ALL NOVEL The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 146
146: A Good Excuse for Achieving the Norm
“Finally…”
I mutter to myself, walking listlessly towards my room in the Ishiru mansion. Even though I’m 16 years old in body, I’m actually a 27-year-old old man on the inside. Living a daily school life is exhausting.
And lately, I’ve been doing things I’m not used to, so it’s even more tiring. I never thought I’d be planning a team strategy for someone else’s sake.
Have I become more sociable since coming here? …But no, I’m still useless. I get tired just being around people. Fundamentally, I’m someone who can only be alone. I’m just forcing myself to do this for now. Maybe I’ll go back to my old life soon?
“The D-class team strategy… Just in case, I won’t count on Aoi. I’ll make the team with Aoi, Bou, and Mushakouji as the core, and have Isino, Sakakibara, and Mihomatsu cover our weak points… If we can just come up with a strategy, it shouldn’t be impossible to clear the entire floor with everyone…”
As I grumbled and opened the door to my room, I saw Ria sitting on the couch, looking lovely. The moment she saw my face, Ria’s eyes sparkled, and she rushed over to me.
“Big brother! Welcome back!!”
“Ah, ah…”
“How was your day at the Academy? I’m sure you did great, being you and all—? Oh, and let me take your bag for you?”
“Eh? Ah—”
Before I could say anything, Ria snatched the bag from me, her smile beaming as she put it away in the closet. Then, she approached me again.
Her eyes seemed to be urging me to do something—
Ah, I see.
“Uh, thanks, Ria…”
“!!”
As I patted her head, Ria’s eyes lit up with joy. It’s a conditioned response, but I felt a pang of regret. This has been our routine lately.
How did it come to this?
Sighing, I took off my uniform jacket. Ria’s eyes sparkled, and I handed it over to her, unable to resist. She hung it in the closet.
If this keeps up, it’ll be a repeat of earlier.
Even saying “pat her head” feels awkward, and I’m a bit embarrassed…
Can’t I find an alternative?
As I thought, an idea struck me.
“Ria, come here.”
“Yes, big brother!!”
“You’ve become really diligent, haven’t you? Until now, just patting your head was enough, but that’s not good enough for me, is it? I’ll give you a different reward, Ria.”
“T-thank you, big brother! This is something I do because I like it, so you don’t need to go out of your way!! Please, just—”
“No way, that’s not good enough!! What’s wrong with you, Ria? Can’t you accept my reward—?”
Ria’s face turned bright red as she covered her cheeks with her hands, her body squirming in embarrassment… Is this too early? What’s with this “too early” business?
Oh well, whatever.
“How about you go to bed first, Ria? It might be your first time, but don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything, so just relax and leave it to me…”
“S-sho—big brother…”
Ria nodded, her face still red.
I got her permission.
Now, let’s have a party tonight!!
◆
――SIDE: Marine Lales――
――It seems the young lady has returned home and is playing with Sho Shinra-sama. As I listened to the sounds coming from the second floor, I couldn’t help but smile.
I was worried about what would happen, but it seems they’ve become good friends. Seeing the young lady’s energetic appearance, I, as her maid, feel relieved. Originally, Ria-sama was a shy and gentle person. She was bullied by her classmates in her French school because of her mixed heritage, which led to us being assigned as her guards. Ria-sama’s mother was quite carefree, so she left her daughter’s upbringing to us… She grew up without knowing her parents’ love—that’s why she was so attached to the first person she met, Aina-sama.
And now, she’s become attached to Sho Shinra-sama as well…
I’ll take the two shortcakes and tea on the silver platter and head up to the second floor.
It’s a small gesture of gratitude.
Sho Shinra-sama—
Please take care of the young lady from now on…
“Ah! Ah! Amazing!! Brother!!?”
“Hahaha! How’s this technique!? Such… things can be done!!”
“—Fe?! So… intense!!?”
“Sora sora sora――!!”
“No, no, Brother!! If you do that!!”
“What if I do!!?”
“Oh no, I’ll fall! I’ll fall――!!?”
As I listen to the noisy sounds coming from the room, I knock on the door four times. There is no response from the young ladies.
…It seems they’re having a lot of fun?
“Brother… amazing, too amazing――!!”
“How’s that! Amazing, right!? It’s cool, right!?”
“Cool… very cool… ♡”
“Hahahahahaha!!”
The sounds are incredibly intense.
I wonder if the young lady’s body is okay.
I’m worried about her.
From the tone of their voices, I think they’re doing it with mutual consent, so it’s not a problem for me as a maid to say anything.
However, I never thought they’d do it as siblings――
…I thought it would be impolite to interrupt, but it’s not good for their education to go overboard, is it? As an incompetent person, I’ll guide them while they enjoy their healthy play.
While apologizing to them in my heart, I open the door.
“…What are you doing, you――?”
“Huh?”
I unintentionally interjected with a straightforward comment.
There, in front of the young lady sitting on the bed, is Brother Shōma doing juggling at high speed while riding a unicycle.
Even I, who am used to seeing unusual things, can’t help but be taken aback by this surreal scene.
“Marīnu, did you bring the black tea?”
“…Yes. But, this is――?”
“Brother Shōma is performing juggling and unicycling for me!?! He’s really skilled! Marīnu, let’s watch together!!”
“…If it’s not a bother”
“Well, there’s no choice, is there?”
Brother Shōma says, not looking very pleased.
And so, Brother Shōma’s juggling performance began. Indeed, he’s very skilled. The young lady’s excitement is understandable. However, this scene――from an outsider’s perspective, it’s ridiculously surreal…
It’s the moment I was worried about.
“Is Shōma there? I have something to discuss with you――”
“Fe?”
“Ah, Sister!!”
“――”
Lady Rina, who caught Brother Shōma doing juggling and unicycling in his room, silently retreated without saying a word.
“…What’s wrong, Sister?”
“Hmm? If it’s important, she’ll talk to me later, right? Now, let’s focus on this!”
“Kyaaa!? They’re doing it again at high speed!?”
“Let’s go, super exciting!!”
The two of them didn’t seem to care, but I was worried about Aona-sama’s condition.
If nothing happens, it’s fine, but…