Chapter 43: Outwitting Thin Air
Knock, knock, knock…
Knock, knock, knock…
A gentle rapping came from outside, and then a familiar voice drifted through Kaguya Shinomiya's bedroom door: "Kaguya-sama, it's time for bed. Tomorrow is Monday — you have school, remember."
Hearing that familiar voice, Kaguya couldn't help but freeze for a moment.
She knew exactly who it belonged to.
It was her lifelong companion, daughter of one of the Shinomiya Zaibatsu's executives — Ai Hayasaka. The person Kaguya Shinomiya trusted more than anyone else in the world.
The two of them were extraordinarily close. They even shared baths and slept in the same bed on occasion.
Kaguya steadied the slightly frantic whirl of thoughts in her head.
Her expression perfectly composed, she replied: "Don't worry, Hayasaka. I'll go to sleep soon."
Outside the door, Hayasaka nodded, casting a brief, curious glance at the closed door.
Then she answered: "All right. I'll turn in first, then."
"…"
Only after the footsteps had faded into the distance and vanished entirely…
Did Kaguya finally let out a breath of relief.
If Hayasaka saw the Admin-dono and the others transferring in…
How on earth would she even begin to explain that?!
Thankfully, Hayasaka seemed to have left for real.
Otherwise Kaguya genuinely had no idea how she'd explain any of this.
Because no matter how you explained it, it would sound absurd!
And something like the Dimensional Chat Group…
Kaguya had no intention of letting anyone else find out about it.
Even though she and Hayasaka were as close as sisters — closer, perhaps, than actual sisters — this kind of secret… was better kept to herself. At least until she possessed enough power that exposure wouldn't matter.
Hayasaka would never tell another soul, true. But there was a saying: walls have ears.
"Even if Hayasaka wouldn't tell anyone, that doesn't mean someone who overhears by accident won't spread it. Unless my power reaches a level where no nation on earth can touch me… I'll keep this secret for as long as I possibly can."
Kaguya murmured to herself, then fell silent.
Because she heard footsteps behind her.
And not just one person's footsteps!
She spun around, astonishment plain on her face — and saw three figures stepping out of three white vortexes, almost simultaneously.
"My, my… sharp reflexes you've got there, little Kaguya…"
Yukari Yakumo wore an inscrutable smile.
Her true thoughts were impossible to read.
In reality, her gaze had been sweeping across the room the entire time. This was a brand-new world, after all.
Yukari was genuinely curious.
Kaguya blinked, then exclaimed: "Yukari-nee-sama!"
She had seen Yukari's livestream footage and photos before.
So she recognized her at a glance.
After all, in the entire Dimensional Chat Group…
Yukari was the only blonde.
And there were only two women in the group — herself and Yukari — so identifying her was hardly a challenge.
Kaguya hurriedly greeted the other two: "Admin-dono! Wolffy-san!"
Her gaze lingered on Wolffy a beat longer than the others. His appearance was…
How to put it? A touch peculiar.
He was clearly a wolf, and yet he stood upright like a human being.
On top of that, he was decked out in all manner of equipment.
At first glance, you'd think he was heading into a war zone.
Kaguya even noticed he had some kind of oddly shaped rifle slung across his back.
Then again, if they were going to be fighting a traverser…
Being thoroughly prepared was only sensible.
Ryū glanced around the room, then shook his head with a smile. "We're all members of the same group, little Kaguya. No need to be so formal."
Kaguya gave a helpless laugh. "That's easy for you to say, Admin-dono…"
This was the first time she was meeting her online friends in person!
How could she possibly not be nervous and stiff?
On top of that, she'd had virtually no time to prepare. She hadn't shown even the most basic hospitality.
If only she'd had the family chef whip up a few late-night snacks.
Even something simple would have been better than nothing!
At least then it wouldn't be this awkward…
Kaguya's emotions were a tangled mess, probably from the sheer nervousness of it all.
Any ordinary person meeting internet friends face-to-face would be a bundle of nerves.
Let alone meeting "internet friends" from other dimensions?
And with a critical Group Quest on the line, no less.
Ryū had no idea what was churning through Kaguya's mind. All he noticed was that the girl's expression had turned a little strange — as though she were profoundly anxious about something.
He didn't pry, though. Instead, he looked out through the window.
"So it's nighttime here… By the way, how long has it been since the zombie virus first broke out?"
At the Admin-dono's question, Kaguya forced herself to calm down.
Then, her small face turning serious, she answered: "I went through the earliest news reports online. The first one was posted at 6:34 this morning. So the outbreak has been going for less than twenty-four hours."
Ryū gave a small nod, his expression pensive. "Less than twenty-four hours and already over ten thousand infected… this 'bootleg' zombie virus might actually have some teeth. Either that, or whoever released it didn't limit themselves to a single drop point."
He paused briefly, then continued: "The traverser, Meyu Inkyo — logically, he should still be somewhere in H City."
Ryū turned to Kaguya. "Can you use your family's resources to look into whether there's anyone by the name of Meyu Inkyo in H City?"
Kaguya's face clouded with concern. "That's going to be difficult. I wouldn't know how to explain why I'm suddenly searching for a total stranger."
Her worry wasn't unfounded. Nobody in the Shinomiya organization was a fool.
If Kaguya Shinomiya abruptly ordered a search for someone named "Meyu Inkyo"…
And then the Dimensional Chat Group's people took that person out…
And the zombie virus conveniently ground to a halt…
More than a few sharp minds would start connecting those dots back to Kaguya.
That would be no small amount of trouble.
The Dimensional Chat Group hadn't grown powerful enough yet. Exposing it recklessly would only invite unnecessary complications — especially since several members were still relatively weak, barely capable of protecting themselves.
Just then, Ryū shifted his gaze toward Yukari.
Yukari caught his meaning immediately and smiled softly. "Of course, Admin-dono. Don't worry, little Kaguya — since the Admin-dono has given the signal, this one will accompany you. I can make them forget everything they've done over these past few days."
Ryū: "…Mm. Let's go with that, then."
In truth, Ryū had just had a stiff neck and was rolling it to one side.
Had Yukari completely misread the situation?!
Well… might as well roll with it.
So this was what happened when you dealt with the brainy types, huh? They loved nothing more than outwitting thin air.
☆☆☆
-> 20 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you