Preparations, Part One: The Race

(Ceruno)

Upon waking, I habitually glanced at the digital clock on the bedside table.

It's almost 1 p. m...

"Hmm? A little?"

I jumped out of bed with a start; today is not the time for sleeping in!

"Woof?"

Hearing the noise, the Doggy came in from outside, and Azura chuckled as she rode on its back.

Although Azura is a young girl, Golden is also just a growing golden retriever, so it's still too much for it to carry a person.

"Master Ceruno! You're awake!"

It sat up and pawed at the edge of the bed, its tail wagging happily behind it.

I rubbed its dog ears and asked:

"Hmm... Goldie... Where's Miluno?"

"They went back to Skyreach City."

"Huh? What's she going back for?"

"It seems there's been progress with the Dantai Society incident; she's back in Skyreach City!"

Dantai Society...

Ah, it's about that insider.

"Why didn't you wake me up?!"

"You didn't sleep well last night, and you have a concert tonight, so she took Mono with Past... Master Lin Xi is there too, so there shouldn't be any problems."

That's a case that was supposed to be under my jurisdiction, so why can't I go?

"I want to Past too, where are they...?"

After getting dressed and stepping out of the bedroom, I saw a teleportation portal unfold before me.

Miluno and Mono emerged from within.

"Oh, you're awake?"

"Don't talk back! Why didn't you wake me up?! This is my responsibility!!"

I have every right to be unhappy that she didn't take me with her.

"My mom's here today, so this isn't your responsibility. Besides, Gong Ling has already admitted defeat, and we've even got the Proxy's face... By the way, you probably won't believe Gong Ling's identity."

"Who is it?" I asked.

"She is Dantai Xue's grandfather, Dantai Zhengchu's father, and the former head of the Dantai Family who faked his death two years ago. Your father Contaminated Crystal for her to transform."

"Holy crap?!"

This was unexpected, yet perfectly reasonable...

My father attended the funeral with a blank expression, simply because the person wasn't actually dead.

"Moreover, that Proxy might be at the Sky Branch. No wonder SpiCa wanted to sneak out and hide in Nabu Island Prison. In a sense, it was to get away from the surveillance of those moles, which is equivalent to hiding himself."

"I see."

Previously, it was disadvantageous for the enemy to be in the dark while we were in the light; now, it's the enemy to be in the dark while we are in the dark, and neither side can catch the other's weakness. But for SpiCa, this gives her a lot more room to maneuver... although I don't know exactly what she did.

"Anyway, the matter is resolved. Let's focus on preparing for the concert and get ready to rehearse on stage."

As Miluno said this, she reached out from behind and wrapped a pair of small hands around Barbara's waist. Barbara's little head peeked out from between her white hair and shook it.

"Mother!"

Seeing this, Azura also rushed Past from the front, but the little girl wasn't even as tall as Miluno's belly...

But with them sandwiched between me, there's no room left!

"Ceruno- chan~"

Mono, on the other hand, snuggled up to me and took my arm.

"It's okay, I can give you a hug instead of Miluno."

No, it can't be replaced, can it?

During rehearsal

An afternoon Past.

Barbara returned to the cypress wood stage backdrop, and we went through the entire concert process. Miluno called Halley back in, but the lighting (Sirius) and photography (Metal) hadn't arrived yet. Sirius was tied up with the Association affairs and couldn't get away, while Miss Metal was working for SpiCa, and we didn't know what she was doing. She said she would be there later.

It's already six o'clock, two hours before the concert officially starts.

Halley told us to go to the live stream and fan groups to say hello first, but it turns out they've created dozens of official fan groups... So, is there someone behind us running them?

After saying hello, I asked again:

"Doesn't Sirius's show require rehearsals?"

Halley replied, "No need. She's a seasoned pro. Unlike you two, she acts like she's just going downstairs to buy groceries. She's incredibly natural and performs better than you two."

When will she arrive?

"It should be on its way."

If we go through the teleportation portal, it shouldn't be too far...

"Yahoo!"

Metal descended from the sky in a drone; the Association's large drones were indeed capable of suspending people...

But she was sitting above the drone.

"I've brought over the best drones from the City School for you. Each one costs tens of millions, has a panoramic multi-functional lens, and is wormhole resistant. You'll have a view from all directions. In addition to the director's view, viewers can also choose the drone's view to simulate the feeling of a live concert!"

"You've thought of everything, but with this method... I'm afraid we'll end up with nothing but low-angle shots of legs!"

Miss Metal hooked her arm around my neck.

"Hey~ Ceruno, you're pretty savvy! This is all to boost sales! If your and Miluno's skirts are shorter, it'll definitely increase the concert's revenue..."

Of course, I refused.

"We're not those kinds of idols! How can we do this kind of promotion!"

"Ceruno- chan's earnest refusal is also cute. If cuteness could put food on the table, you could feed half the world just by being cute!"

"No, no, that's an exaggeration!"

Being praised for being cute, but secretly a little happy?

He scratched his flushed cheeks.

"Now that Miss Metal is here, shall we test the live stream first?"

Actually, it wasn't just Metal; many magical girls who had finished class and eaten lunch made a special trip over just to have a chance to see our concert in person...

If you can get it for free, there's no need to consider online options.

However, some magical girls can provide magical special effects performances, adding color to the show.

"Miluno, what are you spacing out for?"

Miluno sat by the stage, lost in thought, so I wrapped my arms around her neck from behind and leaned all my weight on her, but she didn't budge an inch...

"Mono and I are discussing your father's plans."

Although he wasn't by Miluno's side, Mono was always able to talk to Miluno.

I'm deeply moved; I also wish I could connect with Miluno on a spiritual level...

"Actually, SpiCa thinks your dad might do something to the City School..."

"To the City School?"

Miluno.

"He has always advocated the principle of 'creating the greatest panic at the lowest cost,' as long as the panic spreads among the people. The Special Monster that turned out of humans before, and the Fake Magical Girl who recently caused riots, were all orchestrated by him."

"I know, but if we think about it that way, attacking the City School doesn't fit the idea of using a small force to achieve a big victory, does it? A legion of 1,400 magical girls, nearly one-tenth of the world's magical girls gathered here, they're a tough nut to crack no matter how you look at it. 'The Other Side' can't even take down the Old District outpost, so what makes them think they can invade the City School?"

Are you just feeding them kills?

"Have no idea."

Miluno shook her head.

"However, your father is very good at using minimal force to achieve maximum effect. He didn't participate in the large-scale invasion of the Old District, which probably meant he was planning something else..."

It's best not to let your guard down.