Chapter 7 – ７ – Suzu's Masquerade

Entrance Ceremony Arc

“Naru! Over here, over here!”

“I know, I know.”

Apparently, while I was being interrogated, the Masquerade debut for the A-Rank Evaluated group had finished successfully and without incident, as if there had been nine of them from the start.

Suzu told me to look up what kind of Masked Forms they had later, so I did a quick search… and from what I could tell from the photos taken from a distance, all nine of them seemed to have impressive appearances.

Yeah, well, isn’t that for the best?

I know the person who caused the scene shouldn’t be the one saying it, but a naked woman standing triumphantly with a smug look on her face next to nine decent Masked Forms is nothing short of a broadcast accident.

“Phew, we made it safely.”

“Right on time. Good work, Suzu.”

“Were you able to get him out without any trouble? Suzuuu~”

Now, as for the B-Rank Evaluated students’ first Masquerade, it seems to be held in a small venue, admitting only one faculty member, one new student, and whoever the new student is permitted to have with them.

Unless the individual is exceptionally highly anticipated, no public cameras are allowed; the only recording device is a small camera held by the faculty member for documentation.

Furthermore, it seems the black-haired girl and the blonde girl were performing their first Masquerades in the same venue as Suzu, and they had been waiting for her and me in front of the hall.

“Yeah, somehow. Oh, you two haven’t introduced yourselves to Naru yet, have you? Since we’re here, go ahead.”

“You’re right. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Amaishi Ichi. It is a strange twist of fate, and I do not know how long our acquaintance will last, but I look forward to getting to know you.”

“Likewise, Ms. Amaishi. You probably already know, but I’m Midorikawa Naruki, Suzu’s childhood friend.”

The first to introduce herself was the black-haired girl, Amaishi Ichi.

Her black hair was ordinary, but her irises were a vivid red that seemed capable of drawing anyone’s gaze.

Ms. Amaishi gave a polite bow, so I returned it with equal politeness.

“I am Marie Gold Cane. I am half-Japanese and half-American. I have been here since middle school, so I am fine with the culture and lifestyle, but my intonation is a bit off. Sorry if I am hard to understand.”

“No, I can understand you perfectly, Ms. Gold Cane.”

Next was the blonde girl, Marie Gold Cane.

Ms. Gold Cane held out her right hand, so I responded by shaking it.

Still, given the current global situation, it felt rare for someone with enough magical power to earn a B-Rank Evaluation to be able to leave their home country—even considering the relationship between Japan and the US… but well, if she wants to talk about it, I’ll let her.

It’s probably a sensitive subject.

“Ah, you can just call me Marie. And while we are at it, please call Ichi by her name too.”

“Eh?”

“Since we’re doing this, please use our names without honorifics. In exchange, Ichi will call Mr. Midorikawa ‘Mr. Naru’ from now on.”

“Marie will call you Naru too. It is such a bargain to have a cute boy like you call me by my name, yes?”

“U-um…?”

Since Ms. Gold Cane made such an unexpected proposal, I instinctively stole a glance at Suzu.

Suzu’s reaction was…

“Yeah, I’d like that too, Naru. Please call them by their names.”

She was smiling.

And she was saying it with total sincerity, as if there were absolutely no problem with it.

Usually, Suzu would put some kind of strange pressure on me in a situation like this… does this mean she’s already discussed it with the two of them?

I mean, what exactly is there to “discuss” about this, but it’s the only explanation that fits the situation.

“Uh, well, if Suzu says it’s fine, then I guess it’s okay. Nice to meet you, Marie, Ichi.”

“Yes. Nice to meet you!”

“Yes, likewise.”

Well, if there’s no problem, then all the better.

And so, I shook hands with Marie and Ichi in turn.

“So, after this… I’m just coming along to watch Suzu’s Masquerade, right?”

“Yep, that’s right. After that, you’ll get explanations about the dorms, SNS, and classes with me. You were supposed to receive them with the other A-Rank people, but by the time you were released from interrogation, they had already finished.”

“I see. I see…?”

Now, about the aftermath… why is Suzu so well-informed, and why is the school being so accommodating?

As the one receiving the help, I’m grateful, but I also feel a slight sense of unease.

Like, in the sense that there might be some kind of catch.

“There is no lie in what Suzu is saying, so please be at ease.”

“Yes. Ichi guarantees it as well.”

“I see. If you say so.”

For now, it seems Marie and Ichi have already dealt with “something” regarding Suzu.

With just a look, they let me know the part I was worried about.

If it’s okay… then I guess it’s fine.

“Well, now that that’s settled, let’s head to the venue.”

“A-ah. Right.”

With that, we moved to the reception in front of the hall.

Ichi entered the venue alone, and Marie entered with a woman who appeared to be her mother; they both emerged after a short while.

Then, when it was Suzu’s turn, she led me along as she entered the hall.

“Ms. Minasono Suzumi, correct? Please take this hood and Device.”

“Yes.”

“Observers, please come this way. Please ensure you do not step outside the line.”

“Understood.”

Just as it had been for me, Suzu followed the faculty member’s instructions and donned the hood and Device.

“Please begin.”

“Right. Masquerade… Activate!”

The moment Suzu activated the Device, a silver light erupted, blinding my vision.

And when the light faded, who was standing there?

“Did it… activate?”

On her face was a Hannya mask with two impressive horns.

She was dressed in a magnificent shrine maiden’s outfit.

In her hands was a bag, large enough to be held with both hands, which seemed to contain something.

Her hair remained silver, and her voice was still Suzu’s.

But… yes, somehow, I felt a sense of pressure.

A pressure that carried a flame-like heat, yet clung to me like thick mud.

“Yes, it has activated.”

“I see. That’s a relief.”

However, the faculty member seemed either unfazed by that pressure or completely unaware of it, speaking to Suzu as if nothing were happening.

“Naru. What do you think? Am I cute?”

Suzu turned fully toward me and asked.

The pressure… was clearly increasing.

But, including the fact that her mask was a Hannya, there was no way I could call this appearance “cute.”

Furthermore, I had a feeling that if I lied, things would end badly.

“Rather than cute, you’re cool. Or maybe… imposing. That’s the feeling. I can feel something tingling.”

“Cool… cool, huh… Hmm. I might need to make some adjustments.”

And so, I didn’t lie, but I chose my words carefully.

Suzu looked troubled by my answer, but for now, I had survived the situation.

“Ms. Minasono. Please deactivate the Masquerade.”

“Yes, understood.”

Suzu obediently followed the faculty member’s words and deactivated the Masquerade.

At the same time, the pressure I had felt faded and vanished.

But what on earth was that pressure?

Was it the release of magical power, or something like that?

“Now, please take this. This is the guide to school life; please take it and head to your designated dormitory.”

“Understood. Let’s go, Naru.”

“A-ah. Okay.”

Thus, at least on the surface, Suzu’s first Masquerade ended without incident.

Then, after reuniting with Ichi and Marie, Suzu and I headed toward our next destination: the dormitory… something called the Inui Dormitory.

(Since this wasn’t a full transformation, there is no transformation sequence/bank this time.)