正直、VRギアを外すのが怖かった。
過去に在ったVRでの事故の例だとか、もしかしたら既に強盗が侵入していて体を刺されているんじゃないかとか。
そんな想像が頭の中でぐるぐると回る。
でも、腹の上に感じる重みと体温は覚えがあるもので――。
「......理世。何してんだ」
VRギアを外した俺の前には、薄手のルームウェアを着た妹の姿が。
風呂上りなのか、ホカホカと暖かく入浴剤の良い香りがする。
頬も上気しており、何故か瞳も少し潤んでいる。
「兄さん......おやすみの一言もないなんて、酷いじゃありませんか」
「あっ......悪い。うっかりしてた」
我が家では、普段は十一時位に一言交わしてから寝るのが習慣だ。
そりゃあ、姿を見なければ変だと思う訳で......。
未祐の言う通り、部屋に鍵は掛けていなかった。
しかしこの体勢......俺の腹に理世が足を開いて、しっかりと跨っているんだが。
そこはかとなく危険な気配を感じる。
「取り敢えず降りてくれ」
「......これ、ゲームですよね? 何時の間にこんな、高そうな機械を......」
「降りろっつってんの! 何で俺の周りの人間は話を聞いてくれないんだ!」
俺は理世をどかす為、強引に両脇に手を差し込み「んっ」変な声を出すな!
ベッドの足元側の方に降ろした。
軽いな、ちゃんと三食摂らせているのに......背が低いからか?
自分も枕側で上体を起こして、理世と向き合って座る。
「このギアは未祐にプレゼントしてもらったんだ。それで久々にゲームをやったもんだから、つい夢中になっちまった。すまん」
「そうですか......未祐さんが......ふふっ、ふふふふ......」
「何その邪悪な笑い。そういえば、理世はゲーム嫌いだったっけ?」
「別に嫌いじゃありませんよ? ただ......ゲームをやっている間は、兄さんが私に構ってくれなくなるので......」
「ああ......そういう理由だったのか。悪かった。これからは、もう少し時間を加減して――」
「いいえ、むしろ兄さんは働き過ぎです。ゲームが息抜きになるのでしたら......私が止める権利は、何一つありませんから」
「理世......」
良い子に育ってくれて、兄さんは嬉しい。
確かに父さんが亡くなってから今日まで、趣味に割く時間なんてほとんど無かったもんな......。
今では家事のスピードも上がり、多少は暇な時間というのも作れるようになった。
「ありがとな。でも、今後はおやすみの挨拶くらいはちゃんとするからさ」
「大丈夫ですよ、気にしなくても。ちなみにですけど......兄さんは、何という名前のゲームをやっているんですか?」
「ん? トレイルブレイザーってタイトルだな」
「では、このゲーム機の名前は? 最近、何かと話題になっていた商品ですよね?」
「VRX3500――って、そんなの聞いてどうするんだ?」
「いいえ......では、おやすみなさい。兄さん」
「お、おう。おやすみ......?」
理世が部屋から出て行く。
何だったんだ? 今の質問......。
あっと、未祐に連絡を入れとかないと。
「とまあ、理世が俺に触ったからVRギアが緊急停止したみたいだ。VR使用中って、随分と精密な身体保護機能が働いているんだな。知らなかったよ」
翌日、珍しく夜まで話す機会が少なかった未祐にTB内で改めて説明する。
時間は昨日と同じ午後十時、バイトと家事が終わってからのスタートだ。
平日はやっぱり時間的に結構きついな......それでもログインしてしまった訳だけど。
土日のどっちかは、纏まった時間でゆっくりとやりたいもんだ。
「やはりな。次からは部屋の鍵を閉め、夕食に睡眠薬を盛り、妹が眠ったのを確認してから始めるがいい!」
「犯罪だ!? そこまでする必要が何処にある!?」
「私にとっては貴重な時間なんだ! 邪魔者には死を!」
「過激だな! それも無意味に!」
