Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Something Feels Off (3)
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It was a tense moment.
It wasn't likely to escalate into a major incident, but all our efforts could have gone up in smoke in an instant.
But all we could do was wait for the results.
Soon, the pretty elven receptionist, who was checking something on her computer, spoke in a gentle voice.
"...Identities confirmed. Sir Raven. Miss Alice. And Miss Lily. The banquet hall for external guests is one floor up via the elevator."
It actually worked?
Alice's and my gazes naturally met in mid-air.
We looked at each other and giggled silently before Raven urged us to hurry toward the elevator.
Here I was, someone without a proper identity in Nighthaven, having successfully infiltrated a building hosting a major corporation's party.
The reason this was possible was simple.
I had temporarily borrowed the identity of Alice's sister, Lily.
It wasn't as difficult as one might think.
For one, the party hosted by Nemesis was much more casual than expected, so they weren't strictly checking identities.
And for another, since my face was covered by a mask, no one could tell I wasn't the person I claimed to be unless they looked underneath.
Of course, it would be trouble if an official suddenly came to verify my identity.
Well, considering the original story, they wouldn't want to cause a scene this early. So that was unlikely.
‘Whoa... this place is like a different world. Everything looks so expensive.’
I held Alice's hand and trotted along behind her, taking in the surroundings.
Unfortunately, this building wasn't Nemesis's headquarters.
That place was more for researchers and employees to work, so it probably wasn't suitable for receiving guests.
Therefore, this was a luxury hotel right near the Nemesis headquarters.
They seemed to have rented out the 32nd to the 34th floors for this launch party.
The thought that some of the items scattered about might be more expensive than my entire year's part-time wages made me grip Alice's hand a little tighter.
"Ah, the elevator is too crowded. Should we take the stairs?"
"You're right. The line is too long. Hmm, it's just one floor, so let's just take the stairs, shall we? You okay with that, Yuria? Want a piggyback ride?"
“...”
Getting a piggyback ride just for one flight of stairs is a bit embarrassing.
I shook my head, declining Alice's offer, and scurried up the stairs.
When we reached the floor with the banquet hall, we couldn't help but be impressed.
"Whoa... it's huge!"
"They certainly spent a pretty penny."
The banquet hall was large, extravagant, and noisy.
It seemed designed for this very purpose, a wide-open space with no pillars.
And everywhere we looked, there were people, tables, people, and more people.
‘Ugh, so many. Just how many people are here? Easily over a hundred.’
Crowds really aren't my thing.
I sighed inwardly, already feeling my energy being drained.
But unlike me, who was already starting to wilt, Alice seemed quite excited.
Her eyes sparkled as she unconsciously wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth.
"S-slurp. What should we eat first? I'm in the mood for some seafood...!"
"Is food the only thing on your mind the second we get here? Hold on."
Raven held Alice back, who looked like she might bolt at any moment, and unfolded the pamphlet he'd received at the entrance.
"Hmm, according to the schedule, the opening ceremony is at 10. The meal... looks like it'll be served after the main events, around 12. We'll have to make do with snacks until then."
"W-what? We have to wait two hours...?"
Alice wore a look of despair, as if she'd just heard the most unbelievable news.
I saw her starving herself all morning, like someone preparing to demolish a buffet.
She must have been shocked to hear she'd have to wait another two hours in this state.
She should have just eaten the bread I offered her earlier instead of refusing.
No matter how much of a banquet this is, its main purpose is to promote a new product. They're not going to serve a full meal right from the start.
"Nooooo...!"
"Still, there are some light finger foods on that table over there. You can tide yourself over with those."
"I-I guess I'll have to! Let's go, Yuria!"
"...?!"
Alice suddenly grabbed my hand and marched toward the snack table.
I don't really want any. Unable to say so, I had no choice but to be dragged along by her.
At the table lined with finger foods stood a staff member in an outfit similar to the elven receptionist we saw earlier.
Alice, her eyes glued to the food-laden table, hurriedly asked him a question.
"Excuse me, can we eat these?"
"Please, take as much as you like."
"Really? Thank you!"
"We just ask that you please dispose of any trash in the bins located throughout the hall."
"Of course!"
After giving her reply, Alice quickly scanned the table and swept up all the delicious-looking food in an instant.
An amount that could no longer be called 'finger food' began to pile up in her arms.
Feeling embarrassed to be seen with her, I discreetly looked away and picked up a nearby tangerine tart.
‘Looks good. I'll just have this one.’
I pushed the bottom of my mask aside and popped the tart into my mouth.
Wow, this is really good.
The refreshing tartness of the fresh tangerine blended with the crisp, savory crust, making me smile involuntarily.
Big corporations really do have a different level of quality, even for their desserts. I savored the aftertaste, inwardly impressed.
"Ish gooh! Ishn't i' gooh?"
"...?"
"Mmm... mmmph, is yours good too, Yuria?"
Ah, so that's what she was asking.
I turned, wiped my mouth, readjusted my mask, and then looked at Alice and nodded.
It was delicious, of course.
A tangerine tart—how could a combination like that not be delicious?
Was she satisfied with my reaction?
She patted the top of my head and said it was time to go.
It was a little embarrassing, being treated like a child.
But since Alice was a pretty girl, I could forgive her for it. Hmph, she could pat my head all she wanted.
Having annihilated one table of finger foods, we returned to where Raven was.
There, we saw Raven talking with some sexy woman.
‘Ah, that's…’
Her appearance was familiar. No, she was a person with such a distinct look that it was impossible to mistake her for someone else.
Ultramarine hair tied up in a high ponytail. A thick leather jacket worn over a bikini that revealed healthy, tanned skin, and tight-fitting jeans.
