Volume 13 Chapter 324 Shirogane Aqua, Trick Me, Will You!
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The Beryl Halloween Festival kicked off on the last weekend of October.
In the dressing room, I buttoned myself into a loud shirt drowning in frills, slid on a vest, then stepped into gold-trimmed trousers and a long coat. A sweeping cape settled everything into place. Vampire king, achieved.
”Accessories, then…”
Velvet gloves—definitely expensive—hugged my hands as I fastened on jewelry that looked just as pricey. All of this was on loan from a luxury brand, if I remembered right. No one’s going to steal it off me, but still—don’t drop anything, Aqua.
”Whoa! Aqua, that looks perfect. Vampire king, right?”
Toa—done up like a fairy-tale prince—leaned in for a commemorative photo. His crown-like tiara poked dangerously close to my cheek.
”Ah—sorry.”
”It’s fine, it’s fine.”
I should share one with the group, just in case.
I snapped a quick selfie and posted it to the Shirogane Kingdom group chat.
—
—Shirogane Aqua @ Beryl Halloween Fest. Thoughts?
Grandma Mary @ Aqua-sama: If you’re king, then I’m queen! First comment! Aqua-sama, let’s make you the king of the whole nation of Stars while we’re at it!
↓ Granddaughter who lost first comment, pogya—!
Kanon @ Wearing witch-sister outfits with Emily-senpai. Thank you, thank you!
Emily @ Doing witch cosplay with Kanon! Aqua-sama, you look amazing! And Kanon, stop slipping into polite speech the second you panic!
Kotono @ Why am I a black cat too? Great gloves, though. They look… dangerously pointy.
Pegonia-san @ Devil head maid reporting. > Kirika Kotono: I feel this in my soul.
Yui @ Is it really fine that I’m the black cat? > Kirika Kotono: Understood.
Aiko @ Dragged into a black cat cosplay. Once again… beaten by reality?
Kaede @ The pumpkin head won’t come off!! Aqua-kun, you look great! Also please check the pumpkin that got stuck on mine!
Inko @ Put on a watermelon by mistake instead of a pumpkin!! Aqua-kun, you’re extra sharp today.
> Shirogane Kaede: That’s not how that works!! …Except it apparently is!!
Hermie @ I’m a jiangshi. Papa… will you play a trick on Haa?
Fran @ Little devil Fran here~ Okay okay! I want tricks too!! Or would Aqua-sama prefer to be tricked by Fran-chan~?
Chiyoko @ I want to cosplay too!! Aqua-kun, do you need this country?
Summer King @ Doing a jiangshi cosplay!! Aqua-kun, so cool!! > To mom : If this chat leaks, we’re getting scolded again…
Agewa @ Why am I also a black cat!? You look super cool!! Sorry, I’ve got no better words! > To the Prime Minister: We await you in the Diet.
Victoria @ The Black Cat herself. Fufufu. As a special favor, I’ll allow you to let this black cat sit on your lap. > To everyone wearing black-cat cosplay: If you have complaints, bring them to me, the ringleader.
Shitori @ A far-too-sexy succubus onee-san ♡ A-chan, it suits you so well ♡ When you come home, Maron-san and I will be a W-succubus sandwich and heal you, okay? ♡♡♡
Lapis @ Does the sister outfit suit me? Elder Brother, please drink Lapis’s blood!!
Claire @ Not a sister cosplay—an actual sister!! At last, He has descended!! I’m not a virgin, but I’ll gladly offer my living blood!!
Shirogane Emily @ to Chihiro Claire: Hey, idiot. It doesn’t sound like a joke when you say it, so stop!!
Kukuri @ Maybe I’ll go with a witch costume too? Aqua-senpai, you look amazing.
Yukari @ Why am I the only one in a kaijū costume! Hmph. For you, I guess it suits you. More importantly, pick up those bat-shaped taiyaki on your way back from your fest.
—
I closed my phone and looked over at Shintaro, who had just finished changing.
”How is it? Does it suit me?” he asked.
”Yeah. Shintaro, it suits you a lot.”
He was a devilish butler to the last hair, slicked into a crisp 7–3. White gloves snapped into place. I should take pictures later and send them to Awashima-san and the others. They’ll probably faint.
”Junior, how’s our lord and master doing?”
”Tenga-senpai, you’re killing it!”
Tenga-senpai—dressed like a delinquent priest—grinned at the praise. Though… why does a priest need dual pistols?
”Haha, Kujaku, those ears suit you,” Maruo called.
I followed his voice and glanced at Kujaku. Oh—cat-eared butler apprentice. Nice. It works.
”Shut up. You’re wearing ears too. Stupid dog Maruo.”
”I keep telling you, I’m a wolf, not a dog!”
So Maruo’s a wolf-eared priest. Wait—the ears and tail move? Seriously?
A staff member explained, “When he’s happy, the ears perk and the tail wags. When he’s sad, the ears crumple and the tail droops. If emotions spike, the fur even fluffs up.”
”Huh.”
Cameras track facial expressions, then an AI drives the movements. Face recognition linked with Yui—got it. The system is wild.
