In a near-future Tokyo where everyone lives part of their lives in the metaverse, the popular sport 'Hollow Clearer' allows players to battle as fantastical avatars. The scene is split between idol-type and Vtuber-type competitors. Asuka Mahiro is a high school student who fights as the most hated villain avatar in Japan: 'Blackwall Orcus.' Only his teacher, Kozue Ritsuko, knows his true identity.
Meanwhile, the brilliant and elegant young lady Asogi Miu is secretly celebrated in the underworld
Persona Non Grata - Harajuku Date, Cracks in the Mask
The two of them walked slowly along the tree-lined avenue of Omotesando.
The sky was a piercing blue, and the wind still carried a slight chill. Even so, the sunlight was unmistakably spring. At the tips of the roadside trees, tiny new buds were peeking out.
Miyu walked a step ahead, occasionally turning back to smile at Mahiro.
"Mahiro-kun, this way. Do try not to get left behind."
Mahiro, still hunched over, gave a small nod.
"……I know."
His voice was quiet. Miyu tilted her head as if straining to hear, then let out a soft giggle.
"Today, I shall be your escort."
Miyu's steps were light. Her lustrous black hair, reaching down to her waist, swayed with every step. A white blouse, a navy pleated skirt. At her neck, a silver pendant caught the light with tiny glints.
(*She's beautiful.*)
Mahiro thought.
She was different from when they met at Café Noir. Standing under the open sky, Miyu's doll-like features seemed to have sharper, clearer contours. Her large, brownish eyes turned translucent amber in the light.
"Mahiro-kun."
Called by name, Mahiro lifted his head.
"What is it?"
"Um…… that is, thank you for coming today."
Miyu blushed faintly and looked down. Her fingertips toyed with the hem of her skirt.
"I should be the one…… thanking you for inviting me."
Mahiro's voice was, as always, quiet.
But at those words, Miyu smiled happily.
"I've always wanted to go to Harajuku Hollow Street. I thought it would surely be fun if I went with you, Mahiro-kun."
Harajuku Hollow Street. A 350-meter pedestrian-only commercial area redeveloped from the old Takeshita Street. AR decorations were constantly projected, creating a space where reality and the virtual blended together.
Mahiro couldn't imagine himself fitting in at a place like that.
He disliked crowds.
But seeing Miyu's innocent smile, he couldn't find any reason to refuse.
"……I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."
When Mahiro said that, Miyu's eyes went wide.
"Mahiro-kun, you were looking at me and smiling just now, weren't you?"
"……I wasn't smiling."
"You were. I don't miss such things."
Miyu laughed happily.
That smile warmed something deep in Mahiro's chest.
(*I wish this time could last forever.*)
There was a part of him that thought that.
But at the same time, another voice whispered in the back of his mind.
*—Your warmth makes me stronger.*
Mahiro unconsciously stared at his right hand.
His fingertips were trembling slightly.
"Mahiro-kun?"
"……It's nothing."
Mahiro shoved his hand into his pocket.
(*It's fine. Today, it's fine.*)
He told himself.
He must not let Orcus out in front of Miyu.
Absolutely not.
When they passed through the tree-lined avenue of Omotesando, the entrance to Harajuku Hollow Street came into view.
Above the massive arched gate, countless AR objects floated. Flower petals, stars, geometric patterns. They sparkled and glittered as they welcomed visitors.
"Oh my…… how lovely."
Miyu's eyes sparkled.
"First time here."
"For me as well. I had heard rumors, but seeing it in person, it's this beautiful."
The two passed through the gate.
Instantly, the clamor rushed in.
The laughter of young people, shopkeepers calling out to passersby, music playing somewhere. AR light rained down on the shoulders and hair of the people walking by.
"There are a lot of people."
Mahiro furrowed his brow.
"It's all right. I'm right here with you."
So saying, Miyu gently grabbed Mahiro's sleeve.
"So we don't get separated."
Miyu's fingertips touched the sleeve of Mahiro's shirt.
That warmth made Mahiro's heart race.
"……Yeah."
Mahiro couldn't say anything more.
As they walked down the street, Miyu suddenly stopped.
"Mahiro-kun."
"Hm?"
