Chapter 1216 - Unexpected
The plan to devote oneself to a precious person is, in a sense, the greatest kind of meaningfulness for a human being.
If there is no other person to oneself, if that other person is not someone to whom one wants to direct their heart, and if they are not close enough to gladly accept the heart that has been offered, it cannot be established. A luxury named interaction that has no meaning to do, and for which the choice to even try to do so does not arise.
It probably depends on a person's nature, but it seems I like "that."
Family... that is, since I became able to like another person other than those whom it is natural for most humans to be close to and natural to like, I have recently become strongly aware of that —
In short, it's a story of how supporting my partner is super meaningful.
Because Sora-san is so admirable, and yet seems to have so much fun... and on top of that, she also seems happy with me for eagerly keeping her company, once things get like this, there is no stopping me.
Therefore, yesterday ended up being until the very end of the day.
Leaving aside the red and blue tiny-tot set, who were set to a one-day co-starring ban, while enjoying an almost infinite comfortableness, before I knew it, we had spent the time together from morning, or rather, from noon until night.
It was by no means slacking off that didn't fit the situation, but rather special training that did fit the situation, but, foolishly enough, while slightly harboring a guilt like is it okay to be this happy?, night came. With a satisfied feeling as if kicking that tiny guilt away, I got into bed —
"—........................, ...Ngh...!?"
The day after yesterday, in other words, the next day. I welcomed an awakening that could hardly be called pleasant, as if being reluctantly and forcefully reeled in from a slumber of happiness.
I hadn't kicked off the futon. That is to say, the wonderful warmth was still here. However, as if to say 'so what?', the discomfort, or rather, the sense of crisis that assailed me came from my feet.
If so, I curled up as if clinging to the warmth. With a heartbreaking effort, the hand that I forced to go on a solo expedition brought back a certain war trophy (smartphone) from the bedside to the land of peace (inside the bed)...
"...Is it, winter...?"
Yesterday, and now today.
While looking at the numbers displayed on the Today's Weather with one eye... I doubted the sanity of the Earth at the ridiculous temperature setting that, as expected, did not match the time of late March.
◇◆◇◆◇
"Isn't it stupidly cold today?"
"It was cold...!"
And, unlike yesterday, I had set an alarm, but as if saying 'no need for that,' I was beaten awake by the cold just after five in the morning. Although I debated whether to go back to sleep, I ultimately decided to get up, and after spending an elegant morning leisurely finishing breakfast and other things.
Eight in the morning. On the veranda of the [Sword Saint]-sama home inside the clan home, with Sora, whom I had met up with after very naturally calling out to each other —
"No, seriously, the Earth has been like that lately. It's crazy."
"I wish it knew moderation. It surprises the body."
— A peaceful time with just the two of us... was not to be today.
From what I heard, including Minalina, who seemed to have logged in since an hour ago, meaning around seven in the morning, there were four of us. We were chatting in the Sword Saint's residence, which was neither hot nor cold, but truly the ultimate in comfort.
Today, I once again missed my master, who returns to reality after doing exactly thirty minutes of routine practice swings from six in the morning. Whether the business from the day before yesterday is still continuing or not, she didn't log in yesterday outside of her regular hours, but I wonder how it will be today —
"..., ...— achoo...!"
"Eh?"
"Hm?"
"Oops?"
Me, who intended to prioritize my partner's special training today as well. And Mi-na and Ri-na, who seemed to be genuinely at a loss for how to spend their daily life. Our thoughts were completely separate, but immersed in the common ground of "peace," in the midst of us being casually blown by the wind.
Sora sneezed.
"...Sora-san?"
"..., ..."
It was a rare phenomenon.
Naturally, even in the virtual world of Arcadia, which approaches reality, one can sneeze. Or rather, instead of saying one can, for example, in extremely cold environments like heavy snow zones or glacier zones where even superhuman avatars cannot remain unfazed, one might be forced to do so in response to a debuff.
However, basically, unless one intends to do so, it does not come out naturally.
That is common sense in the virtual world that even I know, which means I also know that there are generally two patterns for a sneeze that pops out in a field that isn't cold.
First, on purpose.
The reason doesn't really matter, it's a pattern of doing "Achoo...!" or "A-tishoo!!" due to some necessity or acting.
Of course, neither I nor anyone else would think Sora would suddenly do such a thing. Combined with the style that was far too cute, which I felt like I might have heard for the first time, there was no need to be so embarrassed.
Yes, there was indeed no need to be embarrassed, but...
""Big Brother.""
"I know, wait a second. — Hey, Sora, don't run away."
"Ugh..."
That was precisely why both Minalina and I surrounded Sora with serious faces. Why, you ask? It goes without saying — because the second pattern was clearly and definitely a problem.
In short,
"...Well..."
"............"
"H-Haru...? Um, h..."
"............"
"How... is it...?"
Just like this, if I placed my hand on her forehead, it was an abnormality that [Arcadia] would convey to me even across worlds.
In a normal game, it would be impossible to implement both device-wise and technologically, or rather, if it were implemented, one would doubt their sanity, wondering 'what does this mean???', but due to a convenient system named thermometer... it was an abnormal situation that could be read through my hand.
At the edge of my vision, the displayed numbers were... —
"...37.5°C."
"...Eh..."
"Sora-san."
"Ugh... y-yes."
"Even without me saying everything...?"
"I-I understand...! Please don't make such a scary face...!"
And so, like this.
The second possibility indicated by a sneeze during normal times in Arcadia.
A simple and clear, real-life poor physical condition.
It's the second time.