Chapter 3
Hmm… You probably shouldn’t have left so suddenly since you’re the one in charge, but now I’m a little curious about this video too.
Is it that… umm, weird or something?
Oh, the playback’s starting now. You should be able to see it on the screen here, so just take a look.
Ngh~ …Even with the screen resolution maxed out, there’s still a ton of noise.
It looks like they’re using actual handheld cameras to film the in-school TV program.
But this stuff was from a surveillance camera that was set up just in case.
All right then… Yeah, it’s clear they didn’t think about the camera angle or anything. It just looks like a “caught on camera” kinda thing.
Wait, that’s… Sakuma-senpai? What the hell’s he doing?
“Hello, everyone. Gooood morning~ ♪”
“I doubt there’s any need to introduce myself again, but in the interest of being polite…”
“I am Sakuma Rei from UNDEAD. I am delighted and humbled that you all were able to come today ♪”
“Yaaawn… Forgive me, I can’t help but be tired in the morning. Do come in a little closer; it’s far too troublesome to raise my voice.”
“However, this is quite the crowd that’s gathered.”
“I wonder if we’ll all be able to fit in here. It’s also rather poorly ventilated; I’m having trouble breathing.”
“If you’re going to complain, Rei-nii-san, then you’re free to leave.”
“You barged in here uninvited… I have no intention of catering to you. You should be grateful I’m giving you a space for this at all.”
“Yes. Thank you, Sakasaki-kun. You’re such a good boy ♪”
“Don’t pat my head. This is where we store Switch’s costumes, so the microphones we use on stage are also in here…”
“If it’s too difficult to project your voiceCE, you can use one.”
“I appreciate it.”
“…Now, little one, don’t climb up on my back.”
“HaHa~ ♪ Sorry, Sora apologizes if he was rude!”
“Ahaha. He doesn’t like being in painful situations, and it’s very crowded in here…”
“The oxygen is still thick near the ceiling, so Sora is trying to stay up there.”
“Breathe in, breathe out… All of the colors look like they’re on fire! It’s so hot, you see~ ♪”
“…Huh?”
“What is it, Sora?”
“Nn~… It feels like someone’s watching us? Sora can feel their eyes on us~?”
“Ahh, I knew there was a surveillance camera in here. I installed it to monitor my customers from above when they come in to have their fortunes told.”
“Fortune-telling is based on observation and deduction, after all.”
“But there is a possibility that the footage will be sent to the Yumenosaki school network and stored…”
“I don’t particularly mind this getting out, but if it’s unpleasant to you, we’ll cut it off.”
“Yes! Wink wink… Please shut your eyes for now, okay~? ♪”
Ah—The video cut off.
What was that all about…? Seriously, I don’t really get it, but it’s definitely got me curious.
Right? It feels so suspicious.
It looked like Sakuma-senpai was… well, based on the outfits, he was gathering everyone who was participating in Setsubun Festival? And doing something kind of sinister with them.
Oh right, everyone there was wearing the outfits we got for the festival. It’s the same design as the ones you, Anzu, and I are wearing, along with the rest of the staff.
Isn’t it a little hard to tell who’s staff and who’s a participant? I guess it’s a little late to be asking that, though.
Ngh~… For Setsubun Festival, the staff are all supposed to throw beans at the idols as they run around the school trying to escape.
I’d hate to be mistaken for a participant and have beans thrown at me too, honestly.
Well, it’s not like it hurts to be hit by them. It barely even tingles.
We could think up a way to distinguish ourselves. Like maybe wear wristbands or even change our clothes.
Ahaha, we’re as unorganized as ever. Or more like everything’s just thrown together.
But I am worried… It looks like Sakuma-senpai’s planning something; it feels like things are going in a real disturbing direction.
It’s just the same thing as always, right? It’s our role to manage everything properly and wrap it all up with a happy ending.
We’ll just have to roll with the punches the best we can.
But what should we do? The video cut off in the middle… Should we try to get in touch with someone who was there and check on the situation?
I’m still a little worried about it.
As the managing staff, we’re in a higher position than the participants.
If worse comes to worst, we can threaten to eliminate them if they mess around. That’s not too smart, though.
Umm~… Sakuma-senpai and those two from Switch were there, right?
They’re all a little eccentric, so I have a feeling they won’t give me a straight answer if I ask them.
Mm. He didn’t say anything, but Aniki was there, too.
Huh, I didn’t even notice… even though Hinata-kun usually stands out ‘cause he’s always bouncing off the walls.
Mm, when he’s all alone, he basically has no aura at all…
Gyeh?!
Wh–what’s wrong?
Something—Something slimy just touched me! On my foot! It’s like, weirdly warm?! Gyaaah?!
Um~…? What? It’s not even the season for ghost stories yet.
Yoohoo, Maa~kun ♪
Whoa, Ritsu?! What’re you doing here? In that tiny, dark space?
I was sleeping, duh~… No one ever really uses the AV room, so it’s really quiet. It’s the perfect place to make my bed.
Yaaaawn ♪
Anyway, I heard something about Anija. What’s that moron up to now? If you’re okay with it, Maa~kun, I wanna get in on this ♪
I’m working the night shift, so to be honest I’m completely free until the sun goes down… ♪