"Let's fix your posture."
Miyu moved behind Mahiro and placed both hands on his back.
"Straighten your back and puff out your chest."
"……I can't."
"It's all right. I'll support you."
Miyu's hands slowly pressed against Mahiro's back.
Her palms were warm.
Mahiro straightened his back as told.
"There, you did it."
Miyu smiled with satisfaction.
"……It feels kind of uncomfortable."
Mahiro scratched the back of his head, embarrassed.
"But it's a date, after all. Shall we walk handsomely?"
A date.
At that word, Mahiro's heart leaped.
"……You just say things like that without a care, don't you?"
"Huh? A date is a date. Going out together with Mahiro-kun and spending a fun time. That is a date."
Miyu tilted her head.
She genuinely didn't understand what was strange about it.
"……Well, whatever."
Mahiro let out a small laugh.
(*This girl, really.*)
She was oblivious to common sense. Jokes didn't land with her.
But that straightforwardness was comforting to Mahiro.
The two made their way deeper into Hollow Street.
A Clearatel goods shop called "Versus," a tapioca and waffle shop called "Moondrop," a VR photo studio called "Lens Arc." Various shops lined the street.
"Mahiro-kun, shall we go into that shop?"
Miyu pointed at Versus.
"……A goods shop. You're interested in that kind of thing?"
"Actually…… just a little."
Miyu smiled bashfully.
"Hollow Clearer is a sport that everyone in the world is obsessed with. I thought I should know at least a little about it."
(*Hollow Clearer.*)
A sharp pain pricked Mahiro's chest.
Miyu knew about Orcus.
Of course she did. Everyone in Japan did.
But in this moment, he didn't want to hear those words from Miyu's lips.
"……I see."
Mahiro suppressed his emotions and nodded.
The interior of Versus was overflowing with colorful goods.
Life-sized panels of idol-type Clearatels, plush dolls of Vtuber-types, limited-color T-shirts, keychains, posters.
"My, what an incredible selection."
Miyu looked around the store, impressed.
"Are you going to buy something?"
"I was thinking of finding clothes that would suit you, Mahiro-kun."
"……Huh?"
Mahiro let out a bewildered sound.
"This boutique also carries official Clearatel apparel. Since we're here, I shall select something that suits you, Mahiro-kun."
Miyu took Mahiro's arm and walked without hesitation toward the apparel corner.
"W-wait. I'm not really into that kind of—"
"It's all right. I'll choose properly."
Miyu's smile brooked no argument.
The apparel corner was lined with simply designed shirts and hoodies.
Miyu, with a serious expression, picked up each piece and held it against Mahiro's body.
"Hmm…… you have fair skin, Mahiro-kun, so dark colors suit you. But something too dark might be……"
Miyu's fingertips touched Mahiro's shoulder.
Her palm slid gently, as if measuring his shoulder width.
"……!"
Mahiro held his breath.
"Is something wrong?"
"……No, nothing."
"I-I'm sorry. I touched you without asking."
Miyu hastily pulled her hand back.
Her ears were faintly red.
"……I don't mind."
Mahiro averted his eyes.
(*My heart is so loud.*)
The sensation of Miyu's fingertips still lingered on his shoulder.
"Would you try this one on?"
Miyu held out a dark navy shirt.
"……Me, wearing this?"
"I'm sure it will look wonderful on you."
Miyu's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Mahiro couldn't refuse.
Closing the fitting room curtain, Mahiro slipped his arms through the shirt.
The size was perfect.
Miyu's eye for measurements was apparently accurate.
(*……This feels strange.*)
Mahiro looked in the mirror.
Reflected there was the same hunched-over boy as always.
But the clothes alone seemed just a little brighter.
"Mahiro-kun, how is it?"
Miyu's voice came from beyond the curtain.
Mahiro slowly opened the curtain.
"……Well?"
Miyu caught her breath for an instant.
Then she smiled softly.
"……It suits you very well."
Miyu's voice trembled just slightly.
"Mahiro-kun, you look wonderful."
Mahiro couldn't say anything.
Miyu's eyes were gazing straight at him.
The heat of that gaze tightened something deep in his chest.
