Leave a comment

Even if you say that, there’s not much I can do. Not only are many famous people among my old acquaintances, but my current acquaintances also include people from the twelve families, and they might actively poke their nose into my plan. And since I made a promise with them, the Shimotsuki and Fumidzuki families might cause complications.

“Let’s pray that it succeeds.”
“In the end, that’s all we can do.”
“Now then, my lady. I wish you the best of luck.”

Seeing Misaki leave, I pray that the plan will be a complete success. I’d love to eliminate all uncertain factors from my plan. However, I can’t do that. It’s practically impossible. If I try to do so, it might cause an all-out war between the twelve families.

“Okay, time to prepare for dinner.”
“No more thinking for you, eh? Well, I guess I should help Mom out.”

I can only leave the rest to chance. Even if I succeed, it’ll just make things worse and I don’t know what consequences it’ll cause behind the scenes. In that case, it’s better to stop thinking about it and only focus on myself.

“Well then, cheers to the end of the year!”
“Cheers!”

With the owner’s lead, my last supper of the year begins. There are various dishes on the table, the two adults have beers to wash the food down, while Kaori and I have some juice. As always, Saori’s cooking is delicious. When will I ever reach this level of mastery?

“As expected, your cooking is really delicious, Ms. Saori.”
“And as usual, you look absolutely happy when eating. It takes me back to our first meeting.”

Back then, I was desperate to forget about my anxiety about the future. After all, I was basically reincarnated as a girl all of a sudden, so I didn’t want to think about the completely different environment. In the end, I couldn’t really escape from my situation of being Kotone. That was also the day I decided to stay true to myself.

“Thinking back on everything that happened, it was a really eventful year.”
“At first, I didn’t get involved too much, but I agree it was eventful at the end.”
“Who could have known that Kaori would be shown on television?”
“I personally still can’t believe that Kotone debuted as a singer.”

I still haven’t debuted, though. But once Mom gets the necessary permissions, I’ll be officially affiliated with an agency. That’s one path I can take in the future, but I’m really uncomfortable being onstage by myself. As expected, I feel uneasy if I don’t have anyone by my side.

“Next year will probably be eventful for Kotone, too.”
“Stop it. I already have more than my fill of events.”
“I mean, there’s the Satsuki family marriage, Valentine’s Day, and graduation. Moreover, your twin siblings are joining the next school year, so it won’t be a surprise if anything happens.”

Thinking about that is giving me stress. As long as I normally go on with my life, there shouldn’t be any trouble occurring. However, recently, any events involving me somehow have an explosively high chance of devolving into chaos. Please, I want peace.

“Still, it’s not like I’m sure to get an invitation to the marriage.”
“There’s no way the principal and Ms. Saeki won’t invite you, you know? You are the MVP in their relationship, after all.”
“And for Valentine’s, I’m a girl, so I’m not the one to receive chocolates.”
“It doesn’t really matter much in recent years, if you ask me. While you might not know it, you’re pretty popular with the girls too.”

I didn’t want to know that. Is it because I act manly or something? I’m well aware that I’ve done things to attract attention. Mainly during the time when the student council was on the ‘Improve Kotone’s Image’ campaign. Whether it actually had any effect is still a mystery to me.

“And for graduation, there’s no conceivable reason to believe Hadzuki will behave himself. Besides, Sherry might come too. It’s pretty much confirmed that you’ll be dragged into their trouble, isn’t it?”
“The moment those two work together, there’s no more chance for me to escape.”

They’re absolutely going to toy with me. Since it’s graduation, the parents are sure to come, meaning Sherry is practically sure to be there. It won’t surprise me if the other twelve families get involved and it devolves into chaos. And there’s no way I won’t be there.

“Is there no peace to be found?”
“It should come with time. Specifically, after Hadzuki and Shimotsuki graduate.”

So those two really are the main troublemakers. I rarely take the initiative to cause trouble. It’s mostly those two who start it, while I generally get dragged into it. The other twelve family students are relatively behaved, so next school year might be more peaceful.

“Kotone, isn’t Red and White about to start?”
“I guess we should watch the fools doing their best.”

Turning on the TV, we see the show barely started. The gang should be one of the first performers, so I guess we made it in time. While they have grown famous, it looks like they still have much to improve on.

“They’re looking nervous.”
“You can tell.”
“I’ve been with them for a while, after all.”

I know their habits. Especially Isami, we’ve been together since we were babies. I can roughly guess what’s on her mind. As expected, even these idiots feel nervous about performing on such a large stage. I’ve already prepared a countermeasure, though.

“We received a message of support from Sherry and Unknown addressed to the band members of EXIST.”
“When did you…”
“Two days ago. I knew they would be feeling a bit nervous, so I thought I should give a few words.”

“Don’t embarrass yourselves. We’re expecting some laughs. Um, might your group be on bad terms with the two?”
“Support?”
“A normal message would be boring, and it’s a better way to fire them up.”

See, look at the determination brimming from them. Their nervousness has been blown away, and those eyes are screaming ‘just watch and see’. If it was a normal motivational message, they’d either get even more nervous or way too relaxed. That’s why I intentionally chose those words.

“Won’t they overdo it?”
“In that case, just think of it as a funny skit to laugh at.”

It’ll be something to remember. Imagine, their first performance in Red and White making everyone laugh. That wouldn’t be too good for them, and their agency will probably have a tough time. Still, our classmates will just think that it’s in character for them.

“Tch, there weren’t any funny moments.”
“Weren’t you rooting for them?”

I am. Still, being well-acquainted with their antics, I just can’t help but want for it. I’m sure the others of the rogues’ den feel the same as I do. For some reason, seeing their satisfied looks is pissing me off. Stop being so smug.

After that, time simply passed uneventfully. Both Kaori and I sense that this is the calm before the storm. Things will go down at the start of the New Year, and it’ll be because of me. If I fail, it’s the end of the line. At worst, the other twelve family members might act to rescue me. Still…

“Happy New Year, Kotone. I look forward to spending the coming years with you.”
“Same with me, Kaori.”

I savor the peace of the first hours of the New Year. Only a few hours left before mayhem.