The event started at 17:00, however, despite arriving early, the venue was already packed with people. The place was huge, and once they stepped inside, they saw bamboo decorations and a desk with rectangle colored papers nearby.
“You guys wanna write a tanzaku? Since it’s tanabata after all.”
“Good idea.”
Offered Asa, and Saki, Takumi, and Jun followed her. After they were done writing their wishes on the paper, they walked over to the bamboo to tie their wishes.
Saki and Takumi tied their tanzaku on the nearest place to their respective hands. Asa went a bit extra and tiptoed to tie hers a bit higher. As for Jun—
“Hmm…that place looks good.”
He said whilst eyeing the curved upper part of the bamboo. It was relatively high and empty. Jun looked left and right, then opened his mouth.
“There’s no ladder, huh. No other choice then. Takumi, crouch down for a sec.”
Being told so, Takumi immediately crouched down without asking anything. Jun walked over, put his legs around Takumi’s head, then sat on his shoulders — it was a shoulder carry.
“Okay, stand up—”
“—wait wait wait! What do you think you’re doing?!”
However, Asa stopped them. Takumi and Jun looked at her, their heads tilted 45 degrees as if not understanding the problem.
“It’s a shoulder carry, Asa-chan. Can’t you see?”
“No, I can see that! I’m asking you why are you doing that here?! It’s embarrassing! Also, Takumi, why did you just comply with Jun without saying anything?!”
“…I mean, he can’t reach the top otherwise, right?”
“Aah, geez! Why are you boys like this?!”
Whilst Asa was busy retorting, Takumi stood up with Jun on his shoulder.
Jun was a healthy teenager boy, he should be considerably heavy, and yet Takumi carried him just fine, the results of his training in the past two months were showing.
“More to the right, Takumi.”
“No, why are you actually doing it! Aah, we’re being seen! This is the worst!”
Jun instructed Takumi, whilst Asa retorted them again then crouched down, covering her face in embarrassment.
It was as she said, the four of them had become the center of attention for the people who came to the venue. Some of them pointed at them then giggled, some even took videos of them.
“It’s because you’re making such a fuss, Asa-chan.”
“So I’m the one at fault here?!”
Asa looked up from her crouching position. She directed an accusatory gaze towards Jun who made that comment. Meanwhile, Saki could only laugh bitterly seeing them.
“Yosh,” once he managed to tie his tanzaku, Jun hopped off Takumi's shoulders. He looked at it then nodded satisfyingly.
“What did you even write that you have to put it that high?”
Asked Asa, defeatedly.
“I want to eat meat!”
“That’s it?!”
Answered Jun spiritedly, inviting a retort from Asa. Saki then chimed in from the side.
“As for me, I want to eat churros for some reason.”
“Not you too, Saki…”
Asa shook her head.
♤♠♤♠♤
Not long after, they met up with Momo and her manager Miruna. Together they headed to the playhouse. It was a huge room with tiered audience seating facing a stage with rows and rows of red seats. Many of the seats were already filled.
“Is this all EXP zone?”
“It’s just the center stage that’s the EXP zone, you know~. The rest is just a normal auditorium.”
Asked Asa in awe, her eyes looking at the tall ceilings, but Momo corrected her.
They entered from door 1-R1 on the right side of the playhouse, but their seats, K1 to K8, were on the left side near door 1-L1. Momo told Takumi to sit on the leftmost seat, seat K1, while she would be sitting in seat K6.
From there, Jun sat in seat K2, Saki in seat K3, Asa in seat K4, and Miruna in seat K7. Seat K5 and the rightmost seat, seat K8 were empty.
Once they settled in their respective seats, they began chatting. Jun commented how big the playhouse really was, and Saki told him that it housed 834 seats as she read the information on her phone.
As they chatted away, the light from the ceiling suddenly turned off. Slowly, the chatting from the audience was dying down as the event was starting.
The curtain opened to a colorful cast of characters. They introduced themselves as the Delta Arts Theatrical Company, and they would be playing the first part of the popular anime about slaying demons. After they bowed their heads, all light was turned off.
When the light was back on, it was a projector showing the scenery of a snowy forest. A man was seen walking in the middle of the stage carrying a bundle of firewood, with singers around him and the narrator narrating his tale.
The play was a flurry of light shows, special effects, and real life superpowers. At times, it made the audience cry, whilst other times, the audience laughed. Even for someone who had seen the anime, the play made the audience sitting on the edge of their seat, eager to see more.
A single, full-length play could easily last up to 3 to 4 hours, so normally there would be an intermission between acts to provide an opportunity for the audience to take a break, use the restroom, and stretch their legs.
At such an intermission—
“That was awesome, wasn’t it?!”
Saki exclaimed.
“I’ve watched the anime, but I didn’t think the play would be that entertaining to watch.”
