General 100

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Chapter 100. Triumphant Return - The Songstress Of The Battlefield

"Yes, no entry for non-performers."

In front of the door to the room prepared as a green room for the performers, a member of another music corps stood guard, almost like a military police officer.

"Um, I'm with the Student Council of the Special Soul Armor Academy. We need to discuss the stage arrangements with Kohou-senpai..."

"Unnecessary. We are professionals. We don't have time to play along with the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts."

Wow... They talk like seasoned soldiers.

Aren't they supposed to be a music corps?

They should only carry guns during occasional training sessions.

"Recently, there's been no end to people with base desires targeting Lieutenant Kohou, who's become quite popular."

"Get rid of the naive idea that you have a chance just because you studied at the same school. That person now lives in a different world from you."

Well... it seems like things around Mina are getting more and more exaggerated.

"We're here to help ensure the Songstress of the Battlefield's stage is a success. Don't worry, we're used to seeing Mina, so we don't care about any base desires."

I'm starting to get annoyed with this stubborn guard.

"You, a lowly private, how dare you speak to your superiors like that!"

"This calls for some discipline! Assume the push-up position!"

Kotomi and I exchanged glances.

The guard in front of us is likely a young member with no duties today, given that they're stuck with this menial task.

I wonder what face this fiery young music corps member would make if we told them that Kotomi and I hold the ranks of Major General and Special Operations Major, respectively.

"That's enough. Both of you. They are important juniors of mine."

Just as I was considering flashing my rank insignia, Mina stepped out of the green room, having heard the commotion, and reprimanded the guard.

"Thank you for coming to the academy today, Kohou-dono."

"Thank you."

Even though this is an official business meeting for Mina, both Kotomi and I respond in work mode due to the presence of the guard.

"Pfft! Please stop being so formal, it makes me laugh. Just act as you usually do."

Mina, laughing, urges Kotomi and me to act as usual, finding our out-of-character formality amusing.

Mina, who once said she was uncomfortable in military dress uniforms, now wears it with a confident air, having matured significantly.

"Well, let's go over the stage arrangements as usual. Do you have time?"

"Yes, I'll call the team leader now. The stage looks really professional. It must have been a lot of work to prepare."

"Yeah, you can probably tell from the bags under my and Kotomi's eyes..."

"If we let our guard down, we'll probably fall asleep standing up."

We're managing to push through with the energy of the festival, but I suspect the entire Student Council will collapse once it's over.

"That must have been tough. I'm busy with the national tour too, but since I learned to sleep during travel, I've managed to get some sleep, even if it's in short bursts."

Seeing our exhaustion, the guard finally relented and became more subdued.

"How about this? After the festival, let's all go to a relaxation spot together. I have a break in my national tour schedule around that time, and I've got some time off from the music corps."

"A relaxation spot? Like a cat cafe?"

Honestly, I'm more interested in sleep right now, as the fluffiness of my bear-themed nightwear is enough for me.

"A spa resort. I'll treat you. I've been getting extra pay from my side gigs."

""Mina-senpaiiii‼""

"There, there."

Kotomi and I, as vulnerable juniors, cried in Mina's comforting embrace.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

"Suo-senpai, good job."

"Kamiya, good job. Did you finish the stage arrangements?"

"Yeah, all set. How about you?"

"We've closed the entrance for the audience, so the next job is guiding them out after the stage ends."

Suo-senpai replied while surveying the excited crowd eagerly waiting for the stage to begin.

"Then we can relax and watch Mina's stage."

"Is the defensive setup with Nase ready?"

"Yeah, Kotomi helped set it up earlier... Oh, wait! There's no one in the Student Council room right now! I should be there."

If any trouble arises, leaving the Student Council room completely unattended is something we must avoid.

Even if I'm there, being the lowest rank, I would still need to consult President Nase for decisions.

"You mean you won't be able to watch Kohou's stage?"

"I'll watch the livestream from the Student Council room, so it's fine."

"No, that's not fine. Wait a moment."

With that, Suo-senpai adjusted his intercom.

[Hey, Marin? During Kohou's stage, could you fill in at the Student Council room for Kamiya?]

"Wait, you don't have to do that..."

I hastily tried to stop Suo-senpai, but he waved me off.

[No problem. I'm not fond of noisy places anyway. If something happens, I can just relay it to President Nase or Vice President Hinoura, right?]

[Yeah, thanks.]

Suo-senpai thanked Marin and put down the intercom.

"Why don't you watch from this command room? It's a prime spot."

"Is that okay, Suo-senpai? Isn't that an abuse of authority?"

"No one will blame us for giving a bit of time and space to enjoy the festival to those who worked the hardest."

With that, Suo-senpai turned forward again.

Seriously, what a tsundere.

But since it's a rare opportunity, I think I'll take him up on the offer and watch from here.

In case of emergency, it’s better to be in the venue.

I reconsidered and turned my attention to the stage.

On stage, Mina had just stepped out, and the audience erupted in loud cheers.