Chapter 98

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Romance aside, when Tibolt and Macushio also had their neck-cutting ceremony, there was a round of applause from the surroundings.

But, thinking about it, wouldn't making such a vow bind their futures?

I think so, but their atonement ultimately is to serve Kikunoi when they become strong, so it has to be a binding form.

But if it raises their motivation for the martial arts tournament, that's good.

Just as I was thinking that, something bumped into me from behind with a thud.

When I turned around, Hiyoko was puffing out her cheeks.

Kanade also seemed to be pouting.

"What's wrong, Regulus? Kanade...?"

"Brother! The best is Lei, right!"

"Why should they go first, even though I'm the chick?"

What's going on?

I tilted my head, not understanding why they were upset, and Lala-san clapped her hands.

"Maybe they were envious of the neck-cutting ceremony?"

"Eh... why?"

"Why...?"

"Brother, I'll protect Lei!"

"I said I'd be Young Master's right arm!"

Huh?

So, they think the three of them are my retainers.

That's a bit off.

When I tried to correct them, Victor-san shook his finger.

"You don't need a neck-cutting ceremony. You're in a special category with A-tan. After all, Lei is your only younger brother, and Kanade is your only best friend."

It sounds like he's saying they're lonely, but it's not wrong.

Regulus is my only blood-related younger brother, and while there are people like Second Son and Maria who can be called friends, the only one who can be called a best friend is Kanade.

My best friend from my previous life is in a different category.

Nodding, the two of them seemed to feel a bit smug.

Seeing this, the La Pucelle girls squealed, "So cute!"

Yeah, Regulus and Kanade are cute by default.

I hugged Regulus tightly and held Kanade's hand. Their puffed cheeks completely disappeared, so they must have understood.

Now, let's continue with the meal.

The well-cooked vegetables and meat were being gobbled up by Romeo and the La Pucelle girls, and Regulus and Kanade were eating energetically.

When we finished the baked apples for dessert.

"As a thank you for inviting us, we'll sing a song!"

With Rinka at the center, the five lined up, and Victor-san waved the baton.

Then the five began to sing in perfect harmony.

The song was their original, which they usually sing at the café.

The lively melody, combined with the different pitches of their voices, created a beautiful harmony.

However, this wasn't the song they would sing in the competition.

After holding the last note, they raised their arms to the sky in a finishing pose.

Kanade and Regulus's applause echoed loudly in the courtyard, and I clapped just as enthusiastically.

"Thank you very much!!"

The girls bowed in unison, and Victor-san also bowed, then lifted their faces.

He then handed the furoshiki-wrapped packages to each of them one by one.

"Can we open them?"

"Of course."

When they opened the packages at my words, Schnee exclaimed, "Kyaa!"

"Cute! This skirt looks like a dress!"

"Really! Amazing!"

"Wow, it has frills like a cape!"

"So cute..."

In their hands were the stage costumes for the competition—a white puffed-sleeve lace jacket, a pleated dress with a zigzag hem, silk stockings, white shoes, and a fairy-like cape with soft chiffon wings.

I actually prepared accessories too, but that's a surprise for the day.

They held the costumes up to their bodies, and it was a beautiful and cute sight.

As I was feeling warm and fuzzy, Lynne hugged the costume with a serious face.

Lynne's wings were yellow.

"Thank you, Young Master. We will do our best for Kikunoi!"

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

Rinka, with pink wings, had tears in her eyes.

"At first, I only joined the choir to go home. But now it's different."

"I feel the same as Rinka. Now, I truly want to sing from my heart."

Stella, with a ponytail and blue wings, was about to cry as she leaned on Rinka.

Schnee, with green wings, also leaned on Rinka.

"An adventurer who supports us said, 'Today was dangerous, but I kept going because I could hear your songs when I returned alive.' It made me happy to know that we could be someone's reason to live."

Misora, with purple wings, flipped them and leaned on Lynne. Tears were also welling up in their eyes.

"The joy of being supported and the happiness of being someone's reason to live are things we only learned by being in the choir. So, I will continue to work hard to be someone's support!"

I didn't do much for them, but it's worth making the costumes if they can say such things.

Nodding, Victor-san smiled gently.

"The choir has a model, right? I think it's a girls' theater troupe from another world..."

"Yes. They also give dreams and hope to their audience and show them beautiful stories. I want the La Pucelle girls to be like that."

How difficult it is to give someone hope and the courage to live.

But idols and actors do it as a matter of course.

"May you, La Pucelle, bring dreams and hope not only to Kikunoi but to others as well."

"Yes! We will do our best!"

The five girls' spirited voices echoed proudly in the clear blue sky.

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