Chapter 1219 - Haru Sora Depth
"So, um... about me, falling ill, that is..."
"...Ah, yeah. That. That was what we were talking about."
And so, after twists and turns... or perhaps not. Having shared her history—which seemed necessary to reach understanding and acceptance—Sora moved on to the answer to the question that had started it all.
"Me... um, how should I put it. The [Arcadia] where I received my 'treatment' is different from the one for gaming that I use now... um, a special version... or rather..."
"...A prototype? Rather than a trial product, in the sense of a feature-packed original number one."
"Ah, yes, that's right. Then, a prototype—um, in other words, the [Arcadia] as a gaming console shouldn't have any magic-like treatment functions. But, the same technology, or rather, a scaled-down version of the function is... um, as you know."
"'Arcadia players basically don't get sick'... That incomprehensible, unprincipled, detailed-unknown, actually recognized urban legend known as the physical condition management system-sama, huh?"
To be honest, my agitation continues to the point where I can't even try to cover it up.
"No, rather than management, is it preservation? Far from not getting sick or falling ill, even though I don't do any exercise in real life, I still have the exact same muscles from my part-time job days."
"..., ......"
"...Hey. Don't keep patting me."
But, should I say. Or because of that, should I say.
Exchanging words is comfortable. I feel fulfilled by having a conversation, no matter how forced it might be, with Sora who is certainly here right now. I am calming down.
"U-Um... y-yes, that's right. Just like Haru says, something like that... But, that—I think 'management' and 'preservation' are separate functions."
"Separate, how?"
"O-One by one. First, I will explain physical condition management—"
It's pathetic how I can barely keep up with the conversation.
It's so incredibly endearing to see Sora-san explaining so earnestly.
With my emotions split in two like that, although I'm returning words, my capacity is overloaded. When I pull her delicate body close to my chest once more to hide my dazed, stupid face,
"..., ...!"
After Sora let out a happy sigh without hiding it.
"—I will. This is the reason why we don't get sick. I wonder if it's a scaled-down version... a feature-restricted version of the 'treatment function' that was in the prototype."
"Sudden infectious diseases or serious illnesses are impossible, but it will ward off something like a cold?"
"About that much, right. Of course, I don't know the mechanism or anything..."
It's a bit late for this, but she goes on listing dream-like things without a single doubt.
—Without a single doubt, well, of course. Because she is the very person who was given life by a "magic" that far transcends the "about that much" that Sora speaks of.
"And next is 'preservation'. About this... um, it's much more unrealistic than management, or rather, I'm going to start saying something outrageous, but..."
"Ha, haha. It's a bit late for that, haha..."
Really, from start to finish, it's too late.
I'll catch up later... at least, I'll make the effort to catch up, so leave my level of understanding aside for now and continue. With a voice carrying the meaning of raising a white flag in surrender, I urge her to go on.
Then, whether as a comfort or something else, Sora lightly rubs my back while—
"Um... I said it, right? That I only have memories from six years ago."
"You did."
One confirmation.
"In other words, when I woke up was six years ago, is what it means."
"I suppose so."
Another one.
"And, you also said it was four years until I woke up, right?"
"You did."
And, one more.
Having been asked for confirmation over and over, I...
"............Ah?"
Proof of how dull my thinking had become. Extremely belatedly, I notice a massive sense of incongruity and contradiction, and reflexively stare at the form of the girl in my arms—
From ten years old, sleeping for four years.
And then, another six years since waking up.
"......Ehehe...... —Do I look older? Me."
"................You don't... look it."
Naturally. By the reply that slipped from my mouth, I was pinched on the cheek.
No, because seriously... seriously, no matter how you look at her, she doesn't look twenty.
"Cold sleep—no, it seems it wasn't freezing (cold), though."
"............"
"During the treatment, my body didn't seem to age."
"............"
I look up at the heavens.
The sky is not visible, and only the ceiling of my partner's (Sora's) room, which I've gotten somewhat used to, fills my vision.
"...Regarding this, it's just like a 'time machine', isn't it? Fufu."
"It's not... a 'fufu' matter, you know..."
How should I put it, yeah, I get it. Sora is also speaking of the "fact" as a matter of course because it's her "personal experience," but aside from that, she is in a state of resignation.
That Sora herself also has her thoughts filled with question marks about various things—that because it is simply a fact and the truth, she is merely able to speak of it.
"So, yes. In other words, with a combination of the two technologies..."
"The player's body is maintained in a healthy and optimal normal state, and..."
"...is what I think."
In other words, the truth is that both of us are acting out of desperation. In the end, since how the existence known as [Arcadia] realizes its "magic" remains unknown, the parts we don't understand remain "unknown" from one to ten. Not just for me, but for Sora too.
