Chapter 1212 - Joining Ceremony
—So, past noon the next day.
"S o t h a t ' s t h e d e a l ! L o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o i t ! ! !"
At the clan [Souten] home, everyone gathered.
Setting aside Tetra, the self-proclaimed Junior No. 1 who, despite being a night owl, comes whenever called, as always, along with Sora-san, whose spring break happened to start today, and Junior No. 2 Kanata, whose 'work' is currently on consecutive holidays, plus Ui-san and myself, making a total of five existing full members.
Of course, the circumstances proposed by Mi-na yesterday had already been shared in the text of the summoning message. Therefore, the moment the actors gathered, with zero delay, even when Mi-na, whom we had invited to the home for now, proudly raised her voice, not a single person tilted their head in confusion, asking, "What is?"
There was none, but—
"Wow..."
said Kanata-kun.
"So loud..."
said I.
"...Senpai?"
said Tetra.
Though about one unknown person was mixed in, they were provisionally grouped as the [Souten] male faction. Though each had a different nuance, them all reacting like "Are you serious..." was, well, a natural progression.
And so, when I turned my eyes to Junior No. 1, who seemed likely to continue speaking, and prompted her...
"What is [Souten], anyway? Are we aiming to be the single strongest clan or something?"
"I have no memory of ever harboring such an ambition, at least..."
Faced with a confusion that I could only describe as "exactly," I could only nod solemnly. ...Well, I mean, it's not like, it's not like it's bad, right? It's fine, but...
There's absolutely no reason to refuse, though—
"Ah, haha... I was surprised, though. Yes."
"Fufu... It looks like it's going to get lively."
See. Both Sora-san and my master are naturally in a welcoming mood—
"Nn... Finally a formal resident, huh."
"You, seriously, start peeling yourself off me since yesterday, you clingy bug."
When it came to Ri-na, there was already a mountain of "it's too late for that now" feeling anyway—and so.
Well, really, up to that point.
I don't know if it's right to say they happily... retired as idols, but in any case, the flow of Minalina, who had become free, seeking a new place to belong was natural enough.
For my part, there were parts where I wanted to retort with my natural ignorance, like, Wait, you weren't in a clan until now?, but well, there must be various reasons, so a detailed interrogation can wait for later.
On top of that, since the clingy bug (Ri-na) was already basically a clan member anyway... sure, I was surprised by the sudden proposal, and I did feel a mysterious dread that [Souten's] overall combat power would finally reach an incomprehensible domain, but in conclusion.
Well, whatever, I guess. I was planning to take it as that level of story, but...
"......"
I glanced over.
At whom, you ask? Well—
"...What's with that look? Did you see a ghost?"
"In terms of lacking reality, it's pretty close..."
Unlike the majestic Minalina, not as if it were natural...
Excluding our clan's existing members, there was one more person. He probably realized he was floating out of place himself, as he stood there with a subtle expression—none other than a male comrade.
Yes. The third clan applicant, Irori-kun.
No, by applicant, I don't mean he raised his hand yesterday saying "Then put me in too," but rather Mi-na said "And this one too," and after a "Huh?", here we are.
I wouldn't think Were you also unaffiliated with a clan? only in his case. Why? Because whether awake or asleep, he spends all his time training solo, so my only possible reaction is Figures.
And... it's not like I have any feelings of dislike or disapproval, but...
""......................""
Probably, exchanging glances, Irori and I are currently dyed in the exact same thought.
—Wait, am I seriously going to be in the same clan as this guy? like that.
No, because. You know. I mean, Irori and I, how should I put it, of course at this point I have absolutely no intention of saying we get along poorly, but you know, it's that, we were in a different direction, or rather a different genre from that kind of thing, right? We were like best friends, bad influence friends, seniors and juniors who constantly trade blows, where compatibility and incompatibility coexist side-by-side without contradiction, but we were the type of guy friends who do not walk together, right? So, you see, from my perspective, him, and from his perspective, me, being "clan members" is just a bit, how do I say it, something we can't get used to, or rather can't become, or rather doesn't fit at all, or rather is a misinterpretation, or rather makes my back itch endlessly—and then a light sound effect suddenly rings out.
