Wonder Game - outbreak 1

Location: Secret Room

- 30 Minutes Later -

Natsume: Ḅ͇̘̗ṳ͔̰r͔̘͕ͅn̞̩̰̱̰,͉̳̙͚̖͇̘̕ ͠b̬̙u̴̗̪r̞͔͚̣͓̻̞n͚͎̹̻͇̠,̙̱͈̥̗̘ ̧̦̘̩̘̗o̮ ͔͇͉͎̫f̫̟͎͚̜̺l̬͕͜a̯̹̹̫̩͢ͅm̖͖͞ẹ̺̦̫̙,̠̗̰̝͔̖͡ ̱̜̥b҉̗̼u͏̲͈̙ͅr̸̲̺̯͉̞̝̰n̺̻͖̤̰̞̗͞ ͖̮͉͇͢ͅb͝r̤̝i̶g̨̩͉͇h̵͈̬ͅt̰̦̲͙̥̰̞l͉̼̞͎͓̫̜y̙͇̟.̭̦ ̳̯͎̞̮̞O p̧̜͈͕̣u̸̞̘̜̺̘̹r̨̭͓̱̜̬i̡͍̺̦̩f̸͇ͅy͉̹̦̱͙͈̯i͉̭̞̜͎͔n͓̬̺̦̥̠g͈̻̫ ͍͓̮̭̩͎̻͟b͎̥̤̜̮ļ̙̳͙̟̤͇a̰̙̭z̡̝̙̭̱̙͖̖e͕̣̘͖̖͈,̲̜̳̙ ̸m͈̻͙̞̖a͞y̙̩̟ͅ ̹͝y̜̘o͔̦͎̘͙̗u̪̯ b͏͍͖̣̺u͏͎̩̳̳̟r̛̮͙̭̭͔n̴͔͔̼̲ ̮̠t̨̻̼͍h̝͘i̙͎͎̦̺s̴ ̷̰̣̻͔̥e̳̞͙͇̲̫̱v͖ͅi̟̪̜̬͝l̙̭d͏̖̹ó̪̭͉̥̣͍e̻̺̥̫͇r's͝ ͚̦ş̯̩̠͙ͅi̤̜̥̰̟̹n̙s̬͡ ͙̩t̗̥̤̘o̟̖͇͉ͅ ̮̩͈̺̻͘ͅas̡h͜e͙̫͍̹ș̷͍.̸

̜̥

͉̼͙̙̰À̜͇̳s̶͓͎̳̙̼h̦̺̜̦̹͠ẹ̢͇̻̠͈s͚ ̨̮t̗̜̺̮͞o͈̖͇͉͞ ͖̹̼̟̦̺à̙͎s͖he̠̱̱s̷̰͚͖̙̩͚,͍̖̻̹̮̗ ͡d͔͙̟u҉͕̤s̟t̥͠ ̳̝t͈͙̟̲̦̣͝o̳̥͚̱̝͖ ̞̜͓̫̞̻̗͞d͈̠̳͕̥͝ͅu̺͓̠͇̪̠͘s̱t̟̺͕̩͈͠.̰̱̯͘ ҉̱̳E̺͓͇͚̮͖l̛̟͉̦͕͍̜o̸̰̖̜̖͙ͅh̭͈̩̻i̱̺͜m̸̭̟̩̙̭͙,̠̹̱ ͈͍E̳̪̲̫͖ss̷̼͇̠̤̺̪a͚i̘͈̺͇͜m̫͉̠.̱͡*̢͔͔͈͈

̩

Tsumugi: ………

...Umm. Have you settled down now, Natsume-kun?

Your stress relief this time was on an incredible scale~, who would’ve thought you’d really set up a witch trial-like stake burning ritual ♪

Natsume: It seems like it didn’t work one bIT. If you don’t show proper remorSE, I’ll use real fire next tiME.

