Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: The Enigma Auction
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After spending our time having a blast at Aqua Marina, we lazed around in our room for a bit.
Maybe it was because we'd had a late lunch. The sun had set, but we weren't particularly hungry.
After relaxing leisurely in our separate groups, we dressed properly.
And had dinner at a French restaurant that Alice had already booked.
"That was truly delicious. It really lives up to its reputation as a country of gourmands."
"Yeah, it's definitely different. The portions were a bit small, though, so I might have to grab a late-night snack."
"Thinking about a late-night snack right after dinner... really... though I can see why."
Perhaps it was because it was a famous restaurant run by a celebrity chef who'd even been on TV.
The presentation and taste of the food were outstanding, among the best I'd ever had.
Who knew a dish that looked like a rolled-up piece of paper could have such a complex flavor?
Honestly, I was shocked the moment I put it in my mouth. The world of fine dining is truly profound.
However, maybe it was because we had a couple of big eaters with us who could out-eat a normal adult man several times over.
Those two didn't seem to feel very full. It was just right for me, though.
"Well, since we're out, shall we explore some more? There are still mountains of places in this hotel we haven't seen yet!"
Alice, who was walking ahead, spun around with a face full of smiles and said.
Her expression radiated an active desire to release all her pent-up frustrations.
Considering her childhood, she probably never got to travel with people she was close to.
So, it wasn't at all strange for her to be more excited than usual.
But Raven, as if betraying her expectations, spoke with a somewhat serious expression.
"Ah, sorry. I have to meet someone right now... I'll have to go on my own for a bit."
"Eh... o-okay?"
"Yeah. See you later. Be sure to call if anything urgent comes up."
"Ah, wait! Just a second!"
Alice urgently grabbed the shoulder of Raven, who was about to leave without a second thought.
But when Raven looked at her as if asking 'what's wrong?', she seemed at a loss for words.
Did she grab him reflexively, only to realize she had nothing to say?
In the end, Alice mumbled like a pathetic puppy caught in the rain before forcing out some words.
"Ugh, um... be safe..."
"I will. Take care of the kids."
With a small laugh, Raven turned and walked away down the opposite end of the hall.
Had Alice not expected him to have business to attend to? She looked flustered in many ways.
Still, our group of six had only shrunk to five.
She tried to hide her disappointment, forcing an awkward smile onto her lips.
"Ahaha, he's gone. Do any of you also..."
"Ah, would it be okay if we went off on our own, too? There's a place we want to go... just the two of us."
"Ahem, my apologies."
"No, there's nothing to be sorry for! Um, I'll take good care of Sabrina! Go have fun!"
After asking for permission, Reine linked arms with David and left the group.
They'd been looking for a chance to be alone for a while now... I guess that's how it is with official couples.
In the end, the three adults left, leaving Alice, Sabrina, and me.
A trio of social minors. Is it really okay for us to be without a guardian?
Well, at a glance, Alice is incredibly tall for a woman and looks quite mature.
She could pass for a proper adult with a slightly youthful face.
"Everyone left... I wanted to have fun together."
Alice muttered to herself, standing blankly in the now emptier hallway.
If she had ears on her head, they would have been drooping; she couldn't hide her disappointment.
She must have wanted to make memories with everyone, since it was a rare trip.
It wouldn't have been the same if even one person was missing, so she probably let the other two go without hesitation.
Still, a dispirited Alice wasn't like her at all.
After exchanging a look with Sabrina, I scurried over to Alice's side and took one of her hands.
"...!"
"Alice, is there anywhere fun? I don't really know."
"...Ah, yeah! Lots of places! I'll show you!"
I quietly held her right hand, while Sabrina took her left and spoke calmly.
Did our presence give her strength? Alice's listless eyebrows perked up energetically, as if they'd never drooped at all.
We'd be staying at the hotel for about three days anyway. It wasn't like today was our only chance.
I squeezed Alice's hand comfortingly and matched her pace as she walked forward.
Fortunately, this hotel had more entertainment than I'd expected.
As we wandered around, she quickly returned to her usual self.
"An aquarium this big inside a building. How sturdy must it be to withstand this weight?"
"Hmm, I wonder if we could catch the fish in here and eat them as sashimi?"
"..."
There's no way you can eat the ornamental fish in an aquarium.
I stared silently at a half-serious Alice, feeling dumbfounded.
She immediately said it was a joke and casually turned her head toward the tank.
