“Not this guy!” I blurted.
I looked toward the roof of the cottage. There was a man wearing a full-face iron mask and a small, crimson scarf. Apart from that, he had a very small pair of swim briefs and a rose tattoo on his chest—the latter of which, unfortunately, had been my doing.
The darn perv looked down upon us from the roof, his arms crossed as always.
Ryuutarou Akabane (3-A)
Level 212 Sword Dancer
Guild: True Form (Guild Master)
Oh, god, there he is! He’s rocking the perv look even here in Summertide!
People from outside the academy, along with foreign players, were participating in the event. I’d really appreciate it if he didn’t embarrass us Japanese players like this!
Yano cowered like she’d just found a cockroach in her house. “Aaargh! Kotomi, do something!”
Truly, she was not into Ryuutarou. Her reaction was super girly, but he disgusted girls and boys alike. He was a genuine freak.
“Come now, Yuuna, you know I can’t stop him. Just, um, remember when you saw him clothed before. That should make it easier.”
He was kinda hot, to be fair. Hot, rich, and already connected to corporations all over. Truly a powerful man... and truly a shame! Why had fate given him a penchant for exhibitionism alongside all those good features?
Guess that’s what happens when those three things combine. He was too OP, so he had to be balanced.
“But wait, I say! There is no other me! My whole self stands before you! Nothing more, nothing less!”
With a twirl, he jumped down and landed in front of us.
“Ewwww!” Yano backed off at top speed.
Emily, on the other hand, found it hilarious. “Wooow, hahaha! That’s funny! You’re like the spitting image of a complete pervert!”
“Erm, a question,” Shizuku began. “Is that the grandson of the Diet’s Ryuugou Akabane, Ryuutarou?”
Ms. Nakada made an awkward expression. “Um... Yes. Yes, he is.”
“He looks the part of a fool. As far as I can see, the Akabane family has a bleak future.”
“No comment. They’re a major sponsor of our school.”
I really didn’t want to be seen near this guy, but I asked Akabane’s brother, “Um, do you need something?”
“Yes, indeed! My sister asked me to assist you dear younglings. You’re short on man power, no?”
Uh, what? Why would Akabane know about any of that? We hadn’t seen her in-game in a while. Oh, maybe Akira told her? She had to go to some parties and ceremonies and stuff on family business, but I think she said Akabane would be with her.
I didn’t know the elites’ world well myself, but two girls from families of similar status were likely made to appear in similar places. That said, why’d she have to send this guy to help us? Strength aside, I worried about his appearance and playstyle meshing with our party.
Maeda, Yano, Emily, Shizuku, and I made five. Parties had a limit of six people. Maybe we could get Ms. Nakada to help? I cast her a meaningful glance.
She immediately shook her head. “Oh, no. I’m only here to guide Shizuku. If I helped with your dungeon runs, it’d be favoritism. Besides, I’m going to a little mixer soon!”
“Aah. Guess you would have stuff to do.”
“You know me. Gotta have a little fun over the summer, right?”
“Then you take no issue with me being your sixth?” Ryuutarou pressed.
“I-I didn’t exactly say that, but...”
The drama cannon did have impeccable synergy with sword dancers. In a full party, I would always want at least one on hand. If we brought him along, our party would be as follows: symbologist (drama cannon build), scholar, sky pirate, armor knight, sword dancer, and—with Shizuku along—martial artist.
Out of this entire party, I would have the most trouble fighting scores of mobs. They weren’t enough of a threat for me to unleash the cannon, but my supporting abilities weren’t exactly great. Weakening mobs didn’t do much, as they were just mobs. My party would appreciate buffing skills more, and they would be much more effective overall. But that was a story of the past now!
This was the perfect time to put the Elemental Circle to work! Consuming my target’s MP was a bit of an issue, but as long as we remained in Summertide, we had the great and powerful yukata to save us! Ideally, the girls would wear yukatas and do what they could on offense, while a man took care of healing. That would be the most convenient way to make this work. After all, healers were typically so busy with healing that they couldn’t attack.
I guess he would fit the bill for us, after all...
“Okay. Yeah, if you’d please.”
“Whaaat?! I’m too embarrassed to be seen with this guy!” Yano cried, desolate.
“Heheh. But wait, I say.”
I didn’t know what he wanted us to wait for, but he grinned. That weirdo really loved watching people squirm. As a pervert, seeing people cringe before him was the greatest pleasure.
“C’mon, Yano,” I coaxed. “The dungeon’s instanced, anyway, so nobody else is gonna see us there.”
“Hmm. Then perhaps while we’re in town, I shall tail you from afar!”
“Eww...” Yano still didn’t like the idea.
“But wait, I say. How about this?” He activated his sword dancer skill, Vanishing Whirl, and disappeared.
That finally seemed good enough for her. “Ooh, maybe. Since, y’know, I can’t see you.”
Isn’t an exhibitionist hiding by disappearing kind of... defeating the point, though? Maybe he should just put some clothes on? I mean, I guess I can appreciate it. What a... weird stroke of fortune?
“Then there we have it. Let’s go!” Emily took my arm and started to walk.
“Emily, your chest is—”
Suddenly, something smacked into me and knocked me down on the spot.
“Ow, what was that?”
“But wait, I say. Sorry, I was practicing my newest dance and accidentally crashed into you. The motions are certainly intense.”
What the heck is he doing while we can’t see him? What a whackjob.