Chapter I | “Peace”

♣♣♣

The incident began on the first day of summer vacation.

Himari, Enomoto-san, and I were holed up at Himari’s house, diligently studying for entrance exams. With reference books prepared by Hibari-san in hand, the three of us quietly reviewed the exam material.

The wind chime hanging on the veranda swayed in the breeze, producing a cool, refreshing sound.

The vibrant flowers in the courtyard, visible through the window, and the blue sky stretching above them were vivid to the eye.

After solving problems up to a good stopping point, I flopped onto my back on the tatami mat.

“…I’m exhausted~”

“Yuu, aren’t you giving up a bit too quickly?”

“Huh? Am I?”

We’ve been studying for about two hours already, and my concentration is pretty much at its limit.

Then Himari teased me with a laugh.

“If this was making flower accessories, you’d keep going forever, wouldn’t you?”

“Well, obviously, since I like doing that. I’m not exactly a fan of studying.”

I sat up and took a sip of barley tea.

“Speaking of which, Himari, your focus is unreal. You used to get bored around the same time as me, didn’t you?”

If anything, she was the one who’d get bored first and start pulling pranks.

Himari poked her cheek with the end of her mechanical pencil, saying, “Oh yeah, now that you mention it~” with a nostalgic tone.

“Lately, I’ve been doing school assignments nonstop, so I guess I got used to studying.”

“That’s impressive…”

At that moment, Enomoto-san seemed to reach a good stopping point as well, sticking a bookmark in her reference book and closing it with a snap.

“Yuu-kun, aren’t you getting hungry?”

“Now that you mention it, it’s almost noon…”

My head’s starting to hurt, and I’m in the mood for some sugar.

Studying feels like it burns a different kind of energy compared to making accessories.

“Himari, what about lunch?”

“Hmm. My mom should be back soon, so I think she’ll make something.”

“I feel bad always having her prepare stuff for us.”

“Haha, it’s fine! Feeding Yuu is like a hobby for our family, you know?”

“That’s one way to put it…”

As we were talking, the sound of a car came from outside.

Oh, maybe Ikuyo-san’s back. But just as we were saying that, the sound of the front door opening echoed, followed by hurried footsteps… and then…

“Hey, Yuu-kun!”

“Hibari-san!?”

To my shock, Hibari-san slid into the living room, dramatically removing his sunglasses. His pearly white teeth gleamed with a sparkle. Where’s the light source even coming from…?

“Hibari-san, why are you here?”

“I got a message from Mom saying Yuu-kun was at our place, so I couldn’t help but rush over from where I was♪”

“What about work…?”

“Haha, Yuu-kun, you’re such a worrywart. I properly slipped out during my lunch break.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

Right, even Hibari-san wouldn’t ditch work just because I’m here. Though, given how many times he’s pulled this stunt before, I can’t say I’m entirely reassured. But this time, he’s surely acting like a responsible adult…

“Well, I did get invited to lunch by a notoriously difficult client, but I passed that off to my junior!”

“Ughhh!?”

Of course, it’s Hibari-san, damn it.

This guy’s insanely good at his job, so why does he turn into this when it comes to me? It’s starting to feel like some grand conspiracy woven into the Inuzuka family’s DNA. Could it be… I was born to act as a failsafe to keep the Inuzuka family in check when they go off the rails…?

If I were a cyborg, it’d explain why the Natsume family treats me the way they do… I nodded to myself, lost in thought, when I noticed a faint smell of wheat.

Hibari-san was holding a large paper bag.

Inside it was—

“‘Panbiyori’ bread!”

“Oh, their bread is so good.”

Himari and I let out cheers of joy together.

It’s a popular local bakery.

They specialize in hard breads, and their enchanting textures draw crowds of regulars daily. I’ve been sent there a few times by Saku-neesan to buy some.

Enomoto-san pulled out a square loaf the size of a softball.

“Is it good?”

“Oh, you’ve never had it, Enomoto-san?”

Right, it’s pretty far from Enomoto-san’s place.

My recommendation is their Earl Grey and lemon bread. The tea’s aroma and the refreshing lemon scent are just so soothing.

When Enomoto-san took a bite, her eyes widened in surprise.

“The outside is crispy… the inside is chewy… delicious…”

“Right? Their bread keeps its texture even when it cools, and the flavor’s amazing. It’s delicious even without anything on it.”

“Incredible… I wonder if we could apply this to the dough at our shop…”

Enomoto-san, seriously inspecting the bread, looked adorable.

I grabbed a walnut bread and savored its exquisite crispy-chewy texture.

As we enjoyed the bread, Hibari-san glanced at the study materials spread across the table.

“How’s studying going?”

“Thanks to you, we’re managing… probably…”

“Haha, well, this stuff’s hard to feel progress in.”

“But I’m definitely going to pass. I’ll work hard.”

“That’s the spirit. Anything I can do to help, just let me know.”

