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“Owner, a glass for me, please.”
“Don’t order like it’s alcohol.”
“Sniff, sniff. Good, it’s actually water.”
“I wouldn’t serve alcohol to minors, you know.”

I can’t lower my guard. After all, this here right now is a den of rogues. The rogue’s den-hosted wedding reception ended without any major issues. At least, I think it should have, but it’s worrying how the 12 family members were laughing out loud.

“If those fools are laughing, then there was probably something that went wrong. I don’t know what exactly, though.”
“Well yeah, from your perspective, that’s probably common sense.”

We’re currently at Pub Tecchan. Not for the wedding reception afterparty, but for the rogue’s den celebration party. Most places who know our idiots’ faces have us banned from entry, so we generally can only drink at establishments operated by acquaintances.

“Speaking of which, who was the first to get banned from a pub again?”
“It should’ve been someone unexpected. Not a member of the main force, but the support team, I think?”

The main force are those that are always indispensable, Ani included, for whatever there is to be done. The support team are those that participate after a call for assistance. This consists of people who mostly work behind the scenes or those with hyper-specific talents. What the hell did they do to score the first entry ban again?

“Is it fine not to mingle with them?”
“You think I’d willingly jump in somewhere I’ll definitely be toyed with?”
“True.”

The drinking has just started, so there’s not much chaos yet. They’re currently having their reflection session, discussing what could have been done better and what they might have overdone. The reason why I’m not joining them is because it doesn’t concern me.

“Still, to think that those two back then would get married and that you’d play a major part in making it happen…”
“I didn’t expect it either and, honestly, it isn’t something to ask help from a high school girl for.”
“Frankly, I didn’t think you were a high school student back then, Kotone.”

There being a minor among a group of adults isn’t the issue. The issue is that there was a high school girl among educators. It’ll surely cause a big scandal if known, so we couldn’t reveal my identity even through the re-enactment.

“Come to think of it, I wasn’t there this time.”
“You were there during the re-enactment, right?”
“I was forced to be there after you fools hijacked this pub.”

The owner’s reaction to seeing us randomly come in and setting up filming equipment was really interesting. He was speechless, no, dumbfounded. I’m sure it would have been a nostalgic sight for Ani. Sorry, but I couldn’t help but find it funny as well.

“When the only person explaining what’s going on was someone with a box for a head, I genuinely doubted my sanity.”

I took off the box to give you a piece of mind, didn’t I? He was surprised and didn’t expect to see me, though. Even I thought that the next time I’d be here after Ani’s visit would be after I became a legal adult. Why do I have to be in another drinking party while underaged?

“So, how was your program at the reception party?”
“It was a success, I guess? I completely acted like a stranger.”

When the space suit was brought in during the reception party, it gathered a lot of stares. I was the second performer for our program. A weirdo in a space suit was just wheeled in on a trolley, so it’s no surprise that everyone was confused.

“I came in after the re-enactment, so the pressure was intense, you know?”
“I’m sure it was quite accurate. If the ad libs weren’t included, that is.”
“According to Ran, the fools did do some improv, but it was edited out in post.”
“As expected, it’s really different when there’s someone keeping watch. Also, being able to fix in post is really powerful. Here you go, yakitori donburi.”
“Thank you. Though there were some who caused real trouble.”

※※※

As I entered wearing a spacesuit, it’s inevitable that I would attract attention. Seeing me wheeled in by three people on a trolley probably raised questions as it is. To begin with, this was what appeared after Unknown’s entry was announced by the host. I’m sure everyone has question marks over their heads right now.

“Umm, forgive me for appearing like this. As previously announced, I am Unknown. Midou, Shizuru, congratulations on your marriage. I’m really sorry to be appearing like this.”
“Ko— no, Unknown. Thank you for answering our request. With such a unique outfit, at that.”
“Wait, give me a moment. My belly hurts.”

It seems like those who know my identity find this very funny. Shizuru included. Still, this is a relief. Had there been no reaction at all, it would likely affect my performance. Why do I have to be humiliated like this?

“There was a mistake in the costume selection, resulting in this appearance.”
“Expanding towards space, as expected of my rival.”
“Go to space on your own, future singer.”
“Crap, I thought she couldn’t hear me but she absolutely could.”

With the suit’s mysterious features, I can hear everything loud and clear. It’s pointlessly high tech and I don’t know what to do with it. I did technically pay for its production, so it’ll be given to me after this event. My apartment’s going to be even more chaotic. I seriously don’t need this big thing.

“Let me just say this, but please be informed that I didn’t request this outfit. It’s the result of a fool going overboard.”
“She probably wanted something that could hide her identity, so it’s as requested, if you ask me.”
“Okay, former president. Shut up, will you?”

Sure, it was my mistake to only relay my most important request and leave the rest of the design completely up to Kenichi. If it was Ani, he would have likely anticipated what the others were thinking. I guess this more careless part of me might be Ane’s influence.

“Now then, staff person. Stand me up.”
“Not being able to stand on its own is a defect, isn’t it?”

You’re absolutely right, Kaori. If I could move in this suit, I might be able to find some other use for this. But unfortunately, it turned out to be something that I can barely even wear on my own. Don’t just stop caring after achieving the primary objective, damn it.

“Now then, as requested, I will be performing on stage.”

Let’s stop responding to comments about how I look from here on. I want to end this quickly. Please, release me from this prison. Fortunately, everyone fell quiet and simply listened while I was singing.

However, this was just the beginning of hell.

“Thank you for listening. With that, I will be excusing myself now. Staff people.”
“Ah, sorry, but Unknown, you’ll be going on for another round.”
“Ha?”

Wait. Think Kotone. You’ve never been told anything about an extra round, and it’s strange that you’re hearing it from Kenichi first. If it was the principal or Shizuru calling for an encore, it’s still understandable. However, hearing this from one of the rogue’s den is only giving me a bad omen.

“With that, we’ll be moving the space suit now.”
“Stop treating me like a stage prop!”

Damn them, taking advantage of the fact that I can’t move. With there being witnesses around, I can’t take the suit off. In other words, I’m practically enclosed in a statue. I feel like things will only go downhill for me from here.

“Alright, up next is a mini concert performance by EXIST.”
“A stage prop shouldn’t be speaking, right?”
“C’mon, no running away now, Ann~e.”

As I tried to remain silent and escape this predicament, my escape was cut off by the entrance of other performers. And why is Sherry stepping on stage for Isami and the gang’s concert. In the first place, this performance should have been for after more time had passed.

“Staff people, please move Anne to the center of the stage.”
“Yes ma’am!”
“When did she even take control of the rogue’s den?”
“I mean, I just feel like we can’t afford to go against her. She gives off the same aura is Hatsune.”

For whatever reason, the rogue’s den are extremely weak against motherly people. Well, it’s all because of Isami and Ani’s mothers, though. I have a memory of the rogue’s den underestimating the two during their first encounter and being insta-killed. Though Ani and Isami completely anticipated that result. Ever since then, it has been a trauma for the rogue’s den.

“Satsuki, you can think of our performance as mere background music. After all, we will simply be singing until we’re satisfied.”
“You think this is karaoke, or something?”
“I don’t really mind it.”
“Then I suppose I’ll have the volume lowered.”

With the two free spirits meeting, our program schedule is ruined. And what happens when a stopper is downgraded to a stage prop? She’s going to stop caring and just let things take its course. This is no longer my responsibility.

‘Kotone, we’ll leave this to you.’
“I guess I can just sing like it’s karaoke.”

I was given an order from Ran behind the scenes, but it’s not like there’s much else I can do. I give up and dedicate myself to providing BGM.

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