Part 135: Faris NyanNyan makes a psychological attack

"The Viral Attackers nyan. My opponents at today's match nya... But I lost because of their underpawed sabotage nya... Because of that, Faris’s head is all mushy, so she can't remember her memories nya... Please nyan, Kyouma... Faris thinks if she wins the match, she'll remember everything nya... So let me use the time machine..."





"Wha-What are you talking about nya?"

Don't tell me she just wants to use the time machine so she can win her RaiNet match? Considering how Faris usually acts, that's actually pretty likely. This girl's acting rivals that of minor demons.

"Ugh, you're pawful..."

And Faris starts crying while clinging to my chest.

"Even though Faris is trying her bestest to remember for Kyouma... He called it acting, and hurt me nyan..."

"Ah, no, sorry..."



I completely shrink back at the sight of tears. Mmmmmmm... I don't think she'd lie and cry. But there really isn't a basis to remembering if she wins the RaiNet tournament...

"Please nya..."

Faris whispers in my ear.

"Let Faris win nyan..."

Right after that, I feel something warm and wet on my ear lobe. Faris play-bit me, sending electricity through my entire body.



Faris hurriedly lets go. That was dangerous, I almost jizzed my pants...

"O-Okay, Faris. We'll do what you say."

"Really, nyan?!"

"Yeah. Since I want you to remember no matter what."

Faris tries to leap into my chest out of happiness, but I evade. She face dives into the sofa.

"Hnnya... why'd you dodge meow?"

"No... You're being way too familiar."

I really am bad at dealing with Faris. I can't help but feel she's forcing me to follow her flow... I really am being cheated, aren't I?

I shake that doubt out by force. I'll try anything if it could possibly yield results. In that case, I should naturally be able to answer. I desperately convince myself that, standing up tall.

"So after this, I'm going to leap to this morning and give you advice. Then you should be able to win. I sthat okay?"

"We're not sending a mail nyan?"

"Our lab has already developed a device that allows you to time leap, sending your consciousness into the past."

"Pawesome! So basically, you can start a New Game nya?"

"Ymm, yeah, that's it."



"Then if Faris uses that and leaps to this morning, it will be the cat's meow."

"No."

"Nya?! Why not nyan?"

"I don't want to let anyone besides me use the Time Leap Machine."

"...Kyouma, that's meanya."

"...It's not something readily usable. It's dangerous."



I remember Suzuha. I remember how she lost her memories for 24 years when she time traveled. That was a physical leap, using a feasible time machine, so its structure is different, but something similar could happen with the Time Leap Machine. That's to say nothing of how the Time Leap Machine was made under budget on a rushed schedule. It wouldn't be strange if it broke down. A breakdown, that is, of the time leaper's memories.

And one more thing. I shouldn't let anyone else control modifications to the past. Nobody should warp the world any more than this. My most important target is, to the very end, to return to the world line that has the IBN 5100. When I get the IBN 5100, I can escape from this α World Line.

"I'm responsible for changes to the past. Believe in me, Faris."

"...Okay nya."





"...gh"





My watch comes into my newly recovered vision. 10:38 AM. Time leap successful.

According to Faris, it seems she lost the match because the opposing team and their comrades had made clever, underhanded interferences during the competition. Faris told me how she planned to counter that. The plan was...



"Then she can ignore the interference and win 100% nya."

I wonder if that's true... No, now's no time for hesitation. I buy sunglasses and earplugs on the way to UPX. Faris said she enters the assembly hall at 12.





Since it's already the finals, I didn't think there would be many participants, but several casual players are participating in a general public tournament at the same time as, but unrelated to, the finals. An appetizer, so to speak.

The participants gathering at the hall enter through a different entrance than the spectators. I'm at the participant entrance, waiting for Faris to make her appearance.



She lives right next door, which is less than a three-minute walk, so she has a pretty flexible schedule. She's already in her cat ear equipment and MayQueen maid clothes. It feels strange for her to wear that uniform even though that store doesn't exist in this world line.

Faris sees my face and opens her eyes wide in surprise.

"Kyouma, what are you doing here nya?"

"I wanted to meet you, so I waited here."



"Wh-Why would I? Don't misunderstand. No way."

"...Kyouma's not in the mood today nya. Usually you'd talk back more nya."

I have no time to be Hououin Kyouma now.

"This decisive battle has me nervous, so I want to liven up nyan."

She doesn't look nervous.

"Just listen, Faris! This is important for your victory."

"Important? But Kyouma, you don't know the RaiNet rules at all, do ya nya?"

"No, it's not a problem with the rules."

"Then what is it, nya?"

She looks into my face with suspicious eyes. I better give her the stuff before I screw up.

"Take these with you."

I try handing over the sunglasses and earplugs I bought on the way here, but Faris draws her hands back as if on guard.



How rude!

"Normally, for presents, you give more pleasing things--"

"That's not it. These are your counter-interference measures."

"Nya?"

"Okay, listen. I came... from the future."

"I know nya."

"What...?!"

She knows? What does that mean?! Why...?!



I shouldn't forget I'm dealing with Faris NyanNyan...

"This isn't a joke! I actually leapt here from 6 this evening! I know the outcome of today's RaiNet Grand Championship final."

"You don't have to tell meow. Overwhelming victory for Faris--"

"Nope. You lost."

"Nyau~"

Faris points her lips at my words.

"But that was because of the enemy team's interference. So to protect you, I brought you these sunglasses and earplugs--"

I desperately try to convince her, but Faris just hangs her head, making it hard to read her expression...

"Are you listening?!"

I grab Faris's slender shoulder, and she starts shaking.

"Faris...?"

"Unyaaaaaa!"





And she suddenly exploded!

"Today is a very important match for Faris! How dare you say she loses nya! You're being mean to Faris! Are you a Viral Attackers spy nya?!"

"N-No, look, you didn't lose because of ability but--"

"Hmya! Not listening nya!"

"Hgg...!"

After kicking me in the shin, Faris turns around and turns up her nose. Damn you catgirl! You're not listening now of all times...?!

"W-Wait! Wait, I say! I'm in trouble unless you win!"

"Like Faris said, she can't lose nya! And I don't wannya wear those ugly glasses nya! Faris is always cute, so she can't let down all her fans, nya!"

Crap, she's getting angry at me. Faris shakes me off, rushing to the participant entrance. I'm not a participant, so it's over if she goes in there.

"Please hear me out until the end!"

Bearing the pain in my shin, I force my way in front of Faris and stand in her way.

"Faris, please. Mayuri's life depends on it...!"

"Someone! Someone come nya! Help meow!"

Faris suddenly raises her voice. She grabs the attention of the surrounding participants and spectators. Even staff members are gathering. Geh... Crap, I can't talk about time machines or Mayuri's life with this much attention around us. But unless I can get Faris to hear me out here, it'll be impossible to change the past. How should I overcome this...