!! Main Story Chapter 76 - Unmask
Jun. 6th, 2022 01:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shivalriesSeason: Summer
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Location: Dance Room
Hiiro: Hm, I see. I understand it perfectly now.
It's true that rather than spending a rather hefty amount of money on Madara-senpai, who we're not even sure if we can trust...
It might be a much better choice to have our ally and friend Mayoi-senpai coach us. That would lessen our burdens, both mentally and financially.
Aira: W-Why are you talking about Mayo-san all of a sudden? Sorry, I don't follow!
Hiiro: ? I mean, isn't Mayoi-senpai the Phantom of that urban legend?
Mayoi: ......
Tatsumi: Aha, I see now.
Aira: Whaaa? Where did you get that? And why am I still the only one who doesn't get it?! Stop it, you're making me look like a total idiot!
Hiiro: Heh, it's alright, Aira. I'm most likely more stupid than you are.
Aira: That doesn't make me feel better at all!
Tatsumi: Fufu. Speaking of which, when we encountered Switch, that boy named Natsume-san called Mayoi-san "Phantom", right?
It's not the strongest evidence for pinning down Mayoi-san as the Phantom, but... I believe that's where Hiiro-san got his conclusion, no?
Hiiro: Mhmm! I thought over many possibilities, but I couldn't think up any other reason why Madara-senpai would bring all that up here!
Even if it was just some meaningless conversation, he wouldn't simply start talking about a topic like that!
Let me ask one thing to confirm, Madara-senpai. The Phantom you saw on your surveillance cameras was—
Madara: Yep, that pale-faced guy there—Mayoi-san, was it? If you like, I can show you the recordings later.
You're much closer to him than I am, so you'd probably recognize him with a single glance, huh?
Mayoi: ......
Aira: Mayo-san?! Wait, why did you suddenly keel over like that? Are you okay?
Mayoi: Mgnhhh, I'm sooooorry...
I feel like a criminal cornered by an ace detective, as if my embarrassing hobbies have been exposed and all my shame and... and everything else has just... reached its limit...
Tatsumi: Hehe. It's nothing to be embarrassed about.
It's wonderful that you held out a hand of salvation to those poor, wandering idols. Surely the Lord has seen your good deeds. ♪
Mayoi: Eek, could the Lord not look?! Please don't look! I'm not some immaculate saint!
I was only pretending to help those cute little troubled idols so I could fulfill my filthy desires...!
Madara: Even so, no matter what your reasons were, the truth remains that you helped people.
You were the light of compassion that shone upon those idols who were lost, with no one to rely on. From my perspective, you're a proper, respectable hero.
Hiiro: What's a... hero? It sounds like my name...
Mayoi: Eep, I am no such thing...! In fact, I'm the gross, ugly monster that the hero needs to defeat!
You all know of the pitiful fate that befell the "Phantom of the Opera", right?
Hiiro: No, I'm not well-informed. I need to study more...
But more importantly, Mayoi-senpai, it appears you possess the abilities that we need the most right now.
Someone who teaches the ins and outs of being an idol, who can watch over our practices—I believe you called that a "coach".
I'd feel safe with you in that role, Mayoi-senpai.
No—I'd consider it a stroke of luck to be taught by the prestigious Phantom.
Mayoi: Eeee, please don't call me "Phantom"! Who even thought of that?! I mean, I didn't even know people were spreading rumors about meeeeee!
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I only wanted to bask in the glow of idols up close! I snuck into school without ever even going to class!
I'm nothing more than an intrudeeer!
Madara: Hm. I suppose we need an actual test—a test of the Phantom's skills.
Maybe the legend exaggerates his abilities, and he actually doesn't have the potential to be your coach.
Hiiro: ...I won't allow you to insult my friend.
Madara: I don't mean to insult him. I only wanna know just how good the guy you're picking over me is.
If he really does surpass me, then I'll happily step down.
That goes for you all too—you shouldn't be trusting him so easily just because he's one of you. I think it's a good idea to confirm his skill.
'Cause if you turn me down and take him, and it turns out he doesn't help at all or something like that...
And then you come back and say you want me, I'm afraid I won't be so willing.
I'm not that generous, you see.
