Chapter 1: Akabane’s Big Brother
Chapter 1: Akabane’s Big Brother
Three days after the grand opening of our guild shop, we were still attracting plenty of customers and making steady sales. This was, of course, thanks to the ultra-rare, beautifully decorated items we made with Libra’s Brush.
Our products were pretty cheap, in all honesty. They had to be, seeing as my crafting skill was so low. Nevertheless, they were selling like hotcakes.
This was redefinition of a different kind!
Even the most plain and boring items could sell well if they were spruced up a little. Though it certainly helped that Yano, our resident designer, had such good taste.
Being the first to move in on the market was definitely advantageous. So long as we had the only Libra’s Brush in the world, our monopoly would provide a good source of income.
Seize the day and wring out every last drop of gold you can, I say! Once you’ve got your gold, load it all into the drama cannon and let loose! What a meaningful use of cash!
“Hello. May I come in?”
Akabane had come to visit. As usual, Kataoka was orbiting her.
The two of them had stopped by the shop every day since it opened. Akabane was clearly trying her best, but she and Akira were still far from greeting each other with a smile.
“Oh, welcome.”
Whew, at least Akira didn’t let out a groan this time. Maybe she’s getting used to it after all these visits? I mean, she was still grumbly about them just yesterday.
“Hmph. I see you’ve finally learned basic manners.” Akabane looked somewhat content.
“Yeah, well, I think I’m just used to seeing you by now.” Clearly, Akira hadn’t let her guard down just yet.
Maybe I ought to provide some covering fire here, I thought.
“Yo, Akira.”
“Hm? What’s up, Ren?”
“You might wanna be a little nicer to her, like how you are with everyone else, y’know? Akabane’s been coming here every day just to open up to you.”
My bluntness had the impact of a lightning strike.
“Whaaat?!” Akira cried.
“Wh-What did you just say?! I cannot believe the nonsense coming out of your mouth!”
The two of them were shocked to the core.
“N-Now, now! Surely you must be mistaken; I would never do something so pitiful!”
Forget Akira, what’s with Akabane’s reaction?
Her face was cherry red as she vigorously waved her hands in denial.
What a stubborn girl. She could have just said something like “you’re free to think what you want” and left it at that.
“Oh dear! I just remembered that I have errands to attend to, so I’ve got to go! We’re leaving, Kataoka!”
Running away, eh? Maybe it was too much for Akabane to handle. Was it just a minor error? Did I pitch too straight? Providing covering fire for her is just too difficult.
Just as Akabane was heading to the shop’s exit, the door was opened from the outside, revealing a single customer.
“Coming through.”
I couldn’t help but blurt out, “The heck?!”
If I had to describe this guy in one word, it would definitely be “perv.”
He wore a well-polished iron mask that covered his entire face, concealing his expressions from the outside world. A small, crimson scarf was looped around his neck, and his nether regions were tightly hugged by swim briefs of the same color.
That was it. The rest of him was full-on nude. That being said, he had a firm, well-toned bod.
Isn’t this the same perv who was wandering around in my peripheral vision a while back?! So I wasn’t just seeing things! He was real! What’s this guy’s deal, though?!
Actually, in most online games, there are plenty of people out there who like to wear the weirder outfits. They’re just very particular about their choices.
Still, I never imagined a guy like this would show up in a VRMMO, where you literally are your character!
Now, his appearance was a shock to be sure. But even more horrifying was...
“Brother!”
...the word that left Akabane’s lips as soon as she saw him.
“SAY WHAT?!”
“NO WAAAY!”
Ryuutarou Akabane (3-A)
Level 208 Sword Dancer
Guild: True Form (Guild Master)
Akabane?! Could that seriously be Akabane’s brother?! Also, how is this wacko at an even higher level than Yukino?! And hey, I’ve never seen a male sword dancer before!
“Hey, sis. I rushed over to check out the painted items you told me about.”
“My, so that’s why you’re here. I have a feeling you’ll love them.”
“Hrm. All right, you there. Get me something good straightaway.”
“Huh? Um... Okay, come on in! Akira, you watch the shop.”
