俺は混乱でやや思考が麻痺した頭で、だが真摯に彼女の想いに答えるべく口を開き――
「待って! ちょっと待って、ハインド君!」
「!?」
かけたところで、焦りを帯びたセレーネさんに必死に止められた。
両手をバタバタと振り回して言葉を遮ってくる。
好きだと告げた瞬間には平静そのものだった顔は、今は瞬間湯沸かし器の如く沸騰していた。
「何も言わずに、もう少しだけ私の話を聞いて! お願い......!」
答えを封じられた俺は黙るしかない。
セレーネさんは胸に手を当てて何度も深呼吸すると、赤さの残る顔で言葉を続けた。
「ハインド君、まず......」
「はい」
「私の今日の頑張りゲージはもう0です」
「――はい? ......あー......は、はい」
頑張りゲージって何だ? とは思ったが、精神的に限界というニュアンスだけは伝わってくる。
反して、自分以上に慌てているセレーネさんの状態を見ている俺の方は段々と落ち着いてきた。
そんな彼女の話は続く。
「なので、す......好きっ......とは言ったけど、その先を言う気力も答えを聞く気力もありません......」
「だから、答えは保留にしてください......私の聞く決心がつくまで......お願いします......」
何というへたれた告白......。
だが、自分も全く人のことを言う資格がないことを思い出す。
俺達三人の関係も、ずっと答えを先延ばしにしたままぬるま湯に浸かり続けているようなものだから。
それを言うと、セレーネさんは汗を一筋流して頬を掻いた。
「でもハインド君、それって気が付いているからだよね? ハインド君が誰か一人を選んだら、今の関係は崩れちゃうってことに」
「そりゃまあ、その可能性があるとは思っていましたけど......」
「私の通っている大学でも、恋愛関係の
「嫌な実例ですね!?」
なんか生々しい。
俺達のギルドにも当て嵌まりそうで嫌な感じだ。
「私、もちろんハインド君のことが......い、一番、なんだけど! ......このギルドのみんなのことも好きなんだ。勝手ばかりで悪いけど......ハインド君さえ良ければ、暫くはこのままでいたい。君がどんな答えを持っているにせよ、このままで」
「......分かりました。ではセレーネさんの好意だけ、ありがたく受け取っておきます」
答えはいらない、か......。
ほっとしたような、少し残念なような複雑な心境だ。
「謝ってばかりだけど......ごめんね? 一方的に好意を伝えて、相手には何も言うなって......卑怯だし、酷いよね?」
「確かに生殺しにされている気分ではありますが......俺自身もトビを含めた今の五人で遊べる状況を気に入っていますし、同じことですよ。前に進もうとしない、臆病者で卑怯者です。そんなですから、いつの間にかあの二人を誰かに取られていたとしても文句は言えませんけどね......」
われることはあっても、逆はないんじゃないかなぁ。二人とも頑固で、一途で、君を替えの利かない特別な存在だって思っているのが伝わってくるから。だからどれだけ気持ちが高まっても慎重になるし、臆病にもなるんだよ。私も、一緒」
普通は逆なんじゃないのか......? 男なのに......。
しかも攫われるって表現、どこのお姫様なんだよ俺は。
ドレスを着た自分の姿が脳裏に浮かんできて吐きそうになった。気持ちわりい。
頭を振ってそのイメージを払うと、気を取り直してセレーネさんの澄んだ目をじっと見返す。
揃いも揃って、こんな男のどこが良いのかは分からないが......。
な輪の中へようこそ。行きつく先は分かりませんが、道中楽しく行きましょう」
「うん、仲間に入れて。いっそのこと、三人纏めて面倒を見てくれても......良いんだよ?」
「ウチの母さんみたいなことを言わないでくださいよ......」
「あ、そうなの? ハインド君のお母さん、変わってるね」
臆病な俺達は、こうして結論を先延ばしにすることを選んだ。
その後はセレーネさんから贈られた『極上の支援者の杖+7』を装備し、杖についての説明を受けた。
杖の性能は素晴らしく、魔力が格段に上がったのは言うまでもなく『ノービリス・カーバンクル』の効果で詠唱時間-3%というおまけ付きだ。
握り心地もしっくりくるし、何よりこの品の良い装飾と杖全体の雰囲気が最高に好みである。
ユーミル辺りは地味だと言うかもしれないが、俺はセレーネさんをそれこそ手放しで褒めちぎった。
そのせいか、終いには耳まで赤くして縮こまってしまったが......。
落ち着いたところでセレーネさんと二人で談話室に戻ると、片づけを済ませた三人が椅子に座って今日のコンテストに関しての雑談をしていた。
――そろそろ良い時間だし、今夜はこれで終わりかな?