“Thank you.”

There’s no doubt Hibari-san’s the one who’s helped me the most.

Not wanting to disappoint him is definitely a big motivator for my exam prep. Even if, well, the songs he made during puberty were pretty cringe, I still respect this guy.

It was a peaceful afternoon.

Suddenly, Himari’s phone rang.

“Oh, it’s Kureha-san.”

“What’s up?”

Reading the message, Himari’s eyes went wide.

“I got a job offer!”

“Seriously!?”

The unexpected event sent us into a frenzy.

“Wait!? A modeling gig, right!?”

“P-probably. It says to come to Tokyo after Obon!”

She showed us the message…

‘Himari-chan, your first job is here~☆’

That, and just the schedule.

Talk about bare-bones… Couldn’t they explain a bit more? But this vibe… it’s probably a modeling job, no doubt.

“Himari, that’s awesome! Your first job, right!?”

“Y-yeah. I’ve been to shoots as Kureha-san’s assistant before, but this is my first actual job.”

Himari clenched her fist tightly.

And then…

“Well, my era’s finally here! The legend of Himari-sama begins! Oh, Yuu, we gotta record this day. I might need it for interviews someday!”

This girl’s ego’s already skyrocketing…

That kind of talk feels like tempting fate, but since she’s so excited, I won’t rain on her parade.

Enomoto-san, looking at the phone, said,

“Even if it’s a modeling job, it might not be solo.”

“Oh, good point.”

I’m no expert, but it could be a group shoot or something small for a magazine corner. Since it’s a newbie job, that’s probably more likely.

With just this message, it’s hard to tell, but it might be something light.

…Himari, with a smug look, whispered to me with an upward glance.

“Hehe~♪ Yuu, will you keep believing in me even if I’m too busy to hang out?”

“You’re already imagining yourself as a success working in Paris, aren’t you???”

She’s so caught up in her excitement she’s not even listening…

As we chatted noisily, a notification popped up on my phone.

“Huh? What’s this… Oh, it’s Tenma-kun.”

He’s a creator friend from Tokyo, a former idol and a great guy.

He’s apparently enjoying his new life at university, but his message surprised me.

“Yuu, what’s wrong?”

“Tenma-kun invited me to come see a play.”

Oh yeah, he mentioned he might invite me before.

I didn’t think he’d actually follow through, so I’m thrilled. …I gotta negotiate with Saku-neesan as soon as I get home.

Himari let out an intrigued “Ooh~”

“When is it?”

“Let’s see… after Obon.”

“Wait, same as me!”

“Oh, you’re right.”

What a rare coincidence.

It’s lucky the timing lined up. We can go together, and if things work out, maybe even catch Tenma-kun’s play.

But Enomoto-san was frowning, deep in thought.

“It’s unnatural for the dates to align so perfectly…”

“Well, yeah, it does feel like Kureha-san might be involved.”

It doesn’t strike me as that strange, though.

I mean, it’s Kureha-san. She loves surprises, not always in a good way. Like last year when she recruited Himari, showing up with money out of nowhere or trying to push other models onto us.

Hibari-san, who knows Kureha-san well, also looked thoughtful, his expression serious.

“…Well, hopefully it’s just me worrying too much.”

Then he flashed his charming smile.

Turning to Enomoto-san, he made an unexpected proposal.

“Rion-kun, could you go with them?”

“Me too?”

“Yeah. I’ll cover the travel expenses. You need a break too, so go have fun together.”

“O-okay, I’ll ask my mom.”

Himari grumbled at Hibari-san, who’d decided everything so quickly.

“Ugh~ Onii-chan, you’re such a worrywart. I’m not a kid anymore~”

“Hehe. To me, Himari, you’ll always be a kid.”

Smiling, he ruffled her hair.

“Besides, it’s your last high school summer vacation. Think of it as making some memories.”

“Hmph. Well, if you put it like that…”

Himari still seemed a bit unconvinced but nodded for now.

And so, despite a few lingering concerns… our final memory-making trip was set.

♣♣♣

—And so, after meeting up with Tenma-kun and Kirishima-san at Haneda Airport, we piled into a van driven by Yatarou-san, enjoying the iconic views of the Shuto Expressway.

…Or rather, trying to enjoy them.

“Lucky you, Yuu! Getting all the attention from cute city girls, I’m jealous~♪”

“…”

Sitting next to me, Himari playfully poked my cheek, her usual Himari-sama self. It’s the same vibe she has when she teases me relentlessly in class. Honestly, it’s almost nostalgic.

On my other side, Kirishima-san was red-faced and fuming.

“Shut up! Stop harping on the same thing over and over!”

“Pfft, haha~ I’m an eco-friendly gal who milks a good joke until it’s dry~☆”

“That’s not eco-friendly, it’s just your awful personality!”

Kirishima-san’s got some sharp comebacks…

But what is this situation?

