Vice President, about the second-term budget committee report I asked you to compile yesterday...
Oh, it's already done.
What? Already?
Here you go.
Thanks.
Vice President, have you made a list of clubs requesting stalls at the school festival?
It's already done.
I see.
PSO2 Report Tachibana Itsuki
Here's my report.
Good work.
Vice President.
Yes?
Have you—
What about—
Go ahead.
What about next Monday's school festival committee meeting?
I've already let them know.
Have you collected the cafeteria's surveys?
I'll pick them up after school today.
Thanks.
Here are the application forms you requested.
Thanks.
You're welcome.
See you after school.
This is pretty well written.
Indeed.
President, he might be a great find after all.
You think so?
As usual, you've got a keen eye.
You're exaggerating.
"Facing a side of myself that I didn't know existed has been
my biggest discovery playing PSO2."
His sense for the game seems relatively high.
But his play is overenthusiastic.
Quest 02 The Aloof Warrior
Take your seats, class.
Let me introduce our transfer student.
Suzuki Aika.
I've been assigned to this class starting today.
Nice to meet you.
"Assigned"?
She's cute.
Suzuki-san has been living overseas
and just returned to Japan the other day.
Why don't you give a simple introduction?
You want me to present my background?
What?
Uh, yeah. Your background.
Due to my parents being artists based overseas,
I've spent most of my life since grade school living abroad.
Since my childhood, I've enjoyed physical activity.
I demonstrated exceptional talent
in the fields of leg strength and swimming at a young age,
often gaining me the admiration of those around me.
Because I attended an international school while living abroad,
It sounds like she's describing a character's backstory.
in addition to Japanese,
my mother tongue, I'm familiar with several languages.
She's cute.
That's all.
Uh, okay.
You can sit in that empty seat in the back.
Okay.
Tachibana, show her around the academy.
Got it.
Nice to meet you.
Is something wrong?
Oh, no.
Am I tired?
Your parents are artists? What do they do?
Are they painters?
Musicians?
More or less.
How do you feel about lesbian relationships?
They are what they are.
Where'd you get your hair done?
It's natural.
Do you have any hobbies?
Do I have to answer that question?
What? No, you don't have to...
Itsuki, where are you going?
The bathroom.
Excuse me.
Height: 173 centimeters.
Weight: 62 kilograms.
Estimated inclination during acceleration...
What?
Don't mind me.
Okay.
Men's Bathroom
What do you want?
Don't mind me.
I told you not to mind me.
Well, I do. I do mind you.
Suzuki-san, men's and women's bathrooms are separate here in Japan.
And the girls' bathroom is over here.
I see.
There she is.
Suzuki-san!
My apologies.
It's okay.
I'm going to the bathroom, too.
Women's Bathroom
That was amazing.
You were amazing, too.
I'm surprised you could keep up with her.
You've got it all wrong.
She matched the speed of my block.
What?
Returning kids are to be feared.
School Festival After-Party
◦ Folk Dance
◦ Karaoke Contest
◦ Ask Your Crush Out
◦ Cross-dressing Pageant
This concludes today's topics.
Good work today.
Good work.
Vice President, take the post-meeting report to the faculty office.
Got it.
Tachibana-kun.
Yes?
This is well written.
Isn't it?
But you're just enjoying yourself.
This doesn't describe what kind of game PSO2 is or its significance.
Try to include those in the future.
Piece of cake.
I'm off to become an ARKS again tonight.
Excuse me.
He's flippant.
Easily flattered.
On top of that...
He's simple-minded.
Y-Yeah.
Don't shout so carelessly.
S-Suzuki-san, are you going home?
Yes.
Then let's go to the dorm together.
Okay.
How long have you been in the dorm?
I just reported in yesterday.
"Reported in"?
Seiga Academy Student Dormitory
Whatever. I'll show you around the dorm.
I appreciate it.
Do all the students live here?
What? You didn't know this is a boarding school?
Of course I know.
Welcome back, kids.
Good work today.
Well done on your mission.