鍛冶場で何を話していたのか訊かれたので、杖をセレーネさんから受け取ったことを話した。
トビは羨ましいと唸りながら俺の方を見たのみだったのだが......。
ユーミルとリィズは視線を交わし合うと、何やら無言のまま二人で頷き合っている。
なんだ?
「ユーミル、今日はもう解散でいいのか?」
「ああ、解散で問題ないぞ。ただし男二人は、だがな」
「どういうことでござる? ユーミル殿」
ユーミルはトビの質問には答えずに、セレーネさんを手招きした。
何かを察しているのか、俺の隣に立つセレーネさんの表情はやや引きつっている。
そのまま近付くとリィズとユーミルの三人で顔を寄せ合い、俺達に聞こえない声で何事かを囁き合い......。
「――というわけで、女子だけで内緒の話があるのだ! 男共は帰れ帰れ!」
「第一回、渡り鳥女子会議です。私達のことはお構いなく」
「ふ、二人とも、そういうことだから......ハインド君、私は大丈夫だから。ねっ」
俺の心配そうな視線を察したのか、セレーネさんがそう言って困ったように笑う。
そのやり取りを見たトビが意地の悪い笑みを張り付けて手をポンと叩いた。
「ははあ......なるほど、そういうことでござるか。ハインド殿、取り敢えずここを出るでござるよ」
「いや、ちょっと待――引きずるなっ、押すなっ! 自分で歩くから!」
トビに強引に腕を掴まれ、談話室を出た。
あいつら妙に勘が鋭いな、とかセレーネさん大丈夫かな、とか色々と思うところはあったが......。
ギルドホームにある俺の個室に入るなり、トビがアイテムボックスに腰掛けて愉快そうな様子で話しかけてくる。
「お前も大概察しが良い奴だな。にしても、他人事だと思って楽しみやがって......お前だって彼女が欲しいって言ってたじゃねえか。男一人蚊帳の外で、悔しくないのか?」
俺の言葉にトビは大袈裟に肩を竦めてみせた。
なんか、こいつがやると絶妙にイラッとする仕草なんだよな......問答無用でアイアンクローをかましたくなってくる。
「んー、でもあの三人だと......ぶっちゃけ全員面倒くさいので、やっぱり羨ましくはないでござるかな! 特にユーミル殿とリィズ殿は酷い! 実に酷い! 見た目は全員文句なしの美人でござるがっ!」
「......ほう。二人にチクってやろうかな......」
「――!? 待って、殺されちゃう!? 粉微塵にされちゃう!? 調子に乗り過ぎたのは謝るから! 謝るからぁ! メール画面呼び出すのヤメテ!」
その後も女性陣の様子が気になりはしたものの......。
結局できることは何もないので、『エイシカドレス』のオークションへの出品だけを済ませると、そのままトビと一緒にログアウトすることにした。
My mind was in chaos and I was unable to think properly, even then, I was about to open my mouth to gave an answer to her sincere feelings when-
[Wait! Wait a moment, Hind-kun!] (Selene)
[!?] (Hind)
Just at that moment, a restless Selene-san frantically stopped me.
She interrupted me while flailing her arms around.
