Chapter 31

Episode 31: A Beautiful Girl Can Be Identified as Such Even Without Being Seen

The part-time job was going smoothly.

It wasn’t hard dealing with kids, and above all, Miroku Senpai was there beside me, supporting me.

“I’m going to eat lunch now.”

“Okay!”

About three hours after encountering Tourak and the others, I was given a lunch break.

Miroku Senpai had already finished her lunch break and returned.

We decided to take turns on break, but I was told to call over the person in the costume replacement.

Apparently, another student explorer hired for the part-time job was waiting in costume.

“Hmm, is this the staff-only door?”

Still in costume, I opened the door reserved for staff.

It’s a bit dim in here.

The person coming in for me… ah, there they are.

I approached the costumed figure sitting around at the bend of the corridor.

Why are you waiting here where there’s only a cleaning supplies closet?

There’s a break room right nearby…

“Hold on a second… no, wait.”

That’s when it hit me.

A beautiful girl isn’t just about appearance.

Voice also plays an important role.

If that’s the case, even though my identity is hidden, can I not become the kind of beautiful girl one can perceive through voice alone?

Anyway, it’s just a one-day job, and we won’t see each other again, so why not let them think there’s a beautiful girl inside!

“It’s time to switch.”

“Huh!? …Ah, who are you?”

My beautiful-girl voice startled the costumed figure in front of me, making them jump.

Come to think of it, this voice… Could you be a beautiful girl too?

Your voice has such a refreshing quality—truly, you must be a renowned beautiful girl!

Then, I shall respond with full-on beautiful-girl energy.

“You’re overreacting. I just said hello.”

As I exaggeratedly gestured, the costumed beautiful girl sighed in relief.

Eh? What happened?

“…Geez, don’t scare me like that.”

The costumed beautiful girl looked utterly exhausted.

Their movements lacked vigor.

And their earlier overreaction.

I immediately understood.

Ah-ha, so this is your first day too, huh?

Moreover, you’re the type like Toa, who reluctantly took the job because of the good pay but hates being in the spotlight?

Are you nervous because your turn is coming up?

…Alright, let me cheer you up a little.

What, I’m a professional at female impersonation!

I can definitely give you a push!

“It’s scary, isn’t it?”

“Huh?”

“I understand how you feel.”

“Could it be that…you…?”

I nodded.

“Yes. I felt the same way at first.”

Whether or not I could become a beautiful girl.

There were moments of internal conflict.

Even now, I continue to pursue what it truly means to be a beautiful girl every day.

But still, I never stop moving forward.

“…Then, you should understand, right? It’s impossible. Right now, I just want to abandon everything and run away.”

“Will running away save you?”

You won’t get paid if you do.

This place pays in cash.

Not by bank transfer.

“Save me? After deceiving everyone! There’s no way someone like me can be saved!”

Eh? Why so sudden…

Is talking to people inside costumes forbidden at amusement parks?

Doing it as a character rather than yourself?

Serious player? Serious player?

“Then why are you here if you’re like me?! Isn’t it because you couldn’t help but come due to fear?!”

“…I’m here because it’s my duty.”

When the costumed beautiful girl stood up and confronted me, I calmed them down with a gesture.

Calm down.

Let me have a moment to think.

Who is this estimated beautiful girl?

What would Star Reader’s Staff say?

‘■■?’

I can’t tell much from the muffled voice; all I know is that she’s a beautiful girl.

Also, she seems to believe that wearing the costume equals deceiving children, which makes her an amusement park hardcore enthusiast.

Intense. What kind of student is this?

Is she really just a regular beautiful girl student?

“Have you calmed down a little?”

“…Sorry. Taking it out on you won’t solve anything.”

“That’s right. I can’t solve it either. It’s your decision.”

In the end, it’s about how you reconcile with your own feelings.

Besides, if you’re going to agonize this much, you shouldn’t have taken this job in the first place.

With such a cute voice, you could earn money through streaming.

Didn’t we have a school specialized in entertainment explorers?

“It’s my decision…”

“That’s right.”

If it’s that painful, why not quit?

I haven’t eaten anything but bean sprouts lately, so I’ve gotten used to skipping lunch.

I can easily work without a break.

“What you should do versus what you want to do. Wouldn’t it be better to follow what you believe?”

“…Is it really that simple?”

Oh, so you’re thinking about quitting your part-time job?

No worries!

If a beautiful girl backs out, I’ll fully cover for her.

If it’s a guy, I’ll drag him back dead or alive. Don’t underestimate the job.

“That’s fine. Look, all you need to do is follow your heart.”

I pulled the hand of the costumed beautiful girl and pointed towards the door.

“Don’t worry. The world is much kinder and more beautiful than you imagine.”

Years from now, laughing about having skipped out on a part-time job will be easy.

Just don’t be a guy. The grudge of being abandoned will never be forgotten no matter how many years pass.

“…Thank you. I might have figured out a little what I want to do.”

“Good to hear. I’m glad.”

The costumed beautiful girl then headed towards the door.

Standing before it, she turned back to me.

“Can I ask your name?”

Of course not. I’ve been faking everything.

“…Sorry. That’s right, isn’t it? Yeah, I’ll do my best!”

She somehow convinced herself.

Well, alright then.

“Yes. Do your best.”

The costumed beautiful girl bowed to me before leaving through the door.

…Huh? She ran off without removing the costume?

Or did she bring her own?

Whatever, since I’m skipping my break now, I’ll head back to Miroku Senpai.

Before that, I should at least hydrate.

I opened the door just before the corner where the costumed beautiful girl had been until a moment ago.

Water, water.

“Ah, taking a break?”

“Eh?”

As I entered, a male student was just about to put on the costume.

Eh?

“So, I’ll take over. My post is at the fountain in D Block, correct?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Alright, see ya!”

“…Please do your best?”

I watched the costumed figure leave.

Hm?

Was that person the replacement?

Then who was earlier?

An illusion brought on by unconscious fatigue?

‘■■■■■■■’

Yeah. Wasn’t she there!?

What on earth was that…

“……Let’s eat lunch.”

Today, it’s Toa’s bean sprout bento (mental surrender).

Ah, looking forward to it!

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