Jun nodded.
“That scene where they snapped a katana with another katana, it sounded like real metal. How did they do that?”
“That's probably because it is real metal.”
When Asa asked a question, Momo answered.
“Of course it’d be hard to cut a piece of steel with a katana normally. If you ask Momo, Momo thinks it's the power of telekinesis.”
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Eh, telekinesis can do that?!”
Jun looked surprised, Momo nodded and continued her explanation.
“The basics of telekinesis is pushing and pulling objects with an invisible force, right? If you scale it down and create a pushing force strong enough to separate molecular bonds away, then apply it to the sword, you’ll get a sword that can cut through everything, even metal!”
“Wow, that’s amazing! I wonder if I can do something like that someday.”
“Of course! With ESP, your training never fails you, after all!”
Jun looked positively pumped after hearing Momo’s explanation and words of encouragement.
“Heeh, so psychic power can be used like that…”
Asa let out an awed response, whilst Saki, who sat next to her, held her chin as if trying to remember something.
“Telekinesis and a sword that can cut through anything…that sounds like the foreigner Fighter who uses a lightsaber.”
“Oh, you mean Luke-kun? Yeah, maybe they got inspiration from him.”
Saki and Momo entered a conversation that only they could understand.
The intermission lasted for 10 minutes, and as everyone was returning to their seats, Momo stopped Takumi and spoke to him.
“You don’t need to sit back down, Kou-kun.”
“?”
“Runa-chan, can you guide Kou-kun to the backstage?”
“Eh, ah, yes.”
Being called by her talent, Miruna, the green haired, glasses-wearing girl stood from her seat and walked towards Takumi.
“This way, Kurogane-san.”
“Yes.”
“Umm, excuse me.”
As Miruna was about to show Takumi the way, Jun held his hand up.
“Can I follow Takumi to the backstage? Ever since seeing the filming of Eagle Rider, I’ve grown an interest in this kind of thing, you see. So…”
Asked Jun. Miruna seemed unsure as she looked at Momo, but Momo gave the okay.
“Sure, why not. Tell them you’re Kou-kun’s assistant.”
“Yosha! Thanks, Momo-senpai! —See you later, Saki-chan, Asa-chan.”
“Yup.”
“Yeah, later.”
Saying that, Jun followed Miruna and Takumi into the 1-L1 door on their left.
They turned right, down a small staircase, and walked down a short corridor. On their right was a huge metal door, possibly a loading lift. Their destination was ahead — specifically, the Stage Right Wing.
—but, before they entered the area, someone suddenly stopped them. It was a huge man built like a muscular gorilla.
“Stop. Non-authorized personnel are not allowed to enter.”
“Ah, we’re the special guest, Kurogane—”
“Okay, go in. Find a spot to sit and don’t make trouble.”
Before Miruna could finish her sentence, the man ushered her in. After a series of “excuse me” from Takumi and Jun, the three entered the Right Wing Area. And it was—
“Agh, my wig got singed!”
“I can’t find my katana! Does anyone see my katana?!”
“Get one of the spares! We don’t have time!”
“Watch out for the wires! We’re moving the flying console!”
“Don’t forget to check your mic, everyone!”
“T minus 60 seconds! Everyone, stay sharp!”
““““““YES!!””””””
“And don’t forget to hydrate!”
To call it a flurry of activity would be an underestimation.
The three of Takumi, Jun, and Miruna sat down on the corner of the area, trying to get out of the way of the performers and stagehands doing their thing. As they were watching the performers readying themselves, and a minute later, returning to the center stage, Jun opened his mouth.
“It’s kind of…awesome, huh, Takumi? So many people work together to accomplish the same goal like this. It’s like they’re cogs in a machine, except the machine is a Stage Play that wants to bring a smile to you.”
“Yup.”
“You know, this is a bit sudden, but I never knew what I wanted to do in the future. I thought I’d just go with the motion, graduate from high school, get to some mediocre college, and become a salaryman, a really ordinary life — well, Omega’s psychic battles aren’t ordinary, but… I think I found it. This is it, Takumi. This is what I want.”
“Being a theater actor?”
“No, I’m not really interested in being in the spotlight. Instead, I want to support those who do get in the spotlight. I want to see them shine, and feel the accomplishment that I’m the one who helped them.”
“…I think that suits you, Jun. It’s very you.”
“Thanks.”
After that the conversation died down, but with a smile on both Jun’s and Takumi’s lips as they watched the play from backstage.
“This kinda reminds me of the night of Takumi’s first Battle, right Miruna-san?”
“Eh?!”
Suddenly being called out by Jun, Miruna looked startled.
“Ah, umm, I-I have to report that Kurogane-san is here. P-pardon me.”
Saying that as if making an excuse, Miruna got on her feet and walked away as if running away from the two of them.
