Chapter 22

Time passed, and the day arrived when the four of us would play the online game together. After logging into [The Black Plains], I checked my friend list and confirmed that Sturmangriff was logged in. Rin hadn't arrived yet.

"Kazu-kun! It's been a while!"

"It has. Nice to see you today."

"Yeah! Rin-chan will be a bit late. Aya will be here soon, though."

I replied to the chat messages from Kajiwara-san. Her casualness was hard to believe, considering she was the leader of a popular idol group. That was part of her charm.

"Did you explain Rin to Seikawa? How her in-game personality is completely different from her real one?"

"I did, sort of. She didn't seem entirely convinced... But, I also told her about the relationship between Rin-chan and Kazu!"

Sturmangriff, who had walked over to me, gave a thumbs-up. It was reassuring.

One of the reasons I joined their gathering was to see how Rin would behave. I wanted to be ready to back her up if needed. Seikawa, unlike Kajiwara-san, tends to think realistically (though she also has some bizarre beliefs). There was a risk that things could get out of hand, so I considered it necessary to explain the situation if it came to that. Of course, the main reason was that I really wanted to play the game with them.

"Aya's here!"

I noticed this from Kajiwara-san's chat message. Kazu and Sturmangriff were at the fountain square in the capital, and a green-haired woman stood nearby. She wore a sacred-looking nun's habit, which was an item obtained through in-game purchases. When I clicked to check her name, it displayed [Kakana Ellera]. It sounded like a typical foreign name... Her class was a Priest, a healer responsible for recovery.

Kajiwara-san created a party and sent me a join request. I joined Sturmangriff's party and confirmed that Kakana Ellera was on the list. Now we could chat in the party chat.

"Seikawa, that's quite a serious name..."

"I tried to come up with a foreign-sounding name that fits the game's world. Rather, isn't Wato-senpai's name a bit too casual? Kazu... isn't it just part of your name?"

"I can't really argue with that... But Rin is the same, you know."

"Well, it's wonderful that you value your name. Even in a game, respecting your name is a great thing."

"Your change of heart is unbelievable!"

While chatting, I sent a friend request to Kakana Ellera. It was quickly accepted. Now my friend list included the names of three popular idols. I thought the same thing when I saw their names in my phone contacts. This was pretty impressive, wasn't it?

For a few minutes, the three of us chatted via text. I suggested a voice chat, but Seikawa apparently didn't have a headset. She planned to buy one later.

"Aya, you're really good! You heal me right away when I'm in trouble!"

"Nana-senpai charges straight into the enemy without thinking... I can't take my eyes off her for a second."

"Hehe. You have to face everything head-on!"

"That's just like Nana-senpai."

"I'll rely on you for healing too, Seikawa. As a front-liner, I tend to get into trouble."

"Then you must never go against me. As a healer, I'm in charge of everyone's lives. Your fate is in my hands."

"That's a bit too realistic! You sound like a psychopath!"

Seikawa has a dark side. I was certain of it at that moment.

――――"Rin has logged in."

It suddenly appeared in the chat. Rin had finally arrived, and I was happy.

Soon, Rin appeared on the screen. The four of us gathered at the fountain square. The chat displayed, "Rin has joined the party."

"Sorry everyone, I'm a bit late because of work..."

"Welcome, Rin-chan! It's totally fine, don't worry!"

"Thanks, Sturmangriff! Uh, is Kakana Ellera Aya?"

"Yes, it's me."

"This is the first time I'm playing with Aya in the game! Nice to meet you! Let's be friends!"

"Sure."

I could sense the stiffness in Seikawa's messages. I wondered what was going on. The answer came in a private chat from Seikawa.

"Wato-senpai! You must have brainwashed Rin-senpai! Her character is completely different from her real self!"

"I didn't brainwash her! This is just her in-game character!"

"That's a lie! She seems more like Nana-senpai... Anyway, her way of speaking is completely different from the cool Rin-senpai! I can't believe it!"

"I was surprised at first too, but it feels like Rin, so I'm getting used to it."

"...I heard from Nana-senpai, but I didn't expect this much. If she hasn't been brainwashed, then Rin-senpai must have... a side I don't know about."

Seikawa couldn't hide her confusion, but I could tell her suspicion of me was fading. The next step was to get her to understand that the idea of being a couple was Rin's own.

"Hey, I need to tell you something, Kakana Ellera."

"What is it, Rin-senpai?"

Seikawa seemed to have decided to use Rin's in-game name.

Rin then said one thing.

"Kazu and I are married! Kazu is my husband!"

Seikawa, taken aback by this unexpected revelation, replied with a short "Understood" and then sent me a private chat: "This pervert! Making a popular idol play a couple game!"

After the brainwashing, now it's forcing a game, huh... I didn't say anything, though (tears).