When we arrived at the venue for Rosmiel-san’s performance, we were greeted by a magnificent, massive building that felt exactly like a grand musical hall.
Beside the entrance stood a sign detailing the performance schedule and a poster of Rosmiel-san that was practically life-sized. The version of her on the poster had her arms crossed and a sharp, dignified expression on her face—a presence truly worthy of her epithet, "The Solitary Rose."
Of course, her actual personality was better described as "The Cowardly Chihuahua," but the poster didn’t betray a hint of that bashfulness. In all likelihood, she had simply been frozen stiff from stage fright during the shoot, but even so, the result was an undeniably cool image.
While my companions and I stood admiring the poster, a person who appeared to be a subordinate of the World King approached us.
"You are Miyama Kaito-sama, I presume? Rosmiel-sama gave me orders to show you to her waiting room immediately upon your arrival."
"Ah, I see. Understood... Um, is it alright if everyone comes along?"
I had actually messaged Rosmiel-san via Hummingbird beforehand to let her know which show we were attending. I wanted to ask for an autograph for Sieg-san, but since Rosmiel-san was so crippled by social anxiety, I knew it would be difficult for her to come out to the crowded lobby. Instead, I’d planned to visit her backstage.
It seemed she had already informed her staff, but I wanted to double-check. I was probably fine now—we had managed to talk normally during my last visit—but everyone else was likely still a source of intense shyness for her.
If the situation demanded it, I had been prepared to take the autograph boards from Sieg-san and go in alone, but...
"...She said it would be fine, for the most part," the attendant replied.
"I see. In that case, could you lead the way?"
"Yes. This way, please."
The subordinate showed a flicker of internal conflict for a split second. Rosmiel-san had probably told them it was fine for everyone to come, but the attendant likely felt that, given her current state, things were actually very far from fine.
We were led into a backstage area strictly off-limits to the public, eventually stopping before a room with a particularly imposing door. After the attendant knocked to confirm, they opened the door and ushered us inside. The staff member remained in the hallway, closing the door behind us once we had entered.
In the center of the spacious room stood Rosmiel-san, her arms crossed... and it was immediately clear that she was not okay.
"...Um, I’ll go ahead first. Everyone else, please wait here for a moment."
She was completely frozen solid, and my Sympathy Magic picked up on the frantic, panicked emotions swirling inside her. I had the others stay by the door while I approached her alone.
As I drew near, Rosmiel-san reached out and placed a trembling hand on my shoulder, leaning in to whisper directly into my ear.
"...W-Welcome, Kaito-kun. I’m glad you came. S-So... um... I’m really sorry, but could you... could you tell the others thank you for coming for me?"
"Understood."
Just as I’d suspected, she couldn't bring herself to speak to the group. I took on the same role Camellia-san had played for her during the previous White God Festival, acting as a bridge and relaying her words to everyone. Since they all knew how pathologically shy she was from that festival, they accepted the situation without any confusion.
"By the way, that poster out front was very impressive."
"Awawawa! Y-Y-You saw it? Right, of course you did... everyone can see it. Why did they do that? I tried to make it so I barely have any time on stage, but my subordinates insisted, 'The representative must be Rosmiel-sama after all,' and then they made that poster... Uuu, it’s so embarrassing..."
"I-I see... Well, I can understand why they’d want to show you off."
From a marketing standpoint, putting one of the Seven Princesses front and center was the most effective way to draw a crowd. Besides, Rosmiel-san was a strikingly beautiful woman with a very noble air; a poster like that really made the most of her looks.
"Ah, that reminds me, Rosmiel-san. If it isn’t too much trouble, would it be alright if Sieg-san got an autograph?"
"A-An autograph? Y-Yes. That’s fine."
Once I relayed her consent, Sieg-san gave her thanks with a joyful expression and tried to step forward with an autograph board. However, the moment Sieg-san moved, Rosmiel-san slid backward as if retreating on ice.
"...Um... Sieg-san, I’ll take the board and hand it to her."
"Y-Yes. I think that would be for the best..."
Since it was clearly too difficult for Sieg-san to approach her directly, I acted as the intermediary to get the signature. Because she spoke to me relatively normally now, I tended to forget, but Rosmiel-san’s shyness truly was on a different level.
Out of curiosity, I wondered how many days it would take her to feel comfortable enough to talk to someone like Sieg-san?
"...If I had... a-about two months... maybe... I could manage..."
It wasn't a matter of days, but months. Apparently, the "few days" she had estimated for people like Nebula were exceptionally fast by Rosmiel-san’s standards.
Extra: Until she can talk to other people
Note: These are based on Rosmiel’s intuitive first impressions; actual results may vary.
Lilia: 2 months Lunamaria: 4 months Aoi: 3 months Hina: 23 days Anima: 10 months Caraway: 5 months Eta: 1 year Theta: 2 months Illness: 16 days Nebula: 2 days
Serious-senpai: "Looking at Eta and Anima... I guess she’s not good with hot-blooded, energetic types? Illness I can understand, but why is the timeline for Hina so short?"
???: "Hina-san looks bright and cheerful on the outside, but she actually has a very timid and inward-looking side. Perhaps Rosmiel sensed a kindred spirit in her?"