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As I finish the yakitori donburi, I look back on today’s wedding reception. That was something I would normally never do, if I say so myself. Why did I even attend the reception party in a space suit? That’s the biggest mystery of all.

“In the end, I turned into a singing machine for the rest of the program.”
“Aren’t you describing a speaker?”

You might be right. The instant I was immobile, I no longer had the choice to escape. If it took it off, I would have exposed my identity, so that’s a no. Even so, there were a lot of risky comments.

“On the other hand, thanks to that happening, I was able to avoid having to participate in the other shows.”
“With your popularity, everyone would probably want to have a go with you.”
“Hiiragi was smacked around, cannonballed, and slid off and away.”
“Well, that sounds anxiety inducing.”

It’s difficult to put it into words. Personally, I felt my blood freeze when Yayoi joined in on the spur of the moment. Not only was it unplanned, it was a situation I didn’t anticipate at all. She scuffled in her dress and beat up the rogue’s den’s best.

“That’s weird. It should have been a normal staged fight.”
“They probably did some improvising anyway.”

Before that, even Nako and Hiiragi were performing as practiced. However, Hiiragi then held a serious stance and they started fighting all out. We provided a fitting BGM to hype them up, but it seems like that really spurred Yayoi into action.

“Seeing a grown up knocked out after being punched in the stomach was terrifying.”
“Like a scene from a movie.”

Seeing how the owner didn’t find having a brawl scene during a wedding reception weird, he’s also too far gone. To begin with, he’s from the rogue’s den, so he’s beyond critical levels of corruption. He sees the weirdness as normal.

“It was my first time seeing someone capable of beating both Nako and an armed Hiiragi.”
“They’re the strongest among us, after all. I guess we’ll need a tactician or some other intellectual, huh.”
“At that point, it’ll be an all-out war. Challenging someone who we can’t even rival in pure numbers is reckless.”

In a rogue’s den vs 12 families war, the rogue’s den are at an overwhelming disadvantage. No matter how much trickery we pull, their individual excellence will win out, and with them having access to extensive resources and manpower, we have no way of winning. Me and the strategists know that well.

“From my standpoint, I can imagine you guys happy to throw yourselves at a losing battle.”
“If it’s a planned defeat, we could still orchestrate the best way to lose.”
“That’ll be some filthy fireworks to see.”

Not letting things end normally is on brand for the rogue’s den. I don’t even want to imagine it, arranging how everyone would be neatly blasted away in combat. Still, even if no one orchestrates it, they’d probably end up doing it on their own. And I’m sure that there’ll be several who’d fail to perform.

“Still, I’ll likely join the 12 families’ side. Due to my status and all.”
“You just don’t want to lose.”

If I can taste sweet victory against the rogue’s den, then I’ll gladly turn to the enemy side. The problem with that is that they might focus their attack on me and that’s scary. Even when it’s just harassment, the rogue’s den doesn’t hold back.

“Koto-cha~n, we’re done reflecting!”
“Have fun by yourselves. I’m not going anywhere near that danger zone.”

When alcohol and the rogue’s den mix, there’s sure to be some unpredictable chaos that will result. It’s already mentally exhausting to deal with only a few of them, with these numbers, I’d be tired to the point of being inactive for the next day. That’s if you diligently deal with them.

“That really doesn’t look like a place for a minor to be at.”
“They’d probably spike my drink and act like it was an accident.”

I suspect they’d mix my drink with something that’s not alcohol. If, hypothetically, they do attempt to mix in alcohol, the others will sense it and deliver judgement upon them. Delivering punishment instead of stopping it from happening is on brand for the rogue’s den. However, it’ll be up to luck whether it’ll be discovered before or after the fact.

“Besides, I have something to attend to after this.”
“You’re always so busy, are you alright? Aren’t you pushing yourself?”
“I’ll be fine. Why are you acting like some overprotective father?”
“Everyone’s already been told about how you’re something like a keepsake from Souji. In other words, you’re our child, right?”
“Okay, time to run away from home.”

I’d have to leave on a journey if I want them to not find me. If I stay in one place, I’ll absolutely be discovered and they’d probably organize a search team. A search party of rogue’s den members who will do anything to find me is nothing but trouble.

“Kotone. Think about it calmly. If you actually went off and ran from home, what do you think will happen?”
“Hm? Thinking about it calmly, it’ll likely cause a huge uproar, I guess. The rogue’s den, the 12 families, and my mothers are probably going to raise hell.”

I have zero confidence in being able to shake them off. And I don’t even want to imagine the scolding that will happen after. It’ll probably result in trouble throughout Japan and who knows what fate will befall me upon capture. Scary. I guess I can’t play the rebellious teen, huh.

“Where ever has my freedom gone to?”
“You’ve been expressing plenty of freedom, if you ask me.”

