Candlelight, Rabbits, and a Banquet · Chapter 4
Pincer Attack
Luna
Let us in! Let us in!
Asherah
L-let us in too!
Smile
Requesting entry.
Shop Owner
Wh-what nonsense are you spouting all of a sudden?
Let you in? This is just...
A simple shop that sells candy, snacks, newspapers... nothing more!
Luna
Hmm? Really? That's all?
I feel like I can see some kind of large door further inside this tiny shop...
So what? We just want to take a look!
At that famous secret club!
Passerby A
What are you talking about?
Passerby B
A secret club?
Luna
You didn't know? This is the entrance to NOA's hidden secret club!
Passerby A
A secret... club?
Passerby B
A secret club... The wording... is quite...
Passerby A
So what exactly happens in this so-called secret club?
Asherah
A-a secret club is um... well...
Luna
We don't know either!
...That's why we want to go in and find out!
Since it's a secret club... they must be doing things that can only be done in a secret club, right?
Just among themselves! In there!
Something really good!
...They must be doing something amazing in there!
Citizens
Something amazing?
Just among themselves?
But it just looks like an ordinary stall...
Luna
Come on, everyone! Let's find out what really goes on inside this so-called secret club!
Citizens
O-ohh!
Shop Owner
D-don't say ridiculous things! This place is members only, you can't go in unless you're a member...
...Ah, oops.
Luna
Everyone, did you hear that?
Just a moment ago, he said it was an ordinary shop, and now he says it's members only!
Citizens
That's real fishy!
Let's see what's inside!
Shop Owner
Tch... H-headquarters! Headquarters!
Outsiders are trying to enter the inner area!
Public Announcement
Disturbance at the main gate. Disturbance at the main gate.
All guards proceed to Gate 1 immediately.
They're all rushing over.
Claire
The number of guards has dropped significantly. Let's move while we can.
Let's go.
Claire
A-and...
If it's all right now... you can... let go of my waist...
Scarlet
C-Captain...
M-my tail... shouldn't be touched... but since it's you, Captain...
Ah...ah?! S-sorry!
I quickly released my arms from around Claire and Scarlet.
...The slender, warm, soft sensation leaves my hands.
I clenched and unclenched my fists a few times...
That slender, warm, soft sensation...
Claire
...Captain, let us go.
Ah...ah?! Y-yeah!
Claire
Fortunately, with fewer guards around, it seems we can move more freely now.
Let's keep our eyes open for any suspicious areas as we proceed.
Scarlet
All right, leave it to me!
Asherah
Just how big is this underground space for so many men in black suits to keep pouring out?
Luna
Wow, seriously. This Deep Field place must be huge.
Guard
Hey, you people! What's all this commotion!
This is just a normal... normal...
A candy stall!
Asherah
Does that make sense? More than ten people just came out of that tiny shop!
Luna
See that, everyone!
There really is an entrance to a secret club hidden inside this shop!
They are hiding its identity from the public...
And inside, there could be incredible... unimaginable...!
Things that cannot even be spoken aloud!
Citizens
So what she said was true...!
We have to go inside and see what they're doing!
Smile
Situation escalating!
Guard
Tch... Tch, get back! Get back!
Luna
Everyone! Let's show them the unity of NOA's citizens!
Asherah
I had a feeling when we first met...
Luna... you're actually terrifying...
Luna
All right, all right! Move aside! Move aside!
Guard
Stop them! Don't let them in!
Asherah
H-hey, Luna...
It's good that we're causing a disturbance like you said...
But if this escalates any further... Won't it become a serious problem?
Luna
What? What sort of problem?!
The problem is that I got covered in dust because of those guards!
Smile
Physical confrontation level increasing.
At this rate, external intervention for public order maintenance is inevitable.
Annah
NOA Public Security, Town Guard!
Both sides, stand down!
Whoa... what on earth is going on here?
Citizens
Th-the Town Guard's here...?
Ahem, well, I would prefer not to get involved in anything more troublesome...
Come to think of it, it's not like I absolutely need to know what's going on inside...
Come to think of it, isn't it about time for dinner...?
Oh dear, I should've gone to the bank before it closed...
Come to think of it, I might've left the lights on at home...
Luna
Aagh! You can't just leave now!
Annah
Men in black suits, freeze! Drop your weapons!
...And you three over there.
Could you come talk with me for a moment?
Guard
...Excuse me for a moment.
Scarlet
(Gasp!)
Did we grow too relaxed with fewer guards around?
Perhaps because we were wandering around without playing any casino games, one of the guards approached us.
Guard
Ah, I don't have any business with the gentleman...
But you two bunny girls over there.
I've never seen your faces before... When did you start working here?
This is bad.
Claire
U-um, are you referring to us? We are... well, starting today...
Scarlet
N-new recruits! P-please take care of us!
Guard
New recruits? No one mentioned it to me.
Please wait here a moment.
Claire
(...We'll knock him out! Scarlet!)
Scarlet
(Okay!)
Just as Claire and Scarlet were about to lunge forward to knock the guard out—
???
No need for that, not at all!
A voice from behind suddenly stopped them.
Behind us stood the middle-aged man in the suit who had been looking for his martini.
He was holding a drink in one hand.
...Looks like he finally got his martini.
Middle-Aged Man
No need to make a fuss.
Guard
But I still need to confirm...
Middle-Aged Man
It's only natural that you wouldn't know.
These two are...
This gentleman's...
Personal bunny girls!
A heavy silence fills the air.
The guard stood there, jaw dropped, staring at us without a word.
Guard
Oh...
...Understood!
Claire
That is...
Scarlet
...right.
Without saying a word, I wrapped my arms tightly around Claire and Scarlet's waists again.
So, we don't have a problem, right?
As we quickly passed the stunned guard and headed into the corridor, I heard him muttering behind us.
Guard
Amazing... truly amazing...
Middle-Aged Man
...Ah...
...Let's go!
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