Ch. 140 MtF – Chapter 140
by AfuhfuihgsChapter 140
**Sudden Collab. (1)**
> “Pizza, pizza, pizza~♪”
> “You like it that much?”
> “Of course I do! Pizza’s the best!”
> “Well, yeah, but…”
Pizza always felt like a luxury to me—something too pricey to just casually order on a whim like, “Yay, let’s eat pizza~!”
Really makes me realize how much I’ve grown up.
When I was younger, I’d be jealous of people who could eat whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. But once I started earning my own money, I gained the freedom to buy anything I craved.
Though lately, what matters more than _what_ I eat is _who_ I eat it with.
> “I like eating with you the most, Yeoreum.”
> “What about Ragu-sensei?”
> “Well, I eat with Minori every day, so…”
Guess it’s so routine that it doesn’t feel special anymore. Still, there’s a big difference between having someone around and not.
Anyway, with time to kill before the pizza arrived—since delivery takes a bit longer here in Japan—I figured I’d play some games with Koyuki.
> “Hey Koyuki, wanna play a game together?”
> “Huh? Of course I do!”
She might turn down everything else, but when it came to games, Koyuki never said no. I was honestly glad we shared the same hobby.
When I got up, Koyuki instinctively reached out her hand. I stared at it for a moment before grabbing it and helping her up.
Part of me wanted to scoop her up like Toya would, but if I tried that, we’d both probably end up hurt.
> “So, what game should we play?”
> “How about Splatoon? Nothing’s more fun for co-op.”
> “Sounds good to me.”
Splatoon—well, not your typical shooter. Instead of bullets, you shoot colorful ink and paint the battlefield.
I used to be _really_ into it—like, all-day-every-day levels of addicted. Back then I mostly played alone, but now that I had Koyuki to team up with, I found myself enjoying it all over again.
Our skill levels were similar, and we synced well, so it was way more fun than solo queuing.
> “Alright, I’m logging in.”
> “Which mode first? Co-op?”
> “Yeah, sure.”
We could’ve gone for the competitive team mode, but losing there always felt a bit too frustrating. And I didn’t want to risk snapping at Koyuki.
Once I logged in, my familiar character popped up onscreen—complete with the signature “veteran” look: cape, gold weapon, all that jazz.
Then—
**[Inari: Huh? Nacchan! Are you streaming Splatoon today?]**
> “Huh.”
Not just the character—something else surprised me too.
A message. From Inari.
Inari? I didn’t expect _her_ to be playing Splatoon…
Even if it was just in-game, running into someone I knew made me feel oddly happy.
Streaming? Wait, I’m not even live.
**[Natsu: I’m not streaming, why?]**
**[Inari: Ah, I’m streaming right now.]**
> “Ah.”
> “What’s up?”
Koyuki tilted her head at my reaction.
How was I supposed to explain this?
I’d already decided to play with Koyuki today, so it felt kind of rude to suddenly team up with Inari instead. Especially since she was live—it’d be awkward if Koyuki’s voice went out.
I was fine with it, but Koyuki might not be.
**[Natsu: I’m already playing with someone, so maybe not today.]**
**[Inari: …Oh, okay.]**
Was that too cold?
I clicked my keyboard with a little sigh. Maybe we could play together another time…
**[Inari has invited you to the group.]**
…Ah.
—
> “Nacchan! You’re just gonna log off after we randomly ran into each other like this?! Seriously?!”
– wwwww
– Nacchan lmao
– Were you watching Inari’s stream, Nacchan?!
– Inari just wanted to become a legend with Nacchan’s help…
– Honestly, with Nacchan, they might actually clear it easily 草
While streaming, I noticed a familiar username logging in—_Natsu_.
I couldn’t help but message her.
But the reply I got? A clean, sharp rejection. Cold enough to give frostbite.
Guhhh, weren’t you watching my stream and logging in to help me?! I was _this_ close to legend rank!
So close. And then she appeared. I _thought_ she came to save me…
> “Whatever! I’m inviting her anyway!”
– She said she was already playing with someone lol
– Sorry about Inari, everyone…
– This one’s on Inari, no question
– Inari: forced collab; Nacchan: dodging with all her might 草
– Stop bullying Nacchan, Inari 😂
Natsu didn’t accept the party invite or start anything.
I stared at her username in-game, trying to stay calm.
She’ll come. She has to. Otherwise, what kind of perfect timing would this be?!
I gnawed my imaginary fingernails and waited…
**[なつ has joined the party.]**
> “She’s heeeeereeeee!!!”
– KonNacchan~
– Nacchan’s here!!
– Is this the NaNari reunion?! lol
– NaNari finally reunited!
– wwwww
Of _course_ it’s Nacchan! I believed in her all along!
Her name quietly appeared in the group, making me grin like an idiot—until a message popped up.
**[Natsu: Inari, is it okay if a friend joins too? I’ll make sure their voice doesn’t go out.]**
> “A friend? Oh, I don’t mind. Uh… well, only if they’re better than me at Splatoon.”
– Wow, rude 😂
– Who’s Nacchan’s friend?
– Only one person comes to mind: Toya.
– If it was Toya, she would’ve said so lol 草
– Deadly Company collab was a blast btw
– So we getting a 1st-gen Salmon Run now?
> “Can you guys _not_ right now? I’m in the middle of talking to Nacchan!”
I shut the chat up and refocused.
“Is your friend good?”
Probably.
“‘Probably’ is kinda vague.”
I mean, they’re definitely better than _me._
> “…Wait, better than _you_?! That’s _really_ good!”
– Isn’t Nacchan setting the bar super high? 😂
– Maybe she’s just being modest? 草
– Either way, Inari, your legendary run is saved
– We’re pre-congratulating you on hitting Legend 😂
Usually I’d fire back at these chat comments, but I was too tired after all the failed runs.
Legend rank… finally, this hellish Salmon Run would end…
_Freedom._ Sweet, sweet freedom.
My brain flashed back to all the nights I spent playing like a maniac.
> **[Inari: By the way, Nacchan. Are you not doing voice chat?]**
> **[Natsu: Do I have to?]**
> “Come on, it’s a party game! We should talk while playing!”
– Maybe Nacchan doesn’t even think of Inari as a friend?
– lmao
– That’s harsh 😂
– She’s being dragged into this; at least let her live 草
– Just be grateful Nacchan’s even helping you lol
Still—_what’s the point_ of playing together if we’re not even gonna talk?!
Otherwise it’s just like playing with randos!
Yeah, I invited her, but come on!
I huffed and stared at the screen as if that’d summon her.
Nacchan, I _know_ you’re watching. Say something!!
**[イカメン has joined the voice chat.]**
> [Huh? Aren’t we using voice chat? Why’s no one talking?]
> “…Huh?”
– ?
– That voice sounds super familiar… 草
– Was that Nacchan?
– Pretty sure that’s Nacchan’s voice 😂
– But the one who joined wasn’t Nacchan’s account
– “Ikamen”? Lmao, squid man?
– Definitely sounds like a Splatoon main www
– It’s Nacchan’s voice though 草
It was a voice I’d been waiting to hear… but something felt _off_.
Was that… Nacchan?!
Wait, no—it doesn’t sound like her usual speech at all!
That’s not my Nacchan!
Who _are_ you?! Seriously, _who_ is this?!
I focused on the voice, trying to analyze it, but my heart and head both screamed the same answer:
**It’s Nacchan.**
Could she be acting? No way…
> **[Natsu: Hellooo~? Yoohoo~?]**
…There’s no way Nacchan could act _this_ well.
So—seriously…
**Who are you?!**
Fables
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