Why am I stuck in the middle of their argument? Is this seating arrangement hell?

I glanced back at Tenma-kun and the others in the back seat.

“Uh, Tenma-kun, help…”

“Haha, things sure get lively when Yuu-kun’s around.”

“Wait, are you actually enjoying this? No allies here?”

Next to him was Sanae-san, a college student training as a creator under Kureha-san, just like Tenma-kun.

She smiled brightly and said,

“Yume-san usually doesn’t interact much with other members, but she’s been hanging out a lot with Himari-san since she joined.”

“Don’t just watch with adult composure, please help…”

As expected of someone who gets along with Kureha-san, these two have a knack for this kind of thing…

Beyond Sanae-san, my last hope, Enomoto-san, was coolly enjoying the city scenery, sipping fresh fruit juice she’d bought at an airport shop.

“Enomoto-san…”

“Yuu-kun, don’t get too clingy.”

“Got it…”

Normally, she’d shut Himari down with one blow, but since it’s about a girl flirting with me, she’s staying out of it. Her ability to switch gears like this makes her so reliable as the future owner of a patisserie.

While I felt increasingly isolated, the tension between the two on either side of me only grew.

“But Yume-chin, so Yuu’s your type, huh~? You never talked about guys before, but this is quite the taste~ Kinda into plain, potato-faced guys?”

“Hey, Himari, who’re you calling potato-faced?”

Stop dragging me into this, seriously…

“Uh, Kirishima-san? Sorry for Himari causing trouble…”

“!?”

Kirishima-san flinched… Wait, why’s she blushing a little? That’s making me embarrassed too.

“It’s not, like, trouble… It’s just her usual nonsense…”

She’s so kind…

I’d assumed she was tough based on her looks, but maybe she’s actually really nice. I mean, she puts up with Himari’s pranks? The bar for “nice” feels super low because of Himari, but that’s how it feels.

With slightly teary eyes, I said to Kirishima-san,

“If it ever gets to be too much, just let me know, okay?”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, the back seat—Tenma-kun and the others, who’d been watching—shot me cold glares.

“Yuu-kun, that’s not cool.”

“Exactly, Natsume-kun. That kind of opening from a guy doesn’t make girls happy.”

“…Yuu-kun, we’ll talk later.”

Why am I getting dogpiled!?

All I did was offer to be a sounding board before Himari’s chaos spreads further. And Kirishima-san, stop blushing faintly—it’s making me look like a total sleaze!

The root of all evil, Himari, poked my nose playfully and said,

“Geez~ Yuu, you’ve got a girlfriend, so you gotta act with some restraint♪”

“This wouldn’t have happened if you’d just behaved…”

…And so, amidst the chaos,

Yatarou-san, driving the van, let out an exasperated sigh while expertly handling the wheel.

“What’s with this guy? Some rom-com prince?”

Makishima, sitting quietly in the passenger seat, laughed lightly.

“Haha, Yatarou-san’s one to talk?”

“Hey, kid. One more annoying comment, and I’m tossing you out the door.”

“Scary, scary. The nice, refreshing big brother’s gotten pretty cynical. The city’s demons at work, huh?”

“Alright, you’re out. I’ll tell that stinky monk you went down bravely.”

“Think my big bro would cry over that?”

…Huh?

They’re getting along really well. Wait, are they actually friends?

“Makishima, you know Yatarou-san?”

“Yeah. Back when Yatarou-san and his crew were in high school, they used to hang out at our temple a lot. I was, like, in elementary school, but they doted on me.”

He shot Yatarou-san a sly grin.

“By the way, Yatarou-san, what’s up with Sakura-san? You’re acting all aloof, but that’s her little brother right there, isn’t it?”

“I know that. There’s nothing going on with Sakura-chan.”

“Really? You’re not exactly Kureha-san’s kept man, and you haven’t moved on to another woman, have you?”

“Shut up, shut up. I’m seriously tossing you out. If you’ve got time, grab the Mentos. They’re in the front pocket.”

“These? The sweet ones or the minty ones?”

“Minty.”

Makishima rattled the Mentos container and tossed three into Yatarou-san’s mouth.

Refreshed, Yatarou-san grinned and counterattacked.

“What about you, huh? You’ve been chasing Kureha’s tail since you were a kid. Bet you’re still hung up on her, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, got rejected the other day.”

“Pfft!?”

Yatarou-san spat out the half-melted Mentos, which hit the windshield and fell into a crevice. Oh no…

As I winced, Yatarou-san raised his voice in a panic.

“You actually confessed!?”

“Yeah, that potato-faced guy egged me on.”

Stop hitting me with stray bullets!

I’m just a shy guy, not potato-faced… Wait, am I? No way…?

As I trembled at this potential paradigm shift, Yatarou-san said, stunned,

“Shinji, and you still came to Tokyo? You’re some kind of hero…”

“Haha, just a rejection, right? One of countless rejections, like stars in the sky. Besides, Kureha-san’s not gonna show up in front of us anyway.”

