"More than one Master-Servant pair coming to this convention was a bit of a miscalculation."
A bead of cold sweat ran down Sakumura's cheek.
A new magical energy signature had appeared far behind him, roughly at the convention hall entrance.
"After all, this is Fuyuki's biggest event of the past few days, even if its range of interests is rather narrow."
Kirei Kotomine stood near the performance stage, paying no attention to what was behind him.
"The Holy Grail War is still in its early stages these past few days, and no direct conflicts have broken out yet. So many Servants probably have enough free time to come to a place like this."
Sakumura sighed and walked over to Kirei Kotomine's side.
"Why do I feel like I'm the one outside the bounds of common sense?"
"It's fine, Assassin." Kirei Kotomine patted Sakumura on the shoulder. "At the very least, we came here of our own accord."
"That's not what I meant... Forget it."
Shaking his head helplessly, Sakumura reopened his eyes with a sharp glint in them.
"Looks like we'll have no choice but to fight after the convention ends."
"Then—let us enjoy the happiness before battle to the fullest while we still can."
As for what that happiness was...
"OOOOOOOOOOH!!!!"
Including Sakumura, the crowd of otaku in cheer outfits gathered below the stage erupted in deafening roars. They raised their glow sticks in unison, as though welcoming the descent of something grand.
The idols dressed as the heroines of Tokimeki Memorial had taken the stage.
Shiori Fujisaki, Miharu Tatebayashi, Saki Nijino, Ayako Katagiri, Mio Kisaragi, Yuko Himoo, Nozomi Kiyokawa, Megumi Mikihara, Yuko Asahina, Mira Kagami, Yukari Koshiki, Yumi Saotome—every heroine except the hidden heroine, Rei Ijuin, had appeared.
They were not as vivid and adorable as their two-dimensional