This is…a very impressive barbecue grill.

It’s the latest model imported from America. I heard it can grill several kilograms of meat at once!

All the food looks crazy too. Tons of meat, seafood, veggies… Is it normal to have this much?

Yeah, they plan on offering this much even when they open to the public. They’d love to hear your thoughts afterwards.

I’ll make sure to tell them. It’s the least I could do after being invited to such an exciting barbecue.

Let me turn on the grill.

…Hm? Wait, where’s Muneuji?

He said he’d join us after a quick bathroom break⁠— Oh, there he is. Over here!

Huh? What… What’s happening…?

…It looks like there’s a light shining around him. Is that just me?

His smile looks different from usual too. It’s like one of those archaic smiles in art…

Yeah… Yeah, right? I’m not imagining that, right?!

He has the same air of power and nobility as a royal courtier.

Yeah, looking at him almost makes me want to put my hands together in gratitude.

Wait, what are you guys even saying?! There’s clearly something weird going on here…!

GYAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH?!?!

Woah, what was that?

*gasp* I was so utterly overjoyed to be graced by His Majesty’s presence outside of school that I acted shamefully…!

…School? Are you one of Muneuji’s classmates?

Yes! I am truly blessed to encounter His Majesty…here…

I didn’t expect to see other Asu High students here!

Any friend of Muneuji’s is a little brother of mine. Would you like to join us for our barbecue?

GYAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH?!?!

Ki… Kitakata-senpai and Kamina-senpai…?! A-A-A-Asu High’s famed alumni are here too?! Oh, my word, they’re too bright for my mortal eyes…!

HAH…! Thank you for your wisdom. I shall make note of it.

Um, so, are you here to do some…leisuring? Too?

I was captivated by His Majesty’s awe-inspiring horseback archery, and ever since, I have served as a member of Secret Head-Start Decapitation and the president of the Romantza Pastorale Equestrian Club!

Thus, I am here to participate in an equestrian competition that will be hosted by the owner of this establishment’s stable tomorrow!

Oh, I didn’t know they were doing that! They have so many fun events running, even before the grand opening!

So it’s an event for Asu High students? I’d love to go and watch.

Ah, well, in all honesty… The competition is open for anyone to participate without advance notice… Peek!

Oh, is that so? Muneuji, you’re knowledgeable about horses, so why don’t you enter?

Yeah. Relaxing in peace is great too, but I think you should do something to get your blood pumping⁠—

What?

B-But Your Majesty…!

(He understood what that meant?! He looks sad about it, so I guess that means Muneuji rejected the idea?)

Are you sure?

Okay, what does that mean?

…Well, well. It seems to me that he’s reached his ultimate state of being.

But has he found what he’s truly searching for there?

What’s his temperature?

36.6 degrees. Seems normal.

I’m glad he’s not sick, at least.

But…he’s been acting strangely since the barbecue.

He would normally volunteer to be in charge of barbecues, but he was barely moving the whole time.

But he ate quite a bit of food, and he’s still responding to us. I think he’s okay.

That’s true. As long as he’s eating properly…

No, guys, something weird is happening. I don’t think we should just let this slide.

Shackles?

! Wait, you’re throwing it out? But you worked so hard to write that.

…I’ll keep this with me for the time being.

(…We’ve read over this report so many times together and worked through it one step at a time.)

(If he’s trying to throw it out, then…maybe Tao’s correct in his suspicions. Something might be wrong with Muneuji…)

(When things like this come up, it’s best to consult an expert. I just hope he’s still awake…)

<⁠…Why are you calling me so late at night?⁠>

My apologies. I had a question about Muneuji, and I wanted your opinion.

It doesn’t seem like he has a fever, but he won’t eat anything unless someone hand-feeds him, and all he did during the barbecue was just stand by and watch. He was also about to throw out the report he made…

<⁠I’m sorry, what? Are you sure you’re talking about Muu-cha⁠— About Muneuji?⁠>

Yes… Since you know him well, do you think his behavior sounds strange?

<⁠Very strange. He wouldn’t throw away something he spent that much work on, and he’d never stand around and do nothing at a big group event like a barbecue.⁠>

I thought so. Is this the first time he’s been like this?

<⁠No… He gets like that sometimes, like when he first started kyudo or when he gets really invested in something…⁠>

<⁠…Should I come over?⁠>

No, I couldn’t ask you to walk around in the dark. I’d be worried about you.

We’ll do what we can. Do you have any ideas on how we can help him?

<⁠…Like, how to bring him back to his senses?⁠>

Yes.

<⁠There is one thing…⁠>

Everyone, I have an idea. Where’s Muneuji?

Sleeping. I think the food made him sleepy.

…Well, I’m glad he’s healthy.

What was your idea?

I was talking with Ushio about it over the phone, but I actually wanted to consult you on it too. Do you have some time after this?

Hm? I’m not sure what you have in mind, but I’ll do what it takes to help Muneuji.

*yawn…*

(Kamina-san and Raito-san went to have a chat, so I guess I’ll go to sleep.)

(Ever since I got my life back in order, I’ve been getting tired so early. It’s crazy…)

Hm? Is that someone yelling outside…?

(What are they doing…?)

(…Eh, whatever. I probably wouldn’t get through to them. I’ll just go to sleep.)