Kon. Kon.

"You ready in there?" I ask.

...

"I'm coming in."

I walk into Sutoria's designated dressing room at the city hall. She's at the mirror, looking at her reflection. A reflection showing a face with a mess made from her makeup. Makeup ruined by tears.

"You can't go out there looking like that!" I say cheerfully, mimicking my usual personality at her concerts.

"Stay away!" Sutoria yells.

I stop for a second, then continue. When I get to her, I pick up her makeup kit and start to clean up her face.

"I won't act innocent anymore, but it pains me to still see someone I trust like this." I lie. "Deal or no deal, you still have a duty to those out there. To them, and to your family."

She flinches at the last thing I say.

"You said you'd do this for them, no?"

She remains silent.

"You know what the plan is?"

"I sing one song while everyone arrives, then let my fa...Mr. Wave...no...I..."

"Continue." I jump in.

"Sorry. Mr. Wave does a sponsorship speech, then I continue with my concert as usual."

"Correct."

"Tell me...am I just a form of income to you?"

"One part of me says 'yes' while the other says 'no'. Believe what you want."

"And my family? They'll be safe?"

"Do as I say, and they'll be fine."

She looks away from me.

"Think of this as one of your many concerts. That's all I ask."

She weakly nods.

(And if any Keisetsu members try to sneak in, the yakuza guys will slow them down.)

Kon. Kon.

"Come in!" I yell.

A young man walks in.

"Ms. Diva-da, you're on!"

(And so it begins.) I think.

Sutoria leaves and heads out onto the stage. A true stage that puts theatres in the First Age to shame. Most of the seats, including the balcony ones, filled with fans who look too happy to suspect anything. Seems the surprise announcement didn't affect the attendance.

Of course, some of my men are in the audience, ready for Ken's speech, carrying guns with bullets tainted with my poison.

"Good evening, everyone!" Sutoria shouts in her "cheerful" demeanor.

"YYYYYYEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"

"Thank you all for attending my concert on such short notice! I am truly blessed to have such diehard fans! As always, I will sing a song just for you while we wait for more to arrive for the main event!"

She creates some clones from her rhime, and begins to sing Young London's "Broken". While the audience doesn't mind, it's clear to me that she's still in a somber mood, judging by this music selection.

But that doesn't matter. One more song, and everything will be over. While I didn't get all I desired, obtaining the hospital's wealth will still suffice. Then I can return to Besuro and continue the plan. And...I can continue my own plan.

(It's almost over. It's almost over.)