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The day of the collab concert. I left the apartment earlier than Ame and headed for the venue. With the bass case and the bag for the box, I had a lot of luggage.

“Still, where do I put this on?”

The problem is when exactly I should put the box on my head. If I do it before entering the venue, I might get seen by early concertgoers, and that’ll be troublesome. I guess it’s best to do it after going inside.

“I wonder how Ame and Nagatsuki are doing.”

While this must be a helping hand to Nagatsuki, I hope Ame doesn’t feel like it’s an unwarranted consideration. There’s no point in ruining a friendship to cheer on someone’s love.

“Kotone, we’re nearing our destination. Are you done preparing?”
“I really appreciate it, Akira.”
“I am your bodyguard, after all. This much is still within my job description.”

Originally, it should have been Yui who would drive me to the venue, but apparently the fools started a ruckus, so it was no longer possible. I guess they weren’t happy about not being my first collaboration.

“From bodyguarding a wealthy daughter to now bodyguarding a singer. Your life really is strange, Kotone.”
“It’s quite unfortunate that you got dragged into that strange life.”
“You say that when you’re the root cause.”

That was Ani. I have, personally, yet to cause trouble, so I’m innocent. However, I do believe that I’ll do something stupid eventually. I did inherit Ani’s temperament. I don’t believe for a moment that things will continue on smoothly.

“Still, a collab with Accord, huh? They’re fairly older than you; how did you get to know them?”
“So the alcohol blasted your memories away, huh.”

In Ani’s memories, Akira was given a lot of alcohol during the Shimotsuki family’s New Year song fest. It’s impressive how you didn’t get hungover from that. But I guess in exchange, she lost her memories.

“We performed together during the song fest and they took a liking to me. I consider this an extension of that event.”

Ani really enjoyed himself back then, so I consider it to be a fun event. That might have been the moment that solidified my course as a singer.

“I really hope that the fools will behave today.”
“You’re pretty popular with weirdos.”
“Good grief.”

Eventually, I’ll likely have to perform a concert with Isami and the gang. It would be weird to not collab with artists of the same agency after collab-ing with those from another.

“Now then, we’ve arrived at the venue. It’s best if I come along with you, right?”
“There’s no need. I don’t think there will be any danger.”
“There is always the danger of having your identity exposed, isn’t there? I’ll back you up.”
“Thank you very much.”

Wouldn’t it be better to just have Akira be my manager at this point? Or so I think, but she’d probably turn it down. Most of all, I don’t think she has the aptitude for schedule management or negotiating. Won’t say it out loud, though.

“Now first, to the toilet.”
“The usual disguise room. I’ll stay at the entrance to keep watch for anyone coming in.”

I do consider the possibility of being exposed from being seen entering and exiting a room. However, I sure hope that no one calls the police after seeing a suspicious individual wearing a box over her head walking around in the concert hall.

“Thank you for waiting. Let’s go.”
“Looking at it again, it’s a really weird outfit. But you still can see what’s in front of you?”
“I can only see through the holes, but it seems like there were a lot of delicate adjustments for good visibility.”

Is it the fate of craftspeople to make full use of advanced technology for the most pointless things? He must have gotten engrossed in the fun of the creation process without even thinking about the end result.

“A woman with a box on her head carrying a bass case followed by a woman in a black suit and sunglasses. Objectively, we look extremely suspicious.”
“Everybody’s heads are turning. In this situation, it’s best to ignore everyone until you’re called.”
“You seem pretty used to this.”

Ani previously walked around the town wearing a weird getup. Honestly, what was that? All I know is that he was commuting to the school in a costume, but I don’t remember what it was for. I can’t properly piece together Ani’s vague recollections.

“Are we going to the waiting room?”
“That’s the plan, but where is it?”
“Wait, you were walking around so confidently, so I was sure that you must’ve known beforehand.”
“I mean, do you think I can ask directions in this getup?”
“Oh, yeah. I’d hesitate. And the other party is probably going to be confused. No choice, I’ll go and ask.”

She took off her sunglasses and asked who seemed to be an authorized staff member where the backstage rooms are after explaining our situation. By the way, why did the staff person nod after looking in my direction?

“I got directions. It’s surprisingly close from here.”
“That’s great. Let’s hurry up and go. I feel like I’m being seen as a weird specimen.”
“You’re not wrong about that.”

And so we arrived at the backstage room. The nameplate has Unknown written on it, and I understand that. I do have an idea, but why does it sound noisy inside?

“Why are you guys gathered here in my backstage room?”
“Naturally, it’s because we were waiting for you.”

It’s the old men I performed with before. We were just aiming to have fun that time, so they weren’t playing seriously then. Despite that, they still displayed professional quality.

“We’re the only ones here, so you can feel free to show your face.”
“But what if someone else comes inside?”
“Then I’ll keep guard outside. This should be safe that way.”

Without waiting for my reply, Akira exited the waiting room. She’s right; with this, we’d know if someone was coming. Now the problem is, why did they wait for me here?

“As expected of the Kisaragi family’s young lady. To have such a capable bodyguard with you…”
“And why was this young lady of the twelve families chosen for this collab concert?”
“It was an order from the boss. Perform with other people, make some news, and refine your skill, she said. Seriously, why didn’t the boss bring you into our agency?”
“I feel like the final objective isn’t to collab, but to have a battle with her.”
“I don’t feel like I can win.”
“Agreed.”

Challenging someone considered to be a living legend—that wouldn’t even be a fight. I know that, and the old men know it as well.

“While it was an order, we didn’t really mind it. After all, we’re not included in it.”
“Well, yeah, I’m the only one subject to it.”
“Actually, it isn’t only you, Miss Anne. See, look at that corner of the room.”
“Hm? Wait, is that Kana?”
“That’s right. She was brought here without being told about anything, and when she heard that we’ll be performing together, she was left in that state.”
“She’s just a middle schooler… no, she did recently become a high schooler. A sudden collab with big veterans is, even as a prank, going overboard.”
“Don’t blame it on us; it was all the boss’ scheme.”

Kana is shaking at the corner of the room curled up in a fetal position, so that probably isn’t out of excitement. She should know that extreme pressure is bad for the body. Sherry’s such a Spartan.

“Can we even have a rehearsal with her in that state?”
“Rather, you’re weirdly calm for this. This is your first live concert, isn’t it?”
“How many times do you think Sherry demanded unreasonable tasks from me?”
“Well, we thought you were just like that to begin with Miss Anne. As expected of a lady of the twelve families.”
“That’s unrelated. This is just how I am.”

My family is unrelated. I am here only as the singer Unknown. It’s mostly because I got resistance thanks to Ani’s absurdity and the rogues den’s troublemaking. Though I did already have some to begin with.

“For now, I’ll handle Kana.”
“We’re counting on you. Since you’re closer in age, we thought that you’d be the most suitable for this.”

So that’s why they were waiting in my room. They seem really troubled about it, so I suspect that they tried everything they could. Whether my… no, Ani’s methods would work will depend on Kana.

“Now then, I guess it’s time for some encouragement.”

Previously at the song fest, Kana showed that she had a competitive spirit. In that case, I should go for that angle. After that, I’ll think of it when we’re there.

In other words, there is no plan. I’ll consider it part of the thrill of an event.

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