Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Live Show (1)
The past two days had been a waking nightmare for Akihiro. It felt like he was walking on pins and needles, in a constant state of stress. Every time there was a knock on his door, he'd practically jump out of his skin. He couldn't breathe easy on the streets, constantly looking over his shoulder.
His wives. They were here. On the same planet with him. In Japan. In Tokyo. They could bump into each other at any freakin' moment. Akihiro hadn't slept for the past two days, fearful that he might accidentally activate his mana in his sleep.
Dark bags marred his eyes, he was nervously biting his nails, and he stared impatiently at the TV screen. The government had announced a live broadcast featuring Queen Maria Windhaven and her sister Elena for today.
Akihiro glared at the TV screen, clearly irritated.
"When the hell are these damn retards gonna start? It's already seven fucking o'clock!" he hissed through gritted teeth.
Suddenly, a sharp knock on Akihiro's door startled him, making him flinch and slowly turn around. He held his breath, feeling his heart momentarily stop. A look of shock crossed his face as he approached the door.
He paused and suddenly croaked, sounding like a raspy old woman rather than a young, confident man.
"Uh... Who... Who's there?"
"Hello, is Akihiro home?" Yasuhiro's voice came from behind the door.
The lock snapped open and the door swung wide. Yasuhiro was met with Akihiro's stern, unhappy face.
"You couldn't call?" Akihiro looked at him irritably.
"Why?" Yasuhiro quirked an eyebrow. Akihiro rolled his eyes impatiently.
"Come in, quick! It's about to start! Hurry up!" Akihiro yelled, sounding a bit unhinged. Yasuhiro looked at him, puzzled.
"Alright, alright, chill out, man. You've been super tense lately," Yasuhiro stepped into the house. Akihiro's eyes darted from side to side, as if looking for someone spying on his home, but saw no one. It was empty.
And besides, he lived in a huge mansion with security; they would've alerted him by now.
"Actually, that's why I came over. It's more fun watching this together than alone. Who would've thought the Queen from another world would agree to be on Johnny Smiles's show," Yasuhiro quickly took off his shoes.
Akihiro rushed to the TV and stared intently at the screen.
"You seem way too excited about this. I thought you'd find it boring, especially since you said Johnny annoys you."
"Shut up! It's starting! It's starting! Holy shit, it's starting!" Akihiro shouted, almost lika a maniac.
Lively and fervent applause erupted in the auditorium. From behind the curtains emerged a middle-aged man with bulging, large, round green eyes, neatly slicked-back light hair, and a broad, cheerful smile. The man was dressed in a minty-pink suit.
"Hello, everyone, good morning, greetings! Today, you're with me, JOOOOOOOHNNNNNNNYYY SMIIIIIIILES!"
The room immediately burst into thunderous applause, many shouting and whistling in awe.
Yasuhiro rolled his eyes. Akihiro, on the other hand, frowned and impatiently resumed biting his nails.
"Welcome to 'A Jolly Stroll with Johnny Smiles!' We have special guests today. They're not just celebrities or nobodies — they are royalty from the world known as the Empire of Alarian! Please welcome Queen Maria Windhaven and her sister, Princess Elena Windhaven!"
Applause; Maria and Elena took to the stage, both looking magnificent and composed.
Maria was a mature woman with confident and determined golden eyes and long purple hair. Her purple dress elegantly hugged her slim figure, emphasizing her femininity and grace, while modestly concealing her small bust. The dress added to Maria's royal majesty and grace.
Elena, unlike her sister, had a colder, more serene demeanor. Her golden hair and a small burn on her face and neck made her appearance memorable. Her black dress elegantly highlighted her figure, accentuating a fuller bust compared to Maria. The color of the dress complemented her appearance, adding to her majestic and stern look.
Both wore gorgeous, luxurious dresses that perfectly matched their regal status. These were outfits only true queens could wear, and they shone in them like stars in the night sky.
With a cheerful smile, Johnny bowed before them and kissed each of their hands. Both women calmly nodded at him and took their seats on the red couch next to Johnny Smiles' table, behind which he sat in his purple high-backed chair, resembling a royal throne.
"What beauties," Yasuhiro marveled.
Akihiro swallowed.
"Wow, Your Majesty! You look simply ageless. What beauty secrets have you brought from your magical world?" Johnny beamed.
"Lord Smiles, your words are generous and flattering, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We are here to share the culture and wisdom of the Empire of Alarian, as well as to explore your wonderful world," Maria replied with an enchanting smile.
