Chapter 71: CH 71

It was the morning of the second day of Comiket.

Due to the ruckus caused by that playboy chief Hariboshi, people stopped coming to the booth of Zany Co.

As a countermeasure, we decided to cosplay with Otomizu and Kaedezaka. ……

“Sasamiya-san. I just came back from changing.”

The first to return to the booth was Otomizu, a junior.

She was petite, yet clean, and the gothic-lolita maid outfit suited her very well.

“How do you like it, Sasamiya-san?”

“Indeed, it suits you.”

“Mmmm~~ I’m so happy!”

I knew it would look good on her, but she was so darn cute.

I would like to take a picture, but I was at work right now.

That was not allowed.

A shame indeed. …

“Speaking of which, where’s Kaedezaka?”

“She is still changing. I think she will be here soon.”

She was pissed when she received the maid’s uniform, but would she wear it properly?

That guy has a tendency to be sharp, but she was so honest at times like this.

Kaedezaka in her gothic lolita maid outfit …

I can’t imagine.

Pirorin♪

It sounds like a message was delivered to Otomizu’s phone.

She said, “Ah!” and raised her voice.

“Sasamiya-san, excuse me. I received a call from Konno-san, so may I leave the booth for a while?”

“Of course, since it’s from your boss. Go ahead.”

“Yes! I’m sorry!”

As expected, Otomizu could not receive the phone call here, so she headed out of the venue.

The fact that she was called on a Saturday meant that Konno-san must be at work at another site.

August was the busiest month for campaign events.

Kaedezaka will be back soon, and until then I’ll be running the booth by myself.

◆◆◆◆◆◆

A short time after Otomizu left, a girl arrived at the booth.

“Good morning, Onii-san.”

“Welcome to ..Yuika. I see you are here on the second day as well.”

“Yes. For now, I’ll just have a mega serving of smiles.”

“I’m sorry, but this is not a fast-food restaurant.”

I knew Yuika was coming to Comiket, but I never thought she would actually come to see me.

“I mean, why are you here? It’s embarrassing.”

Yui Hana looked at me seriously and said, “I wanted to see you.”

“Onii-san, I don’t think you look good at all in your uniform. Pfffttt”

“Even your monotonous laugh is charming once I get used to it”

Uniforms for such events, especially for men, were very plain.

I suppose a good-looking boy could look cool in a butler’s outfit, but unfortunately, I doubt I have the qualifications to do so.

Come to think of it, Yuika was here with her otaku friends.

So does that mean you have friends here?

I thought so and looked around, but no one seemed to be there.

Perhaps they were going their separate ways.

“Where are your friends?”

“The others are at the cosplay booth.”

“Hoo~. …… You are going to cosplay too?”

“You want to see it?”

“You’ll show me?”

“No. I’m just asking.”

Why, you’re awful, getting my hopes up.

But I wonder what kind of cosplay would suit Yuika. ……

Magical girl? A shrine maiden? Recently, a female knight in a fantasy worlf was also a possibility.

…… Cosplay?

……Are?

Aren’t I forgetting something serious?

Just as I was about to ponder what I had forgotten, Kaedezaka returned, dressed in a gothic lolita maid outfit.

“Phew, … I’m dressed, I’m done …… Mhmmnnn~!? Yuika-san!?”

“…… Eh? Kaedzaka-san?”

Aaah!!!!!

I forgot about Kaedezaka!!!!

I was careless, man.

Kaedezaka did not tell Yuika that she was participating in Comiket.

Most likely, she was embarrassed to be seen working so hard.

I knew how she felt, because I was in the same boat.

Kaedezaka was at a loss because of Yuika’s sudden appearance.

Her usual confident demeanor was nowhere to be found.

I guess I should offer a helping hand here.

“Actually, the staff suddenly left, and I asked Kaede Saka, who I just happened to meet earlier, to help me out. Yes, it was a coincidence. Just a coincidence.”

“That’s how it happened.”

Of course, this was a lie, but it would preserve Kaedezaka’s reputation.

Yuika also seemed to be convinced.

I didn’t think my enhanced cover up skills would come in handy here, you know.

Then a LINE arrived from Kaede Saka.

[Excellent, Sasamiya-san!]

[I’ll cover you up, so act as you normally do. If you say anything unnatural, she’ll know.]

[I know.]

Taking a deep breath, Kaedezaka made a goddess-like smile and addressed Yuika in her usual elegant tone.

“It’s a very nice blue sky, isn’t it? The sun is dazzling.

“We’re inside the venue, so you can’t see the sky, you know?”

I immediately sent a line to Kaedezaka.

[You, What the hell are you doing!?]

[I couldn’t help it! I couldn’t think of a line!]