Chapter 37

There was an unmistakable sense of intimacy from the introduction.

The first hurdle of discovering who Anne Grisha was, was unintentionally cleared. However, now that I faced her directly… I became more curious about whether she was a person who originally existed and what her specific relationship with Helena, who boasted a narrow social network, might be.

…I must correct myself. To imply that someone standing right in front of me wasn’t a real person was just too much for anyone to accept.

Her large glasses pointed towards the floor, and the tips of her shy pigtails dangled in the air, only to hide when she raised her head.

“…Nice to meet you. I’m Anne Grisha…”

“……Hello, I’m Anastasia… Valentine.”

“Hehe… hic.”

“….”

“…….”

If there were an even more awkward first meeting than this, I desperately wanted to know what it was.

The guest who had brought the homeowner home safely was awkwardly standing by the door, and our only common denominator, Helena, was somehow far from normal.

Was it the right moment for me to offer her something like tea? I wondered. However, the reason why the seemingly troubled Anne was hesitating instead of leaving was perplexing.

“……Let’s go to bed quietly, Drunkard.”

“……Sister.”

While I pacified Helena, who was wavering between cooperation and non-cooperation, I didn’t take my eyes off Anne.

…Wasn’t it the fate of an office worker to take care of an inebriated colleague and leave as soon as possible to preserve any remaining free time and sleep?

As I gently untangled the superhuman’s fingers that were wrapped around my arm to lay her down comfortably, I heard a voice that seemed to want to break the awkward atmosphere.

“Can I call you Miss Anastasia…? When Helena said she would be living with her sister, I was taken aback. I didn’t expect you to actually exist…?”

“…….”

Her tone was still soft and calm, but the slight slur in her words hinted at an unfulfilled curiosity.

…Ah, I could somewhat understand. I wasn’t the only one interested in the sudden appearance of an outsider in Helena’s strongly introverted social relationships.

If she wanted to have a conversation, I was more than welcome to that. A hundred words… we planned to share calmly from now on, so it would be right to call her into action.

Click….

I quietly approached, opened the refrigerator door, and couldn’t help but sigh at the homeowner’s bizarre taste in beverages. I wonder if her friend knows about this.

“……Which do you prefer, cola-flavored cider or cider-flavored cola?”

“…I’ll take cola-flavored cider, please.”

“Drink to your heart’s content…!”

Ignoring the inebriated guest who responded to the word “sister,” I handed a cold beverage can to Anne as she entered. Then, we sat side by side on the sofa.

The piled clothing? She used it as a cushion to sit down. …It was a bit bothersome that it had to go this far to match our eye levels.

After popping the can with a hiss and taking a sip, the bubbling sensation and coldness seemed to bring Anne back to her senses, and she readily opened her mouth.

“Today, Lena said… she has a sister who struggles with physical enhancement procedures, and I was really surprised…! It’s been a long time since I met someone like me with such low enhancement efficiency. Most combat police tend to be the physical type…”

“Ah….”

Even though I didn’t have a proper reply, Anne subtly assessed my body and nodded as if she understood her own words.

I wanted to argue that the fundamental reasons were completely different, but seeing her happy expression as she met someone of the same kind made me feel it would be unfair to burst that bubble.

“…Moreover, we’re both cyber engineers? I think we might understand each other’s difficulties well… I really wanted to meet you…!”

“Uh… yes. It’s an honor…?”

“I’m serious…?! Just how many people out there judge by the cost and grade of the parts embedded in your body… If I hadn’t found the job suited for me, I would have quit long ago!”

With an exuberance that made me suspect she might have mistaken the soda for alcohol, Anne threw her head back and downed her drink.

At some point, I found myself at a loss for words due to the one-sidedly built intimacy that had formed while I was asleep. I wondered if this was how Helena felt when she looked at me.

…Or was it that Anne was just as tipsy but was hiding it well?

After some time spent lamenting about colleagues and venting her grievances about implant technology, her gaze turned to the now-sleeping Helena.

Her somewhat relaxed facial muscles tightened, and perhaps… the main point she wanted to discuss surfaced.