(*When I wear these clothes, somehow*)
(*it feels like I'm not myself anymore.*)
It was a little like the sensation of donning Orcus's armor.
"……Thank you."
Mahiro said it with all the voice he could muster.
After paying, the two left the store.
A paper bag dangled from Mahiro's hand.
"Shopping is so fun, isn't it?"
"……I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."
"Did you not have fun, Mahiro-kun?"
Miyu looked up at Mahiro anxiously.
"……I had fun."
Mahiro smiled faintly.
"As long as I'm with you, Miyu."
At those words, Miyu's face lit up.
"I-I feel the same! As long as I'm with Mahiro-kun, anywhere is fun!"
Miyu gave a little hop.
That innocent gesture stirred Mahiro's heart.
(*Ah, I*)
(*don't want to lose this girl.*)
Afternoon.
The two stopped by a small park a short distance from Hollow Street.
They sat on a bench and drank the tapioca drinks they had just bought.
"Mahiro-kun, this is delicious."
Miyu smiled with the straw still in her mouth.
"……It's sweet."
"It is sweet. It's a tapioca drink, after all."
Miyu's laughter melted into the spring air.
Mahiro stared at the contents of the paper bag.
(*I have to give this to her.*)
The day before, Mahiro had bought a present for Miyu.
A single philosophy book he had found at a used bookstore.
It was a book by a philosopher Miyu had once talked about at Café Noir.
"Miyu."
Mahiro steeled himself and opened his mouth.
"……Here, this is for you."
Mahiro took a wrapped package out of the paper bag.
"Eh? For me?"
"Yeah. Um…… before, you mentioned a book you wanted to read, right? I happened to find it."
Mahiro held out the package brusquely.
Miyu timidly unwrapped it.
What appeared from inside was an old paperback.
"……This is."
Miyu's fingers traced the cover of the book.
"This is the book I've been searching for."
Miyu's voice trembled.
"How did you……"
"You talked about it before. That you were interested in this person's philosophy."
Mahiro averted his eyes, embarrassed.
"……I just wanted to make you happy."
Miyu hugged the book to her chest.
"Thank you, Mahiro-kun. I will treasure this for the rest of my life."
A single tear spilled from Miyu's eyes.
"H-hey, don't cry."
Mahiro panicked.
"But I'm just so happy……"
Miyu smiled through her tears.
"You really do pay attention to me, Mahiro-kun."
"……Of course I do."
Mahiro murmured quietly.
"I, more than anyone—"
He stopped himself there.
(*What am I about to say?*)
Miyu waited for the rest of Mahiro's words.
But Mahiro couldn't say anything more.
Evening.
The two entered a small café near Hollow Street.
A calm, cozy shop with the warmth of wood.
They sat at a window seat and ordered coffee.
Miyu had already opened the book Mahiro had given her.
She turned the pages with a serious expression.
Occasionally she nodded slightly or furrowed her brow.
(*She really does love books.*)
Mahiro gazed at Miyu's profile.
The setting sun streamed through the window, dyeing Miyu's black hair gold.
She looked like a painting.
(*I want to protect this girl.*)
A powerful feeling welled up in Mahiro's chest.
(*But the closer I get to her*)
(*the stronger Orcus becomes.*)
Mahiro gripped his coffee cup.
His fingertips were cold.
"Mahiro-kun."
Miyu looked up.
"This book is truly wonderful. Thanks to you, my world has expanded once again."
Miyu smiled from the bottom of her heart.
"……I'm glad."
Mahiro smiled back.
(*Just for now, let me*)
(*cherish this time.*)
The sun set, and neon lights began to flicker on throughout the city.
The two left Hollow Street and headed toward the station.
"Today was truly enjoyable."
Miyu said as she walked beside Mahiro.
"……For me too."
Mahiro answered honestly.
"Will you go out with me again sometime?"
"Yeah. Gladly."
Miyu smiled happily.
That was when it happened.
On the large street-side vision screen in front of the station, news began to play.
*'Breaking news from Hollow Clearer. Villain avatar Kurokabe no Orcus has announced his next opponent.'*
Mahiro's feet stopped.
Miyu also looked up at the screen.
On the display was Orcus, clad in jet-black armor.
A massive wall-type shield.
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