Akira was frozen in place, and I couldn’t let this guy scare away our other customers. Thus, I decided to move him to the back of the store and out of sight!
Once we reached the atelier, I pulled up a chair for him. However...
I’ve gotta bring it up sooner or later, right? Guess I might as well ask.
“So, uh, what’s with the getup?”
“Heh. You may not have guessed it, but I’m an exhibitionist.”
“Gee, I never saw that coming! It’s pretty obvious, wouldn’t you say? How do you think people see you, anyway?!”
“Hmph. But wait, I say. Is it not right for gamers to enjoy games on their own terms, unaffected by others? That’s what I believe.”
“Still, you might want to change it up sometimes...”
Pervs like him would get arrested lightning-fast in real life.
“But wait, I say. Hear me out. You may not have guessed it, but I am an exhibitionist...”
“You just said that! We’re going in circles!”
The only thing I’ve even learned about him is that he’s an exhibitionist! Twice, at that! Did he repeat it because it’s just that important, even though it’s plain for all to see?!
“But wait, I say. Exhibitionists may be arrested in real life, but we have extraterritorial rights in video games. Thus, I am expressing myself to my heart’s content in this safe space. Walking around with my body exposed in such a realistic environment gives me nearly the same thrill as it would in the real world. I can only conclude that the creators of this game sympathize with sinners and outcasts such as myself! What a beautiful world! I dare call it utopia!”
He stood proudly, crossing his arms over his broad chest.
Man, he’s disgusting! This guy is bound to commit a crime in the future! Is the Akabane family going to survive this?! They’re like, celebrities or high-class politicians or something, right?!
Argh, can’t we make a law to round up all the pervs in this VRMMO and give ’em a smackdown?! Something needs to be done about this guy, and fast!
“So basically, you came to this school and got into the game just so you could get your fill of your fetish?”
“But wait, I say. That’s one of my reasons, yes. The other is that Red Phaser Software, a company affiliated with the Akabane family, is involved in the development of Unlimited World. My enrollment in this academy serves as a means of advertising and increases the school’s prestige. I am deeply interested in the academy’s groundbreaking endeavors, so I am glad to be a part of it.”
Red Phaser Software?! That’s a really famous developer! I guess the Akabanes really are celebrities. But... “advertising”? By running around naked, you mean?!
My heart went out to the good people at Red Phaser. Imagine being told that you had to let this insane pervert, of all people, advertise for you. It wouldn’t be a surprise to know he was making things worse.
Wow. This guy’s got so many problems, I don’t even know where to begin.
“Huh. Is your sister doing something similar, then?”
“Hah! But wait, I say. My pride as a brother prevents me from using my precious little sister for politics. I knew that she wanted to be friends with the Aoyagi girl... though she’s proud and earnest to a fault, so she would never admit it. I advised her to enroll in this school because it would be fun—merely a pretense to hide her true intentions, of course.”
It was really hard to take this masked pervert seriously.
“Actually, I heard about you from my sister. I must thank you for being so kind to her.” He bowed his head to me in thanks.
“Uh, no problem.”
I genuinely had no idea how to handle this guy.
He’s much more straightforward and sincere than I expected. Gotta say, though, it pains me a little to compliment somebody who looks like... this.
“Also, congratulations on your victory in the Spring Newbie Spotlight. Your fighting was brilliant.”
“Th-Thanks. By the way, uh, sorry to change the subject again, but... why the iron mask?”
“But wait, I say. Everyone is more than happy to expose their faces, are they not?”
“I guess, yeah.”
“Then I have no need to join in such an artless display. In fact, it would only hinder me.”
In other words, he was just wearing it because he wanted to.
I don’t get this guy, and I probably never will.
Just then, Yano and Maeda descended from the second floor. When they spotted the masked man in his skivvies, they screamed bloody murder.
“Eeeeek! There’s a pervert on the loose! K-Kotomi, do something about him!”
“What?! Me? I can’t stand weirdos like him either!”
Surprisingly, Yano seemed even less equipped to handle the situation; she was cowering helplessly behind Maeda.
Yano might be bold when it comes to her looks and attitude, but man, one glance at that bulge has her shaking in her boots. Maybe she’s purer than I thought?
