ALL NOVEL In fact, even after hearing Seiya’s words, one question remained to torment me.
In the current situation, I wondered if there was really a need for Mika’s help to overcome the hurdle of the “invasion of colors.”
If I asked whether we needed more help to destroy the false sanctuary, I would answer no.
It would be absurd to discuss a lack of power when everyone in Kivotos had rolled up their sleeves to help. Even if we fail this time, the data we accumulate means we can perfectly time the destruction of the sanctuary next time.
Considering the potential material damage, resource depletion, and the exhaustion of the students, it would be best to succeed this time, but…
“Okay, Mika-chan. Just take a seat here. I’ll handle the connection work.”
Even though I didn’t feel that necessity, I nonetheless entrusted myself to the deep dive device transported by Himari and Rion’s AMAS.
Now that I think about it, I had one question when I watched the Pavanne story.
While thinking about Himari’s question about whether Eridu wouldn’t naturally have a deep dive device, it wasn’t that profound of a question, more like wondering why such an item would obviously exist.
That part remained a mystery even as I was seated in the upgraded deep dive device.
“Hey, Himari-chan. For what purpose was this deep dive device created?”
I casually threw the question out to seek an answer to my curiosity.
Himari paused for a moment upon hearing my question. Then, with a cryptic smile, she replied:
“It would be more accurate to say it’s a byproduct of full dive technology. A few years ago, did you know that a light novel themed around ‘full dive virtual reality games’ was popular among the Students of Millennium? It was trending in ladies’ schools like Trinity… Ah, my apologies. This will be a bit of an unfamiliar story to you, Mika-san.”
“Ahaha. Well, you don’t have to worry about that part. Mm.”
Speaking of which, the light novel that Himari mentioned gives me a sense of déjà vu.
To be more specific, it’s the kind where players can’t log out, so they have to race straight to the end, and if they game over, it seems like their brains would fry.
Anyway, the full dive technology was the result of several ambitious seniors who set out to realize it. Hmm, no. A byproduct that emerged during the intermediate stage would be a more fitting term.
“Ah, so that’s why this deep dive device is an upgraded item? Okay, I get it☆”
“Fufu, that’s right. However, the full dive technology was never realized. Those seniors graduated before completing the project. If even one genius girl like me had been among those members, it surely would have succeeded, but that’s what makes me even more special, isn’t it?”
“Ah, uh…”
I wondered when she would pop up, but once again, today, Himari’s self-love made its presence known.
…But, unrelated to Himari’s self-praise, I do think that if she had been part of that group, the results might have been different.
Of course, Himari wouldn’t know my thoughts, and she seemed displeased with my dry reaction.
“Hey, Mika-chan. What’s with that expression? Just look at the time we’ve spent upgrading the deep dive device, it’s an undeniable truth!”
“Ahaha. I won’t exactly deny that, but I can’t help but think that Rion-chan is truly impressive.”
“…Fufu. Mika-chan, you’re underestimating me too much. Just because you say that doesn’t mean my pride is hurt, nor do I feel inferior or competitive towards Rion. I won’t feel frustrated and try to explain at length why I’m more amazing than Rion. There’s a certain elegance that suits a girl like me.”
Himari’s words can be summed up as ‘I just got scratched.’ Lengthening the explanation to say, ‘I’m not hurt at all!’ kind of defeats the purpose.
Seeing this, I realize I might have a bit of a sadistic side. Since it only happens with Aco and Himari, perhaps their reactions give rise to a sadistic urge I never had before.
“Um, but more importantly, Himari-chan. How about we stop the chit-chat and start getting into it?”
“Ugh… I feel like starting with the real deal is pretty cowardly.”
As she said that, glancing at me, Himari diligently prepared to use the device.
In the meantime,
“…Ah.”
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Ah, no…”
Hesitating and closing her lips, I looked at Himari. That’s when I noticed her face starting to turn bright red.
Feeling curious, I silently stared at her, and Himari took a deep breath.
“I’m going to need you to not misunderstand this, okay? This device is fundamentally designed for at least two people to use together. After our upgrades, one person must accompany for safety reasons.”
“The accompaniment means, you’re not suggesting that Himari-chan enters my unconscious mind directly, are you?”
