Chapter 36: Attention Question

As the customers started to arrive at the maid café, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and anticipation. Dressed in the frilly maid outfit, Shido took a deep breath and put on his best smile, ready to serve. "Welcome... M-Master, to Maid Café Raizen!" Shido or Shiori greeted the patrons with a theatrical bow, his head was red in empressing. "that a torture" he thought. Customers poured into the venue, pamphlets in hand. There were all kinds. He could see people who looked to be families of students, students without pressing responsibilities, students from nearby universities clearly looking to pick up girls, junior high students who had decided to attend one of the participating high schools, and so on. There were also fans wearing happi coats with Miku Izayoi Army embroidered on the back. Word had spread that the elusive idol would be taking the stage. The cutthroat competition to attract customers began at the same time. Powerful voices rang out from all over, filling the venue with vibrant energy. "Come on in! It's fun! It's yummy!" "Keh-heh... Temptations of truly hellish proportions await. How could any mere mortal resist?" "Notice. This is our menu and system." On the right side of the entrance to the maid café, Tohka called out energetically (although not very maid-like), while to the left, Kaguya said something that was either attracting customers or excluding them, and beside her, Yuzuru held up a signboard with the menu written on it. It was hard to tell if their efforts were working, but it was undeniable that people were stepping into the maid café one after another. "Ooh! Is this what success looks like?" Compared with the booths around them, they were off to a fairly impressive start. At the very least, from what Shido could see of the inside of the other shops, no other installment had as many customers as their maid café. "...Looks like things are going pretty we—" "what do you mean you didn't order the extra spicy with the carry!" Shido's voice caught in his throat as a sharp and unmistakable voice echoed from within the cafe. "Ah man, not again..." The source of the ruckus was none other than Hikaru, the self-proclaimed king of the cafe. Intrigued and slightly apprehensive, Shido rushed inside to find Hikaru engaged in a heated exchange with a customer. The poor soul's face was turning red, clearly distressed by her. With Ai close by, Shido approached her, shooting her a questioning look. "What just happened? What did she do this time?" he asked, expecting an explanation. But instead, Ai just raised a finger to her lips, signaling for him to stay quiet and observe. "How can you call yourself a man if you can't even handle a bit of spice, Pathetic!" Hikaru's voice boomed with superiority "But... I specifically asked for a mild dish because I can't handle spicy food," the poor customer pleaded, sounding desperate. "Enough!" Hikaru's voice cut through the air like a thunderclap, leaving the customer speechless. "I'm the king here, and I decide what you can eat and what you can't. is it clear, sir!" Hikaru's declaration boomed through the café, leaving no room for argument. Shido hesitated, torn between wanting to step in and smooth things over. But before he could make a move, he froze in surprise. The customer, under Hikaru's charismatic influence, blushed and nodded in agreement, accepting his fate. "What in the world—" "She's our secret weapon" Perplexed, Shido turned to Ai. "Secret weapon?" "Maid cafes are not a novelty in this area, and most customers have come to expect the same old routine. They don't anticipate anything groundbreaking anymore. But we have something different," Ai explained, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Shido slowly began to grasp her point. "Something that sets us apart from the rest?" "Exactly," Ai confirmed with a winning laugh. "It may have seemed risky at first, unconventional dealings with customers, but if you place the right person in the right role, you unleash the ultimate weapon." Shido kept his gaze fixed on the ongoing spectacle. Hikaru continued to take liberties with the customers' orders, molding them to her preferences. She effortlessly commanded their attention and captivated them with her dominant persona. He couldn't help but scratch his head in disbelief. The scene unfolding before him was beyond his comprehension. He had never anticipated that Hikaru's bold and forceful nature would become such a hit with the customers. "Well, if it works, let's not touch it...I guess," Shido murmured, heading back to his post. (...) After a long and arduous day of work, the maids of the Raizen Café finally found a moment to catch their breath as the lunch break commenced. "Ah, finally, a chance to rest," Mai let out a deep sigh of relief as she took a seat, her weary body yearning for a moment of respite "... yeah that was a hell of work even for me...Being a maid is not easy.." Kaguya nodded in agreement, her shoulders slumping slightly. "agreement, I am tired" "Gross!" "Thank you, everyone, for your hard work." Ai approached the group, acknowledging their efforts with a grateful