Chapter 1228 - After the Shift
And so, night.
After finishing this and that without any delay, and enjoying a walk (date) with Nia after that, though only for a short time, and then, and then, even getting through the time of my shift—
"Thank you for waiting."
"I'm going to slap you."
A corner of our Zoodiac's pride, the open-air tavern [Zoodiac].
When I join them with a greeting at the "seat" where, though there is consideration, not a few gazes and awareness are always directed as expected, how truly sad. Along with a scowl, immediate verbal abuse flies my way.
Oh my, what a thing to say.
"Is something the matter? Did I perhaps offend you..."
"I'm telling you to 'switch back.' If your shift is over, hurry up and return to normal, that is scary!"
And so, the opponent in this dispute is none other than our familiar white cat, Natsume-chan-senpai, who joined us this time as well. And with that, let's keep the teasing play with the demands of [Thread-Weaver]-sama, who is truly a big help in terms of dispersing fan popularity, to a moderate level—and so.
"Haaah, I'm soooo tired."
"......Well, that change of clothes is fine too, though."
A quick change from the Japanese-style maid outfit that serves as the switch for my personality change, or rather, my serious mimicry chimera acting... the strangely named [PMC], into my familiar best clothes, [Sakura Hanaori (White Sakura Weave)].
As I took my seat while carrying a feeling of liberation similar to when taking off one's uniform at the end of a harsh part-time job shift, along with the realization of fatigue rushing in all at once, the complaining senpai-dono stopped glaring, though she still made a complicated face. One way or another, she is somewhat gentler when I'm in my transformed body (this me).
Setting that aside, while ignoring the not-so-few disappointed sighs reaching my ears from the surroundings.
"Good work~"
"Good work today~"
"Yeah, yeah~"
Half of those present at the table. I received words of appreciation from Nia next to me and Nono-san, also known as [Saishiki Kenbi] Nonomi, opposite me. As expected, since this is the third event counting from when "me (that)" had its explosive birth, they must have gotten used to it, as both of them welcomed me with casual faces while picking at their food.
It's quite unforgivable that the two who were the origin of that explosive birth are like this, but oh well.
"How is everything going?"
In that case, I, for my part, have already accepted "me (that)" as part of my repertoire. Since I have no intention of whining or spouting grudges at this late stage, I quickly moved the conversation along.
A question asking for a rough overview of the current state of the Zoodiac group this time. Directed, of course, at—
"My, it's surprisingly peaceful~"
Our event chief of staff, the citrus-sama of fashion passion.
"At this point, it's safer than carelessly adventuring in normal fields, or rather, there's zero anxiety... as far as what the world calls a 'vacation event' goes, this place is the ultimate form."
"Meaning?"
"It means there are absolutely zero problems."
In response, what was smoothly returned was a completely relaxed status report filled from end to end with positivity. From the fact that she really stripped away all the detailed information to make it rough, I could tell that Nono-san's assessment was dead serious, no joke.
Whether natural or acting, she is an amusing citrus when fooling around, but in serious mode, she is a truly reliable person, no flattery needed. If she declares it so, I can trust her without hesitation.
—And so, with that.
"In that case, is it fine for us to move as planned?"
"Absolutely zero problems! Ah, make sure to show your face in the evening, okay? Every day."
"Of course. Tetsu-san has ruthlessly crammed shifts into my schedule, after all."
A response using information shared in prior consultations. Even if those around us heard it, no one would be able to guess what we were talking about, but it was understood among those at this table.
Well then.
"Well, sorry to trouble you, Senpai-dono—"
"It's not enough effort for you to feel bad about. Don't worry about it and off you go."
When I tried to bow my head to Natsume-chan-senpai again, she waved her hand and lightly brushed it off. Although this time isn't just for my sake, when [Thread-Weaver]-sama is honestly cooperative, she mysteriously displays a tolerance that makes it hard to call her a 'kitten', so she cannot be underestimated.
"That helps. I'm counting on you."
"Yes, yes."
With that, the handover was complete.
"Go ahead, go ahead, it's going to be tough from here on, so please stretch your wings to your heart's content~"
"Thanks. If anything happens..."
Next, while receiving Nono-san's concern—
"Mm."
"Thanks. If called, I'll literally fly over at the speed of sound."
"Ahaha, the fact that you're not joking is terrifyingly reassuring."
Around my casually raised right wrist, a snow-white "thread" wound itself with a slither—having also received this contact thread of [Little Snow Besen, Playing and Weaving White Snow Thread] manipulated by [Thread-Weaver]-sama, I conveyed that my preparations were perfect.
I had already greeted Tetsu-san when leaving my shift, so this should be good.
In that case,
"Well then, shall we go, Nia?"
"Okay!"
While calling out to my companion from here on, I quickly stood up from my seat.
And, while receiving sending-off glances from Natsume-chan-senpai and Nono-san... when I called out, "Now, it's your turn, partner," the half of my soul changed its form from the ring on my right hand.
Carrying the manifested [Alv Stella] in my right hand.
And taking the hand of Nia, who stood up with me, onto my outstretched left palm—
Not forgetting a parting gift smile (fan service) to the surrounding crowd looking this way.
"[Alv Call, True White Memory]—[Green Connect]"
In response to its master's call, the crimson gemstone embedded in the hilt of the white sword shifted to "green" and flickered,
And the next moment.
"......I'm not going to comment on that."
"Ahaha... You're becoming more and more of a monster."
We, who could no longer be caught by anyone's eyes, remained exactly like that, caught by no one's eyes.
Holding hands, we quietly slipped out of the banquet venue.
Now, what did they do, I wonder, and where are they going, I wonder.