Chapter 25: Fresh Water Before Stagnant Water (2)

“Th-That’s not how you play it…!”

Clara’s reaction to my ‘fresh water in a stagnant pond’ strategy was even better than I expected.

Stay calm.

I had to respond calmly.

After all, I knew well how big of an opportunity this moment, this next sentence, was.

“What do you mean?”

“First, you need to get your Company to Rank 5 so you don’t lose out on key resources…! And you should put Iroha and Kiki as tanks and clear th-the Supply Dungeon first!”

After blurting out the thoughts she’d been holding back all this time, a mix of relief and regret washed over Clara.

Watching her fidget, I replied as gently as possible.

“Company? Ah, right! You also play Company Wave?”

I responded as if remembering our collision, and Clara responded with a slight nod.

I kept my expression neutral as possible as I thought things through.

The fact that she didn’t just run away after saying her piece means that things are going well.

Probably.

I resumed mopping while thinking of a question that might prompt a response from the now-silent Clara.

“Then, is it fine if I ask you a few questions?”

“Oh, yes!”

“What time is it…?”

My gaze shifted to the clock on the wall and Clara’s followed.

“It’s almost closing time, so let me finish up quickly. So let’s close up and go to a nearby Cafe, my treat.”

“!?”

Clara’s face flushed with surprise, but I pretended not to notice.

In times like these, you have to act oblivious.

Suggesting ‘going somewhere’ should be avoided. Saying ‘let’s go to a Cafe’ is the way to go.

Aside from the character settings in Abyss City, my personal experience told me that with someone like Clara, it was best to make definite statements.

Until we grew close enough to chat comfortably and joke around, giving choices, unless it was a really simple question, should be avoided.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll be done soon.”

“Uh…uh…”

I averted my gaze from the flustered Clara and quickly finished mopping so I could close the Bookstore.

…

…

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“…”

I closed the Bookstore and pocketed the key.

It just felt wrong to hide the key under a flower pot in front of a customer.

I planned to return it later.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes…”

I took a step forward, and Clara followed quietly.

The walk was short, so there was no time for awkward silence to suffocate us.

Once we stepped out of the alley where The Flower Bookstore was located and onto the main street, we were met by the sight of cafes everywhere.

If she really can’t stand it, she’ll run away without making a sound.

That’s what I believed.

Even if Clara wasn’t proactive or assertive, she was more than capable of protecting herself.

“Let’s go somewhere we can grab a bite to eat.”

“…”

I had a cheap meal at the Academy Cafeteria before starting work.

But Clara had been sitting in the corner of the Bookstore since afternoon.

And since I could guess her situation, she definitely hadn’t eaten any lunch.

I stopped on the main street and looked around.

Most of the places in sight had a lively and bright atmosphere, which was good.

“A Cafe is good, but hamburgers would be nice too.”

It wasn’t a serious question.

Be it a Cafe or a fast-food restaurant, anywhere was fine to talk about games.

It would be okay to ask her where she wants to go.

I turned to Clara, who was blinking besides me.

As if feeling my gaze, she glanced over.

Then I asked.

“Where would you like to go?”

“Anywhere is fine…”

“Do you like hamburgers?”

Clara glanced left and right before giving a small, shy nod.

That was enough for me.

Beep! Beep!

The automatic doors opened, revealing a brightly lit interior and the familiar ordering kiosk waiting for us.

So they use kiosks here as well.

This was a special moment for me as well.

It would be my first time eating fast food in Academy City.

Back then, I ate nothing but hamburgers and kimbap on the go. And now, it’s my first time here.

I stood in front of the kiosk and gestured to Clara.

“Consider this an educational expense. Choose whatever you want.”

“…Th-Thank you.”

Having come this far, she probably felt it would be pointless to refuse.

Clara bowed her head and darted her eyes around the screen.

“Are you done choosing?”

“Yes.”

I watched Clara tap the single cheeseburger option and fold her fingers as if she were finished.

It couldn’t be helped.

I upgraded her order to a combo and added a few sides.

“I like fries, but one portion isn’t enough for me. Two is too much.”

“…”

I said as I placed and paid for the order.

Unable to speak, Clara fidgeted with her hands as we waited.

Our number was called quickly, and we found a nearby table.

“Let’s eat…”

“Enjoy. You can order more if you want.”