smile. As they exchanged appreciative nods and words of encouragement, Tohka's keen eyes scanned the area. "Hey, has anyone seen Hikaru? I can't seem to find her anywhere." "She was the most requested Maid, did she lose consciousness from exhausting somewhere" Kaguya squinted, sweeping her gaze around until it locked onto a solitary figure seated at a café table. "Oh, there she is... What's she doing alone over there?" Hikaru seemed wholly absorbed in something, capturing the curiosity of her fellow maids. Intrigued, they tilted their heads, straining to catch a glimpse of Hikaru's activity. Much to their shock, she was sneaking bites from a customer's leftover plate. "Is she seriously that hungry?" "suggestion, I think we gotta make sure she gets a decent meal" A gasp escaped Ai's lips, and she hurriedly closed the distance between them. "Hikaru, please stop. We can provide you with a proper meal," Ai urged gently Hi.karu, however, waved off Ai's offer with a serene smile. "As a king, I must ensure that not even a morsel of food goes to waste," Hikaru declared, her voice carrying an air of nobility. "In my kingdom, every crumb holds the potential to sustain and save lives. I must honor that responsibility." Ai opened her mouth to object, but Hikaru swiftly interrupted. "What do you plan to do with this food?" "..." Ai fell silent, unable to provide an answer...No, it would be suited to say, she was embarrassed to say they would get rid of it. A subtle change flickered across Hikaru's face, her smile expanding as if to convey a tacit understanding between her and Ai. At that moment, Ai turned away without uttering another word, making her way back to the group. "Why is she still munching on leftovers? Didn't you talk to her?" Mai was the first to speak up, confusion evident in her voice. "Let's just let her do her thing," (...) The clock hit 2 PM, and that was time for the main event of the Tenou Festival. Representatives from the various schools were beginning to gather in the greenroom backstage. Shido had gotten someone to take over for him at the café and headed for the greenroom himself. But only he and Tohka were there in the small hall. No matter how much time passed, Ai-Mai-Mii did not appear. "Honestly. What are they doing?" he groaned as he crossed his arms and looked at the clock. It was already twenty minutes past the time they were supposed to meet. The first act would be starting soon. And that wasn't the only issue. Origami was also missing. He tried calling her several times but couldn't connect. It was like her phone was turned off. "Mm." Tohka cocked her head to one side. "What happened to everyone?" Shido shook his head to indicate that he didn't know, either, before picking up the bedazzled phone Kotori had arranged for Shiori's use and dialing Ai. It rang a few times and then he heard Ai's voice. "Yello! "Yamabuki, where are you? Please hurry and come to the greenroom!" "sorry, we decided we don't wanna perform" He gasped at the unexpected words. "Wh-why? We practiced so hard for this!" "Huh? It's just...Miss Miku told us not to." "...!" Ai hung up and he heard the empty dial tone in his ear. "Shido, what did Ai say?" Tohka asked curiously. "She said..." He managed to squeeze out a trembling voice. "They're not...coming..." "Mm! Wh-why not?!" "That's..." Shido pursed his lips together tightly. "Ngh. What are we supposed to...?" Shido moaned and grabbed his head, pushing his hair back and forth. "Shiori~!" The peals of sound reached Shido's ears, instantly capturing his attention. He looked up to find Hikaru standing there, adorned in her vibrant outfit, a cheerful smile adorning her face. "Hee-hee-hee!" "Hikaru? What are you doing here? The event is about to begin. You should be taking your seat," Shido questioned, his perplexity evident in his voice as he tried to comprehend Hikaru's unexpected presence. "Huh? What do you mean, Shiori? I'm part of the event. I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be," Hikaru replied with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "...What are you talking about?" "Hee~hee~hee, you'll see soon, Shiori-chan," Hikaru teased mischievously. Just as Hikaru finished her enigmatic words, the presenter's voice resounded through the microphones, echoing across the venue. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the most extraordinary event of the Tenou Festival. He exclaimed, his voice filled with contagious enthusiasm. "I hope you're all as excited as I am!" A ripple of applause and cheers erupted from the audience. "Now, without further ado, let's get this show on the road, shall we?" he continued, his tone brimming with anticipation. "It's time to introduce our first participant, the one and only Hikaru!" "Now I shall present you with a show like no other," Hikaru declared confidently, a touch of smugness coloring her words as she commenced her walk toward the stage. Shido, unsure of how to respond, could only mutter, "...yeah." Amidst the resounding applause from the audience, Hikaru stood alone on the stage, bathed in the spotlight's glow. The stage appeared barren, save for a five-piece drum set that caught