She was probably already feeling hungry because dinner had been a bit light.
More than that, it's amazing she'd even think of eating them. They look completely unappetizing.
After looking around the indoor aquarium, we stood near the entrance.
Alice pulled a device from her pocket, as if to check where we should go next.
"It says there's a movie theater and a performance hall if we go up from here. Looks like there's something showing now... Ah, should we watch a movie?"
"What movies are playing?"
"Let me see... Eek! Th-this is..."
As she checked the movies showing at the theater, Alice's eyes widened in surprise.
What on earth did she see? I tilted my head and peeked at the movie title.
The one showing at this time was a romance movie for adults, which looked risqué right from the poster.
Eww. It might be one thing for me, but showing this to Sabrina would be a bit much.
I thought to myself and nodded as if to say it couldn't be helped.
Just then, my eyes met with Sabrina's, who was nodding similarly.
And she, who clearly didn't seem like the type to enjoy romance movies, asked Alice.
"The movie doesn't seem very fun... Is there anything else?"
"Oh, ah, yeah! There's still plenty. Therapy, massages, a game center, an indoor golf course, a casino... Ah, you guys won't be able to get in there."
They really have everything. Then again, this place is ridiculously huge for a normal hotel.
I shook my head in disbelief at the long list of attractions Alice was rattling off.
It would be hard to experience everything even if we spent the entire trip just wandering around the hotel.
As I was thinking that, something interesting caught my eye, and I tugged on Alice's sleeve.
"...!"
"Oh, what is it? Is there something you want to do?"
I nodded at Alice's question and pointed to a spot on the wall.
A poster was hanging there for the hotel's rare item auction, the Enigma Auction, starting tonight.
"That's..."
"An auction?"
Looking at the bottom of the poster, it was set to start in about ten-odd minutes.
If we left now, it would probably start right as we arrived, with no need to wait.
I wondered what kind of incredible items would be up for sale to warrant hiring a Fixer like Victor as a guard.
Naturally, I couldn't help but feel a desire to go and see.
***
The Enigma Auction was held on the highest floor of the entertainment zone.
Perhaps because of that, the view from the window was breathtaking.
Were there many people like us, drawn in by the words 'rare item auction'?
As if to prove its popularity, there were already a lot of people coming and going from the entrance.
Then, I noticed that some of the people coming out of the auction hall were wearing masks.
It wasn't a Halloween costume party, so why was everyone walking around indoors wearing masks?
Puzzled, I stepped inside and quickly understood why.
"Excuse me. This auction is for hotel guests... Could you please show me the bracelets that prove your stay?"
"Ah, here you go."
"You two as well... Yes, confirmed. Now, please choose one from these."
When we showed the bracelets we'd each received at check-in, the staff member nodded in confirmation.
He then opened a box on the table and showed us its contents.
Inside were none other than masks.
They weren't animal-themed like the fox mask I was wearing.
They were plain, monochromatic masks in black, white, or gray.
"Um... do we have to wear a mask?"
"Yes. To protect our clients' privacy, we require all guests to wear a mask upon entry. If you do not wear one inside, you may be asked to leave."
"I see. Ah, but by any chance... is a personal mask like this okay?"
"Yes. As long as your face is not visible, any type of mask is acceptable."
"...!"
That was a relief. I almost got kicked out before even entering.
As if to thank her for asking on my behalf, I took one of Alice's fingers in both my hands and gently squeezed it.
She laughed softly, saying it tickled, and picked up a suitable white mask to cover her face.
Of course, with her bright pink hair, it didn't seem like her identity would be hidden very well.
With our faces hidden by masks, we entered the auction hall.
The gloomy, dark atmosphere seemed to be filled with a sense of tension.
Are all these people really guests staying at the hotel?
As I held Alice's hand so I wouldn't get lost in the dark and looked around...
...she seemed to find three empty seats and gently led us over.
"Good. We should have a good view from here."
"Oh, there's something at every seat. I guess this is how you raise the bid."
"Ahaha... not that we'll be using it."
Surprisingly, each chair facing the stage at the auction had some kind of electronic device attached.
Seeing the stylus, screen, and a button to send a signal... this must be the bidding device.
If I had money, I could have actually participated.
As someone who came just to watch without a single penny, it was a little disappointing.
How much time passed as we sat in our chairs?
The dim lights around us grew even fainter.
And onto the relatively brighter stage, a man in a mask walked out. He was the auctioneer.