Steam poured from the face that looked completely calm when she told me she liked me as if she was boiling.
[Listen to what I have to say for a bit longer without saying anything! Please...!] (Selene)
Since she prevented me from saying anything, I could only stay silent.
Selene-san placed her hand on her chest and took a deep breath a few times, then continued talking with a flushed face.
[Hind-kun, first off...] (Selene)
[Yes.] (Hind)
[Right now, today's work hard gauge is already at 0 points.] (Selene)
[...Huh? ...Ah...r-right.] (Hind)
What's a work hard gauge? Is what I was thinking, but she managed to convey that it meant something like her emotional limits.
In return, seeing how Selene-san was even more flustered than me, I started to gradually calm down.
Then, she continued speaking.
[That being said, I said that I l-...like you, but I don't have the energy say anything after the reply that comes after that...] (Selene)
[That's why, refrain from answering now...until I prepare myself to listen to it...please...] (Selene)
This is quite the messy confession...
However, I think I'm not really one to talk.
After all, the relationship the three of us have, is one where we just keep delaying the answer and settling on a position we are comfortable in.
As I said that, a streak of sweat ran through Selene-san's cheek.
[But Hind-kun, that's because you realized, right? That if you were to choose one, the relationship that you have right now would crumble.] (Selene)
[Well, I thought that there was a possibility that, that sort of thing would happen but...] (Hind)
[Even at the university I go to right now, there's been multiple circles that have been destroyed due to issues with personal relationships...] (Selene)
[That's quite the unpleasant example!] (Hind)
I can actually vividly picture it.
It sounds like something that could happen to our guild so it gives me a bad feeling.
[I, obviously I l...like Hind-kun the most! ...But I also like everyone in this guild. I feel bad for forcing this but...if it's OK with you, I would like things to stay the same for now. No matter what sort of answer you have in mind, let's keep things like they currently are.] (Selene)
[...Understood. At the very least, I'll gladly accept Selene-san's feelings.] (Hind)
She doesn't need an answer, huh...
My mind is sort of relieved but also feeling a bit disappointed.
[I know all I do is apologize but...sorry about this. One sidedly conveying my feelings while not letting the other party even say anything...it's cowardly and unfair right?] (Selene)
[Well, it's true that it gives me this feeling of having left something unfinished but...me and Tobi, we both like the current situation where all five of us are playing together, it's the same feeling. I'm a coward that doesn't move forward. Like this, if both of them were taken away from me by someone else, I wouldn't be able to say anything to complain about it...] (Hind)
[Isn't it the opposite? I think that Hind-kun would eventually be snatched away by someone. Both of them are stubborn and simple minded. They clearly convey that Hind-kun is an irreplaceable existence to them. That's why, no matter how strong their feelings become, they still remain prudent and shy. The same goes for me.] (Selene)
Isn't it usually the other way around...? Even though I'm a man...
She even said being snatched away by someone, am I like some sort of princess?
I imagined myself wearing a dress and felt like puking. That's gross.
I brushed off the image that formed in my mind, calmed down and looked at Selene-san.
At the end of the day, I have no idea what's even good about a guy like me...
[Eh...welcome to this distorted circle. I don't know what lies ahead of us, but let's have fun on our way.] (Hind)
[Yes, thanks for letting me in. While we are at it, it's fine if you...just take all of us and look after us three, you know?] (Selene)
[Please, don't say something that sounds straight of my mom's mouth...] (Hind)
[Ah, is that so? Hind-kun's mother, she's quite unique.] (Selene)
Since we were cowards, we ended up delaying the situation.
After that, I equipped the {First rate Supporter Staff +7}  I received from Selene-san and received an explanation about it.
The staff's performance was wonderful, it goes without saying that my magic attack had drastically increased, but the {Noblis Carbuncle} added a casting time -3% on top of it as a bonus.
It felt nice in my hands and most importantly, I really loved the ornaments and the vibes the staff gave.
You could say I look quite plain if I were to stand next to Yumir, but that's exactly why I praised Selene-san to the heavens.