Tsumugi: But I’ll die if you really do set me on fire…

Since you put on a stage trick made of paper and lights instead of the real thing this time, I got away with just being tickled a little and blinded by the lights.

Sora: HaHa~♪ Sora was wondering what Shisho~ and Senpai were doing, but it was all just a trick like that? Sora thought it was some new kind of game~.

Tsumugi: Ah, so it didn’t look like “burning flames” to you, did it Sora-kun?

Sora: Not at all! Because it didn’t give off the “color” of heat!

Natsume: As if I’d set a fire indooRS… I was doing a test run of the special effects for our future live shows while simultaneously handing down punishment for SenpAI, since I am efficient by principLE.

HmM. It may look cheap from up cloSE, but maybe it’ll look like real flames when viewed from a distanCE?

Tsumugi: Fufu. If it looks too realistic, the audience might be taken aback, so I think it may not be too bad if it’s cheap-looking to an extent.

It’d be troubling if there was an uproar, like “There’s a fire!” and someone notified the authorities, right?

Natsume: I’m well aware of thAT, no need for Senpai of all people to point it out to mE.

Making people believe in dreams and illusions as if they’re the truth is magIC, tOO. But when they become too lifeliKE, the people watching it might get confusED.

Just like there was that incident where people heard the fake news that “Martians have invaded earth!” on the radIO, and went into a panic believing it was trUE.**

Tsumugi: Ahaha. That’s exactly like how during the witch-hunts in the Middle Ages, the majority of the people who were putting others on trial actually believed them to be witches.

Natsume: People easily believe what they want to believe IN. And human history is made of people who maliciously exploit this disposition in otheRS.

Those are not cowardly tricKS, but entirely respectable measurES.

That’s exactly why the important thing is how one makes use of these skilLS.

Just like how children admire idols because of the idol industry they see reflected on televisiON, where “good men and women live together in happineSS”--

In other worDS, a utopIA.

Everyone wants to live in a world like thAT. That’s why religions which insist that “Those who believe shall be saved”, and that they’ll reach paradise one dAY, never go undER.

But reality is differeNT. Because it exists in this flawed worLD, the entertainment industry is swirling with corruption and ill wiLL.

If they just thought about it for a momeNT, anyone could come to that conclusiON. And yET, even grown-up adults nowadays believe in such daydreaMS.

The frantic public image make-over of the entertainment industry is probably the result of them trying to sweep the tragedy of “that Akehoshi” under the rug and make the public masses forget all about IT.

Even though a real utopia doesn’t exist anywheRE, and anyone who believes in its existence merely fell for an illusiON.

There’s no sin in thAT, but I feel pity for anyone who gets tricked by that deception and aims for that utopIA.

Tsumugi: You talk like this doesn't concern you, yet I vividly remember how in the past, "Natsume-chan" seemed to believe that wholeheartedly.

Saying "I want to become an idol" with sparkling eyes--

Natsume: How many times do I have to tell you to forget about the Me from the paST, Moja-Q?

Tsumugi: Moja-Q!? Please don’t give me a name like I’m some new flavor of candy! 

Natsume: HmPH. If you want those kinds of courtesies from someone elSE, demonstrate them yourself firST. It is unpleasant to be randomly reminded of that and called “-chAN”.

Sora: (Hmm~m, they’re talking about complicated stuff~. But since Senpai is still tied up and crucified the whole time, the atmosphere just doesn’t feel serious at all.)

(Or rather, it feels like they’re both forcing themselves to “make the atmosphere return to normal”... But, it seems like it’s not going well?)

(They’re acting awkward, and the mood is all fuzzy~…?)

Ibara: Knock knock! This is Saegusa Ibara of Eden, requesting permission to enter!

Natsume: ….!? Eden?

Ibara: Yes! I apologize for the sudden intrusion, but I came here for a briefing session regarding “Wonder Game”~!

Sora: (“Wonder Game”... That name again. Because Sora hasn’t gotten a detailed explanation of it, he doesn’t really get it~, just what is it?)