“Yeah, probably… Man, seriously…?”

Why’s Yatarou-san so down about this?

(…Wait! Could it be!)

This might be my chance to dig into the vaguely off-limits topic of Saku-neesan and Yatarou-san’s relationship. The vibe right now, with him chatting with Makishima, feels like he might answer candidly…

“Uh, so, Yatarou-san, what’s the deal with you and Saku-neesan…?”

Instantly, Yatarou-san, dead serious, ordered Makishima,

“Oi, Shinji, open your window. All the way.”

“Sorry! I won’t ask again, please don’t throw me out!”

That was close!

A bit of curiosity nearly got me a one-way ticket to hell. Is this guy really going to be my brother-in-law? I always think, “If Hibari-san became my brother-in-law, it’d be a lot,” but now he’s starting to seem normal…

Tenma-kun, laughing from the back, steered the conversation elsewhere.

“By the way, Yuu-kun, anywhere you guys want to go today?”

“Oh, about that…”

I told them the destination we’d decided on beforehand.

♣♣♣

Alright!

Here we are at Odaiba!

I’ve seen it on TV a lot, but it’s my first time here in person. With famous date spots like the seaside park, family-friendly places like the science museum, and everyone’s favorite hot springs, you could spend a whole day here and not see everything.

Our destination was—

“So this is the new place everyone’s talking about…”

“Yeah, it’s our first time here too.”

Immersive Land

As the name suggests, it’s a theme park centered around immersive attractions.

Immersive… meaning you get to experience being a character in a story, apparently. Since opening, it’s been all over media and influencer posts. I’ve only heard about it, so this is my first time experiencing it.

I looked up at the massive facility towering before us.

The exterior doesn’t exactly scream “immersive!” It’s like a bigger version of a local shopping mall… No, that’s too bland. My imagination’s failing me as an aspiring creator.

Of course, the one who suggested this place was—

“Yuu-kun, at Immersive Land, there are currently six attractions running. They don’t all happen at once; there are designated areas, and events pop up guerrilla-style at specific times each day. If you want to hit a particular event, you need to keep checking the schedule…”

“Your prep work is insane…”

Enomoto-san’s eyes sparkled as she showed me the facility’s website on her phone.

Wow.

There’s everything from musicals to amusement park-style parades and even anime collab concerts. Talk about variety.

With a smug look, Enomoto-san announced our goal for the day.

“The main attraction is The Tragic Love of the Villainess. I’m going to complete it, so Yuu-kun, help me out.”

“Help? How?”

“The story splits into the villainess’s side and the saintess’s side. I’m going with the villainess, so Yuu-kun, follow the saintess’s story.”

“Uh, okay. I don’t totally get it, but I just need to go with the saintess side, right?”

Maybe it’s like those TV quiz shows where you pick between an ‘O’ or ‘X’ area.

Before heading to the entrance, I checked with the others.

“What about you guys, Himari?”

“Hmm, it’s my first time too, so I’ll just go with the flow.”

Everyone else gave similar vague responses.

Guess I’ll stick with Enomoto-san’s plan for now.

“…Man, this is wild.”

As expected of summer vacation, there was a massive line at the entrance. The moment he saw it, Yatarou-san threw in the towel.

“I’m gonna chill somewhere. Call me when you’re done.”

“What? You’re not coming?”

“The thought of wading through that crowd is already exhausting.”

Oh, that’s one thing he and Saku-neesan have in common…

Yatarou-san gave Sanae-san a pointed look.

“Keep an eye on them so they don’t do anything stupid.”

“Yes, understood.”

He’s totally dumping the chaperone role on her…

“Sanae-san, sorry for dragging you into this…”

“Hehe, I wanted to come anyway. Plus, it’ll be a nice change of pace.”

…No offense, but Sanae-san feels way more mature than Yatarou-san.

After waiting in line for dozens of minutes, we finally entered. A massive screen at the front displayed a huge door, which slowly opened, revealing the path to the story.

…Whoa, I’m getting kinda excited. It feels a bit chilly, too.

Following the path, the view suddenly opened up.

“Awesome!”

“Whoa, this is cool!”

The interior was designed like a foreign town. If the people walking around were in tuxedos or dresses, it’d feel like… Wait, huh?

“There are people dressed like old-timey police officers!”

“Gendarmes, maybe? Their costumes are super detailed.”

As Tenma-kun and I nodded at each other, I noticed two of the gendarmes looking our way.

Huh?

They’re… coming toward us?

“You there.”

“Y-yes!”

Their intimidating aura made me shrink back.

With an exasperated air, the gendarmes explained,

“Right now, the palace is holding the king’s birthday celebration, but there are whispers of a sinister plot.”

“You lot look suspicious. Come with us.”

Why!?

I exchanged a glance with Tenma-kun, but he looked just as clueless.

