Is That My Alter Ego

Chapter 124 – False Promises

“Ah ha ha… Sitting there looks good on you.”

“…I must concede, Captain….!”

“Oh… the one who made this might be a bit clever?”

“This should exist on Earth too.”

Perched on the small chair in the gaping hole, I did my best to ignore the four women’s hungry gazes, flicking their tongues as if eyeing a feast.

“Ugh…”

This… feels a bit strange, like I’ve become an animal in a zoo…

Animals, was this how you all felt? A sensation of being thoroughly exposed from head to toe… Ugh.

Let’s just ask about the food. I was curious about what would be served.

“S-so, what kind of food will be coming…?”

“First, just know that it’s a course meal. Do you know what a course meal is?”

“How could you be so rude to the Captain?! Surely, the Captain knows such things?!”

“I was just trying to be considerate, so why are you getting all worked up?”

“…Did you just say ‘worked up’?”

I had merely asked out of pure curiosity about the food, but suddenly Ariel and Seris began glaring at each other.

“Ah… this doesn’t feel good at all…”

“Hmm…”

“Yeah. I said ‘worked up.’ So what, what of it?”

—

“…You right now—!”

KWAANG!

“Everyone… please stop…!”

I struck the table timidly to draw attention, fearing another fight would break out, but the sound echoed far louder than I had anticipated.

“………..”

In an instant, the atmosphere turned icy, and four pairs of eyes fixed upon me.

I hadn’t expected the noise to be so loud… but it was true that I was a bit angry.

“Please… just stop it…! How many times is this now!”

They would bicker like life’s traitors whenever there was a chance to leave me out of it.

If it only affected me, I wouldn’t have cared much, but I was certain that if this continued, they would bring harm to others.

I didn’t want them to fight amongst themselves, nor did I wish for them to cause trouble for anyone else.

“…If you’re going to keep this up, I’ll just—”

“I… I won’t fight in front of you again…!”

“Y-yes! Never again! No matter what happens, I won’t quarrel in front of the leader…!”

“Uh… um! I-I’ll do that, so please, just don’t say that…”

“Hmm. I’ve never fought, but I’ll do the same.”

Before I could finish my words, they suddenly linked arms and forced smiles at each other.

“…Huh?”

What on earth is happening…? Just a moment ago, weren’t they glaring at each other as if ready to kill?

Now, they looked as if they were the best of friends, laughing and linking arms.

*

KWAANG-!

“Everyone… please stop!”

As Venice slammed the table before her, her voice rang out louder than the usual Venice, the four women shared the same thought.

This is bad.

Venice had never once shown anger throughout her life as a doppelgänger, from the beginning until now.

Even in situations where any human would be justified in feeling rage, she would blame herself, sacrificing her own feelings while considering others. And it was the same for these women.

“Please… just stop it…! How many times is this now!”

Yet, Venice spoke with trembling hands, as if she were truly angry. Tears glistened in her eyes!

It was unbearable to see her on the verge of tears, yet she was genuinely expressing her anger while holding back those tears!

—

The eyes of the four women began to tremble like the earth had split beneath them, as if even a swordmaster, a dark sorcerer, or a dragon placed before them would not elicit a blink.

Though they possessed bodies that transcended human limits, the shock rendered them statues, frozen in place.

“…If you continue like this, I will just—”

“………!”

Before Venice’s resigned words could fully escape her lips, they began to make the swiftest judgment of their lives.

Just… the words that would follow that phrase danced in their minds. If Venice was this angry, those words would surely be negative.

A few phrases began to form in their heads.

Just, I will leave this place.

Just, I will not look at you.

Just, I will live on my own from now on, so do not seek me out.

Each of those words held a terrifying power for them.

If those words were to slip from Venice’s mouth, she might as well bite her tongue and die on the spot.

Of course, in their case, it wouldn’t be biting their tongues but rather some part of their bodies being severed, only to heal almost instantly. Still, it was a warning of how dangerous the situation truly was.

In less than 0.1 seconds, as their judgment concluded, they exchanged glances, ensuring Venice would not notice.

