Stealing Spree

Putting the matter of what's waiting for us outside to the side, Kaoru-san, Yua and I keenly watched the three girls' performance.

They performed it twice, improving their coordination as well as cohesion of their voices to perfectly fit the tune.

And now, since their throat should be dry by now, Yue, Akane and Miho left the live booth looking with a bright smile and confident outlook.

As I handed them the juice Kaoru-san bought, their eyes shimmered brightly , conveying their hopes to hear my evaluation.

What else could I say though? Even if they bite their tongue in the middle of singing, I'd still rate it 11/10. Nonetheless, since they're surely hoping to hear my honest thoughts, I took a moment to gather my thoughts to give them a proper evaluation.

"Let's see. I like the fact that you're giving each other a chance to shine. But on chorus, Yue, are you trying to hold back for Akane and Miho?" I started by pointing at the girl who didn't hesitate to sit on my lap even with Kaoru-san sitting on the neighboring chair.

Yue's shoulders jumped as though someone who was caught red-handed stealing from a cookie jar.

"... Is it that noticeable?" She awkwardly laughed as she slowly turned around to face me.

Just by the vibrations of her body, the girl completely acknowledged that she really did that, causing her earlier enthusiasm to dampen a little.

I pinched her cheek to cast the gloom away from her face before continuing.

"Mhm. I'm not an expert though so take it with a grain of salt."

"I believe you! I'll take that to mind!" Like an obedient cat purring to get patted by her owner, Yue raised her head and started rubbing her cheek on my chest...

This girl, can I even resist this cuteness?

Beside us, Kaoru-san was left speechless. Even though she's already aware how lovestruck this girl is to me, it's still a sight to behold seeing the girl obediently taking my evaluation to heart.

But well, I couldn't explain it properly to her...

I gave her a wry smile before continuing.

Akane moved to the seat behind us but she stood up and pressed both of her hands on shoulder.

I looked up and sure enough, the girl was waiting for her turn.

I helplessly shaked my head. I already started anyway. Let's just go all out.

"Akane, your mind was wandering. There are parts where you're overdrafting a line, kinda mismatching the tune. Because of that, Miho had to improvise a bit whenever it happened."

"Ah. I knew it. My bad. I can get easily distracted. Should I close my eyes while singing?"

She's right. This girl couldn't help but cast her gaze at us. Once during Kaoru-san's return and a few more times when she noticed me conversing with her.

Unlike Yue who was already used to performing like that, Akane only ever had me as an audience member. Her singing was reserved for me alone. And even if she agreed to this collaboration, in her heart, she's still only doing this for me.

Her devotion really is something else.

"Well, that's one way to prevent your head from wandering somewhere else."

Akane nodded continuously before sitting back down and drinking her juice.

"What about me?"

A few seconds later, the last of the three also spoke. With her voice sounding like she's expecting me to also nitpick something about her performance, Miho sat down on the chair on my right which Yua voluntarily vacated.

"As for you, you did it perfectly. You can adapt right away. Even if the other two miss their marks, the way you played kept the song intact and not chaotic. But one thing though..."

"Yes?"

"Your backup singing. Increase the volume of your mic, it's part of the song, it's a shame if others won't hear how great your voice is."

She's not holding back like Yue. She probably thought backup singing is only to supplement the other two's harmony so she set her volume on the low. But in my opinion, her addition there would turn it perfect. Or if I could exaggerate it more, it'll be more than what everyone is expecting.

"... I will!" Miho carefully contemplated for a while before energetically nodding.

At this point, Kaoru-san already suspended her disbelief, clapping her hands at how I handled that.

"Alright. If I can translate my evaluation to scores... Yue gets a 9.1. Akane 9.4. And Miho, 9.5."

I couldn't bear to give them less than 9, of course. But to tease the girl who's happily enjoying my head pats, I intentionally lowered her score.

"Uh. I'm the professional and I got the lowest points." Yue lifted her head, her exquisite round eyes swelling up like a lost kitten, trying to appeal to her owner.

"You're being too kind to us, after all. Hus-- I mean, Ruki is quite harsh."

Akane tried to laugh off how she almost slipped there. The girl is also becoming a menace. Thankfully, Kaoru-san didn't pick it up.

"Knowing him, I'm certain his initial score is 11/10. Everything we do is perfect for him."

Miho proudly grinned at my side, taking the score I gave her as another achievement. She then gracefully combed the side of her hair.

"Pfft. Yes. I heard him whisper that before you left the booth. Anyway, it's amazing! I feel like singing it as well." Yua also joined in, singing her praises to them.

The girl really knows how to liven up the atmosphere.

"Then join us!"

"Nope. I may cover it when it is released. Let's see. I'll get Otoha and Mizuki and sing it with them. Hehe~"

The song hasn't been released yet and you're already planning for a cover? As expected of my girl, I guess? Now I can't help but imagine Otoha and Mizuki singing their song for me...

Anyway, after getting sufficient rest, the three returned to the booth and once again rehearsed the song, applying adjustments according to my evaluation.

While they were in the middle of it, the door to this room opened. Director returned and like Kaoru-san, she had a grim look on her face. However, underneath that front was an assured countenance.

She quietly walked over to us, minding herself not to distract the rehearsal.

After talking with Kaoru-san for a while, she took her seat and whispered at my side before handing me something.

"Onoda-kun, I'm aware of the situation outside. Here. Wear this vest. I'll have to send you out first to pretend that you're one of my staff."

Ah. I see. So this is what she came up with, huh? Although I already prepared something else to tide through that situation, this could be considered another assurance.

However...

"I don't think that will fly. I'm the only guy here, director. And you entered alone... Wait. Is someone else coming?"

My words were cut off and changed when I saw the door opening again.

The director snapped her fingers together as her lips curled upward.

"Smart. I like that. You'll take that person's place. She'll be glad to slack off and be of help to her cousin."

She? Is it not a guy?

And what's this? I never heard Yue having a cousin among the staffs.

As my mind whirled around that, trying to make sense of what the director said, the other person finally entered the room.

And there, I got stuck staring at the person who entered.

Then, a childhood memory flashed in my head... A frivolous older girl who loves taking Akane from me when we were playing together in exchange of fruit candies...

"Wow. It's really you, Ruki!"

She's not Yue's cousin. She's my cousin from my father's side.

"Chisa-nee-san…”