Alice had mentioned that the theme for this area was an arcade, but the Central Square surrounding the tower didn't feel particularly cluttered. If anything, it looked like a row of traditional festival stalls.
As I walked along, glancing around at the sights, Alice looked up at me with a bright smile.
"Kaito-san, I might be a girl of many secrets, but I’m certainly not one to hold back! Why don't we head straight for the main attraction?"
"Wait, the main attraction? If it’s something gory, I’ll pass..."
"I’m not talking about literal eyeballs! Honestly, what kind of attraction would feature 'eyeballs' as the main draw anyway?"
God, I loved this about her—the quick wit and easy banter. Being able to trade silly jokes like this made the atmosphere feel just right.
"Hahaha, point taken. So, what’s this 'main attraction' actually like?"
"Hehehe, prepare to be amazed. It’s an attraction utilizing a brand-new technology that Alice-chan co-developed with Kuro-san!"
"A collaboration between you and Kuro... that does sound like it would be incredible."
"Right? Honestly, it’s bound to get more crowded as the day goes on, so I wanted to hit it early. I have VIP access, of course, but it’ll be more fun with just the two of us rather than having the riff-raff scurrying about."
I gave a wry smile as Alice pulled me by the hand, allowing her to lead the way.
After walking for a bit, we reached a large building—roughly the size of a theater. The exterior wasn't particularly eccentric, and I didn't see any giant machinery or playground equipment.
New technology. If it was a joint project between the Underworld King and the Phantasm King, I knew it had to be revolutionary, but I couldn't imagine what it was just by looking at the facade.
"Come on, let’s head inside."
"Sure... but wait, there’s nobody here."
"Well, you see, I used my authority to do a bit of 'this and that'... I’ve made the place off-limits until we’re done playing."
I could have sworn I saw a flash of pure mischief cross her face, but then again, this was Alice. I decided to let it slide.
However, once I stepped inside the building with her, I was greeted by a truly bizarre sight.
"Wait... it’s just full of animal costumes?! What is this, some kind of mascot horror house?"
"Now, now, Kaito-san, don't underestimate them. They might look like simple kigurumi, but they are master-crafted items packed with cutting-edge technology and magic formulas. We have plenty of sizes available, too."
"..."
"And for you, Kaito-san, I’ve specially prepared this 'Behemoth Kigurumi.' Now, put it on right aw—Oof!?"
"Like hell I will!"
What was she thinking? I knew she was an eccentric, but I didn't think she'd make an attraction this ridiculous based entirely on her own whims. Who was the target audience for an area where you played in animal suits? Was this for kids?
"Ouch... Hang on, Kaito-san! I haven't explained the most important feature yet! Once you hear this, you’ll definitely change your tune!"
"I highly doubt it."
"How mean! Anyway, just listen. They look like animal suits, but they’re actually the latest model of magic tools, equipped with a very specific internal function."
Alice appealed to me with a desperate look as I stood there utterly exasperated. To me, they just looked like plush costumes... but given that Kuro had helped, I supposed the claim of them having an amazing function might not be a total lie.
Still, I doubted it was anything sane.
"By putting that on, the suit 'automatically generates a mental split body' and 'allows you to dive into a pre-constructed virtual world'!"
"...Wait, what?"
I had assumed it would be some trivial gimmick, but I froze at her words.
Wait a second. What did that mean? If a mental split body was like a thought-form, did that mean I could actually enter a virtual world to play?
That was... wasn't that the dream? One of the futures every gamer had ever fantasized about.
"That’s right! This attraction is what your world would call a 'Dive-type VR Game'!"
"You’ve... you’ve got to be kidding me..."
"Hehehe, you're so shocked you've lost your voice! Yes, by wearing this suit, you can enter a virtual world! Moreover, the suit has full support features, including physical protection for your real body and a safety function to automatically pull your consciousness back if you've been diving for too long!"
"Are you... are you for real?"
"Dead serious."
Full-immersion VR... the kind where you actually step into the game world. This was incredible. Seriously incredible. To think she actually built something like this... Alice, you’re living in the future.
My interest, which had been at absolute zero a moment ago, shattered its limits. Now, I couldn't wait to try it.
"So, go ahead and put it on. You'll dive automatically once it’s on. I'll explain the rest while we play inside the virtual world."
"I-I get it. Sorry, Alice. I jumped to conclusions and made fun of you. You really are amazing."
"Hehehe, you can keep the compliments coming!"
"...By the way, why did it have to be a kigurumi?"
"Because they're cool!"
"...Wait, what?"
"What?"
Well, Alice's bizarre tastes aside, I could feel my excitement peaking.
A virtual world... I wondered what it was like? Was it a fantasy setting like an MMO? Or maybe something futuristic?
My heart pounding with anticipation, I stepped into the Behemoth suit Alice handed me. I put on the body section first, and finally, when I pulled the head over my own... my consciousness began to fade as if I were drifting into a deep sleep, and I felt myself slipping away into the virtual world.
Dear Mother, Father—for once, I respected Alice from the bottom of my heart. To think she actually realized the dream of VR... Since magic for things like magic boxes and pocket dimensions already exists, I suppose it wasn't impossible. Regardless, with my spirits soaring, I dove headfirst into the world of my dreams.
●●●: "...I could have made that, too. Kaito-san never relies on me. Everything would go perfectly if only he relied on my power..."
▲▲▲: "...Why won't my beloved child consult his mother? If it’s for my dear child, I would create as many of those spaces as he desired..."
●●●, ▲▲▲: ""...Hmm?""
●●●: "...This is my world. I won't allow you to do as you please. If action is needed, I will be the one to take it. Stay out of this."
▲▲▲: "A mother helping her child has nothing to do with which world they are in. You're the one who needs to stop meddling, don't you think?"
●●●, ▲▲▲: ""...Hah?""