You too?

Me too.

You acknowledge it?

I acknowledge it.

They despised and rejected one another, yet in that fleeting moment, their hearts beat as one. Though unspoken, they all understood the actions they must take.

With a sudden movement, they rose from their seats, placing their arms around each other’s shoulders with forced smiles. Then they spoke.

“I… I will never fight in front of you again…!”

“Y-yes! Never! No matter what happens, I will not quarrel before the captain…!”

“U-uh! I-I promise… please, just don’t say that…”

“Hmm. I’ve never fought, but… I’ll do the same.”

Even the act of placing hands on these women’s shoulders and pretending to be friends felt distasteful, yet they had to navigate this situation by any means necessary, so they smiled.

“Are… are you really serious…?”

“Yes. I’m serious. I’ve never lied to you… have I?”

“I-I will keep my word, no matter what.”

“I swear on my honor…!”

“Yes, yes. Just trust me this once.”

And the outcome was successful. Before long, I could see Venice’s face, bewildered, wiping away the tears that had gathered.

Then, he began to fidget with his fingers. A hint of guilt flickered across his face.

It seemed he felt a twinge of remorse for having raised his voice and lost his temper.

“Th-then it’s a promise…? I’m sorry too, for getting angry…”

Swallow, lick. Heh heh.

In that moment, his animal-like demeanor almost caused his mask to slip, but I managed to hold on with superhuman patience.

He was cute. If only it weren’t for these women…

In that situation, where everyone likely shared the same thought, thankfully, Venice did not cause a catastrophe.

Of course, what Venice had intended to say was simply that he was a bit disappointed… but that was a truth known only to him.

And there was one more truth Venice did not know. The women had vowed to never fight ‘in front of Venice,’ and they were determined to repay this humiliation someday.

*

Creak—

“Excuse me. The dishes are ready.”

Fortunately…? The incident had concluded well, and just as a brief silence filled the room, the staff member I had seen earlier knocked and opened the door.

“For the appetizer, we have ‘Adamantite Armor Shark’ caviar, and pancakes made from the finest selected flour.”

“Wow…”

“And this is premium ice cream made from female Minotaur milk, topped with ‘Hell Berries.'”

Adamantite… Minotaur…? To be honest, I could hardly remember now, but nonetheless, the table began to fill with appetizers made from extraordinary ingredients.

Caviar and pancakes, along with ice cream and something resembling macarons, and various appetizers were laid out before us.

“….uh.”

Not on my table, but only on the table that surrounded me.

“Heh heh… I’ve been waiting for this.”

“Finally… we can try it!”

“…..Kya.”

“……..”

Even though appetizers had emerged that someone like me would never get to taste, their gazes were not on the food but on me.

“Here, Venice. Ah~”

And in the suffocating game of subtle glances, it was Ariel who took the lead. She piled caviar high on a pancake slightly smaller than my palm and thrust it toward me.

“…Damn it! I’m a step too late.”

—

“What’s happening so fast…!”

“Oh…”

The rest were either gasping in awe or grinding their teeth, but now everyone said we were friends and wouldn’t fight.

“Ah… ah…”

I quietly parted my lips as Ariel approached the pancake.

…But that looks more like caviar than a pancake. Did she really dump an entire jar on it?

I had only heard of caviar; this was my first time tasting it, so why not give it a try…

Nom.

“Ha… hehehe…! I did it… I really did it…!”

I began to savor the pancake topped with caviar, filling my mouth as if I were a connoisseur.

“…………!”

In a flash.

I had no choice but to open my eyes wide, tearing them open as if they would burst. I caught a hint of the sea’s aroma, but it was anything but fishy; instead, it felt rich in flavor.

The sweetness filling my mouth, mingling with a slight bitterness that balanced the richness. And the chewy, nutty pancake striking my palate.

“Oh…. ohhh…!”

Mimi…!

The scent of the sea and nature surged in my mouth like crashing waves…!

The taste of caviar, which I had experienced for the first time in my life, could only be described as heavenly.