An eyepatch with a skull on it covered one eye, and a coiled whip hung at her hip.
She was just as distinctive as Alice in her modified, thigh-exposing kimono—the bodyguard specialist Fixer, Lexi.
"Uh..."
"Hmm?"
But unlike me, who knew her from the original story, it seemed Alice and Lexi had never met.
Alice just blinked, flustered by the scantily clad beauty standing before Raven.
Lexi, too, seemed surprised by the combination of a pink-haired girl in a kimono, glancing between Alice and me with a tilt of her head.
I mean, it's understandable. You'd be taken aback to see someone walking around in a bikini when it's not a swimming pool.
If I didn't know better, I'd probably be thinking, *Is she an exhibitionist?*
But perhaps because Alice herself often wore daring outfits that revealed her underwear,
she quickly composed herself and asked Raven,
"Uh... Jin, who is this?"
"Ah, you're back, Alice. This? Lexi."
"Ahaha! Jin, calling me 'this' is a bit much, don't you think!"
Lexi laughed, slapping Raven on the shoulder.
The sound was so forceful I could feel the pain from a distance, my eyes widening. Then, as if suddenly remembering, Lexi pointed at Alice and spoke.
"Ah, I know. You're that annoying little brat, aren't you?"
"Wh-who are you calling an annoying little brat!"
"Huh? I heard you pestered him for days to hire you. And you're only 18? Then you're definitely a greenhorn brat."
"Grrr... Is being old something to brag about...?"
"...N-not really? I'm not that old either."
Wow, this is straight out of the original story.
I looked back and forth between them, my eyes sparkling at the exciting catfight unfolding before me.
On one side, the former comrade who shared life and death with Raven on the battlefield for years, a kindred spirit who saved his life and he hers!
On the other, the agency member who showed Raven the dream he had forgotten, who had become like precious family!
Who will emerge victorious?
Who will be the winner of this heroine battle!
As I watched the fight with bated breath, lamenting the lack of popcorn,
Raven tapped both Lexi and Alice on the head, mediating between them.
"Hey, you idiots. Don't fight in a place like this. You're disturbing everyone. If you're going to fight, take it outside."
"I-I was the one who got picked on!"
Alice raised her voice at Raven, sounding wronged.
She had a point.
She had only asked who Lexi was, only to be hit with a sucker punch.
Did Lexi know that?
She grinned at Alice before speaking with a nonchalant expression.
"Khaha, my apologies. I got a little worked up when some girl approached Jin after I hadn't seen him in so long. But... I wasn't the one who called you annoying. He was."
"...Jin!"
"It's not like I was wrong."
"I-It may not be wrong, but you could at least say nicer things about me to other people! We've been working together for months. Are you still going to be so petty?!"
Alice, looking hurt, approached Raven and looked up at him, grumbling.
From what I could tell, this was one of those moments when she was genuinely upset.
A state that would require at least ten minutes to resolve.
It was one thing for him to think of her as annoying himself, but she must have been hurt that he described her that way to someone else.
‘So, the first round of the heroine battle goes to... Lexi, by decision. I guess you can't ignore the wisdom of age.’
As I nodded, making my own commentary on the rather exciting fight,
a sudden chill ran down my spine as I sensed a presence next to me.
Startled, I looked over to see Lexi crouching down to meet my eyes.
Wh-what is she doing?
Did she somehow hear me thinking she was old?
"I thought you were a young master, but you're a girl. What's your relationship with Jin?"
“...”
"Hmm? Don't want to talk? Or... can't you talk?"
"...!"
"Hmm~ I see."
At my frantic nodding, Lexi's single red eye curved into a smile.
Her gaze, like she'd just found an interesting new toy, was terrifying.
*Please don't. I'm just a temporary part-timer at the Fixer agency.*
As I stood there, flustered before Lexi, who was like a lioness,
Alice, finally noticing, slid over and quickly stepped in front of me.
"Hey! Stop bullying our cute youngest member!"
"I wasn't bullying her. Hmph... well, whatever."
Lexi stood up and turned back to Jin.
Seen from behind Alice, her face looked like that of a girl full of lingering feelings.
"They're an interesting bunch, Jin."
"Never a dull moment. If anything, I'm worried about how exhausted I am every day."
"Yeah. Seems like it. I'm just glad you look happy."
What's this, what's this?
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Alice and I exchanged a glance and listened quietly to their conversation.
Ignoring us, Lexi took something from her pocket and handed it to Raven.
"Since fate brought us together like this, here's my contact info. Call me when you have time. Everyone's waiting to hear from you."
"...I'll think about it."
"Well then. You two over there, see you later."
With that, Lexi turned and strode out of the banquet hall without a backward glance.
Only after she had completely disappeared did I finally let out a deep breath in relief.
If a lioness took human form, she would look just like that.
Just her quiet stare made my heart drop.
I knew she would appear here, but seeing her in person, her presence was truly something else.
[ "Ahem. Greetings, everyone! We are ready to present all of you who have gathered here today with a truly special experience. Please turn your attention to the stage! You are about to witness an incredible technological innovation that will mark a historic moment for all Metahumans!" ]
And just like that, while we were talking, time had passed.
Suddenly, an announcer's voice echoed from the speakers installed all around.
Beyond the Metafuture.
They didn't know it yet, but this event would seal Nemesis's fate.
This is where it really begins.
As I thought this and watched the stage, a fact I had forgotten suddenly struck me like a bolt of lightning.
‘...Huh. Come to think of it, where's the client?’
The only link connecting the Fixer agency to their future third member.
She should have appeared by now, so why was she nowhere to be seen?
Amidst the applause echoing from all around, I realized something was wrong.