Victoria-sama has the same cat-ear-and-tail rig, apparently. Note to self: when I get home, lavish attention on Victoria-sama. Let her curl in my lap; give her all the pats.
”Everyone ready?”
I scanned the room and spotted Hajime, legs trembling in the draft.
Right—he’s in shorts. Tights or not, of course he’s freezing.
”I’ve got a warmer. Stick it on your foot sole where it won’t show. It’ll help a bit,” Toa said, offering one.
”Thank you!!”
Toa wore pumpkin shorts and bare legs like it was nothing, handing over his own heat pack. Even if the warmer’s hidden, are you really not cold, Toa? Bare legs in this wind—that’s guts.
”Everyone ready?”
”Yes!” came the unified, bright response.
We followed one of the male staff—looked more like a college kid than a boy—out of the waiting room. Ako-san had mentioned that today some of the trainees from Next Beryl, our idol academy, were helping out as staff. I’d been part of its launch, though I hadn’t had time to stay involved since. Might as well talk to one of them while I can.
I caught the eye of a boy whose movements were stiff with nerves.
”You’re tall. How tall are you?”
”Uh, 187 centimeters, sir!”
”Wow. And your age?”
”Third-year middle schooler!”
Seriously? He gave a shy little smile, unsure if he should laugh.
”So, why’d you decide to become an idol?”
”Well… I’m tall, right?” he said, scratching his cheek.
I nodded silently. At this rate, he’d catch up to Tenga-senpai in a year or two.
”And, um… my eyes. People say they look scary. I’ve got these narrow eyes, so even guys avoid me. I thought if I became an idol, maybe I could learn to smile more. Maybe people wouldn’t be scared anymore.”
So that’s it.
He glanced at my face, then ducked into a flurry of bows. “S-sorry! That’s such a lame reason. I shouldn’t even say that to someone like Aqua-san who’s serious about it—”
”Why not?”
He blinked up, startled by my grin.
”There are tens of thousands of idols. Every one of them started for a different reason. What matters isn’t why you start—it’s what you reach for. You know what’s most important for an idol?”
”N-no, sir.”
At the entrance to the venue, I stopped and clapped a hand on his shoulder.
”Never betray your fans. That’s it. Whatever else happens, don’t betray them.”
”Y-yes, sir!”
Toa, Shintaro, and Tenga-senpai followed, each giving the boy a firm pat on the back as they passed. Ah—should’ve asked his name. But a middle schooler that tall? I’ll find him again later.
Screams burst from the crowd outside.
”Kyaaaaaaa!”
”Aqua-samaaaa!”
”Fwaaah!”
”Why does everyone’s IQ drop to five the moment they see Aqua-sama?”
”Right? My vocabulary just vanishes.”
I met the eyes of those waiting in line and gave them a small nod that said, see you soon. Even with more of them getting used to it, a few still swayed on their feet. The medics hurried in response.
”Aqua, you can’t keep making our fans faint like this!” Toa sighed.
”Sorry. Wasn’t my plan.”
I waved to the others. “Catch you later.” Then I stepped into my assigned booth.
It was incredible—like walking into a throne room. I sat down on the gilded chair and glanced at the treasure chest full of sweets. Even the treats were themed: chocolate coins, jewel-shaped biscuits, golden foil. Perfect touch.
”We’ll bring them in one at a time,” said Komachi, my manager.
”Got it.”
I straightened my cape and took a breath. This was a special event—only for fan club members and those who’d won the Halloween campaign lottery. Might be a once-in-a-lifetime moment for some of them.
A girl stepped in, her eyes wide. “Whoa… amazing!”
I smiled inwardly. Same reaction I had the first time. She fidgeted, glancing between me and the ornate room.
”Um, uh…”
Time to give her the full Shirogane Aqua experience—one hundred percent, no, one billion percent.
”Welcome,” I said, smiling with deliberate mischief.
”Eep! Y-yes!”
Her cheeks flushed pink as her gaze wavered.
”Speak your wish. Do you desire treasure—or a reward from me?”
”A r-reward, please!!”
I rose in one smooth motion, cape flaring, each footstep measured as I approached. Right now, in this moment, you’re my heroine.
”What is it you want to do?”
”I—I mean, maybe a hug? Unless that’s… not allowed?”
I paused, letting silence thicken just enough.
Originally, this event was supposed to be twenty seconds per fan—thirty at most. But I’d argued to extend it. Maybe for some of them, this would be the only time in their lives they’d meet me face-to-face. I wanted it to be something they’d carry forever. Maybe that was arrogance—but to be the world’s number one idol, you need a little arrogance.
”Why do you think it’s not allowed?”
”Huh?”
I took her hand and drew her gently into my arms.
”Ah… wh—”
She froze, eyes spinning, breath hitching. I patted her back lightly to ease the tension.
”Is just being held enough? You can hold me back too, you know.”
”Y-yes!”
Her arms circled my back, hugging tight. When I felt her relax, I slowly let her go.
”Are you satisfied?”
”Y-yes. Thank you so much!”
I smiled softly and pointed toward the exit.
”Good. The way out is there. And take one treat from the treasure chest.”
