Chapter 6

—All right. There we go, now the SSVRS seems to be functioning normally.

HaHa~ ♪ The power of science is incredible!

Yes, this is highly developed science, after all.

We are the ones who provided the foundations for the VR technology, and then it was further developed by the most prominent corporations in the field—

To be honest, I don’t really understand the logistics behind the SSVRS either.

You probably shouldn’t go telling that to the people inside the SSVRS—the players. It’ll make them feel uneasy.

Obviously. Although, the people living in this reality right now only have a vague understanding of how the world works.

What lies beyond the farthest reaches of space, in the depths of the ocean, at the center of the earth? You can concoct theories all you want, but no one has ever been able to confirm those theories up close with empirical evidence ♪

All it takes is connecting the dots and filling in the gaps with your imagination to make it look like you know what you’re doing.

That is a vital function of the human brain. Although, it’s that same function which lets us fill in those gaps with convenient delusions, and it becomes easy to fall victim to conspiracy theories.

And fine took advantage of that psychology during the War and used it to achieve supremacy. You just had to make up some convenient rumors and spread them like wildfire, and everyone ate it up.

You took two existing points: “We’re stricken with misfortune,” and “There are those incredible idols called the Five Oddballs.”

And then you buried them in delusion—“It’s because of them that we’re at a disadvantage.”

When in reality, there was never any truth to that.

No, it wasn’t a complete lie. Human beings aren’t stupid; they won’t believe just any old thing you tell them.

It was inevitable that jobs congregated around the Five Oddballs because they were so good at what they did, and even the academy itself designated them as superior idols in evaluations.

These were just the natural results of a competition based around ability—But we did make everyone believe that there was malice and injustice behind it all.

Someone out there is conspiring against us; we’re the good guys getting raked through the mud—

You connect those dots and start to believe it, and suddenly there’s no room for doubt in your mind. No one wants to admit that the conclusion they came up with themselves could possibly be wrong, after all.

And once you’ve got that groundwork, all that’s left is to feed the delusion with more evidence that supports their conclusion. Before you know it, you’ve created a conspiracy theorist.

Just by saying the magic words—abracadabra… ♪

You really are the absolute worst. Just where did you and the others learn how to manipulate the human psyche like that, Senpai?

It seems Eichi-kun had been studying things like philosophy, business management, and imperial leadership skills within his home. And my parents are… you know, so I just picked up a few things here and there as I went.

That’s right—You did have that case where one of your family members was swindled. You were able to observe that situation from up close.

I was, yes. Looking back on it now, that’s probably… exactly where I learned how scams work.

I’m always slow to realize these things, huh~

……

Oops! We got carried away talking just amongst ourselves again. It’s a bad habit of ours.

That whole conversation was repulsive. I’m sorry, Sora. That must have been boring for you.

It’s okay! Haven’t we already agreed that Shisho~ will be the one to take the lead for this SS?

So Sora is just going to help you out and not get in your way, Shisho~ ♪

You’re not in my wayyyy! Why would you sayyyyy something like that?!

Gwah—?! Shisho~ Sora can’t breathe when you’re hugging him so tightly~? He’s starting to see the light…!

Ahaha, lately you’ve been going crazy wherever Sora-kun is involved, Natsume-kun.

Is that a bad thing?! Love makes people crazy!

Mmph, Mmrgh… (completely petrified from oxygen deficiency)

(casually rescuing Sora) Recently, all of our idol activities seem to have put a focus on Sora-kun.

I wonder if it’s bad to think we’ve ended up right back where we started.

Of course it is. You’re always saying terrible things, Senpai. That’s why you’re always misunderstood.