Unwanted Reunions and Relentless Rehearsals
Why did I keep running into these guys? Right after the scuffle, guards who had heard the commotion rushed over and immediately took control of the situation. They said they'd hear both sides' stories to figure out who started it and herded all of us into the gate management office's investigation room.
I was on pins and needles thinking about Belldia, Estel, and the others waiting outside, but luckily, the interrogation wrapped up quicker than expected.
"This bastard hit me first!"
Knight Rock insisted I'd swung first... Well, that much was true. But whether it was routine or he was just lazy, the investigating soldier yawned repeatedly as he eyed us back and forth, then chalked it up to mutual fault and urged us to make peace.
"Come on now, what are you all doing during the Akwi Festival? Let's just let it slide nicely."
The three girls kept sour faces the whole time. They wouldn't even meet my eyes during the questioning, looking all aggrieved like they were the victims.
In the end, both sides got verbal warnings and were released. The moment we stepped out of the gate office, Lilfrea clicked her tongue.
"Hah, what rotten luck."
Maribel piled on.
"This is why you shouldn't reunite with old ties. Just ruins your mood."
Clara glanced sideways and muttered cautiously.
"This is all because of Teacher... So embarrassing..."
They climbed into their carriage. The wheels rattled as it pulled away, and Rock rubbed his shoulder before mounting his horse.
"Damn it, just you wait till next time I see that guy... Let's move!"
"Yes, sir!"
As he rode off, our eyes met just as I emerged from the building. Rock glared daggers, then mimed slitting his throat with a vicious scowl before galloping away.
"Of all people, why them... Let's just call it mutual crap and never cross paths again."
I clicked my tongue and muttered to myself, then promptly put it out of my mind and turned away.
"The others are waiting—better hurry."
I quickened my pace toward the gate waiting area. From afar, Estel spotted me and waved both arms wildly with a beaming smile.
"What took you so long? I was bored out of my mind waiting!"
"The guard kept nitpicking over nothing. Anyway, we're cleared. Let's head into the city."
"Yay~!"
At my words, the waiting group jumped up cheering in unison. It was the moment we'd finally entered Herumont after the long journey.
Are they entering the competition too...?
Riding in a roofed luggage cart, wandering the city in search of cheap lodging, I couldn't shake thoughts of the three girls from my head. At this point, it had to be some stubborn bad karma.
I quietly turned to look at Estel. Oblivious as ever, she was just gasping in awe at the big city's sights.
If they're competing...
I'd have to swap out a few songs, at least. Among the ones Estel had learned, some were ones I'd taught those three girls back in the day. Better avoid competing with the same tracks.
Honestly, there were even songs that Lilfrea, Maribel, or Clara sang better. Couldn't deny that. Plus, overlapping setlists would kill the freshness—like spotting people in identical outfits on the street; they just look like uniforms, no individuality.
Thankfully, I knew their tendencies better than anyone. Strengths, weaknesses, vocal limits. Which songs suited them, which ones they shied away from—it was all filed away in my head.
...Gonna have to work the second we settle in.
I let out a sigh. Give me a break on the first day, huh?
Finding lodging took forever. The city hosting the Akwi Festival was swarming with people, bursting at the seams with out-of-towners, so most inns were full up or charging absurd premiums—like the price of gold bricks for a single room.
We finally snagged a rundown dump that felt like a chicken coop with feathers flying everywhere. Cracked walls, creaky floors, corridors littered with dog and cat hair. And yet, the rates were five times normal.
Anyway, we had a place. Me, Estel, Belldia, plus Bolcas, Pardel, Lijel, and Minerri—seven in total—booked three rooms: two doubles and a triple.
The triple was me, Estel, and Belldia sharing. Somehow ended up rooming with two ladies. Purely practical, of course—for quick handling and efficiency. Easier to prep when we're close by. No ulterior motives.
"Seru, my man! You sure know how to live! Hahaha!"
Bolcas boomed from down the hall, loud enough to be heard on purpose. The three of us chuckled and started unpacking.
"This bed creaks so much."
"It won't collapse, right?"
"What kind of triple is this? Beds crammed together, no room to move."
"Too cramped..."
"No space for luggage either."
Estel and Belldia grumbled mid-unpack, chatting away. Meanwhile, I opened my sheet music bag first, rifling through the scores with a serious gaze.
Songs those three idiots struggled with...
Estel had to shine. She'd trusted me and come this far. It was my job to lead her, protect that talent. I'd do whatever it took to make her glow. And succeed myself, too.
Decision made to overhaul the setlist—I spread out the sheets again and again. Hours slipped by. Dusk fell outside, my own stuff still unpacked, the room filled only with the soft rustle of pages.
Thud.
I set the carefully selected new scores by the bedhead. Estel, who had been humming and lounging, bolted upright.
"What's this?"
"Songs we're cramming starting now."
"Huh...?"
She skimmed them, then stared blankly at me.
"We already picked the songs, though?"
"Emergency change. Scrapping a few old ones. Good thing they're tracks you've sung a bit before—just need to get the feel back. Won't take long."
