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The ceremony proceeded without any issues. There were even moments where some cried, overwhelmed with emotions. I didn’t feel much sentimentality myself; I honestly felt relief, like a heavy weight was finally off my shoulders. As for Kaori, she seems to have a look of yearning in her eyes.

“C’mon, Kotone. Let’s go outside for the bouquet toss.”
“I’m not interested, though.”
“You really should have a bit more interest in things like this, you know?”

I don’t have any desire for marriage at all. Kaori seems a bit hyped about it, while Kotori looks absolutely ready for the catching. And I have no idea why, but Akane is also roaring to go. What, is she going for polygamy or something?

“Looks like everyone’s getting heated, huh.”
“You seriously sound so disinterested. If Teacher Saeki ever tosses the bouquet our way, this place is going to be ground zero.”
“Honestly, she might actually do just that.”

I’m sure she noticed that I’m not interested in the bouquet toss. I was even called out for it during our briefing session. I never could have expected them to agree with all of the fools’ plans. Seriously, are you sure it’s all okay?

“Doesn’t she care if what should be a day to be remembered gets all ruined?”
“Well, she does seem to be the type to prioritize having fun.”
“Still, is it really alright?”
“It’ll be remembered for sure. Besides, the rogue’s den people made great effort to make this a success, right? ”
“I really hope you’re right.”

I’m sure they’re doing their best. From the planning stage, we’ve made sure that there wouldn’t be anything too disastrous. However, there’s a chance that the fools might improvise at the very last moment. And that’s what needs to be watched out for the most.

“Look, Kotone. Teacher Saeki’s going to toss the bouquet!”
“Right.”

For an instant, it felt like I made eye contact with Shizuru, so I took a step back. Those were the eyes of someone searching for a target. However, I have no idea if she has the finesse to have a pinpoint aim at me with a backward throw.

“I feel like I just heard some unlady-like yell.”

That’s not a sound a newly-wed should make. She’s completely arched back, is her back going to be okay? But thanks to that, the bouquet flew high up into the sky and is now in the process of falling towards me. From a rough estimate, she threw it far beyond what even I can throw.

“She definitely has an acquaintance within the rogue’s den.”
“Wait, Kotone, stop pulling me aside.”
“Kaori. I’m trying to pull you away from danger, you know.”

Kaori kept looking up the whole time, so she failed to notice the approaching danger. Women with bloodshot eyes are rushing our way like crazy. At worst, we could get trampled beneath them. We have to move out of the way.

“Kotori caught it, huh.”
“Doing a flying catch while in a dress, that’s impressive. I’d honestly be too scared to do that.”

I wouldn’t choose to do that either. It’s going to get me dirty, and at worst, even damage my dress. The only people who wouldn’t hesitate to do that would be those with the financial ability to not care about ruining a single dress. It’s not viable for the regular folk.

“Kotone! I got it!”
“Yes, congratulations. It’s practically just a good luck charm, so don’t forget to put in the effort.”
“Yes!”

I didn’t know that Kotori had the desire for marriage. And I don’t know why, but Kaori is looking at me with cold eyes for some reason. I’m just brushing off the dust stuck to Kotori’s dress, though.

“Kotone. Pay a bit more attention to what you say.”
“Eh? Why?”
“Kotori. Don’t go too hard, will you?”
“Yes! I won’t hold anything back!”

Against who? Also, the conversation isn’t meshing at all. This is exactly the reason why people have the impression that the twelve families never listen. Still, none of them deny it when called out, proving that they do have some self-awareness. Properly listen to other people, will you?

“Well, I’ll be heading off to the waiting room now.”
“Good luck. I’ll just be around leisurely enjoying the food.”
“I sure hope you can enjoy it.”
“Kotone, don’t tell me…”

I’m working hard here to endure the upcoming humiliation, so there’s no way I would let my partner have peace on her own, is there? There are seat assignments and it’s set up so that Kaori won’t be guided to a table with complete strangers. In other words…

“Have a taste of what it feels like to be surrounded by the twelve families.”
“Kotone!”
“Farewell!”

With Kaori’s cry as a backdrop, I sprinted to the waiting room. I’m definitely getting an earful from her, but I will accept that fate. It’s probably going to be a rant about what happened with them anyway, so it’ll be something nice to drink to. Not that I’m going to drink.

“Everyone, how’s it going on your end?”
“Well, nothing much since the program has just started. Kataribe’s out there doing emcee work and I guess Shirose’s BGM track is playing right now.”

The members of the rogue who are waiting for their part are mostly gathered in this room, as well as those who are done with backstage duties and are idle until the end. As expected, it seems like everyone’s curious about the outcome of this event.

“I guess we don’t have much to do at the start, huh.”
“Kotone, you’re going to change into your outfit now, right?”
“Into the outfit you prepared, yeah.”

I commissioned Kenichi for an outfit that would be sure to hide my identity. I probably won’t be able to wear it on top of a dress, so I had Misaki prepare casual clothes for me. Specifically, a T-shirt and jersey pants.

“Don’t worry, I’ve prepared an outfit that will completely hide your identity.”
“I have trust in your craftsmanship. As long as you don’t go overboard, that is.”

Wearing just the box, there’s still a possibility of me getting found out from my figure. With that being the case, I need something that envelops my entire body to remove any identifiable characteristics. As for who can provide me something that weird, I could only think of the rogue’s den.

“The outfit is in the room next door, so check it out.”
“Got it.”

The others currently have their eyes glued to the display monitor in the waiting room. I’d love to just have a cup of tea and watch with them, but first I have to change and check the outfit.

But as I opened the neighbouring room’s door and saw the outfit prepared for me, I immediately closed the door and ran back to the waiting room.

“Kenichi! You b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲!”
“How is it? Impressive, isn’t it?”
“Who f̲u̲c̲k̲i̲n̲g told you to make a damn space suit!”
“It hides not only your face, but your whole body. Perfect, isn’t it?”

How can he say that with such confidence? In what world are there singers who’d perform at a wedding reception in a space suit. I can already hear the deafening silence from the audience. What, am I supposed to be the punchline this time?

“By the way, the back equipment contains an aircon battery and an oxygen tank, so you probably won’t be able to stand properly, let alone walk around.”
“It’s defective!”

Probably can’t keep balance because of the weight being focused all on the back. And with those two on the back, the whole thing must be absolutely heavy overall. In the first place, I’m sure it was made to be a proper space suit and not just to look like one.

“Eh? What do you want me to do with this?”
“This intercom will solve everything.”

I already knew that. Ever since I wore the box, I always had an intercom as my standard Unknown equipment. My real voice probably will never be heard directly. Now then, the problem is how I’m going to make an entrance. Depending on how it goes, the impression I leave will be different.

“I guess the best choice would be to bring it in as a stage prop.”
“Bringing in a space suit will absolutely get everyone’s attention, won’t it?”
“What other option is there?”
“Walk by sheer force of will.”
“Don’t be absurd.”

You’re the one who said I can’t walk in it. The problem is that I’ll probably have to walk while singing. Ani always sang while standing up and I’m more familiar with that. Who knows how this could affect my performance?

“Kenichi. I have an additional request. ”
“Hmph, I anticipated this possibility, so I already have it ready.”

Apparently, he already prepared mechanisms to help me stand and fix my posture on the pedestal. To begin with, what do you mean ‘pedestal’? Do I have to be carried around by some weird thing while being exposed to the public?

Ani, your friends really are out of their minds.

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