Since Blossom was one of the Seven Princesses Sieg had yet to meet, we made our way to the site of her attraction... but the atmosphere of the venue was, to put it mildly, bizarre.
I’ll admit, I was nervous. Blossom was the one in charge, after all. While she was undoubtedly a kind soul, she was prone to jumping to conclusions and had a knack for butchering facts about Japanese culture.
According to what Eingana had told me, Blossom’s attraction was themed around otherworld music, though the specifics of her performance supposedly changed on a whim.
As I arrived with a mixture of expectation and unease, I found myself staring at a very strange sight. If I had to compare it to anything, it looked like a colosseum. It featured a traditional Japanese aesthetic, but it hardly seemed like a stage for a concert. It looked more like a ring for an exhibition match held before a lord, complete with spectator seating. While there was a small space that might have been for a band, the area clearly intended for combat was far larger.
"Miyama-sama, you mentioned this was music from your world... but what exactly is this?" Sieg asked, her voice tinged with confusion.
"To be honest, we were hoping to ask that ourselves," I replied.
I truly didn’t have a clue. More accurately, I was certain this was the result of a massive misunderstanding. Aoi-chan and Hina-chan looked just as bewildered, their faces mirrors of my own.
Just as I was thinking our only option was to ask the woman herself...
"MASTER! AND EVERYONE ELSE! WELCOME!"
Her voice was thunderous. She came charging toward us, drawing every eye in the vicinity.
"H-Hello, Blossom," I managed.
"Yes! It has been far too long! Rejoining my Master fills my heart with such emotion I can barely contain it! Lilie-sama informed me that Master's friends and even two other visitors from the same world were coming. I have been counting the minutes!"
"Er, Blossom... maybe a little quieter?"
"Oh, right! Lilie-sama mentioned that too. My apologies!"
Regardless of her intent, Blossom’s voice was not only loud but had incredible carry. Every single person in the venue was now staring directly at us.
"Um, I’d like to introduce everyone, but doing it out here is a bit much. Would you mind if we headed backstage or somewhere private?"
"Understood! If it is Master's request... Come, this way!"
She really was a straightforward, good person. Her actions were as direct as a charging boar, but as long as her excitement wasn't at its absolute peak, she was surprisingly good at listening.
Guided by Blossom, we beat a hasty retreat from the crowd's gaze and moved to a spot behind the stage to handle the introductions properly.
"Allow me to introduce myself once more. My name is Blossom. As the two of you from the otherworld have surely noticed... I am a samurai!"
"Eh? Ah, y-yes... I see," Aoi-chan stammered.
"U-Um, I think it’s cool," Hina-chan added.
They were clearly lost. I couldn't blame them; if a stranger announced they were a samurai the moment you met, a blank stare was the only reasonable reaction.
Still, Blossom was a friendly person despite her intensity, so the introductions finished without a hitch. She even readily agreed to give Sieg an autograph.
"A moment... fetch the ink!"
"Sir!"
Seeing her subordinates scramble to bring out a brush and ink was very much in character for her. Once that was settled, I decided to address the question weighing on my mind.
"By the way, Blossom... what exactly are you planning to do for the festival?"
"Ah, the equipment caught your eye, did it?"
"Yes, well, it’s hard to miss."
"I thought so! I thought so! It must be a familiar sight to Master and the others, after all!"
No, it isn't! I’m asking because I don't recognize a single bit of this!
Regardless of my inner protest, Blossom continued, clenching her fist with an excited glint in her eyes.
"Indeed! It is one of the noble, traditional events that serves as a year-end staple in Master's world... a Singing Battle!"
"Something's wrong."
Our three voices—mine, Aoi-chan’s, and Hina-chan’s—overlapped in perfect, flat unison.
"Ehhh!?" Blossom cried out in shock.
I mean, certainly, Singing Battles are a thing, and it wasn't wrong to call them a year-end tradition. But one specific detail was fatally incorrect.
Judging by the shape of the arena and the atmosphere of the crowd, she hadn't built a stage for a contest of song. She had built a stage for a contest held while singing.
Serious-senpai: "I suppose the other Seven Princesses and the staff just figured it was some strange otherworld custom and didn't bother to stop her."
???: "However, as far as watching from the sidelines goes, Blossom is quite the treat. Her antics are always so wonderfully chaotic."