Published: September 4, 2025
Corrections made on 9/15.
Revised on 8/12.
This is Satou. I started playing fighting games because the special moves looked fun, but gradually, I became fascinated by the mind games involved in player-versus-player battles.
I never thought the day would come when I could move like in a fighting game myself.
◇
“I’ve come to pick you up, my honey!”
The one who opened the door and came in was the hero, Hayato. Tama, who had been curled up on my lap, was so surprised that she dug her claws into my knee. It hurt a little. Pochi and Mia on either side were also frozen.
To barge in and interrupt this peaceful storybook time — what a troublesome hero.
“W-What...?”
And why are you the one who's stunned, hero Hayato?
I wonder what exactly has surprised him.
There’s nothing strange going on. I was just reading a storybook at Pochi’s insistence. Sitting on a large sofa, I was enjoying a rare relaxing afternoon. I was dressed coolly in a tank top and shorts, but since it was my private room, that was fine.
Lulu and Nana were relaxing on the carpet at my feet. Even though their one-piece dresses were thin, they weren’t overly revealing. Liza, sitting with her eyes closed as if meditating while listening to the storybook reading, quietly stood up. I sensed a faint anger around her eyes. Surprisingly, Liza also likes listening to storybook readings. She’d get angry if interrupted.
Mia, scared by Hayato’s gaze, tried to slip behind my backrest, which tickled.
“Oh, hero-sama, entering without knocking is quite rude, you know?”
Her prim way of speaking was a bit comical given her pose, stroking my leg. Honestly, I wish she’d stop pretending to listen to the storybook while actually sexually harassing me.
“Let’s fight, Satou! You’ve made me angry!”
The hero screamed with a face as if shedding tears of blood, while Lady Ringlande and the others, who caught up from behind, were holding him back.
I really don’t get what’s going on.
◇
To avoid offending Princess Merryest, I changed into a comfortable knight’s uniform and went out into the courtyard. I had no intention of fighting the hero, but since he and his people were waiting, I couldn’t just ignore it.
“Are you really going to fight?”
“No way.”
I replied lightly to Lulu, who asked worriedly.
There’s no merit in fighting; it would only reveal my true strength.
“Finally, you’re here, Satou!”
The hero, who had been fawned over by the busty maid in the main building, emerged from the courtyard pavilion, carrying Arondight on his shoulder.
“Now, let’s have a fair match!”
“I refuse.”
I smiled politely but firmly declined the hero’s challenge as he pointed Arondight straight at me.
He looked stunned, probably not expecting to be refused. I want to question him for a good while about why he thought I wouldn’t refuse.
Because fighting would only bring disadvantages, right?
“Tell me your reason.”
“There’s no benefit in fighting.”
“Heh, so you won’t say it’s because you can’t win?”
Princess Merryest pressed me on my answer to the hero.
“Of course, part of it is that I can’t win, but even if I somehow did, there’d be no benefit. So what’s the point?”
“Facing the hero with your sword is an honor rarely given even in the empire.”
Are you trying to get me to fight the hero?
“That honor should be given to knights or warriors who participate in martial tournaments.”
“You don’t think for a moment that you can’t beat Hayato, do you?”
“Merryest-sama, that assumption is unreasonable. He is the honorable hero, after all. It’s impossible to beat someone who could rival the Demon King.”
I don’t expect to win in a battle of swordsmanship against a seasoned warrior. Even during my bout with Old Dohal, I hid my true strength but was defeated through tactics like a shogi puzzle.
“Is that so? You hold no reverence, envy, jealousy, or even fear towards strong opponents, do you?”
Well, no.
“Hey, Merry. Don’t interrupt my fight with complicated talk.”