「本当ですねぇ......野蛮な人はこれだから。怖い怖い。ね、兄さん」
「んん?」
おかしいな......TB内で聞こえる筈の無い声が聞こえた気が......。
俺とユーミルは顔を見合わせた後、声がした方に同時に振り向いた。
「理世!?」
「な......貴様、どうして!?」
そこには、TBでの初期装備に身を包んだ妹の姿が。
動揺と疑問とで頭が埋め尽くされる。
理世は俺に寄り添うように立つと、ユーミルに向けて歪んだ笑みを見せた。
「随分と汚い真似をなさるんですねぇ......ゲームを餌に、私と兄さんとの時間を奪おうだなんて」
「そんな打算で動くのは貴様だけだ! 私は純粋に亘と――」
「ゆ、ユーミル。本名呼びはなるべく避けろって言ったのはお前だぞ? 俺も今、振り向いた時に思いっきり本名で呼んじまったけど」
「む! しまっ――」
「自分で言った事も守れないんですか? なんて残念な人......」
「ムガーーーーッ!! 貴様という奴は! 貴様という奴は本当にっ!!」
ユーミルの叫びに、広場の視線が一斉にこちらに集まる。
「す、すみません! 何でもないですから! ――ほら、お前ら取り敢えず移動だ、移動! 落ち着けユーミル!」
「離せハインド! 今日という今日は許さん!」
「騒がしい人ですねぇ......兄さんが迷惑するでしょう?」
「貴様ーっ!!」
完全に他のプレイヤーの注目を集めてしまったので、興奮するユーミルを宥めながら俺達は移動を開始した。
村の外縁部、見張り台の下で俺達はようやく腰を落ち着けた。
この辺は店も何もないので、プレイヤーもNPCもどちらも少ない。
聞きたいことは色々あるが、まずは......。
「取り敢えず、いつまでも本名呼びは良くない。プレイヤーネームは......リィズか。ここではリィズって呼ぶからな?」
「はい、兄さん」
頭の上のプレイヤーネームを確認する。
これ、表示が小さくて良く見ないと確認できないんだよな......。
距離が遠いプレイヤー、素早く移動しているプレイヤーなんかは情報がほとんど見えない。
リィズのアバターは俺と同じく、特に変更を加えていない様子だった。
要は、普段から見慣れた妹の姿そのままである。
「一応、俺の事もゲーム内では兄と呼ばないでくれ」
「では、ハインドさんと。仮名とはいえ、名前で呼び合うと少しドキドキしますね?」
リィズの言葉に戸惑う俺を、ユーミルが睨みつけてくる。
これは早く話を進めろという催促か......分かったよ。
「じゃあリィズ。家計を預かる身として、これは避けられない質問なんだが......VRギアの購入費用、一体何処から捻出した?」
「にい......ハインドさんが下さっているお小遣いからですよ? 毎月、高校生として不自由しない充分な金額を渡してくれているじゃありませんか」
「ん!? 待て待て! あれは服を買ったり化粧品を買ったり――とにかく、そういうのに使えって言ってあるだろ!? もちろん、嗜好品の類を買うなとは言ってないが!」
「私......そんなに酷い見た目をしていますか? これでも、身嗜みには気を使っているつもりなのですけど......」
そう言われるとな......。
頻繁に男子生徒から告白を受けている女子を、美人じゃないと断じるのは自分の美的感覚がおかしいと認めているようなもんだし。
それに、兄の贔屓目を抜いたとしても......って、これ言わなきゃダメか?
......そんなに悲しそうな顔をするなよ! 分かったよ!
「――じゅ、充分以上に綺麗だぞ? 間違いなく。自信を持っていい」
「本当ですか? 兄さんに褒めてもらえるのが、一番嬉しいです......」
「ふんっ、ぶりっ子小動物が」
ユーミルの悪態に対しては、リィズは聞こえないフリで無視を決め込んでいる。
それが却って火に油を注ぐんだが......わざとだろうなぁ......。
......ん? あれ? 今って、何の話をしてたんだっけ......あ!
