Volume 13 Chapter 186 Shirogane Aqua, Reception Party
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Today is the day of the reception party for the movie I am in.
”Okay, Kanon, I’m heading out”
”Yeah, have a good time”
Since Kanon has been pregnant for almost 8 months, she is staying home with Pegonia-san today.
I am wearing the suit made for today and get into the limousine with the nicely dressed Emily, Ayana, and Kohina-senpai.
”Huh? Where are Kaede and Kotono?”
”They said they are not part of the cast, so they are in the back.”
I see, they are taking a different car since they are not in the movie like us.
We are heading to Hibiya Park, which is the venue, sandwiched between bulletproof SUVs.
”So, did you decide who you will pair up with when you get out of the car?”
I look at the 3 people in the car with me.
Kohina-senpai is out of the question, so if I had to choose, it would be Emily or Ayana.
I haven’t officially shared that I’m close with Ayana yet, so I think it’s safer to go with married Emily.
But walking down the red carpet with Ayana is also tempting.
”Here, it’s definitely Kohina-senpai, right?”
”Yukari-senpai and Aqua are on the same team in the movie, so I think that’s better.”
Ah, what is this?
While I was deciding between Ayana and Emily, they both surrounded me.
It can’t be helped.
This time I’ll walk the red carpet with Kohina-senpai.
”By the way, what about Mikuni?”
”Mommy Mikuni will appear together with Reira-san”
I check my messaging app and see that they’ve left.
While I’m there, check to see if Tenga-senpai has left.
Well, Haruka-san is there, so it should be fine.
”Looks like they’ll be arriving soon”
That was unexpectedly fast.
Now that I think about it, Kotono said that on the day, only businesses or people who had applied in advance would be allowed to pass through the surrounding area.
The reason is that the course for the formula movie in Tokyo is filmed by closing regular roads.
”Okay, I’m going!”
But, Kohina-senpai, please don’t try to get out before me!
I stop Kohina-senpai from getting out first, and as the escort, I get out of the limousine first.
”Kyaa!!”
”Aqua-sama──!”
”Aqua-kun always looks cool, but today Aqua-kun looks cool too!”
”Good luck with the movie shoot!!”
I wave to the girls who were chosen in the lottery on both sides of the red carpet.
”Thank you everyone for dressing up today! Let’s enjoy the reception party together!!”
My words receive a loud cheer.
Even though we are separated from where we eat and drink, the girls who won the lottery today can join the party in the space set up right next to us and watch what we are doing.
After responding to everyone’s cheers, I reach out to Emily who is in the limousine.
”Emily-sama, you look beautiful!!”
”Wow, these two look so bright, it’s hard to look at them!”
”Huh〜”
”Only Kanon-sama and Emily-sama do not look less beautiful standing next to Aqua-sama.”
Today’s Emily is wearing a dress that Kanon picked out with great care.
The dress, a beautiful color like Kanon’s eyes, suits Emily very well.
I look into the limousine again and reach out to Ayana.
”Ayana-chan!?”
”Ayana-chan, a furisode?!”
”Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”
”It’s so rare to see Ayana-chan in traditional Japanese clothing!!”
According to Ayana, her mother chose this cherry blossom furisode for her.
I’ll have to tell mother later that I’m grateful for making Ayana look beautiful.
I reach into the limousine again and escort the last person left.
”Oh…”
”As expected of Kohina Yukari, she nails it when it counts”
”Ugh, I was just trying to make fun of she, but she has got nothing to complain about”
”If she kept quiet, she’d be a proper actress…”
Kohina-senpai looks simple in her pants outfit, but she has a nice formal feel that makes her look grown up.
Her haircut that she cut too short fits well with this look, and if she stays quiet, there really isn’t anything to complain about.
It’s hard to believe that this is the same person who had a chunk of konnyaku stuck to her face the day before yesterday.
”Aqua!”
”Tenga-senpai, and Charlie too”
It seems like we were the last to arrive.
I greet Haruka-san, who is Tenga-senpai’s partner, and Liselotte-san, who was with Charlie.
After that, I smoothly greet Reira-san, Mommy Mikuni, the co-stars Alice-san and Amelia-san, and the male actor from the States, Johnny-san, who is joining this movie.
’Hello, Johnny-san, nice to meet you online.’
’Nice to meet you too! Aqua-kun is 17 this year, right? I’m 18, so we’re pretty close in age. Let’s just relax. You can call me Johnny.’
’I’m happy to hear that. No, I’m really happy. Johnny.’
I pick up a drink with sparkling water and step away from everyone with Johnny for a moment.
’Since we both have trouble leaving the country, I’m glad we could be here today. Aqua.’
I smile wryly at Johnny’s words.
Men need to go through a lot of steps to enter and leave the country.
For guys like me and Johnny, just wanting to go doesn’t always cut it.
In this world, men who work in a job that involves active interaction with women are rare.
’I feel the same way, Johnny. I’m glad to meet you.’
I’ve seen Johnny’s acting in movies, and it was pretty good.