”Eh? Really!?”
Morinaga, the sponsor, had gone overboard preparing sweets—we had more than enough. Better she take one home as a keepsake. And that pumpkin carriage with Witch Merry near the entrance… yeah, I’d grab a picture of that later.
”We’ll bring in the next person,” Komachi said.
”Alright. Thanks.”
I sat back on the throne.
Next came a woman in office wear. “Whoa, this place is incredible!”
Haha, same reaction again. Understandable. Honestly, now I was curious how everyone else’s rooms looked. After the event, we’d have to compare.
”Welcome,” I said, slipping back into character. “Choose: my reward, or the treasure.”
She hesitated, biting her lip. Most chose the reward instantly, so this was new.
”Well… I really want the reward, but it’s too embarrassing. So, I’ll take the treasure instead!”
Interesting. That worked too.
I rose, took a sweet from the chest, and walked toward her.
”Oh? So my reward doesn’t tempt you that much?”
”N-no, that’s not it at all!” she said quickly, face burning red.
Normally, this would be the end—a simple handoff of sweets, a polite farewell.
But I am Shirogane Aqua. I don’t do half-measures.
If I’m going to fall, I’ll fall moving forward. Not treading carefully behind a guide, but charging straight into the minefield myself. I don’t tap on bridges to test their strength—I shatter them as I cross. That’s who I am.
”What are you staring off for? Open your mouth.”
”Eh? Wha—oh, y-yes!”
I tore open the bag, lifted a biscuit, and held it to the woman’s lips.
”Wh-what!?”
Her face flushed crimson, eyes darting between me and the biscuit.
”Well? You wanted the treasure, didn’t you? Go on, eat. Or do you need my help even for that?”
I slipped an arm around her waist, drawing her close, my voice low as I leaned in.
”Come on—say ‘ahh.’”
”Ahh…”
She finally nibbled the biscuit, mouth small and shy. Didn’t want to be seen eating too openly—understandable. I slowed my movement to match hers, softening my tone.
”You okay? If it’s hard to swallow, tell me. I’ve got grape juice—looks like wine but isn’t.”
”I-I’m fine!”
When she finished, I let her go gently and guided her toward the exit. Then I sat back on the throne, waiting for the next guest.
”Wow! It’s so fancy in here!”
The next visitor was an elderly woman, eyes sparkling as she looked around. I couldn’t help but smile warmly. No—focus, king mode on.
”So, what will it be?”
”A reward! I want to be princess-carried by Aqua-sama as a souvenir for the afterlife!”
”Very well.”
Impressive—years of life had given her no hesitation at all. With practiced grace, I lifted her into my arms like I would Kanon—carefully, reverently.
”Oh my. So this is what Kanon-sama’s view looked like.”
But a true performance doesn’t end there. Still holding her, I sat back on my throne with her in my lap.
”How does it feel, being my princess?”
”Wonderful, Aqua-sama! Now I understand why Hakuryuu-sensei can’t win against you!”
Ha. Why do grandmas love teasing Ai so much? I dropped my tone to a whisper. “Be kind to Ai, okay?”
She nodded. “Of course. We tease Hakuryuu-sensei because we expect great things from her.”
Makes sense. Grandma Mary said the same thing once.
I handed her a sweet and guided her to the exit.
”We’ll bring in the next person.”
”Please do.”
Next came a woman who looked like a young mother. As always, she gasped at the lavish room before meeting my eyes with a nervous smile.
”Then… for my reward—could you praise me? I’ve been working hard with childcare and housework, and I just… want someone to say I’m doing well.”
”Of course.”
I stepped close and brushed her cheek with my gloved hand. She flinched slightly, startled, so I waited a beat, then leaned in to whisper by her ear.
”I hear you’ve been giving it your all lately. You’ve done well.”
”Y-Yessh…”
I moved around her slowly, lowering my voice near her other ear.
”You’re doing great. Don’t push yourself too hard, alright? Rest when you can.”
Her ears burned bright red as she froze. I gave her time, then circled back, voice softer still.
”When it gets hard, remember me. I’m always watching over those who keep going.”
”Th-thank you…”
And again, I circled once more, close enough to feel her breath.
”Good girl. You’ve done so well. No matter who doubts you, believe only what I’ve said.”
”Y-yes… I understand…”
Good. I patted her head gently, released her, and sent her off with sweets and a warm smile.
”Shall we bring the next one? Or do you need a break?” Komachi asked.
”I’m fine. Keep them coming—I don’t want to keep my fans waiting.”
One by one, I gave each fan their moment—more than they expected, more than they dreamed. I wasn’t just living up to their image of Shirogane Aqua; I was surpassing it.
”Thank you for your hard work!!”
By closing time, the Halloween event had ended without a hitch. I thanked Toa, Shintaro, Tenga-senpai, Maruo, Kujaku, Hajime, and all the staff who made it possible.
”Really—thank you, everyone!”
Skipping time limits had been the right choice. On the ride home, I couldn’t stop smiling, replaying every grin, every teary eye, every moment.
I didn’t yet realize that when I got home… another Halloween event was waiting for me.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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