Ch.373368 – Video Call

“Ms. Katsuhata was absolutely fantastic in the quarterfinals! She’s truly the reincarnation of the sword saint Kamiizumi Nobutsuna! What did you think, senior?”

“While we should always be cautious about getting too excited, I think Japan’s conquest of the world isn’t far off. I’m most proud that we’ve preserved our unique culture in this age of high magic.”

“My colleagues have already prepared articles. They’re saying if she maintains her quarterfinal performance, victory is practically guaranteed.”

The conversation between Japanese men drifted from the table right behind us.

The men, who appeared to be journalists, were discussing Katsuhata Emika’s recent match.

“In the end, what matters most is soft power. Those Korean bastards tried to copy America with their academies and whatnot, but look—decades later with nothing to show for it. Driving out all their native magic workshops was a historic mistake, in my opinion.”

“Yes, I completely agree.”

“Katsuhata’s victory is all the more valuable because it’s a cultural victory for Japan. Emphasize that point in your article. Comparing it with Korea would make for a nice angle too.”

“Whew, she wouldn’t have survived in Korea. How could students who just sit around drawing magic circles all day possibly counter Katsuhata’s 249-hit combo?”

“Hahaha, that’s so true!”

There were more than a few infuriating points in their conversation, even if it was private.

Plus, these journalists couldn’t even properly analyze the flow of the duel.

It was especially ridiculous how they criticized Cecilia’s innate magic as a waste of mana.

Emika’s victory made it seem like a bad move in retrospect, but Manubia Raphlesia itself was an excellent strike.

I raised my voice and spoke in their language:

“If Japanese people’s understanding of magical duels is only at this level, yet you’ve been leaving all sorts of know-it-all comments online… it’s just mind-boggling, isn’t it?”

The clinking of forks and knives suddenly quieted down.

A silence fell over the hotel restaurant.

People soon resumed talking as if nothing had happened, but some glances were far from friendly.

As we were about to leave after finishing dinner, the journalists who had been sitting behind us approached me, offering their business cards.

“I’m Morita Koichi from the Sankei Newspaper. I never dreamed I’d meet NoName here. Are you staying at this hotel?”

“None of your business.”

“If you’re busy, just one question! Do you think Katsuhata Emika will win this National Exchange Competition?”

The journalist with round glasses took out a notepad and pen, ready to record my answer.

The black pen had a recording function built in.

“Sis, what are you doing there? Hurry up!” Adella called from a distance, waving her hand.

I turned to the journalist and said:

“I think Katsuhata Emika will win.”

“As expected!”

“But that’s just her personal victory, not Japan’s. It would be better for all of you not to project an entire nation onto one person.”

“What? Why do you think that?”

“Because at next year’s National Exchange Competition in France, she’ll have to face me. But until then, I wish Japan the best of luck.”

“…”

“Here, I don’t need your business card, so I’ll return it.”

* * *

We decided to watch Emika’s semifinal match huddled together in the hotel room.

This was because Adella and Professor Cheon had failed to get tickets.

When we contacted the Katsuhata school, they replied that they would definitely arrange seats for the finals.

“Magic has changed so much since our time.”

Professor Cheon, sitting in a single-person sofa, took a sip of his canned beer.

Just give me one sip too.

“NoName, where are you looking? You need to keep commentating.”

Adella placed her palms on my cheeks, forcibly turning my face toward the TV.

Originally, Adella and I were sitting side by side on the bed.

But it’s human nature to want to sit when standing, and to lie down when sitting.

Unable to resist the drowsiness, I laid my head on Adella’s thighs.

“Yaaawn. It’s just the same as before. Emika breaks barriers when they’re created, then they make double barriers, and it repeats. If mana runs out, Katsuhata wins; if aura runs out, Mustafa wins. Wake me up if the barrier breaks.”

“Honestly, shouldn’t barrier magic be limited to 2nd circle instead of 3rd? Is this even a sport?! Arrrgh!”

“There can be boring moments in any competition. Even soccer becomes dull when one side commits to a full defensive strategy. And they do that for 90 minutes.”

“At least in soccer there’s the satisfaction of seeing someone get tackled…”

Adella’s expression twisted into a grimace.

Even with the commentators trying their best to make it exciting, it seemed too much to bear.

“The match is proceeding slowly, but Emika must be having a terrible time trying to escape that barrier.”

I continued explaining even as I closed my eyes.

Using Adella’s thigh as a pillow was so warm and soft that I was getting sleepy.

“Cool…”

“Hmm, maybe this duel is less interesting than expected?”

“Yaaawn.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, I bit her thigh as punishment.

“Owww! That hurts! Let go, please let go! Are you crazy? Why would you bite me?! Look, there’s a huge teeth mark now…!”

“Is my pillow talking back?”

The match content had long been forgotten.

We only glanced at the screen when the commentators shouted excitedly.

The final winner was Emika, and the highlight reel followed immediately.

Eventually, Emika escaped the barrier, and Mustafa set up magic mirrors throughout the arena with a wide-area spell.

He tried to flee while launching ranged attacks through optical illusions, but Emika’s judgment was excellent.

She traced the magic beams bouncing off the mirrors back to their source, cutting straight through the maze to shatter Mustafa’s wand.

Emika won by surrender.

Perhaps because it was Japan’s first finals appearance in 10 years?

