NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26
“Ah, Haruto-kun! Were you waiting for meeee!?”
“You idiottttt!!”
Stepping into the live house, full of anticipation, the first sight that greeted me was—surprise, surprise—an acquaintance choking on something like a sour plum.
Apparently, Chiaki-san had been waiting for us near the entrance, and as a result, Haruzaki-san, who had been leading me, got perfectly caught by her.
“Ouch, ouch, ouch!? What the heck, Meg, what’s going on all of a sudden!?”
“First, you caused all that trouble and forced Mizuki-san to come too early. Now we’ve got the impression of being a dangerous group that’s not above torture. What do you have to say for yourself?”
“Ugh, s-sorry…”
“Add a drumstick under your feet to that.”
“That’s real torture, not just an impression anymore!”
As Chiaki-san wailed with tears in her eyes, I clasped my hands together in prayer. Just as planned, prayer.
“Hey, shut up already!”
A stranger yelled at us. When I nervously turned to look, I saw a bald, middle-aged man jangling with silver accessories.
Panicking inside, I subtly shifted to stand between Chiaki-san and Haruzaki-san.
“Oh, Oga-san! Sorry, it’s the usual.”
“Yeah, I can see that. But still, don’t make so much noise. There are already a few customers inside.”
“They’re all regulars, though. It’s fine, right?”
“That’s not the point. Jeez…”
Realizing the familiar atmosphere between them, I stopped in my tracks. It seemed they knew each other.
“And who’s this guy? Someone you know?”
“He’s my future husband.”
“Huh?”
“You’re about to get hit by Mizuki-san, you know?”
“Well, I’m not going to hit her, but…”
Still, I wish she’d introduce me properly, at least to people we’re meeting for the first time. Even if it’s meant to be a joke, it’s hard to correct when said with such a straight face.
“Um, I’m Mizuki. Chiaki-san invited me to watch the live show today.”
“Oh, how polite. I’m the manager, Ogata. Enjoy yourself today.”
“Haruto-kun, you don’t need to be so nervous. Oga-san may look like a gangster, but he’s a good guy.”
“Shut it. I’m just giving the basic level of customer service required for running a business.”
Ogata-san clicked his tongue after Chiaki-san’s playful remark, then turned back to me.
“So, what’s your actual relationship with Chiaki? Is it *that*?”
“Oga-san, why are you raising your pinky?”
“Ah, no, it’s not like that.”
“He got it!? Meg, did you understand that gesture just now!?”
“Raising the pinky = girlfriend. He’s asking if you’re her boyfriend. It’s an old gesture.”
“Old, huh!? But it totally worked!”
“Oh, Haruto-kun, you’re so shy~”
“Be quiet already!”
“Am I the only one getting scolded…?”
Even with that shocked expression, you were making a pretty loud fuss. It’s no surprise someone would call us out.
“Anyway, Chiaki, what’s your real relationship with Mizuki-san? No jokes, please.”
“Why do I even have to explain this to you, Oga-san?”
“Simple curiosity.”
“That’s harassment.”
“Hey, don’t joke around with stuff like that in this day and age!”
Ogata-san started panicking more than expected. He may look tough, but it seems he’s still wary of compliance issues.
Not wanting this to get more chaotic, I decided to answer for Chiaki-san. Although I would be vague since our relationship isn’t that straightforward.
“Uh, well, I guess you could say Chiaki-san and I have a relationship like… a client and a home service provider? We’ve been in contact because of that.”
“Ohh? So you’ve started working part-time, Chiaki?”
“No, it’s not a job, it’s more like—ow!”
Chiaki-san, who was about to blurt out something unnecessary, was promptly slapped. The perpetrator was, of course, Haruzaki-san.
She probably didn’t want Chiaki-san spilling all the details, which would make things complicated. It seemed Chiaki-san wasn’t trusted in that regard.
“Let’s stop messing around and get on with it.”
“There are other ways to stop me, you know…”
“Would you have preferred a punch?”
“Are you trying to make me perform covered in blood…?”
With a smile, Haruzaki-san raised her fist, and Chiaki-san slowly backed away. What kind of scene is this? We’re in a live house, but it feels like I’m witnessing a comedy act.
“Hey, cut it out. If you’re gonna mess around, do it backstage. By the way, the others are waiting for you. Didn’t they go out to buy something?”
“Oh, right. Come on, Ran, stop fooling around and let’s go.”
“But if we leave, Haruto-kun will be all alone! It’s his first time at a live house, and he’ll be too nervous!”
“That’s because you called him here so early! Seriously, why did you bring him here this early!?”
“Of course, I wanted to personally explain everything to him before our performance…”
“BE MORE CONSIDERATE!”
“Owwww!”
Now it’s the Iron Claw again. Her technique repertoire is surprisingly varied.
“Jeez, I guess I’ll take care of him while you head backstage. And don’t you dare mess up your performance.”
“Why do you get the fun job, Oga-san!?”
“Why were you planning to give the tour in the first place? As a performer, shouldn’t you be focusing on things like final checks with your group?”
“Eh, I don’t need any of that.”
“That’s what annoys me about you! This is why geniuses are a pain…”
So she’s saying she’s ready to perform without any prep? That’s incredibly arrogant… but impressive. And the fact that no one denies it means she probably can pull it off.
“Anyway, go. Even if you’re fine with it, your bandmates might feel differently.”
“No way, Oga-san, you’re underestimating everyone. We could all perform impromptu without a problem.”
“It’s not a matter of skill, it’s about mental preparedness. Now move it!”
“Not the ears!?”
Wow. Being dragged off by the ear, I never thought I’d see that happen in real life. First with the sour plum, and now with the Iron Claw, it’s like Haruzaki-san is Chiaki-san’s guardian or something.
“Sorry about all this…”
“Oh, no, if anything, I should be the one apologizing. I somehow got stuck with a weird role, but I’m fine, so…”
“No, no. It’s part of my job as the manager to make sure newcomers enjoy themselves. Especially when introduced by one of our star performers. May I see your ticket?”
“Ah, sure.”
“—Alright, all set. Let me give you a quick tour.”