♤♠♤♠♤
“We are Delta Arts Theatrical Company! Thank you very much!”
“““Thank you very much!”””
The crew of the Delta Arts Theatrical Company all bowed together on the stage after the play finished. They were met with a loud applause from the audience. The curtain closed, however, the event wasn’t quite done yet.
When the curtain was back open, there were three chairs on the stage, with a man with long purple hair tied to the back sitting in one of them.
“Good evening, everyone. I’m Yoshinaga Masami, leader of Delta Arts Theatrical Company.”
The man — Masami then proceeded to thank the audience for gathering on tonight's occasion and such. After speaking a few more opening lines, he then introduced the two guests, Magician Momo and Redhawk.
Right then, two beams of light beamed on Momo who sat in seat K6 and Hayao who sat in seat E17. As both Momo and Hayao stood up and walked towards the stage, Asa looked at them from behind and spoke up.
“Momo-san…I didn’t know she was such an important figure.”
“Momo-chan is the unofficial number one esper in Japan, after all. That’s why her moniker is the Uncrowned Empress.”
“Heeh… and to think Takumi is standing on the same stage as people like her…”
Asa let out an awed exclamation when she heard Saki’s explanation.
After a few banter between Momo, Hayao, and Masami, talking about their impression of the play and the future of EXP zone, Masami finally revealed the final guest.
“Okay, then everyone. The thing is, we actually have a secret third guest with us. I heard he is your junior, Momo-san.”
“Actually, he is~! He’s quite clumsy and introverted you see, that’s what makes him cute though~.”
“And he showed up in your show too, Hayao-san.”
“He is a passionate young man. There’s a fire burning deep under his calm demeanor.”
“The two of you sure value him highly. Well then, let’s not waste any more time. I’m sure everyone has seen the clips, he is the mysterious new Fighter who defeated the infamous newbie crusher. Kou-san, please come forward.”
Being called by Masami, Kou appeared from the right wing stage — however, his walk was stiff and awkward, and he even stopped once to glance back. Right behind him was Jun, considerably sticking out into the center stage, giving a thumbs up to Takumi.
“…what are they doing, these two.”
“A-ahaha.”
Looking at Takumi’s lame entrance despite the praises he’s got, Asa commented exasperatedly, and Saki could only laugh bitterly.
—but then.
“KOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!!!!”
As if out of nowhere, an earthly bellow came roaring.
It came from a man who, before anyone noticed, had already stood on the back of the stage. No one saw him walking up to the center stage. He was already there, as if manifested out of thin air, or perhaps, teleported in.
He was a man with a huge physique, but not in the meaning of muscular or tall, but huge as in having a round belly. His outfit was dominated by the color black, prominent with the black trench coat. His head was covered with a fedora hat, and there was a katana that he held in his hand.
The very same katana that cut steel from before.
“Danie—?!”
Momo turned around and screamed his name, but before she finished, some unknown force pushed her away from the stage.
Momo, Hayao, Masami, and various items on the stage were pushed off, sent flying towards the audience’s stage.
“Momocchi!”
Someone in the audience stood up to catch Momo — only to crash with her body.
“Ochie-chie…”
“Ouch… who was it… wait, Manami?! What are you doing here?!”
“Ehehe, I came to see you.”
Momo seemed to recognize the blue haired girl who clumsily caught her. On the other hand, Hayao managed to land perfectly, whilst Masami fell on his face.
The light in the entire playhouse was turned on. The audience seemed confused with the sudden appearance of Daniel. Some of them were asking if this was part of the event, and they all pulled out their phone to record.
However, immediately afterwards, a man in a military outfit carrying a rifle burst through door 1-L1. Speaking through the megaphone he was carrying, he spoke to the audience.
“Everyone, this is not a drill. Please evacuate the area, there will be gunfire. I repeat, this is not a drill. Please evacuate the area, there will be gunfire.”
Following him, a number of soldiers entered the auditorium and urged the audience to leave their seats. Whilst they were still confused, they couldn’t go against the soldiers and their convincing looking rifles, so people began to leave the playhouse one after another.
“S-Saki, what do we do?”
“L-let’s ask Momo-chan.”
Asa asked, and Saki answered. They were both worried out of their minds. However, when they looked at Momo, it was her who walked up to them with a girl with blue hair in tow.
“Oh crud, Zero sure made a big mess. This could lead to some serious international problems…”
Commented Momo.
Once the entire front of the auditorium was emptied, as if to replace the audience, soldiers began to pour in. They briskly lined up horizontally and trained their muzzles towards the center stage.
Whilst all of this was happening, the only two people in the EXP zone were standing still, not saying anything, wary of each other.
—No, three people.
“Umm, when did I get inside?”
There was someone who fell on the floor behind Takumi. A boy with muted blue hair — Jun.