---
< Previous || Main Story Masterlist || Next >
---
Location: Dance Room
Hiiro: Hm, I see. I understand it perfectly now.
It's true that rather than spending a rather hefty amount of money on Madara-senpai, who we're not even sure if we can trust...
It might be a much better choice to have our ally and friend Mayoi-senpai coach us. That would lessen our burdens, both mentally and financially.
Aira: W-Why are you talking about Mayo-san all of a sudden? Sorry, I don't follow!
Hiiro: ? I mean, isn't Mayoi-senpai the Phantom of that urban legend?
Mayoi: ......
Tatsumi: Aha, I see now.
Aira: Whaaa? Where did you get that? And why am I still the only one who doesn't get it?! Stop it, you're making me look like a total idiot!
Hiiro: Heh, it's alright, Aira. I'm most likely more stupid than you are.
Aira: That doesn't make me feel better at all!
Tatsumi: Fufu. Speaking of which, when we encountered Switch, that boy named Natsume-san called Mayoi-san "Phantom", right?
It's not the strongest evidence for pinning down Mayoi-san as the Phantom, but... I believe that's where Hiiro-san got his conclusion, no?
Hiiro: Mhmm! I thought over many possibilities, but I couldn't think up any other reason why Madara-senpai would bring all that up here!
Even if it was just some meaningless conversation, he wouldn't simply start talking about a topic like that!
Let me ask one thing to confirm, Madara-senpai. The Phantom you saw on your surveillance cameras was—
Madara: Yep, that pale-faced guy there—Mayoi-san, was it? If you like, I can show you the recordings later.
You're much closer to him than I am, so you'd probably recognize him with a single glance, huh?
Mayoi: ......
Aira: Mayo-san?! Wait, why did you suddenly keel over like that? Are you okay?
Mayoi: Mgnhhh, I'm sooooorry...
I feel like a criminal cornered by an ace detective, as if my embarrassing hobbies have been exposed and all my shame and... and everything else has just... reached its limit...
Tatsumi: Hehe. It's nothing to be embarrassed about.
It's wonderful that you held out a hand of salvation to those poor, wandering idols. Surely the Lord has seen your good deeds. ♪
Mayoi: Eek, could the Lord not look?! Please don't look! I'm not some immaculate saint!
I was only pretending to help those cute little troubled idols so I could fulfill my filthy desires...!
Madara: Even so, no matter what your reasons were, the truth remains that you helped people.
You were the light of compassion that shone upon those idols who were lost, with no one to rely on. From my perspective, you're a proper, respectable hero.
Hiiro: What's a... hero? It sounds like my name...
Mayoi: Eep, I am no such thing...! In fact, I'm the gross, ugly monster that the hero needs to defeat!
You all know of the pitiful fate that befell the "Phantom of the Opera", right?
Hiiro: No, I'm not well-informed. I need to study more...
But more importantly, Mayoi-senpai, it appears you possess the abilities that we need the most right now.
Someone who teaches the ins and outs of being an idol, who can watch over our practices—I believe you called that a "coach".
I'd feel safe with you in that role, Mayoi-senpai.
No—I'd consider it a stroke of luck to be taught by the prestigious Phantom.
Mayoi: Eeee, please don't call me "Phantom"! Who even thought of that?! I mean, I didn't even know people were spreading rumors about meeeeee!
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I only wanted to bask in the glow of idols up close! I snuck into school without ever even going to class!
I'm nothing more than an intrudeeer!
Madara: Hm. I suppose we need an actual test—a test of the Phantom's skills.
Maybe the legend exaggerates his abilities, and he actually doesn't have the potential to be your coach.
Hiiro: ...I won't allow you to insult my friend.
Madara: I don't mean to insult him. I only wanna know just how good the guy you're picking over me is.
If he really does surpass me, then I'll happily step down.
That goes for you all too—you shouldn't be trusting him so easily just because he's one of you. I think it's a good idea to confirm his skill.
'Cause if you turn me down and take him, and it turns out he doesn't help at all or something like that...
And then you come back and say you want me, I'm afraid I won't be so willing.
I'm not that generous, you see.
---
< Previous || Main Story Masterlist || Next >
