Chapter 1648: Within the Night As It Grows Late ②

As Alice and I continued to tour the Founding Festival, we came across a rather strange sight. People wearing large spherical headpieces…… too large to be called helmets, aiming a wooden stick towards a wooden elongated containers.

At a quick glance, this looks like a gathering of crazy people…… but perhaps, was that some kind of game?

[……That’s quite an outrageous thing, but what exactly is that?]

[They’re fishing.]

[Fishing? Fishing…… Ahh, is that fishing in VR!?]

When I asked about it, she said they were fishing. If someone else said that, I might have thought it was just a joke, but information from Alice is something I can trust. There was also no reason for her to lie to me when she knew I really didn’t know what that was.

And assuming that it was just as Alice says, I could assume that the helmet-like headpiece and that stick were something like VR goggles and controllers.

[That’s right. You see, back at the first Six Kings Festival, I unveiled some new technologies, didn’t I? They studied that VR and that’s something they developed. Well, what I presented at the Six Kings Festival was closer to an application of Spatial Isolation Barrier. Meanwhile, the fishing they’re doing over there is an application of Illusion Magic, so strictly speaking, they’re different things…… This one’s inspiration comes from that VR you’re familiar with though.]

[Heehhh…… As expected of the innovative Hydra Kingdom. They’ve already started incorporating new technology huh……]

[Well, it’s still a research in progress, so their content is still simple, and the appearance of their product is, well, like that…… but when you compare it to Kaito-san’s world, that is still something like the precursor to other games. We use magic to create things in this world, so there are various differences, but I think in about 10 years, I guess we’ll start seeing them creating some pretty advanced stuff?]

[I’m looking forward to it then. I would love to play it when it’s released.]

Perhaps, they certainly were still just fishing in wooden boxes set up as pseudo-fishing spots using Illusion Magic, but as Alice says, as it continues to develop in the future, unique games specific to this world might indeed emerge. In that case, I’m sure it would be really fun, and I’m really looking forward to playing it.

As to be expected from a festival of the innovative Hydra Kingdom, there are many curious things around and going around is fun. It’s also reassuring that if there’s anything I don’t know, I can quickly get information from Alice, so I don’t have any trouble at all.

It’s just, since we are on a date, I do want to do something lover-like……

As I moved my gaze around while having such a thought in mind, I spotted a stall with an unusually large amount of pink in it. Its signboard reads “Couple-Only Special Drink”.

[……Heehhh……]

That looks a bit over the top, but I guess something like that is good too. I have had a drink like that with Kuro and Shiro-san, and I think sharing a single drink like that would certainly be couple-like.

When I looked at the stall with such a thought in mind, Alice looked surprised, before repeatedly moving her gaze from me and that stall. It’s just a guess, but I think she might have guessed what I was thinking.

[……Kaito-san, are you out of your mind? Do you intend to shame me right here in the public……]

[Oi, don’t say it in that misleading way. Well, I thought it would be nice to do something couple-like so……]

[Haahhhh…… Good grief.]

Upon hearing my words, Alice let out a loud, deliberate-sounding sigh. Then, she looked me in the eye and told me in a strong tone.

[Kaito-san, we’ve already been dating for a considerable amount of time. It’s about time you learn how much of a sh*tty noob I am in matters of romance!]

[And you’re still saying with such confidence!?]

[Listen closely, okay? Alice-chan’s mental fortitude in matters of romance is as weak as a präparat. It’s astounding how much of a small fry I am. I’d like it if you don’t underestimate it!]

[For me to still be underestimating you even with how low my expectations about this matter I had of you just amazes me.]

(T/N: präparat is a specimen prepared on a glass slide for use with a microscope)

Well, even though she says this and that, what Alice asserts here is simply that “she’s embarrassed”. I’m well aware that Alice is shy though, and I knew she would react like this when making such a suggestion.

[Do you understand? If you realize…… how thoughtless your proposal was……]

[You say all that, but you like that kind of thing, right?]

[…………………..]

Upon hearing my words, Alice averted her gaze and fell silent with an indescribably awkward expression on her face. She was unusually stumbling in her response, seemingly at a loss for words.

Yes, Alice certainly is a shy person…… but she has a romanticist side in her. She yearns for such classic lover-like situations that are very much like what you’d find from romance mangas.

[In short, if what you’re concerned about is being seen by others, we can just buy the item and move to a different location to drink it, right? Besides, since it’s Alice, you can just create a subspace, right?]

[……T- That is…… well, I- I can do that but……]

[Well, if Alice still dislikes that idea, then I’ll stop…… what do you think?]

[Ugh, ahh, uuu…… W- W- W- Well, I am Kaito-san’s girlfriend…… so if Kaito-san insists that much, I’m not really reluctant to grant your request…… W- Well, I guess it can’t be helped huh!?]

She’s blushing red, but she still had this yearning to do stuff like this, looking like she wanted to experience it. As I couldn’t help chuckling at her utterly adorable reaction, I told Alice I really wanna do it and suggested trying out the Special Drink.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [Hyiihhh…… T- The sweetness level is starting to rise…… H- Help me……]