Really? I personally feel like I’m only acting wild on top of a predetermined path. Isn’t it irritating to act out exactly what people want of me? It’s fine to resist a bit, isn’t it?

“So, what’s this thing you apparently have to attend to? This isn’t just a lie so you can escape from this hell of a party, is it?”
“It’s not really a lie.”

It’s technically not a lie. I said it like it was planned, but I’m not necessarily sure if it will happen. In other words, it’s a vague thing that can only be decided by the other party. Frankly, it wasn’t really planned. In short, it is an excuse to leave.

“The newlyweds are coming to my apartment.”
“Normally, shouldn’t they be visiting their families?”
“Those two don’t abide by common sense.”

I also heard that they have a new home, but from my conjecture, there’s an 80% chance of them coming to my apartment. Shizuru goes to my room for a meal after drinking with Akane. And I don’t believe this routine would easily change.

“With that, I’ll leave a scapegoat, so feel free to work her hard.”
“She’s been a huge help this whole time, but it feels really out of place to have someone wearing a maid uniform working in a pub.”
“It can’t be helped, that’s her actual uniform.”

With only the owner, his wife, and one employee around, I thought they’d be short of hands, so I called for Misaki to help. She already has some immunity against the rogue’s den. Whatever shenanigans she’d be roped into, it shouldn’t scar her. Misaki has grown quite strong.

“Thanks to her, I don’t have to deal with them.”
“While she did get dragged into this, I don’t feel bad about it. Thanks to her, our peace remains secured.”
“True that.”

There is happiness that can only be born of sacrifice. While the others are playing with Misaki, the attention is directed away from us, so we can offer up Misaki to the fools without any remorse. She might cry to me later if I don’t properly follow her up. That she’d never come again, and such.

“Now then, I’m leaving now before things get really out of hand.”
“You probably won’t be able to escape regardless of your schedule if they get to you. See you.”

I’m really glad that the owner isn’t on the same contamination level as the rest. He does operate a service business, so he can’t be too unhinged, resulting in him being more on the common sense side. To begin with, what do I even mean by contamination level?

“Now then, it’s been a while since the last time I’ve been in this area.”

I leave the pub and consider my options of going home. Ani thought of running back home from here, if I remember. If I wasn’t pressed for time, then I’d probably do that. However, I might be bombarded with messages if I’m late this time.

“Hey, taxi!”
“Don’t treat us like a taxi service.”
“What were you going to do if a taxi really did stop in front of you?”

I’ll honestly apologise. I don’t intend to waste money needlessly. Gojima and Mizuki let out an audible sigh, they must be wondering why I’m a bit excitable. It’s the side-effect of fooling around, please don’t mind it.

“If it was like last year, I was sure that you’d be around.”
“What a terrible way of being trusted.”
“Being treated like a taxi is a bit… you know?”
“I wasn’t really treating you guys as a taxi service. I’m just looking back on our fond memories.”

That day last year, the principal and Teacher Saeki had their first drinking party and Ani met his new bodyguards. At that time, Ani didn’t really aim to get the two of them married, but while he left them to their own devices, they gradually made progress.

“Please stop by the supermarket on the way. I have to do some quick shopping.”
“You’ve been ordering us around even back then.”
“That time, it was still advantageous for us. But with how you’re acting recently, it isn’t enough of a merit at all.”
“Isn’t your assessment of me a bit strange?”
“ “It’s not wrong.” ”

Let’s blame Ani for that. The event today was all Ani’s fault from start to end. I’m merely a victim who somehow managed to sail through the rough waters of this event. So it’s definitely not my fault, and I have no need to worry about it.

“What should I make for the last drink?”

This should settle one of the events Ani left behind. The other event left is the New Year’s party with the fools currently having fun here. I hate that I’m pretty sure it won’t end well for me.

“I guess it’s time for the ultimate weapon.”
“Oi, stop being so ominous.”
“Kotone’s ultimate weapon, I absolutely don’t want us having to do anything with that.”

Don’t worry, it’s harmless against non-rogue’s den people. As such, it also causes zero damage against me… I think. Anyhow, I need to brainstorm the menu. For a finisher, it’d be better to prepare something light. Like green tea over rice. Using instant ingredients is fine, but they’d probably ask for it to be hand-crafted.

“There should be enough mattresses to spare.”

Recently, a lot of people have come to my apartment. Moreover, they even stay without asking for prior permission. Where did I even get that mattress from? It must’ve been something someone brought in and then left behind.

“My apartment is being encroached upon.”

Random stuff continues to increase, with some being items forgotten by their owners. My grudge against Ani continues growing stronger. Damn you, Ani. Do you have nothing but trouble to leave me?

Anyway, as of today, the principal and Teacher Saeki’s wedding has concluded. I have overcome this one trial!

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