[Sara]That's it for today's performance. Thank you all for coming! I hope we'll see you again next time!
The music that is played whenever the show ends fills the theater, symbolizing the end of the Soul's performance for the day. The audience start clapping, which proves that today's performance was as exciting as ever.
Some members of the audience weren't satisfied with just clapping. Right at this moment, a woman wearing sunglasses got on the stage and put a bouquet of flowers in Sara's arms, then kissed Sara's hand gently in front of everyone.
The sudden situation caused lots of people to cry out loud. I was surprised too, but more than anything, I was curious about the identity of this woman.
[player]Sara is smiling and laughing while talking to her. Are they friends? I really want to know, but I'm too far to hear what they are saying.
After chatting for a while, the woman takes off her sunglasses. That face... Have I seen her before?
[Audience A]Huh? I-Isn't that Olevi?
[player]Olevi... Oh, I remember now.
I lean forward and confirm that I'm not mistaken after taking a closer look. The woman next to Sara is Olevi, a member of a popular troupe. I just saw the news that she had just arrived at One Han City the day before yesterday.
After Olevi notices the audience looking at her, she smiles and raises her hand to greet everyone. She then takes the microphone from Sara and talks to everyone with her deep androgynous voice from the stage.
[Olevi]I think this is the first time I'm meeting almost everyone here. Let me introduce myself... Hello everyone, I'm Olevi from Musae! It's an honor to meet everyone!
Musae is an all female singing and dancing troupe, which is very popular among female fans. The most popular group in the troupe is called Dazzle, and the top star of Dazzle is Olevi. The screams that fill my ears at this moment show me just how excited the female fans are.
[Olevi]I've come here today to make an announcement... In a month's time, I'll be having a stage performance competition on this stage with my good rival, Sara.
[Olevi]Depending on the result of the competition, Sara may even be joining Musae! I hereby sincerely invite everyone to come and witness this competition!
[player]...Eh?
Huh—???
It's clear that many others are just as dumbfounded by this unexpected declaration as I am, causing the venue to be momentarily filled with silence. After everyone comes back to their senses, the chattering of many conversations fills the air.
After the performers all withdraw from the stage, I get up immediately and rush to the backstage because I can't sit still any longer.
[player]Sara!
I rush over to the staff lounge and push open the doors to find Olevi chatting happily with Sara and the other troupe members.
[Olevi]Who's this? Sara, is this a new member?
[Sara]Oh, it's you. You're here just in time. We were just talking about you.
[Olevi]Oh? Is this that important guest of yours I've heard so many things about?
[Sara]Yes, this is the one.
[Olevi]It's nice to meet you. I'm Olevi. Ah, Sara said you watched the performance, so I guess it's a little pointless to introduce myself to you again.
[player]It's nice to meet you, I'm PLAYER... Hold on, this isn't the time to say hi to each other.
[player]Ciri, is it alright for you to chat leisurely with Ms. Olevi? She's here to poach your leader. Aren't you nervous at all?
[Ciri]Nope, it's not the first time they have competed like this.
[Ryan]On the other hand, why are you so nervous?
[player]I...
[Sara]Haha, it looks like you're a little confused. Let me explain things to you.
[Sara]I met Olevi when I was on tour. She watched my performance once and really liked it, so she hopes that I can join her troupe.
[Gaffer]Sara turned down the invitation, so Ms. Olevi challenged her. Ah... That was such a fantastic competition.
[player]H-How fantastic exactly?
[Gaffer]It was absolutely amazing! It was the best turnout we had ever had since I joined the troupe. The people of the city were all packed into our tent!
...So is he just saying that they made a lot from ticket sales that time?!
[Ticket Inspector]Business is especially good whenever Ms. Olevi challenges the leader to a competition. Although it's very tiring checking all the tickets, I'm still really grateful to you.
[Olevi]You're welcome! But it must be hard on all of you because you need to work overtime whenever I come.
[player]So... the competition is just a gimmick to bring in more customers?
[Olevi]Of course not. I try my best every time we compete. I'll get Sara to join our troupe one day!
[Ciri]Ryan, how many times have they competed already?
[Ryan]I've forgotten. They always end in a tie anyway, and I think it'll probably be the same this time.
[Olevi]Haha, Ryan, you don't need to save face for me. Being unable to convince Sara to join Musae means that I've lost. There's no such thing as a tie.
Olevi talks and carries herself in such a cool and impressive manner. I can understand why she has so many female fans.
According to what they are saying, they have always ended in a tie, so I can kind of understand why the members of Soul are so relaxed, but...
[player]Sara, it isn't that I don't believe in your ability, but accidents can happen. If you really do lose, will you join her troupe?
[Sara]Well, Olevi always challenges me seriously, so it's natural that I should keep my promise.
[player]Isn't that too unfair? Even if the competition manages to draw more customers, it's such a great loss to Soul if you lose, Sara.
[Olevi]It will be a big loss to Soul, but I don't think it's a bad thing to Sara personally if she can spread her wings on a bigger stage. Don't you think?
[player]...I shouldn't be the one to answer that question. Sara, what do you think?
[Sara]Soul isn't as famous as it used to be, and we manage to attract many new audiences whenever I have a competition with Olevi. With rewards come certain risks, and this is a good deal for the troupe. Not to mention, Olevi considerately comes to our venue to challenge me every time, so I can't let her good intentions go to waste.
[Sara]Also... on a personal level, I'm very willing to accept challenges. After all, I'm very competitive and have never avoided a dancing competition in my life.
[Sara]What's more, there aren't many chances to compete against a rival as good as her. I'm really looking forward to our competition, Olevi.
[Olevi]Same here. My mind is still filled with the scenes of our last competition.
[player]In that case... Good luck, Sara. I'll be rooting for you with all the other fans on that day.
[Sara]Hehe, thanks.
Sara is indifferent to most things, so it's rare to see such fighting spirit burning in her eyes. If I don't support her now, I won't have the face to call myself her diehard fan.
[Sara]Olevi, has the theme of our upcoming competition been decided?
[Olevi]I decided it ages ago. The theme this time is Carmen.
[player]Carmen...
[Sara]Oh, you know about Carmen?
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