Chapter 2-3 : Strange Bond (part 2)
「However, there are some conditions.」(Alice)
「Conditions?」(Umika)
「First of all, you should listen to me and don’t do anything reckless. Also, there will be another event next week, so I can only play with you for a week. Got it?」(Alice)
「Got it! Thank you, Alice!」(Umika)
「Uwa!」(Alice)
She suddenly hugged me and pushed me backwards. I lost balance, and we fell to the ground.
I don’t know why she’s so happy. Does she want to play with me that badly?
I gently pushed her shoulder and sat up.
「Oh, right. We haven’t introduced ourselves properly.」(Alice)
We know each other’s names, but since we’re going to play together, it’s only natural to introduce ourselves.
「Ah, you’re right. My name is Umika.」(Umika)
「Un. I’m Alice.」(Alice)
「I’ll be in your care, Alice!」(Umika)
Smiling at each other, we stood up.
「It’s been bothering me, but you can speak with your usual tone, you know? You sounded arrogant yesterday, but you’re like a different person now. It feels kinda weird.」(Alice)
「Well, I’m apologizing here, so I’m trying to speak as softly as I can. I can change it if you don’t like it… Ahem! This Umika-sama will play with you! Be grateful!」(Umika)
She put one hand on her waist and pointed at me with the other hand.
That’s the arrogant Umika I know, but…
「Uhh… That way of speaking is kinda annoying.」(Alice)
「Then what do you want exactly!?」(Umika)
「Just try to talk like you’re talking with a friend.」(Alice)
「Friend?」(Umika)
「Yeah. We’re now friends, aren’t we?」(Alice)
「…..」(Umika)
She suddenly fell silent.
Did I just say something I shouldn’t have said…?
「Friends… I have many fans, but I don’t…」(Umika)
「Hm?」(Alice)
「N, nevermind… I just feel so happy right now. I’m glad to know you, Alice.」(Umika)
She showed me her bright smile again.
It’s just my guess, but she probably doesn’t have many friends. Well, I’m not the one to talk.
「So, what are we going to do today? Are we going to hunt some monsters?」(Umika)
She looked excited.
「Hmm… Since you’re still a beginner, hunting in the forest might be too early for you, but you have me to protect you now, so it should’t be a problem.」(Alice)
「Umm, I’m happy that you will protect me, but I want to be able to fight and become stronger just like you!」(Umika)
「Like me?」(Alice)
「Un. I realized how strong you were after you defeated me. Yesterday, I looked up as much information as I could about you. It seems like people call you the Head Hunting Princess.」(Umika)
「Ugh, to be honest, I don’t really like that nickname.」(Alice)
「Is that so? I think it sounds badass.」(Umika)
「I prefer a cute name!」(Alice)
「I see. But it’s a cool name if you asked me. I also learned that you beat powerful contenders and almost won against the champion in the PVP event. You’re so amazing~!」(Umika)
Amazing, huh?
I don’t consider myself an amazing player. I lost to Rin, after all.
But it doesn’t feel bad at all when someone compliments me.
I smiled at her and replied.
「Thank you.」(Alice)
「Fufu~ Say, Alice, you said there will be an event next week, right?」(Umika)
「Yeah. Do you want to participate?」(Alice)
「You will be participating, right? Then I will participate too!」(Umika)
It seems like she just wants to play together with me in the event.
I still don’t know if it’s going to be another PVP event or if it will be a PVE this time. Either way, we should start training now. I wonder how much I can get her used to fighting by then.
「Umika, what’s your fighting style?」(Alice)
「Fighting style? Umm, for now, I’ve learned a few basic magic spells.」(Umika)
Magic, huh? She has a different style from me.
Now I’m not sure how to teach her how to fight.
「Are you aiming to be a magic user?」(Alice)
「To be honest, I’m still not sure. I heard from my fans that magic spells in this game are powerful, so I learned magic.」(Umika)
「Other people’s opinions can be useful sometimes, but you should choose the style that fits you the most.」(Alice)
「Even though you say so, I’m still not sure what abilities to learn.」(Umika)
「Hmm, you may find the answer as we train. For now, let’s do something about your equipment.」(Alice)
「Is this equipment not good enough?」(Umika)
「I think beginner equipment is too weak. Since you will be participating in the event, you might want to upgrade it. How much money do you have right now?」(Alice)
「Actually quite a lot. My fans gave me.」(Umika)
Talk about the privilege of being an internet idol. I’m a bit jealous…
Well, it’s great that she can buy new equipment.