Because of that, she ended up red up to her ears and proceeded to curl herself up...
Once she calmed down, we returned to the lounge room. After having finished tidying the place up, the three of them were talking about the contest.
...I think it's about time, this should be all for tonight?
Since they asked me what we were talking about in the blacksmith's workshop, I told them how I received the staff from Selene-san.
Tobi only looked at me while groaning with envy but...
Yumir and Riizu exchanged glances and for some reason, they nodded at each other without saying a word.
What's going on?
[Yumir, is it fine for us to disband for the day?] (Hind)
[Yeah, that's fine. That only goes for the guys though.] (Yumir)
[What do you mean by that, Yumir-dono?] (Tobi)
Yumir didn't even reply to Tobi-s question and beckoned Selene-san.
Having guessed what she meant, Selene-san, who was standing next to me, slowly moved towards her.
Like that, Rizu and Yumir pulled their faces closer to her and they started whispering something in a tone we couldn't hear...
[...That being said, we are going to have some secret girl's talk! The guys should go away!] (Yumir)
[It's the first Migratory Bird's girls-only meeting. Don't mind us.] (Riizu)
[Y-You two, since that's the case...Hind-kun, I'll be fine. So...] (Selene)
From my worried expression, she guessed what I was thinking and she said that while wearing a troubled smile.
Seeing that exchange, an evil smile surfaced in Tobi-s face and he started to hit me with a hand.
[Haha...I see, so it's like that. Hind-dono, for the time being, let's leave this place.] (Tobi)
[Wait, wait a moment! Stop, don't drag me! I'll walk by myself!] (Hind)
Tobi forcibly grabbed me by the arm and we exited the lounge room.
Those girls, they are really sharp. Various thoughts were going through my mind, like if Selene-san was going to be fine...
Once we entered one of the private rooms in the guild home, Tobi sat down comfortably on top of the item box and addressed me.
[You sure are quite the considerate guy. That being said, acting as if this was just someone else's problem and enjoying the situation...aren't you the one that always goes around saying he wants a girlfriend? As a guy, don't you feel frustrated when you are the only one that's left out?] (Hind)
Towards my words, Tobi just shrugged his shoulders in an exaggerated manner.
For some reason, I get the feeling that it's really irritating when he's the one doing such an action...makes me want to just grab his head in an iron grip without any warning.
[Hmm, but if we are talking about those three...if we are speaking honestly, they are all a pain to deal with, so I don't feel envious at all! Especially Yumir-dono and Riizu-dono, they are so mean! Really really mean! Though if we are speaking about appearances alone, they are all really pretty!] (Tobi)
[...I see, maybe I should tell them...] (Hind)
[-!? Wait, they'll kill me! They'll cut me in little pieces! I went too far, I'm sorry! I'll apologize! Stop trying to open the menu window!!] (Tobi)
After that, while being curious about what was going on in the girl's side...
There was nothing I could really do, I finished the procedure of putting up the {Eishika Dress} in the auction and logged out along with Tobi.
VRMMO no Shien Shokunin ～Top Player no Shikakenin～
ＶＲＭＭＯの支援職人　～トッププレイヤーの仕掛人～
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/vrmmo-no-shien-shokunin-%ef%bd%9etop-player-no-shikakenin%ef%bd%9e/
Action Adventure Comedy Fantasy Harem Slice of Life
Adventurers Beautiful Female Lead Blacksmith Brother Complex Calm Protagonist Childhood Friends Clan Building Cooking Crafting Curious Protagonist Dense Protagonist Elemental Magic Fantasy Creatures Game Ranking System Gamers Hard-Working Protagonist Healers Level System Love Interest Falls in Love First Love Rivals Male Protagonist Misunderstandings MMORPG Ninjas Possessive Characters Priests Siblings Siblings Not Related by Blood Sword And Magic Virtual Reality Younger Love Interests Younger Sisters
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4014ds/
二階堂風都