“Could it be… you know something?”

“We can’t let you slip away now.”

Just as the stern gendarmes were about to grab us,

“Those people are with us!”

Enomoto-san hurriedly put mysterious headbands on me and Tenma-kun.

What are these? They look like glasses… the kind with a single round lens, like something a movie character would wear.

The gendarmes quickly bowed.

“Our apologies!”

“The birthday celebration is down that path!”

We watched, dumbfounded, as the gendarmes scurried off.

“Enomoto-san, what just happened?”

I noticed Enomoto-san was wearing a headband too.

Unlike the ones on me and Tenma-kun, hers was adorned with fluffy, colorful lace fabric.

“Geez, Yuu-kun, didn’t you listen to the explanation at the entrance?”

“Huh? Was there something?”

Apparently, I missed something important.

Himari pointed to the lace headband on her head, identical to Enomoto-san’s, and explained,

“In the Tragic Love of the Villainess area, if you’re not wearing one of these two types of headbands, you’re treated as a lackey of the people plotting against the crown.”

“What!?”

“If you’re not careful, Yuu, you could’ve been thrown in jail.”

“No way, that’s too much…”

Himari grinned and pointed over there.

…Guests who entered without headbands were in a jail cell, crying out, “Help us~”

“Are you kidding!? That’s way too intense!”

“That’s why it’s an immersive attraction. This level of commitment is awesome. Even I was surprised.”

“So, what happens if you get caught? Are you stuck there until closing?”

“Nah, apparently the gendarmes come by periodically for a questioning event. If you prove your innocence, they give you a headband and let you out.”

“That’s wild…”

So, you can still participate without buying a headband, but getting one upfront saves time.

I caught Sanae-san’s eye, and she gave me a playful smile.

“I was looking forward to seeing Natsume-kun and Tenma-kun get locked up. What a shame.”

“Please don’t enjoy that…”

She’s such a mischievous older sister…

I touched the monocle-like headband on my head and asked,

“So, what do these headbands mean? Ours are different from Himari’s, right?”

“Ours are ‘Lady Headbands,’ and yours are ‘Butler Headbands.’ The staff’s behavior changes depending on the headband.”

“So, us guys are basically the attendants of you ladies?”

“Exactly, milady.”

“What’s with the sudden ‘milady’ talk?”

“Doesn’t it feel lady-like, milady?”

“Does it…?”

Sorry, my lack of taste makes this feel almost philosophical, milady…

Wearing these headbands lets us participate in the king’s birthday event as insiders.

Enomoto-san huffed and struck a pose.

“Alright, I’m heading to the villainess’s side. Yuu-kun, take care of the saintess’s side.”

“Got it. Where do I go for the saintess’s side?”

“Um, during the birthday celebration, you have to find the saintess and follow her.”

“That’s vague…”

So, Himari, Kirishima-san, and I ended up chasing the saintess.

The villainess’s side was Enomoto-san, Makishima, and Sanae-san.

“Wait, what about Tenma-kun?”

“I’d love to go, but it’s a bit too crowded. I’ll wait quietly in a corner of the café.”

What’s that about?

As I tilted my head, Sanae-san whispered to me,

“If his fans spot him, it’ll cause a scene.”

“Oh, right…”

Even the girls in my class knew about him during our school trip. Being a former idol must be tough…

With that, we stepped into the king’s birthday celebration venue.

“Whoa!”

“Wow, this is amazing!”

It was absolutely extravagant.

Dazzling furnishings, a red banner with an embroidered crest—this must be what an old palace felt like.

Aristocratic men and women were performing a play on the stage.

The man in the center with a crown is probably the king. The woman beside him must be the queen. There are other notable figures, but… oh!

A beautiful girl was called onto the stage.

Dressed like a village girl, she looked around nervously. According to the king’s lines, she’s the saintess. Apparently, she used holy powers to dispel a curse spreading through the kingdom.

There must’ve been an event like that this morning while we weren’t here. Enomoto-san said The Tragic Love of the Villainess is a main attraction, so to experience the full story, you’d need to come from opening.

Oh, here comes the prince.

The king announced the engagement of the first prince and the saintess. A saintess marrying royalty—pretty straightforward. But wait, isn’t this story about the villainess? What’s going on?

Then, a stunning woman stormed onto the stage.

“Why!? Adolph-sama was supposed to be engaged to me!”

Got it!

The saintess’s arrival led to the king forcibly breaking off the villainess’s engagement. As expected, the villainess was dragged away from the stage.

With the villainess gone, the king and nobles moved on to a grand engagement party.

…Huh? It does feel like a tragic love story, but is that it?

As I tilted my head, an incident occurred.

The king, sipping wine, suddenly collapsed!

The palace erupted in chaos.

According to an announcement, the king’s wine was poisoned. Gendarmes stormed in, arresting nobles or chasing them as they fled down various paths.

(What do we do!? Is this a shift in the event!?)

