Overloaded With Attributes Chapter 46

The LAB Director, Part 2 

So, here’s what actually happened at the food court. First, I bought a drink to kill time. With nothing to do, I just flopped onto the table.

"Kashiwagi-kun. You are a student of the illustrious Ourin Academy, you know? I mean, I'm used to your behavior by now, but could you at least sit up straight in public? If we get a complaint that a student is slacking off, it really hurts the teacher's bonus, see?"

"Forget that," Rokujou-san interrupted. "Isn't it stranger that a man is relaxing in a food court, a place full of women?"

But just then! My voice, my song, started playing over the speakers!

"Kashiwagi-kun's song has been playing everywhere these past few days. It's not that weird to hear it in a food court. P.S. My new routine is sobbing in the bathtub while listening to 'Eiji no Uta'."

"Excuse me, I'm sorry," Rokujou-san said. "The report mentioned this, but I'm still not following. He's a new Explorer who just applied for his license last Thursday. So why is his voice playing over the speakers?"

The hundreds of Explorer-sans in the food court all got this dreamy look—the look of women—and started listening. A few even started singing along.

"Teacher sings along in the bath, too!"

"So why is an Explorer singing? No, wait. Eh? Kashiwagi-san, you're a man and a singer?!"

The second the chorus hit, the entire place erupted. Watching it all, I felt pretty damn good.

"Ah, okay. I get it now. Kashiwagi-kun really likes being the center of attention, doesn't he?"

"Is this song famous enough that everyone knows it? I didn't even know a male singer existed."

I had to give them some fanservice! It was like magic—a stage and a mic appeared! I rushed the stage, and my first secret live began!

"Eh?! No fair! Shouldn't you have called your teacher first?!"

"Performing an unauthorized live show in a dungeon facility—Wait. Is there actually a rule against that? And why is there a stage in the food court?!"

"Ma'am," the guard muttered. "'Food Court' is just its nickname. This is officially a multi-purpose hall. The stage was already set for the Takatsukasa-sama lecture in two days."

"—I'm sending you my BEAT! I'm capturing your HEART!"

"What is Kashiwagi-kun saying?" (My teacher)

"What is Kashiwagi-san saying?" (Rokujou)

The applause was so loud it shook the room. I had a thought.

"Ah... this is my true calling."

"Uuu... next time, I'm getting a ticket! I swear!" (My teacher)

"This isn't a concert venue..." (Rokujou)

"And then, when the hype was at its peak and people started fainting, your guards arrested me!" I finished.

"The commotion was so severe, we judged it to be an act of terrorism. We apprehended the ringleader."

"See? Your guard just misunderstood! I didn't do anything wrong. And with that, my innocence is proven!"

"Kashiwagi-kun, nothing about that sounded innocent."

"Kashiwagi-san, this is a level of misconduct that we can't just let go."

After that, they called my guardian. I got a scolding. Well, a very gentle scolding.

---

~After Yuugiri (and his teacher) left the room~ ※Please enjoy the following with "audio commentary".

Shouko: "Hello. Allow me to re-introduce myself. I am Nakatsukasa Shouko." (Rokujou Ayaka. 32? 33? Way too old for a normal boy. But him? He'd probably accept her. This is a problem.)

Rokujou: "A pleasure. Rokujou Ayaka. The Nakatsukasa family, you're a branch of the Takatsukasa, are you not? We are related. Please, dispense with the formalities." (Nakatsukasa Shouko. Kazura's cousin. So this is his guardian. A boy who's not intimidated by women, my ideal prince. And he's already leashed by the nobility. Tch. GENE? Takatsukasa moves fast. But he likes me. He called me beautiful. I'll use the family connection. He's stuck at my dungeon for three years. I can win.)

Shouko: "Thank you. I apologize for the trouble my Yuugiri has caused." ("Related"? Don't flatter yourself. She's patronizing me. But I can't make an enemy of her. Time to assert dominance.)

Rokujou: "No, no. I haven't seen a man with so much energy. I actually found it refreshing. I'd love to welcome him into the Rokujou family. By the way, Nakatsukasa-san. You're GENE, correct? Isn't it rather familiar to call your protectee yours? Or to use his first name so casually?" (This bitch. She's just a guard. How dare she call him her Yuugiri? I must shut this down.)

Shouko: "Ah, my apologies. I forgot I was speaking to family. He insisted that I call him that." (She took the bait. She doesn't know about the engagement. But how dare she lecture me on how I speak to him?!)

Rokujou: "Is that so. He asked me to use my first name, too. He's just so open. So unlike a man. I can see how you might misunderstand the situation." (Tch. This woman. He was sitting awfully close, but she's the one who's misunderstanding. This guard is getting way too cocky.)

Shouko: "Fufu. You're right. Even if one is his fiancée, one shouldn't behave so improperly in public." (Misunderstand? 'MISUNDERSTAND'?! Ahahaha! Are you kidding me? You're the one who's confused. Who do you think you are? I am the one he chose. What are you to him?!)

Rokujou: "Fiancée?! Is this an abuse of power? Or did Takatsukasa force—Ahem. My congratulations. But he's so charming. And a student. Surrounded by young women. Young— Ghhk! Anyway! Let's move on to the main topic!" (Fiancée?! Him?! With this woman who's a decade older?! Is it blackmail?! Kidnapping?! Drugs?! She's using her power, that Takatsukasa witch. But he's a high school boy! He's surrounded by fresh, young— Young— Ghk! My chest. It's fine! Age is just a number! We'll call this a draw for now!)

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