Chapter 36: A Lamb into the Tiger’s Den?

Wan Mie panicked. This time, she was completely flustered.

Even when facing powerful enemies like Origami and Ellen before, Wan Mie hadn’t felt this unsettled.

Raizen High School was overflowing with people.

Since most of the newcomers were girls with high looks, the male students of Raizen High School were acting like madmen, running around with cameras to take photos.

Among them, Wan Mie was the most eye-catching.

If it were before, Wan Mie might have joined the ranks of those secretly taking pictures of girls without hesitation, but right now, she didn’t have the mood for that at all.

With so many people today, was Shinomiya scared?

Was she discovered by Origami?

Was there any emotional fluctuation?

What if she was detected by AST?

Her mind was filled with thoughts of Shinomiya, but trying to find her among thousands of people was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Weaving through the crowd, she didn’t know how much time had passed, but she still didn’t see a trace of Shinomiya.

At this rate, it was definitely impossible.

For her alone, finding Shinomiya in such a massive crowd was just not possible!

“Yo, beautiful lady, you seem flustered—are you looking for something?”

As Wan Mie passed through the performance venue, a male student in a Raizen High School uniform naturally walked over to strike up a conversation.

He had spiky hair, an average face—someone who’d disappear into a crowd—but he was the one who caught Wan Mie’s eye.

“Denmachi Hiroto!”

If she remembered correctly, this was Shidou’s classmate and a guy unusually passionate about 2D characters.

Denmachi Hiroto frowned.

“Miss, how do you know my name?”

Wan Mie’s lips twitched.

She’d gotten a bit excited upon seeing a familiar character just now.

Although he didn’t have much presence in the original work, his love for 2D characters was similar to Wan Mie’s previous life, so she remembered this person.

“Um… I’m Shiori’s friend. He often mentioned you. I was invited by him today to attend the concert.”

Wan Mie laughed awkwardly and answered honestly.

Denmachi Hiroto nodded as if he suddenly understood.

“Since you’re Shiori-chan’s friend, I won’t disturb you further. If you need help, just let me know.”

“Uh… Actually, I do need a little help—”

Ding dong!

Before Wan Mie could finish, a crisp bell sound interrupted her.

“Hmm?”

Denmachi Hiroto skillfully took a Game Console from his pocket and opened it, a smile appearing on his face.

“So my wife’s hungry, huh? Miss, please wait a moment while I feed her.”

“……”

Wan Mie was speechless.

She had liked calling 2D characters her ‘wife’ in her past life, too, but not to the point of doing so in public.

This kind of hobby was fine to keep to oneself, but to say it in front of others—Wan Mie would be too embarrassed to keep her face.

At this thought, she actually felt a bit of respect for Denmachi Hiroto.

But still…

She was a proper beautiful girl. Was she really no match for a 2D character inside his Game Console?

Two minutes later, Denmachi Hiroto put away the Game Console.

“Miss, where were we?”

“I’d like to ask for your help!”

Wan Mie’s expression turned serious.

Perhaps influenced by her, Denmachi Hiroto’s face also changed a little.

“Please, go ahead.”

“Can you help me find a girl about this tall, wearing a dress, with long blue hair?”

As she spoke, Wan Mie gestured Shinomiya’s approximate height.

Denmachi Hiroto listened to her description, frowning thoughtfully.

“I think I saw a girl like that backstage. Is she very delicate, like a doll?”

Hearing this, Wan Mie’s eyes sparkled. She nodded fiercely, like a bobblehead.

“Yes, that’s her! Thank you!”

With that, Wan Mie dashed off, leaving Denmachi Hiroto, who had just taken out his phone to exchange emails, standing there dumbfounded.

Seeing Wan Mie disappear without looking back, he smiled and quietly put away his phone.

Ding dong!

Another clear bell rang. Denmachi Hiroto pulled out the Game Console again, looked at the fairy-like 2D character on the screen, and shook his head.

“After all, my wife is the best. Let’s go on a date!”

***

On the other side, Wan Mie hurried backstage, but didn’t see any sign of Shinomiya.

“Damn it, did that otaku lie to me?”

She searched backstage again but still couldn’t find Shinomiya.

Did she leave before Wan Mie arrived?

“Eh? Isn’t this Wan Mie? What a coincidence.”

At that moment, a sweet, crisp voice sounded from behind.

Wan Mie couldn’t help but frown.

She turned, and the owner of the voice was none other than Miku Izayoi!

Today, Miku wore an off-shoulder white evening dress, revealing a portion of her fair back.

A Diamond Necklace shimmered faintly against her flawless neck like carved jade, making her appear dazzling and radiant.

Her exquisite face was lightly made up, clear eyes sparkling like morning stars, and her cherry lips, tinted with pink gloss, looked as if dewdrops clung to them.

Yet she exuded a pure, ethereal aura that inspired admiration without the slightest hint of desecration.

With every movement, the naturally folded skirt swayed, and her fair, beautiful feet peeked from beneath, her pink toenails shining like mother-of-pearl, adding a rare allure to her pure beauty—so beautiful it was breathtaking.

Wan Mie couldn’t help but be stunned.

The Miku standing before her felt completely different from the one on the screen.

If the animated Miku was a lively, youthful beauty, this moment’s Miku was a goddess stepped out of a painting, unsullied by the mortal world, noble and pure.

So much so that all the students from Ryudanshi Girls’ Academy accompanying her faded into the background, as if she alone was the center of heaven and earth.

“Hehe, Wan Mie, were you mesmerized? Am I really that beautiful?”

Miku covered her mouth and laughed, a silver bell ringing from her lips, carrying a mysterious magic that seemed to purify the soul.

Miku’s laughter pulled Wan Mie back to reality.

She coughed twice, trying to gloss over her embarrassment.

“Izayoi-san, have you seen a little girl about this tall, with long blue hair?”

Her main mission was to find Shinomiya, not to admire beautiful girls.

Miku was stunning, but compared to that, Wan Mie cared more about Shinomiya’s safety.

“Is it the girl who was with you last time?”

Although Miku’s attention had been entirely on Wan Mie previously, Shinomiya had left an impression as well.

Hearing Miku’s response, Wan Mie’s eyes lit up.

“Yes, that’s her! Did you see her, Izayoi-san?”

“I did see her, but I need to get my makeup done now. If you want to know, Wan Mie-san, you can come backstage with me.”

Miku smiled sweetly, a trace of greed flashing in her eyes.

Wan Mie instantly felt a chill.

Going in was like a sheep entering a tiger’s den!

But for Shinomiya—

She’d risk it!

Resolving herself, Wan Mie nodded and followed Miku and the others backstage.