It seems like he is actively participating in musicals and stage productions, and it’s clear from watching him that he is very serious about being an actor.
That’s why I wanted to talk to him.
’Seeing and hearing Aqua, Akira, and Charlie working hard beyond the ocean was really exciting for me. Even though we might be from different countries, I think we are friends with the same goals. So, I would be happy if we could stay friendly from now on. What do you think?’
’Of course, I would be happy if we could be friends too!’
We gently toast with the glasses in our hands.
’When I meet Aqua, I wanted to ask many things about being an actor.’
’Yeah, then let’s call those 2 over there too.’
’Sounds good!’
I invite Charlie and Tenga-senpai, and we all gather around the same table to toast again as 4 people.
I thought it might be bad to leave the woman we were escorting, but Kohina-senpai was happily chatting with the girls who won the raffle at the reception party today.
Yeah, I will pretend to be a stranger for now!!
’Aqua, is it really okay to leave her alone?’
Seeing that, Charlie raises his eyebrows with a worried look.
’It’s okay. That’s how Kohina-senpai does her fan service. Look, the regular girls are smiling and showing their teeth, right?’
’You’re right!’
I convince Charlie with that.
I don’t really know how it is, though….
Well, if it really gets dangerous, Emily or Ayana will probably stop it.
’Oh, so Akira wants to be an action star?’
’Yep!’
’Then you should definitely come to learn at States even if it’s just for a short time. Famous instructors from all over the world gather at States, so I’m sure it will be a good learning experience. Also, I’m in the middle of learning action, so if you come and join me, it will be more motivating.’
’That’s good. I’ll think about it.’
I agree with Johnny’s statement.
States’ action movies are pretty serious.
Reira-san’s actions are also States-trained, so if Tenga-senpai is serious about becoming an action star, he will have no choice but to enter the States.
But then the question becomes how to get to the States.
I was just talking to Johnny, but guys like us don’t go through immigration so easily if we follow the normal procedures.
’By the way, Charlie came to play in winter, but is it easy to get permission from the Stars?’
’No. This time, it was just tied to work. If you’re aiming for something, national projects are better. It’s easier to get permission when the government is involved.’
The 3 of us clapped our hands after hearing Charlie’s story.
Oh, that’s a good idea!
It might be a bit sneaky, but once you get exit permission, entry permission is easy to get.
Even though there is a limit on how long you can stay, if you work, you can do whatever you want at other times.
If you want, you can add another job at the end of your stay to extend your time here.
Could I use this method to visit the States too?
’If everyone comes to play in the States, I’ll welcome you!’
’Me too, let me know when you’re coming to the Stars!’
’Then, when you come here, Tenga-senpai and I will do our best to take care of you!’
’Yes, since it’s a special chance, why not invite other juniors and have a meal together?’
Nice job, Tenga-senpai.
Of course Shintaro and Toa, and since it’s a good chance, should I also invite Maruo, Kujaku, and Hajime?
Should I also let Tsuwabuki-san and Kamonohashi-san know?
I want to make the most of chances like this.
’Oh, it’s almost time for the event. Aqua, Akira, Charlie, let’s talk again later.’
Is it that time already?
I stand up from my seat but head not towards Kohina-senpai, instead, I go to the restroom.
I should at least check my appearance.
I was heading to the restroom alone when I saw a sign saying the restroom was out of order and a detour route.
If it’s out of order, there’s nothing you can do.
I pass the bathroom and head towards the back.
Then a girl jumped out from the bushes.
”Please listen to me!”
For a moment, I braced myself, thinking that some radical fan had broken in.
No, this face… I feel like I’ve met her somewhere before.
Yes, just recently, near my house….
”Oh, the one who wet herself”
”I didn’t wet myself! But that’s not what I’m talking about right now!”
In the next moment, several shadowy figures hiding their faces jump out from the bushes in the park.
”Whoa!”
I quickly dodge an attack from the enemy.
What’s going on?
If they were trying to kidnap me or catch me, that would be one thing, but I never expected them to attack me suddenly.
”Huh?”
My tie drops to the ground from the suit I was wearing.
”Dodge!”
That was close!
I avoid an attack from a mysterious person holding a knife.
What is happening!!
Where is the security!?
Where are my bodyguards!?
No, more importantly, I have to do something about this situation.
As I dodge the next attack, I grab the enemy’s arm and hit them in the face with my elbow to knock them out.
Sorry, even if the enemy is a girl, it’s different if my life is in danger.
I’ll be serious, too.
”Ugh!”
Of all times to be wearing a suit.
It’s hard to move!
I use a hand strike and palm techniques taught by Akio-san to take down the second person, then I kick to knock out the third person.
Of the two left, I grab one by the arm and throw them, while Rin-chan comes to take down the last one.
”Rin-chan!?”
”I’m really sorry for being late!”
Rin-chan, y-you’re strong.
But despite that, her expression doesn’t seem to be relaxed.
”Aqua-sama, I can’t get in touch with Shirogane Kingdom”
”Huh?”
What do you mean?
Can’t contact Shirogane Kingdom?
