It Seems Like a Girl I Don’t Know Is Doing Housework at My Place. But She’s Cute, So I’m Watching Her.

“──Next song, coming up!!”

Surrendering to the fervor of the crowd, several minutes passed. Multiple bands had performed, and before I knew it, the crowd density inside the live house had increased significantly.

It was definitely more packed than right after the doors opened, and it felt like the venue was almost full. I hadn’t looked from the stage, so I couldn’t be sure, but it certainly felt like there were enough people to call it a full house.

Now, here’s the issue. What happens when a first-timer at an indie live event—someone who is well-known as an indoor type—finds themselves at a lively event from the very beginning?

“……I’m getting tired.”

The correct answer is that, due to fatigue and the crowd, one finds themselves on the brink of exhaustion.

“……”

Seriously, it’s quite tough. My feet hurt, and my head feels heavy, probably from the stage lights.

Maybe it’s because the initial excitement from the collective energy of the event had worn off? I was genuinely enjoying myself at first, but as time passed, it became harder to ignore the discomfort.

It’s odd, though. Even though I’m technically a veteran at standing jobs, why am I feeling so fatigued so quickly?

It’s not that the live event is particularly taxing; it’s just puzzling how this happens so frequently when I’m out. I get tired faster, and it feels like I’m more exhausted than usual. Is this a universal human trait?

“……I feel bad for Chiaki, but…”

Anyway, there’s nothing to be done. Given how quickly fatigue accumulates in a crowd, my only option is to retreat.

Being here since right after the doors opened, I was almost at the front row. Staying here is uncomfortable in many ways.

First, the pressure from the crowd is overwhelming for my exhausted body. Initially, it felt like a boost, but now it’s definitely turning into a negative effect. That’s one out.

Next, there’s the guilt of monopolizing a good spot when I’m not able to fully enjoy it. I’m here by chance, but other audience members are here as fans and should be prioritized over me. That’s two out.

Finally, I’m simply tired. There’s a real possibility that my condition might worsen if I stay. I want to move to a more manageable place while I’m still in decent shape. That’s three out. Change.

“Excuse me…”

I cut through the crowd with a hand gesture, trying to push my way to the back.

My goal was to reach the very back, or better yet, a spot near the wall where I could lean. I felt bad for Chiaki, who hadn’t performed yet, but I had to push aside my apologies and move back.

After a bit of clumsy maneuvering, I managed to retreat to the back. It was quite a struggle, likely because the venue was nearly full.

“Ah…”

“Mizuki-san?”

“Eh?”

I leaned against a wall near the back, taking a relieved breath, when I heard a voice call out to me.

Turning around, I saw Ogata-san. It seemed he was nearby, perhaps working in the back, and had noticed me.

“What’s wrong? It’s almost time, or rather, next is Chiaki and the others’ turn, right?”

“Oh, well… I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I’m feeling overwhelmed by the crowd…”

“Oh my. Well, you’re a live novice, after all. Especially since it’s so crowded today, it’s understandable.”

When I explained my reason for stepping back in a low voice to avoid disturbing the event, Ogata-san gave a wry smile. It made me feel even more pitiful to be reassured like this.

And to think Chiaki and the others were up next. It feels a bit unfortunate to have backed out just before their turn. Maybe I should have tried to hang on a bit longer?

“You look apologetic, but there’s no need to force yourself. If you pushed through, it would probably be harder for Chiaki as well.”

“…I’ll take that into account.”

“Ha ha. Besides, you can still enjoy the live from the back. The most important thing at a live event is the music. Even if you can’t see perfectly due to the crowd, you can still hear the singing and playing. What Chiaki wants to convey will come through even from back here.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. There are people who prefer to listen from the back. Look, over there. Some people intentionally listen from the back.”

“Oh, that’s true.”

“By the way, that’s one of the regulars here who’s trying too hard to act cool.”

“…”

I was caught off guard by the comment, but I understood the point. There are always a few people like that in any industry…

As I sympathized with this common scenario, I noticed movement on stage. The band that had been performing had finished, and it seemed like it was finally Chiaki’s turn.

“Oh, here they come. You probably know this already, but that’s Avant Garde.”

“Wow…”

My admiration escaped unconsciously. Chiaki, walking on stage, had a completely different aura about her.

Her posture was dignified and far removed from her usual self. The other members, including Harusaki and the regulars, had a distinctly different vibe from what I was used to.

The “Avant Garde” I knew was a group of women gathered at Marine Snow. They would chat and enjoy tea and sweets, embodying the image of regular customers.

But now, they were different. The friendly, relaxed atmosphere had vanished, replaced by a sharp, focused presence. It was as if they were athletes preparing for a competition, radiating a powerful intensity.

“──Avant Garde. Nice to meet you.”

Chiaki held the microphone and spoke a few short words. Yet her voice resonated deeply, striking a powerful chord.

I see, so this is charisma. How could that carefree, silly voice transform into something so commanding? It’s truly like a different person. I can understand why Ogata-san would call her a “top rock star.”

“…It’s amazing how much Chiaki changes.”

“Well, that’s just her trying to look cool. Her usual opening talks are longer and more silly.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You can see the audience is a bit puzzled. Normally, she keeps talking until Harusaki yells at her to stop.”

“Really…”

“Maybe she’s trying to present herself as a capable band member because you’re here. That’s why she’s putting on such a ‘bandman’ persona.”

“Well, she certainly looks like a model band member. But is that okay…?”

“Pretty much. The fans are used to Chiaki’s quirks.”

It turns out this was a well-known fact. I had imagined she transformed completely when holding the mic, like having a different persona for public and private life.

But what about the charisma that’s supposed to emerge from here? With Ogata-san’s explanation, Chiaki is currently showing a pure ‘Chiaki’ persona.

“Now, please listen to [Higanbana on the Water Surface].”

That’s quite a cool song title. I’m a bit worried, though. So far, Chiaki’s image has been of a character song from a slice-of-life anime…

──clang, clang, clang

While my concerns lingered, the drumsticks struck out. The dry, counting sound echoed through the live house.

“────”

And then a voice, powerful enough to blow away my worries, my image, and even my fatigue, burst forth into the live house.