Chapter 116: Chapter 115

Everyone, including my closest family member, Leon, seemed to think I was just “role-playing as a noble lady.”

But in truth, the life of a noble lady had long been ingrained in my way of living.

The ten years I spent “in that world” had become an inseparable part of me, something I had no intention of leaving behind.

No matter who I was initially, Laura Iris, now Aurora, was my current identity.

So using the speech and behavior of a noble lady wasn’t difficult—it was how I’d lived all this time.

On the other hand, speaking and acting like an “ordinary person” was difficult, making it feel like I was “role-playing” a commoner.

People call that sort of thing “cosplaying as a normal person.”

“So… you’re telling me to speak casually?”

“Yes.”

I casually draped one arm around Mero’s neck.

A duchess would never act this way. Even with a close friend, physical contact like this would be unheard of.

But right now, I wasn’t the duchess—I was “role-playing a commoner.”

“Since we’re friends, speak casually.”

“…”

"Is she extorting her? LOL"

"She’s totally a bully."

"As her friend, she should pay her friendship fee, right?"

"She’s like a gang leader, LOL"

The viewers seemed to misunderstand something.

I genuinely wanted to be friends with Mero.

“Okay then… I’ll speak casually…”

Mero spoke with a slight tremor.

I released her.

“Well then, my dear friend Mero. Let’s start learning about tanking, one step at a time.”

“Y-yes, got it…”

“Oh? Are friends supposed to use formal speech with each other?”

“Oh, right! I—I didn’t realize…”

Mero’s voice raised awkwardly. I crossed my arms, observing her.

“There still seems to be a bit of distance between us.”

“Distance? W-what are you talking about! I don’t feel distant at all! W-we’re totally best friends! Really!”

“But you seem quite friendly with Valbara.”

“V-Valbara…?”

At the mention of his name, Mero blinked in surprise.

I nodded.

“Treat me the same way you treat Valbara.”

“Uh… okay…?”

【User “ㅇㅇ” has donated 1,000 yen.】 【???: Hey, try it on me, too. Go on, try it.】

【User “PTSDOn” has donated 1,000 yen.】 【As if you won’t smack her if she actually tries it.】

【User “BestBreadShuttleInTown” has donated 1,000 yen.】 【Not sure just smacking would be enough, LOL.】

“S-so, what color… are your panties?”

Mero asked, visibly nervous.

I smiled softly.

“I tend to prefer black or red for any outfit.”

“Black… Bold, huh…?”

“I said I prefer it; I didn’t say I was wearing it right now.”

“Oh, I see…”

“By the way, is the color of my underwear the only thing you’re curious about?”

A question suddenly came to my mind.

“The type of underwear doesn’t interest you at all?”

In Japan, VTubers often have underground idol elements in their personas. Fans sometimes treat them as such, with a certain level of purity expected.

In the early days of her career, Rui also engaged with fans like that, memorizing their usernames and checking their social media accounts. She’s toned it down since gaining a larger following.

Japan’s idol culture might be why VTubers are sometimes expected to maintain a certain image. That’s also why there’s demand for “spicy” VTubers like Kaga Mero.

If everything were pure and gentle, it would lack a certain thrill. Watching an outspoken VTuber with edgy humor can make the delicate ones seem a bit plain by comparison.

Once you get used to the strong flavor, it’s hard to go back to something bland.

In that sense, Kaga Mero was a “spicy” VTuber.

“Isn’t it arousing, having a relationship that’s purely physical, with no romantic feelings involved?”

Mero mused aloud.

“Like animals in heat, just using each other to satisfy their desires.”

“Hmm.”

“But the more you do it, the more you start to feel something for each other… That’s exciting, right?”

Mero’s voice took on a slightly excited tone.

At first, she’d been terrified of me, but over time, she grew more comfortable and opened up.

Not just that…

“I think it’s better to start as close friends, don’t you?”

I began.

“One day, you find out that your friend has a crush. And they come to you for advice. ‘I like someone—how can I make them like me back?’”

“Isn’t that a setup for betrayal? You have to stop that immediately.”