But even though I said that, Clara wouldn’t order more.

Even if she was hungry.

After we finished our burgers and only fries and drinks remained, I steered the conversation towards the game.

With the focus on the game, Clara started conversing with me in earnest.

“Have you joined a Guild?”

“Not yet.”

“It’s best to join a Level 10 Guild. The attendance benefits differ significantly.”

“So, as long as it’s Level 10, it doesn’t matter which one I join?”

“Yes. But there aren’t many openings these days, so it’s best to look in the Community, but also, um…”

“Are there other ways?”

When I asked, Clara hesitated for a moment.

I waited patiently, unsure what she was trying to say.

After a moment, Clara’s passionate demeanor shrunk, and she spoke softly, averting her gaze as usual.

“W-Would you like to join the Guild I created? It has open slots, but… it’s run by someone like me…”

“Oh! Can I join? I’d be honored.”

“Then here…”

I entered the code Clara gave me into the search bar and a Guild popped up.

“Clara Company? Is there a meaning behind the name?”

“No! I just used my name…”

Clara’s face flushed, embarrassed by the detailed explanation.

Just watching her made me happy.

“It feels weird calling you ‘customer’ outside, so it’s good that I’m getting to know you like this. I’m Rohan.”

“Ah… I’ll remember!”

Grateful for the natural opportunity, I continued the conversation.

“Did you raise the Guild to 10 all by yourself?”

“Yes…”

I praised her and steered the conversation firmly back to the game.

Clara smoothly answered all my questions and continued explaining.

“Even if Gerald is S-Rank, he has limited uses, so it’s a waste to use resources on him early on. So it’s good to borrow one… Do you have any friends to borrow from?”

“No. Not everyone plays mobile games.”

“Mmm…”

“In fact, I was thinking of quitting because I didn’t have anyone to talk to about this.”

She nodded seriously, her Twin Tail swaying slightly.

Clara seemed to empathize deeply with my words.

“But since you’re going this far to help me, I should see it through. And it’s more fun when you have someone to play with, right?”

“R-Right!”

Clara continued her explanation with renewed enthusiasm.

I naturally added her to my Game Friends List.

“Since there are only three support slots, I’ll give you another Support Character after you move on to the next area. Try using them whenever you get stuck.”

“Can you send messages to each other through the Game Friends List?”

“There’s no messaging feature. Friends are only for support.”

“Then, when I clear a Stage, do I have to come to the Bookstore to let you know? If it clashes with my day off, I might have to wait a few days.”

“Uh, about that…?”

Clara stopped talking, seemingly at a loss for words.

Following my intuition, I smiled and held out my smartphone.

“President Clara, would it be fine to ask for your number?”

I asked playfully, as if it were nothing.

But inwardly, my heart was pounding with nervousness.

If she were to reject me here, there was a chance Clara wouldn’t come to the Bookstore again.

Please!

I spoke impulsively, only realizing how hasty I’d been after.

“…”

However, contrary to my worries, Clara didn’t hesitate for long and tapped in her number.

I wanted to jump up and shout for joy, but I managed to restrain myself.

“I’ll give you a call.”

After I saved Clara’s number, she nibbled on one of the few remaining fries and caught my attention.

“And there’s something else I wanted to tell you…”

I leaned forward, urging her to tell me anything.

Clara spoke with a strangely heightened tone, just like when she first gave me advice.

“C-Company Wave has a really good story!”

“Really? I’m still in the early stages, so I’ll have to pay attention.”

“There are a lot of proper nouns, so they say Chapters 1 through 3 are the entry barrier… but once you get past that…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll see it through to the end.”

“…!”

Clara’s jaw dropped at my words.

She looked the happiest she’d been all day.

I like this.

I completely understood how Clara felt.

That feeling of wanting others to experience a game with a great story.

That desire to share the unique foreshadowing and emotional impact resonated greatly with me.

…

…

And since we were both serious about the game, I ended up chatting with Clara for much longer than I anticipated.

After saying our goodbyes and “see you tomorrow,” I returned to the Bookstore, placed the key back under the flowerpot, and headed to the Dormitory.

Buzz──!

On my way back, Clara sent me a message.

She’s pretty lively in her texts.

The cute contrast made me smile.

A new contact had been added to my phone.