Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 637: Malia [2]

Formation of the squads and teams happened with surprising speed. It seemed the guild had pre-selected their members, leaving little room for discussion.

Our departure was set for the following day.

"...The flight is approximately three hours long. Try to get some rest; there's a good chance we'll encounter trouble as soon as we arrive."

A few familiar faces were visible among the passengers on the plane.

After stowing my luggage, my gaze fell upon the ticket in my hand, specifically the assigned seat number.

[17D]

"....."

However, a snag presented itself.

A person was already occupying the seat.

"What?"

She noticed my approach, which was hardly surprising given I stood in the aisle, directly observing her. She lowered her sunglasses, meeting my eyes, and her brow began to knit.

"If you're looking for an autograph, then—"

"That's my seat."

"Ah...?"

The Team Leader paused, retrieving her ticket to examine it. Her attention then shifted to the seating arrangement, and comprehension dawned instantly.

"You are correct."

She then returned her ticket to her pocket and remained seated.

"..."

This woman...

"Are you not going to relocate?"

"Relocate?"

Soran lowered her sunglasses once more, a subtle shift in her expression. For a fleeting moment, she appeared almost wounded. A sense of unease began to settle in, and I had a premonition of what was to come. Predictably, her subsequent words confirmed it as she addressed the surrounding passengers within earshot:

"After what you subjected me to that night, you truly intend to...!"

"And what of it?"

I tilted my head, maintaining eye contact.

Soran blinked.

"What do you mean, 'what of it'? You abandoned me that night! You treated me like disposable trash once you were finished with me! All men are invariably the same! You—"

"You vomited on me mid-act, which necessitated my departure!"

It was Soran's turn to show surprise, her eyes blinking several times as she stammered in disbelief,

"You did not!"

Well, not exactly... but since she was fabricating a narrative, I decided to indulge in the same. Covering my mouth, I reached for the seat, my legs exhibiting a slight tremble.

"...I still experience nightmares about it."

"You do...?"

"Y-yes, indeed."

Clutching my chest, I pressed my lips together.

"The way you touched my..." I gritted my teeth, averting my gaze.

"Eh? Eh?"

Soran removed her sunglasses, her carefully constructed facade finally faltering.

"I would never do such a thing!"

She pressed a finger to her temple, clearly struggling to formulate a response. Ultimately, she blurted out, "That’s right! I’m preg—"

"I am here for you."

Abruptly, I reached for her hand, my other hand rising to gently caress her cheek.

Soran froze instantaneously, her eyes widening in astonishment. A subtle current ran through me as I observed her reaction. Frankly, this was almost as amusing as my encounter with Catherine; my fingers lightly played through Soran’s hair as I patted her head.

"...You do not need to face this ordeal alone."

"Y-you... knew?"

"I have always known."

I continued stroking the back of her head. Soran's face became completely immobile, as though frozen in time. Then, slowly, tears welled at the corners of her eyes before overflowing, and she began to beat against my chest.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

"This is entirely your fault! I was abandoned! I was... I was...!! Those were the most agonizing periods of my existence!"

Witnessing her distress, even I felt a prickling in my eyes. We were engaged in a game of deception, yet this felt almost unnervingly real.

I drew a deep breath.

"I am here for you, s-weetie. I am here—"

"Are the two of you quite alright?"

A voice interjected unexpectedly.

Upon raising my head, I noticed the multitude of eyes fixed in our direction. Practically the entire cabin was observing us. While it wasn't completely full, as it was a private charter, the attention was undeniable.

Most notably, I could distinctly perceive Catherine's disdainful gaze directed towards us. Despite this, she managed to feign a smile, struggling to maintain her composure.

"Haha." She even attempted a laugh. Yet, only her face seemed to participate; her eyes betrayed an intense coldness.

"You two are truly amusing. For a moment, I nearly convinced myself. Perhaps you should consider forming a performing duo."

For an instant, neither Soran nor I responded.

However, that brief silence was shattered as I drew closer to Soran, my arm encircling her shoulder. Simultaneously, my shoulders began to shake.

"...S-she... subjected me to unwanted advances."

"What?!"

Soran rose abruptly, pointing a finger directly at Catherine.

"How dare you lay hands on my man! That privilege belongs solely to me!"

I corroborated her statement.

"...It is the truth."

She reached down.

I deflected her hand.

"Tsk."

Did she just...?

"....!!"

Catherine's jaw hung agape, her eyes flitting between Soran and myself, leaving her utterly speechless. She attempted to utter a sound, but no words emerged, especially under Soran’s piercing glare.

"You dirty bitch!"

"Alright, enough of that," a languid voice intervened, cutting through the rising tension. The Section Chief materialized behind us, his gaze fixing upon our little commotion as he massaged his forehead. "You're holding up the queue. Keep it moving. Soran, you're a Team Leader. Behave like one."

"Yes, sir." Soran exhaled, a low grumble escaping his lips that thankfully only I caught. "Just when things were getting interesting."

She then settled beside me, lacing her arms across her chest. I presumed that would be the end of it, but her attention soon swung back to me.

"You know, you’ve gotten a lot funnier than you used to be."

I offered a puzzled blink.

"In what way?"

"You weren’t like this before. I never pegged you for someone who’d play along with my antics. What do you say? It's amusing, isn't it? Causing a stir."

Amusing?

Considering the whole situation, Catherine’s expression, and the looks on everyone else's faces as we caused a scene, I found myself smiling as I leaned back in my chair.

"Yes."

It was genuinely amusing. I would never have acted like this previously, but I had reached a point where such trivialities no longer mattered. The more chaotic, the better.

Oh, but then…

"You're still in my seat."

"Tsk."

"Let's switch."

"...Tsk. Tsk. Just as expected from men. You've grown bored of me after using me, haven't you?"

"Yes."

"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk."

And so, we exchanged places.

*

The remainder of the flight proceeded without further incident. Soran and I were the only ones generating any disturbance, but eventually, Soran drifted off to sleep, and a semblance of peace returned to the cabin. Well, mostly.

Exiting the airport, I noticed a substantial wet patch blooming on my shoulder. I continued to dab at it as we passed through the security checkpoint and entered the waiting area, where a crowd greeted us, brandishing signs bearing the name: [Severed Stars Guild.]

The Section Chief offered a prompt wave, and we were ushered outside to where several black SUVs awaited us.

Observing my surroundings, I was impressed by the airport's sophisticated construction. Towering pillars extended in all directions, supporting a vast, canopy-like roof that cast an expansive shadow over the area below. The airport interior was relatively devoid of people, but just beyond its walls, rows of trees swayed rhythmically in the gentle breeze.

The temperature was pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold. As we boarded the SUVs, we were soon proceeding towards what appeared to be the Western District.

Upon arrival, the contrast was immediately palpable. The broad avenues gave way to narrower streets, their smooth asphalt replaced by a rough, uneven surface that amplified every turn and bump. Graffiti adorned almost every available wall, while rusted, dilapidated gates stood askew along the roadside, seemingly clinging to their posts.

Few people were visible outside. Those who were present seemed intrinsically part of the streets, their attire threadbare and their features gaunt, moving with a slow, weary gait as if burdened by the oppressive atmosphere.

The SUVs continued their journey until we reached a sprawling compound, its gates groaning open as we approached. The moment they swung wide, I registered the numerous gazes directed my way.