriously…"
Sinon's words trailed off weakly. Smile still fixed, but inwardly she seemed to be wrestling with something, lost in thought. Seeing that, Shizuka whispered to the remaining girls.
"Everyone, thoughts?"
"She's fallen."
"Down bad."
"Knew she'd fall."
Pitohui, Rozalia, Benkei answered in turn. Shizuka sighed.
"We need that cake buffet tomorrow—lock her in as family, no delay."
"I'm free tomorrow."
"Me too."
"Shana and I have the Kyoto parents thing, but it's delayed anyway, so no issue. Rozalia-san, join us while we're at it?"
"Really?"
"Duh, of course—let's milk Shana's wallet together."
"Yesss, please!"
Feeling awkward at the four-way huddle, Shana called out.
"H-hey, you guys, what the heck are you—"
Ignored. Shizuka cheerfully addressed the zoned-out Sinon.
"Hey Sinonon, any plans tomorrow?"
The words snapped her back; she answered in a fluster.
"Uh—sorry, um, nothing tomorrow."
"Great! If you're up for it, tomorrow after school— that cake buffet we planned before, everyone's going."
Hearing that, Sinon hesitated a bit before confirming with Shizuka.
"Shana's coming too, right?"
"Yup, the wallet!"
"Wallet…"
At Shizuka's words, Shana looked a little down. Seeing Shana like that, Sinon seemed to convince herself.
"Meeting unknown guys IRL is kinda risky, I was a little worried… but yeah, Shana's not a guy—he's a wallet, wallet… safe. I'm in."
"Settled! Meet-up spot is…"
After deciding the location, conversation swung back to today's battle.
"Yukko and Haruka?"
"Yup, they said those names, so I got pissed and lopped their heads off, tehe~"
"Tehe my ass—no way it's them."
"But what are the odds? Yukko-Haruka combo isn't that common."
"Well… true."
"Hey, who are those two?"
At Sinon's question, Pitohui explained the prior incident, deftly blurring proper nouns.
"Ugh, nasty people."
"Right? Right? Ignoring others, stuck in their own heads—worst."
"Got the gist. Not them, but I remember faces, so I'll keep an eye out."
"Yup!"
"You lot, don't go harassing random strangers. Bullying newbie girls isn't my hobby."
The two nodded at Shana's words.
"They were total amateurs anyway."
"But Zexeed won't give up—stay alert."
"I'll keep gathering intel on his movements."
"Rozalia, on it."
"Food's all here—let's enjoy this side too."
Accepting Shizuka's proposal, the six began eating in a relaxed mood.
Some dug in heartily, some savored sweets—different styles, but all shared smiles.
Compared to the trio next door scheming with forced expressions, these six thought of nothing complicated, simply basking in the moment.
"Delicious! Luxury hits different!"
"Super fun night."
"Yup, VR's charm includes stuff like this."
"Meet anyone, anywhere, instantly."
Meal over, Shana to the cheerful group:
"I'll handle the bill—wait outside. We're disbanding after anyway."
"Got it… oh."
Shizuka suddenly noticed something, heading to the big window beside the entrance.
"The view from here is wild."
"Lemme see!"
"Me too!"
Sinon and Benkei, intrigued, joined at the window.
"I'll wait outside."
"Me too."
Pitohui and Rozalia exited first. The other three pointed out various city spots from the window, chatting away.
By the way, this place prioritized atmosphere—payment wasn't instant at order like some VR spots; it followed real-world style. A deliberate high-class touch. Rozalia, outside first, noticed the eatery across.
"Oh, there's a shop over there too."
"Yup, budget joint—our usual type."
"Wallet perks… shh, keep that from Shana."
"Gotcha… wait?"
Pitohui then spotted three familiar figures exiting the opposite diner. The two women froze at the sight of her and Rozalia. The remaining man froze too.
"Pitohui, and… Rozalia, right? Living large—rare splurge?"
Zexeed's words carried wariness but were relatively relaxed. The two women—Yukko and Haruka—spoke in panicked tones.
"Zexeed-san, that tattoo lady—she's the one who attacked us earlier!"
"Huh? Wasn't Shana's doing?"
Apparently the three had avoided mentioning the battle entirely, not wanting to recall it. Hearing that, Zexeed provoked Pitohui.
"You're the mastermind? You got us good today, Pitohui. I'll pay this back for sure."
"I'm the mastermind—didn't fight though. Beating Pit? Quit saying impossible stuff, Zexeed."
"Shana, you were here."
Right then, Shana stepped out the door behind and spoke to Zexeed.
"Zexeed's crew ate over there, huh."
"Yeah, cheap and solid… this one's pricey and solid."
"Hey Shana… don't get cocky just 'cause you've got cash."
Other players nearby sensed the tense air, watching the standoff from a distance.
"Bounty on my head, huh, Zexeed. Can't do squat solo? I'll take your 1v1 anytime—any range."
"Hah, you're tops now, sure. But this game's team-based. With Yukko and Haruka, I'll crush you and take #1!"
"Yukko and Haruka, huh…"
Shana said that, then stared hard at the two. The pair felt chills down their spines under Shana's gaze, but being too green, they completely failed to realize it was the same pressure Godfrey had given them at the reunion. Watching Shana stare at Yukko and Haruka, Zexeed misunderstood something and fired back.
"How's that, Shana? Setting aside that mannish chick, you've only got Rozalia—one girl. I've got the beauty duo Yukko and Haruka—two. In that department, my total victory."
At those words, Pitohui looked a bit sad, somewhat self-aware. In that instant, Shana—who'd been reacting to Zexeed with indifference—caught Pitohui's expression and visibly irked.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"