Despite being clearly inferior to the quarterfinal match, the arena erupted with applause and whistles.

But Adella seemed quite displeased.

“I absolutely hate barrier mages. Can’t they ban them from competing? Look at him surrendering cowardly once his strategy is exposed.”

“…?”

I blinked repeatedly from below her line of sight.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?”

I tilted my head back to look at Professor Cheon.

“My father is also a barrier mage.”

“Oh my, should I apologize? I’m sorry, Saet-byeol.”

“No, no! Not at all, sir! I didn’t mean it like that! It’s not barriers that are the problem, but how that participant used them!”

“His barrier encryption level was quite high, wasn’t it? He doesn’t seem to have reached the semifinals by luck alone.”

“Yes, I was quite surprised. Magic reflection is a technique frequently used in national defense recently, showing Egypt’s education level has improved significantly.”

“I’m so sorry! I spoke without knowing anything!”

“Kyahaha!”

Adella jumped like a frog on the bed and bowed deeply in apology.

Now that my food coma had passed, I listened to Emika’s interview with a clear mind.

[Congratulations on your victory, Katsuhata. How about sharing the joy of reaching the finals with your friends through a video call?]

[V-video call?]

[If you don’t have any suitable friends—]

[Of course I do! I have friends! Just… please wait a moment.]

Emika looked anxious.

“It’s written all over your face, friend.”

I thought perhaps the reason Emika insisted on maintaining a poker face was because she wasn’t used to hiding her emotions.

“I’ll head back to my room now. Don’t stay up too late. Saet-byeol and NoName, understood?”

“Yes, sleep well.”

“Good night, sir!”

Professor Cheon returned to his room.

“Adella, can I shower first?”

“Sure. I’ll shower tomorrow morning. But doesn’t it bother you to dry your hair twice a day?”

“Not really. I’ve never thought about it. Just wash properly.”

“I shower every day…! This is so unfair!”

I liked that the hotel had a clean, spacious bathtub.

But since it was late, I decided to just wash my hair quickly and save the bath for later.

Shhhhhh—

When showering, I always turn the water as hot as possible, even if it means getting steamed to death.

My long hair, reaching below my waist, grew heavier as it absorbed moisture.

One pump of shampoo, two pumps, and the last one gently—two and a half pumps.

I applied it evenly from scalp to tips, manually removing everyday dirt.

There’s a strange satisfaction that magic cleaning spells can’t provide.

Once finished, a long wait is necessary.

Waiting and waiting for all the shampoo bubbles to rinse away.

Bang!

Knock knock—

“Huh?”

“NoName! Phone call! Phone!”

“Tell them to hang up and call back later.”

“But this is an important call.”

“Sigh, just a moment. Give me the phone.”

“Wait, it’s a video call. I’ll get you a robe, put this on.”

“Video call?”

Who would video call me?

We just parted with Professor Cheon.

It certainly wouldn’t be Principal Gu On-yu.

Maybe Seo Yu-na called because she misses me?

Not a single suitable candidate comes to mind.

I hastily put on the robe Adella handed me and peeked my face out.

Water dripped from my hair.

“Who is it?”

“Katsuhata Emika.”

“Ah…! Why is she calling me instead of others?”

“She just finished calling her family and school peers, and now it’s your turn. Hurry and answer.”

“But if I answer, won’t I be on live broadcast right now?”

“Oh no, you’re right! What should we do?”

[Hello…! Are you there?]

A familiar voice came from the phone lying face-down on the desk.

“If I just show my face, it should be fine.”

What’s the big deal about coming out mid-shower anyway?

I picked up the phone and showed my face to the camera.

* * *

Emika’s family and schoolmates were intent on teasing her.

‘This is Emika-chan’s room from when she was 10. She loved Korean idols so much that the walls were covered with posters…’

‘You haven’t seen Katsuhata’s aegyo? Then you’ve missed out on half your life!’

Her parents unexpectedly revealed her childhood room, while her peers exposed embarrassing stories from her past.

When the video calls ended too quickly, the reporters asked for one more.

“This is the last one…”

A polite friend, a polite friend—that’s how she thought of NoName.

In reality, Emika had received a lot of help from NoName in reaching the finals.

But when she called, a completely different woman’s voice answered.

“Hello? Oh, it’s a video call!”

A brief glimpse of a woman’s upper body.

A slender waist and cute navel were clearly visible under a white crop top.

Startled, the woman quickly placed the phone face-down on the desk.

“Is this not NoName’s number?”

“No, it is. I’ll call her over… NoName! Phone call! Phone!”

Emika sat primly on the chair prepared by the staff, waiting for NoName to answer.

‘Who is that woman? She doesn’t seem like a friend. An older sister?’

Finally, light appeared on the black screen.

“Hello. This is NoName.”

This monotone voice was unmistakably NoName’s.

Emika, who had been looking at the screen with a bright expression, gradually became flustered.

“Your hair… were you showering?”

“Yeah, why?”

“No, if you were showering, you could have said something first.”

“It’s fine with me.”

Her eyes rolled toward the chat window.

‘I’m not fine…’

[Live Streaming]

[Real-time Chat]

-None of this person’s family or acquaintances are normal lolololol

-A soaking wet super-cute loli appears!

-So adorable!

-Katsuhata is flustered again.

-Whoa NoName what is this lolololol

-Surprise appearance

-She just shows up without warning lololol