kscans

Chapter 182 - A Day of Tears

"Higashi-san, Saijou-san, it's about to start!!"

"R, right."

"...I'm getting nervous."

"Ahaha, let's just relax and enjoy ourselves."

After that, we hit it off with the college girls and decided to enjoy the concert together. Honestly, I was grateful. Having the young ones so enthusiastically on our side seemed to have helped the two of them relax a lot. That aside, the time to witness Pure Love ★ Pandemonium live was fast approaching, so they were still completely stiff with anticipation. Even new employees at their company entrance ceremony aren't this wound up.

"!?"

Oh, the Demon Lords have made their entrance. I made eye contact with the two of them as we'd planned, and they nodded back repeatedly with incredibly stiff expressions. The leader, Lucifer, warmed up the crowd a little, and then the moment finally arrived.

"Luci! Fer! Chaaaaaaaan!!"

Well, it was just a simple fan chant. Still, I didn't want my half-hearted call to throw the two of them off their game, so I yelled from the bottom of my gut.

"Hmm? I can't hear you! Louder! With all your love!!"
≪Luuuuuuucifeeeeeeeeeer-chaaaaaaaaaan!!!≫

...For a second, just for a fleeting second, I wondered. What would happen if I hit them with a sonic attack, my ultimate Sugar Voice, right now?

"Higashi-san, it's our turn next."

"Ah, right."

His face was bright red.

"Belle-chaaaaaaaaan!!"

But still... something about this is hilarious when you know what's really going on.

"Louder!!"
≪Beeeeelle-chaaaaaaaaaan!!!≫

The three on stage. It must be because Halloween is coming up. Their stage outfits are little succubus costumes. A trio of unmatched great demons, all dressed up in the convenient devil look imagined by human males... you know?

"No repeats! Get it in one shot!"
≪Lookieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!≫

"Excellent! That's the spirit!!"

It might be funny, but that's a separate issue. I'm a man who can compartmentalize. I'll just enjoy the slightly naughty spectacle.

(Beelzebub... she's got a great rack...)

Is it because she's the symbol of gluttony? Is that why they made her breasts bigger? I approve of that decision! If there were a like button, I'd smash it until it broke... whoa!?
Suddenly, my brain was shaken with incredible force.

【Satou-kyun, I'm your favorite, right!? You're staring way too hard at Bell-cchi!!】

Lucifer's voice echoed in my mind.
It's not like I put much thought into picking a favorite. Are you some kind of obsessive girlfriend, I sent back telepathically.

【But you like this clingy type of love, don't you?】

...Well, I don't dislike it. My affection for Lucifer just went up a little. And stop talking to one specific person during a concert. Get on with it.

"Nice, nice! I can feel everyone's passion! But it's not enough! I'm gonna make you all even hotter!!"

With that declaration, the backup band started to play. This melody... it's "Demonic Fantasy Love Song," the one Saijou-san likes!

"Hh...!!"

Saijou-san seemed to have realized it too. She brought a hand to her mouth, her eyes welling with tears. If she was that moved, I'm sure the performers would feel their efforts were all worth it.

(I wonder if my favorite song is on the setlist...)

The concert proceeded smoothly, and after the fifth song, they took a break for some MC talk.

"Whew, I think I messed up my pacing a little!"

"Ufufu, everyone's excitement must have gotten to you."

"Why don't we take a little break and have a chat?"

That was just an excuse, of course. There's no way these three would run out of stamina, even if they performed hundreds of songs in a row. It was probably to give the backup band and the audience a rest. They're so considerate, down to the last detail.

"Oh, right. Listen to this. Something really annoying happened the other day."

Lucifer started the story.

"So, you know that transforming magical girl anime that's on every Sunday morning? I watch it every week."

...Is that true? You're serious? She's the polar opposite of love, courage, and justice...

"Usually I watch it at home, or record it if I have work. But last Sunday I had work, and I happened to be at the office right when it was on, so I was there cheering them on."

She was cheering them on...

"Then, I noticed my manager glancing at the TV now and then? I was like, huh? Could it be that Manager-kun likes it too? I got all excited, thinking I'd found a kindred spirit. So I asked him if he wanted to watch it with me... and what do you think he said?"

Hmm, she's starting to mix in some lies... and this story, could it be...?

"He said, 'No... I'm a grown man.' Can you believe it!?"

Lucifer puffed out her cheeks, making it clear she was angry. I glanced over at Saijou-san and Higashi-san. Their faces were tense.

"I mean, come on! Who cares!? Whether you're a man or a woman, or how old you are! Yeah, sure, it's technically in the 'anime for little girls' genre. But so what? Does that mean boys can't watch it? Adults can't watch it? That's not right. I mean, if you're causing trouble by buying up all the toys at the store, that's one thing. But that's not what's happening, right? So it's wrong to deny what you love! It's tough when other people deny it, but the worst thing you can do is deny your own feelings!!"

Lucifer plays the part of a cheerful, slightly ditzy character. But that's not all. She also has the added trait of getting passionate at just the right moments. So it wasn't out of character for her to "get preachy" like this.

"There's no need to lie about your honest feelings! People who try to act cool or smart and hide what they love are the ones who are really pathetic!!"

But I knew the truth.

"Maybe some of you are like my manager, hiding the things you love. You might be embarrassed to show it. But at the very least, I won't laugh, and I won't judge you! We're all here to support what you love, so don't you ever forget that!!"

This was a special service for Saijou-san and Higashi-san. I had explained the situation when I got the tickets, so she must have told this story on purpose.

(...Damn, now I'm seriously in her debt.)

I knew she had ulterior motives, but even so.

"Alright! I'm getting fired up, so let's keep this going!!"

The intro to the next song began to play. I casually glanced beside me.

"!"

The two of them were crying. With serene expressions on their faces, they were shedding quiet tears.

(It was super effective...)

Needless to say, our first concert experience was a massive success.