kscans

Chapter 181 - A Joyful Day

"Right then, shall we get going?"

"Already? Even with the travel time from here to the venue, there are still over three hours until the show starts."

"What are you talking about. The merch table is part of the concert experience, you know."

"It still feels a bit too early."

"Nah, not at all."

For popular artists, it's pretty common for the merch sales to start five or six hours early. Some of the goods are limited edition, you know. Plenty of people are willing to queue up. Getting in line just an hour before they open is often too late. When I told them that, the two of them looked slightly taken aback.

"RabuPan is popular, after all."

Considering the time the merch sales start and the line that will form afterwards, it would be best if we left soon.

"If you want to shop without any stress, I think this is the best time."

"I understand. I'll follow your judgment."

"We're amateurs at this, after all."

"Oh, but before we go, do you have cash ready?"

"Of course." they both said.

"Have you broken down your large bills and prepared plenty of small change?"

"Naturally." they both said.

This wasn't an absolute rule or anything, just a small courtesy. Merch sales at concerts are basically cash only, and you can predict ahead of time that it's going to be crowded. It's better to make the checkout process as quick as possible. To that end, you prepare in advance so you don't need change, helping to smooth the flow of the line.

"Excellent. Well then, shall we go?"

We left the house, went to the station, and boarded the train. No one would ever imagine that these three old guys were on their way to an idol concert. It might not be so strange if it were just me, but Saijo-san and Higashi-san, just by their appearances... well.

"Satou-kun's judgment was correct." they both said.

After a few train transfers, we arrived at the venue, but it was already quite crowded at this point. I urged the two of them on as they stood there dumbfounded, and we got in line.

"Don't be so fidgety. Nobody's paying any attention to us."

"R, right. I know that in my head, but..."

"Yes. Looking at the crowd, I can see men our age, and I understand there's no reason we would draw any particular attention."

"Stop making flimsy excuses and stand tall! Be proud!"

"Yes, sir." they both said.

Now then, let's move on to an important topic. There was something I should have asked much earlier, but with so many other things to take care of, I had completely forgotten to ask.

"Do you two have a favorite member you're rooting for?"

"You're asking us to choose!? What a cruel thing to say!!" they both exclaimed.

Why am I the one getting blamed for this?

"So you support the whole group. In that case, let's split the cheering merchandise between the three of us."

Things like the fan signs and the penlights for each member's image color.

"I'll take Lucifer, so Higashi-san, you take Beelzebub, and Saijo-san, you take Lucifuge."

"Understood." they both said.

Since the three of us were supporting the group RabuPan together, they both agreed to the plan. After that, we just waited for our turn while idly chatting, and then it was time to shop.

They seem to have the momentum to buy every single type of merchandise they're selling.

They had been so antsy and restless, but now that the time had come, this was the result. They were scooping up merchandise with sparkling eyes, completely unconcerned with anyone watching them. They probably didn't even notice the high school girl fans who were murmuring with smiles, "Aren't those old guys cute?"

"Your first concert, your first time buying merch. What are your thoughts?"

"To put it mildly, it's the best!!" they both shouted.

"Glad to hear it. Well then, let's go put away the bulky merchandise."

We stored our goods in a coin locker near the venue and then headed straight to a nearby family restaurant. There was still time until the show started, so we had to eat now. At a concert, it's not just the performers who use a lot of energy, the audience does too.

"For now, I'll get the mixed grill and the sirloin with a large rice. What will you two have?"

"You eat quite a lot. But I suppose we won't have the stamina if we don't eat properly."

"I'll have the hamburger steak set, and let's add a side of fried chicken. Fufu, I feel like I've gone back to my youth."

"I wonder if that diner that always gave us extra servings is still in business?"

As the two old guys were engaged in their sentimental talk, a voice called out.

"Um, you were at the merch area earlier, weren't you?"

Three college-aged girls sitting at the table on the other side of the aisle had struck up a conversation with us. Saijo-san and Higashi-san sent me a look that said, "You handle this." Honestly, it wouldn't kill you to chat with some college girls.

"Yeah, we were there. Were these two old guys getting a little too excited and causing trouble for you?"

"Not at all! Actually, it made us feel happy too. Right?"

"Totally. Those old guys looked like they were having so much fun."

"Is this your first time coming to one of their shows?"

"That's right. It's my first time, but for these two, this is their first experience with a concert of any kind."

"Whoa!" they all exclaimed.

The two men looked down in embarrassment. Even a teenage boy losing his virginity wouldn't be this shy. This was a good opportunity. I'll have the girls help me out. After a quick round of introductions, I started.

"See how embarrassed they are? They're feeling self-conscious, thinking that men their age shouldn't be at an idol concert."

"What!? That's not a problem at all!!"

"If anything, isn't it wonderful to be able to find a new source of joy even at that age?"

"Well said! That's what I've been telling them, but these guys are just a couple of bashful boys."

"So cute!" the college girls squealed.

Well, that was bound to happen. They have the appearance of very capable men, after all. Men and women are both weak to that kind of contrast.

"But Satou-san, you seem much more used to this than the other two."

"Yeah. This is my first RabuPan concert, but I've been going to music festivals and stuff on and off since I was a student."

"So you're like their guide?"

"Yup. Though I'm a regular fan of RabuPan myself, you know. I was happy to take on the role since it seemed like a good opportunity."

"I see. By the way, what's the relationship between the three of you?"

"He's my boss, and he's my subordinate."

"You're all pretty casual with each other."

"This is our private time, after all."

Well, if they were the type to worry about hierarchy even in private, I would have handled it differently. Dealing with that type of person outside of work is a pain, so I probably would have been inwardly reluctant.

"Can we ask who Higashi-san's and Saijo-san's favorite members are?"

"Ah, well... we... you see..."

"Y, yes. It's difficult to narrow it down to just one."

Stop fidgeting. Honestly, what a pair of deceptively cutesy old men.

"So you support the whole group. I think that's totally okay!!"

"Of course, that's not to say that supporting a single member is a bad thing."

But still.

I never expected to end up chatting with cute college girls. This is a nice little perk.

Hey, I don't mean that in a sleazy way, okay?