As I panicked, Himari and Kirishima-san yanked my sleeve.

“Yuu, this way! We’re chasing the saintess, milady!”

“Don’t dawdle, hurry up!”

These two are way into this…

Looking back, Enomoto-san and Sanae-san were chasing the villainess. I shouted to Makishima, who was following them,

“M-Makishima! Take care of that side!”

“Haha, don’t screw up on your end either!”

We exchanged some in-character banter before parting.

This attraction’s energy is insane. Being assigned roles like ladies or attendants really amplifies the thrill of “being in the story.” Getting almost caught by the gendarmes earlier was a great touch.

We hurried after the saintess down a corridor.

We arrived at what seemed to be a parlor.

The saintess was discussing something seriously with a few other ladies. With the king’s death, what would happen next? Likely, the first prince would take the throne… That seemed to be the topic.

We were probably treated as the saintess’s entourage. No one spoke to us, but the tension was palpable.

What kind of flowers would suit a scene like this?

As I pondered, the rumored first prince appeared.

You could tell he was devastated by his father’s poisoning. As the ladies predicted, it seemed he’d become the next king.

“I’ll protect you no matter what.”

“As the saintess, I’ll guide this kingdom to a bright future.”

They shared a passionate embrace.

The surrounding guests, along with Himari and Kirishima-san, cheered them on.

“Woo~ So steamy, milady~”

“Men who try to gloss over things with hugs aren’t trustworthy, milady!”

Hey! He’s the prince! Read the room, or we’ll get arrested in this world!

After the prince left the parlor, the saintess’s side saw some movement.

“It’s a beautiful moonlit night. I miss my hometown…”

With that, she headed to the palace courtyard.

The stage was a large fountain area at the center of the facility. The next event was probably happening there.

On our way, someone called out,

“Excuse me, you, the attendant.”

Me?

Turning around, I saw a staff member dressed as a maid.

She looked troubled and handed me a tea set.

“Please give this tea to the saintess. Its aroma soothes the heart. Due to my position, I can’t approach her…”

I see.

There’s probably some factional conflict at play. But deep down, she wants to support the saintess… Something like that? Pretty nuanced emotional expression.

But wait.

Is this… an audience participation event? Realizing I could join the story after just observing so far, I got a bit excited.

The other guests looked on with “Wow, lucky~” expressions. As I suspected, this was a special event only for selected participants.

“Got it.”

I took the tea set, and the maid disappeared down the corridor.

Himari, noticing, tilted her head.

“Huh? Yuu, what’s that, milady?”

“I was told to give this tea to the saintess.”

“What!? Why you!? Over this wild and pretty lady, Himari Antoinette-sama!?”

“That ridiculous name is so distracting I can’t process your lines, Antoinette-sama…”

When did she come up with a name like that?

“It’s probably because of the butler headband. Normally, you wouldn’t have a lady serve tea.”

“Oh, that makes sense, milady.”

Who knew the randomly chosen butler headband would come in handy like this?

I headed toward the saintess, who stood pensively by the fountain. Normally, I’d be embarrassed, but the excitement made me oblivious to the onlookers’ gazes.

Then Himari’s eyes gleamed with a sparkle.

“Pfft, hehe~ Yuu-kun, ever heard this saying, milady?”

“What, Antoinette-sama?”

In that split second, the tea set was snatched away!

“What’s a lady’s is a lady’s! And what’s an attendant’s is a lady’s~!”

“Hey, wait!”

Of course, Himari wouldn’t pass up a fun event like this.

She gracefully approached the saintess and presented the tea set with elegant gestures.

“Saintess-sama, tea from my homeland, milady. It calms the heart, milady.”

Don’t just add homeland lore like that.

Oh well, if Himari wants to do it, I guess it’s fine. I kinda wanted to, but I’ll let her have this one. Next time, no way I’m giving it up.

The saintess smiled gently, saying, “Oh, thank you,” and accepted it. A maid assigned to her began preparing the tea.

Himari stood there, grinning… Wait, is she planning to stay? Is she trying to hijack the storyline!?

“Oi, Antoinette-sama! Get back here!”

I called out quietly, but she seemed set on ignoring me.

Beside me, Kirishima-san sighed, hand on her forehead, muttering, “Ugh, that girl…” Her gesture carried the seasoned air of someone who’s dealt with Himari’s antics for a while. Yeah, sorry about my best friend…

In front of us, the saintess’s maid tilted the teacup.

“I’ll taste it first…”

It seemed to be a poison test.

Nice touch—they’re thorough. It makes sense for someone as important as the saintess to have a taster… Wait, huh?

The maid who drank the tea collapsed on the spot.

Uh-oh?

This feels familiar… Specifically, it’s like what happened at the king’s birthday celebration.

One of the nearby ladies screamed. Gendarmes rushed in, checking the maid’s pulse.

