Volume 3 - CH 1.08

Part 8

Perhaps partially due to the good weather today, our visitor count was climbing at a steady rate.

As usual, I was assigned to work backstage. I originally helped Macaron-san out in the basement of his theater earlier in the morning, but was eventually told to assist the cast members at the main stage.

“E-Erm, the main stage, you say?”

“It’s the one Kanie-san used to make his speech.”

Said the cast member who stopped me earlier. Apparently, she was the fairy of water working at Aquario, called Muse. Her attire was a little too revealing for my tastes, but was really pretty regardless.

“We’re lacking manpower at the main stage. There’s the women’s costumes to prepare, the equipment to carry over, and the wiring to settle. I need to prepare for my performance, so I’ll be going…!”

She seemed to be running around the park and searching for cast members who are free to help. After asking for a favor from me, she ran ahead.

I told one of the Diggeries who was in the music theater that I’d be heading elsewhere. After he responded with a “gotcha,” I sprinted to the main stage.

Ah, I remember now! This was the stage that would be used for the special show, “A(maburi)-fight begins! The descendent of Earth, Moffle.” That show was the highlight of this Golden Week’s event.

This was written in the pamphlet:

“The beginning of the big renewal! Dark clouds covered the skies of Sorcerers’ Hill.

Oh no! The magical fairies of Amagi Brilliant Park have lost their precious magical energy! Can they recover the hopes and dreams of the children in the park?

Join Moffle, Macaron, Tiramie and the cast members in their journey to right the wrongs!

A song and dance, specially brought to you right here at Amagi Brilliant Park!

(Performance schedule subject to changes in the event of wet weather.)”

…Let’s not imagine how those three drunkards could possibly fight to take back the “hopes and dreams of the children.” This would just be nothing more than a show, anyway.

I arrived at the main stage that was bustling with activity. There, I saw Macaron-san walking out of the changing room. For some reason, he was wearing a checkered miniskirt and a navy-blue jacket. Was he really going to go up cross-dressing as a female high-schooler? The sight of him gave me the creeps…

I’m guessing my expression reflected my thoughts about his appearance, because Macaron-san stood up all of a sudden when he saw my face.

“What’s with that look, huh!? In case you don’t know, this is a Scottish highland dress, and not a woman’s costume, ron!”

Ah, that figures. I observed his appearance in detail, and realized he was also holding on to a bagpipe. I’d completely forgotten the fact that Macaron-san was the fairy of music.

“A-Anyway, what are you doing here, ron? Weren’t you in charge of my theater?”

“W-Well, Muse-san told me to help out here…”

“Is that so? Then go find Dornel. He could use some help, ron.”

“Dornel…?”

That sounded like the name of a piece of military weaponry, or something that could shoot huge laser beams.

“He’s the director for this show, ron. He should still be at the control room. Hurry, we have less than 30 minutes left!”

I did as he said and ran to the control room. There were computer monitors everywhere, and the whirring of computer fans echoed throughout the room. There was a commotion going on among a few of the Diggeries and a weasel-like fairy.

“Have you checked the speakers north of the stage!? Hurry, mogu!”

“The fifth elevator’s malfunctioning, mogu! Mobilize the technicians!”

“Fire the mega particle accelerators! Aim for the left wing!”

They were all busy with their tasks, shouting instructions that did not have anything to do with music.

“E-Erm, I was told to help you out…”

As I said that, the weasel-like mascot turned around. He was wearing an arm band that read “Director,” so he must be Dornel-san.

“Is that so? Then would you please carry this box to the special changing room? Use a map if you need directions, neru.”

As I stood there trying to process the instructions received, someone entered the room from behind me. I looked around to find Kanie-senpai standing there, ignoring my presence and addressing Dornel-san.

“How’s everything going?”

“Oh hey, commander. Not very good, but we should be able to make it, neru. Will you be overseeing the operations here?”

“Yeah. Of course, if I’m disrupting your work then I’ll find an empty seat somewhere else.”

“Be my guest, neru. You’re also a director, after all. And you there, what are you still waiting here for? Hurry and take the package away!”

Realizing I’d been listening in on their conversation, Dornel-san shouted at me.

“I-I’m sorry!”

I ran over and picked up the huge box and the paper map. Kanie-senpai, finally noticing my presence, looked at me and gave an “oh?” Making use of the thin paper map, I hurried over to my destination. It appeared that they’d yet to finalize the layout of the park, given that its underground tunnel network was still being renovated.

Come to think of it, what was this “special changing room” Dornel-san spoke of? It certainly gave an impression that it was hidden in some secluded building in this park…

Thankfully, there were thoughtful people who placed signs on the walls of the tunnel. One of them read “Special Changing Room,mogu →.” I arrived at my destination a few minutes later. I opened the door that had the “Special Changing Room” sign pasted on it and walked into a large hall.

And right in the middle of that hall, a large dragon was there. Yes, a real dragon.

It had incredibly large teeth and toenails that looked like they could rip a truck to pieces. There were 4-5 cast members busily walking about, polishing its scales and applying fluorescent substances to it. It was then, I noticed—they were putting on make-up for the dragon.

The dragon spoke.

“Okay, okay, please try not to talk; I can’t apply this if you keep moving.”

A woman who resembled a dark elf with long ears spoke while trying to brush the dragon’s nape. (Looking closely, I realized she wasn’t using make-up, but car polish.)

“Can’t you just be quiet for once? In the first place, you’re playing the villain today so there’s no need for you to charm anyone! And speaking of which, why is an accountant being assigned a role like this…”

The dragon’s words directed everyone’s attention to me.

“Is there anything you need?” Ashe-san spoke.

“E-Erm excuse me. The director named Dornel-san or something asked for this to be delivered to you…”

“Looks like it came on time, huh? I was getting worried since it was a custom-made piece…”

The cast members opened the box, and removed an earphone that was the size of a watermelon. They squeezed it into the dragon’s left ear and switched it on.

“Testing, testing. Can you hear me?”

“What’s wrong? Is it too soft?”

“Stop struggling! That’s dangerous!”

Hearing Ashe-san’s shouts through the earphones, the dragon’s struggling became even more violent. Following the cast members nearby who were running for their lives, I crept my way out of the room.

“I-I’ll be taking my leave; please excuse me!”

I shouted back before turning around and fleeing the scene.