everyone's attention. With purposeful steps, Hikaru made her way toward the drums and took a seat, ready to make her grand performance. The audience held their breath in anticipation, their minds consumed by a single question: What kind of show would she present, armed with only a five-piece drum? Hikaru held two steaks high in her hands, ready to begin her performance. With a confident smirk on her face, she started... Her performance lasted no more than four seconds before she gracefully took her seat and exited the stage. The showroom fell into a heavy silence. For a few moments, no one gasped or even took a breath. However, the silence didn't last long. "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" The entire audience erupted in shouts and applause. "Holy shit, she a girl with balls of steel!" "Hahaha, that's the masterpiece I've been waiting for!" "Does she have no shame?" Opinions about Hikaru's performance varied greatly. Some laughed, some seemed uncomfortable, and others were simply confused. "Why is everyone losing their mind?" a girl from Raizen High School asked, looking bewildered. "You don't know? Your mother raised you well," her friend replied with a smirk. Hikaru made her way back, her cloak trailing behind her, wearing a smug expression on her face. It didn't take long for her to stand in front of Shido, who was in utter disbelief, his mouth wide open. His face turned slightly red. "How did you—what—when!" Shido stammered, struggling to find the right words. "Hmmm, what's the matter, Shiori-chan? Do you want to say something?" Hikaru's voice teased him. "How did you know that sound?!" Shido finally managed to ask, his face growing even redder. "hmm~~" she tilted her head forward, allowing her hair to cascade over her shoulder, a mischievous smile played upon her lips, and a faint blush adorned her cheeks. "Loli, Milf, Harem, small breasts, foot, ffm threesome, anal, vanilla, pregnant, solo male, uncensored, genderbend—!" Hikaru's words caught in her throat as Shido quickly placed both hands over her mouth, preventing her from saying more. "I clear my browsing history, how did you—!" His face turned an even deeper shade of red, resembling a boiling kettle with smoke rising above his head. Hikaru couldn't help but giggle mischievously behind Shido's hands, her eyes gleaming with playful amusement. She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, enjoying every bit of Shido's embarrassment. Shido, realizing his predicament, quickly removed his hands from Hikaru's mouth, his face now resembling a ripe tomato. "That's... not what I meant!" he blurted out, flustered. "Shido, what's got you all flustered?" Tohka, who stood beside him, asked with a puzzled expression. "Oh... it's nothing, Tohka. Don't worry," Shido waved both his hands dismissively "Oh, by the way, is your show going to include just you and Tohka? I thought you were a team of five?" Hikaru inquired, her curiosity piqued. "Yeah, we were..."Shido pushed his hair back. "Let me think a second." He put a hand to his chin as though deep in thought and walked over to the wall. He then whispered to the earpiece in his right ear. "Kotori. Kotori." "What's up? You maybe want me to talk you down from nerves before you go out onstage?" He heard Kotori's lighthearted voice soon enough. "No... It's not that." He briefly explained that Ai-Mai-Mii had fallen under Miku's spell and that even Origami had dropped out right before the big show. "Mm-hmm. That Miku... She doesn't play fair, huh?" Kotori replied with a sigh. He couldn't see her from here, but he could easily imagine her shrugging in exasperation. "There's less than 15 min until we go on. What are we going to do?" "We're stuck here. We'll switch to the original lip-sync plan." "Is that going to work?" "I think it'll be marginally better than revealing your lovely singing voice onstage, at least." "Well," he said. "There is that. But I didn't bring the CD." "Don't worry. I've already got several people down there working as employees of the venue. They'll play the song when your time comes up, so you can rest easy." "...Of course you do," Shido murmured with admiration. His little sister thought of everything. "But even still, we don't have enough people. I doubt Tohka can play anything else, either." "I can help if you want. I've mastered every musical instrument in existence," Hikaru chimed in with confidence, offering her assistance. "And yet, that's what you're playing in your performance," Shido pointed out, shaking his head in disbelief. "Well, I thought it would be a hilarious idea," Hikaru giggled mischievously, scratching the back of her head. "you're really hopeless aren't you" he sighed, "But you already participated on your own. You can't be with us, that's against the law." "Well..." "Shido," a voice crackled through his earpiece. "It might not be possible to fill all those spots, but I should be able to arrange for two replacements. Meet up with them." "Replacements? Hold on a second. Even if they're talented, the moment people realize they're not from Raizen High School, we're done for, you know?" "I told you I'd take care of it, and yet