Chapter 176 - A Man's Capability
And then, the day arrived.
Today was both the recording day and the broadcast day for "JK Evolution."
It was the day of the decisive battle.
We performed our final checks on our respective movements and stepped out of the entrance.
Since I had failed after challenging it alone, this time we would go with total mobilization.
Angelica would handle scouting and act as the healer in case of an emergency.
Ayako-chan would stand by my side, and if Erin arrived, she would unleash debuffs.
Philia is not in her right mind, but I am bringing her along as a reset button.
Naturally, all three have [Concealment] applied to them.
"So, I'm the decoy, then."
I gave a short "Yeah" to Rio's words as we proceeded down the hallway.
"All you have to do is sit there."
"...So I'm in the princess position? That's a bit unsatisfying—"
"Don't think about unnecessary things. Among us, you're the weakest."
"Isn't that cruel?"
While I was trading lighthearted banter with her, despite her liking it when I was cruel, we arrived in front of the elevator.
I pressed the button and waited for the box to ascend.
"Besides."
"Hm?"
"You look like Elsa. If you die, I might truly lose my mind this time."
"...What is that supposed to mean?"
"Don't you dare do anything dangerous."
Rio nodded, saying she understood.
The gazes of Angelica and the others were painful. It was as if I were being pelted with invisible nails.
"Is Father being a bit too soft on Rio-san? ...I knew it, he likes black-haired girls."
"That's not it, Ange," I said with a smile.
It's not that I'm soft on Rio; I'm just soft on the shadow of Elsa that I project onto her.
In other words, I am the lowest of men.
Clinging to the lingering feelings for a dead woman while keeping young women by my side, giving ambiguous answers to everyone's affection.
...This is no good.
It's not what a man should do.
That's right, I know.
Because I am the Hero—
—I should love everyone equally, and make them all pregnant at the same time.
I was wrong.
During the otherworld era, I showed half-hearted kindness to the women who directed romantic feelings toward me, yet I chose only Elsa, which led to the current situation. I turned my former Party Members into threats.
If I couldn't cut everyone off, the correct answer was to pick everyone up.
That is why, for these new relationships, I will choose the right path.
Angelica and Philia are otherworlders with nowhere else to go, Ayako-chan cannot use her original social status, and if she breaks up with Rio, society won't allow it.
I am the only one who can protect them. In order to protect them for the rest of my life, I have no choice but to practice polygamy.
Once this battle is over, let's go to Africa.
I'll obtain citizenship in a country in West Africa where polygamy is recognized, and register my marriage with Angelica and the others.
This is fine, right, Elsa? I asked in my head. I thought I heard her reply, "I don't think so," but I intentionally ignored it.
A ding sounded.
The elevator doors opened, and we filed inside one after another.
"...Um, Father."
As the doors closed, Angelica peered at me with a worried expression.
"What is it?"
"This is just a hunch... but I feel like you've reached a conclusion after agonizing over something, and it's a wrong answer."
"You're too much of a worrier, Ange. It's fine. I won't lose to Erin. I won't hold back anymore."
"No, not that. It's more like... you seem to have some fatal cognitive distortion in your interpersonal relationships..."
"What do you mean by that?"
"...Father, weren't you staring at a map of Africa with swirling eyes until late last night? Ever since I witnessed that, my heart has been feeling uneasy."
"Aren't you planning a victory celebration trip or something?" Rio interjected.
"Ah, I see, a trip! Father is really splurging!"
"Hahaha. You'll be able to see all sorts of animals, like elephants and giraffes."
"Wow."
"Well, everything is a treat to be enjoyed after we win. Stay sharp."
"Yes!"
While we were letting out harmonious laughter, the elevator stopped. We had arrived on the first floor.
I pressed the open button and the doors parted.
"...This is my first time going to a TV station."
As we stepped outside, Ayako-chan muttered softly.
"Is that so? ...True, it's not somewhere you go unless you have business there."
"...Will it be okay...? Even with [Concealment] applied, I'll still show up on camera, right?"