“Ah, like I said before, Rion and I… especially I, Akeboshi Himari, boast an unrivaled, cloud-like intelligence reigning above the skies. That’s really simple, you know?”
For some reason, despite being embarrassed, Himari remained unwavering. While that used to feel burdensome, these days it just seems cute.
Especially watching her red aura spread across her face in real time, I’m reminded that every time she opens her mouth, she proves again that she is indeed one of the top beauties.
“So, the thing is.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“I think Mika-chan… might need to help with the connection… yeah.”
“…Huh?”
My gaze instinctively dropped. Watching Himari’s toes wiggling within her shoes, things I wanted to say popped into my head, but I held back.
So, I need to lift her from the wheelchair and set her on the device now… and only now. Sigh.*
“Himari-chan can be incredibly useless sometimes.”
“H-Horribly useless? I, who am the very blessing of Kivotos, an ultra genius sickly hacker, the perfect gift from the heavens, could never possibly possess a useless characteristic.”
“But… Himari-chan, you’re the absolute worst among everyone I know. Yes, sincerely.”
“…”
After some fuss, I managed to connect Himari to the device, and followed her directions to connect myself.
With the helmet on, Himari activated the device, and I slowly felt my consciousness fading away.
*
Akeboshi Himari slowly looked around her surroundings. Naturally, it was an unfamiliar place not existing in her memory.
That said, if you asked if it was entirely unfamiliar, it wasn’t.
While the overall appearance was different, this place definitely resembled one of the subway stations found throughout Kivotos.
“Mangpo… station?”
As she awkwardly rolled the word around in her mouth, Himari soon came to a certain assumption. This location was likely a subway station somewhere in Misono Mika’s original world.
The deep dive device was functioning perfectly.
The item she modified with Rion was nearly complete both theoretically and practically, so there was no reason for it to fail.
This meant she was clearly in Mika’s deep subconscious, within the world of her unconscious mind.
But then, why was the backdrop a subway station? Her eyes glittered with curiosity as she spotted a train approaching from the end of the line.
The train glided along the tracks and stopped smoothly.
“This means I should get on.”
Lost in thought as the doors began to close, Himari awkwardly stepped inside the train.
Then, she froze at the sight inside the train.
Unlike the subway station outside that appeared to be from Kivotos, the interior of the train was… a place familiar to her. In other words, it was no different from Kivotos’ train.
Caught off guard by the jarring difference, Himari suddenly realized she wasn’t alone.
The moment she turned to look, a woman with a comforting presence was sitting right next to the door she entered.
Her forehead was fully exposed, and her calm, brown hair cascaded down to her back.
Skin so flawless you couldn’t find a blemish anywhere.
With delicate features so beautifully arranged that you couldn’t help but glance back the moment you laid eyes on her.
Wearing a fabric short tie blouse in ivory chiffon and a black, form-fitting skirt that was definitely not short, the whole ensemble radiated a mature adult aura.
As Himari quietly observed the woman, she was taken aback when the woman’s gaze fell upon her.
“Hello,”
“Ah, y-yes… It’s n-nice to meet you…?!”
For some reason, upon receiving the woman’s greeting accompanied by a faint smile, Himari unexpectedly flustered. So much so that she even bit her tongue. The fact that there was no real pain due to it not being reality did little to comfort her.
“Are you okay?”
‘Wait a second… This person… Is it possible…‘
Her tone, voice, and the aura around her all felt unfamiliar. Yet, quite unceremoniously, Himari thought of someone.
Himari realized that the purpose of entering Mika’s deep consciousness was right in front of her eyes.
“I-I’m fine… thank you for your concern.”
“I’m glad to hear you’re fine. Um… this might sound a bit sudden and strange, but… have we met somewhere before?”
“Ah… um.”
Himari blinked at the woman’s question. Naturally, she should have met this person, who was certainly Mika, but she hesitated before speaking up.
And in the end,
“No, I believe this is our first meeting. I’m Akeboshi Himari.”
Himari followed her instinct.
Right now, she preferred not to acknowledge familiarity and wanted to continue the conversation with this person for a bit longer.
The fulfillment of being able to speak with Mika in her original form for the very first time, potentially in all of Kivotos.
“Akeboshi Himari… that’s a lovely name. By the way, I’m □□□.”
Her true desire was to prolong this moment a little longer.