The numerous memories of Sora being surprised, dumbfounded, and terrified by various things in the virtual world up until now. This is no different from those.
The unknown existence [Arcadia] is still unknown—nonetheless,
"I am also properly maintained, you know."
It seems she firmly holds the answer I wanted.
"............"
How should I take this?
Without a doubt, if I trace it back and think about it, it's a reality that should be viewed positively rather than negatively. Yet, it's a harsh reality that I can't help but feel is hopelessly cruel.
"A plus from zero... or a zero from minus."
In other words, Sora's body.
Being normal right now is precisely the state of fully receiving the benefits of magic.
"Please don't make that kind of face."
"Sorry... No, yeah. Or rather, how should I say..."
On Sora's face, emotions akin to sadness are zero. The girl smiling with a troubled face conveys, without any falsehood in either her expression or her voice... that she does not think of herself as pitiful.
Exactly, she correctly accepts the normal as a miracle and enjoys the greatest happiness.
That's right—then, my "that kind of face" is the greatest rudeness.
"......Sorry. You're okay, right?"
"Yes, I'm okay."
"By maintained, um... without [Arcadia],"
"it's not like I'll die or anything. I think it's just that no more magic can be cast on me. ...In fact, I was fine from the time I woke up until I was fifteen. For five years, I lived without touching either the prototype or [Arcadia]."
"............"
"......Geez! Even though I'm saying it clearly to reassure you...!"
Indeed. But, even if it's rude.
"Ask Father for the details later! The current me, this me... —y-your 'me' is! Healthy enough to catch a cold!"
Sora sandwiches my face, which is already on the verge of tears, with both of her hands,
"A normal! Girl! Are you dissatisfied?!"
That itself must be the proof that she is healthily falling ill.
Her face, flushed with fever, is filled not only with pain but also with lively vitality. Solely to encourage me, she hurled an angry shout that was unlike her and that she was probably unused to.
A lovely, angry voice.
"...Sora."
"...What is it?"
Ah—
"...Can I hug you?"
"...Do as you please."
This girl is maddeningly dear to me.
—Gently brushing away Sora's hands that were sandwiching my cheeks,
"Eh, wa...?!"
After that, with absolutely no gentleness, composure, reserve, mercy, or reason.
"U-Um...! Haru—"
While still hugging her, I ended up pushing the girl's delicate body down.
"—I love you."
"Heuh...?!"
When I whisper in her ear, a faint shriek.
Of course, so as not to hurt her body. So as not to bump her against anything, and so as not to weigh down on her, the minimum necessary consideration was unconsciously established, but—
Once again, gentleness is difficult for the current me.
"Seriously, geez, ser... iously, come on...!!"
"Um, ah, um-um-um...! P-Pl-Please calm down...!"
If you say you're normal, if you say you're healthy, if you say there's no need to worry... Ah, yes. As if to say, if you say you're okay, then please do your best to take it.
"Seri................ously, ................"
"..., ......"
Deepening my awareness.
Exposing my trembling voice.
"...Don't go anywhere."
"............Haru."
Relief, fear, various things, all of it.
Without hiding, pouring in all my feelings, as if begging. I simply offer my wish.
"...Stay by my side. Forever."
"............"
The girl's hands, which had been trying to push me away in surprise and panic, whether reflexively or not,
"If Sora goes somewhere... I'm the one who'll die."
"..................Geez."
She holds me, accepting.
And—at close range, our eyes meet with her sky-blue eyes. I...
"...Somehow, you aren't cool at all. Today's Haru."
"...I don't care, I love you."
Somehow, various things are just incomprehensible.
While my head and chest are mixed up in a jumble by emotions that leave me with no choice but to be bewildered, thinking, 'What is this?'—
"..., ............................Sorry, wait a second, I'm about to sneeze..."
"Eh...? ! Wh-No! Look over there?!"
Once again, close range. My nose tickled by her beautiful black hair, which had grown quite long before I knew it, five seconds later.
With a grand sneeze, I unintentionally reset the atmosphere of the place.
A normal! Girl! Are you dissatisfied?! (Voice echoing from the second floor)
"My, my, my..." (Maid smiling while enjoying tea in the first-floor living room)
Eh, wa...?! (Voice echoing from the second floor & slight vibration sound)
"My, my, my, my...!" (Maid reflexively standing up but sitting back down a few seconds later)
— (Silence arriving from the second floor)
"......Humph." (Maid predicting that, in the end, no incident would occur)
Eh...? ! Wh-No! Look over there?!
(Voice echoing from the second floor, the seriousness having passed and now overflowing with comedy & a grand sneezing sound)
"Ufufu..." (Maid smiling with a smug face all to herself, convinced her prediction was correct)
Next time, sugar. Prepare yourselves.