One-Man Show
I always put in a moderate best effort. That's my motto.
— Jingle!
A clear bell chimed as someone stepped into the shop.
In this sweltering summer heat, the newcomer wore a robe pulled all the way over their head and a mask covering their face. It was a look that practically invited people to mistake them for a terrorist, and I couldn't help but marvel.
Someone else was looking to grab a late-night meal here besides me? Was this place more popular than I'd thought?
Ah, right—the auntie had mentioned there was still one takeout order waiting. Maybe this was the person coming to pick it up.
Well, either way, it had nothing to do with me. I should just focus on my tteokbokki and—
"?"
I suddenly felt a gaze and turned my head.
"Something wrong?"
"No. It might just be me, but the person over there seemed startled looking at me."
The masked figure glanced my way and began fidgeting like someone desperately trying not to get caught. They were clearly straining to act casual, but the result was painfully unnatural.
"Am I that ugly?"
"Not particularly. If anything, you're on the handsome side—but I'd rather not say that out loud."
"I'm grateful for the kind words."
I popped a piece of tteokbokki and fried snack into my mouth. The crispy, spicy flavor was excellent. But that persistent stare kept nagging at me, making it impossible to focus on the taste.
How long did they plan on standing there like that?
"Oh my, we have a customer?"
"Um... the takeout I ordered..."
"Ah, so you're that student? Hang on just a moment. I'll bring it right out."
The masked figure gave a tiny nod.
But... that voice. Where had I heard it before?
I frowned and studied the figure more carefully. A petite frame that looked about my age, fair skin visible on their hands, and... a strand of orange hair peeking out.
Wait. Orange hair?
"Lady Chloe?"
"......."
"You are Lady Chloe, aren't you?"
"Ah, n-no...?"
A trembling voice answered.
Ah. One hundred percent. The corners of my mouth began climbing toward my ears.
Looks like I was about to enjoy a fine spectacle.
"Haha, I never knew Lady Chloe enjoyed this sort of food—but to come pick up the takeout yourself, even~"
"Ah, ah... I told you it's not me? Why are you doing this?"
"No need to be embarrassed. Everyone has their own tastes. I absolutely do not find it amusing that Lady Chloe usually puts on such high-and-mighty airs while secretly loving snacks like this. Oh, since we're already here, why not join me?"
"I-I really am not! Do you have any proof?"
"Hmm. Normally, when a stranger suspects you of something, you simply ignore them and leave. You don't usually turn around and ask for proof."
Chloe's hands fidgeted wildly, and the ear peeking out beside her mask flushed bright red. Watching that reaction sent an indescribable wave of satisfaction swirling through me.
"Here you go, your order's ready. But... do you two know each oth—"
"Th-thank you, I'll enjoy it!"
The moment the auntie brought out the packaged food, Chloe snatched it up like a bolt of lightning and bolted from the shop.
"W-wait! You have to pay first!!"
The auntie called after her too late. Chloe never even looked back as she sprinted away. After staring blankly at the retreating figure, the auntie slowly turned to me.
"Um... the bill..."
"Kheup—I'll cover it. Just put it on my tab."
Who would have imagined that a scion of the kingdom's highest nobility would dine and dash at a tteokbokki shop?
".....You're evil."
"Haha, for Lady Alice to misunderstand my pure goodwill... that makes me a little sad."
"All talk, as usual."
Ah. What a fine show. The tteokbokki tasted especially sweet today.
Time flew by, and before I knew it nearly a month had passed since enrollment. Waking up early had become second nature. The classes, which actually contained useful knowledge; the meals that always felt like pure fantasy; and the days spent around people who were endlessly fun to tease—it all felt far more fulfilling than my old life of nothing but games.
"Phew... this still doesn't feel natural."
I had been running at a steady pace along a deserted walking path when I finally stopped in place, breathing hard. Drawing in deep lungfuls of air, I felt my pounding heart gradually settle.
Long-distance running without using mana—this was the training method I'd chosen to build endurance.
"I've definitely improved compared to before, at least."
It was still tough, but the fact that I was getting better brought a smile to my face. Wearing that faint smile, I turned to look back over the path I'd just run—
"Long time no see, little brother. You're working hard. That's unlike you."
