NNYV7C1P8

Chapter 1

Part 8

Translation: Yamaking

 

“T, that surprised me you meow? Since it was Goshouin-san we’re talking about here, I was sure it would be no small meowter.”

It’s scary isn’t it? Yeah, I understand. She seems like someone who can actually get you fired after all.

But man, what a relief. Thank goodness that all that was just about the game.

“Sensei, who was the person you were with during the New Year’s shrine visit?”

“That was Kawano-sensei you know. We came to patrol there to make sure students don’t run wild at the start of the new year.”

“Aah! Kawanocchi!”

“Stop referring to your teacher with nicknames would you?”

So it was that huh? Like the part about going around on patrol during stuff like summer festivals is part of your job too, that sort of thing.

But now that I think about it, this just raises even more questions.

“Then why did you blurt out in game that you were getting married?”

“……”

As I asked that, Ako, who was right behind me, suddenly started emitting a chilly aura, cold as ice!

No, no, you see, it’s not like I’m asking that because she turned down my proposal before you know?!

“……!”

“……”

Shaking her head silently in place of words, Ako moved in front of me as if to hide me from Nekohime-san.

I’m telling you, you got it wrong.

“Nekohime-san… The reason why Nekohime-san said she’ll be getting married… The story behind that is a long, heart-wrenching tale purr both the listener and storyteller. I’d like meow all to listen.”

Sensei hung her head as she continued.

“The truth is…”

As she was about to open her mouth, Segawa suddenly butted in and said,

“It’s about time you had it with those guys from the Elite Guard right?”

“Don’t meow! Put it! So simply!”

“Nyaaaaaaaaaa!”

Segawa, who nonchalantly blurted that out, is now in a headlock while Nekohime-san cleared her throat to continue.

E, err, are you going to continue on like that?

“It all started back in spurring of last year. It’s been a while since I last logged in, and the guild that I was in before I stopped playing got disbanded you meow.”

A bit after I crashed and burned and left the guild, Nekohime-san barely logged in.

Looking back on it, it was probably a busy time for her with all the teacher training before she could start working.

And so, on a not completely related note, the other guild members also stopped logging in.

“That guild naturally disbanded and everyone went their separate ways right?”

That kind of thing happens quite often.

Everybody start logging in less and less, so you have people wanting to join other guilds leaving, and before you know it, there’s nobody left anymore. It’s a pretty normal way for a guild to go out.

“Meow. I mew that. But since it’s been a long while, I thought about meeting up with furmiliar friends so I set up something like an alumneow reunion but… For some reason they all got purred up and…”

“Before you knew it, they’ve already made a guild, right?”

“It’s as meow say.”

They were still in the early phase of their guild when we saw them while we were looking for a new hangout spot during that one time, so Nekohime’s Elite Guard has actually been established for quite a while. They didn’t end up being a temporary guild after all.

“These people who were originally from diffurent guilds banded up together because of the festive atmosphere. That’s why I feel sorry since it feels like I purred them away from the guild they were originally in.”

“It could just be their alt you know? I think it’s fine though.”

“But then the guild got even larger and more people joined in… it became well-known and… sometimes, they would bother other players, meow see? You shouldn’t involve others in your personal festivities meow know?”

I’m not quite sure about it being a bother, but they sure did a lot of stuff, didn’t they?

Somehow, it feels like they’re being treated as an events organizer guild.

“That’s why, I thought that I should put an end to it all when the pawsibility presents itself. I have to put an end to these felines of nostalgia and let everyone go back to their own path. To do that, having Nekohime-san amicably step down from her position as the purrfect idol is the best way.”

“So that’s why you said you’ll get married right?”

“Meow. It’s time to bring a paws to the idol life furever.”

“I see, that’s one way of thinking about it right?”

Ako and Master both nodded in agreement to it, but I really think you should let go of Segawa soon… Her face is turning really pale, is she going to be alright?

I kept pointing at Segawa as if to signal to her, and Sensei, noticing the fact, loosened her grip on Segawa.

“So there meow have it. Nekohime-san is meow going to return to being a normal girl.”

“‘Girl’ you say, you’re not even that young anymo… Owowowowow!”

“You finally got out of that headlock and all, but why did you have to say such a thing…”

Let’s just leave Segawa to her own devices. Yeah.

“But still, I didn’t consider the pawsibility that you would think it was about me getting married in real life. I’m difurrent from meow Rusian.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I’m not married in real life yet you know?

“And actually, we’re not the only ones who misunderstood what you said you know?”

“Meow?”

I used the PC that was turned on this whole time, and made my character head towards Nekohime’s Elite Guard’s castle.

I then entered the castle, which was left in its decorated state.

†Cloud†: ……

Yuyun: ……

Following the events of that night, the whole castle’s state right now is completely that of a wake.

Yuyun: Oh, hey Rusian… Did you happen to see Nekohime-san?

