Volume 3 - CH 1.09

Part 9

Throughout my stay in the park, I’d gotten numb most of the strange things that happen here. Nonetheless, that dragon was on a whole new level of absurdity. It looked so real, and they seemed hell-bent on letting it perform on stage. Honestly, I’m worried.

I arrived back at the control room, where Kanie-senpai was having his conversation with the others.

“I have no regrets. I’ve been trying to find a good way to utilize Rublem, and this is the perfect opportunity to showcase his magnificence.”

“I still think this is quite risky, commander. I doubt we can just go around telling them that Ruby’s a ‘special effect,’ neru.”

“What’re you talking about? We’re just going to pass it off as a trade secret. Invite their speculations, let them take pictures and post online wherever they want.”

The side of Kanie-senpai’s mouth twisted, revealing an evil smile. Even then, his expression was quite stylish. I don’t even know how I feel about him anymore…

The monitor beside me appeared to be displaying the footage of a surveillance camera. There was a huge crowd swarming, numbering not in the hundreds, but in the thousands. And more were flooding in.

“I-I delivered the package.”

“Oh, you’re back. Let’s have you carry these cables to the 15th store room next, neru”

Dornel-san immediately returned to operating the terminal after saying that, and Kanie-senpai just shot a glance at me, saying nothing but an “oh?” How frustrating.

Once again, I did as Dornel-san instructed and carried the cables to the store room. From the looks of it, it seemed like they were just telling me to clean up the unwanted junk from the room. These cables were so worn out they were virtually unusable. Was there really any need for me to come and help them out in the first place?

There were about 5 minutes left before the performance.

On my way to the 15th store room, I could see performing cast members preparing themselves for the big show. The chaos had subsided, and each of them were maintaining their composure and controlling their nervousness before their moment of glory. Numerous cast members dressed in dazzling outfits could be seen waiting beside the elevator that would go straight up to the stage. Muse-san was there as well, repeatedly adjusting her attire.

Beside an elevator located deeper inside, Macaron-san was staring at a picture and mumbling something to himself. I wonder what that was? A photo of his family? And beside him, Tiramie-san was leaning on a pillar and taking a peaceful nap as if he were Corporal Hicks in his hypersleep back to Earth [1].

Alas, Moffle-san was nowhere to be seen. Of course, he was the main star of the show, so he should be held somewhere, preparing for his act.

“3 minutes until the performance begins. All departments, please report your status to the control room.”

There was an announcement that played throughout the backstage, voiced by Isuzu-senpai. The various leaders began responding to the announcement with an “all ready.” As the announcement ended and the BGM resumed, I could hear a commotion starting from the distance. It was becoming increasingly noisy, making me nervous as well.

Assuming that everything would have started by the time I finished, I proceeded to bring the cables into the store room before heading back to the control room.

However, things didn’t seem right when I returned from the store room.

The cast members were still on standby, looking nervously at their watches. It was already 5 minutes past the show’s supposed commencement time.

Once again, the speakers played another announcement. This time, Isuzu-senpai sounded stiff.

“There’s a problem with the audio equipment. All stations are to remain on standby until further notice.”

*

The control room was in complete chaos when I returned. The cast members were pale and breaking out in cold sweat as they operated the controls while communicating with somebody.

Listening in on their conversation from the back, it seemed that the main speakers were faulty, unable to play music, sound effects, and voice input from the microphones. They couldn’t begin the performance, given that the speakers couldn’t drive the volume loud without generating significant distortion.

“Why is this happening, neru!? Wasn’t it perfectly fine when we checked yesterday?”

“I have no idea, pi. We did everything in a rush, so maybe we messed up something, somewhere…”

“We’re going to inspect the wiring thoroughly, mogu!”

“How long will that take?”

“10 minutes. Wait, no…looks like it’ll take 20, mogu!”

“What, that’s absurd, neru! Our guests won’t wait that long! They’ll be gone before we’re done!!”

It looked like the situation was far worse than I’d expected. I didn’t even dare to tell them I was back in fear of bothering them during a crucial time like this.

Kanie-senpai was sitting in a corner of the control room with a serious expression, deep in thought. Normally, he’d be shouting at the staff and getting all restless, but he was not. Instead, he just sat there calmly.

I recall seeing this kind of expression before.

I remember bringing some onigiri to Dad’s workplace with Mom during a period of floods. Dad, who had been on standby and unable to return home, sat calmly in front of the transceiver awaiting instructions. His expression back then resembled Kanie-senpai’s.

However, when Dad noticed I was there, he returned to his usual gentle and caring self. Kanie-senpai, on the other hand, acted completely differently upon my entrance.

“Oh, you’re back.”

He became completely silent after saying just that. I ended up walking to another corner and watched over them despite being unable to do anything to help…

One minute passed after another, yet the cause of the fault had not been found.

I could see our guests becoming increasingly restless. Being forced to wait, they must’ve been bored and irritated. Parents were struggling to calm their kids down seeing how they were about to cry.

Announcements were repeatedly being played through the speakers, saying that they were “looking into the problem, please wait a moment.” Eventually, guests began leaving the stage.

“How’s it going, fumo?”

Moffle-san, who was dressed in a white chef’s costume and red mufflers, entered the room. He must have come to check the status of the problem. Like Kanie-senpai, Moffle-san didn’t sound agitated. In fact, he seemed rather calm, probably to prevent worsening the mood of Dornel-san’s crew.

“It’s gonna take a while. They mentioned the problem being the new amplifier.”