Once you enter the dorm, the girls' building is to the right,
and the boys' is to the left.
I see.
I can't enter the girls' building, so I'll show you the communal spaces.
This is the free room.
You can use it until nine.
There are libraries, audiovisual rooms,
and free spaces all around the place,
so feel free to use them.
Boys and girls eat their meals at the same time.
There are bathrooms and laundry rooms in each building,
and there are washing machines and driers for you to use.
Lights out is at ten, and breakfast is at seven.
Oh, and the curfew is nine.
If you're going to be late because of school-related activities,
let them know by seven.
I see.
You can read about the details in a file called "Dorm Rules"
on the PC in your room.
I see. Got it.
There's still some time before dinner.
Tachibana-kun, this was fantastic.
Your report moved me.
P-President, we mustn't.
I'm the vice president.
We have to draw the line somewhere.
It was a dream, huh?
You're defenseless.
What's going on?!
In your room, huh?
Really?
I can't believe he dragged Ai Ai into his room.
"Ai Ai"?
He's a predator.
The worst.
Ai Ai, you'd better stay away from him.
"Ai Ai"?
Since she just arrived and doesn't know the rules yet,
she's not being punished.
At least you only have to write an apology.
Yeah, I guess.
There.
You're going back to your room already?
It's time for my never-ending adventure.
You've really gotten into it.
I'll join you, once the meet is over.
Sure.
Why don't we throw a welcoming party for you after a bath?
Don't worry about me. Excuse me.
Is it all right if we stop by Ai Ai's room later?
Why not?
All right!
Excuse me.
See you later.
Who is Ai Ai?
Suzuki-san is kind of...
...mysterious, wouldn't you say?
She sure is.
By the way, could I join your welcoming party?
Absolutely not!
All right. Maybe I'll try to level up today.
Hey.
You're late.
I had some real life stuff to take care of.
I had a bunch of stuff to do.
Ai Ai.
Did she already go to bed?
[Darker] The collective term for the largest enemy force in "PSO2." There are various types, but all of them have a black body and a red core. They show up on planets with life and civilization, and look to bring them to ruin.
[Solo Player] Refers to those who play online games alone. Divided into those who don't enjoy the company of others, and those who lack communication skills. The latter are usually called "forever alone."
Man, that was a perfect clear.
Honestly, I think I'm doing pretty well again today.
Itsuki!
You're a failure of an ARKS!
You were lectured by your friend?
Yeah, he was super pissed.
What did you do?
Well, I was trying to level up,
so I took down all the Darkers I saw, one after another.
You didn't take any damage?
I did.
But I was making great progress.
I was surrounded by enemies.
What level are you?
Fifteen.
What was the guy in your party doing?
He was behind me the whole time.
Aha. No wonder he got mad at you.
What? Why?
Listen up.
In PSO2, unless you develop a character with extremely high defense,
you have to block or dodge enemy attacks.
SORO said the same thing.
SORO?
Wait. Your friend is S-O-R-O SORO?
You know him?
Dude, SORO is a super-famous high-level solo player.
"High-level"? "Solo"?
"Solo" means he doesn't group with anyone.
Among the ARKS, he's known as Mr. Aloof, the Aloof Warrior.
Why would he team up with me?
That's what I'd like to know.
But I do know this.
SORO fell back to the rear so he could support you.
"Support"?
It means using healing items on you when your HP gets low
or creating cover for you, even if you're surrounded.
I didn't notice at all.
I just thought I was amazing.
What? He didn't turn in his report?
He said he didn't play.
He couldn't stick to it.
You look dispirited.
Is your failure on ORACLE bothering you?
What?
I heard you talking to Kayano Kota on the roof.
Oh.
Debts accrued on the battlefield can only be repaid on the battlefield.
You're an ARKS, too?
I am.
At all times.
If you truly are an ARKS, don't throw away your own relationships.
The battle will continue with even greater intensity.
Talk about an exaggeration.
Online
Itsuki
Offline
Maybe I was too hard on him.
