"Chifumi-kun, what are you reading?"
"N-nothing special, really!"
I hurriedly put away the book I'd been reading.
"Ah, it's Ohno-san!"
"Huh?!"
"Hehe, gotcha~♪"
"Hey, stop that Hibiki-chaaan!"
Despite tomorrow being seed distribution day, I'd been summoned to the usual office. Apparently, there was something they wanted to discuss. But when I arrived, Ohno-san was out, and while waiting I'd been reading when Hibiki-chan started bothering me.
"What's this~? 'Magical Phantom Thief Alouette'~. I didn't know Chifumi-kun read stuff like this."
"Just give it back already, will you?"
"Cute illustrations~. But isn't this a manga for girls?"
"That doesn't matter. It's interesting."
"Really? Who's the author? Tome...ki? What a weird name."
"Tomeki-sensei is a genius mangaka who debuted at 15. Their debut work Alouette got animated and ran for six seasons! It's super popular!"
"Wow, impressive. But this book looks pretty old."
"I found it at a bookstore in Jinbocho recently. It's a rare out-of-print volume from nine years ago - the first collected edition."
"Out of print? That's weird for something popular, right?"
"The original magazine it serialized in got discontinued, so the comics only went up to volume 3. They reprinted it in a new format when it moved magazines."
"Then why not just buy the new version instead of this old..."
"I have the new version too. But as a fan, I want the rare original edition too."
"But the content's the same, right? Why have two copies~?"
"Just let me enjoy things, okay?"
"So, what's it about anyway?"
"It's about how the Great Magician's collection of magic items gets stolen by the evil Baron Lesale and female thief Viper. The Great Magician dies, but his daughter Alouette teams up with her partner Chouette to get the collection back."
"Huh. Sounds interesting."
"If you're curious, I can lend you a volume sometime."
"Thanks. I'll give it a read."
The office door clicked open.
"Hot as hell! Hibiki-chan, bring some barley tea to the meeting room. Oh, Chifumi-kun's here. Come to the meeting room for a bit."
Following Ohno-san into the meeting room was a woman with a short bob. Who was she?
"Ahhh---! This first cup always hits different---!"
"Director, I'll leave the pot here so feel free to refill."
"Thanks Hibiki-chan... Now, Chifumi-kun."
"Yes?"
"This is Mio Koronajima-san. She has something to discuss about tomorrow's seed distribution."
The woman across the table gave a slight bow. How old was she? Around Takeda-san's age? She was really beautiful though.
"Ah, so you're not the recipient then?"
"What~, disappointed she's not the recipient? Koronajima-san is gorgeous after all~"
"Oh no, I'm nothing special."
No no, Koronajima-san. You're very special. Your adorable eyes are healing, and your nose and lips are perfectly shaped. That sharp jawline is textbook beauty.
"Koronajima-san will be overseeing tomorrow's distribution. It's your first time, but just follow her instructions and you'll be fine."
Instructions? Performance? We're just having sex, what's all this about?
"You look confused~. Koronajima-san, could you explain?"
"Certainly. Tomorrow's recipient is quite particular - they want everything done exactly according to a scenario they've written. So we'd like Kido-sama to follow this scenario as closely as possible during the distribution."
Hmm, I still don't get it. What scenario? Like a script?
"Um, what exactly does following the scenario entail? I've never done acting or anything... I can't memorize lines."
"No need to worry. Lines will be displayed on this prompter in real time, and there will be constant instructions for movements and positions."
Koronajima-san placed a handheld projector on the table and turned it on. The displayed text was clear and easy to read. Just reading that seems simple enough. And if everything's instructed, maybe even I can do it.
"Understood. So what's the scenario about?"
"The recipient is currently finalizing it. It's nearly complete with just minor edits, so it won't affect tomorrow's distribution."
They're really going all out. It's like we're shooting an AV.
"Finally, here are some reference materials. There's a lot, so you probably can't read it all, but at least skim through to understand the setting."
Koronajima-san produced a heavy-looking paper bag.
"Right, understood."
I peeked inside the bag.
"...W-what the?!"
On distribution day, Ohno-san and I arrived at the designated location - a decrepit Western-style mansion covered in ivy.
"Looks like something out of a horror movie."
"What are you talking about, Ohno-san? This fits the scenario's setting perfectly."
"Oh? You actually read the materials yesterday?"
"Didn't need to. The materials were my favorite manga."
"Wow. That was a shoujo manga, right?"
"'Magical Phantom Thief Alouette'. Man, I'm so happy. The recipient shares my taste. Getting to roleplay Alouette while having sex sounds amazing."
"You're really into this. So you know roughly what the scenario is?"
"Well, I'll probably be playing Chouette, Alouette's partner. We'll defeat Baron Lesale together and end up together. Even if it's fake, I'm happy since they still haven't gotten together in the manga."
Inside the mansion, Koronajima-san instructed me to change. Then I was led to a room on the second floor and told to sit in a heavy chair. Something's off. This outfit looks more like Baron Lesale than Chouette. And this room has unfamiliar equipment covering the walls - looks like the room where I had sex with Claire-sama before.
"Bwahahaha! I've finally caught you, Alouette! You'll tell me where you've hidden the magic items you stole from us!!"
Huh? That's Koronajima-san's voice. What's starting?
"Now, bring in Alouette!"
Koronajima-san enters with Alouette. So she's playing Viper? Perfect casting - so sexy!
The chains in Viper's hands connect to Alouette's collar. The handcuffs look painful. This must be the recipient.
"Now, Alouette! Show your face to Baron Lesale-sama!!"
Ah, so I'm playing Baron Lesale... This Alouette is crazy cute though. Large almond-shaped eyes, plump cheeks, slightly youthful but well-proportioned features like a kitten. Long lashes and chestnut hair - she's perfect as Alouette.
"Lesale! You coward who deceived my father! I'll never forgive you!"
Whoa, I know it's just acting, but hearing that right off the bat still hurts. Not exactly first-meeting conversation. Ah, the prompter's displaying.
"Kukukuku, Alouette, let's see how long that bravado lasts..."
Koronajima-san gives me a thumbs up from behind Alouette. Is this amateur acting really okay?
"First, let's check if you're hiding any weapons, kukuku."
Following the prompter, I approach Alouette.
"Damn you, coward! Don't touch me with your filthy hands!"
"We'll start here!"
Moving behind Alouette, I grope her chest. Just following instructions.
"Ahh! Damn you! Don't touch me there!"
According to the materials, the recipient is 154cm tall with measurements 84-59-93, D-cup. Not exactly huge, but plenty to grab.
"This area seems clear. Now what about here?"
Following instructions, I grab the hem of her skirt. I'm lifting Alouette's skirt... I'm getting seriously excited!
"You--! Stop it!"
Alouette hits me with her cuffed hands. Of course she's holding back so it doesn't hurt.
"How dare you! You wild little brat!"
Koronajima-san attaches chains hanging from the ceiling to Alouette's cuffs and pulls a lever. The chains retract, leaving Alouette hanging by her arms.
"Now, Baron-sama, please inspect Alouette thoroughly."
"Right, first let's check under this skirt. Uhehehehe."
"Damn... damn you..."