Sorry for the sudden interruption!
This is the announcement of the results for the “Bedroom Musician” Female Character Popularity Poll conducted the other day, presented in a short story format!
It’s unrelated to the main story, but I hope you enjoy it.
“Hello, hello! Hey there, I’m Yuzu Konuma! Takuto Konuma’s younger sister.”
“As for why I’m suddenly appearing, it’s simply because I’m a character with the right distance from the story to talk about this.”
“And that topic is... the ‘Bedroom Musician’ Female Character Popularity Poll!”
“The results came out this morning, so I’ve called all the candidates to this room!”
“Alright everyone, please come in!”
As Yuzu called out, everyone filed into the room one after another.
“Where... is this...?”
“The sign at the entrance said ‘Dream World (A room separated from the timeline and world-view)’...”
“Is this like a ‘Hyperbolic Time Chamber’ kind of thing...?”
“Ah, it’s Yuzu. Sup.”
Among the confused group, Sako-chan was the only one completely unfazed. Truly impressive.
“Um, who is this girl...?”
A round-faced person who looked like an older sister and a normie asked Yuzu. This must be Azuma-san.
“This is Yuzu. Takuto’s sister.”
“Wow! I’ve heard your voice before, but it’s our first time meeting! Nice to meet you, Yuzu-chan!”
“Nice to meet you!”
This lovely, angel-like person must be Amane-san.
“Eh, Takuto-kun’s sister!? So cute!”
The person who hugged me tightly and smelled really nice must be Erina-san. I see, I see.
...Big brother, you really are surrounded by beautiful girls...
“So, what’s going on?”
Sako-chan asked Yuzu. (Probably)
Clearing her throat with a ‘kohan,’ Yuzu decided to explain.
“Well, you know how there was an election recently?”
“Ah, for the House of Councillors!”
“Ah, no, no, I’m not talking about that serious kind of election. Please don’t bring real-world concepts in here.”
“Sorry...”
Amane-san looked dejected. But it couldn’t be helped. This was important.
This place was a dream world, cut off from any world-view.
“But then, what kind of election?”
Azuma-san asked while crossing her arms. Oh, how should I put it, when she crosses her arms, there’s a real sense of weight... Phew...
“It’s your popularity poll!”
“““What?””” “Yay, I didn’t know you were doing that! I’m so excited!”
Erina-san was the only one going at her own pace...
“So, I’ve come to announce the results! The total number of votes was 108! That’s the same as the number of worldly desires! Thank you so, so much for all the entries!”
“Wait, why did you do that without asking us!?”
Azuma-san was surprised. Well, it was only natural to be surprised...
However, I had no time to deal with her, so I ignored it.
Farce aside, it was time for the results! Pay close attention!
“First of all, in 4th place... with 11 votes, Erina-san!”
“““...””” “!?”
“Wh-What, Erina!? You mean I’m at the very bottom!?”
Erina-san’s eyes widened.
“Ah, no, further down there’s Yuzu with 2 votes, and someone registered Big Brother afterward, so he has 1 vote. By the way, the person whose polite character overlaps with Yuzu and is hard to handle, and the person who is like a ghost that's good at piano, both have 0 votes! 0 votes! Well, among the four heavenly kings here, you are indeed at the bottom.”
“Ugh... that hurts... it really stings... Yuzu-chan, do something!”
“There’s nothing Yuzu can do about it.”
What does this person want me to do about something that’s already happened...?
“I thought Erina-chan would be the top...” “Me too...” “Me three...”
“Yuzu thought so too. Erina-san is strangely popular in the comments section. You’re loved deeply by a select few! Nice!”
“Uhh... I guess so...”
She looked dejected. It couldn’t be helped.
“Alright, moving on. Next is 3rd place... with 17 votes, Sako-chan!”
“I got that many votes...? Even after doing such terrible things...”
Sako-chan put her hand to her mouth in surprise. She reacted like she won an Academy Award, but she’s in 3rd place.
“And yet you’re always the ‘Great Flat Chest’ in our card games...”
“Huh?”
“It’s nothing!”
Erina-san in 4th place was pouting, but I ignored her.
“Well, did the childhood friend attribute lead to this victory? Or was it the good recovery from that specific incident?”
“I wonder.”
She remained cool as usual, but the corners of her mouth rose by a fraction of a millimeter.
Big Brother isn't the only ‘Sako-chan Expression Master.’
“Now for the next one. 2nd place is... with 35 votes, Amane-san! That’s double Sako-chan’s score!”
“Oh, I’m 2nd?”
“...What, are you dissatisfied?”
Sako-chan glared at Amane-san.
“N-No, that’s not what I meant, sorry. I said I’m sorry, so don’t pull my cheeks, Sako-san! It hurts! Why? Isn't this supposed to be a dream world!?”
Sako-chan and Amane-san were messing around.
Still, I wonder if anyone has actually pulled cheeks in a dream before? Probably not, and I bet it would hurt if you pinched them...
“Which means, in other words...?”
Looking over, I saw Azuma-san with her eyes wide open, pointing at herself.
“Yes! 1st place, with 42 votes, is Azuma-san!”
“Wait, seriously?”
“Totally serious! Despite being told you had ‘no heroine presence’ or were ‘just an amane otaku’ at the start of the second arc, Azuma-san managed a come-from-behind victory for the top spot!”
“Wow, Yuri, congratulations!!”
As expected of the Angel-san, she was genuinely happy for her best friend’s 1st place.
...In contrast, the 3rd and 4th place winners were...
“...Wasn’t it just a matter of timing?”
“Eh, what was that? Miss 3rd-chan?”
“True, the election seems to have happened when Yuri was standing out the most, right?”
“Be quiet, Miss Bottom-place.”
“That reading is a bit much, don't you think!?”
Erina-san protested with teary eyes, but I didn't care. She started hitting me with little pitter-patter punches, but I ignored her... wait, that actually hurts!!
“So, as a prize for 1st place, I’m giving Azuma-san a ‘Travel Voucher’!”
“A-A travel voucher?”
Azuma-san tilted her head blankly.
“You’ll get to go on a ‘trip for two with Takuto-kun’ in a ‘world completely separated from the timeline and world-view’!”
“““What!?””” “Ehh, Erina wants to go too!”
Oh my, even Sako-chan’s voice had a ‘!?’ at the end.
Miss Bottom-place was throwing a tantrum at her own pace as usual.
“I’m... going... on a trip with Konuma?”
“Yes! Oh, I’ll say it again, this is a ‘world completely separated from the timeline and world-view’! So don’t bring it into the main story!”
“Ah, okay, I understand, but...”
The older sister-type was still confused.
“Azuma-neesan, aren't you happy?”
“I’m happy, but...”
“““She is happy!?”””
Apparently, she’s happy. That’s good then.
So, you’ll likely see that travel story sometime soon! Please look forward to it!
Once again, to the 108 people who voted, thank you so, so much!
To the 2 people who voted for Yuzu, thank you so, so, so much! I have no idea when Yuzu will appear next, but please keep supporting me!
Well then, see you in the main story! Bye-bye!
“Hey, Yurisuke, let’s go together.”
“Ah— um... sorry...”
“Yuri, what about me...?”
“Yeah, sorry...”