“…Isn’t it unfair of God?”

“Excuse me? What do you mean…?”

“On the surface, it seems like both you, and Miss Anastasia… and she all look similar. One side is a talent that can become a team leader with just basic enhancement procedures, while the other side is…”

“…….”

That was as far as Anne went before suddenly shutting her mouth.

Given the nature of the metropolis, it’s true that engineering is considered a more elite workforce than mere combat personnel, but I found it hard to imagine what kind of experiences she had gone through in a reality where the fist is often closer than the law.

All I could do was observe the emotions gently hinted at in Anne’s expression and eyes.

Among the emotional glimmers that flickered through her gaze, I could distinguish jealousy and affection. And a desire that seemed to surpass mere affection.

“……I enjoyed the drink.”

I blankly sent off Anne Grisha, who set down her empty can and left feeling lighthearted.

I wanted to make a joke about her bravely aiming for the heroine’s seat, but I found it difficult to categorize her despite the brief encounter and the strong impression she left behind.

And… that bold conversation from that late night was nearly a week ago. I was still tormenting myself over the unresolved mystery.

“Ugh……!!”

My shivering arms barely pushed against the floor.

The quaking vision, like an earthquake, heightened my anxiety, and the overwhelming pain and fatigue in my body made it feel like it would stop functioning at any moment. No, in reality, my five senses were gradually fading.

But it was too early to give up. The summit was right before my eyes, and I couldn’t afford to lose.

If I couldn’t endure something like this, it would disgrace the name of Valentine.

Just watch, I will somehow persevere for my grandfather’s honor…!!

“Ahsa! Were you working out again?”

“Ugh?!”

The sudden voice startled me, causing my strength to drain from my arms, and I buried my face in the pile of clothes set up to prevent injuries.

…Fifteen push-ups, I had shown potential, but once again I failed today. The reason being, Helena had returned home without making a sound.

Don’t bother asking how many attempts I failed on… If you value your life…!

“Hmph… huff…!”

I didn’t have the courage to directly look at her face that was clearly holding back laughter at my plight.

Based on Helena’s relatively light demeanor, it seemed that nothing particularly grave had happened today, which was a relief.

“Hmm… What do you want for dinner?”

“……Something high in protein.”

I groaned as I pushed my weary body up and collapsed onto the sofa, which had now become my own.

Apologizing for being late without contact on the first day of living together, Helena Valentine only commuted sharply between home and work.

I was Anastasia Valentine, who had taken up residence and barely stepped outside. Truly… a picture of a healthy family life.

“……”

I glanced over at Helena, who was preoccupied with choosing the menu.

When I asked her about Anne, Helena smiled and replied that she was her closest friend and the only one in the city.

…And after seeing that smile, I began to think hard… agonize over and reflect.

The past history of Helena that I read about in the Haven Wiki, as well as the situation of Anne, who was not even mentioned in the original story. Fearing that my actions might ruin things, I hesitated and waited for the right moment… but it seemed I needed to make a decision soon.

If Anne Grisha is a character who will exit soon, long before the prologue of the original work begins. After everything unfolds, will I be able to forgive myself for having been so passive?

The stoic and cool Helena of Neo Haven is impressive, but… the gentle smile she wears now is even more precious.

At this point, I couldn’t expect any interjection from the protagonist, who was unaware of where and what was happening, so I shouldn’t turn my back on these two.

…Yeah, I think I’ve rested long enough. I can’t keep hiding backstage forever and just steal glances at the stage.

If catastrophe is coming at any moment in any way, then at the very least, I will resist boldly.

To catch a tiger, you must go into its den.

Fortunately, I had concocted a trifecta of plans that included securing a stable income, observing the threats facing Helena and Anne, and addressing Drayfuscus’s proposal.

“Um… Helena?”

“……?”

Perhaps bothered by the missing honorific, she glared at me sharply for a moment, but upon seeing my serious expression, she changed her posture.

“…I also applied to become a combat police officer, is that okay…?”

…I hope it’s not a job that requires a minimum service period. After all, I’ll have to leave for Neo Haven within at least half a year, or at the most a year.