Chapter 224: Encounter Penalty

The massive news that the hardcore player "Psyger-0" was withdrawing from the clan "Black Wolf."
And further, her request to transfer to "Wolfgang," the clan to which the player who subjugated the Unique Monster belonged.

A double helix of massive news that had leaked from somewhere and spread in the blink of an eye had thrown the ShanFro BBS into absolute chaos.
Why did she decide to withdraw right when the voyage to the New Continent was fast approaching?
Was there some underlying motive behind defeating the Unique Monster "Ctarrnid of the Abyss" alongside the members of the clan "Wolfgang"?
Saint-chan is cute, Saint-chan is cute, Saint-chan is cute... Oi, take that to the dedicated thread.

"I feel like my infamy has officially reached its peak..."

Keyword Search: 'Sunraku'... Whoa, the hit count is well over three digits. Wait, what the hell is the 'Rare Bird Sunraku Capture Countermeasure Meeting'? I'll have you know Sunraku is a certified, pure-blooded Human.
Thank god I secured Rabituza as a safe zone. If I hadn't, people might have actually started camping outside the inn where I logged out.

"Alright, everyone take your seats. Is there anyone here who made a Summer Vacation Debut?"

I wonder if anyone really made their ShanFro debut during summer vacation.

With a simple assembly and the submission of assignments, school ended for the day.
Since my house is located in a weird part of the school district... specifically, an area where there aren't many high school students... I said goodbye to my friends and headed home.
It might not be a bad idea to just go straight home and full-dive into ShanFro, but I guess I'll drop by Rock Roll after all.

"There might just be some hidden gems lying around...!"

I am Hizutome Rakuro! A scavenger playing a crucial role in clearing out Rock Roll's surplus stock of trash games!

"........."

And so.

"Do you happen to have any trash games with a nice feel to them?"

"You know... don't you ever think about living a more, well, meaningful youth?"

"Come on, I don't want to hear that from someone who dedicated an entire summer to an Otome Game... Did you fully clear it?"

"I 100% completed it, including all the hidden scenarios, and even sent a feedback email."

A heavy-duty player of absolute dignity... That being said, in my mind, Iwamaki-san is someone who compresses time and lives life entirely in the fast lane, so considering she probably marathoned the game like I did last year, I'm just glad she looks healthy.

"So? Coming out of your way to dig for trash games, does this mean you've quit ShanFro?"

"A lot of stuff happened, but I formed a clan with some acquaintances and we've been playing it steadily."

"Oh, I see... Ah, right. It's not a trash game, but I've got something good."

Saying that, Iwamaki-san handed me a single package.

"...A trash game?"

"Hmm, it's not exactly a trash game, you see? Rumor has it that absolutely no one has been able to defeat the secret boss."

"Secret boss..."

Well, setting aside the fact that it's highly questionable whether this even qualifies as a game in the first place, it's a fact that my heart is captivated by the phrase 'secret boss.'
Even so... No... I mean, this is... a VR educational program, right?

"Well, whatever. How much?"

"4,210 yen."

"That's pretty cheap."

"Well, it's more like a VR classroom than a game, after all."

Since ShanFro was the only game I bought this summer, even after spending a little on transportation to get to GGC, my wallet is still comfortably warm.
Since I'm a real-money advocate—the ultimate truth being that all men are equal under heaven, so study, you idiot—I handed over a piece of paper depicting the old man who preached that very truth.

"Alright, thanks for your patronage. How's ShanFro going? Are you enjoying it?"

"Yeah, well enough. Though I do occasionally get nostalgic for trash games."

"Hmm... Any time now, I suppose."

"Nn?"

Was she waiting for something?
If she's busy, then as a mere customer, I should probably make myself scarce.
Just as I was thinking that, the door to Rock Roll opened, signaling the arrival of someone else.

"Um, Iwamaki-san, regarding 'as quickly as possible,' what exactly did you mea—........."

"Ah, hey."

"............"

It's been about four or five hours, Saiga-san.
The one who opened the door was, of all people, Saiga-san. I feel like my encounter rate with this person has been really high lately...
Her eyes went wide as saucers, completely freezing up with the door still open. Then, with a slow creaaak, she turned her head and stared at Iwamaki-san.

"Ooh, wEelCoOmE. dOn'T jUsT sTaNd tHeRe, cOmE oN iN."

"That was some incredibly wooden acting, like a game that cheaped out on the voice acting budget."

"Compromising on CVs is absolutely unforgivable."

A soul-stirring statement from a player who had dedicated her life to Otome Games.

"U-Um, Iwamaki-sa, eh, um..."

"Oh my, could it be that you two actually know each other?"

"...? Well, we're in the same grade at the same school, so we know each other's faces and names at least."

"...You coward. In Otome Game terms, you're still stuck in Chapter 2."

Chapter 2? What is she talking about?
And why is Saiga-san looking away with an expression of sheer agony?

"Actually, Hizutome-kun, I've been talking about you with her for a while now."

"About me?"

"Eu, au, um, n-no, um."

For some reason, Iwamaki-san let out a sigh.

"...Look, Hizutome-kun, your choice in categories might be questionable, but you play a lot of different games, right? When Saiga-chan here started playing games, she brought you up."

"T-That's right! That's exactly right! Yes, yes!"

"Ah, so were you the one who recommended ShanFro to Saiga-san?"

"Yeah, me. It was a top seller, and I heard it was one of the easier Full-Dive games to get into."

I see, so that's why we had such a lively conversation about games. Your first game always leaves a strong impression, and it's natural to want to favor it.

"Man, what a coincidence, though. Today is the first day back at your school after summer vacation, right? I'm so happy you decided to drop by my shop right away."

What is this? I'm sensing an incredibly manufactured atmosphere here... Whatever.

"Well, I was planning on going home to play games anyway, so I just dropped by to see if there were any hidden gems."

"Hmm..."

This person's movements are really suspicious. Well, it's not like Saiga-san and I are close enough to have a long, friendly chat, and I want to play what I just bought, so I guess I'll head home.

"Alright, I'll be taking my leave then."

"Ah..."

"...? Is something wrong?"

"Um, well, s-see you tomorrow!"

"Eh? Ah, yeah, see you tomorrow..."

I almost retorted with, 'What are you, an elementary schooler?' but she's probably just an incredibly polite person who properly adheres to even the most basic greetings taught to children.
I suppose there really is some kind of aura that separates her from the common folk.

Now then, should I play ShanFro, or should I play what I just bought? What to do, what to do.

"............"

"............"

"Alright then, shall we start the reflection meeting?"

"Um, if you had at least given me a little more time to mentally prepare myself..."

"There's no point if it takes you three whole years just to mentally prepare yourself, is there?"

"Ugh..."

"First of all, we need to start by getting you to speak without stuttering..."

I figured I should probably replenish the resources I exhausted during the Ctarrnid fight, so I decided to start with ShanFro.

"First things first..."

There's something I have to do... I wonder if committing seppuku to show my sincerity is the way to go here.
Even though it was 90%... well, 70% Ctarrnid's fault, the fact remains that I dragged Emul and Ceecrue into Ruluiath. I have to show Vysache some form of Yakuza-style atonement...

"W-What's wrong, Sunraku-san? You have an incredibly tragic look on your face desu wa!?"

"Should it be a pinky... No, maybe getting encased in concrete and thrown into the Pacific... Actually, I really should just commit seppuku..."

"What in the world are you talking about desu wa!?"

"Emul, I need you to act as my second."

"I said, what are you talking about desu waaa!!?"

For the record, I was forgiven rather easily.

Author's Afterword
For the record, it seems the reflection meeting went on for about an hour.