"I guess so."
"...If my footage were to leak, it would mean a person who shouldn't be there is being filmed, wouldn't it?"
"Ah—"
If Erin comes to attack, I think everything will be such a mess that filming won't even be an option, but I wonder?
"...If I end up creating a ghost story, I'm very sorry, but..."
"You don't need to worry about that, do you? If footage of you, Ayako-chan, were released to the world, people wouldn't be talking about ghosts, but rather, 'Who is that beautiful girl?'"
"...Wh-what are you saying?"
Her cheeks flushed bright red, and Ayako-chan looked down. It was a rare, age-appropriate, cute reaction.
"...Nakamoto-san is strange today. He has a strange sense of composure."
"Is that so? ...Maybe so."
When I think that all four people here will become my wives, this expedition is a bit like a honeymoon.
Of course I'm relaxed.
I gave Ayako-chan a broad grin and told her, "I'll talk to you later."
It was obvious that my processing power had punctured after much deliberation and I had simply given in, but even so, my heart was bright.
After passing through the TV station reception, we were guided not to the waiting rooms, but to a conference room first. Rio, being one of the performers, was also in attendance.
As for Angelica and the others, they were made to wait outside in the hallway.
"Good morning."
It was already near noon, but good morning. That was the custom in this industry. I don't know the origin, but everyone does it, so I just do it too.
When I looked at Rio, she was indeed imitating me, bowing and saying, "...Good morning."
"Ah, Nakamoto-san. Perfect timing."
Producer Kurosawa came running toward us, weaving through the gaps between the desks.
"What's wrong?"
"It's this. A strange letter arrived. A death threat."
"...That's ominous."
"Right? It's this."
As he spoke, Producer Kurosawa handed an envelope to me.
Inside was a letter folded into four, and it read:
'I will kill Keisuke Nakamoto today. Evacuate if you do not wish to be caught in the crossfire.'
It was written in small, slightly rounded characters. The impression I got from this handwriting was that of a "nervous and timid young girl."
If Erin had used her [Language Comprehension] skill to write Japanese, it would have been a font that felt natural.
"We can't exactly cancel the broadcast at this stage, can we? But, there's always the possibility of something happening... If something does, the station will be attacked for not having measures in place. That kind of thing is a real problem."
Producer Kurosawa had beads of sweat on his forehead, and his eyes were darting around.
He seemed quite troubled.
"If something happens, why not just blame it on me?"
"Eh?"
"The staff opposed it, but the host, who was showing great enthusiasm for the program, insisted on proceeding with the recording. If you take it in that direction, Kurosawa-san and the others won't be blamed."
"...Is that alright?"
"I don't mind. You've always been a great help to me, after all."
"Oh, that's a lifesaver," he said, visibly relieved. Does he think of nothing but self-preservation?
...Perhaps it can't be helped.
There is no way a person with the capacity of a great leader exists among the television workers of a peaceful country. If they did, this industry would be much more vibrant.
I've realized recently, but people working in declining industries somewhat resemble defeated soldiers. It was the same during my part-time job days, but in companies where performance is worsening, the people at the top are stingy.
There are no men of character.
No men among men who would take four women as wives and support them all at once.
I laughed to dismiss Producer Kurosawa and headed toward the waiting room.
For some reason, Rio followed after me.
"Why are you coming too? Waiting rooms are separated by gender."
"Is that so? I got an email saying my waiting room is this way, too."
"What?"
Tilting her head, Rio showed me her smartphone screen.
"...You're right. Was it a mistake?"
Just to be sure, I stopped a staff member to confirm, and they apologized apologetically, saying, "I'm sorry, it's an instruction from above."
"I don't quite understand, but Nakamoto-san's waiting room and the girls' waiting room are the same."
"Huh?"
Which means...
From now on, every time I appear on this program, will I be waiting in the same room as teenage girls?
That's a bit—
"Please don't worry, basically every one of them is a fan of Nakamoto-san. It seems like one of them even has you as her type."
—Isn't this bad?