Chapter 33: Chiyo Haori

“His in-game name is WATER FENCER… huh.”

There were roughly five minutes left until the preliminary round of the lower tiers began.

I sat in the contestant waiting area, recalling the opponent information Heita had provided while casually observing the other participants around me.

“…Just from appearance alone, everyone really looks quite ordinary.”

A single glance was enough to kill any interest I had.

However, this result wasn’t surprising in the slightest.

Ever since THE EARTH RING company publicly released the AR plugin through Yune’s forum, the number of people purchasing appearance plugins from the dark web or even designing their own in real life had surged rapidly.

The result was that, compared to virtual characters in BHAO that couldn’t be freely altered, real-world appearances had become far more ambiguous and unclear.

“What is this… putting the cart before the horse? Or has reality and fiction completely flipped?”

Wearing an expression that was either a bitter smile or self-mockery, I let out a soft sigh.

At that moment, a corner of my vision was suddenly blocked, and the light dimmed.

Before I could fully react, a cold voice spoke first.

“Yae Yoruichi?”

“…That’s me.”

I answered almost instinctively.

But when I looked up following the voice and saw the person standing in front of me, my thoughts paused for a brief moment.

…A girl?

My eyes widened slightly.

It wasn’t because the other party was exceptionally beautiful, but simply because I felt confused about their “gender.”

Light blue short hair, intentionally kept at a length that sat between androgynous and soft.

Slightly long bangs covered the forehead. Clean facial features, and skin in unreasonably good condition.

The pupil color was close to the hair color. Under that unaverted gaze, I actually felt a bit reluctant to meet their eyes.

No matter how you looked at it, the person looked like a girl.

Yet they were wearing the boys’ school uniform.

“Classmate, do you need something from me?”

The preliminary match was about to start. However, “she” stood firmly in front of me with hands on hips, showing no intention of stepping aside.

“Yae Yoruichi, I want to warn you—”

“Hm?”

…Here to pick a fight again?

I had grown somewhat used to this kind of development.

“I am the Swordsman of the Raging Torrent— You must fight with all your strength!”

“…Huh?”

The other party’s expression was far too serious to be joking.

The androgynous voice was pleasant, but clearly trying hard to project an “imposing” presence.

“I, the Swordsman of the Raging Torrent, will never forgive you if you face this battle with a passive attitude!

Of course, I will also go all out!”

As if realizing the previous line sounded too chuunibyou, they seriously added that.

I didn’t know how to respond for a moment and could only remain silent.

As a result, the silence seemed to be misinterpreted as half-hearted.

“Hey, are you listening, Yae Yoruichi?”

“I am.”

I nodded. “It’s just… I don’t quite understand why you’re specifically telling me all this.”

The person standing in front of me was obviously WATER FENCER.

The self-proclaimed title “Swordsman of the Raging Torrent” was way too recognizable.

If it was just pre-match provocation, it would make sense.

But from the tone, she—no, he—sounded more like he was… confirming my attitude.

“Aren’t you planning to forfeit the match midway?”

“Forfeit?”

Ah.

So that’s what it was.

If the earlier sense of dissonance came from an information gap, the answer was clear now.

I immediately stood up from my seat in the waiting area.

Although losing in height to an opponent who looked like “a girl” felt a bit awkward, I pushed aside the stray thoughts, looked him straight in the eyes, and said:

“I won’t forfeit the match. I never planned to. And I never will.”

My tone came out firmer than I expected.

“Eh… R-Really?”

WATER FENCER was clearly startled by my sudden change in attitude.

“President Kyuusei Ya told me you would definitely back down at the last second and run away like a coward… Was the president lying to me?”

“Kyuusei Ya.”

I quietly repeated the name.

Even my usually slow-to-react emotions tightened noticeably at this moment.

“Yes, he is the president of the BHAO Club.”

“I see!”

WATER FENCER nodded vigorously, then suddenly panicked and waved both hands as if he had realized something.

“Then— doesn’t that mean the president doesn’t trust me, the Swordsman of the Raging Torrent?!”

…This guy.

From a certain perspective, he was a bit too innocent.

“Don’t worry.”

I softened my tone. “Someone who only worships strength won’t easily deny you.”

“Is that so? Then I have even more motivation now!”

He clenched his fist and pumped it energetically, the rush of air hitting my face.

I could only show a helpless bitter smile.

Comforting my own opponent before the match—this kind of development probably only happens to me.

WATER FENCER continued excitedly muttering things like “King of the Raging Torrent” and “Water Current Impact” beside me.

It looked like he had completely forgotten his original reason for approaching me.

“…He really is the type who can’t stay still.”

I tried to shift my gaze away, but he immediately blocked me with his hand.

“Are you listening, Yae Yoruichi?”

“…”

“Ah, right! I haven’t introduced myself yet.”

He suddenly remembered something important.

“My name is Chiyo Haori! Even though it sounds like a girl’s name, I’m a genuine guy!”

As he spoke, he extended his hand toward me.

Those crystal-like deep blue eyes sparkled with open, unhidden expectation.

“…A guy?”

I was genuinely stunned.

No matter the appearance or mannerisms, it was hard to accept right away.

“Hey, don’t look so surprised.”

Chiyo Haori smiled. “A lot of people react the same way when they first meet me.”

Then he suddenly puffed out his cheeks.

“So, Yae Yoruichi— don’t make me wait too long for our ‘proof of friendship,’ okay?”

Proof of friendship?

Calling a handshake something so solemn really suited WATER FENCER’s style.

I nodded and extended my hand as well.

“…Sorry for my rudeness.”

Just as our hands were about to touch—

A thought suddenly flashed through my mind.

The risk of AR plugin exposure.

Electromagnetic interference wasn’t a concern for now.

But close physical contact was one of the most dangerous situations.

—!

I instinctively averted my gaze, only to meet Chiyo Haori’s expectant eyes directly.

…Refuse?

Both my thoughts and body froze for a brief moment.

At that instant—

Clang!

A crisp notification sound rang out through the speakers, cleanly cutting through the momentary stalemate.