you worry. You're getting a bit big for your britches there, Shido," she sneered, sniffing with annoyance. Shido was at a total loss for words. They needed to put on a show better than the one they were about to watch, but...did she understand that? Pop! Pop! Blue spotlights highlighted the center of the dimmed stage from several angles. In the overlapping pools of light, Miku brought the microphone to her mouth and began to sing along with the quiet music. He shuddered. He felt something like gooseflesh all over his body. Then as the song gradually grew more upbeat, the spotlights increased in intensity, revealing the backup dancers waiting behind her. Miku's dancing also became wilder, and more intense. The tension in the venue increased in step with the changes in tempo and light. "Wow," he murmured, half-stunned. Shido didn't have any real interest in idols or any of that stuff, however, He was starting to understand those fans who passed out at concerts. But. "...?!" Shido frowned just as this passion was reaching its zenith. Just when Miku was about to begin the second verse, the lights went out, and the stage was blanketed by darkness. And it wasn't just that. The music playing through the large speakers also shut off with the disappearance of the lights. Confused whispers began to sprout from the audience. Shido was the only one whose eyes shot open. A certain possibility had crossed his mind. "Did they...?" "Correct," Kotori replied before he could call out to her. "I had my people fiddle with the venue equipment. Once the excitement dies down, I'll let the show continue. But if the crowd gets worked into a frenzy again, we'll do what we have to do." "..." Shido scratched his cheek. She might have been his little sister, but she certainly had a devious edge to her. And indeed, this could very effectively cool the rising passion of the spectators. No matter how great the performance was, it was pointless if no one could see it. However. "Huh?" Shido looked down again. A hazy light appeared at the center of the pitch-black stage. And then as if to curb the audience's chatter, he heard a clear voice shouting. "Shaddai El Chai!" Miku threw her arms wide, and the song ended. The audience erupted into their loudest cheer yet. "Hee-hee! Thank you so much." Miku bowed neatly as she wiped away the sweat that had popped up on her forehead. A deafening applause celebrated her as she left the stage. "..." Shido wordlessly put a hand on his forehead. "Mm! That was amazing!" Tohka squealed happily. "UMU! She may be half as good as I am," Hikaru chimed in confidently. The applause didn't stop even after Miku was gone from the stage. Shido and Tohka descended the stairs to return to the greenroom, accompanied by thunderous clapping. Meanwhile, Hikaru remained in her seat, captivated by the ongoing show. She waved at Shido and Tohka, calling out, "Do your best, Shido, Tohka!" Despite the noise, Shido and Tohka heard her words. Tohka responded with determination, "Leave it to us, Hikaru!" "..." while Shido simply nodded They made their way back to the green room, and No one else was there. The other performers were probably planning to watch the rest of the acts. Or maybe they were just dazed from watching Miku's unbelievable performance. "What's the matter, Shido? If you don't cheer up, we won't be able to win, you know?" Tohka cocked her head to one side. "I guess not." He plastered a wan smile on his face. But she was exactly right. However amazing their rival's performance was, being overwhelmed by that wouldn't lead them to victory. But he couldn't seem to shake this bad feeling, no matter how hard he tried to brush it away. They might have had an alternate plan for the song, but he didn't even know who these backup players coming to fill the hole left by Ai, Mai, and Mii were. He couldn't exactly— The door to the greenroom slowly creaked open, and head still hanging, Shido heard familiar voices call to him. "Keh-heh. You have quite the long face there, hmm? As if the dead cling to your feet." "Disappointment. You lack spirit. You've lost the battle before it's begun." "...?!" Shido jerked his head up and found two girls dressed in maid uniforms before him. "so that's what she meant when she said, she'll take care of everything" he mumbled to himself. Shido suddenly remembered that the two sisters had been involved in a contest after contest long, long before he met them. He'd heard that they grew tired of simply throwing punches at each other, but he never dreamed it had gone this far. "Now. Shido. Because of your intervention, we can be together now." "Oath. Please let Kaguya and Yuzuru help you now." Miku was a difficult opponent. And the audience was packed with her fans. Even with a perfect performance, they wouldn't be able to snatch victory from the idol so easily. But. Shido gulped as he took their hands and yanked his face up. "...Yeah...!" (...) A cheer rose from the audience, and his heart started pounding like a drum. "Mmngh." He gulped, attempting to calm the nerves in his dry throat. And then he took a deep breath. But his heart showed no signs of quieting. That was only to be expected.