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*”Welcome everyone to Morinomiya High’s school festival.”*

The melodious soprano voice of a girl was amplified by speakers across the hall. Some members of the audience perked up hearing that voice, as the stage in front of them was lit up by many spotlights that revealed a small figure standing there.

They were currently in the hall of Morinomiya High, which housed the main stage. Normally it was a spacious area with plenty of seats available, but today, with various guests in addition to the usual students and teachers, it was completely packed.

That was also the official start of the school festival.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the stage, watching the girl illuminated by the spotlights after her first few words, her idol outfit glittering after being dressed by the slightly older girls from the public entertainment department. Her hair now appeared black, thanks to the magic hairpin, and was styled into loose twin-tails. But it was still Kou.

“She’s so cuteeee!”
“Why is she so adorableee!”
“Has she always been a student here?”
“She feels strangely familiar…”
“I think I’m in love…”

Thanks to the different hair color and style, no one seemed to realize it was Kou, but that did not stop the compliments from flying out from the audience. She was literally the center of attention, but in a strange way, Kou did not feel nervous at all, perhaps because of all her past experience.

What struck her the most was how clearly she could hear them, and she also knew how to react to that.

“Ahahah, thank youu! Thank you everyone for your kind words!”

She deviated slightly from the script, waving at the crowd while thanking them for their compliments. That was something Ranka had told her to do.

It did not take long for the results to appear, as she could tell everyone was smiling back at her when she smiled at them. Strangely that actually felt nice to see, but she decided to stash that feeling away to continue entertaining the audience.

The ceremony had to go on, so next the principal gave a quick greeting, followed by the class presidents and other representatives. Then Kou was finally going to do the final part of her solo act, introducing the main celebrity before they outlined the main program of the festival.

“I’m sure everyone has been waiting for this moment! Feel free to clap with me as we call her in!! The main celebrity for this year’s Morinomiya High school festival… The ever popular virtual personality and singer, Kirisu Sakura!!”

After building up enough suspense, Kou raised her hand and snapped her fingers loudly. A moment later, the whole stage was lit up in a flash of light.

*”…Hello, thank you for calling to me, my cute co-host.”*

A soft and delicate voice came from above the stage. At the same time, a large amount of out-of-season sakura petals began to fall down, swirling around that girl with fluttering pink hair and a dress styled like a kimono.

…Obviously, she was not actually floating there, and she was just a hologram projected through the NLDs worn by everyone in the hall.

But her stage presence and demeanor were so realistic and impressive that everyone forgot she wasn’t really there, watching in a trance as she descended onto the stage in a fantastical rain of petals.

Kou raised her hand once she was close enough, and the girl grasped it firmly before being pulled down, her skirt spreading out as she landed.

She then stood and straightened her dress, her serene face quickly lighting up with a smile as she looked at the audience.

*Incredible.*

Having barely said anything, just her mannerisms alone had stolen the eyes of the entire audience away from Kou, who had been the center of attention until only recently. Being able to accomplish that with just a smile was something even Kou found impressive.

*So this is a pro…*

Kou had seen her as a kindhearted student, in-game she was a slightly mischievous and willful girl, but on stage she was a professional idol. Even Kou felt overwhelmed just standing next to her.

That otherworldly entrance also sent the audience into a frenzy of gasps and loud cheers.

As Kou and Sakura looked at each other on stage, their hands still linked together, they knew their performance had been a success.

After that, they gave the general outline of the festival, with a few friendly interjections from each other, and the opening ceremony neared its end, as did Kou’s time on stage. Behind them, concealed by a curtain, the preparations for a choir performance from the public entertainment department were already underway, and they would take the stage any moment now.

*”Sadly our cute companion will have to say goodbye to us soon. But before that, is there anything you’d like to share with us?”*

Saying that, Sakura passed the microphone to Kou. That was an opportunity for Kou to do some advertising, as thanks for helping out with the ceremony.

“As you already heard, sadly I’ll have to leave soon. But if any of you want to see or even meet me again, then come to Fantasy Cafe: Nightmare House on the main building’s third floor. I’ll be waiting for you there!”

Kou announced that with a sweet smile aimed at the entire audience.

Then she lightly lifted the hem of her skirt as she bowed…and suddenly a mantle came flying from the side of the stage, which she caught and wrapped it around her.

…All of the lights turned off for barely a moment before returning. But Kou was no longer on stage, only the mantle remained crumpled on the floor.

◇◇◇

It was a really simple trick in reality.

The mantle’s appearance was so sudden that it would distract the whole audience, and when the lights turned off, Kou ditched it and silently ran out of sight. It had only been for a moment, but with Kou’s current physical abilities running that fast was an easy feat.

Still, it was enough to make it seem to the audience like she had vanished inside of that mantle, like some mysterious ephemeral girl.

Overall, Kou’s performance was a huge hit. The audience was still talking about her, even while Sakura gave a brief summary of the performance that was coming next.

Everything had worked out even better than Kou expected. At least on stage. Her performance had left a lasting impression that would evolve in a way Kou never imagined…