There were a few things I always have problems in dealing with.

It wasn't like I ignored them for being constant annoyances. I simply hated how I could never properly deal with them. In a way, I had no way to resolve the problems that they would end up plaguing me for weeks, even years to come.

One such problem was my character flaws.

"Thank you for the purchase! Please come again!"

I walked out from the music store without saying anything more to the cashier staff with someone that I knew but wasn't close to following after me. If there was something that needed to be said, both of us were hanging down our heads.

While I carried the shopping bags that continued to wrestle with my arms' endurance, the guitar case 5pb was holding with both of her hands seemed unreasonably heavier than the burdens I was forced to bear.

There was nothing to be said as we walked down the streets of Leanbox.

I didn't like having my personal space be violated, so I could understand the international idol's plight. When strangers were suddenly sicced to you, you would think they were a clueless and lost person in an unfamiliar place or a shady person with shady agendas.

I assumed 5pb being the sister of MAGES. had something to do with it. It might also be due to the common woes of being a popular idol. Either way, I had to do my part as a bodyguard, so…

"This kind of situation is absolutely not good, huh?" I sighed, lowered my shoulders, and looked over my shoulder as I came to a standstill. "Would you like to rest a little, 5pb?"

I didn't let her respond as I pointed to a small store selling crepes close by. The blue-haired girl stared at the store for a bit and her expression visibly brightened.

"I-Is it alright!?"

"As long as you don't mind it."

5pb nodded down repeatedly, so I led her to the store and bought what she and I wanted.

Naturally, I preferred mine lighter in flavor with few toppings. I needed sugar to restart my brain, but I didn't need a symptom of diabetes. I also bought two cups of tea, though the drinks were more expensive than the food. It seemed that there was no difference in that regard even though I was a dimension away from home.

After that, we settled in chairs surrounding a round table with a large umbrella stabbed through the center of it. We could choose between enjoying our snacks under the sunlight but for my sake, the umbrella was set to fold out.

Finally, the two of us sat across each other.

"How're the crepes?"

"Ish delish!"

...Uhm. Dear me now, have you gone OOC? Because I think you are.

"Is it that delicious?" I took a small bite of my crepes and blinked in surprise. "It is, huh? Well, I'm not complaining."

I glanced at the store's menu list and realized that there was a catch-phrase said by what seemed to be the mascot of the store. The patisserie smiled as he shouted, "The crepes are so good even a goddess will go out of character!"

"...Oh, so that's why." I rubbed my forehead and sighed. "Why does that make so much sense?"

Ugh, I need a drink.

Fortunately, I have my matcha tea to wash my mouth and throat. Once I refreshed myself, I sighed and looked ahead, only to realize that I accidentally met my escort in the eyes.

"Oh."

I wondered who said that. Probably me, but I doubted I would react to things like any other ordinary mortals. I smoothly rolled my eyes to the side, but…

"Umm, can I… ask you a question?"

...It turned out I was such an enigma an acquaintance wanted to ask me a question. Sigh.

"What is it?" I asked, trying to play it off as casually as possible.

"...Umm, you are a dimensional traveler… right?"

"Mhm? And? What of it?"

"I heard that in your dimension… our world is like a video game."

...Oh? So it's about that, huh? I narrowed my gaze but not in a hostile way. What the singer said piqued my curiosity so I tilted my head and asked a question.

"Are you wondering if this is all just a dream?"

The blue-haired girl froze over. She stuttered and shook her head in denial, but I understood her intention well.

"Well, you don't need to think too hard about it." I took a mouthful bite of my chocolate crepe. "If you think everything here is fake, then who am I to say my dimension and reality aren't?"

"...Huh…? What does, that mean…?"

Hmm. It's a little bit hard to say, but well…

"Someone certainly created this whole universe in the form of a video game back at my home dimension." I looked up to the white parasol and let 5pb follow my direction. "But if that's the case, wouldn't that apply to me and my universe as well?"

There's no telling whether your reality is fake or not until some dimensional traveler or an omnipotent and omniscient god proved it. Of course, that sounded silly as hell. No one would want to know that their entire lives had been nothing but a script. No one would like to realize their life troubles were just parts making up a puppet play they had no freedom to adlib in.

However, that kind of view is way too narrow-minded.

"What if it turned out my universe is also a game? What if my home dimension is just made more "realistic" without conspicuous elements like status screen and leveling system?" I finished the crepes, licked my fingers that had crumbs on them and drank my tea. "No one ever stated that life isn't a story, and no one ever said only one universal truth is allowed to exist."

"...Uuh… in other words…?"

