Chapter 12

Whoa, there are so many people here!

Well, It is a large-scale event featuring idols from across the country. Even if we’re just the opening act, I’m still nervous performing in front of such a huge crowd.

Wha? Anzu-san, why are you patting my head?

Fufu, you were just reassuring me, huh? Thank you, Anzu-san. I’ll do my best so I don’t drag everyone down.

Yo, little miss Anzu. …Oh, Shino’s with ya. Perfect timing. Thanks, Shino.

Huh? Have I done something that warrants thanks?

C’mon, you gave me some advice for the costumes. If they’d been Japanese-style like Akatsuki’s typical costumes, I’d have been able to make them no sweat.

But Summer Night Festival doesn’t really have a Japanesey feel to it.

If I’m bein’ honest, when the little miss and me were lookin’ around the venue that first time, we were pretty stumped.

But then you came in and suggested we make costumes that tell a story from a dream-like world like One Thousand and One Nights.

Without that, we wouldn’t have been able to make costumes that fit the stage to a tee, and I wouldn’t have been satisfied with that.

But why One Thousand and One Nights?

When I heard what Kanzaki-senpai said, I thought we should do something along those lines.

He told me that Summer Night Festival will be like a dream that only lasts one night.

And when I thought of “one night,” One Thousand and One Nights came to mind. Which reminded me that we made the lanterns with an oriental pattern, and then I just connected the dots.¹

Yup, like what I’ve got in my hand here. …This is a pretty elaborate paper cutout, yeah? You made this, Shino?

No, Kanzaki-senpai and Nii~chan made that one.

I was surprised that Kanzaki-senpai is so good at making cutouts.

That guy’s pretty good with his hands. But still, he’s… He doesn’t really say what’s on his mind in front of me or Hasumi-danna, so this is pretty refreshing.

He don’t gotta worship us like some gods, yanno? He should just come at us with all he’s got.

Ahaha. I understand how Kanzaki-senpai feels, just a little bit.

I’m the same way with Nii~chan… I know this is probably obvious, but I get super anxious when it comes to voicing my opinions.

Hmm… I’m just a human being like him though, so I don’t want him puttin’ all that distance between us.

Oh, looks like they’re finally done changing.

Heyyy Hasumi-danna, Kanzaki. I wanna make some adjustments, so get over here.

Understood! Not oft do we as Akatsuki wear clothes such as these, so prithee do affirm that I’ve dress’d myself proper!

Haha, quit wigglin’ around. …Yyyeah, you got some of the more detailed parts wrong. Hold still, I’ll fix it for ya.

I shan’t move an inch ♪

Kiryu. When you’re done with Kanzaki, take a look at mine, too. I put it on how you told me to, but I’m not sure I got it right.

…Really, I never thought you’d make costumes like these. But well, they go well with the stage, so I’m not complaining.

It’s all thanks to Shino’s help. I was just thankin’ him for it when you guys arrived.

Is that so? Then I should, too. Thanks, Shino.

Ehhh?! I was already uneasy with just Kiryu-senpai thanking me, and now the vice president too…? What am I supposed to do here?!

Hajime-chin, calm down. Take deep breaths, in~ out~

O–okay. In, out… ♪

Umm, I’m sorry. I got so nervous when the vice president thanked me that I totally blanked!

Nn? I get your mind blanking when you’re angry, but it’s strange for that to happen when you’re praised.

Gyaaaah!! I–I–I–I’m sorry! Please forgive meeee!

…? Why are you apologizing? Did I scare you, Shino?

I–I–I–I’m fine! I’m not scared at all!

Ngh, Hajime-chin is completely shriveling up. Well, makes sense. Keito-chin has one scary face.

What? Do I have a scary face, Kiryu?

Why’re ya askin’ me… I’d just be callin’ the kettle black here.

But then again. Shino wasn’t acting all scared with me. So maybe your scary face isn’t the only reason?

Nggh… Well now I’m curious, but with how Shino’s acting… I shouldn’t go prying. It’ll have a bad influence on the show.

Sorry to worry you, Keito-chin. It’s about time, so let’s head to the stage, okay?

Okay, Ra*bits. I know you might be nervous since we’re the opening act, but let’s give it our all!

Nervous? Nii~chan, I’m not nervous at all! I feel like I’m on cloud nine~ ♪

Ahaha yeah, you would be, wouldn’t you? But how about you, Tomoya-chin, Hajime-chin? You hanging in there?

Ungh, barely. I’m so nervous my legs are shaking…

We don’t get to perform in front of such a huge crowd all that often, do we?

I know no one expects that much from the opening act, but I’m worried I’ll give a bad performance and ruin the atmosphere.

Tomo-chan, why’re you saying they don’t expect that much from us?

Even if that was true, we just gotta give a performance that’ll make everyone excited!

And then everyone’ll go crazy for Ra*bits! We’re the opening act, but we’re still gonna crush those main act guys! Mmhm ♪

No, no, we’re not crushing anyone. If we don’t go out there and hype everyone up for the main act, we’ll never be called back for a job like this ever again.

You’re right, we can’t crush our main act. But Mitsuru was right too. We have to give a performance that’ll excite everyone.

Let’s bring Summer Night Festival to life. Then at the climax, we’ll hand it over to the protagonists.

Okay, Nii~chan. We’ll become the radiant lights that illuminate everyone… ♪