Many beginners are overenthusiastic.
That's fine.
But you're playing haphazardly without reflecting on your inexperienced self,
and paying no heed to the conditions of your surroundings or even yourself.
You're a failure of an ARKS!
Who cares as long as he's enjoying himself?
You messed up, SORO.
What? No report today, either?
You didn't play again yesterday?
No.
Tachibana-kun, a minute.
I'm sorry.
Yesterday, I fell asleep while working on an assignment.
Listen up!
Stop lying all the time!
I know you've been logging in!
You think I don't know anything, don't you?!
Unfortunately, I can see right through you!
But if I said that, you'd know I'm SORO!
And even though I said those harsh things, I wasn't trying to criticize you!
I'm planning to apologize for that as SORO, too!
But if you won't show yourself, I can't apologize!
I hate this situation! I want to clear the air!
But it'd be even worse if he found out I'm SORO!
Someone tell me what to do here!
Um...
What?
What did you want to discuss?
It's nothing.
Excuse me, then.
It's no use.
My communication skills are too low.
He's not even logging in today.
I even said I didn't mean any harm.
Wait, I haven't told him yet.
Crap!
I just spotted Mr. Aloof in the hard Forest area.
Hard Forest?
What's a veteran player doing there?
Maybe he changed classes.
He had a launcher.
I saw him, too.
As usual, he was good, but not as good as he normally is.
I don't have time to destroy the cage.
What's that?
A rockbear!
Why now?
Crap!
Don't! He'll counter you!
Itsuki, you...
This is...
Can you destroy the cage yourself?
You're worried about me?
U-Um...
I'm sorry about the other day.
No, I'm sorry.
You fought excellently.
What?
Thank you.
After this, let's enjoy a concert.
A concert?
Quests aren't the only way to enjoy PSO2.
Hey, guys. Thanks for coming.
I'll sing passionately with my entire body and soul again today.
Brilliantly, intensely, and vividly!
Get amped with me now.
It really is a concert.
Why did you become my friend, SORO?
Everyone here calls me Aloof.
No. SORO.
That's what I'll call you.
Do as you please.
PSO2 Report Tachibana Itsuki
Here's my report.
Sorry.
Good work.
Yes?
Class 2-B, Suzuki Aika, entering the room.
Suzuki-san?
Are you Itsuki's superior officer?
"Superior officer"?
Who are you?
Sh-She's an unusual girl who just returned from abroad.
Her overseas experience...
Shouldn't matter.
I have a question.
Why did you choose this man to be an ARKS?
How dare you speak to the president that way?
Because I have something to prove.
Prove?
The Ethernet that enabled high-speed wireless communication
has spread throughout the world over the past several years,
marking the advent of what should be called a communication revolution.
The online game PSO2
that comes pre-installed on the next-generation cloud OS "ESC-A"
has spread explosively, primarily among the young, along with the Ethernet.
PSO2 is a symbol of this era of communication revolution,
and the academy is considering banning it.
Involving itself in the freedom of students
who enjoy the game is tantamount to interfering with their private lives.
I simply wish to prove
that online games don't cause students to neglect their studies
and prevent this tyranny under the name of authority.
So the academy is the Darkers, and you're ARKS?
That's not a great metaphor.
Are you a fan of PSO2, as well?
Lately, I've been trying a different class,
but I've mastered the Force, Techer, and Bouncer classes.
I've completed all missions in the VR training program.
Tachibana-kun.
Yes?
She's good.
I see.
From now on, have her help you write your PSO2 reports.
What? But...
I hereby appoint her a special officer of the student council
and adviser to the vice president.
What?!
I'm counting on you, Suzuki-san.
Got it.
What's going on?
Next Episode
SORO-san.
Whoa, be careful!
Why did you suddenly hug me?
What does an ARKS idol want with me?
That's not much of a reaction.
Are you really a man?
What?
What are you talking about?
No matter how you look at me, I'm clearly a man.
Why do you think I'm not?
I don't understand.
It was just a joke, but you seem panicked.
What?