「っていうか、論点がすり替わってるだろ! 素材が良ければ着飾らなくていいって訳じゃないだろうが! 買えよ、服! 俺のお下がりを女性用にアレンジするにも限界があるだろ!?」
「服よりも、兄さんと一緒に居る時間を私は買ったんですよ? これって、そんなにいけない事なんでしょうか......?」
「ああ言えばこう言うのな! はぁ、もういい......お前の小遣いなんだから、お前の好きに使えよ......」
「ありがとうございます、兄さん」
「結局、お前が甘いからこいつがつけあがるんじゃないのか......?」
うっさいやい、自覚はあるわ。
それに、別に悪い事をした訳じゃないからな......自分の小遣いの範囲内だし。
でも、高額な買い物なんだから一言くらい相談して欲しかった......そんな兄心。
「それにしても、今の時期によくVRX3500を入手できたな。どこも品薄だったろ?」
「楓ちゃんにお願いしました」
「ああ......あの電気屋の
「むう......私はあんなに長時間並んだというのに......」
「いいじゃないか。俺は感謝してるぞ? TBのサービス開始初日の雰囲気は、言葉では表せない特別なものだったしな」
「......お前がそう言うのなら」
しかし、町の電気屋さんでも入荷してたのか......大手量販店ではとっくに売り切れ、もしくは極度の品薄になっているのに。
それと、今日は塾が無いのに理世の帰りが遅かったのはそのせいか。
「後は、そうだな......どうやってあの人混みの中から俺達を見つけられたんだ? 偶然に頼るにしても、プレイヤーの数が余りにも多過ぎるだろ?」
「私が、にい......ハインドさんを見間違えるはずがありませんから。何処に居ても、どれだけ離れていても分かります。分かるんです」
「答えになっていないんだが......」
「放っておけ、ハインド。どうせ理解できんし......したくもない」
が、気を取り直したように一言。
「つまりは、愛です」
「愛!? どういう理屈!? 俺は余計に分からなくなったんだが!」
「愛というよりは哀だがな! 今の私の気分は!」
「そう言いつつも帰れとは言わないんですね、ユーミルさん。貴女のそういう所だけは、嫌いじゃありませんよ」
「来てしまったものは仕方あるまい......ゲームは全力で楽しまなければ損だ。例え一緒にやるのがお前でも」
「おー、いいね二人とも。その調子で口喧嘩も止めてくれると――」
「こいつが生意気な口を利かなくなったら考えてやろう」
「この人がもっと上品になったら考えます。まあ、無理でしょうけど」
こういう時だけ息がぴったりなのが納得いかない。
しかし例によって口喧嘩以上には発展しそうもないので、今日から三人でゲームをプレイすることになった。
Honestly, I was scared of taking off the VR gear.
What if it was like those incidents in the past regarding VR? Maybe a robber has already entered my room and stabbed me, or something like that?
Those kind of delusions were spinning around in my head.
However, I could feel the warmth coming from the weight on top of my abdomen...
[...Rise, what are you doing?] 
In front of me, who had taken off the VR gear, was my little sister wearing a thin pajama.
Did she just get out of the bath? There was the pleasant fragrance and warmth of the bath powder.
Her face was flushed and her eyes were somewhat moist.
[Nii-san...to not even say goodnight to me, aren't you being too cruel?] 
[Ah...sorry. I completely forgot] 
In our house, we have the habit of usually exchanging some words at 11pm before going to sleep.
I think that it would be weird to do it if we didn't see each other though...
As Miyu had said, I had not locked the door to my bedroom.
However, this posture...Rise had her legs spread out while being on top of my abdomen, she was literally mounted on top of me.
Somehow, I'm feeling a dangerous presence here.
[For the time being, please get off me] 
[...This is a game, right? When did you manage to get such an expensive looking device...] 
[I told you to get off me! Why are you not listening to me when you are this close to me!?] 
To remove her from me, I forcibly grabbed her from both sides and she let out a [Hnn] . Don't go making weird voices!
And dropped her at one of the sides of the bed.
She's so light, even though she's eating three meals a day...is it because she's short?
I raised my upper body and sat down facing Rise.