"Wow, she's good," Yasuhiro's mouth dropped open in shock.
"Where did this dumb tsundere learn to speak like that?! Where did she get these manners?" Akihiro couldn't contain his exasperation. Yasuhiro looked at him suspiciously.
"Oh, so magic has nothing to do with this? Well, alright! What interested you in our world, Your Majesty? And most importantly, how do you understand me, and I you?"
"It's all thanks to the mana enveloping our bodies. All the words you speak pass through an invisible layer of mana, allowing us to perceive your language as our own, and of course, the same works in reverse."
"Wow! So, thanks to this mana of yours, you can understand all the languages in the world!?"
"Exactly," nodded Maria, her voice sounding confident and majestic. She appeared relaxed and at ease, as if she had been on such shows many times before.
"What the hell is wrong with her?! That's not her! Where's the 'Hmm, it's none of your business, commoner,' or 'how dare you speak to me like that, fool.' Where is that?! That's not her. It's just not her. Not her!" Akihiro began to mutter to himself. Yasuhiro looked at him tensely but didn't vocalize his thoughts. He had never seen his friend so desperate before.
Johnny took a thoughtful look at the Queen, then a noticeable smile appeared at the corners of his lips.
"Your Majesty, since you can understand all the languages in the world thanks to mana, can you decipher the language of women's glances? They can sometimes be much more complicated!"
Maria was slightly surprised by this unexpected question, but her face soon lit up with a delicate smile.
"Lord Smiles, the language of women's glances can indeed be complex and mysterious. But I think even mana sometimes can't decipher this special code," she said with a light laugh, without losing her majestic style. The audience laughed along with her, and Johnny Smiles nodded in satisfaction.
"Do they really think this is funny? I mean, maybe a smile is fine, but the whole room laughing? I really don't get these entertainment shows," Yasuhiro shook his head. Akihiro had almost chewed off all his nails.
"So, what about our world? What interested you so much that you came all the way from the Alarian Empire? Is it all because of my show? Have I become so famous that queens from other worlds now want to meet me personally?" Laughter in the room. Yasuhiro facepalmed.
"Seriously? Are you serious right now? He wasn't even trying to make a joke, and you're still laughing. God." Akihiro looked tense. The host's question concerned him much more than anyone else in the world at that moment.
"Unfortunately, that's not the reason. Though I'm sure there are plenty of Queens in our Empire who would like to visit your world just for you, Lord Smiles," Maria said, barely smiling. Elena nodded.
"Oh, really? I'm flattered. But, if it's not too much trouble, don't forget to give me the numbers of these Queens after the show." Laughter in the room. Maria smiled enchantingly and nodded.
"Of course," her smile suddenly turned into a serious and determined expression, making Akihiro's heart stop for a few seconds, "However, the reason we chose your world is because of…" Akihiro held his breath. His face turned even paler; one more second of tension and he would accidentally use his mana, destroying his home. He swallowed.
"...the exquisite inventions of your time," Maria smiled charmingly. Elena nodded.
Akihiro's eyes widened. He let out a relieved breath.
Seriously? So they didn't come for me? Seriously? Phew. Thank God! What a freaking relief!
Akihiro stopped biting his nails, pushed away from the TV screen with a satisfied smile, and casually flopped onto the couch behind him. Yasuhiro raised both eyebrows in confusion.
"Hmm? Why did you suddenly calm down?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing. Just felt better all of a sudden. Forgot to mention, I've been feeling under the weather. Been getting the chills lately."
"Is that so," Yasuhiro narrowed his eyes, casting a suspicious look at him.
"Yep," Akihiro casually responded, continuing to watch the television peacefully. Maria continued speaking:
"Your art, television, literature – all of these are incredibly appealing to us. Your world offers us a chance to understand how humanity can evolve without magic, and that touched our hearts."
"What about my smile? I've always thought it's pure magic!" Laughter in the studio.
"Cringe," Akihiro muttered indifferently.
"Idiot," Yasuhiro nodded.
"There's indeed something magical in your smile, Lord Smiles," Elena stated with a cold expression, making Akihiro raise an eyebrow.
"See, even Princess Elena couldn't resist the magic of my smile!" Laughter in the studio. Maria smiles, maintaining her royal grace. Elena looks calm.
"Alright, let's get to more serious matters. From what I understand, both Queen Maria and Princess Elena have children. Let's talk about that..."
Akihiro's relaxed smile suddenly trembled and vanished.
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