"How far has this matter spread?" Kisaragi Rin asked the fat orange cat, slightly annoyed.
"Oh... not many people know yet. In another day or two, everyone will probably know."
The fat orange cat pointed at the Weekly Magazine and explained, "It's the Main World's largest civilian Paparazzi Team, dedicated to spreading every bit of fun and drama.
Since the magazine is physical, and it goes on sale every week at Paradise Mall for the discounted price of 10 Paradise Coins, player circulation cannot be stopped. It is currently the highest-selling entertainment newspaper among players.
It is said that the paparazzi inside even have their concept of death erased before they start working."
Kisaragi Rin was expressionless. The orange cat's words simply told him that players were absolutely going to feast on this drama.
But he wasn't too worried. Now that Kisaragi Rin had joined Chiba Zoo, even if the sky fell, Shikanoko Noko would be there to handle it.
"..." After a moment of silence, Kisaragi Rin still asked, "Our Chiba Zoo shouldn't have an animal with a big mouth like this, right?"
Thinking of that photo, Kisaragi Rin looked even more bewildered.
Seriously, buddy, why would your Eternal Universe Workshop spread such an embarrassing thing around!
Now everyone is here for the gossip.
No matter what, this was ultimately trouble.
If possible, Kisaragi Rin still hoped that Eternal Universe Workshop wouldn't keep targeting him.
The people who knew he had become S-Rank were Yukinoshita Yukino, Shinomiya Kaguya, Hayasaka Ai, Shikanoko Noko, and the Chiba Zoo he had just joined.
Kisaragi Rin felt the first few wouldn't cause trouble.
As for Chiba Zoo... Kisaragi Rin looked at the fat orange cat eating fries in front of him and felt their integrity might be lacking.
The fat orange cat noticed Kisaragi Rin's gaze, curled its lips into a wicked smile, and said, "The Weekly Magazine has offered a 10,000 Paradise Coins bounty for the identity of the new S-Rank player."
Kisaragi Rin: "So..."
Fat orange cat: "So..."
Medea: "Buy another packet of fries?"
"Make it a large one this time." The fat orange cat decided, then explained, "Although no one knows why, Lord Shikanoko Noko is quite fond of you. Without her permission, the players at Chiba Zoo wouldn't dare leak your identity, though even if it were leaked, it wouldn't matter much.
Eternal Universe Workshop has great influence and is heavily involved with the Free Pantheon in America. Given the status of their Mentor, they wouldn't kill someone over such a small matter.
Hmm... unless you directly contact the Weekly Magazine staff and publish a statement in the next issue saying you deliberately provoked them.
As for the bounty I mentioned? That was published by the Weekly Magazine, not Eternal Universe Workshop.
The Weekly Magazine is only looking for your identity so that everyone can enjoy more pleasant drama, and to pad a few issues with follow-up reports.
As for Eternal Universe Workshop... instead of focusing their attention on you, they are currently spending more energy chasing down that Reporting Journalist, Barbossa.
Eternal Universe Workshop believes your Curly-Haired Baboon did it unintentionally, and players watching the drama worldwide, as well as the Weekly Magazine reporting the news, all know it was unintentional.
That group of paparazzi just loves drama, and this deliberate attitude is undoubtedly a provocation to Eternal Universe Workshop."
"...These Weekly Magazine reporters sound even greater than the Subtitling Groups on some websites," Kisaragi Rin complained after hearing the orange cat's words.
"Indeed, aside from sometimes padding their issues, these guys do have professional integrity."
The fat orange cat stood up and rubbed against Kisaragi Rin's leg, tilting its head to signal Kisaragi Rin to scratch its chin.
Kisaragi Rin reached out and stroked it; the texture was excellent, the type Yukinoshita Yukino would enjoy.
"By the way, what's your name?" Kisaragi Rin asked.
Judging by its voice, Kisaragi Rin felt it was a small female cat.
He lowered his head to glance at the orange cat's underside, which was protected by Holy Light, obscuring its specific features.
"...You fellow, you know I have intelligence, yet you still make such an impolite gesture!"
The orange cat stared speechlessly at Kisaragi Rin, started to disdain Kisaragi Rin's fingers, and ran over to Medea to switch to a different Feeder for a massage.
"So what is your name?" Medea asked it too.
"...My name is Monica," the fat orange cat replied seriously.
Its serious demeanor made Kisaragi Rin quickly conclude that it had definitely given a false name.
"Let's go find Shikanoko Noko." Sighing, Kisaragi Rin decided to get down to business.
No matter how troublesome Eternal Universe Workshop and the Weekly Magazine were, they weren't his current priority.
Rather than worrying about that, Kisaragi Rin might as well consider what to eat tonight.
"...Give me back the Weekly Magazine." The fat orange cat leaped forward and landed on Kisaragi Rin's shoulder.
"I traded fries for this." After buying two tickets from the Ticket Seller, Kisaragi Rin grabbed the orange cat and weighed it in his hands.
"I'd say, you must weigh twelve pounds now, right? Monica, I remember a study that suggested a twelve-pound Big Fat Cat is equivalent to a human weighing 200 pounds."
"...That's a human study, what does that have to do with me, a cat?" the fat orange cat retorted. "Besides, my transformed human appearance is flawless."
"Catgirl?" Kisaragi Rin was very interested and held it up in the air, saying, "Transform for me and let me see."
The orange cat looked disgusted, extended its Padded Paw, and quickly began sparring with Kisaragi Rin, while Medea nearby suddenly remembered something else.
The bracelet she got from Yukinoshita Yukino, which she planned to modify and use for Saber's outfit change, hadn't been used yet.
"No one should fight me for it tonight. Should I try it on myself first..." Imagining herself transforming into a catgirl, Medea's face quickly flushed red.
Before long, they arrived at the Deer Garden.
As soon as they got there, the fat orange cat named Monica immediately jumped down and seized the opportunity to slip away.
Then Kisaragi Rin and Medea began staring at Shikanoko Noko in the Deer Garden across the fence.
Shikanoko Noko asked, "Do you want to buy deer biscuits? You can feed the fawn."
Kisaragi Rin: "..."
Handing over 200 Yen, Kisaragi Rin took the deer biscuit from Shikanoko Noko's hand and stuffed it back into her mouth.
Shikanoko Noko ate it quite happily.
Kisaragi Rin couldn't help but inwardly complain, wondering if the fat orange cat's Thought Process had been affected by staying too long with this Shikanoko Noko.
With such powerful strength, she could clearly eat as much as she wanted, yet she was obsessed with accepting food from others.
Could it be that food fed by others tastes better?
"Gecko Man, my Deer Antler Radar tells me you still have many questions you want answered."
Unlike her usual dazed expression, today Shikanoko Noko looked like she possessed a Sense of Immortal Grace and Profound Wisdom.
"Do we really have to talk here?" Looking at the fence separating them, Medea felt so awkward she wanted to scratch her feet.