(Is it the reason why Shisho~ and Senpai have a different “color” than usual? Sora doesn’t get it, but he somehow has a bad feeling about this~...?)

------------------

* Elohim, Essaim is a magic spell from The Grand Grimoire, used to summon a spirit that will do your bidding.

** Natsume refers to The War of the Worlds being read on the radio in 1938.

Wonder Game - outbreak 2

Location: Secret Room

Natsume: ...Hey SenpAI, what is this about a briefing sessiON? No one told me about thIS.

It’s already enough of a problem that you accepted this work request all by yourseLF, so could you refrain from putting together even more plans without consulting mE, the leadER?

Tsumugi: Oh no no, I haven’t heard anything about this briefing session either! More importantly, could you please untie my ropes already?

Most of the people at this school would probably look the other way if they saw us doing weird stuff like this…

But Saegusa-kun is from another school, seeing us carry out a “stake-burning punishment” would definitely startle him!

Natsume: We’d be lucky if we got away with him just being “startlED”, if things go badly he might even cause an uproar and report us for thIS.

Guess I don’t have a choiCE. I’ll deal with Saegusa while Sora and the Little Kitten help you untie those ropES.

Sora: HiHi~♪ Roger! Or actually, the ropes seem to be so loosely bound that Senpai could probably escape all by himself if he tried~?

Natsume: If I bound him tightly enough for him to feel paIN, I’d run the risk of him getting seriously injured after aLL.

“To bind and dominate” is essentiAL, if not the very foundation of S&M.

Tsumugi: This was S&M!? That means this was Natsume-kun expressing his affection for me…!

Natsume: There’s no affectiON. Don’t misunderstand mE, this is merely akin to a pet breeder being asked by someone to discipline their animAL.

...In any caSE, letting him wait any longer will just make him suspicioUS, so I will deal with Saegusa swiftLY. I’m gonna open the door nOW, so make Senpai hide behind a partition or somethi--

Ibara: Once again, I apologize! Why, please pardon my insolence!

Natsume: (....!? This guy really barged in without waiting for permission to entER! He’s unbelievably ruDE!?)

Sora: ….HuHu~♪

Natsume: (Good thinkiNG, SoRA! You quickly hid Senpai behind the partition screEN! Now’s my chance to make up some excuse and guide Saegusa into another roOM!)

Ibara: ...Oho? I thought I heard the sound of something burning, but maybe it was just my imagination?

Thinking that, I got so concerned that I ended up barging into the room!

Natsume: (TcH, he came prepared for that argument alreaDY. Now that he made up a good excuSE, I’d be the one looking rude if I scolded him for his bad manneRS. ...No, hold on a secoND?)

Welcome. You’re Saegusa Ibara-san of EdEN, rigHT? I welcome yOU. 

...This club room isn’t supposed to exist on any official documenTS. As someone from outside the schoOL, how did you know that you would find us heRE?

Ibara: Yes! That is of course, because Aoba Tsumugi-senpai told me about this room when he appointed it as the location for us to meet!

Natsume: ….! (He glares in Tsumugi’s direction)

Tsumugi: ….! …..! (He shakes his head fervently behind the partition)

Natsume: (That idiOT! It’s already intolerable that he acted without permissiON, but to leak information tOO? This is enough of a blunder to warrant immediate exiLE, SenpAI!)

Ibara: ...I was kidding, I know of this place as a result of a minor investigation I conducted prior to coming here. From here on out, we at CosPro and Yumenosaki Academy will be cooperating after all.

Journeying abroad without doing any prior research and without even taking a guidebook is a lot of fun too, though.

In a business situation however, it would be rude to go into things without researching the other side beforehand.

Natsume: (...I’ve been hAD! He tricked mE, and now he managed to infer Senpai’s location from my eye movemenTS!)

(It may be inconsequentiAL, but it feels like he led me around by the nose and that’s pissing me oFF!)