[Miyu gave me this gear as a present. Since it had been such a long time since I last played a game, I got too absorbed into it. Sorry] 
[I see...Miyu-san did...fufu, fufufu...] 
[What's with that evil laugh!? Now that I think about it, did you hate games?] 
[It's not like I hate them? It's just that...while you are playing the game, you won't pay any attention to me...] 
[Ah...it was because of that. I'm sorry. From now, I'll try to put less time into-] 
[No, in fact, I do think nii-san is overworking himself. If you are playing a game to relax...I don't have any right to stop you] 
[Rise...] 
She has grown up to be such a good kid, nii-san is so happy.
Since dad died, it's true that I didn't have much spare time for hobbies...
These days, since I take less time doing housework, I was able to get some free time.
[Thanks. However, from now on, I'll make sure to at least properly say goodnight] 
[It's fine, you don't have to mind that. By the way...what's the name of the game you are playing, nii-san?] 
[Hmm? It's called Trailblazer] 
[Then, what system does it run on? The one that's being talked about recently?] 
[VRX3500...wait, what are you going to do with this information?] 
[Nothing...well then, goodnight. Nii-san] 
[O-oh. Goodnight...] 
Rise left the room.
What was that? All the questions she asked now...
Ah, I should contact Miyu.
[Well, since Rise was touching me, the VR gear did an emergency shutdown. While you are using VR, it's safeguarding your body in a very precise manner, huh. I didn't know about that] 
The next day, it was a bit unusual, but I didn't have many chances to talk to Miyu until night, so I explained it to her again inside TB.
It was 10pm,at the same time as yesterday, I logged in after I was done with my part-time job and housework.
As expected, I was a bit tight on time during weekdays...even then, I still logged in.
Since I'll have plenty of time during weekends, I'd want to play in a more relaxed manner.
[Just as I thought. Next time, lock the door, put some sleeping pills on her dinner and log in after checking that she has fallen asleep!] 
[Isn't that a crime!? Why would I need to go that far!?] 
[It's a precious time for me! Death to those that dare interfere!] 
[You are going too far! You are not making any sense!] 
[You are right...this is why savage people are like this. So scary. Right? Nii-san] 
[Hmm?] 
This is weird...I'm hearing a voice I shouldn't be able to hear inside TB...
After Miyu and I exchanged glances, we turned our faces at the same time towards where the voice was coming from.
[Rise!?] 
[Wha...you, why are you here!?] 
Over there was the figure of my little sister wearing the beginner gear of TB.
I felt shaken and my head was full of questions.
Rise got closer and stood next to me, then proceeded to show a crooked smile towards Yumir.
[You sure used quite the dirty method, huh...using a game as a bait, you tried to steal my time alone with nii-san] 
[The only one that would do such a selfish action is you! I genuinely wante to play with Wata-] 
[Y-Yumir. You are the one that said that we should avoid using our real names, right? You just shouted my name while looking at me] 
[Nu! whoops-] 
[Aren't you able to even keep your own word? What a disappointing person...] 
[Gah!!! People like you! People like you are so...!!] 
Because of Yumir's screams, the gazes of the people in the plaza focused on us.
[S-sorry! It's nothing! ...Look, let's switch places for now! Calm down Yumir!] 
[Let me go Hind! I won't allow her to have her way today!] 
[Such a noisy person...it's bothering you too right? Nii-san] 
[You!!] 
Since we had completely grabbed the attention of the other players, we started to switch places while I tried to calm down Yumir.
The outskirts of the village, we were finally able to sit down and relax under the watchtower.
There were no shops or anything here and the number of NPCs and players was low.
There are a lot of things I want to ask her, but first off...
[First off, it's not good to use our real names. Your player name is...Riizu, huh? I'll call you Riizu over here, OK?] 
[Understood, nii-san] 
I looked on top of her head to verify her name.
Since the display is small, you can't really see it well unless you focus...
If the target is too far or is moving at a fast speed, you usually can't see the information.
Riizu's avatar was like mine, she particularly hadn't changed anything.
To sum it up, she looked like the little sister that I was used to seeing.
