Chapter 24

"By the way, Van, you lost earlier, didn't you?"

"…So you were watching after all."

"Indeed. I bet on you, and you let me down. Useless."

"What! You were betting on me!?"

"Yes. If Van had won, we would have gotten sweets from a popular shop."

"That's... I'm sorry, but still, making it to the finals as a first-year is pretty impressive! I beat four upperclassmen, you know?"

"Is that so? Strange, I only saw you lose."

"That's because you only watched the final!"

"Well, it was a good fight. You'll definitely win the championship next year, right?"

"Of course! And Roy, you should join the tournament next year too. It would be more exciting that way!"

"I'll pass. It's not my thing."

"That's not true."

"Of course, in a real fight, I have the confidence to take on even Altoro. But in a duel with set rules, there are limits to what I can do. It's not suited for someone like me who prefers to fight by trickery."

"If you say so, I have the confidence to beat both Altoro-senpai and Roy if I could use a sword."

Van imagined me fighting with a sword, dead serious. ...It's scary. I still remember how Van cut a monster in half with a single stroke during our third year at the preparatory school. How skilled has he become now? I definitely can't win in a pure combat match. If we ever fight for real, I'll... try to create a favorable situation before the fight. I won't lose in a close combat. I'll be prepared to lose an arm and use every trick in the book to take him down.

"No, I'm probably stronger. I'm smarter, you know."

"You won't know until we try! Anyway, I'll challenge you in the tournament next year!"

"I already said I won't join. Besides, I might not even be at the academy this time next year."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Nothing. I just won't join. More importantly, are you okay with the play's lines? You didn't forget them all because of the shock of losing, did you?"

I changed the subject. Van narrowed his eyes suspiciously but then seemed to become anxious about the lines, his gaze wandering.

"...I'll be fine."

Van answered uncertainly.

"Heh. Van playing the role of a villain's henchman..."

Originally, Van was supposed to play the lead role of a famous detective at the Spirit Festival, but it was decided that Everest, who had become the school's fashion leader as a model for Ely's designs, would play the lead for better promotional effect. As a result, Van was given the role of the villain's henchman, which Everest was supposed to play.

"Ha... I understand that Altoro is popular with girls, but there was no need to switch roles..."

Van sighed. He seemed to really dislike the role of the henchman.

"Van, I haven't told you this, but there's another reason you were replaced as the lead."

"Huh?"

"You're not a very good actor."

"Huh?"

Van stared at me with his mouth open, speechless.

"How about Everest's acting? Isn't it surprisingly good?"

"I guess he's somewhat good..."

"He's really good."

"...Is he that much better?"

I nodded silently. Van looked shocked, not knowing what to say. Maybe I shouldn't have told him before the performance.

After that, I repeatedly reassured him that he wasn't a bad actor, just not as good as Everest, and by the time we reached the auditorium, Van seemed to have recovered his spirits.

In the auditorium, volunteers and groups were scheduled to perform in a predetermined order. Van and I arrived just as the puppet club, which we had seen in the square earlier, finished their performance. We joined up with Persia and Mash, who had already arrived. Everest and Ely hadn't arrived yet, and it seemed the final fashion show had just ended.

"We arrived at a good time. How was the debate, Persia?"

"It was a productive session. There were some competent debaters."

"That's good."

Just thinking about debating with Persia is terrifying. I'd be completely outmatched.

"When I watched, Persia's opponent was crying."

Mash said. Persia looked indifferent. I should use my hands, not my mouth, when I fight with him.

"By the way, Altoro won the tournament."

Persia glanced at Van.

"...The Aviram faction is full of stubborn people. Why can't you just congratulate me on coming in second?"

"Hmm. I was just stating the winner's name."

"You knew I lost in the final, didn't you?"

"Oh, you were the final opponent. I didn't know that."

"Hah. Don't play dumb."

Van glared at Persia. These two will never get along.

"I'm going now."

Ignoring the banter between Persia and Van, Mash said. He waved at us and walked lightly towards the stage.

"Right, our play is after Mash's concert."

"Yes. We should go and prepare. The other three have arrived as well."

Turning around, I saw Everest, Ely, and Olivia walking towards us, just as Persia said.

While listening to Mash's piano performance, we, the 'Boundary Theater Troupe,' and Olivia began our preparations backstage. Although Olivia is not a member, she is joining us as a guest performer. She will play the role of the detective's partner, which was originally supposed to be Ely's, but Ely wanted to focus on costume design and brought Olivia instead.

Mash's performance ended, the curtain closed, and the student committee members started moving the piano and props. I carried the magic communicator and stand onto the stage and set them up. The communicator is positioned at about my mouth level. The receiver was already set up yesterday, so all I needed to do was activate the communicator.

Looking backstage, it seemed the actors were ready, and Persia gave me a signal. I nodded at him and activated the communicator. The receiver emitted a buzzing noise, confirming the connection. The noise drew the attention of the students in the auditorium to me on stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us. I am Roy Aviram, the leader of the 'Boundary Theater Troupe.' Today, we present 'Cheryl Holmes and the Masked Fiend.' It's a story of the famous detective Cheryl Holmes bravely confronting the masked fiend who has plunged the city into fear. Please enjoy."

I bowed respectfully and stepped offstage. As the curtain opened, Everest's voice immediately captured the audience's attention.

"Oh, no, not another ordinary Wednesday. Jane, is there any interesting case happening?"

Ely's voice echoed through the auditorium, and I was relieved that the communicator was picking up the sound clearly.

"Now, Cheryl, it's better if there are no cases."

"Hmm... What a boring woman."

"It's fine to be boring."

"That's it. Why don't you create a case? Then I won't be bored to death, and you'll earn the title of an interesting woman. Isn't that a great idea?"

Good start. I knew Everest would stand out on stage, but she was even more captivating than during practice. She loves being the center of attention, so her performance becomes even more expressive with a large audience. Her clear, resonant voice, perfect timing, and the confidence she has as the queen of our generation since childhood were all evident in her acting.

The story began when the masked fiend caused the first incident. The masked fiend, played by Persia, remained elusive. The famous detective Cheryl, determined to make the fiend her arch-nemesis, bravely confronted him. She engaged in several intense battles with the fiend's powerful henchmen and, using her brilliant mind, cornered the fiend, leading to a final showdown on the Triangle Bridge.

"You have nowhere to run now."

Everest, holding her cane, said calmly. Persia, playing the masked fiend, stood on a platform representing the bridge's railing, glaring at Everest.

"Impossible. I, a demon, cannot lose to a mere human..."

"You lose to Cheryl Holmes."

"My ambitions..."

"Your ambitions will not be realized. Goodbye."

A beam of light shot from Everest's cane and hit Persia. Persia clutched his chest and staggered.

"Ugh... If only you weren't here..."

Persia fell off the railing and disappeared. Everest put her cane away and sighed.

"Naive. My presence is a given in this city."

Olivia ran to Everest.

"Great job, Cheryl! Now the city will finally have peace!"

"Yes..."

"What's wrong? You don't seem very happy."

"That's because..."

"What? The case is solved!"

"But... another boring Wednesday is coming."

Everest complained, sounding genuinely disappointed.

"Really, you..."

Olivia sighed in exasperation as the curtain closed.