(Saegusa Ibara of Eden. I already heard that he is quite shreWD, but he may even exceed the rumoRS.)

(No… Those rumors were based on prior experiences during negotiations with YumenosaKI, I should look at this as him having matured since thEN.)

(I can’t underestimate hIM… Even the briefing session he mentioned may be nothing but preteXT, just what are his real intentioNS?)

Ibara: (Hmm, what a let-down. From my prior investigation, I expected Switch to deal better with a chaotic situation...)

(I expected them to be more formidable than this.)

(No, it’d be too hasty to make my judgment already. I caught them off guard with a surprise attack, this result is only to be expected when they hadn’t prepared themselves!)

(Rather, I should strike while they’re still finding their footing and press harder~♪)

(Aah, how fun this is! Setting things in motion with my very own hands is an irreplacable pleasure...☆)

Tsumugi: Heave-ho… (He whispers:) Thank you so much for helping me untie these ropes, Sora-kun, Anzu-chan.

Excuse me, Saegusa-kun? This is an inconvenience, this area is for authorized personnel only, you see~?

Rather than a school facility, this room is more like a private space for us.

Just like the private rooms for “special students” at Shuuetsu Academy.

Ibara: (...Hm. I should’ve expected this, but he also researched us to a certain degree.)

(This wasn’t anything we were trying to hide though, so it’s only natural that he found out about it.)

Yes, please pardon my intrusion! I humbly apologize! 

However, the “special student” system is currently undergoing a complete review, so it is likely that we won’t keep living in private rooms indefinitely ♪

In any case. I am sure anyone would find it unpleasant for their sleeping faces to be peeked at.

I think I will leave the room and stand by in the corridor outside, and you can call for me when you have finished your preparations~♪

Well then, I apologize for the disturbance!

It feels like we got off on the wrong foot, but I’d be happy if we could not get discouraged and make “Wonder Game” a success together!

Natsume: ...WhaT? Um, is Eden to participate in “Wonder Game” as weLL?

Ibara: Oh my, you haven’t heard? It appears you experienced some miscommunication!

“Wonder Game” is to be the first step in this new era, a grand event with numerous agencies and idols participating.

It’s a crucial match that we absolutely can’t afford to miss, so CosPro deployed us, Eden, since we have the most fighting strength!

Well, there are a lot of other factors in this--

But I’ll leave those for the detailed explanation later on… For now, we should disperse at once. I will see you later -- everyone from Switch ♪

Wonder Game - outbreak 3

Location: Garden Terrace

- Ten Minutes Or So Later -

Nagisa: ……….

Ibara: Your Excellency~! I apologize for the wait I’ve caused you, please forgive me for abandoning you in hostile territory!

I was busy handing down a swift preemptive strike upon our most formidable enemies at “Wonder Game”, Switch… There was a lot to do, you see!

It appears as though His Eminence Eichi has anticipated our visit, to an extent… From what I could tell from a slight investigation, he hid all confidential matters carefully ahead of time.

Fufufu. But even so, compared to CosPro, Yumenosaki is 10 years behind the times…

As soon as you infiltrate the school, there’s no point to their security anymore, from what I gathered.

Nagisa: ……? I’m sorry Ibara, I was reading a book and wasn’t listening at all.

Ibara: Oh no, no need to apologize! If anything, I am sorry for causing a fuss in your vicinity and disturbing you while you were reading!

Nagisa: ……Fufu. Right back at you, Ibara. There’s no need to say “I am sorry”.

……Apologizing in order to make the other feel at ease, how thoughtful. I learned something new.

Ibara: Yes. These kinds of shrewd skills are necessary to maneuver adult society.

Nagisa: ……How complicated. But if you say they’re necessary, you’re probably right, Ibara.

……More importantly. Ibara, you’re not with Tsumugi-kun and the others?

……Even though you said you would call them here for a briefing session.