I formed a soft smile. "Nothing is certain, so let's forget about stuff like that and live like usual."

At the dumbfounded 5pb, I snickered and sighed in amusement.

Really, now. This is the most meta I've ever been. A certain purple-head would have said something along the line of "the Player is abusing his role", but she was, fortunately, not around.

Plus… like I give a damn about this all being a dream or not.

If some assholish godlike entity said all of this is fantasy, then I'm going to shoot his dick off and alter this fantasy into reality. Regardless of their authority, excuses, or even reasons... messing with people's hearts, hopes, aspirations, and dreams is something I absolutely despise.

"When you're done, let's go back." I looked to the side and raised an eyebrow. "...Cave will probably be waiting. Also, is there any other place you want to visit?"

"Eh… Errm… is that alright…?"

"I'm your bodyguard," I replied with a shrug. "Wherever you go, I'll be there with you until the contract expires."

With that, 5pb stared long at me and stifled a breath. Oh…?

"...E-excuse me," 5pb said, unable to hold herself back from smiling. "I mean… have anyone ever told you how corny you can be?"

Hah. So she does get it. I expect no less from the most popular singer of Gamindustri. She must have heard a million lines resembling mine in fan letters or at handshake events.

Then again…

"Send your complaint to Lady White Heart, she always forced me to review her novels."

"Ah... ha ha, that would put my life at risk..." 5pb's smile strained. "But is that alright, treating one of the Goddesses like that?"

Maybe? I don't really care, actually. I mean, it's not like the world bends at their wills and Blanc is as human as any other people out there. Should I even mention getting her riled up can be pretty endearing as well?

Well, it didn't really matter, anyway. After we were done taking a break, my escort led the way and guided the two of us to a certain shop. The surprising thing was that it was a music shop.

"I usually buy music CDs to inspire myself sometimes," the blue-haired idol said. "Will you wait for me?"

I tilted my head and closed my eyes. "Sure, why not? I'll be waiting outside, then."

"...You're not going inside?"

I told 5pb to not worry too much. As she seemed to know the store owner well, so there was no need for me to be wary of some stupid kidnapping attempts.

"So..." I said as I looked to the alley next to the store. "How long are you lot going to stand around like that?"

Unsurprisingly, there were no reactions. How disappointing, but it wasn't like I could expect much from some stalking maniacs. I sighed as I stood at the entrance to the alley and placed a hand on my waist.

"Sealing Area."

With a touch of power, my words reached out and caused a change. I saw people scrambling out from every nook and cranny of the dark alley and as expected, there were a lot of them. Probably a dozen or two.

Either way... my skill worked just fine. My build mostly involved buffs and debuffs skills, and even among them all, the area of effects was not really up to my taste. However...

"It sure is great to have all of you grouped together like this. Makes my job a little easier. Ah, you don't need to shout or anything. Pretty much all of your skills got Sealed, after all."

The thugs began to grow restless. The glares I received almost chilled my bones, and in the face of it all...

"It's your turn this time, Cave."

A figure descended from above. She landed right in front of me, her red hair fluttering alongside the tail ends of her maid uniform. A pair of emerald green eyes reflected the figures of the people grouped in the alley, and the woman that was my party member summoned her giant scissor forward.

"Well done," said Cave. "I and the SMD will take care of the rest. Will you do me the favor of escorting 5pb back to her hotel?"

I sighed and pushed up my glasses. "At least be somewhat apologetic. That girl doesn't know she's a bait, you know?"

I could understand the code of secrecy and all that, but there ought to be limited in trying to clear out two missions at once. Who would ever think an Escort Mission could be doubled with Pest Extermination Mission? Then again, it needed someone like me that could easily bring out the beasts sleeping inside many unsuspecting radical fans and stalkers, so technically, 5pb had no relation to this all.

Putting it simply, the mission had me act as an escort, a suspicious stranger who acted overly casual with an idol, and a bait meant to lure the idiots out. The rest was simple, as Cave and her co-workers would sweep in and catch those idiots in the act.

Still, it wasn't like I could care. A job is a job and I did my part. Being a guy, I honestly had no idea if I should cry or laugh, but...

"Give them hell, alright?" I waved as I turned my back to Cave.

"Understood." A mechanical noise echoed. "Activating Options. Full-burst mode."

As I walked back to the music store, I ignored the dreadful screams or even the light show happening inside the alley. It sounded bloody but it wasn't like Cave had any intention to grill people alive. Those stalkers would definitely be fine if their wounds were tended.

It was too bad that another job ended with nothing to be written off. Blanc wouldn't like this sort of thing as a souvenir.