“Should I go onstage first? I might be able to buy us some time, fumo.”

I see. So he actually came to offer assistance to them, which made sense seeing how he was never one to leave his position for nothing.

“No can do. We’ve planned to have you appear after Macaron hypes them up, haven’t we? There’d be no point if you came out before then.”

“I know, fumo. But if nobody entertains them now, we’re screwed…”

“Why don’t we let Isuzu do the talking? At least the announcement channel is working.”

Kanie-senpai tried to crack a joke, but unfortunately his voice sounded too grim.

“Now’s not the time for dumb jokes, fumo.”

“Fine. She doesn’t have enough humor in her to amuse the crowd, anyway. Even having a singer perform would be better.”

Both of them fell silent. They seemed to be out of options. But after a brief moment, Moffle-san sighed.

“A singer, you say? Wait never mind, fumo….”

Moffle-san snuck a gaze towards me. He had noticed my presence from the start, but he was beginning to pay more attention to the very fact that I was there.

“Hey, newbie.”

“Y-Yes?”

“Go grab a mic and sing for the crowd, fumo.”

Everyone was stunned. Kanie-senpai, Dornel-san, and obviously myself included.

“S-Sorry…?”

I asked to make sure I didn’t mistake his words, but Moffle-san appeared insistent.

“The guests are bored, fumo. Go sing a song to make their wait less painful.”

What on earth was he talking about? Me? Singing to a crowd THIS big?

“I didn’t tell you to go onstage, fumo.”

Moffle-san continued.

“The announcer’s room is just next door. Isuzu’s there making the announcements; just go there and sing for our guests. Don’t worry, they’ll like it.”

Thoughts of unease came flowing through my mind.

Don’t joke around with me please you’re really intending to kill me aren’t you of course you are there’s no way I’ll walk out of that room alive after singing to such a big crowd you’re joking aren’t you please tell me that you’re joking otherwise I might wet myself right here to think of it I can just escape from this place right now can’t I I should have the right to refuse this after all after all this is just too unreasonable there’s no way I can please the audience with my singing they’ll all just cringe I’m no superstar after all I won’t be able to forgive myself if they boo at me my heart isn’t prepared enough to handle the criticism why must I be forced into such a situation I’m only getting 850 yen an hour this is too cruel I’m not like you cruel fairies you know are you guys devils or demons or soldiers of darkness at any rate I firmly refuse I am not obliged to do as you say don’t go around causing trouble for me this wasn’t my fault in the first place so I don’t know I don’t know I don’t know—

“Moffle, what on earth are you talking about?”

Kanie-senpai stood up, walked over, and asked in shock.

“Are you really going to make a part-timer sing? This show determines our park’s future, in case you haven’t noticed! We should get someone more qualified if we’re really going to have a performance. Even Isuzu’s more fit for the job! If things get really bad, hell, even I’d do it. It may not look like it, but I’m a pro… But at any rate, you can’t possibly—”

“Even then, you’re no match for Chuujou Shiina, fumo.”

Moffle-san spoke bluntly. He was the last person I’d expect to address me by my full name. Kanie-senpai seemed offended at it.

“What are you trying to say, huh!?”

“Wait, I don’t mean it that way, fumo. It’s just that this girl’s REALLY good at singing. I’ve been singing karaoke for a really long time and know a thing or two about it, but I’m still no match to her, fumo. There’s just this emotional power and calmness in her voice that can’t be attained through mere practice. She may be clumsy and have stage fright, but she’s legit, fumo.”

“Her? You mean this girl?”

Kanie-senpai’s words came out rather arrogantly, but it was a legitimate concern. Either way, I kept my mouth shut.

“Mofu. We heard her sing at a karaoke bar a few nights back. I’m not joking here. But of course, you’re the boss, so I won’t say further.”

Moffle-san became quiet, resulting in an awkward silence. Kanie-senpai stared at me in deep thought, with those scary eyes that make me want to run away and hide. A moment later, he finally spoke.

“We can’t do it.”

“Seiya…!”

“Even if you were being serious about this, I can’t entrust this to someone who’s always running away. One needs to have the courage and strength to perform impromptu, and I sense none of that in her. She’s gonna screw up.”

“Tch…”

“You said you’ve been in this field for some time, didn’t you? Then you should be well aware that courage and guts are more important than raw skill. They need the ability to continue singing the next line even if they were pushed to the limits. She’s gonna have to be able to continue singing even if the crowd jeers her. Take a look for yourself, do you see any trace of courage in her? Of course not. That’s why we can’t let her do it.”

“Mofu…”

Moffle-san was unable to contest his claim.

On the other hand, I’ve never felt this much rage pumping through my veins. I should have run away long ago, but I didn’t this time.

This person—although cool, talented, and handsome—was talking like he knew everything about me.

I’m sorry but, has an arrogant person like you ever suffered any hardship? There was no way I could let this slip by without doing anything.

Just what do you know about me?

We’ve never had a proper conversation, and yet you were able to read everything about me just by staring for a few seconds? Don’t joke with me.

This was certainly unpleasant indeed. But what should I do? How could I prove my worth?

“—I’ll sing.” I declared.

“What?”

“I’ll sing. I’m not particularly nervous, and I don’t remember you having an eye for a person’s qualities. I’ll sing, if that changes your impression of me. And yes, I’m serious.”

“What did you…”

“We don’t have much time, do we? Go back to your seat; I’ll go even if I have to force my way through.”

I stormed out of the room, eyes blazing furiously.