This was precisely why I’d asked our senior colleague to come along, but she’d declined. In addition, she was looking even worse than she had before. But every time we asked her what was wrong, she stubbornly said she was fine. Type Twelve offered her help again and again, but Miss Hoshizaki turned her down every time, telling her there was no cause for concern. I figured I’d send a message to our boss about her once Winterfest was over.
As for Peeps, Lady Elsa, and Prince Lewis—they’d stayed behind to mind the Karuizawa villa.
“Father, I would like to go see what my elder sister and elder brother are doing.”
“Not to rain on your parade, but they’ll be performing on the secondary stage a little later, and they aren’t manning any of the booths, so we’ll have to wait.”
We had about an hour of free time until my neighbor’s performance began. In fact, that was the whole reason I was out here with the others. My neighbor and Abaddon were probably holding their last rehearsal backstage at that very moment.
“The people tailing us from a distance ever since we arrived—are they from the bureau?” asked Ms. Futarishizuka.
“I think so. I heard that people from the bureau and the SDF would be here.”
“I’ve located several individuals observing us. Three at nine-o’-clock, two at four-o’-clock. I’ve also witnessed similar behavior from security personnel at their posts. After intercepting their voice transmissions, I judge there is little threat; their hostility level is low.”
“Wait just a minute, girlie. You mean you have one of those terminals here at the venue?”
“Grandmother’s viewpoint is correct. I have deployed several small terminals both inside and outside this structure.”
“I don’t mind you bringing them along—just don’t hit anything, all right?”
“A mechanical life-form would never make such a childish mistake.”
“Don’t forget your little glitch problem, child.”
Ms. Futarishizuka and Type Twelve continued badgering each other as we made our way through the hall.
Eventually, we reached a particularly lively area. A group of people with cameras surrounded another group dressed in resplendent clothing and striking poses. The specific way they were clustered made it immediately obvious what was going on. I didn’t even need to look for a sign. This was the cosplay space. Long ago, such things were considered a niche hobby. These days, however, they seemed to have gained complete social acceptance.
“Mm. Cosplay has become a mainstay for events like these, eh?” mused Ms. Futarishizuka.
“Think about it. Just adding a changing room can liven up an event for almost no cost. I’ve heard a lot of people show up just to show off their costumes in front of a big gathering, even if they have no interest in the event. It’s an easy way to attract more guests.”
“Wow, you sure know your stuff.”
“I participated in a few such events at my former job.”
“Oh? Hmm.”
I’d heard there was a dress code for this particular event, and you were only allowed to wear costumes related to OtherPro. Nevertheless, I could see a wide variety of outfits, from ones based on the VTubers’ costumes to ones based on famous memes from their videos.
The stars of the show, as expected, were popular characters portrayed by attractive men and women. Some had drawn so large a throng of people that you couldn’t even see them.
This scored a critical hit on Type Twelve.
“Father, the youngest daughter would like to cosplay as well.”
“Anything but that. Please.” I spoke unintentionally quickly. The whole idea seemed like a disaster in the making.
“You did not even consider my proposal. Do you hate me?”
“No, of course not. But it’s not so easy for a minor to start cosplaying. Even if you are able to clear them, as this family’s youngest daughter, I feel it is appropriate if you remain under a parent’s supervision.”
“Father, your concerns are premature. Mechanical life-forms have existed for a very long time. Even if we use the date of the unidentified flying object’s production, I have existed far, far longer than any adult in this land. Therefore, the category of ‘minor’ cannot be applied to me.”
“But if that’s true, wouldn’t it make my neighbor the youngest daughter?”
“Father, you must not suggest such things. I will lose my identity.”
“Could you stop trying to form your ego around our pretend family relationship?” cut in Ms. Futarishizuka. “It’s really freaking me out.”
Even as we spoke, Type Twelve’s attention remained fixed on the cosplayers. Despite having a wealth of other options by which to observe them, she used her point of contact to personally stare.
Nothing new showed in her expression, but her body seemed to be trembling slightly.
“The only way I can see this ending,” said Ms. Futarishizuka, “is with you being publicly stripped, and the resulting photographs circulating all over the place.”
“If it would soothe my heart, I would be forced to judge it permissible.”
Her interest was completely aimed at cosplay now. At this point, it would be difficult to talk her down.
“Then why don’t you ask your mother?” said Ms. Futarishizuka. “If she were with you, your father would be more likely to agree. Of course, if she says no, then I think it best not to force the issue.”
“Acknowledged. I will discuss this with Mother upon our return to the house.”
Miss Hoshizaki would probably give her a very firm no; she hated stuff like this.
More importantly, considering our work with the bureau, we couldn’t allow photos of Type Twelve to start circulating. I suspected that was why Ms. Futarishizuka had made such a suggestion. Besides, even if we did let Type Twelve give it a try, I’d rather she calmed down a bit first.
We kept walking, continuing our trivial chatter. After a while, it was finally time for my neighbor’s performance, and we made our way to the secondary stage in Area B.
We handed over our tickets, then settled into some chairs. Ms. Futarishizuka sat to my left, with Type Twelve to my right. The audience seating was packed; there were no empty chairs anywhere around us.
A few minutes later, the performance began. We could see a huge screen onstage. It showed the second-string members of OtherPro, all standing in a line in virtual space. Most of them weren’t 3D models but illustrations with only a few moving parts. My neighbor was the only one in 3D, which set her apart from the others.
In the center of this virtual space was a TV on a stand, showing the head and shoulders of a first-string talent.
“Welcome, everyone. I’m Kuon J. Glen, and I’ll be hosting this event. I may be the only one on a TV, but there’s nothing to worry about.”
I recognized this talent’s 3D model—it was the VTuber my neighbor had mentioned the other day, one of the company’s biggest earners, and apparently controlled by Himegami. It seemed he would be our host.
“Here on the second stage, our second-string talents will be competing in a little quiz show.”
As an angel’s Disciple, he couldn’t come within a certain distance of my neighbor, or they’d trigger an isolated space. Because the latter had insisted on attending Winterfest in person, Himegami had been forced to participate remotely. I figured that was why he was the only one relegated to being a head on a virtual TV screen.
“But this isn’t just a quiz show. For getting more right answers than anyone else, the winner will receive a 3D model from management, since second-strings are generally a bit flatter. Everyone, this is a great chance to strut your stuff!”
The quiz started right away, and the image on the large screen refreshed. The display split into several smaller tiles, with the face of a second-string member in each one, and one larger tile in the middle showing Himegami.