◇ [Ri-na] has joined the clan [Souten] ◇
◇ [Mi-na] has joined the clan [Souten] ◇
And a simple system log pops up at the edge of my vision.
"What's this, Ri-na-chan is first? Ri-na-chan is the clan senior by a split second?"
"Hmph..."
"Why did you snort? Lately, aren't you sometimes a bit harsh with me?"
"The years of hanging around here are different. Know your place."
And, oblivious to the feelings of the two guys, the two red and blue (little ones) new clan members are chattering happily.
"Know what place... anyway, what are you doing? The invitation is already here, right? Hurry up."
And... having his hesitating back slapped by his lover (future tense) with words and a small hand, uncharacteristically. Irori, wobbling and swaying in an unreliable manner,
""............................................""
while continuing his staring contest with me, sluggishly moved his hand...
◇ [Irori] has joined the clan [Souten] ◇
...Swept along by the flow, he successfully became my junior.
What is this.
"U-Um... that... is this... a good thing?"
"...No problem. I'll be in your care from now on, Clan Master."
"Cla— Ma— No... I mean, that's just on paper! It's only on paper...!"
Well, I mean, yeah.
"It feels somewhat strange, but... I look forward to working with you."
"...Yes, teacher. ...I would be glad if we could have a match even occasionally."
"Ah... fufu... I would absolutely love to, myself."
Again, it's not like it's a bad thing.
"Well, nice to meet you, Irori-senpai. Do your best."
"Just what angle are you looking at this from? ...Likewise, nice to meet you, Te—"
"Ah, let me tell you in advance, please refrain from flirting in the common space. That kind of thing is already constantly saturated by the seniors (that one and that one), so do it in your own rooms."
"Understood, it seems I need to have a little chat with you, Tetra. Make some time."
It's a well-known fact that this guy is a good fellow, a good man, and someone adored by everyone.
"...Ah, um."
"We haven't had many chances to talk, but we probably already know enough about each other. It's sudden, but I'd appreciate it if you could act comfortably around me. I'll be in your care too."
"... Yes, of course! I look forward to working with you, Irori-san."
Our clan members are good kids & good people, and on top of that, we were originally almost a gathering of relatives. There's absolutely no need to worry about compatibility issues or anything at this point—
""................................""
"What's with these guys, staring at each other the whole time? Are they dating?"
"Muu... I think there's someone else you should be looking at more right now. Like your 'little sister'. Hey."
Well, whatever.
"Sigh—............ Ah, well... nice to... meet you...?"
"...... Sigh—...... Ah, yeah. I'll be... in your... care...?"
The sense of incongruity can't be wiped away, but for now.
For now, we'll just shake hands for some mysterious reason... and after that, let happen what may. I'll just vaguely hope that the new relationship will blend in with time and throw it aside.
—Clan name [Souten] —
◇Master : [Sora]
◇Sub master: [Haru]
◇Member : [Tetra]
◇Member : [Kanata]
◇Member : [Ui]
◇Member : [Ri-na] New!
◇Member : [Mi-na] New!
◇Member : [Irori] New!
──────────────
What is this monster clan, are they planning to fight a war of independence or something?
Also, only Irori-kun has a kanji name, lol.
By the way, as for why the player community in Arcadia is called a "clan" instead of a "guild," I've muttered about it to myself in the past, but there is a reason, and there is also a reason why it's "Clan Master" instead of "Clan Leader." But it doesn't have a single shred of relevance to the story, and I think whoever came up with the name would be embarrassed (lol), so the time to explain the details of those reasons will never come. As usual, those who want to imagine it are free to do so.