Once Yuto returned to his room, he immediately headed to the lounge at the back of the first floor, which was prepared for those who had won the qualifying round this time.

''I wonder if people have gathered...?''

　A person from Shitenji was standing at the door in front of the lounge, and when he saw Yuto, he opened the door, "You must be Mr. Dou Dou Dou, come in.
　Upon entering the lounge, the inside was larger than he had expected, lit by dim lighting, with counters and sofa seats set up in several places. Yuto had never experienced it before, but the image was that it looked like a bar in a city hotel.
　For now, Yuto slowly made his way inside, and looking around the lounge, he saw the participants who were already using the lounge and those who seemed to be their attendants.

(There are more users than I expected......... (For now, let's keep an eye on them and make contact with them.)

　Yuto headed to the counter and moved to ask the person who seemed to be the master of this lounge for a drink. Yuto took a seat at the counter while feeling strong gazes from several directions.

''Excuse me, can I have something to drink as well?''

'Yes, do you have a preference?　Something sweet or neat.

Just something refreshing, then. Oh, no alcohol, please.

Yes, sir.

　Feeling unfamiliar, Yuto approached the bow-tie wearing, elderly master over the counter, and the master responded with a good tempo.
　Yuto casually looks at the humans in the lounge. Then, he meets eyes with a few of them, and some of them are staring at him with serious faces and some are grinning, which makes him feel a little uncomfortable.
　Inside the lounge, some participants were already conversing with each other, some were exchanging alcohol with their attendants, and some, like Yuto, had come alone.
　As we knew, most of the participants who won this time were adults and seemed to fit in with the atmosphere of this kind of lounge.

(Ugh, this makes it hard to make casual contact. Plus, they seem to be drawing a bit of attention...)

　For Masato, who is also a mere high school student, he can't help but feel uncomfortable in a place with such a mature atmosphere.
　Then, a glass of lime is offered by the master.

Here you go.

Oh thank you very much.

　Nervously, Yuto instantly took the glass offered to him and immediately brought it to his mouth.

''Hi, isn't it Dou Dou Dou-kun?　You've won out, haven't you?

What?

　Unexpectedly, I was approached and turned around to find a smiling, blond-haired boy of my own age standing there.

''You're.........''

My name is Julian Knight.

'Oh...'

　Yuto remembered that he was the boy with whom he had exchanged a few words just before the preliminary round.
　He also confirmed that his name was on the list of the participants who had won.
　In terms of exploring the other participants, this boy was one of them.

'You came alone, didn't you?　Why don't you come and talk to me over there? I've been bored too, you know.

Uh-huh.

　Yuto couldn't help but nod as he felt that Julian, who was not afraid of the tension around him, had taken the initiative.
　Then Julian looked around and when he found an empty sofa seat, he pointed to it and urged Yuto.

(Well it wouldn't be a bad idea to explore the places that seemed easy to talk to first. (And he might have some information for us.)

　Inwardly, Yuto thought, holding his glass in his hand, he got out of his seat at the counter and followed Julian.

'But then again, I didn't expect you to come here either. I wasn't really used to it. In fact, you're a bit floaty. You didn't have to be so tall.

Hahaha... yeah, I guess so.

　Yuto seems cheerful and innocent to his peers and laughs dryly when he is told that.
　It shifts to a bitter laugh as they feel the attention being drawn to them further in the lounge.
　Julian is in a good mood and goes to sit down on the couch, and I get it!　He shouted loudly.

'Oh, I see!　Mr. Du Du!

What?

Are you here to find out what these people are like?　So you're with me then!　Well, I'm sure the others here are similar.

What?　No!　I'm...!

　Yuto was disconcerted when he was suddenly told what his purpose was, and also pointed out loudly.

''Haha, you don't have to hide it!

　Julian laughs while holding his belly in a happy manner.
　His voice echoed throughout the lounge, and after having to be subjected to a whole bunch of disturbing stares, Yuto broke out in a cold sweat and sat down on the sofa to escape his gaze.

''Julian-san!　Because I don't mean to. And you're so loud!

Is it the participants' identities that I've come to probe?　Or is it competence?　Then you'll be fine!　Most of the people here won't be able to deal with us. They don't have to worry about us!

Yee!　Hey!

　Julian says rude things in an unconcerned and innocent manner.
　Yuto hurriedly turns his head to his surroundings, but it's obvious that a sour atmosphere is sweeping through the lounge.

(What the hell is going on already!　(This guy!)

　Yuto was about to open his mouth to Julian to change the subject anyway, when Julian stopped him with his hand.

''You see, I've caught it, Dou Dou Dou-kun.

What...?

Hey, you little bastards, you're having a good time. We're in the mix.

!

　A low-pitched voice spoke to him from behind, and when Masato turned around fearfully, several of this time's participants were standing there with their shoulders raised.

''You want to know a lot of things about us, right?　Then it would be faster to drink together. We're both........

'Well, I'm curious about what you guys said earlier. Maybe I'll join you.

　Looking up at the grinning senior ability holders, Yuto responded with a drawn-out smile.

''Ah, go ahead........''

'Haha, good for you, Mr. Dudu!　I've got all kinds of questions for you!　...As for me, it's a shame I don't have another person I care about.

What...?

　Yuto reacted to Julian's murmurings, but Julian was tipping his glass wherever he could find it.
　Thus, as a result, Yuto was successful in making contact with the other participants.



　At this time, a newcomer, a small, masked participant was sitting at the counter, ordering a beer in a cheerful voice without regard to the swashbuckling atmosphere in the lounge.

'Master!　In the meantime, I'll have five beers!　And a few snacks!　Nufu, no, I saw some good stuff. Nufufu, my daughter is growing up well these days.........

Yes, sir.