I was frozen in place, not understanding what was going on.
”That’s why I came to tell you. I was asked by someone to give this to someone in the harem of Shirogane Kingdom.”
The girl who had just jumped out opens the paper bag she was holding and shows me the contents.
Is this… wine?
No, this isn’t just wine.
The wine I’m looking for is the one Kanon made by stomping on it.
”Aqua-sama said that he was looking for this wine, so the negotiations became advantageous and tried to deliver this to the states princesses. Then… she was kidnapped right before my eyes.”
”Kidnapped!? When you say States, you mean Ivis-san!? Or Charlotte-san!?”
She… yes, I remembered.
I think her name was Tise.
Tise-chan shook her head with a sad face.
”No! The one who was taken… the one who was taken is Kanon-sama!!”
…What?
But, the security in Shirogane Kingdom should be safe.
There is no way something like that could happen….
”It seems like the power plant in the country was taken over. They shut down the power to Shirogane Kingdom and cut off the connection to the main Server. They probably did something to the backup power too.”
At that moment, something inside me snapped.
I grabbed Tise-chan’s hands and smiled gently to help her talk.
”Do you know where the ones who took Kanon went?”
”Um, they said they were going to Haneda. Oh, and they were in a black van. I-I’m sorry. I could only watch.”
”Thank you. Just coming to tell me that is enough.”
After saying that, I left her with Rin-chan and went back to the place where the reception party was happening.
Then, I saw Kohina-senpai coming toward me.
”Oh, where have you been?”
”Kanon was taken.”
”What?”
I get in the Formula car placed in the center of the reception party.
The Formula car is scheduled to have a demonstration run at a public road event later, so the gas tank is full.
”Hey, wait a second, what are you planning to do?”
”I’ll chase after them. I might be able to catch up with them.”
I know I’m not calm.
But I’m not the kind of guy who would just sit here and let Kanon get kidnapped.
I don’t know who they are or where they’re from, but if they’re going to take away what’s most important to me, they should be prepared for the consequences.
”Kohina-senpai, I’ll leave the rest to you”
”Hey, oh…”
With that, I put on my helmet and stepped on the gas.
Wait. Kanon.
And 2 kids.
I’ll definitely rescue you!!
* * *
*Yukishiro Emily’s point of view*
”Kanon was taken away…?”
I heard that news after Aqua-sama got into the formula machine.
A member of the Holy Aqua Religion, who mixed in with the staff, said they dug a tunnel from a nearby building to sneak into the Shirogane Kingdom.
Feeling angry and shocked, I slowly walked towards another machine that was on display.
Maybe I can catch up now.
I want to go with Aqua-sama.
It’s okay, even though I’m pregnant and have never driven the real one, I’ve practiced many times with the simulator.
I can drive.
No, I will drive and catch those guys to help Kanon…
As I slowly move closer to the formula machine, I suddenly stop.
”…Kaede-senpai, Nee-san, please let go of my hand”
”No way! You really plan to chase after them, don’t you!! Don’t forget you have a baby in your belly, stupid!!”
”Emily-san, wait! Please!! I’m begging you!! Calm down and stop right now!!”
Ugh, I bite down hard on my teeth.
”So, so, what do you want me to do!!”
I know it doesn’t help to get mad at the two of them, but I raised my voice.
I whisper softly, “Kaede-senpai, Nee-san, I’m sorry.”
”Come on, Akocchi, let go of me!”
”Yukari, you have to stop too!”
Ako-san was desperately trying to stop Kohina-senpai, who was also about to start running.
A man approaches the Formula car with a helmet.
”I’m going”
”Tenga-senpai!?”
”Tenga-kun!?”
When Tenga-senpai puts on a helmet and gets into the Formula car, Kohina-senpai calls out to him.
”Tenga-kun, please take care of my idiot. If things stay like this, who knows what he’ll do to the people who kidnapped Kanon-san”
”Leave it to me. In the movies and in real life, it’s my job to look after my juniors.”
Tenga-senpai is a senior driver in the movie who cares for the main character, Aqua-sama.
Even so, a good friend and a good rival.
That was the character Greed Ashikaga played by Tenga-senpai.
”Akira-kun…”
”I’m sorry, Haruka-nee. But I have to stop my junior.”
”…Yeah, I understand. Akira-kun, be careful.”
”Yeah! Haruka-nee… I’m going!”
Saying that, Tenga-senpai’s Formula car started to move.
I will also do what I can.
”Is anyone there?”
”Y-yes!”
When I called out after moving to a place where no one could hear me, a Saint Guard hidden among the staff appeared.
”Tell everyone in the Holy Aqua Religion. Identify the van that kidnapped Kanon. Also, work with the police to catch the criminals and close the airport and ports. And… definitely expose those behind the people who kidnapped Kanon. Listen, this is a Saint’s order. Prioritize this above all else.”
”Y-yes!!”
I will make those who dared to mess with Aqua-sama pay for it.
So please, let Kanon and the baby in her belly be safe.
I looked up at the sky, holding back my regret, and prayed for my friend’s safety.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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