Ibara: Aah, they said they have some cleaning up to do so I should go ahead by myself. I wonder what they were doing…

From my light observation, I could tell that the poison I injected into them earlier is starting to circulate already, though.

But we can’t let our guard down just yet. Trickstar was quite formidable after all…

Maybe it is due to Yumenosaki’s idols being used to doing battle in their “unit” system for such a long time, but their solidarity is quite strong.

In order to crush them, we’ll need one more push.

Nagisa: ……I wonder about that. I don’t know how the world sees him, but I wouldn’t underestimate Tsumugi-kun.

……Back in fine, Eichi-kun ruled the unit from the shadows, and used him to fulfill his dreams.

……In terms of skills as an idol as well popularity, the leading actors Hiyori-kun and I outshined him.

……And yet. I am sure if it wasn’t for Tsumugi-kun, the revolution couldn’t have happened.

……Fine would have probably broken apart at some point, and been defeated. We only managed to avoid meeting that fate due to Tsumugi-kun’s deeds.

Ibara: Hm~m? I can’t quite agree with that.

Your Excellency must be biased because he was once part of fine himself. For a piece* like him, I think any substitute would do the job just as well, if not better.

Nagisa: ……That’s true. Because there is no piece on a chessboard that’s unneeded.

Tsumugi: I’m sorry for the wait~♪

Er, huh? Nagisa-kun, you came too~, I’m so happy that I get to see you so often lately ♪

Nagisa: ……Yeah. I’m happy too. When I transferred schools, I kind of thought I’d probably never see you again. 

Natsume: …………

Nagisa:  ……Hm? Aah, it’s you, that child of the “Five Oddballs”. It’s been a while.

Natsume:  ……Don’t address me so familiarLY, ex-fiNE.

Tsumugi: Alright, alright. I doubt it’ll be possible for an ex-fine and one of the Oddballs to have a pleasant chat between friends, but please at least try to refrain from fighting, if possible.

There’s people around, so let’s behave, okay?

Natsume: No need for you to tell me thAT. I won’t say “Hate the sin, love the sinnER”, but there’s no point in me venting my anger to a weapon that was merely used because he was convenieNT.

Nagisa: ……You must be jealous. Since no one had any use for you, a child who was just there to “make up the numbers”.

Natsume: …………

Tsumugi: (Uu! I saw this coming, but the mood really turned hostile all of a sudden?)

(Natsume-kun is usually a rational kid, and he’s willing to get along with most people to some degree, but…)

(In front of an ex-fine member, he speaks his mind bluntly, it seems.)

Ibara: (Fufu. His Excellency said something provocative on purpose just now.)

(Even he might be a little shaken, being confronted with the personified sins from his past, one of the “Five Oddballs”.)

(I’m not sure if this is going in a good direction or not…)

(If this causes some sort of fighting spirit to budden within the usually somewhat unassertive Excellency it’d be a cause for joy, but he will become more difficult to handle if he lets his emotions get the best of him.)

Tsumugi & Ibara: (Sigh… Somehow, I feel like I’m raising a child.)

Natsume: ……? Hey SenpAI, aren’t you two thinking something really rude right nOW?

Nagisa:  ……Ibara, you make this kind of expression every once in a while. What’s wrong, does your stomach hurt?

Sora: (Hnn~... Sora somehow feels like he is the only one being left out of the loop.)

(Sometimes, it happens for a moment. Everyone gets worked up about something unrelated to Sora, that he doesn’t know anything about.)

(Only Sora is left behind all on his own. It feels kind of lonely~, like Sora returned to the past. Back to that time before Sora met Shisho~ and Senpai, when he was all alone.)

……Fuwah? W-what’s wrong, Anzu? Why are you patting Sora’s head?

? Anzu, you can tell how Sora is feeling?

Sora gets it~... Ehehe, Sora isn’t alone anymore, so he isn’t lonely at all~♪

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* Ibara refers to a 種の駒, Race Piece or lit. Seed Piece. These are used in No Game No Life.