Bing bong bang bong…
A loud bell rang out throughout the gymnasium.
At this point in the day, the props team was pretty much done with the stage.
Our spirits were high as we went to start dress rehearsal in the afternoon.
“All right, let’s take a little break!” Yukimura called out, and everyone let out a relaxed sigh.
We each went to where we had our things and drank whatever drinks we brought.
Even though this isn’t an action scene, I guess putting a lot of passion into rehearsal works up quite a sweat.
I was taking a sip of the sports drink I’d brought for the camp when I noticed someone out of the corner of my eye.
Hm…?
“Rehearsal is going well.”
I heard a voice from the second floor of the gym, and I looked up to find President Shiori watching us.
And that pretty girl next to her is…Kotone?!
There’s a guy in a white jacket behind them…
Woof, is that Hibiki Shirasato?! Wh-what’s he doing here?!
I wasn’t the only one surprised to see President Shiori.
“Shiori, what brings you here so early in the morning?” Yukimura asked President Shiori when she came to the first floor.
“We have guests with us today.”
“Guests… You mean those two?” Yukimura glanced over President Shiori’s shoulder for a quick view of Kotone and Hibiki.
“Yes. This is Kotone Hanasato. She’s a representative of the Hanasato Group, which is in charge of building the new theater hall. She was the one who suggested it be free for students to use.”
The club members erupted in chatter. Guess no one knew she was such an important person.
Which makes sense. You’d think Kotone is just any other attractive college student.
Kotone took a step forward with a smile.
“Hello, everyone. I came to meet the different schools that will be performing at our new theater hall and give you words of encouragement. I want our theater hall to be a place loved by the locals, so I’m hoping to always keep it free for students to use,” she said, surveying the club. “I’m looking forward to your show. So please give it your all! I’ve brought some food for your rehearsal, so please try some if you’d like.”
Kotone is always so generous!
Several of the kids oohed excitedly, and Yukimura stepped forward from the group.
“I’m the captain of the theater club, Yukimura. Thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to perform. We’re going to do our best to make the show amazing.”
She held out her hand for a handshake with Kotone—something Yukimura would be thoughtful enough to do.
“Hey… Is that boy next to her who I think it is…?”
“I think it’s the Middle School Detective, Hibiki Shirasato?”
“He’s even cuter than he is on TV.”
“I wonder if we can get an autograph?”
I could hear the theater club getting excited over Hibiki. He was standing a few steps behind Kotone and the others, apparently waiting on her. He was his usual self in his trademark white jacket with his arms folded in front of him and that cool, calm, and collected expression. He was so annoying.
But wait… What’s going on? He seems slightly out of it today, like his mind is somewhere else. I wonder if he’s just out of it. Or maybe he’s not feeling well.
Heck, why is he here with Kotone in the first place? They didn’t figure out that I’m Red, did they…?
As much as I wanted to say hey to Kotone, it was hard to do it in front of Hibiki.
What should I do?
“Oh?”
“You’re that…”
As I thought to myself, both Kotone and Hibiki noticed me at the exact same time.
I instinctively ducked a little bit into the crowd, but…
“Hibiki, you know Asuka?”
“I’m surprised you know her, Kotone.”
Hibiki looked at me with surprise.
“So you’re a student at this school, huh.”
Oh boy. This is bad. Come to think of it, Hibiki came to our school during the cultural festival, too.
The two of them walked over to me together.
“It’s good to see you again, Asuka,” said Kotone.
President Shiori turned and gave me a look that said, What’s going on here?
Uhhhh, it’s kind of a long story, President Shiori.
“I-it’s good to see you too, Kotone. Thanks again for the other day.”
I could feel the entire theater club staring at me from behind as I smiled and responded.
“The pleasure was all mine. But I am curious—where did you meet Asuka, Hibiki?” Kotone turned to Hibiki.
“………”
“Hibiki?”
“Oh, my apologies.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Hibiki, seemingly lost in thought, was caught off guard by the question. That wasn’t like him. In fact, he seemed generally tired.
“I told you about the hostage situation at the sky towers, right? This is the friend of one of the girls who was held hostage.”
“She was also on the SS Flower Song where it was hijacked. We actually became friends during the cruise.”
“I see, yes, that incident. Wow, this girl has a knack for being near trouble.”
Uh-oh. He’s still as sharp as ever, even if he is tired. Uh, maybe I should change the topic of the conversation.
“So, um, how do you two know each other?”
Another incident, maybe? Whatever the case, I can’t help noticing Kotone called Hibiki by his first name. That sounds a little too personal for her to simply be hiring him as a detective.
“We’re childhood friends. We grew up near each other.”
“Wait… Whaaaaaat?!”
“I know, right? I always ask him for help when I have questions for a detective.”
I bet Kei would be surprised to hear that. Although I wouldn’t put it past him to already know about their relationship.
I was opening and closing my mouth like a fish when Hibiki stepped in. “Kotone, we should probably be going…”
“Yes, we wouldn’t want to slow down your rehearsal… Break a leg, everyone!”
With that, the two of them began making their way for the exit. I ended up following President Shiori to see them off.
“I didn’t know you were in the theater club, Asuka,” Kotone commented as we walked.
“Well, technically, I’m not, but I recently helped out a bit, and they wanted me to be in this next play, too. It’s just a small part.”
“Is that right?” she said. “Well, it’s definitely something for me to look forward to. Good luck memorizing your lines.”
Kotone and Hibiki both stepped into a big black van that was waiting for them outside of the school.
“Are you going to visit more schools today?” I asked Kotone.
“We are—eight more, to be exact.”
Busy as always, huh?
“I’ll be seeing you then, Asuka. You too, Shiori.”
The car revved up and drove away. President Shiori and I waved goodbye until we couldn’t see them anymore before returning to the gymnasium.
Uh? Why is everyone looking at me like that…?
“Aaasuuukaaa…”
Wh-what is it?!
“What was that all about? Why are you friends with such important people?!”
The entire theater club flooded me with questions.
“Oh, you know… It’s actually a long story…” I stepped back; this was getting intense.
“You’re always so full of surprises, aren’t you, Asuka?” Yukimura said with a laugh, then patted me on the head. “It is what makes you Asuka, though.”
The theater club all seemed to agree.
“I am interested in hearing the story, though,” said President Shiori. “How did Kouzuki become friends with the granddaughter of the Hanasato Group?”
You too, President Shiori?!
“Right? As captain of the theater club, I’d like to know, too,” Yukimura said jokingly—although her eyes were completely serious.
Sandwiched between her and President Shiori, I felt like there was no escape. Behind me was the entire theater club, too.
Aw, man… I guess I’d better give them the short version of those two incidents. I don’t know how I’m going to tell them anything without hiding what I actually did, though… Ugh… Kei’s gonna kill me when he finds out I told everyone.