“She’s… dead. This is the same as what killed the king…”

The gendarmes turned to the saintess, questioning her.

“Who brought this tea!?”

“Th-that lady over there…”

…Things are getting dicey.

Despite my worries, the gendarmes’ gazes locked onto Himari. She twitched nervously, looking to me for help.

—And so, Himari was dragged away by the gendarmes, tears in her eyes.

H-Himariiiiii~~~!

A suspect ending involving the audience!? What a diabolical script!

As I stood there, stunned, Kirishima-san shouted with a serious face,

“No choice! We’ll make it to the ending for her sake, milady!”

“Wait, we’re not going to rescue her!?”

“There’s probably a rescue event over there!”

She’s so bold…

Right.

Our priority is completing the saintess’s side of the event.

Himari threw herself into that harsh jail for that reason. No way that’s true, but let’s go with it!

The saintess’s side of the story picked up pace.

Rumors spread that the villainess, whose engagement to the first prince was broken, had plotted to assassinate the saintess.

Alone in her room, the saintess lamented to her mirror.

“No… I thought we were friends…”

There was probably a friendship story in the morning.

But her feelings for the prince got in the way, breaking their bond. That must be it. Let’s say that’s the case.

“I won’t give up. I’ll save this kingdom… It’s my duty as the saintess!”

Thus began a great battle that would divide the palace in two—

The result?

—Thirty minutes later, all three of us were in jail together!

“This is way too harsh!”

“I let my guard down. Who’d have thought that letter was a trap from the villainess’s side…”

Kirishima-san shrugged in resignation.

Himari, who’d been caught first, glared at us from the corner of the jail.

“You two abandoned me…”

“If you hadn’t stolen my tea set, none of this would’ve happened…”

Talk about false accusations.

I’m not saying I don’t trust my best friend, but I’m starting to waver…

As we talked, a familiar, grating laugh echoed.

“Hahaha! You idiots, all of you are utterly incompetent. Shows the quality of the saintess’s camp.”

It was Makishima.

He’d joined Enomoto-san on the villainess’s side and was now lounging in the jail, arms crossed and smug.

“You’re here too, aren’t you!?”

“…Tch. Who’d have thought that maid’s seduction was an alibi setup? The saintess is sneakier than I expected.”

It seems they got caught up in some event just like we did.

…But it’s only us, isn’t it? There should be tons of other guests, yet it feels like we’re being targeted specifically.

Himari and I rattled the bars, but the gendarmes still hadn’t shown up. Looks like the rescue event is being delayed… By the way, just like with us earlier, new guests arriving from the entrance are giggling and watching us. This is low-key embarrassing, isn’t it???

“So, it’s just Enomoto-san and Sanae-san left…”

“They’re both on the villainess’s side, though. It sucks not knowing what’s happening with the saintess’s events!”

Even now, the villainess’s traps might be closing in. We’re the only ones who can save the saintess…!

“More like it’s because of your despicable traps, isn’t it?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Makishima pulled a purple fan from his pocket and sneered.

“To become the first prince’s fiancée, the villainess, the former fiancée, was in the way, right? You’ve been setting up all sorts of petty schemes to make her look like the bad guy. Honestly, it’s pathetic for a saintess.”

“That’s the villainess’s doing, isn’t it? Thanks to her, even the maid who served the saintess all this time lost her life.”

“Hah? The villainess would never do such a thing. Sure, her words can be sharp, but at her core, she’s noble, a saint-like person who truly cares for the people. Her sense of justice can be a bit much at times, but even I can’t help but respect her.”

“Th-that’s the saintess! Besides, the saintess thought of the villainess as her best friend…”

At that moment, we all realized something at the same time.

“Could it be…?”

“I see. They’re aiming for both the villainess and the saintess to fall…”

I had a gut feeling this realization was correct.

Himari shouted in a panic.

“B-but who!? The palace is split between the saintess and the villainess right now. It doesn’t make sense for someone to do something like that!”

She’s right.

Even if they both fall, it would only weaken the first prince’s power. With the king dead and the first prince about to take the throne, who would benefit from such a move…?

“—The king who was poisoned had a younger brother from a different mother, didn’t he?”

We all turned to Kirishima-san, who continued with a serious expression.

“Suppose the younger brother was meant to take the throne after the king’s death. But the saintess, who’s adored by the people, and the villainess, who’s highly trusted in the palace, both aligned with the first prince. If that shifted the succession to the first prince instead…”

“““…!?”””

The downfall of both the saintess and the villainess.

The first prince would be labeled a weak king who failed to protect them… No, it’s more than that. Those two women are his emotional pillars!

“That’s unacceptable!”

Himari nodded at my words.

“Exactly! As nobles of this kingdom, we can’t allow it, milady!”

With noble pride in our hearts, we shook the bars.

“Gendarmes! Gendarmes!”

“Listen to us~!”

Damn it!

