Chapter 2 - When the Mystery Is Solved

Oh! Rui, looks like we’re the first ones here!

Yeah.

We’ve still got a little time until the meetup—

Wheeeeeeeeee—!!

Tsukasa-kun, Rui-kun!

Sorry to keep you waiting ☆

Hey there, Emu-kun.

Looks like you've had a busy day.

Wha—Hold it, hold it, hold it!

Why in the world are you jumping down from a tree!?

Ehehe~♪

I was running late ‘cause of my class rep duties, so I took a shortcut!

Since when is the top of a tree considered a shortcut!?

Good grief…..

You didn’t have to rush that much.

Nene and her friend aren’t even here yet.

Fufu, we’ve still got about ten minutes before the meeting time.

Oh yeah!

I’m glad I made it in time then~!

I wonder what kind of person Nene-chan’s friend is.

If I recall..… her name's Byakkomachi, right?

Anyone interested in Wonderlands x Showtime clearly has some good taste!

From what I hear, she's quite studious.

She asked to meet at Phoenix Wonderland because she wanted to see the night show, for educational purposes, apparently.

Ehehe ☆ I hope she really enjoy the night show!

—Ah!

Sorry to keep you all waiting!

Ah, hello.

You must be Kusanagi-san’s friends.

Pleased to meet you.

My name is Suzu Byakkomachi.

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today.

I’ve heard quite a lot from Kusanagi-san about Wonderlands x Showtime.

I was hoping I’d get the chance to meet you all someday.

.......Ah.

Huh?

IT'S HEEEEEERRRRR!!!!

W-What’s going on…...?

I see.

You must have seen me when I stepped out of the meeting room.

Yeah!

I saw you from a distance, but your back was perfectly straight—like, super proper!

That was you, right, Suzu-chan?

..........Suzu-chan.

E-Emu, you can’t just start calling her that…....

No, it’s fine.

I was just a bit surprised since people don't usually call me that.

Call me whatever you like, Otori-san—first name or last, I don’t mind.

Thanks, Suzu-chan!

Apologies for the detour.

Now, about what I was explaining…...

Yes, I believe Otori-san did see me that day.

It lines up with the date of the business meeting I attended.

That said…..

I’d appreciate it if you could keep this just between us.

At the academy, I’d like to be treated simply as an actor, free of any preconceptions.

Y-Yeah, got it....!

Still..… being a student and having a hand in Morinomiya’s management?

That’s really impressive.

That’s true.

I believe my grandfather’s given me an incredibly valuable opportunity.

Your grandfather?

Yes.

The chairman of Morinomiya Opera Company..… is my grandfather.

Huh—?

<The chairman?!>

The current chairman of Morinomiya...…

If I remember right, he used to be a well-known businessman.

He held executive positions at big corporations before becoming the chairman here........ or so I read.

That’s right.

Back in his younger days, they say he was so strict, people called him a management demon.

But even that fearsome grandfather of mine was a long-time fan of Morinomiya, way before he ever became its chairman.

Ever since I was a kid, he’d take me along to see shows together.

With your granpda.......

Watching those performances..… I was dazzled.

I dreamed of standing in that spotlight someday.

My family mostly wanted me to go into business....… but my grandfather was the only one who said, "Why not try both?"

At first, I just sat in on meetings quietly. Eventually, they let me contribute my ideas, especially for things like campaigns and marketing.

Come to think of it, there's a campaign going viral on their social media lately.

Something tied to ticket purchases…....

Yes, that was something I pitched.

I was thinking about how to get more young people interested in Morinomiya’s shows.

Th........

That’s amazing, Suzu-chan!!!

Eh?

Actually, I’ve been learning about management stuff lately!

My grandpa built Phoenix Wonderland, this amusement park!

And I keep wondering how I can fill this place with smiles!

Your grandfather…....?

Then that means your last name, "Otori"...... it really is—

That’s right.

We sometimes forget it ourselves, but Emu’s the Otori Group’s little princess.

—I see.

So that’s why you’re studying business too.....

Yep!

But sometimes, my big brothers tell me my ideas aren’t "realistic" enough…....

Back when the number of guests went down...… I really wanted to help, but I couldn’t come up with anything good…..

And that’s exactly why—

I think it’s super, super amazing how Suzu-chan works with the people at Morinomiya and thinks about both dreams and reality!

I want to become someone like you too—so I’m gonna keep trying my best!

Someone like me, huh.......

......Suzu-chan?

......No. It's nothing.

Papa! The night show's gonna start any second now!

Ah…...

We've been standing around talking for a bit, haven't we?

Shall we move somewhere with a better view of the show?

Indeed! Let’s!

Shall we go too, Otori-san?

Ah....... Okay.....

(Just now.......)

(Suzu-chan seemed...… kind of sad....…?)