Chapter 23

Time flowed as the four of us enjoyed playing the online game. In the party, we explored caves and battled monsters, went on voyages to fish, and mined... We repeated all the possible activities in the Black Plains, and before we knew it, time had passed quickly. I realized that I was playing with a popular idol group as if it were a matter of course. Although I treated it as a normal thing, it was still an abnormal situation. Even Kiyokawa, who had been looking at me strangely, became engrossed in the game, and her attitude toward me became completely normal.

"This is my first time playing Black Plains, but it's quite interesting."

Kiyokawa said this in a personal chat. Currently, we were on a boat fishing, and since Rin and Kajiwara were talking, the conversation had naturally split into two pairs.

"Right? I've been playing for years."

"You don't seem to get bored at all..."

"I don't show any signs of getting bored. With Rin around..."

"...Wato-senpai, you seem like a good guy."

"Finally, you understand."

Kiyokawa's sudden understanding made me feel genuinely happy. More than that, I don't have any villainous traits. I might be a bit of a game addict, but that's about it.

"Through the game, I realized that the bright Lin character is just one aspect of Rin-senpai, and that the idea of marriage in the game is serious. Nana-senpai is also fully supporting it, right?"

"Yeah. That's right. There's no brainwashing or anything like that."

"......Ordinarily, it would seem like brainwashing."

"It's because you think that way. No one else would."

"Perhaps, Wato-senpai, you see me as a manipulative character?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

She had mentioned something before about using me for my brainwashing skills. I think she's a girl who has some pretty ruthless thoughts. And she's a misunderstanding, overzealous girl.

"Nana-senpai told me that Wato-senpai supported the former Rin-senpai. And about accepting the idea of marriage in the game as a real marriage, and accepting all of Rin-senpai..."

"I am a bit confused... But I can feel Rin's serious feelings, and I want to accept them."

"How tolerant...! Not using any weaknesses to threaten, and having the capacity to accept all of Rin-senpai... Wato-senpai, I'll acknowledge you a little bit here."

"Only a little?"

"Of course. There's still a lot I don't know about Wato-senpai. I'm just acknowledging you as Rin-senpai's boyfriend, for now."

As a boyfriend, huh. Well, that's fair. As long as the misunderstanding is cleared up, it's fine. From now on, she'll probably treat me normally. I can enjoy my daily life with peace of mind.

"Rin-senpai is seen as a cool character, but in reality, she has a heart that is more passionate than anyone else. She is emotionally rich and has a sensitive side that is easily influenced by various things."

"I can kind of understand that."

Otherwise, I don't think she would have arrived at the idea of marriage in the game meaning a real marriage. Her purity is what allows her to approach her idol activities with sincere feelings.

"I believe there are ways to support Rin-senpai that only Wato-senpai can do. Please take care of her."

"I was planning to do that anyway."

The former Lin used to get depressed. Even though she was logged into the game, she wouldn't do anything, and if you talked to her, she would snap. It was quite unreasonable, but for the Lin of that time, the game was an escape. If I can be a support for Rin, I don't mind if she takes out her frustrations on me (she always apologizes profusely afterward).

"Hey, Kiyokawa. You keep missing the fish."

"M, it's difficult, the timing...!"

It's just a matter of clicking at the right time to match the fish's movements... Maybe Kiyokawa, despite being a popular idol who sings and dances, is rhythmically challenged. The thought made me chuckle a little.

☆

While fishing and talking with Sturmangriff, I suddenly wondered what Kazu and Kakana Ellera were doing. They weren't talking in the party chat.

—Maybe they're in a personal chat?

I was so engrossed in talking with Sturmangriff...!

I had a sudden intuition. That Kazu and Kakana Ellera were deepening their bond through a personal chat.

Cold sweat trickled down my forehead to my cheek. An unpleasant tension washed over me.

If Ayane were someone unrelated to me, I could have warned her directly.

But I can't be too harsh with an important junior.

I wish she would step back from Wato-kun on her own.

I need to show her the depth of my bond with Wato-kun...!

"I have to... I have to make my husband's eyes fixed on me...!"

Maybe the old me isn't enough.

I need to bring about some change in myself...

As the main wife, I can't lose.

No matter what, I will monopolize Wato-kun's attention.