"Uwaaah... For real~? Can't we rest todayyy~?"
Estel made a pouty face and buried herself in the blanket.
A week till the Akwi Festival. That short span flew by in a blur, no breathing room.
After registering the next day, we skipped all sightseeing and food tours, diving straight into practice. The newbie adventurer party—Bolcas, Lijel, Pardel, Minerri—were buzzing about their first Herumont trip, hitting streets, bakeries, ruins, having a blast. But we had no time for that.
Tiny inn room. Dank space with no sunlight through the window—Estel and I holed up all day.
She played instruments and sang nonstop; I adjusted her posture, fine-tuned rhythm and pitch point by point.
"Too much embellishment there."
"Focus on emotion over pitch now. Pitch'll follow."
"Nervous? It's fine to show vulnerability. That draws people in."
"Audiences aren't stingy with emotion. But they're ruthless on fakes."
My fingers often lightly pressed her back, lifted her chin, squared her shoulders—correcting form. Tedious reps, but Estel never complained once.
"This feels way better! Master is amazing!"
She dove into the song joyfully, and just watching filled me with satisfaction.
Sometimes mid-song, our eyes met in a strange, lingering way. Hers held a soft gaze that strayed from the melody yet felt perfectly natural. I couldn't quite read it, but sensed it wasn't just about the music.
But the singing was flawless, so I said nothing. Too immersed in the song?
Right after it ended, she looked up shyly and murmured.
"...Was that good?"
A bashful smile playing on her lips. I nodded with a grin, and she seamlessly moved to the next like nothing happened.
Wasn't just singing, either. Drawing on my days as those three girls' lackey, I put my shining caregiving skills to work beyond vocals. Kept her favorite snacks stocked... limited daily singing to prevent strain... applied honey to her lips daily to fend off cracks... alternated cold and hot compresses for fatigue, enforced breaks. Massaged her limbs plenty.
Belldia pulled her weight too. She constantly reviewed Estel's makeup, swapped outfits, tweaked colors—researching stage-perfect combos. Practiced festival-day looks multiple times daily; Estel stood mannequin-still, arms up, then reacted to the mirror: laughs, tears, dismay, awe—emotions flashing.
"Master! How's this?"
Heavy makeup made her look auntie-ish...
"Master! Now?"
Too sexy—my lower body twitched involuntarily. Shook my head no.
After countless consults with Belldia, we settled on:
"Just go pure and innocent."
Belldia nodded. "That girl's got the stage in her blood."
One evening over drinks, Belldia dropped it casually. "Singing's great, but her eyes... they mesmerize. Cheers!"
I didn't reply, but deep down, I agreed. Estel was all smiles and scatterbrained chatter usually, but onstage? Total transformation. That pretty mouth and gaze—captivating, entrancing.
Thus, detached from the world, our time flowed smoothly. Outside: festival prep din, distant plaza drums, choir practice, cheers, applause. None reached our cramped inn room.
We three were like an isolated isle, prepping our masterpiece in our ways: Estel with song, me with past know-how and discrepancy perception for sharp calls, Belldia with instincts and eye. Building one stellar stage.
And finally, the Akwi Festival's first day arrived. Preliminaries with 700 rookie singers. Fully prepped, we launched from our week-long lockdown.
"Aaah, I'm so nervous! What do I do?!"
"Seru! Pocket some clothing pins, just in case. Fix rips quick if I'm not around."
"Belldia, time for venue makeup?"
"Plenty. No worries leaving her barefaced."
"Wait... Did I forget anything? Papers, scores, honey tea, scarf... All good? Yeah, fine."
We fussed like parents sending a kid on their first field trip, heading to the venue.
Entrance was electric. Colorful carriages queued, crowds surging chaotically. Dizzying throng.
"Don't get lost—stick close."
"Hold hands."
"My heart's pounding... Can I really do this...?"
Parting the crowd up front, I glanced back—and froze.
A poster on the venue wall caught my eye. Edelan Ten Stars, Raena de Bert. Emceeing this Akwi Festival—bold text beside her large portrait.
Her...?
Unbelievable coincidence. My bread benefactor from six months back. Joy surged.
Wow...
Hand-drawn, not photo, yet her face leaped vividly. That smile still mystical—I stared, entranced.
Too long—someone pinched my arm.
"Hmph, bet the self-proclaimed Raena fan's thrilled."
Estel. Thought she was nervous, but jealous pout instead.
Did I show it too much...? Belldia tsked.
"Fix that dopey look."
"Was I gawking?"
"Yup. Men."
I grinned sheepishly, wiping my mouth—then:
"Huh? That guy's here again? Shamelessness is a talent."
"Still not left town...? Thinks clueless singers'll beg him to tag along near the venue... Pathetic."
"Thick-skinned much? Who'd follow you? No idiot singer exists."
Unwanted voices nearby. My Raena-induced bliss soured. Damn.
Turned—and there were the three girls I never wanted to see again. Staring like I was irritating dust, faces twisted in disgust.