When I turned around, someone was standing there, smiling at me. My expression nearly twisted, but my trait Deceiver held it in check.
It really had been a while. That handsome face, black hair, and the tear mole standing out clearly on his right cheek.
"Lord Pascal? Truly, it's been ages! Have you finally learned how to hold a proper conversation with other people?"
I grinned and poured on the sarcasm. The corner of Pascal's mouth twitched, just barely. He could pretend he wasn't angry all he wanted—I saw right through it.
"You're the same as ever. From the rude manners to the flippant way you talk. If you weren't family, you would've vanished without a trace long ago."
"Haha, Lord Pascal still growls past his age. Looks like we're even."
For a split second Pascal's fist seemed to clench, then it relaxed again.
"Well, enough of this pointless brotherly chatter. I came today because I have something to deliver. Take it."
Pascal held out a paper bag. Wondering if it might be something dangerous, I activated Nature Realm and checked it over, but nothing seemed hazardous, so I accepted it without fuss.
"Look inside."
I opened the bag and examined the contents... a large sheet of paper showing the floor plan of some building, along with its location.
"What is this?"
"You know about the Mock Occupation Battle coming up in a few days, right? The building on that paper is the territory you'll be defending."
"Why is Lord Pascal delivering this to me?"
"Because you're on the same team as me. Red Team. I was actually supposed to hand this over about two weeks ago. Sorry—you know how busy I am. I accidentally forgot about you for a bit, so I'm only getting it to you now."
If Pascal was on my team... that was good news. At the very least, I wouldn't have to face a powerhouse who had reached 5-Star as an enemy on the battlefield.
"Wow. Lord Pascal must be feeling pretty sad. You just missed a perfect chance to deal with me under completely legal circumstances."
"Haha, your jokes go too far. How could I ever harm our precious little brother?"
Pascal laughed heartily, and not a shred of regret showed on his face. What was this? Missing a legitimate opportunity to thrash me should have left him fuming.
"I pulled a few strings. Ever since I drew a bit of attention when Merquin blessed me last time, my voice carries pretty far in the Red Team. Well, our family being outstanding to begin with helps too. Anyway."
Pascal offered a good-natured smile, waved, and turned away.
"I love our family quite a lot, you know? Especially for you, I assigned the absolute best teammates. Check it later. Practice coordinating with them. Do your best, little brother. I'll be cheering for you."
With those words overflowing with goodwill, Pascal walked off. I stood there until he completely disappeared, turning over every possible scheme in my mind, but I couldn't get even the faintest grasp of what he was plotting.
"Still an unpleasant brother. When is he going to grow up?"
Muttering to myself, I examined the information on the papers more carefully. Hmm, first—the territory I had to protect was... First-Year Training Ground No. 3. The one I used all the time. Teammates... well, me, Shion. And... hmm?
"Why... is there only my name... Ah."
That was when it clicked. Why Pascal had walked away with that nasty little smile without stirring up any extra chaos.
"A one-man show, is it?"
The only member of my group was me. In other words, I had to defend this training ground alone against the other teams.
"Hmm. Truly a creative bastard."
Since he couldn't hit me himself, he was going out of his way to screw me over somehow. Impressive, in its own way. How was this even possible? Then again, considering Pascal was a star among the students, it probably wasn't completely out of reach. The guy was ridiculously popular. Everyone must have just looked the other way and kept quiet.
"Hmm... so that's how it is."
It was a problem. Successfully defending a territory awarded a considerable amount of achievement points, but when you considered that a defending group usually numbered between eight and twelve people, calling this situation hopeless was an understatement.
There was no point arguing about it now. The fact that Pascal had delayed delivering this envelope in the first place had clearly been intentional. Even if I raised a fuss at this point, all I'd get back was "it's too late."
"Well, what can I do? I'll just have to give it my best."
I shrugged, started to put the documents back into the paper bag, then simply tossed the whole thing into my inventory. From the inventory I pulled out a dodecahedron cube and floated it with Tao Power.
Matching the cube as I went, I started moving my feet again. Before long, only the sound of my rough breathing and pounding footsteps filled the walking path.
The number of cubes spinning furiously in the air was six.