No matter how much we shouted, the new guests just giggled! What are the gendarmes doing… Oh, it’s summer vacation, so they’re probably swamped with visitors!!

“Haha, no need to worry. Have you forgotten about the woman still on the villainess’s side?”

“Huh…?”

Makishima’s words made us all freeze.

That’s right.

Our ally on the villainess’s side.

Sharp, powerful, and the ultimate fighter lady… Enomoto-san! She’ll crush that scheming younger brother’s plans to smithereens—.

Three minutes later, Enomoto-san was thrown into the jail.

“Gah! Rion, why!?”

“Enocchi! You were our only hope!”

Enomoto-san sniffled, tears welling up.

“B-but, some maid asked me to carry a cake for the villainess…”

“Damn it! They targeted Rion’s ingrained habits so precisely!”

What a guy, that royal brother!

Seriously, are we being specifically targeted? No way this theme park’s management is tied to Kureha-san, right?

“We’re out of options…”

“Even Miko-chan alone can’t…”

It’s impossible for one person to thwart such a grand scheme.

If they had Enomoto-san’s destructive strength, maybe, but… Sanae-san doesn’t seem like the type to dive into this kind of thing anyway.

As we hung our heads in defeat, Kirishima-san let out a sly grin.

“You guys forgetting something important?”

“Huh?”

Is there hope in this situation?

A path for our precious saintess and villainess to survive?

With our expectant gazes fixed on her, Kirishima-san declared,

“That Sanae Miko… she’s the one who keeps Kureha-san in check when she goes overboard!”

“What!?”

Kureha-san’s stopper!?

That gentle Sanae-san!?

Pleased with our reactions, Kirishima-san huffed proudly.

“Honestly, Sanae Miko is terrifying when you make her mad. She’s the only one who can scold Kureha-san, and our investment group even circulated a petition to keep her around. She’s got some pretty crazy…”

Just as she was about to continue enthusiastically,

“Yume-san, let’s not go any further, okay?”

A chilling shiver ran through us as Sanae-san’s calm voice came from beyond the bars.

Kirishima-san’s face paled, and she scrambled to the corner of the jail.

“S-S-Sanae Miko! Fancy meeting you here after a hundred years!”

“Hehe, you’re such a troublemaker. Don’t go spreading rumors.”

She raised her index finger to her lips…

“Or I’ll have Kureha-san scold you.”

“S-s-s-sorry…”

Wow…

Kirishima-san went silent in an instant, and Sanae-san smiled wryly. I could’ve sworn that “scold” sounded like “destroy,” but on the surface, she’s still the gentle, kind older sister.

“That aside, you all got caught spectacularly, didn’t you?”

Me, Himari, and Enomoto-san clung to the bars.

“Th-that’s right! Sanae-san, what about the palace conspiracy!?”

“Miko-chan! Is the saintess okay!?”

“Sanae-san! We’re the only ones who can save them!”

Sanae-san looked a bit taken aback by our intensity.

“W-well, it’s not exactly about the saintess or the villainess, but…”

Thank goodness! They’re both safe!

We sighed in relief. But this isn’t over. We have to stop the palace rebellion ourselves!

“Natsume-kun? Did some weird switch get flipped?”

“Sanae-san, don’t stop me! If we don’t stop this rebellion, we nobles will lose face!”

“Natsume-kun, you’re an attendant, right?”

“That doesn’t matter! Everyone born in this land is a noble guided by the saintess!”

“You’re really piling on the lore…”

Don’t call it lore!

Enomoto-san and Himari were thinking hard too.

“Still, the gendarmes are taking way too long…”

“Yeah, Miko-chan! Call the gendarmes and get us out of this jail!”

Wait, are there even any staff around?

As we tilted our heads, Sanae-san said awkwardly,

“Uh, this is really hard to say, but…”

Finally, a gendarme she’d called unlocked the cell.

What we saw in the palace was an unbelievable sight—.

“You are truly worthy of being this kingdom’s king. To think I, the first prince, would kneel before you.”

“New king, I, as the saintess, will serve alongside you.”

“Hmph. You’re no match for the prince, but I’ll give you some credit.”

The figure receiving such acclaim on the stage.

…It was Tenma-kun.

For some reason, he was wearing a crown and smiling sheepishly on the platform.

“Huh? Why?”

Sanae-san explained.

“While he was having tea at the café, some girls who were fans of Tokyo☆Shinwa spotted him… It turned into a huge commotion, and they went with the flow, creating a ‘commoner with royal blood’ ending… Oh, and the royal brother and minister plotting the conspiracy were caught by Tenma-kun too.”

This attraction’s improv is on another level!?

Whether he knew our exasperated looks or not, Tenma-kun, ever the crowd-pleaser despite his troubled expression, took the mic and shouted with a dazzling idol smile,

“Alright, I’ll sing one song! Follow along, everyone!”

As the crowd’s excitement reached its peak…

We decided to grab a late lunch at an empty café.