“Not at all. You help them wholeheartedly. ‘Listen, if you want to be with that person, you’ll have to follow my advice. Do exactly what I say, and you’ll get closer to them.’”

“Oh…?”

“Following your advice, they get closer to that person. But as they do, they start to rely on you more. Soon, they can’t live without you.”

“What? That’s… kind of hot.”

"The connoisseur LOL"

"What are they even talking about? It’s like middle school humor, LOL."

"A refined taste indeed."

"Laura, is this really your style?"

"Hey, I’m reliant on my lady too—why won’t she marry me??"

Mero nodded absentmindedly.

Laura was dignified, with an elegance that even a handful of encounters couldn’t obscure. She exuded an air of refined upbringing.

I initially thought she was just an innocent lady, but she really was well-versed.

‘Although, why she’s talking from a male perspective, I’m not sure.’

It’s more common for a woman to discuss strategies to win over a man—why was she taking the opposite approach?

Regardless, I realized she was surprisingly easy to talk to, despite her initially high-maintenance impression.

This made Mero feel more comfortable sharing her preferences.

‘Hmm. Maybe I’d like to get a little closer to her.’

At first, I thought she and I came from different worlds. Clearly, she was raised in a wealthy family, so I assumed she’d look down on a commoner like me.

But now, I wondered if I’d been too businesslike with her. We’d be teammates from now on, after all.

Besides, it’s rare to find someone to talk with about topics like this.

In their quest to maintain a pure image, many VTubers avoid such topics. Some fans even tell clean-cut VTubers, “Don’t associate with that ‘dirty’ Mero; she’ll corrupt you.” …Real-life unicorns are astonishing.

Laura, however, didn’t seem put off by Mero at all.

Her noble elegance was subtly appealing, a charm that transcended age and gender. It made Mero want to make a good impression on her, feeling that staying close might bring some perks down the line.

And, beyond that, she felt a curiosity to see Laura’s unblemished facade crack just a bit.

A pristine rose, after all, has a temptation to be plucked.

It wasn’t that Mero was strange. Modern people, absorbed in stimulus, are drawn to contrast and the unexpected.

People like to watch good people fall, to see the mighty stumble, and to cheer for the rise of the underdog.

It was that same logic.

Without realizing it, Mero reached a hand toward Laura.

Slap!

“Ow!”

“What were you trying to touch?”

Laura responded with surprising speed.

“Your chest.”

“Hmm?”

“Come on, friends should be able to touch each other’s chests!”

Mero declared.

“Now that I see it… you’re… pretty sexy!”

Although her outfit hid it, Laura had a subtle, graceful figure—her curves revealed themselves modestly. The dress style didn’t flaunt her shape, but that made it more alluring.

If there’s an aesthetic to showing skin, then there’s also one to concealing it.

Laura embodied that subtle allure.

“So, you’re playing the role of a duchess with a body like that? You’re definitely trying to seduce me. You like me, right? Huh?”

"Is this person really a woman?"

"Doesn’t seem like it."

"A man’s soul in a woman’s body LOL."

"Mero, so that’s your taste, huh?"

"I feel uncomfortable LOL."

"Look at her harassing Laura just because she’s foreign."

Of course, Mero was straight.

But among women, there were some who expressed physical affection a bit too freely, and Mero was one of them.

Her character was designed to be slightly unpleasant, so she brazenly flirted with Laura.

“Feel free to touch.”

…What?

“R-really?”

“It’s not like touching me will wear me down. However, there’s a condition.”

Laura sent a data message to Mero.

【LabyrinthosVR】 Invitation received from “GloryOfTheDuchess” for a custom duel (Single Combat Mode).

“If you can defeat me, you may do as you please.”

Laura sheathed the sword she’d wielded, and I suddenly noticed the heavy weight in my hand.@@novelbin@@

“Oh, my dear friend Mero. It seems only your head remains.”

I gently placed Mero’s bangs on a nearby rock and softly stroked her head.

【Would you like to restart your custom duel (Single Combat Mode) with Kaga_Melo?】

【Yes】