Weapons aside, I think the one she needs the most right now is armor.
We’ll be hunting monsters together, but there may be moments she’s being attacked and I can’t help her. Survivability is important.
「Well then, let’s buy you new armor, shall we?」(Alice)
「New armor. Sounds great! Where do we buy it?」(Umika)
「There’s only one place I would recommend if you want to buy armor.」(Alice)
That’s right. It’s Lynette’s shop.
Without further ado, we walked away from the town’s gate and headed for the main street.
I was planning to gather food for Levy today, but I can do that later. This is a good opportunity to get to know this girl.
「Hm?」(Alice)
As we walked down the street, she suddenly grabbed my hand.
「Y, you see… It’s normal for friends to hold hands… Right?」(Umika)
That may be true. I sometimes hold hands with Rin and Ruka too.
「Umm, if it’s bothering you, then…」(Umika)
「Not at all.」(Alice)
She was about to let go of my hand, but I quickly held hers tightly.
「~~~!!」(Umika)
Again, she looks so happy.
ーーーーーーーーー
「Hello, Lynette-san.」(Alice)
「Alice-chan, welcome-nya!」(Lynette)
As soon as we entered the shop, Lynette greeted us from behind the counter.
As usual, she looked somewhat tired, but she was trying to act energetic.
「Onya, onya~ You’re bringing a new girl today-nya?」(Lynette)
Seeing me entering while holding hands with Umika, she asked with a teasing tone.
Umika then quickly let go of my hand and looked away with a blushing face.
「You already have Rin and Ruka, and you make another girlfriend. Alice-chan, you’re bold-nya!」(Lynette)
「I don’t know what you mean by ‘girlfriend.’ She’s my new friend.」(Alice)
「Nyahaha! I’m just kidding-nya. So, who’s this lady?」(Lynette)
「Well, she isー」(Alice)
Umika cleared her throat and looked at Lynette.
「Ahem. My name is Umika. Nice to meet you.」(Umika)
「I’m Lynette, this shop’s owner. Nice to meet you-nya. Hm? Hang on, I think I’ve heard that name before…」(Lynette)
Lynette rested her thumb and index finger on her chin and thought for a moment.
「Aa! You’re the rumored internet idol-nya!」(Lynette)
「Uh, yes.」(Umika)
「I see-nya. I’ve heard a lot of things about you. You’re the reckless beginner who dared to pick a fight with Alice and was defeated miserably-nya.」(Lynette)
「Uhh… yes…」(Umika)
Umika averted her gaze and scratched her cheek with her finger awkwardly.
But, wait a minute. How did Lynette know? I never tell her about that.
「Lynette-san, where did you hear about our fight?」(Alice)
「Of course, from the in-game forum-nya. Someone found headless bodies of beginner players in the forest the other day, and another person claimed they heard a spooky singing voice of a girl-nya. You see, dead bodies that remained on the field. All of their heads were separated from the bodies. And the spooky singing voice. Those who watched the PVP event would immediately guess that it was the Head Hunting Princess’ doing-nya. Some of Umika’s fans also told other players about what happened-nya.」(Lynette)
「What? So people know about the fight?」(Alice)
「Yup. Everybody is talking about it-nya. Alice-chan, you may not be aware of this, but you have become the hot topic in the forum, you know?」(Lynette)
「Eeehh!?」(Alice)
Looks like many players have been talking about me in the forum.
I don’t access the forum very often so I didn’t know that…
Ugh, I feel like I’m going to throw up…
「Waah! As expected from Alice! You’re probably more famous than me in this game! Incredible!」(Umika)
Umika complimented me, but it didn’t make me happy at all.
Being more famous than an idol? That’s too much for an introvert like me.
Ugh, I wish the ground would swallow me up…
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