OUT SIDER 1

Natsume: Hello, kitten. Trick or treat ♪

Ahaha, you always have the most amusing reactions to things.

When you respond so dramatically, it actually startles me. I’m so sorry.

Fufufu. I just love stifling my presence and sneaking up on people unawares.

You’re no stranger to doing the same thing, albeit without realizing, so we’re both guilty of this.

S̤o̮̕m̚e̿ͅ peo̱ͥ͋p͉l̝̉eͩ͛̕ d̞is̞ļ̲i̜kḙ whe̹̊ͦn̘̓̿ th̨̀e̯ͯͤi̦̥̯r̥ pe̱͚ͫr̖̪son̸̼ͣa̟l͓̀ s̿pa̹ͮc͑̓é iş̗ͫ inv̲͢à͋͛d̗e̢͋d͚͙̯,͍ th̓ỏuͮ̂͘g̽̍ͧh, s͐õ͈ ṯak̢̡̽e̛̓ c̨̲a͕r͚e.̩̿^[1]

Yes, so long as you understand ♪

But might I ask what brings you to this secret room, my domain? I would prefer you not drop by so casually; it disrupts the mystical energy here.

Ah, there’s no need to apologize so humbly; I know you meant no harm. Apologizing so much makes me feel as if I’m bullying you.

So you have a master key which can open any door in the school?

And it’s perfectly up to date, capable of opening even the lock on the door to this secret room, despite having replaced it myself.

This is Rei-nii-san’s doing, I presume...

In any case, you have the right to access anywhere in Yumenosaki Academy. No one can fault you for exercising that right.

Least of all myself: I am just unlawfully occupying this room.

Ahaha. It is calm and comfortable, don’t you think? Yumenosaki Academy is always so loud.

Sometimes we just want to be alone, to find a moment of peace.

I understand, kitten. However, this room will be used for the Halloween Party today, so it will surely get loud and boisterous soon enough.

Don’t rest your wings here; I recommend finding another place.

Yes... Somewhere within Rei-nii-san’s domain, such as the light music clubroom, would be good.

UNDEAD is still probably practicing loudly, but Rei-nii-san will likely be asleep from this evening until the live begins tonight.

During that time, you should find peace and calm there.

Even someone like Rei-nii-san gets lonely, you know, so I’m sure he’ll rest assured with someone sleeping at his bedside.

Of course, if you make so much noise as to disturb his sleep, he will get angry. But that won’t be a problem for you, will it?

Sora: Master~? Where should Sora put this crystal ball?

Natsume: Oh, you can put it right there. Thank you, Sora.

Sora: HaHa~ ♪ Sora is “the Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” so he should help Master, right~?

Huh? Anzu’s here, too? Hello! When you see people you know, you should say hello ♪

Natsume: Ah, I see you’re following the instructions I gave you. What a good child you are.

When you communicate in ways that humans expect, they feel at ease. A greeting can open the door to someone’s heart. Language and etiquette are modern-day magic, you know.

Sora: Yes! Open on the door to someone’s heart... like this? Knock, knock!

Natsume: Knock, knock~ Ah, how cute ♪

My apologies, kitten. We are renovating the secret room into that of a fortune teller’s. Would you mind moving to a spot such that you’re not in the way?

Yes. Switch will be joining Valkyrie for the show tonight, but we have free time until then...

And so we plan to do a few smaller-scale performances until then.

I have clients inside Yumenosaki and out who com to me as a fortune teller. I intend to earn some spending money from them.

I did submit the proposal and it was accepted, yes?

Ahaha. The Halloween Party is a massive Dream Fest; even you can’t take charge of every last detail.

But we are not breaking any rules, so relax.

Rules and morals are also modern-day magic; spells won’t work on people unless you follow the correct syntax.

Trying to twist and bend logic will only result in bitter retaliation.

Sora: HiHi~ ♪ Is that why Master likes to debate?^[2]

Natsume: Fufu. Magicians are logical beings, Sora.

Sora: HuHu~? Huh, it looks like there are already people lining up outside~?

Natsume: Oh my, is it time already? I can’t keep dawdling here, then. For now I’ll focus on maintaining appearances.

All right... tell me: do I look like a fortune teller?

Sora: Yes! You look like you can see through everything, Master ♪

Natsume: My eyes aren’t as perceptive as yours. But I must at least act as if I see all.

Anyway, you two... Stop lounging around here, and go off to your own business.

Especially you, kitten. You’re in charge of this whole event, yes? You ought to be very busy from here on out.

Sora, you were supposed to give out candy with the others in your class, correct?

Sora: Yes! But first we need to give our pamphlets and make sure the guests know where to go~? Umm, we’re supposed to meet in front of the school gates in thirty minutes?

Natsume: All right. Then change into something you don’t mind getting dirty. We’ll need that “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” costume for the stage later on.

Of course, even if it gets dirty or ripped, we could just have Senpai mend it.

Sora: HeHe~? Where is Senpai? Sora hasn’t seen him at all today, so he’s feeling a little lonely~

Natsume: Well, one must hope he’s not lying dead in a ditch somewhere... That is, that thing has been networking with all sorts of people for three years now.

He must have plenty to do, himself. Not that I particularly care.

Sora: HoHo~ ♪ Master, are you also feeling lonely because you haven’t seen Senpai?

Natsume: Sorry, but I’ll ask you to shut up for a bit. You are the one person I’d rather not hit, Sora.

Sora: Yes! Master is always kind, and so is Senpai! Sora is happy being with Switch, and he’s looking forward to our show today~ ♪

Natsume: Right. Tonight is Halloween, a night of demons and spirits where the mortal world intersects with the eternal... It will be a feast for the heretics of the world, so we should take our fill.^[3]

I am actually excited about this myself, you know ♪

I hope that you will enjoy yourself too, kitten. I’m sure work is difficult, but if you only look, you should find plenty of people around you willing to help.

It would be nice if you can spend this wonderful Halloween Party with a smile.

The smile of an innocent little girl is among the strongest magic there is, capable of pacifying any demon ♪