“Don’t mind me, ladies!”
Our exhibitionist guest was oozing with delight, drinking up their reactions. He clearly got his kicks from grossing out other people.
Yep, that’s a natural-born pervert for you.
Incidentally, when I’d seen this guy back at the third-year classroom, Homura must’ve also seen him but just ignored him. After three years of it, she was probably desensitized.
Meanwhile, Maeda’s and Yano’s reactions were fresh and invigorating.
You gotta wonder if exhibitionists are the way they are just because their presence causes a panic.
“Oh god, he talked! No, no, no! I hate this! Kotomi, I need you to get him the heck outta here right now!”
“Still, I can’t just...!”
“Heh.”
Listen to that perverse laugh. He’s having the time of his life.
“It’ll be okay, you two,” I said, giving Yano and Maeda a nod. “I’m here.”
Yeah, right! Even I don’t know if things are gonna be okay!
“Oh, hello, Takashiro!”
“Whew. Good to hear... Wait a sec! Takashiro, you brought him in here?”
The impact of this monstrous, masked nudist was apparently so strong that they hadn’t even seen me at first. Not that I could blame them.
“Well, he’s a customer. I think. Speaking of, what was it that you wanted?”
“But wait, I say. My sister tells me you perform a nail-painting service here. If that’s true, then surely you can paint something on my body. I would love the opportunity to be your canvas.”
“Your body? Hmm, so like a big tattoo?”
“Yes, if you prefer to see it that way.”
“Thoughts, Yano? We can probably do it, right?”
Last time I checked, we were able to draw art on people’s hands and the like using Libra’s Brush. Yano had the most experience with it, so I deferred to her.
“I think so. But I’m not touching that guy. Takashiro, you should do it!”
She really didn’t want to get near him; she was just that disgusted. Little did she know, that only made him all the happier.
“Sure, I’m okay with that.” I turned toward our peculiar customer. “So, what design would you like?”
“But wait, I say. I desire a single, gorgeous rose to be placed on my chest.”
“A rose, huh? Yep, that we can do. About how big do you want it?”
“The size of a fist, perhaps.”
“Let’s see here... All right, how about we do a test run? I’ll paint one on you, and then we can adjust its size and position however you like.”
“Please and thank you.”
A little while later…
“Oho. But wait, I say. This is splendid work!”
The pervert stood in front of a full-length mirror in our atelier and struck a pose. He straightened his spine and crossed his arms, cocking his head to one side. The crimson rose on his chest peeked out just above his forearms.
It was a pretty radical pose, like a cool robot from a cartoon would make after saving the day. But when he did it, it was just bizarre. A blasphemy against cool poses and any who would perform them.
“Uh, yeah. Looks good to me.”
“I am wholly satisfied. Now, what do I owe you?”
“Oh, right. We didn’t have to make a new design for it, so the only fee is for the paint itself. That comes out to... five thousand Mila.”
“But wait, I say. A reasonable price indeed,” he said, handing over the payment.
“Thank you for your business... sir.”
“Well then, I shall take my leave. I appreciate your continued kindness toward my sister.”
“Uh, could I actually have you exit this way?”
I pointed at the back door, which led directly outside from the atelier. If he went through the sales floor, he’d disgust all of our poor customers. I preferred to keep him out of sight.
“But wait, I say. I shall head this way, then. Farewell!”
Phew! He’s finally gone. I heaved a sigh of relief.
“Did he say ‘sister’?” Maeda asked.
“There’s another one of his kind?” Yano added.
“No, his sister is actually Nozomi Akabane. They’re not a family of masked nudists, don’t worry.”
“What?!”
“Huh?! That weirdo is related to such a beautiful girl? No waaay!”
“You both missed his name, huh? I guess that makes sense since the rest of him was way too distracting. If you see him again, take a look for yourselves.”
“Wow, though. Poor girl has to deal with having that for a brother.” Yano let out a whistle.
“I would despise having an older brother like him!” Maeda said.
“Akabane clearly has her share of troubles.”
Followed around by a Hime-chan-loving nerd and cursed with a mega-pervert brother. I had to wonder how she felt about it.
Is she still in the store? I’ll head back and take a look.