†Cloud†: Nekohime-sama, hasn’t logged in ever since… Did she really quit…

Kabotan: Maybe she really hated that sort of thing after all…

“…See, it’s been really awful in-game too.”

“You’re kitten me… I didn’t think everyone would misunderstand mew too.”

It’s pretty hard to take ‘I’m going to quit!’ as ‘I’m going to quit as your queen’ after all.

“I’ll be there in a meownite.”

Sensei started up her own PC and turned to face the screen.

And when Nekohime-san logged in, the moment she appeared on the throne, the halls resounded with excitement.

†Cloud†: …Nekohime-sama! Nekohime-sama has returned!

Yuyun: Our Queen!

You know, Nekohime-san told you to quit that already.

Nekohime: It seems like everyone misunderstood what I said before but it’s not like Nekohime-san is going to quit you meow?

Rusian: …There you have it.

Yuyun: What… was that…?! What’s the meaning of this Rusian?!

Kabotan: Is that really true Nekohime-san?!

Rusian: It’s going to take forever to explain it though.

After a long-winded and crude explanation, as I expected, it seems that they’ve all given the matter some thought.

Yuyun: To think that we would read too much into it

Ruin: We got too carried away…

†Cloud†: We’re really sorry.

It looks like even Cloud-san broke his character. He’s apologizing normally.

Nekohime: Nyeow worry, nyeow worry.

Nekohime-san shook her head in a pretty cute way.

Nekohime: It’s not like I’m mad about it, you meow? It’s just that this guild has meow done its part. Meow you should all treasure your relationship with other people and come back here when mew feel like it.

In response to Nekohime-san’s words, the Elite Guard quietly agreed.

Yuyun: I guess I’ll go back to my old guild then…

Limit: Well, we’re still in the middle of clearing the Great Labyrinth anyway.

Kabotan: It really felt like the good old times and that made it really fun.

Filled with melancholy, the players stood up and left, one by one.

Nekohime: Goodbye, everyone… I’m sure we’ll be able to meet here again, any time…

Mhm, good for them.

Just like this, another legendary guild disappears.

Kabotan: By the way, who are you getting married to?

Suddenly, Kabotan said that out loud.

†Cloud†: C, come to think of it…

Yuyun: Don’t tell me

For a moment, everyone turned to look at me but then averted their gaze.

†Cloud†: Nah, no way.

Yuyun: Yep, no way in hell.

Rusian: While it’s true that there’s no way that would happen, what with that kind of treatment?

Their tone is like saying: ‘Well, it’s not like you’d be a good match for Nekohime-san anyway’.

Just when I was starting to get mixed feelings about this whole thing, I sneaked a peek at my equipment’s accessory slot and I somehow felt at ease.

I already have Ako you know? My princess is Ako. That’s a real princess right there.

Nekohime: My marriage partner is… that’s, well, unfurtunately not decided yet.

Kabotan: Eh? So you don’t have one yet?

Nekohime: Seeing Rusian and Ako come here together like that made me say it on a spurr of the moment…

Kabotan: Which means… We all have a chance at it too?!

Nekohime: M, me, meow?

Ah, it looks like things took a weird turn here.

If I had to be more specific, I’d say the mood has gotten really interesting.

Yuyun: I see! Then I’ll go marry Nekohime-san.

Ruin: No, no, no, that would be me.

Kabotan: If that’s the case, then I’ll do it.

Yuyun: Oh you will? Please, go ahead… Is what you thought I would say?!

Ruin: And heck, Yuyun, aren’t you married?

Yuyun: That player’s a guy so it’s fine!

What kind of logic for cheating on someone is that?

†Cloud†: Wait! All of you!

‘Let’s cease this unsightly strife!’, Cloud-san boldly stated.

†Cloud†: Us fighting amongst ourselves like this, causing trouble, is NOT what Her Majesty, Queen Nekohime… I mean, our friend, Nekohime-san, wished for! You understand that, don’t you everyone?!

Even if they lose their figurehead, it seems the solidarity of Nekohime’s Elite Guard won’t falter.

†Cloud†: In that case, this issue— should be resolved in combat, fair and square, am I not right!

He widely swung around his greatsword like a certain protagonist, and proclaimed,

†Cloud†: I, †Cloud†, the founder and guild master of Nekohime’s Elite Guard, hereby declare, that the Official Tournament for Nekohime-san’s Marriage Partner is now underway!

That kind of crazy thing in World chat.

Rusian: Uwah…

Yuyun: Yeaaaaaaaah!

Ruin: Let’s do this!

Limit: Nekohime-san is MAI WAIFU!

Nekohime-san, who had been quiet up until now, was the last one to shout.

Nekohime: I specifically said I’d quit so that a cat-astrophe like this wouldn’t happeeeeeeeeeeeen!

“Are meow kitten meeeeeeeeeeee?!”

It was all too late.