Aruch Central Square

　I'm at the square, which is said to be the largest in the city, with the three of us.
　The whole town was in a festive mood, with dolls that resembled Malmedri dolls being displayed everywhere, and stalls of some sort were set up, making it a nostalgic scene.
　In the center of the plaza, there was a temporary stage made of wood, and beside it was a tent with a waiting place for performers and a signboard.
　I'm sure I'll be standing on it now.
　People were smiling, and even the hoodlums who tangled with me in the back alleys were buying and eating with smiles.
　I thought I was walking as usual, but the people who passed me glanced at me.
　It must be because of the idiots behind me who were saying "Soran Soran". I'm sure they are not looking at me in my happily ever after.
　In the meantime, we reached the tent and I took the three of us inside.
　Once inside, Matsuri notices us and runs up to us.

　'Oh!'　Kakeru-kun looks good on you!
　Oh, yeah?
　'Mmmm!　Well, when the actors are ready, let's do the final confirmation.
　Yes, sir.
　'Yes!　Then come here, Kakeru-kun!

　We walked into the back of the tent with Matsuri.
　The people in the tent were dressed in a variety of outfits.
　There was a group of people dressed as Marmadori, a group of people wearing clownish make-up, and even a group of people dressed as adventurers for some reason.

　'Hurry up, Kakeru-kun, hurry up!

　Observing my surroundings, I was the only one who seemed to have slowed my pace.
　I hurried to Matsuri's side.

　'Then gather round!　I'm just going to check your movements for the last time!

　As soon as I arrived, Matsuri raised his voice, and the people who had been free until then began to gather around.
　That's as good as Matsuri-san.

　"Well, let's start with the placement of the--

　Then the final confirmation was made with Matsuri in the center.

　Today's members were thirteen black-haired dancers, including me, and Aria and Stella for a total of fifteen. Add in Aria and Stella, and there are a total of 15 of us.
　There were five in the back row, four in the next row, then three including Touka and Matsuri, with me in the middle of the front row, and Aria and Stella to the left and right of me.

　'I thought Aria and the others were positioned with Matsuri and the others?　That's what we did in practice.
　No, no, no!　Since you're joining us, we need to make you stand out!
　....

　Maybe you're looking at the world differently than I am. I knew it.

　Okay, that's the arrangement and now let's start the process. I'll make sure everyone stands with their backs to the hall.

　First the shamisen is played in the background.
　Then the shamisen begins to be played, and the audience turns around and shouts from the last row in turn to follow the rhythm.
　When the melody got to the part with the lyrics, I would turn around and give them an arduous shout.
　Then the curtain of the tent went up and a man who looked like an emcee shouted out, "Japonti Island, Nana Nana.

　The man who looked like a host called out, "Japonti Island, Nana-san!　It's time to get ready to go!

　It looks like it's finally my turn.
　I breathe quietly.
　It's okay. It's going to be okay. It's all right. My body remembers.

　"Yes!　All right, everybody ready?　Well then, let's form a circle!

　At Matsuri's command, we squared shoulders with each other next to each other.
　The clunker on the left and the oopsie on the right--Touka.
　I never thought I'd be able to touch a girl this legally!　Girl's skin is so soft!　It's so poofy and fluffy!
　What a wonderful thing it is to be in the circle!

　Hey, kakel.

　Touka next to me whispers my name in a whisper, like he's a little angry.
　I respond in a whisper too.

　'Hm?　What is it?
　It wouldn't be the first time you've been in a circle.

　Giggle.

　'Oh, of course.'
　Then put your hands back where they belong.
　What, what--

　I got a visual on where my hand was.
　Yeah, I thought it was awfully soft, and it was.

　"I'm sorry,
　I never thought I'd be humiliated in a place like this. You'll remember that later.
　Yes. I'm sorry.

　I take my hand away from Touka's existence and put it back on my shoulder.
　It would have been bad if it wasn't for Aria and Stella.
　Thank you, Soran sisters. For once, I'm grateful.

　'Well then, Kakeru-kun!　Nice to meet you!
　What?

　Huh?

　You're the star of the day!
　No, what?
　Come on, come on!　They're waiting for you!　Kakeru-kun!
　....

　Ridiculous!
　No, no, no, no, no!　I'm not going to be the one to shout out "No, no, no, no!
　We're here to help.
　I looked at Touka beside me, but he gave me a look that said, "Quickly, say it.
　What do we do?　What do you think?
　That's when I remembered the circle circle that the soccer team guys were doing during the gym festival.
　d*mn!　I don't know what's going to happen since it's a different world, but this is the only way.
　I'm sure these jokers will manage to fit in!
　I've got to do it!
　I took a deep breath and

　We're the best!
　""The best in the world!"

　Huh?

　We're the best!
　""The best in the world!"

　Huh?

　'Soranese verse!
　""The best in the world!"
　I'll show you!
　""Bottom line!"
　You guys, let's go!　Aiuei!
　""Oh!"

　You guys are amazing.
　I don't even know what that means.
　For some reason, the circle formation was a success.
　After that, we left the tent and formed a line on the stage.

　Kakeru-kun, this is it!　You forgot!

　Just before I left the tent, I was stopped by Matsuri.

　'Remember?'
　Just turn around!

　I do as Matsuri tells me and turn my back to her.
　Matsuri passes her hand through the front of my chest.

　'Hey, what,'
　Look forward!

　Can I get my hopes up?

　'Yes!　It's done!
　....

　I feel uncomfortable around my neck.
　I look down at it.

　"Nanikore.
　'Huh?　Is this the first time you've represented Kakeru-kun?　This is the carcass of a monster called a cakewalk!　A mysterious shell that if you hang it around your neck, it will make that person's voice louder!　I brought it from my parents' house!
　Yeah.

　Oh, my God, that's disgusting!　The sled hanging around my neck is an anemone like thing sticking out of a turban-like shell.
　It seems to be the carcass of a monster, but I think the anemone part is moving around a bit!　That's disgusting!

　I'll go on ahead!　Good luck!　Today's hero!

　Matsuri said, slapping me on the back and walking out of the tent.
　It's not bad to be expected.
　I made up my mind that I was going to sing and dance my way back to those guys, and I raised the tent curtain.