[Just in case, don't call me brother while in the game] 
[In that case, Hind-san. Even though it's an alias, doesn't it excite it when we call each other by our names?] 
While I was a bit perplexed at Riizu's words, Yumir was scowling.
I guess she's trying to say that I should make the conversation go forward...I got it.
[So, Riizu. As the one looking after the household finances, this is an unavoidable question...where did you get the money to buy the VR gear?] 
[From the allowance that nii-... Hind-san gives me? Every month, don't you give me enough money so I don't have inconveniences during high school?] 
[Hmm!? Wait wait! That's for you to buy things like clothes and cosmetics...anyway, I told you to use it for things like that, right? Of course, it's not like I'm telling you not to buy anything luxurious but...!] 
[Is...is my appearance that terrible? Even without all that, I'm properly taking care of my appearance though...] 
If you say that...
As a girl that frequently receives confessions from male students, if I said that she was not beautiful, it would be like recognizing that there was something wrong with my sense of beauty.
Besides, even if left out the part where I see her in a favorable light as her brother...wait, do I really have to say it?
...Don't make such a sad-looking face! I get it!
[...I-I think you are more than pretty enough? Without any doubt. You can have confidence in yourself] 
[Really? To be praised by nii-san, that makes me the happiest...] 
[Fuun, you are just a small animal trying to act cute] 
After hearing Yumir's abusive language, Riizu pretended that she had heard nothing.
That's adding more fuel to the fire though...she definitely did that on purpose...
...Hmm? Wait? What were we talking about again...ah!
[Wait, that wasn't my point! Even if you are naturally pretty, it doesn't mean you don't have to dress up, right!? Buy some clothes! There's a limit to what I can arrange for you to use from my hand-me-downs!] 
[Instead of clothes, I bought time to be able to spend with nii-san though? Is that really something I shouldn't have done...?] 
[Ah, you sure have a reply for everything! Hah, whatever...it's your allowance after all, do whatever you want with it...] 
[Thank you very much, nii-san] 
[In the end, isn't it because you spoil her like this that she takes advantage of you...?] 
Shut up, I'm well aware of it.
Besides, it's not like she has done anything bad...she did buy it with her own allowance after all.
However, since it was a large sum of money, I kind of wished she had consulted with me first...that was my concern as her big brother.
[Nevertheless, I'm quite surprised you were able to buy a VRX3500 today. Isn't there a shortage of stock?] 
[I asked Kaede-chan] 
[Ah...the daughter of that electric appliance store. Don't make her do anything too unreasonable, you hear?] 
[Nuu...even though I stood there for such a long time...] 
[Isn't it fine? I'm kind of grateful you know? The atmosphere in TB during the days following the launch is something that you can't really put into words after all] 
[...If you say so] 
With that being said, so the town's electric appliance store also has them, huh...even though the big companies' stores are sold-out and they probably have a shortage of goods.
Then, the reason that she was late to come back home even though she had no cram school was because of this, huh.
[Then, let's see...how were you able to find us among all that crowd of people? Even if it was a coincidence, there were just too many players, right?] 
[Because there's no way for me to mistake nii-...Hind-san for someone else. No matter where you are, or how far you are, I'd know. I'll know] 
[You are not really answering my question though...] 
[Ignore her, Hind. You probably wouldn't understand...I also don't want you to] 
However, she calmed down and said another comment.
[In other words, it's love] 
[Love!? What's with that logic!? I get it even less now!] 
[Instead of love, what I'm feeling right now is pity!] 
[Even though you are saying that you won't tell me to go away, right? Yumir-san. I don't hate that part of you] 
[I don't have any choice now that you are here...it would be my loss if I didn't fully enjoy the game. Even if I had to play with you] 
[Oh, that's nice both of you. Like that, how about you stop quarreling too-] 
[I'll think about it if she stops with that cheeky way of speaking] 
[I'll think about it if this person becomes more refined. Well, I think it's impossible though] 
I can't understand how in sync they are at times like this.
Like I said previously, since they only quarrel like this, it was decided that we would start playing together from now on.
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