Chapter 2

Not childish? What the hell’s that supposed to mean, Meru-Meru?

It’s just something HiMERU happened to overhear.

—It seems that Tenshouin-senpai is the one planning this project, and that all of the staff members will be dressed in full costume.

Huh. Full costume… But no matter what you say, it’s still just a costume, right?

—Actually, that doesn’t seem to be the case… They will be using special effects makeup for their elaborate costumes depicting the evil spirits of nature.

Huh…?

Did you know that at this time of year, many large amusement parks hold massive Halloween events?

Events at amusement parks?

They’re the ones you see in all those commercials, right? Like where they’ve got zombies shambling around the park and whatever.

Exactly. This event will apparently be of the same size and scale as those.

In addition, it will all be done under Hibiki-senpai’s supervision.

The first thing that comes to mind regarding Hibiki-senpai is his involvement in theater under Dramatica, correct? So if he’s involved, the quality of this event might be even more polished than others.

Huh, pretty sweet if you ask me! Sounds like it’ll be off the charts. So that day there’s gonna be a whole buncha bona fide-looking demons swarming around ES?

They’re gonna look real…?

So I bet they’re gonna want our costumes to be top-notch. I wonder how scary we can make ‘em ♪

…!

This kinda event doesn’t come around too often. I’m gonna scare the piss outta every one of these guys.

Sure. Oh, and speaking of scaring people, they’re gonna set up a crazy big haunted house somewhere at ES for Halloween, right?

I heard it’ll be used as an attraction during the day, and then when night falls it’ll turn into a live venue.

It’ll probably increase the number of customers too, so the manager at Cinnamon is already hyped up for it.

Y–you don’t say…? Huh. A haunted house, is it…

Mm?

……

Hmm~?

…What. Quit your starin’ at me.

Kohaku-chaaan. Don’t tell me… you’re not afraid of ghosts, are you?

No—no I’m not!

Gah, don’t be stupid. Why would someone as old as me be scared of ghosts? Nope, not a chance. There’s literally no way.

……

……

What the hell’re y’all grinning for?

Reeeally, Kohaku-chan? Are you reeeally not scared of ghosts? You should ‘fess up while you have the chance, for your own good.

I… I told you, I ain’t scared of ghosts.

‘Kay, if you say so. Then in that case, let’s all go downtown tomorrow and check out the haunted house they’ve got there~

Huh?!

Huh? They’ve got a haunted house set up downtown?

Y–yeah! I didn’t see anything like that! And besides, aren’t haunted houses usually in amusement parks?

Nah, nah. It totally exists~ You know that big arcade down there? Looks like they built a haunted house inside that.

I guess they’re recreating famous Japanese horror movies in it? It’s kinda small, but it’s got a rep for being scary as shit.

—Ah, right: The makeup artist assigned to HiMERU mentioned something along those lines.

We gotta learn all about haunted houses from the best if we wanna freak our fans out on Halloween, right? If we’re doing this, we gotta go all out.

Hmph. I’m not actually afraid, got it? I’m not, but why do I have to go with you, Rinne-han—

Okay okay okay~! In that case, I wanna hit up that popular café near the arcade!

Huh?

They’ve got rave reviews on their pancakes, but I still haven’t had the chance to try them yet.

—That’s the café on the street corner, correct? HiMERU has also taken interest in it.

If we can go to the café, HiMERU doesn’t mind visiting the haunted house, as well.

Huh?!

Wow, it’s not too often you see HiMERU-kun going along with things. So that’s the kinda café you’re into?

—Yes. Well, HiMERU has been wanting to go but due to some particular circumstances, but there hasn’t been a chance yet.

Perhaps it’s because they’re famous for their pancakes, but the majority of their consumer base is female; HiMERU is a bit reluctant to go alone.

Ohh, then it’s fine by me. Then how’s about we hit up the café and anywhere else afterwards?

Sound good, Kohaku-chan? ♪ You’re obviously coming with, right?

Gh… mm, urgh…

(Why’re Niki-han and HiMERU-han going along with Rinne-han this time?! They usually reject him flat-out…!)

What’s wrong?

(It’d be easy to just turn him down… It’d be a cakewalk, but if I’m the only one who says no, Rinne-han’s gonna make fun of me for a year straight. Just look at that face! It’s pissin’ me off!)

(This is the worst, the absolute worst…!)

…Fine. I’ll go with you. I ain’t afraid of some dumb haunted house!

Aaaaall righty, it’s settled! We’re crashing the hell outta that party so Crazy:B can steal the crown at the ES Halloween!